CANCER: Eating Contaminated Maize and Groundnuts Can Cause It

Kwaku Agyeman Manu

By Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Florence Afriyie Mensah

Scientists are warning against high level consumption of contaminated maize and groundnuts, saying, that could lead to liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).

People who ate such foods they indicated tended to have more aflatoxins in their blood and stood a higher risk of developing the cancer.

Aflatoxins are known to contribute to diseases like immune-suppression, Kwashiorkor, impairment of liver function and reduced growth rate in humans and animals.  

The warning followed a collaborative research carried out by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

Professors William Otoo Ellis and Richard T. Awuah of the KNUST and Prof Pauline Jolly of the University of Alabama, led the study.

It identified the presence of aflatoxins in most Ghanaian staple foods - maize, millet, sorghum, groundnut and rice.

The disturbing revelation was that many of the people had neither heard of aflatoxins nor its harmful effects, something which is deeply worrying considering the fact that aflatoxins are natural occurring toxins found in the staple foods.

The study was titled “Association between aflatoxin B1 Albumin Adducts in Plasma and Health Characteristics, Liver function, Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and Malaria in Ghanaians”.

Its findings were published in the 2015 Research Report of the KNUST.

The scientists explored the determinants of aflatoxin levels in the people and considered socio-demographic factors, public knowledge of aflatoxins, food handling as well as consumption practices.

The study established that toxins found in aflatoxins are relatively stable and not destroyed by processing.

The extensive research work on aflatoxins has resulted in the selection of the laboratory of the Department of Food Science and Technology as one of the research laboratories under the “Feed the Future’s Peanut and Mycotoxin Innovation Lab”, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Editorial

ELECTIONS AND PROMISES

All over the world, many politicians make election promises they knew they can’t keep just to win more votes.

The problem with this practice is that in the long run it erodes the confidence of the people in the political establishment and creates favourable grounds for all kinds of adventurism.

In the last elections, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made what some regarded as too many promises.

It is interesting that even after the election, Nana Akuffo-Addo, the President insists that all the promises will be kept.

We really hope that the promises will be kept at the very least to give some credibility to politicians and the political process.

We wish His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo well and may he keep all his promises to the people of Ghana.

 CADRES SUPPORT NEW GOVERNMENT

President Nana Akufo Addo

By Samuel Akapule,

The Upper East branch of the United Cadres Front (UCF), has appealed to Ghanaians to support the new government, to enable it implement its policies and programmes in order to improve upon the lot of Ghanaians.

The Cadres made the appeal in a release issued by the Regional Chairman, Mr Alagskomah Asakeya Noble and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga.

Whilst congratulating President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on winning the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, the UCF paid tribute to former President John Dramani Mahama for his show of nationalism and patriotism by conceding defeat in the election.

It urged the new administration to work hard and deliver on its campaign promises, to help improve upon the living condition of the people, saying “the expectations of Ghanaians are high”.

The UCF called on the new administration to ensure that it paid special attention to the implementation of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) by resourcing it adequately to deliver efficiently on its core mandate.

It cautioned the New Patriotic Party Administration not to rush in changing the SADA to Northern Development Authority (NDA) as planned.

“Cadres believe that a lot of work and resources went into that project and more importantly the CEO, Dr Charles Abugre and his colleagues are in full possession of their faculties.

“No attempt should, therefore, be made to overhaul SADA now but rather to give SADA adequate resources to be able to deliver its mandate per the Act.”

It said the consequences of changing SADA now could not be underestimated and added that the change would have serious financial implications to the taxpayer.

The release said SADA had its new management just reconstituted.

They urged the new administration to work towards the maintenance of the current peace and tranquility the country was enjoying in order to attract more foreign investors.

The Cadres also reminded all public office holders that Probity, Accountability and Transparency were still as relevant as they were 35 years ago and should, therefore, remain the watchwords of all duty bearers since one day they would be either individually or collectively called upon to account for their stewardship.

The UCF proposed that in order to forestall future post-election violence, a stakeholders’ conference comprising Traditional Authorities, the Interparty Advisory Committee, Representatives from the Religious Bodies, the National Peace Council, Civil Society Organisations, Party Executives at all levels, Assembly Members, Youth Groups, Associations of Persons with Disabilities should be held as quickly as possible to address the perennial post-election violence.

