MUSLIMS IN SWEDEN SHED 'TEARS' OVER HISTORICAL PRAYER CALL AT A MOSQUE IN STOCKHOLM

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Worshippers at the Fittja mosque in southern Stockholm on Friday heard Sweden's first-ever call to prayer, which brought some congregation members to tears of joy, reports The Local, Sweden's leading English news site.

Guluz Kayhan, 45, had tears in her eyes when the notes of Sweden's first-ever call to prayer ended and worshippers hurried up the steps of the mosque.

"I don't go to the mosque as often as before but I wanted to experience this," she told The Local as she wiped tears from her blue eyes. Flanked by her two daughters, Kayhan made her way inside, slipping off her shoes.
"I'm really proud of Sweden," said her daughters' friend Havva Göcmenoglu, 24. "I am proud of being part of a society that respects different religions."
Medborgarplatsen, Stockholm, Sweden.

Yet as the spring sun broke through the clouds after a bitterly dour morning, two men in a red Volvo 740 crept up to the curb and halted, just to spin their wheels so furiously the rubber shrieked as much as it burned. People making their way into the mosque turned their heads, but most seemed intent on ignoring the odd act.
The congregation was a mix of people who moved to Sweden from countries such as Turkey decades ago, but a number of people who immigrated more recently joined in too.

Kashif Rashid, 28, from Lahore in Pakistan just left Italy to join his brother in Sweden.
"In Italy I didn't even have a mosque to go to," he said on his way to the mosque, which is nestled in a beech copse just by a lake lined with the hulls of hibernating boats.
"For two years I have not heard this," he beamed.

Fittja Mosque, Stockholm, Sweden.

His enthusiasm was shared by others heading to pray. Abdi Muhammad, 27, originally from Somalia, travelled to Fittja from Rinkeby on the far other end of Stockholm
"Thank you to the government," he said.

Friday's prayer call came following a decision earlier this month by local police who ruled that it wouldn't violate local noise ordinances. The ruling allowed the prayer call for between three to five minutes on Fridays between midday and 1pm.
Back in September, local government officials had approved the move in principle, voting in favour of scrapping a 1994 prohibition on allowing prayer calls, which dated back from before the construction of the mosque.

The mosque was built in 2007 in the municipality's Fittja district and has over 1,500 members
Among veterans in the congregation, reactions were equally elated.
"The Swedes have pure hearts," said Fawzia Choudry, 46, who came to Sweden from Pakistan decades ago.
"We threw our hands in the air in delight when we heard the ruling, because at first nobody thought they'd give the permission."
Her daughter Toba, 21, used the Azan (call to prayer) app on her pink-encased iPhone in the mean time.

"People are so busy working; this really is a good reminder," she said.

AfDB's COMPELLING CASE FOR AFRICA'S STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION

For the African Development Bank (AfDB), transforming Africa’s economies entails diversifying and expanding the sources of economic growth and opportunity in a manner that promotes greater productivity for sustained and inclusive economic development.

“A major policy challenge for Africa today is how to broaden access to economic opportunities for its expanding population, including the most vulnerable groups,” the Bank says in its 2012 Annual Report, which will be presented to the institution’s Governors at the Marrakech meetings.

“Africa requires structural transformation to propel it towards inclusive growth,” the report says, citing high unemployment and underemployment especially among young people and women, as one of the main problems facing the continent today.
AfDB's headquarters in Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire

Structural transformation will not materialize unless there is a concomitant investment in skills development in areas that have kept the continent behind other developing regions. In this regard, Africa needs to harness its natural resources to build skills for its youthful population in order to leapfrog development and secure a place in the global value chain. Developing skills will unleash the dynamism of Africa’s untapped entrepreneurship potential, creating opportunities for increased job and wealth creation. An enlightened population is also important in Africa’s global engagement in trade and commerce.

“The key message is that Africa should accelerate its structural transformation by boosting the potential of its youthful population, investing in science and technology and innovation, speeding up its rate of economic integration, greening the economy and supporting private sector enterprise,” the report emphasized.

The report identifies leadership, degree of economic integration at the national, regional and global levels, as well as inclusive growth as the key factors that can influence transformation. Regional political events, weather, and price shocks must also be taken into consideration.

