George Bright-Abu News Blog

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George Bright-Abu

Politicians, Public Figures Welcome New Pope

Several Egyptian politicians, officials and public figures welcomed on Sunday the appointment of Bishop Tawadros as the new Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
They praised the electoral process of the 118th Coptic Pope, adding that challenging responsibilities await him.
Prime Minister Hisham Kandil congratulated on Facebook all Copts for the election of Pope Tawadros.
Kandil pointed to the importance of the upcoming phase for the Orthodox Church.
"This is a reinforcement of the honorable national role of this church in the history of Egypt."
Army leaders, officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers all congratulate Copts for the election of the 118th Pope of the Orthodox Coptic Church, official spokesman of the army said, adding that they wish the Pope every success in the prelature to serve Egypt.
Mohamed Badea, General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, also congratulated the Pope on his election.
"His eminence Bishop Tawadros, Pope of the Alexandria Church and Patriarch of St. Mark Episcopate, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations and wish you success and prosperity for the benefit of the beloved Egypt and its people," Badea wrote on Facebook.
The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) "congratulates Bishop Tawadros for his election as the new Pope of the Orthodox Coptic Church," Mohamed Saad al-Katatni, head of the party, wrote on Facebook.
"We are optimistic with the fruitful cooperation with him as the spiritual leader of our Coptic brothers to spread morals and emphasize the values of freedom, justice and equality," al-Katatni added.
"This is a historic day in the national course," Ahmed Shafiq, former presidential candidate, wrote on Twitter, adding that we remember the good memory of the late Pope Shenouda III and wish the new Pope Tawadros success.
The process of electing the Pope "stresses the steadiness of the Egyptian Church," Shafiq added.
Mohamed ElBaradei also congratulated all Copts and the new Pope on his Twitter account.
Amr Moussa, former presidential candidate and head of the Conference Party, congratulated the Egyptian people and wished the new Pope a successful era "that sponsors and supports national unity."
"Big responsibilities await the Pope," Moussa stated.
He expressed his confidence in the new Pope, saying, "We believe he will be a true partner in rebuilding the authentic Egyptian spirit that has been lost."
Khaled Ali, former presidential candidate, congratulated the Egyptian people on Twitter for the election of Bishop Tawadros as the new Pope.
Political sciences professor and founder of Egypt Freedom Party Amr Hamzawi and novelist Alaa al-Aswany congratulated on their Twitter accounts all Egyptians for the election of the new Pope as well.
Pope Tawadros succeeds the late Pope Shenouda III who passed away last March.

Source: http://allafrica.com

Posted to the blog by George Bright-Abu

More People Displaced By Turmoil in Mali Than Previously Estimated – UN Refugee Agency

New data on the number of Malians who have left or been driven from their homes amid conflict and other threats show the total is almost 60 per cent higher than previously thought, the United Nations refugee agency said today.
There are now thought to be at least 203,845 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the land-locked West African country, up from a previous count of 118,795, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told a news briefing in Geneva.
The revised figure comes as the agency also highlighted a shortfall in funding it said it needed to help IDPs in Mali, as well as Malian refugees in surrounding countries.
“To date, we have received 41.7 per cent of the $153.7 million we required to assist the Malian refugees and IDPs,” the UNHCR spokesperson, Adrian Edwards, told reporters.
He added that one consequence of the funding shortfall is that UNHCR cannot provide many refugees with recreational and professional activities to ensure they are “meaningfully occupied,” noting that a lack of activities could lead to some refugees – especially the young – leaving the camps and returning to danger-spots.
“Schools have not started yet in the camps as school structures are still being built,” Mr. Edwards said. “UNHCR fears that without schooling, children and adolescents may return to Mali, where there is a risk of recruitment by various armed groups.”
Currently led by Interim President Dioncounda Traoré, Mali has been dealing with a range of security, political and humanitarian problems since the start of the year. Fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels broke out in the country’s north in January. Since then, radical Islamists have seized control of the north, where they have imposed an extremist version of Muslim Sharia law as well as restrictions that target women in particular.
The instability and insecurity resulting from the renewed clashes, as well as the proliferation of armed groups in the region, drought and political instability in the wake of a military coup d’état in March, have led over many Malians to flee, including some 250,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries in addition to those displaced internally.

Source:www.allafrica.com

Posted to the blog by George Bright-Abu

Abundant Life Ministries-Ghana Celebrates 8th Anniversary

Bishop Ebby-Larbie , the founder and leader of the Abundant Life ministries International joined the Ghana branch to celebrate their 8th anniversary. The member of Parliament for Okai Koi South Constituency was there to grace the occassion. Also in attendance was Hon. Ras Mubarak, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate of the constituency. Chief Bishop Rex Noi, Founder of Faith Evangelical Mission International and his able lieutenants, Bishop Prince Botchway and Bishop Charles Nartey also attended the anniversary service in Odorkor Official Town in Accra. Preaching the sermon on this august event Bishop Ebby Larbie admonished all all members to embrace unity especially when Ghana was approaching elections this year . His sermon was based on Psalm 133 vrs 1 through 3. He was very thankful to the congregation and most importantly to God for sustaining the ministry this far.

 

George Bright-Abu

Fashion 101-Ghanaian fashion Consultant to the Rescue.