More than 111,000 tourists visited Elmina/Cape Coast castles in 2016

Elizabeth Ofosu Ajare, former Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts

By Afedzi Abdullah

The Cape Coast and Elmina castles recorded a total of 111,297 foreign and local tourists from January to December last year as against 105,423 in 2015, an increase of 5,874.

The Cape Coast Castle recorded a total of 70,326 tourists last year as against 61,532 in 2015, an increase of 8,794 while the Elmina Castle received 40,971 tourists as against 43,891 in 2015.

The number of domestic tourists who visited the two castles increased to 87,655 in 2016 from 82,521 in 2015.

The number of foreign tourist also increased slightly from 22,827 in 2015 to 23,639 in 2016.

Mrs Martha Krah, the Assistant Administrative Secretary at the Cape Coast Castle, who made this known to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said 9,525 of last year’s figure were foreign students, 1,702 foreign children whiles 12,412 were adults.

She said 39,888 Ghanaian children also visited the two castles.

The hitherto large numbers of foreign tourists who visited the Cape Coast Castle over the years was largely affected by the Ebola scare in 2015 but the situation had not changed much after the scare abated in 2016.

The Elmina Castle recorded a marginal increase of foreign tourists from 10,778 in 2015 to 11,206 last year.

This is despite the construction of the Benya Bridge at Elmina that leads to the Elmina Castle.

The construction works on the bridge also meant that tourists had to use the long distance Ataabadze road which, apart from its distance, was also in a very deplorable state compelling most tourists to walk to the castle.

A total of 458 VIPs also visited the castles last year as against 386 the previous year.

Though domestic tourism had increased slightly over the years, school children continued to be the major patrons with very little interest from adults.

Mrs Krah said Ghanaian adults were charged Gh¢5.00, foreign adults paid Gh¢40.00 and non-Ghanaian students with ID cards paid Gh¢30.00.

She said non-Ghanaian children paid GH¢5.00 and Ghanaian students in the primary and junior high school were charged GH¢1.00 each while senior high school students paid GH¢2.00 and tertiary students with ID cards paid GH¢3.00.

She, however, could not disclose the total revenue accrued from the visits but expressed the optimism that if the number of visitors continued to increase, it would benefit the Ghana Monuments and Museums Board and the nation at large.

Though pleased with the patronage of the facility, she appealed to Ghanaians to show interest in domestic tourism by visiting the tourist sites to have firsthand information on the slave trade.

GNA

Namibian Tribes Sue Germany Over 'Forgotten Genocide'

A victim of German genocide in Namibia

Descendants of two indigenous groups in Namibia have filed a lawsuit against the German government, seeking compensation for Imperial Germany's systematic campaign of genocide in the region that led to the deaths of 100,000 Herero and Namaquait people between 1904 and 1907.

The German authorities turned a blind eye to rapes by colonists of Herero and Nama women and girls during their occupation of the region.

The suit was filed by US-based non-profit groups the Association of the Ovaherero Genocide and the Nama Traditional Authorities Association. Vekuii Rukoro, chief of the Ovaherero people, is also named as a plaintiff.

Germany and Namibia have for many years discussed the prospect of Germany recognizing the genocide, but Berlin has so far refused to do so, much less pay reparations.

The dispute relates to Imperial Germany's management of what was then South West Africa, which today is known as Namibia. The territory was granted to Germany in the 1884-85 Berlin Conference, and marked the young country's first foray into overseas imperialism. Around a quarter of lands belonging to the Ovaherero and Nama tribes were taken without compensation by German settlers, with the explicit aim of creating German colonies.

In 1904, the Herero and Nama people rebelled against the brutal colonial authorities. German General Lothar von Trotha said in a letter that the appropriate response was to "annihilate" the nation, or "if this was not possible by tactical measures, have them expelled from the country."

In the subsequent Battle of Waterberg, German military forces pushed many Herero and Nama fighters into the Omaheke Desert. The German military then constructed a 200-mile fence around the fighters, locking them in a highly arid environment in which they quickly died of dehydration. Remaining Hereros were rounded up and placed in concentration camps, where they were used as slave labour, and even experiment upon.

