Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 26-08-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K: "Dear friends, Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 26 August, which interrogated some important questions in Africa's hotel industry. We leave the show getting a sense of why hotel prices in Ghana are relatively higher than in other African countries, and why the tourism regulators, and government are found wanting in bringing sanity to the sector. As usual, we have different segments, including our regular AU/ECOWAS five minute digest; "Africa in History"; "Africa in the News". We also have #EbolaWatch updates from Kobby Blay, our registered nurse at Korle-Bu. We look forward to comments! Kind regards, Emmanuel" Click here to view (Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!) © 2014 Dropbox

Fwd: [Africa in Focus Blog!] FEATURE: ECOWAS Finally sets up Ebola Awareness Page

by Emmanuel.K.Bensah Jr, Head of Research & Communications Unit, Africa in Focus Show

Barely a month after ECOWAS recorded its first fatality at the ECOWAS Lagos Office to Ebola, the regional institution has finally established a website to help respond to staff concerns about the Ebola virus. Dubbed "ECOWAS Health Awareness", the site is in the three official languages of ECOWAS--English; French; and Portuguese--and uses a combination of cartoons and simple language to explain all one needs to know about Ebola.

Under the "All you need to know" tab, there are sections on recognising the virus; preventing it; transmission; and treatment.

On clicking the FAQ tab, one is directed to pertinent questions on Ebola for "ECOWAS"; the "WHO" and the "UN". There is regrettably no information under the UN section, but there are a detailled list of questions under the "ECOWAS" and "WHO" tabs.

Perhaps the most useful part of the site is the "Updates" tab, which is populated by some statistics of deaths recorded since 27 July up to 8 August, 2014. Although the French and Portuguese site have little information, the English site seems to be more up-to-date.

This website comes at a time when many ECOWAS Community citizens have been left wondering what the regional response to the crisis is. Reports that the AU and WHO are actively collaborating to help countries affected by Ebola have left many sceptical as to whether there is actually any ECOWAS Ebola Fund as trumpeted by ECOWAS at the 45th Ordinary Session that was held here in Accra in July.

The West African Health Organisation(WAHO), the regional counterpart to the World Health Organisation, has been found wanting in its response to the crisis. It is only a small news digest about an upcoming emergency meeting in Accra on 28 August that offers some assurance.

According to the WAHO website, the "Extraordinary Meeting of the Assembly of Health Ministers will be devoted to reviewing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the region". The meeting will seek to provide "an update on the implementation of recommendations from the last WHO-sponsored Accra Meeting and the Summit convened by the Heads of State of the Mano River Union."

More than 1,000 people lost their lives to the deadly virus in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria in recent months.

Access the ECOWAS Ebola Awareness site here: http://www.awareness.ecowas.int/

ENDs




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Posted By Blogger to Africa in Focus Blog! at 8/17/2014 03:41:00 PM

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_____________________________________________________________________
E.K.Bensah Jr, Head of Research & Host -- "Africa in Focus"(Radio XYZ 93.1FM)
www.ekbensah.net | http://www.twitter.com/ekbensah | www.ekbensahdotnet.org
*TEL:+233.268.687.653 / +233.233.311.789 / +233.243.111.789

*Telegram/Whatsapp:+233.311.789

________________________________________________________________________________

EKBENSAH DotNet: Regional integration Intelligence| West Africa-ECOWAS | Communications | Civil society 

_______________________________________________________________

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 5-08-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K: ""Kindly find a podcast of the 5 August edition of "Africa in Focus". In this edition of AIF, we talked to Kenya's erstwhile "King of Facebook", and Brand Ambassador of Safaricomm to find out how that East African country has been able to revolutionise New Media. We also talked to the former Knowledge Management Officer of the UNECA who played an active role in ensuring that the rather-prosaic policy of Africa's integration and development is translated into the more exciting and vivacious New Media channel in Facebook. Even more importantly, we used the show to explore the extent to which New Media, especially blogging, is still a good idea, and does it have validity in a space where twitter seems to be king? We tried to find out what Kenya's King of Facebook thinks about other forms of New Media, and does his commercial success lend weight to the fact that his template is one that can be replicated elsewhere in Africa?"" Click here to view (Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!) © 2014 Dropbox

AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 5 August, 2014: "Africa & Social Media: Blogging; Activism; and the Future"

Africa & Social Media: Blogging; Activism; and the Future

If someone were to be documenting Ghana’s young history of its foray into Social Media, one might refer to the 1 July demonstration, which triggered the hashtag #Occupyflagstaff, as one of the examples of Ghana’s foray into activism. Activism, because many months after the so-called “Arab Spring”, many have questioned when sub-Saharan Africa would have its own Spring.

