By Bashe Said

Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom travels to Ghanaian communities across the United States to address his plan to eradicate poverty in Ghana, create long term savings, and grow the national unity of Ghana. Ghana’s opposition Convention People’s Party (CPP) has elected him as the new presidential candidate to represent the party ahead of next year’s general elections. Paa Kwesi Nduom who is the CPP Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem recently resigned as sector minister for Public Sector Reform under President John Kufuor’s administration. 

EAGAN, Minn. (Jan. 30, 2008) — The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation has named Frank Fernández, JD, to its 13-member board of directors. The board directs the state’s largest grantmaking foundation dedicated exclusively to improving health in Minnesota and includes five community representatives. 

ldquo;Frank brings great experience and passion in working with communities the foundation serves,” said Marsha Shotley, foundation president. “His understanding of the role of social and economic influences on health makes him a valuable addition to our board in guiding our work.” 

Nibakure Children’s Village (NCV) to Begin Providing Care for Orphans in 2008 

 “We cannot wait to help Rwanda’s children. We must do something now.” These were the thoughts of Nibakure Children’s Village Executive Director, Floriane Robins-Brown after her most recent visit to Rwanda in September.  Floriane met with a number of Rwandan orphans who are in the most dire circumstances.  “I met with orphaned children and widows.  I met children raising children, whose parents died either in the Rwandan genocide of 1994 or died of AIDS.”   

SAINT PAUL, MN – The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, in consortium with the Saint Paul Public Library and the Mayor’s Office of the City of Saint Paul, is pleased to announce the finalists in 8 categories for the 20th Annual Minnesota Book Awards. 
Chosen on Saturday, January 26, by 24 judges from around the state, the finalists in the following categories are:

Roseville – The Minnesota Department of Education today announced that the MNParentsKnow.info Website has been expanded to include research-based information for parents of children from birth through age five.

By IBé Kaba

Okay, I hate cold as much as the next African. In fact, probably worse.  No matter how many layers of clothing I put on, cold rips through my skin, straight to my marrow.  I'm not playing.  And it's not all in my head either. I don't think it; I feel it every November to March (if not October to April and May).

The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is leading a delegation of Minnesota companies on a trade mission to the fast-growing market of South Africa.  Scheduled for March 28 to April 6, 2008, the mission will help small and medium-sized companies gain valuable market information and meet prospective business partners.  

Ramsey International Fine Arts Center are getting ready their annual Fine Arts Open House on to be held tommorow.  The event will showcase the school’s commitment to incorporating arts activities throughout its curriculum.
 

The Zambian government has targeted a year-end inflation of not more than seven percent, as it aims to consolidate measures that have seen urban poverty drop from 53 per cent to 34 per cent while trying to arrest rural poverty that has increased from 78 per cent to 80 per cent.

Finance and National Planning Minister, Ng’andu Magande said that the government’s macroeconomic objectives for 2008 would also include targeting to achieve a real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of at least seven percent.

By Peter Clottey 

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has reportedly named former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as an advisor to his government. Some Rwandans have hailed Blair’s appointment and expressed optimism about the former British Prime minister’s ability to advise the government on both international and domestic matters. Blair is also expected to help raise funds to help President Kagame’s government, which has been praised for transforming the country after the 1994 genocide in which scores of Tutsis and moderate Hutus lost their lives.

By Jim Onyango and Allan Odhiambo

Shortly after 6 pm yesterday, President Kibaki and his rival Mr Raila Odinga emerged from a meeting in Nairobi’s Harambee House in a  major political breakthrough that analysts said could end the political stalemate that has stalked the nation since the December polls.

The meeting, arranged after former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan met the two leaders separately, is the latest attempt to end violence that has killed nearly 600 people and could signal a softening of hardline positions by both sides.

ST. PAUL, MINN., - Minnesota producers have until March 15, 2008, to sign-up for 2008 Non-insured Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for spring planted crops. This deadline applies to the following 2008 spring planted crops: forage sorghum, oats, potatoes, soybeans, sunflowers, cut flowers and all spring planted specialty crops grown for food, including vegetables.

By Bashe Said

Minnesota International Health Volunteers says they are excited to establish a new  Somali Health Center for the community to improve their health & well-being. MIHV works within the African community, especially the East African communities in Minnesota over the years offering various programs both here and in East Africa.

After years of public hearing in many cities around the world including Twin Cities, the TRC is now back to Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia.  On January 8, 2008, the Liberian TRC commenced public hearings in the capital city of Monrovia with a statement from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. On behalf of the Government of Liberia and other governments around the world Johnson-Sirleaf asked Liberians for forgiveness for their actions either by omission or commission.

Private nonprofit colleges and universities lead the state in full-time, new-student enrollment in baccalaureate programs. The 17 institutions that are members of the Minnesota Private College Council represent the vast majority of students enrolled in nonprofit colleges in the state.