​By 1908, 45% of the prisoners had died. The camps were eventually closed, and survivors were sold as slaves to German farmers. Estimates suggest only 15,000 Hereros in South-West Africa survived the campaign. A 1985 United Nations report referred to the events as "the 20th century's first genocide."

According to the complaint, Germany has excluded plaintiffs from talks with Namibia regarding what occurred, and publicly said any settlement will not include reparations to victims, even if compensation is awarded to Namibia itself. 

"There is no assurance that any of the proposed foreign aid by Germany will actually reach or assist the minority indigenous communities that were directly harmed. There can be no negotiations or settlement about them that is made without them," said the plaintiffs' lawyer Ken McCallion in a statement. 

In June 2016, a Turkish MP from the ruling Justice and Development Party introduced a bill to parliament that sought to recognise the genocide, in response to Germany's recognition of the 1915 genocide of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire.

"First you need to answer for the Holocaust, then for the murder of 100,000 people in Namibia," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is reported to have said.

WHO WANTS TO CRUSH VENEZUELA?

Nicholas Maduro

The Parliament of Venezuela has deprived President Nicolas Maduro of presidential powers illegally, similarly to the Ukrainian scenario. Not that long ago, outgoing US President Barack Obama declared Venezuela "an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States." It was a difficult year for Maduro, but he could cope with many problems, even though you will not be able to read anything about it in Western publications. 

How the Venezuelan economy works 

Before leaving the White House, Barack Obama does his best to harm as many countries as possible. On Monday, he cracked down on Venezuela. Venezuela is ruled by Chavistas - ideological heirs of Hugo Chavez, the founder of "socialism of the XXI century," which stipulates for  the consolidation of extracted fuel in the hands of the state before its equitable distribution. The essence of this system is as follows: no one is too rich, and there is no poverty either. The state finances health, education and subsidises producers of goods and services. The things that cost too much in the West are cheap in Venezuela.

In Venezuela, gasoline, even today, has the cheapest price in the world: a liter costs 1 cent in US dollars, according to Global Petrol Price. In Colombia, it costs 72 cents, which leads to speculative trade. The Bolivarian socialism can not be built in a separate country, if the border is open. This is the main disadvantage of the system, because the difference in prices leads to the creation of a huge black market, including the currency one. In Venezuela, there is a shortage of everything, but people have everything they need at the same time: they have food in their fridges and they receive apartments, cars, etc from the state. 

The crisis put economic model of Hugo Chavez on the brink of disaster 

The collapsed oil prices have aggravated the state of affairs in the Venezuelan economy, as oil is the main export product of the country that brings most of currency to the budget. In the wake of the snowballing inflation rate, accelerated with money-printing for social programs, the neoliberal opposition of Venezuela won the legislative elections in December 2015 and took control of the parliament. In January 2016, opposition leader Henry Ramos announced that he would remove Maduro from power within six months. 

Dilma Rouseff

Ramos was of course inspired by the impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Rousseff's impeachment would have never been possible if the CIA had not taken active part in it. However, the Constitution of Venezuela does not provide for the removal of president from power through parliamentary impeachment. Ramos took up a referendum, but the Supreme Court did not approve the collected signatures to initiate the procedure. Maduro remained standing even when neoliberals arranged another attack - "removal from office." 

"How does this guy (Ramos) want to arrange the coup?" the head of Libertador municipality of Caracas, Jorge Rodriguez, a Chavista, wondered. "The statement about the removal from office is a verbal crime. His actions have killed 43 people [victims of riots in the autumn of 2016]," he added. 

Nicolas Maduro's success in 2016 

As we can see, 2016 was an extremely difficult year for Venezuela politically, but the country achieved certain economic progress at the same time. Maduro overcame the energy crisis associated with poor water supplies at El Guri hydroelectric power plant that accounts for 80 percent of generated electricity. An austerity program was introduced; outdated lamps and air conditioners were replaced with latest models. The subsidy assistance program was revised to support distressed consumers instead of producers; all others started buying goods and services on the market. Maduro managed to preserve the social security system: Venezuela spends 71.4 percent of the national budget on social programs. This is a world record, because no other country in the world dedicates nearly three-quarters of its budget to social investments.