But long before there was even any talk of a “Spring” africaine, Ghana had begun making moves around Social Media. First it was Penplusbytes, or the ICT Institute of Journalism in 2001. Seven years later came BloggingGhana – considered the largest association of bloggers writing about Ghana. With the advent of New Media has come opportunities for training and education on New Media, which the latter two organizations have been involved in.

That said, one could be forgiven for thinking that without being associated with these two organizations, survival in New Media is impossible. Far from it, as there remain many individuals blogging, and fully-engaged in New Media through many different initiatives they undertake.

Then there is the case of our media houses, which are taking the New Media bull by the horns and running with it. Back in 2009, the host of “Africa in Focus” was called to national duty for the 14th GJA Media Awards. Word had it that his blogging activism was what led him to that calling.  Sitting on that committee as a judge for online journalism was indeed a priviledge, but he was disheartened by the fact that subsequent GJA Media awards did not deem Blogging and New Media an important component of Ghana’s media.

Fortunately, New Media has managed to move beyond relying on the Ghana Journalist Association. The establishment of organizations like BloggingGhana and Penplusbytes can verily attest to this fact. But even with their respective successes, what have other countries been able to do around New Media and Blogging?

In this edition of AIF, we talk to Kenya’s erstwhile “King of Facebook”, and Brand Ambassador of Safaricomm to find out how that East African country has been able to revolutionise New Media. We also talk to the former Knowledge Management Officer of the UNECA who played an active role in ensuring that the rather-prosaic policy of Africa’s integration and development is translated into the more exciting and vivacious New Media channel in Facebook.

Even more importantly, we will be using the show to explore the extent to which New Media, especially blogging, is still a good idea, and does it have validity in a space where twitter seems to be king? What does Kenya’s King of Facebook think about other forms of New Media, and does his commercial success lend weight to the fact that his template is one that can be replicated elsewhere in Africa?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Edward Tagoe, BloggingGhana

Ø  Ato Ulzen-Appiah, Rancard Solutions/ex-Google Ghana

Ø  Kwami Ahiabenu, Penplusbytes New Media Hub/African Elections Project

On the line:

Ø  Golda Addo, Renewable Energy advocate; Activist   @ 13h40

Ø  Stephen Musyoka, TrInc Media/ former Kenyan “King of Facebook”/City Council of Nairobi @ 13h55

Ø  Mawuli Tsikata, CITI fm, @14h10

Ø  Mkhu Ncube, Young Zimbabwe Business Platform/ex-UNECA @ 14h25

Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time). We’re also streaming live  www.radioxyzonline.com.

Contact us Facebook on:

http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz and radio XYZ 93.1FM. Tweet us @africainfocus14 and @ekbensah. Listen to us on #MultiTVChannel29. Thanks!

HOW TO CONTACT "AFRICA IN FOCUS"

1. Google plus BUSINESS PAGE: http://gplus.to/contactafricainfocusxyz
2. Google plus COMMUNITY: http://gplus.to/africaonradioxyz
3. Google plus Profile:  http://gplus.to/africainfocusongoogleplus

*Email:  africainfocusonradioxyz AT gmail.com
*FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
*Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14, using #AfricainFocus #radioxyz

--
Posted By Blogger to Africa in Focus Blog! at 8/04/2014 11:31:00 AM

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_____________________________________________________________________
E.K.Bensah Jr, Head of Research & Host -- "Africa in Focus"(Radio XYZ 93.1FM)
www.ekbensah.net | http://www.twitter.com/ekbensah | www.ekbensahdotnet.org
*TEL:+233.268.687.653 / +233.233.311.789 / +233.243.111.789

*Telegram/Whatsapp:+233.311.789

________________________________________________________________________________

EKBENSAH DotNet: Regional integration Intelligence| West Africa-ECOWAS | Communications | Civil society 