Mr. Donald Kaberuka

According to the report, Africa’s transformation can be realized by leveraging the huge potentials in some of the following areas:

- Infrastructure – Africa’s infrastructure financing needs — about USD 390 billion in the medium term, mostly for power and energy — are in the USD trillions in the longer term.

- Natural resources – It is estimated that Africa’s natural resource extractive industries will contribute over USD 30 billion per annum in government revenues in the next 20 years.

- Revenues from natural resources could finance a substantial part of Africa’s infrastructure development. Some countries have already issued Eurobonds for infrastructure, on the basis of natural-resource revenues.

- Demographics – Young people comprise the bulk of Africa’s one billion population. To convert this “youth bulge” into a “demographic dividend” will require investing in skills and the creation of job opportunities on a large and unprecedented scale.

- Promoting agriculture – the agriculture sector employs the vast majority of Africa’s population, and provides direct inputs to the agro-processing value chain, supplies food to urban areas, and is a source of household savings for investment.

- The Private Sector – As Africa’s economies expand, the private sector, which accounts for 90 per cent of informal employment, will become even more important, especially in industry.

- Urbanization –- Africa’s cities, with 40 per cent of the population in 2010 — projected to be 50 per cent in a generation, and 65 per cent by 2060 — are increasingly becoming the drivers of consumer demand and hence economic growth.

- Governance/Investment climate – improved governance and better macroeconomic policies – lower debt, low inflation and stable exchange rates are essential in fostering economic competitiveness.

- Technological innovation – Investment in technology, and particularly ICT, have greatly improved public access to information, spurring a knowledge economy and innovative approaches to micro-finance and the mobilization of rural producers, e.g. Kenya’s M-PESA, Kenya’s innovative mobile banking.

The strategies to unlock Africa’s potential reside in elimination of the causes of national and regional conflict to bring peace; visionary leadership and strong and effective government institutions, while empowering women and youth; strengthening human capital development through education and training, especially in science and technology, and improvements in basic services; fostering diversification, especially in agriculture and rural areas, including sustainable greening of the economy and promotion of manufacturing; and promoting intra-Africa trade through increased domestic and regional investment, and forging strong trade links with emerging partners.

The Bank will continue to support and monitor the transformation efforts of the Regional Member Countries. Accordingly, the Bank has adopted a 10-year strategy whose overarching goal is to promote socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic growth. The core operational priorities of this strategy include infrastructure development; regional integration; private sector development; governance and accountability; as well as skills and technology development.

GAMBIA: GOVERNMENT BANS SKYPE AND VIBER FREE PHONE CALLS

In a move that is angering Diaspora Gambians and their families back home, The Gambia government on Thursday announced the banning of all local and long distance Skype and Viber free calls in The Gambia--citing what it calls "the major financial loss that government is accruing due to Skype and Viber free calls," the Freedomnewspaper reports.

The Gambia government has also banned online dating in the impoverished West Africa cocaine hub nation. Internet providers, companies and users here have been strictly warned to comply with the the ban imposed on Skype and Viber phone calls by the government.

Analysts said the Gambia government is violating international Internet access protocols by banning Skype and Viber free calls. But PURA said the ban will enhance the government's revenue collection rate in the area of telecommunication. PURA warns all stakeholders must comply with the new directive.

"PURA wishes to inform the general public that it has come to its notice that there are companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services as a commercially available service to the public in The Gambia. Therefore, all are hereby informed that such practices are not authorized," PURA strictly warns.


"Furthermore, PURA wishes to make it abundantly clear that the offering of “International and National Calling Services” within Internet Cafes using VoIP services (Viber, Skype, etc) is strictly prohibited. Anyone who is engaged in this activity is depriving the country of the much needed revenue from International and National calls, required for the development of The Gambia," the statement further warned.

Skype and Viber are free Internet applications, which allows its users to download, share files, video conference and make local and international phone calls without going through government controlled telecommunications.

There is little that PURA and the Gambia government can do to stop IPhone users downloading the Skype and Viber applications. A worst case scenario the government might resort to blocking Skype and Viber, but such a move might not speak well for the regime.

Also as part of the European Union Article 8, 17 points demand dialogue program with the Gambia government, the EU prevailed on the Jammeh regime to lift the ban on Internet access--most importantly the exiled online media. The European body also asked the government to reopen the Daily News, Standard Newspaper, and the Teranga FM radio.