A fundamental achievement, which also received no media attention in the West, was made for pensioners receiving old-age pensions. In 2016, their percentage reached 90 percent (16 percent in 1999). The construction of social housing continued: 359,000 apartments and houses (viviendas) were built as free property to the Venezuelans. La Gran Misión Vivienda Venezuela (GMVV) programme has yielded about 1.5 million social apartments in six years. Hospitals and schools were also built. Medical schools prepared 27,000 new doctors on a budgetary basis in 2016. The government purchased grain from Russia to solve the problem of grain shortage inside the country. 

Who writes about all these achievements? No one. On the contrary, Western media demonise Maduro's regime executing Washington's task to overthrow him. At the same time, mass media of the West praise the neighbouring Colombia, the economy of which remains in a more deplorable state than that of Venezuela (six million refugees from Colombia live in Venezuela).

The success of the Colombian government about the agreement concluded with FARC guerrillas is hailed as a success of a genuine democracy, even though this success exists only on paper. Food stores are full in Colombia, but children die in the streets from hunger. The country has no pension security, and drug crimes are rampant. 

To make the situation in Venezuela more unstable, the West tries to destabilise the financial system."The withdrawal of the bolivar from the liquidity market is worth 300 billion - the US Treasury Department ordered to withdraw that money with the help of non-governmental organisations to strangle the national financial system and leave our country moneyless," Venezuela's Minister for Internal Affairs, Nestor Reverol said. To prevent shadow cash turnover, Maduro decided to withdraw the bill of 100 bolivars to combat terrorism and crime. Noteworthy, Nareandra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, resorted to the same method, but can you read about  such a positive experience in Western media? 

President Nicholas Maduro stands in front of a portrait of  Hugo Chavez with a clenched fist

Why does the West want to crush Venezuela and remove Nicolas Maduro from power? In Colombia, all the wealth (coffee plantations, minerals, drug production and drug trafficking) has long been divided between American corporations, mobsters and local landowners. In Venezuela, though, there is still a lot of state-owned property that can be privatised. First of all, it goes about the oil industry and  millions of square meters of social housing. If neoliberals win in Venezuela, the lives of ordinary citizens will only worsen. Do people of the young generation of Hugo Chavez understand this?

The inflation rate will grow along with the level of crime, corruption and depression. The trend will continue during Trump's stay in the office, because American capital is always aggressive. American capital always absorbs economies of other countries that, as we know, can be successful when they have protectionist economies (Singapore, South Korea, and China). All leftist governments in Latin America try to maintain and use national resources for the benefit of their peoples. Yet, the USA knows its "backyard" very well. Let's see if the people of Venezuela are wise enough to know the USA. 

Maduro is not Yanukovych

On Sunday, President Maduro announced the establishment of special forces to struggle against potential putschists. These forces - Comando Antigolpe - will involve armed forces, police, central government and all revolutionary forces with Vice-President Tarek El Aissami in command, EFE wrote. The forces will take "preventive legal measures against all conspirators and terrorists inside the country to prevent the overthrow of the legitimate government, riots and chaos. Any revolution is worth it only when it can protect itself. 

Lyuba Lulko (Stepushova)

Pravda.Ru  

JINAPOR PLEDGES: “I WON’T LET AKUFO-ADDO DOWN”

Abu Jinapor

By Godwin A. Allotey

Samuel Abu Jinapor, a newly appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, has promised not to let President-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo down for the trust reposed in him.

Akufo-Addo in announcing his administrative staff named Mr. Jinapor and Francis Asenso-Boakye as deputies to the first female Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.

He also made other appointments including his Secretary, Director of Operations, Director of Communications at the Presidency among others.

An elated Jinapor while expressing his excitement over the appointment on the Point Blank segment on Eyewitness News, said he will discharge his duties as expected of him.

“…this is extraordinary confidence he’s reposed in me, it’s not a decision that is taken lightly so you dare not let the president down. I intend not to let his government down, I intend not to let the people of this country down, and for that matter not to let myself down. I intend to bring the best that anyone can on the table in this regard,” he added.