Arnold Ossei, a famous Ghanaian has established himself as one of the best dressed Ghanaians in the United States. Having worked at the Men's Wearhouse for the past 18 years he has earned the reputation as one of the top salesmen for a number of years. He made the founders club by producing over half a million dollars in sales for seven years in a row.
He has been working as a lifestyle revamping client’s closet/wardrobe and introducing new styles, colors, correct footwear and proper fit depending on the shape of the individual. This has earned him promotion at the Men’s’ Wearhouse to the position of assistant manager. According to Arnold, “fashion comes and goes but Style lasts forever. Fit is very significant when it comes to men’s tailored clothing. Most men wear their tailored clothing too big, too long or the wrong style and cut depending on the body type, sleeves tend to be too long which should sit at the break of the wrist, coat should be slightly snug in the mid-section but certainly not tight the jacket should cover just below the seat, the flat front dress slacks gives a very nice slim tailored appearance for any body shape, keep the hem just above the top heel of the dress shoes. 

   Unless you are an advance sartorialist stay away from the four button suits, a two button suit is the best for any body type always keep the lower button unbuttoned, the three button suit fits a more slimmer built not so broad chested individual only the middle button should stay close, the one button suit is more a fashion forward statement maker, works very well on a more broad chested individual especially in the peak lapel which you see much more in the fashion powerhouses, the double breasted suit has made a strong comeback looks best on a more slightly slimmer figure look for the six on two side vents make sure it stays button at all times. If you choose to wear a skinny tie keeps the lapel on the suit coat slim with a smaller shirt collar and do not tie a full windsor knot, a four in hand or half windsor is more preferable, the widespread shirt works well with the full windsor and a wider lapel suit coat.”

 On Arnold’s recommendation for the kind of fabric one should pick he says “When shopping for a suit opt for a wool fabric, there are different grades the super 120s and 150s are great for the spring/summer the flannel is excellent for the winter season, keep it dark for business and formal events, the cotton suit or seersucker is great for casual activities. Men needs to challenge themselves with bold colors and patterns. He needs to combine the ordinary with the unexpected and keep everyone guessing about what he will do say and wear next. You can always contact me for any questions on facebook/bespoke consulting under professional services.”

 George Bright-Abu
Afrikan Post

Divine Word Ministry Leads The Way To Make A Difference In The Lives Of The Needy

Some believe in amassing wealth, others believe in getting the best things in life but there is a man of God who believes in giving his best to the community. From his humble beginnings in Ghana he has risen within a short span to be one of the most sought after ministers of this age. His deep passion to assist the needy has made his Divine Word International Ministry a household name in the United States.
The Divine Word Ministry under the able leadership of Bishop Dr. Kofi Adonteng Boateng recently embarked on a mission to make provision for orphans, widows and homeless shelters in the community borne out of his concern and desire to be an inspiration to all manner of people regardless of race.
It would be recalled that a delegation from the ministry travelled to Ghana in 2011 and donated items including clothes, cooked food, canned food and presented checks to orphanages in Kumasi and Accra. In addition to the donations, they also paid medical bills for many patients at the country's premiere hospital who were waiting to be discharged.
Since the beginning of the year 2012, the ministry has not relented in their efforts to reach out to the needy.
Drawing inspiration from the book of James 1:27 which says “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world” his selfless devotion to the poor and needy has earned him and his ministry accolades beyond measure.
The Bishop has personally led his entire ministry to various homeless shelters within the Washington Metro area to clean up and also make provision for the residents of homeless shelters in the community. He prays for the residents, inspire them, and provide food as well as basic hygiene needs.
On Saturday, September 29, 2012 the Bishop led an army of worshippers to the Baileys crossroads homeless shelter and touched many lives.
They donated several boxes of canned food, organized a cleanup of the premises, prayed and touched the lives of the residents some of whom openly saw the gesture as a transformational moment in their lives. According to a resident “We are people in great need, there's no doubt about that, as such your provision for us is truly a God send”
The community Shelter, a 50-bed, emergency homeless shelter for adult men and women is located in the city of Falls Church in the Fairfax County. Bishop Adonteng and his ministry's provision goes a long way to assist and restore hope to the residents.
The Director of the shelter expressed her profound appreciation for the gesture and mentioned that the exemplary devotion to the needy is worthy of emulation.
According to the Bishop, “This is not going to be a nine day wonder because we are committed and inspired to carry this mission on to every part of the country on a regular basis.”
He continued “I am therefore appealing to each and everyone who shares this passion to join hands with us in making a difference in the lives of the needy”

By George Bright-Abu

Cape Verde names airport after Nelson Mandela

Cape Verde has decided to rename its Praia International Airport after South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela, an icon for freedom in Africa, a government statement said Monday.

The decision pays homage to Mandela, who on February 11 marks 22 years since he was released from prison, where he had spent 27 years for his struggle against the white apartheid regime in South Africa.

The Cape Verdean government said in the statement that Mandela was “an uncontested icon of the struggle for freedom and dignity in Africa” who had dedicated his life to defending these values.

“Giving Nelson Mandela’s name to the capital’s airport is a gesture to underline the calling of a Cape Verdean nation which is open to the world, and historically linked to mixed-race people and dialogue between cultures.”

Praia said in the statement it hopes the decision will encourage youths to take an interest in the continent’s history, in particular “the fall of the abominable apartheid regime.”

The island-nation said the decision also marked an important step in bilateral relations with South Africa.

Posted by George Bright-Abu

Source: VOA