In response, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh summoned a cabinet, which was televised live on state TV, GRTS. Jammeh flatly rejected the EU Demands--accusing the EU of trying to install a "puppet government." What followed next was a nationwide protest organized by the government branding the European Union as "Saboteurs" and also agents of violence.

The government's decision to ban Skype and Viber free calls, followed a growing disenchantment amongst the populace here, who uses Skype to call a US based online Internet Radio--Freedom Radio Gambia to vent their anger and displeasure against the Jammeh dictatorship.

The emergence of Skype and Viber have made it much easier for Gambians to place free long distance phone calls to Freedom Radio and their families overseas. The radio attracts millions of hits per month. Its target audience is: Diasporan Gambians, Gambians back home, US, EU and African policy makers.

The Gambia government is increasingly uncomfortable with the amount of information coming out of the country and also the public's recent disapproval of dictator Yahya Jammeh's government handling of the economy and the situation of governance. There is growing public dissatisfaction against Jammeh's one man rule.

This is not the first time that the Gambia government has attempted to censor the Internet. The US State Department in its annual Human Rights report on Gambia criticized the Jammeh government for blocking the IP address of the Freedom Newspaper and that of the Gambia Echo Newspaper--both North Carolina based Gambian owned media houses. The US State Department said Internet freedom has been restricted in the Gambia.

PURA said it would like to warn anybody involved in either of the above activities to immediately desist doing so.

"In a bid to protect our national interest, PURA is urging the general public to be vigilant with regards to the above, and to report any suspicious activities to PURA by calling 148 free on all networks, between 8.30am to 6.00pm (Mondays to Thursdays)," PURA concluded.

Mr. Tony Bates Skype CEO could not be reached for immediate comment at the time of going to press.

Source: Freedomnewspaper

GOVERNMENT URGED TO SUPPORT NEW ACTION PLAN TO SAVE A MILLION CHILD LIVES EVERY YEAR

Today, UNICEF and the WHO have launched a new action plan tackling for the first time two of the three biggest killer diseases of children under five in Africa – pneumonia and diarrhoea. The plan aims to end preventable deaths of children in Africa from these diseases by 2025, which would save over 1 million lives a year.

Every year in Sub-Saharan Africa over 600,000 children under five die of pneumonia while more than 400,000 die of diarrhoea. Between them, they account for over a quarter (28%) of all the child deaths on the continent.

The Action Plan calls for a substantial shift is in how poverty reduction efforts are coordinated in Africa. Aid programmes need to bring together different areas of work, such as access to drinking water, health and education, to make them more effective.

The new plan calls on governments to prioritise investment in the poorest and least-served population groups. For example, in Africa’s towns and cities, nearly three-quarters (73%) of the richest people enjoy access to adequate sanitation, while for the poorest groups in these areas only 15% have access.

Alongside dozens of development charities, WaterAid has signed a joint statement in support of the new Action Plan that declares:

‘We can save countless lives by using an integrated approach to fighting disease, improving access to proven interventions and by prioritising efforts to reach the poorest and most marginalised children. As the latest data demonstrate, the Global Action Plan on Pneumonia and Diarrhoea provides the most cost-effective approach and will help achieve the greatest impact in reducing child deaths.’

EUROCHANNEL PICKS EUTELSAT 16A TO EXTEND REACH IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

The range of channels broadcasting across sub-Saharan Africa via the EUTELSAT 16A satellite further increased today with the launch of Eurochannel, the international TV channel dedicated to European films and series. Eurochannel’s selection of EUTELSAT 16A marks the latest step in its international expansion and comes three months after its launch into all Europe via Eutelsat. The channel has signed a new five-year contract for capacity and services with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) (http://www.eutelsat.com).


Leveraging EUTELSAT 16A’s powerful Ku-band footprint that sweeps across Africa, from Senegal in the West to Madagascar in the East, Eurochannel has joined a digital platform uplinked by Eutelsat and comprising over 20 TV channels. Eurochannel is broadcasting programmes subtitled in English, French and Portuguese, with terrestrial headends its principal target.

Eurochannel Chairman and CEO, Gustavo Vainstein commented: “When we analysed our options for expansion across sub-Saharan Africa EUTELSAT 16A quickly emerged as the obvious choice for its high-power and strong reach of our target audience. Working with Eutelsat since our launch across all Europe last year has enabled us to develop a solid relationship which we look forward to taking to the next level with this new phase in our international development.”