Some members of the New Patriotic Party, which will take over the administration of Ghana on January 7, 2016, took to social media to criticize Akufo-Addo’s decision to appoint Jinapor for such a position, prior to the official announcement.

But in his response, Mr. Jinapor said he takes such criticisms in good faith because it challenges him to even do better.

“There were those observations, apprehensions and criticisms; but this is the way I come to it; I think that everybody is entitled to their view in a democracy and therefore I respect the views expressed. We all cannot agree on a particular issue. The most important thing is that the President-elect had expressed enormous confidence in me and I’m very grateful.”

“There are many others who want the president to succeed and therefore they are allowed to have apprehensions and anxiety. I just take that as a challenge and the way I see it is to first of all not to let the president down,” Mr. Jinapor added.

About Jinapor

Samuel Abu Jinapor is 33 years old. He first graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics.

He earned a Bachelor’s of Law from the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, in 2010, and was subsequently called to the Ghanaian Bar as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Ghana in 2012.

In addition, Mr. Jinapor is expected to earn a Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) from the Faculty of Law, University Of Ghana, in May, 2017.

He is a member of the reputable commercial and corporate law firm, Messrs. Kulendi @ Law. He has been since his undergraduate days, a close aide of the President-Elect.

Editorial

CALL THEM TO ORDER

The “Invisible Forces” were a menace to opponents of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s opponents when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was languishing in the opposition.

These perceived opponents were molested, beaten and wounded by the so- called “Invisible Forces” who were reported to have set vehicles ablaze on some occasions.

Many people decided not to have anything to do with the NPP on account of the conduct of the “Invisible Forces” and Dr Mohammed Chambas, the Representative of the UN secretary-General in West Africa made a call for all private militia to be disbanded.

Whiles some party leaders condemned the actions of the invisible forces, others justified the hooliganism.

A few days ago, there were reports that the “Invisible Forces” were on the rampage at the Flagstaff House where they assaulted a police officer and tore his uniform into shreds.

Other reports spoke of acts of hooliganism committed by some members of the forces at the Passport Office, NADMO and the Tema Harbour.

The Insight condemns these unlawful acts which can plunge Ghana into chaos and urge the Akufo –Addo administration to call them to order.

All private militia ought to be disbanded immediately.

NPPS 2017 BUDGET OUT SOON

Ken Ofori Atta, Finance Minister Designate

By Ekow Mensah

Reliable sources within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) hint that Nana Akufo Addo has put together a very strong team to prepare the national budget for 2017.

Although the exact date for the presentation of the budget to parliament has not been disclosed, public expectation is very high and it is strongly believed that it will bring about substantial relief to many Ghanaians.

The team believed to be working on the budget include, Mr Ken Ofori Atta of Data Bank, Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo former Minister of Finance, Mr Anthony Akoto Osei, former Minister of state for Finance and several others.

It is expected that a substantial reduction in petroleum prices and utility bills will be announced in the budget.

The NPP has also promised to reduce corporate tax from 25 percent to 20 percent.

It is expected to remove import duties on raw materials and machinery for production within the context of the ECOWAS common External ((CET) Protocol.

The special import levy is to be abolished along with the 17.5 per cent VAT on imported medicines.

The 17.5 per cent VAT on Financial Services, 5 per cent VAT on Real Estates sales as well as the 17.5 percent  VAT on domestic airline ticket are also to be abolished.

The Akufo Addo government has also promised to reduce VAT from micro and small enterprises from 17.5 per cent to 3 per cent. The Government may also announce the allocation of funds for free secondary schools.

 It is not clear whether budgetary allocation will be made for promised projects such as one dam for every village in the Northern and the provision of US $1 million for every constituency.

Leading members of the NPP, including Nana Akomea, Director of communication have hinted that big projects such as the one district one factory promised by Nana Akufo-Addo may have to wait.

Nana Akomea said on “Metro TV” that those big projects will need more serious planning and execution.

Whatever the NPP does with 2017 budget, it has to bear in mind that the expectation of the people of Ghana are very high.