_______________________________________________________________

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 22-07-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K: "Dear friends, Kindly find the #PODCAST to the 10th edition of #AfricainFocus , which interrogated the issue: "understanding energy security is important because the reliable supply of commercial energy services is critical for growing economies in West Africa. Just like people elsewhere, citizens in West Africa seek a higher standard of living, which is only possible with access to commercially-sustainable energy services. Yet, most of the region lack the energy infrastructure needed to meet demand, although resources such as oil, gas, hydro and coal are available and there are opportunities for modern use of biomass and other renewables such as wind and solar" Other Questions answered: • What is energy security, and how is it prosecuted in West Africa? (ERERA) • What are some of the threats to energy security in (West) Africa? (ERERA/GIABA) • How can energy security be maintained? (ERERA) • What are the regional & continental responses to countering challenges to energy security? (ERERA/GIABA)" Click here to view (Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!) © 2014 Dropbox

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 15-07-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K: "Kindly find the podcast of the NINTH edition of the "Africa in Focus" show, which interrogated the question: "Even as we celebrate this beautiful new star of Africa, we must begin to ask important questions on how it has been able to link conservation and tourism to development in a way that is reflected through the annual gorilla-naming ceremony. As Ghana prepares itself to host the UN World Tourism Organisation international conference on Tourism Branding, what lessons can it learn from Rwanda which makes up to USD300m a year on tourism?" OTHER QUESTIONS ANSWERED INCLUDED: • When did the idea for the gorilla-naming ceremony come about, and why is it important for Rwanda? (Ignatius, RwandAir) • What are some of the best practices on tourism that Rwanda can share? • What are some of the achievements Rwanda has been able to chalk since the end of the genocide in 1994 (Ambassador Habineza) • Why did the city of Kigali decide to establish the Genocide Memorial museum? (Serge Rwigamba) • How has the genocide memorial been able to renew the spirit of Rwandans towards re-building their country? (Serge) • What has Rwanda done right which Ghana can learn from?" Click here to view (Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!) © 2014 Dropbox

Watch out for Maiden Edition of Radio XYZ93.1 FM's "Africa in Focus" Show hosted by E.K.Bensah Jr!

It was with with more-than-bated breath that the Research & Communications Unit/Business Desk of Radio XYZ's "Africa in Focus" show met 2 May, 2014 at Eastgate Hotel to prepare for the very-first edition of the show on 6 May.

With sponsors in West Africa Civil Society Institute(WACSI) officially on board to take the programme to even greater heights, the Unit was happy to have interacted with key WACSI staff who paved the way on the future of the partnership. 

There was general reporting of activities, and a lot of exciting information-exchange on developments during the past week, including on the just-ended Pan-African Conference on Inequalities that was held here in Accra.

The Research & Comms Unit meets every week at Eastgate Hotel with the Business Desk to monitor and evaluate previous editions of AIF show; progress on the direction of the research component of the "Africa in Focus" show; the state of communication instruments (facebook; twitter; google plus community); how far weekly activities are contributing to enriching the Unit's monitoring of African integration dynamics of ECOWAS; the AU; and Africa's engagement with members of the Global South. 

Finally, the meetings seek to undertake innovative strategies to further-educate the public on Africa's development.

A Happy World Consumer Right's Day?

*HAPPY WORLD **#CONSUMER** RIGHTS DAY*>>

15 March is a day to remind consumers of their right to complain for more effective and efficient public services. Are YOU aware of YOUR rights? #15March

On Thursday, I had the priviledge of attending a policy roundtable on consumer rights, which was organised by CUTS--a consumer protection NGO working in areas of consumer protection, trade and development, competition policy and law, economic regulation and good governance.

Present were regulatory agencies of Public Utilities Regulatory Commission; Food and Drugs Authority; National Communications Authority, and other civil society organisations. They offered frank views on the role of the regulator in protecting the consumer.

I believe there will be important follow-ups from this meeting, with CUTS playing an important role in sustaining the platform.

A Google+ conversation about Rosemond Nyampong's Murder: Way forward?

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Shared publicly  -  Yesterday 12:30

 #GHANAPOLICE

 

 

 

GHANA FACEBOOKER ASKS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF #GHANAPOLICE AFTER NEWS OF KILLING OF 32-YR-OLD FEMALE BANKER IN HER HOME >> Kindly read below what https://www.facebook.com/CITIZEN.QUOFFI asks of Ghana's Police Service. Reads like an open letter to them! May Rosemond Nyampong's death NOT be in vain!! RIP...