Rodney Benn, Regional Vice-President Africa at Eutelsat, responded: “EUTELSAT 16A has quickly established itself as a valued platform for content delivery to network headends and for DTH reception in Africa. Its reach of over 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, combined with the services we are supplying from our Rambouillet teleport, enable us to satisfy a surge of new demand and we are delighted to welcome Eurochannel as the latest addition to the platform.”

GEMALTO TASKED TO IMPLEMENT GHANA'S SECURITY SYSTEM

AMSTERDAM, Netherland, April 8, 2013/ -- Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653) (http://www.gemalto.com), the world leader in digital security, has been appointed as prime contractor and turnkey supplier to provide Ghana Immigration Services (GIS) with a highly secure electronic visa and border management solution. This initiative is part of the eGhana project, an ambitious plan with backing from the World Bank to create a modern IT infrastructure that can support the country’s sustainable development plans in the years ahead.

With a population of 24 million, the Republic of Ghana is experiencing rapid expansion of cross-border travel. Recognizing the need to improve the security and efficiency of its existing procedures, the country’s immigration service has turned to Gemalto to deliver the benefits of a country-wide electronic border management system based on biometric authentication.


Gemalto acts as prime contractor and will take responsibility for integrating the advanced visa and border management solution, including change management, transitional training and maintenance services.

The company will deploy border management systems at Ghana’s main ports of arrival and will implement a fully computerized system for visa and permit applications processing and issuing, with the collaboration of Avalon Biometrics. The project also covers the set up of an online portal service for visa application, and the implementation of electronic gates at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport, for rapid, convenient and automated border control of arrivals and departures.

This mission-critical solution will streamline processes, reinforce national security and provide the GIS with enhanced border information and intelligence. Aided by biometric data, the authorities will be able to account accurately for everyone entering and leaving the country. The system will also improve the traveling experience, delivering faster and significantly more convenient border control procedures for visitors.
Ghana's airport

“To maintain Ghana’s economic development, we need an immigration system that can meet the challenges of rapid growth in international travel,” said Commissioner of Police Dr. Peter A. Wiredu, Director of Ghana Immigration Service. “Gemalto contributed to over 80 successful government programs worldwide and has all the required project management skills, reputation and expertise to deliver the country’s new IT infrastructure”.

“This advanced electronic identity management system is fundamental to the whole eGhana project,” said Ari Bouzbib, Senior Vice President for Government Programs at Gemalto. “It will put the country’s border control processes on par with the latest, cutting-edge practices worldwide. In addition to helping to transform Ghana, it can serve as a template for modernization across many other countries in Africa.”

AGGREKO, SHANDUKA RECOGNISED FOR DELIVERING AFRICA'S BEST FAST TRACK POWER PROJECT

The Aggreko Shanduka cross-border power project, located at Ressano Garcia in Mozambique has been awarded Africa’s Best Fast Track Power Project in 2012 at the Africa Energy Awards. The award ceremony took place during the gala dinner of the Power and Electricity World Africa conference and exhibition being held from the 8th to 11th of April in Johannesburg.

Commissioned in July 2012, the Ressano Garcia project is recognised as the world’s first interim cross-border IPP (Independent Power Provider) project. Utilising natural gas from Mozambique’s Temane gas fields, the output of the plant is being injected directly into the national grid of Mozambique on site via a purpose built substation. The project saw the generation and supply of 110 MW of power to Electricidade de Mocambique (EDM), the national utility of Mozambique and cross-border to Eskom, the South African national utility.

Aggreko Generator Rentals are a global business in 133 locations in 100 countries, we have recently entered the footsie 100 and in Australia have been associated with the Webb group for 13 years.

While being a highly innovative project in terms of delivering much needed power to both countries, the judges where impressed by the truly fast-track nature of the project. Commissioning the project, from first breaking ground to being fully operational, took less than four months. This included a substantial civil infrastructure programme involving the building of access roads, a 1.2 km high pressure gas pipeline, gas processing and de-pressurising infrastructure, a major substation and 1.5 kilometres of 275 kV transmission line.

The project is connected to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) which links the power grids of nine Southern African countries. Taking advantage of this exceptional transmission infrastructure and the flexible nature of Aggreko’s power installations, on March 14th 2013 Aggreko (http://www.aggreko.com) announced that it would extend the Ressano Garcia facility to add an additional 122 MW. Coming on-line within the second quarter of 2013, this additional power will be shared between EDM and NamPower, the Namibian national utility and bring the total generating capacity of Ressano Garcia to 232 MW.