MINORITY SPITS FIRE ON AKUFO ADDO’S INAUGURAL SPEECH

President Akufo Addo 

Below is the full text of a statement issues by the minority Caucus in parliament on President Akufo Addo’s inaugural address.

On the 7th of January 2017, the newly elected President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, delivered his Inaugural Speech as the fifth President of the Fourth Republic in consonance with the tenets of established protocols of the State. 

However, it has emerged that upon a careful reading of the written text of the said speech, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo failed to publicly acknowledge certain key sources of material information as contained in the speech in question. Further scrutiny so far reveals that several paragraphs in President Nana Addo’s inaugural address contained word for word liftings from speeches ever presented by President John F. Kennedy, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush Jnr. and President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minority in Parliament like most well-meaning Ghanaians is deeply saddened and outraged by this development which has brought Ghana shame and subjected us to intense ridicule.

This monumental plagiarism scandal which has now assumed international dimensions with major global news networks including CNN, BBC, AlJazeera, Reuters, Washington Post, Metro News, Nairobi News, Vanguard of Nigeria and Yahoo News all casting Ghana in bad light has clearly tarnished the image of Ghana abroad and brought upon this great nation untold embarrassment never witnessed in the aftermath of a Presidential inauguration.

It is depressing to observe that the goodwill that Ghana had been enjoying within the international community since our successful December 7 election and transition all appear to have been squandered by this singular act of sloppy intellectual theft.

It is indeed shocking that for a presidential campaign that anchored its core message on competence and incorruptibility will on its first day in office fall short of its pledge in such a spectacularly disgraceful manner.

If the NPP Government cannot exhibit competence in writing its own speeches, how can we trust them to have the competence to fulfil their numerous promises to the electorate? If the NPP Government engages in intellectual property theft on its first day in office, how safe are the resources of this country that have been freshly placed in their care?

Even more worrying is further evidence of plagiarism now coming to the fore pointing to a consistent pattern on the part of President Nana Akufo-Addo dating back to his days as opposition leader.

Another video also  in circulation exposes how then Flagbearer Akufo-Addo lifts statements during his 2013 post Supreme Court verdict address  from Former US Vice President Al Gore's speech after the US Supreme Court verdict on that country's election dispute. 

We urge President Nana Akufo-Addo and his speech writers to be original and realize that they have now formed a Government and it is expected of them to put a stop to this unfortunate practice as it will be very difficult to get away as they may have gotten away in time past. We also expect the new President to exercise diligence and circumspection before reading or signing anything put before him to avoid even more severe consequences to our dear nation.

Considering that this inaugural address was made before us in Parliament in compliance with the Constitution and same having been captured by the Hansard Department as part of the official records of Parliament, the Minority demands that the now infamous plagiarized inaugural address be withdrawn and expunged from Parliamentary records with liberty to resubmit another speech not tainted with fraud and reflecting all attributable sources. The sanctity of Parliament must be respected and preserved and it is our expectation that the new Speaker of Parliament the Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye who thankfully is an academic of some repute will better appreciate the full ramifications of what is before us.

We also wish to remind President Nana Akufo-Addo that Ghana operates an Executive Presidency as clearly stipulated in Articles 57 and 58 of the Constitution and therefore the apology of his Communications Director notwithstanding, we expect him to take personal responsibility and assure the good people of Ghana that he will take concrete steps to ensure that this nation is spared any similar embarrassment in future.

Ghanaians expect of their leaders to, at all times, defend the good image of Ghana, therefore, it is our hope that we will all take steps to mitigate and rescue Ghana - the black star of Africa from the web of ridicule that our nation is being subjected to all over the world and we must not fail them.

Issued in Parliament House on Monday 9th January, 2017 in the year of our Lord on behalf of the Minority Caucus and signed by:

Hon. James Klutse Avedzi
Deputy Minority Leader.

FIDEL CASTRO: A CHAMPION OF SOLIDARITY

Commandante Fidel Castro

By Nuria Barbosa León | internet@granma.cu

 “Fidel not only belongs to Cuba, he belongs to this world of ours, to Our America,” stated eternal President of Venezuela Hugo Chávez Frías, August 13, 2001, while we Cubans know that our leader was bound by neither limits, borders, space, or time.