----------------------------------------------
_ I just finished reading this harrowing story and my opinion is that it's an inside job. It certainly was a disgruntled friend or colleague whom she may have been acquainted with or better still a family member, given that the door to her home was locked.

I asked the same question whether the nation was equipped with a state of the art forensic lab, but from an above post my curiosity has been answered.

However,

1: What is the point in possessing a £3 million state of the art forensic lab when there's no computerized national data base of finger prints to help such a lab to function correctly?

2: Is there a national program being implemented to educate the nation on how to report and treat a crime scene without tampering with evidence?

3: Since no mention was made in the news report concerning a response unit of CSI FORENSIC officials, I presume none is even in effect or probably not highly trained enough to respond to such emergencies.

4: Although I'm against national institutions monitoring the private phone conversation of its nationals, one cannot pretend to underestimate its effectiveness in cases like these to have an insight into such horrendous crimes.

Equipping the nation with a highly functioning forensic lab without the backing of some, all or more of the above mentioned programs would be like an individual possessing an expensive Gulf Stream private jet without a trained pilot and crew to fly it.

This young lady could be a family member, friend or colleague of ours. My condolences rests with this family for their loss. I mourn with them, because such an atrocious act may find its tentacles on my door steps someday and there might not be a solution in place to apprehend the culprits._

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26 comments

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 12:35

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+Lloyd Amoah +Benkoku Avle +Sandister Tei +Philip Ashon +Oral Ofori +Ato Ulzen-Appiah +Samuel Obour +Graphicgh +Enoch Darfah Frimpong +Akorfa Adika-Bensah 

Nkansah Rexford

Yesterday 12:45

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+Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr. I think I have answer to all the question.
Answer: We're in Ghana

Anyone who tries to anwer the questions above is getting ready to not answer the question.

No matter how you try to follow up this issue, won't bring this beautiful lady back to life. The ending will be this: The issue will be dumped in the zoomlion trashcan.

I'm not discouraging anyone to try find answers. I'm just telling you a fact, which will happen should anyone attempt to learn. Don't become the next victim by trying to find out.

Nkansah Rexford

Yesterday 12:55

 

Should anyone dare to find answers, he/she should remember these:
1) You're a Ghanaian
2) You'll be finding answers from Ghanaians
3) You're in Ghana
4) Ghana is in west africa.

Oral Ofori

Yesterday 13:30

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+Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr. since you're in #Ghana, I'll encourage you to print these questions, march to the nearest police station and drop it off with the chief or simply mail it to the GH police HQ.

Nkansah Rexford

Yesterday 13:42

 

+Oral Ofori please, email is out. Drop at chief office? Well, eshun dropped off something some time ago, up till today nothing. Give it a try

Oral Ofori

Yesterday 13:54

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+Nkansah Rexford #Madiba tried for 50yrs, 27 of which were spent behind bars so yes, if it's for a good cause we must keep hope alive and continue to push...I am not in #Ghana but will support anyway possible, but I think we stand a better chance impacting the cause from inside the country, which is why am counting on you and +Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr. and Eshun to keep pushing. Just because they didn't respond doesn't mean they haven't seen your letters, believe me they have. They are hoping by ignoring they may succeed at killing our efforts to try again, let's not give them a reason to think it worked, let the letters be sent again, and again and let people even drop them off personally or sign petitions... till action is taken. Like +Ato Ulzen-Appiah says, more vim! This is a #233Momentworth seeing through, and I know exactly how +Mutombo da Poet feels on this issue. Aluta Continua!

Nkansah Rexford

Yesterday 14:02

 

If yopu say so boss. +Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr. Send the messages in then

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 14:06

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thanks for your contributions +Nkansah Rexford  and +Oral Ofori . By no means, it is doing the rounds on #facebook, but do check the post here: https://www.facebook.com/yaa.boadiaboagye/posts/10101046761538282?comment_id=9650847&offset=0&total_comments=18&ref=notif&notif_t=share_reply

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 14:08

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+Yaa Boadi-Aboagye hope to see you more on Google plus!;-)

Nkansah Rexford

Yesterday 14:09

 

Okay. Count me out because Facebook wants me to log into before I see the comment. Unfortunately, I've signed death agreement with Google. Any attempt to open account on fb means death for me. Even paying 10$ now fine for opening fb website

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 14:37

 

+QUOFFI BOADI Asomaning has just joined the conversation, but is lurking!;-) He made those important points which I have captured here from facebook. Kindly add him! 