“To realise a project of this scale and complexity, the global resources of Aggreko were mobilised to project manage and engineer the installation of Ressano Garcia. This capability coupled with the expertise of our partnering contractors and customers, working together as one team resulted in the successful delivery of this remarkable project,” commented Ron Sams, Global Operations and Technology Director, Aggreko.

“We are thrilled to receive this award in conjunction with our partner Aggreko,” commented Phuti Mahanyele, CEO, Shanduka Group. “Access to sufficient and stable power supplies creates tremendous value for the development of the region. This project has also brought significant benefits to the local population, providing increased employment opportunities, stimulating wider economic activity and, through Shanduka’s Adopt-a-School Foundation, assisting in the development of a local primary school, Escola Primaria Completa De Ressano Garcia.”

Commenting on the award James Shepherd, Managing Director, Aggreko Southern and East Africa, “I’m delighted that what is indeed a unique and ground-breaking project has been recognised as such by our industry peers. Building a power plant of such size and complexity, on a completely greenfield site, in less than four months is truly remarkable. This award recognises the vision and hard work of the project team from Aggreko and Shanduka, our customers EDM and Eskom and all the partners that made this project such a resounding success.”

'KVINNORJOUREN' TOLD IMMIGRANTS TO BREAK SILENCE ON DOMESTIC ABUSE

Experts from the Swedish Movement for Women’s Shelters (Kvinnorjouren) have told women immigrants to report cases of domestic violence to the Agency, which will in turn put all hands on deck to help solve these problems with no cost involved.

Regina Ädelsgörd, a representative from 'Kvinnorjouren' - the Swedish name for the Agency - visited Humanus Education Centre on Wednesday April 3, where she and her colleague, Veronica Adelsgård met a good number of immigrants to discuss among other things some of the challenges women are faced with especially with regards to decision making and harasment by their husbands.

In this country we have all the laws protecting you as a woman. You are not obliged to face violence at home, no matter what your condition. We have to break the silence, said Regina.

"Since the inception of the Movement in 1978, it has been an important driving force in revealing violence against women, in bringing about change, and in protecting and supporting women who have been subjected to violence," she said.

Regina explains how women are abused by men.

The first women’s shelters opened in 1978: 'Alla Kvinnors Hus' in Stockholm and 'Kvinnohuset' in Gothenburg. They were in part a reaction to society’s inability to protect women who were the victims of violence and abuse by men close to them.

whilst she said they work round-the-clock helpling to provide services such as counselling and support in contacts with the police as well as social services, the family courts and the legal system, she pointed that these services do not cost anything. According to her, the plights that women undergo range from physical, psycological, and economical issues; and often stem from lack of knowledge on how to deal with these issues.

"If your husband or boy friend abuses you, just pick your phone and call us. If you choose, we can keep you anonymous and help you throughout all battles to getting your freedom back. Because your husband brings you in this country, he doesn't reserve any right to abuse you at any cost," she explained.

She told the gathering that Kvinnorjouren can among other things assist victims with temporal shelters and financial benefits and work together towards making their stay in Sweden a comfortable one.

Kvinnorjouren is a non-profit making and apolitical Movement, so much of its work are based on voluntary. Kvinnorjouren seeks to envisage an equal society free from violence, she added.


In many cases the woman is always the victim.

Men’s violence against women is the ultimate expression of structural inequality. If we are to end the violence that is aimed at women purely because they are women, we must work towards greater equality in a number of areas.

On Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Ädelsgörd said she understands that many immigrants are smuggling their girl-children to their countries of origin in order to circumcise them. She opined that laws in Sweden have disallowed the act; therefore anyone found wanting will be prosecuted. "There are already laws in place to counter this act."

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), FGM is practiced in 28 countries in western, eastern, and north-eastern Africa, in parts of the Middle East, and within some immigrant communities in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. The WHO estimates that 100–140 million women and girls around the world have experienced the procedure, including 92 million in Africa.

Whilst gender equity and equality are important aspects of the Swedish society, Axel, one of Humanus' staff pointed out that "At Humanus Education Centre equality is part of our job descriptions: women and men are equal, so do Swedish and non-Swedish."