Africa in the News!

Job Creation Focus of SA's Green Summit
Johannesburg — SA's transition to a low-carbon economy and the potential for job creation will be a key focus of the three-day Green Economy Summit that opens today in Sandton. President Jacob Zuma is expected to give the keynote address, while six ministers will explain how their departments will contribute to the plans for a green economy - underlining the seriousness with which this is viewed in the Cabinet.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201005180177.html

Meeting the First Ladies of Africa
These candid interviews, conducted by the BBC Network Africa's Veronique Edwards, give a new perspective on the leaders of the continent and address issues ranging from power and politics to glamour and romance. Listening to Sierra Leone's Sia Koroma, Namibia's Penehupifo Pohamba, Ghana's Ernestina Mills, Zambia's Thandiwe Banda, and Uganda's Janet Museveni, the most striking thing is that these women care deeply about the condition of society.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8685438.stm

Somali Cabinet Set for Shake-up
Sharif Ahmed, the Somali president, has said he will appoint a new prime minister in an attempt to resolve a bitter power struggle between the current premier and the speaker of parliament. On Sunday, Sheikh Aden Madobe, the speaker, said that parliament had passed a vote of no confidence in the government, but this was disputed by some members and Madobe resigned on Monday.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/05/201051715256242930.html

Malawi Gay Couple Convicted of Indecency, Unnatural Acts
A court in Malawi has found a gay couple guilty of gross indecency and unnatural acts, according to witnesses who heard the verdict Tuesday. Sentencing will take place May 20. The two young men face up to 14 years of hard labor. Steven Mojenza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were arrested in December at their home in Blantyre, Malawi, for professing their love in a traditional engagement ceremony. They were rounded up after news reports surfaced, charged under colonial-era sodomy laws and detained at Chichiru Prison without bail.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/05/18/malawi.gay.couple.sentenced/index.html

Watch "Senegal: The President's Tour," Monday, April 5, on Travel Channel

On Monday, March 22, 2010 at the World Bank, The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, in partnership with Travel Channel, held a reception and world premiere for the film, SENEGAL: THE PRESIDENT’S TOUR. The film features H.E. Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal, as he guides television correspondent, Tiki Barber, on a fascinating and picturesque journey throughout this West African country. The film portrays Senegal, a country celebrating its fiftieth year of independence, as the dynamic and progressive West African nation it is.

Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the Africa Region of the World Bank, provided welcoming remarks, while Bernadette Paolo, President and CEO of The Africa Society, served as the Mistress of Ceremony. Congressman Donald M. Payne (pictured above), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, provided the introductory remarks for President Wade who addressed the audience of over 400 individuals in World Bank’s Preston auditorium. Television correspondent and former NFL star Tiki Barber was also on hand to discuss his experience in Senegal and introduce the film.

This film marks the fourth collaboration between The Africa Society and Travel Channel for the Presidential Tours of Africa Series. The three previous films featured President Mogae of Botswana in 2008, President Museveni of Uganda in 2003 and President Kufuor of Ghana in 2005. Programs such as these not only change perceptions, they also serve to increase tourism. We are proud of the impact our programs have in changing the negative and stereotypical images of Africa that Americans are all too often inundated with. We want to encourage the media to do more features on Africa that cast the continent in a positive light.

Show your support and appreciation of films such as these by watching, “Senegal: The President’s Tour”, which will air on Travel Channel on Monday, April 5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. EST. You will definitely enjoy yourself.