QUOFFI BOADI Asomaning

Yesterday 14:42

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It is high time we as a nation address matters concerning us on a local level than pretending to care for international issues which barely have a direct impart on us as a nation. I have nothing against mourning the death of Nelson Mandela for his contribution to freedom. In fact, I celebrate his life. However, in mourning such a great man, I would be a hypocrite if I do not stop for a moment to reflect on the harrowing death of Rosemond. I'm still appalled at the nonchalant response her death is receiving. I'm still questioning the effectiveness of our police force to shed comforting light on her murder or at least a progress report on how they are handling their investigation. She's not the first victim to travel this horrific road nor would she be the last. More brutal murders would be committed in the nearest future but the question is : IF THEY EVER DO OCCUR, WILL THEY EVER BE SOLVED? Before long, without any plausible cause, this case will be cold and forgotten. Another unsolved mystery!!!
I'm fastly loosing faith in the Ghana Police Force and if measures are not implemented to deter this national unrest, it will ultimately throw this prestigious national institute into disrepute... To be continued!!!

Nkansah Rexford

Yesterday 14:50

 

+QUOFFI BOADI Asomaning I think I've answered your question in my first comment. In fact, +Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr. I wasn't kidding by that comment. I'm serious. Its not as if I'm joking. 

Mohd Nuhu

Yesterday 16:28

 

Her case is one of hundreds in Ghana. sadly !

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 16:30

 

have you guys heard? Joy news online: "I was contracted to kill 32-year-old banker; suspect confesses" -- http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2013/December-12th/i-was-contracted-to-kill-32-year-old-banker-suspect-confesses.php

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 16:31

 

+Mohd Nuhu but it SHOULD not be one of hundreds. One day, we gotta say "enough is enough"!

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 16:55

 

incidentally, guys, do you know that #ghanapolice  is on twitter on @ghanapolice, but last tweet was in March 2011?!

Nkansah Rexford

Yesterday 17:03

 

Hahahahaha +Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr. Ghana police on twitter?

Lloyd Amoah

Yesterday 17:04

 

I am sure the police have a problem with the internet like they have with EVERYTHING...:(....HORRIFYING!!!!

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 17:06

 

+Nkansah Rexford yes ooOooo!!: https://twitter.com/ghanapolice +Lloyd Amoah in their visibility, they forgot accessibility!!

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 17:08

 

OMG:-( I just found the deceased lady on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosemond.nyampong.1. #sosad  

Michael Adjetey

Yesterday 21:44

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Actually for point 1. The NIA has a database of our fingerprints. They collect it when registering for the Ghana Card. I don't think Ghana Police have access to that database as yet. Our office which works closely with the NIA to run the program for non citizens had to conduct a background check and the officer showed up and took our fingerprints manually. Generated no small amount of laughs in the office.

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

Yesterday 22:29

 

That is the thing +Michael Adjetey. Why doesn't the Ghana Police have access? As any nation grows, criminal justice, and strengthening of our law enforcement ought to surely be primordial in sustaining the society equitably. What are our parliamentarians doing about advocating a safer society for us? +***** +richard sky +Joan Mensah 

Michael Adjetey

06:49

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Granted. The basic problem is that the police don't care (or understand) as much as they should.

I know that a major reason why the Ghana Card (& non citizen version) isn't being accepted as ID for use (IE in banks) is because verification kits aren't available to the institutions. This is aside the fact that it is actually illegal to accept any form of ID aside the National ID card (that or use of the passport is illegal, I'm a bit fuzzy on that).

But if one doesn't have something one needs to do his/her job, one should pursue it no? From where I am, I have not seen that happen at all. The non-citizens card project has been going on for almost a year and the police haven't been involved in our stakeholder engagements for most of it.

Micheal Awuni

07:08

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+Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr. Good morning... I will like to have a discussion with you. How best can that be

Emmanuel.K. Bensah Jr.

11:49

 

sure, +Michael Awuni ! go ahead!;