We were witness to his vocation for solidarity, there following a natural disaster, an act of injustice, a people in need of healthcare, or youth desperate to study. He understood that poverty is eradicated through cooperation, not with bombs.

He made internationalist solidarity a pillar of Cuban foreign policy, and offered support to national liberation movements in Latin America, Africa and Asia in the 1960s.
Algeria was the first country to benefit from Cuban assistance in December 1961, as it fought against French colonial rule.

Another of Cuba’s noteworthy internationalist efforts was the support it offered Angola between 1975 and 1988, when thousands of Cuban combatants helped the young African nation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against the schemes of the former Apartheid regime in South Africa, equipped with modern weaponry supplied by western capitalist powers.

The Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro, also supported Vietnam’s resistance to U.S. military intervention in their country and once victory had been achieved, opened up its educational institutions to train thousands of Vietnamese in diverse professions.

The island also welcomed militants from Latin American leftist organizations, forced to seek refuge from persecution by military regimes in the 1970s.

The island’s main contribution has been in the health sector, which has treated and healed millions of disadvantaged people worldwide. In 1960 Cuba sent healthcare professionals to Chile following an earthquake which destroyed the country. By 1963 the first medical brigade had been created, composed of 55 collaborators, who traveled to Algeria to help the people of that nation.

Since then the island has helped to improve health indicators in 158 countries; while some 50,000 professionals are currently offering medical services in over 60 nations worldwide. Other noteworthy results include the country’s Comprehensive Health Program, which has benefited communities across Central America, after the region was hit by a hurricane in 1998, as well as Operation Miracle, which has provided eye surgery to people with few resources in various countries of the so-called Third World.

Meanwhile, the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors Specialized in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics, was founded on September 19, 2005, on the proposal of Fidel after Hurricane Katrina struck the southern United States. Although this offer of solidarity assistance was rejected by the country’s President at the time, George W. Bush, the initiative led to the establishment of another 40 brigades, which have responded to emergency situations in 23 countries.

Furthermore, the commendable work of Cuban doctors who combated the lethal Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the mortal cholera virus in Haiti must also be highlighted.

Cuba has trained almost 40,000 health professionals worldwide. Also deserving of mention are the thousands of foreign post-graduate students who have received tutorship and advisory services from Cuban teachers. Likewise, over the last 17 years more than 27,500 students from 89 nations have graduated from the Latin American School of Medicine, a project created by Fidel on November 15, 1999.

Regarding education, in 2003 Cuba designed and implemented the Yo, sí puedo (Yes, I can) literacy method on the proposal of Fidel Castro, with the aim of ending illiteracy worldwide. This program has enabled Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua to eradicate this scourge over the last decade.

The method is implemented in various countries across the continent and world, is available in several languages including French, Creole, Guaraní, and Maorí, and continues to provide thousands with the gift of reading and writing.

During the closing ceremony of the Wold Solidarity with Cuba Encounter, held in Havana on November 25, 1994, Fidel stated, “When we were helping revolutionaries in Central America, the U.S. said that they would lift the blockade if we stopped helping them. Such a thing never crossed our mind. On other occasions they told us that they would be willing to lift the blockade, if we stopped helping Angola and other African countries, and it never crossed our minds to negotiate our relations with other countries. At other times, they said that they would lift the blockade if we broke-off relations with the Soviet Union, and such a thing never crossed our mind, because we are not a party or political leadership that negotiates its principles. At this price, the blockade will never cease to exist, because it’s a price we are unwilling to pay.”

At that time and throughout his life, Fidel vehemently defended Cuba against every form of U.S. aggression. His speeches were exceptional lessons to help guide the masses in how to free ourselves from global capitalist domination.

He met with young people from around the world and the U.S. itself, who defying the criminal laws of the economic blockade of the island, traveled to the country to learn about Cuba’s reality. He spoke with them for many hours, explaining that the Revolution needs the participation of all in every trench, across the entire Planet. Fidel was, and is, an ally of global solidarity. 

“Fidel believes that heaven on Earth is possible,” stated Brazilian friend Frei Betto; we say: “Fidel made heaven on Earth possible, and vice versa.”

BEFORE WIKILEAKS AND EDWARD SNOWDEN, THERE WAS BOBBY FISCHER

Bobby Fisher

Bobby Fisher was indefatigable in his search for the truth. Throughout his life, Fischer looked for a vehicle to take him there. He found one: Chess provided the impetus or means. It does not surprise that later in life he often referred to the game as his 'great paradox'. Soon after his miraculous victory in the mid 70s at Reykjavik Iceland over Russian Grandmaster, Boris Spassky, when he became the youngest World Chess Champion, Bobby Fischer vanished from the global spotlight; without reason he dropped off the world stage.

The media were miffed; and not just those journalists who covered chess. The world's largest media conglomerates, and especially the big three American TV networks were at a loss for words. Other than "Where is Bobby Fischer?" they had nothing to say. None of them offered a plausible explanation as to Fischer's sudden disappearance from 'stardom'. All combined, the MSM could not proffer a cogent thought on what to do about their own irony. The anchors seemed lost. They needed Fischer. Out of their own selfish desires, journalists went on a quest. Like a spring spider's web, they spread out all over the globe looking for him.

Years later, several reporters had sightings of Fischer. So they claimed. Fischer, though a celebrity, was no longer easily recognizable. His appearance had changed. Some said drastically. Whatever reputed photos they published, many or even most depicted Fischer as a recluse. From the grainy snapshots, Fisher looked sullen. Other news outlets referred to him as a 'bum'. How easily people forgot. Fischer's former flatteries all but vanished. The media no longer saw him as a chess prodigy. Americans stopped rooting for him. People lost interest around the globe. In fact, the opposite happened. At first, the insinuations crept in at a snail's pace. It was not long before the 'movement' gained momentum. In no time, the world's media felt little compunction about demonizing him. In America, Fischer went from hero to goat, in less than a New York minute.

Why did the MSM have a change of heart?

Why did the MSM have this abrupt change of heart? Why would so many 'journalists' now cast him in such a pall? Why would his former legion of media as well as chess supporters now smear Fischer with such vitriol when they normally reserved such biased reporting for only villainous outlaws? Instead of answers, media circles stooped even lower. They muddied their own dirty laundry with outright lies. The networks now officially deemed Bobby Fischer as an undesirable maniac. On camera, he was adjudged not just paranoid nor a man afflicted with schizophrenia. Oh no! He was worse than that. In their eyes, Bobby Fischer had gone rogue. Fischer was un-American as Benedict Arnold was earlier. They implied Fischer had defected. He had committed the unpardonable act: he had gone over to the other side. To many, Fischer was essentially a bona fide Soviet agent. Without providing corroborating evidence, the media conjured up the false image that Fischer now spied for America's Cold War enemy.

Could the MSM get away with their acts?

Could the MSM get away with their slanders and libelous acts? They did. Fischer, other than his own personal journal scribbling, did little or nothing to refute the lies. However, why was he so laconic in public? Only now, after his recent death did any intrepid reporters go digging for the truth. It did not take them long either to uncover bobby Fischer's 'untold' story. People close to him, which were not many, provided the insights. From interviews with his former manager, a close career confidant, and his sister, a very different Bobby Fischer emerged. True enough, Fischer early in his adult life felt he was 'followed'. He often complained about his frequent 'tails'. In his travels Fischer always searched his apartment for the 'bugs' or electronic listening devices. When it came to revealing the source about his suspicions that others were spying on his 'activism' and looking into his personal 'beliefs', Fischer offered his candor freely. He did not suspect the Soviets. That meant only the opposite side of the equation was true: his own government did not trust him. Fischer went further. He called them by their names: the CIA, the Pentagon, and the State Department. However, he stopped short. Fischer did not provide the specifics: dates, proof discovered, or any substantive evidence that he even approached the authorities or lodged a complaint.

Regardless of what the MSM may mislead you to believe about this remarkable man and great American, Bobby Fischer remained true to his convictions. He stayed resolute in his search for the truth. Rather than cave to his critics and accept that he was 'sick', Fischer found absolution: he renounced his U.S. citizenship. After seeking political asylum, Iceland, the host country of his most famous achievement granted Fischer full citizenship. It was a fitting tribute.

Montresor