Startup Weekend Accra set for the 22nd November 2013 at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology in East-Legon. Accra

 

 

Startup Weekend Accra – Take the Next Step in your Entrepreneurial Journey

Dated: 30 Oct, 2013

Credit/By: Mac-Jordan Degadjor
 

Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur? The professional and personal challenges, the high and lows, the failures and the success?

As you may already know, Global Entrepreneurship Week‘s flagship event: Startup Weekend is back in grand style. GEW’s signature event: Startup Weekend Accra which brought together entrepreneurs to share ideas, form teams to create a businesses/startups like Dropifi and SliceBiz. 2011 and 2012 winners respectively is here again.

What is Startup Weekend?
Startup Weekend is a 54-hour event where a group of the most motivated developers, business managers, marketing geeks, graphic designers, and more descend onto one location to build a variety of projects.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to do a lot more than just network with other startup gurus. It also helps build the local startup communities, launch new businesses in a single weekend, and allows passionate individuals test their ideas.

The non-profit organization is headquartered in Seattle, Washington but Startup Weekend organizers and facilitators can be found in over 200 cities around the world. From Mongolia to South Africa to London to Brazil, people around the globe are coming together for weekend long workshops to pitch ideas, form teams, and start companies.

Date & Venue
Startup Weekend Accra is happening on November 22, 2013 at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology in East-Legon. Accra


Startup Weekend Format
All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

Register and Team-up for Startup Weekend
Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a co-founder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups.


Paulina says: Its 'Global Entrepreneurship Week' from the 18th - 24th November 2013....and thankfully folks in Accra, Ghana don't have to miss out. For more info visit: http://macjordangh.com/startup-weekend-accra-take-the-next-step-in-your-entrepreneurial-journey/

　

For more info about The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) visit: http://www.meltwater.org/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Meltwater-Entrepreneurial-School-of-Technology/63789311326

　
http://www.unleashingideas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/unleashingideas

http://startupweekend.org/
https://www.facebook.com/startupweekend

Project Bly Presents The Kumasi Collection.......

　

Paulina says: Interiors website Project Bly inspired by "journalist Nellie Bly, who travelled around the world in 72 days" in 1889 is uber new to La Ghana Rising Blog's radar --but we are already fans.

By choosing Kumasi, (how refreshing is that) Project Bly's founder Rena Thiagarajan, a former San Francisco–based lawyer, has us buzzing over the often overlooked second city of Ghana.... Only goodness know why everything, and I mean everything centres around Accra in Ghana, --how will we ever truly develop if the Kumasi is always overlooked???

　

Editing is everything....and Project Bly's Rena Thiagarajan has such an eye for detail and beautiful pieces (and often chooses, surprisingly,-objects that many Kumasi natives would overlook as objet d'art) -and her yummy collection of "thoughtfully-curated collection of exceptional textiles, art, jewellery and unique objects for your home" can be viewed via: http://www.projectbly.com/destinations/kumasi/lookbook.....

I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say.....its sooo lovely to see Kumasi, a hotbed of cultural fabulousness -celebrated. For more info about Project Bly or to purchase the above pieces visit: http://www.projectbly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/projectbly

　

More Info

Inspired by the intrepid journalist Nellie Bly, who travelled around the world in 72 days, we’re setting off on our own journey—one that will take us to the markets of a new city, in a new country every two months. Our website will feature a changing, thoughtfully-curated collection of exceptional textiles, art, jewellery and unique objects for your home, as well as original photography of the streets we wander in search of the best bazaars.

No matter where we go—from Bombay to Bolivia and everywhere in between—our philosophy remains the same. At Bly we believe in stories and history, craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind. We’re committed to the idea that there is something special in the hand-to-hand transaction, and we go out of our way to find it. Above all, we believe that a city is a living, breathing organism, and to get to know it you have to wander its streets, the veins that fork and converge and inevitably lead you to its heart—the marketplace. 

Luxe Fashion: Naomi Campbell Styled by Edward Enninful in Ghana for W magazine......

First Lady of Fashion

The supermodel takes a FLOTUS-worthy wardrobe on a diplomatic mission to Ghana

 

　

 

Nina Ricci jacket and skirt; Cornelia James gloves (throughout); Hermès bag.

　

Giorgio Armani jacket and skirt; Kiki de Montparnasse bra; Nancy Gonzalez bag; Philippe Matignon socks (throughout); Marc Jacobs shoes (throughout). Beauty note: Win them by force of legs with Michael Kors Liquid Shimmer Dry Oil Spray.

　

Prada jacket and skirt. Beauty note: Speak softly, but carry a sexy pout with MAC RiRi Lipstick in Nude.

　

Dior coat and skirt; Hermès bag.

　

Proenza Schouler jacket and skirt. Beauty note: For hair worthy of a head of state, try Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Conditioner.

　

　

Michael Kors jacket and skirt; Nancy Gonzalez bag.

　

Azzedine Alaïa jacket and skirt; Nancy Gonzalez bag. Hair by Jimmy Paul for Bumble and bumble; makeup by Fulvia Farolfi for Chanel Beauté. Model: Naomi Campbell at Marilyn Agency. Produced by Mina Allotey, Adwoa Abrafi Ampiah-Kwofi.

　

Credit:

Publication: W magazine
Photography by Willy Vanderperre
Styled by: Edward Enninful
Model: Naomi Campbell at Marilyn Agency.
Produced by Mina Allotey & Adwoa Abrafi Ampiah-Kwofi.

　

 

 

Paulina says: How fabulous is it to see Accra as the back drop of a big luxe fashion shoot involving our very own Edward Enninful, the present fashion and style director of W magazine? The above shoot.....as far as I'm concerned are...what dreams are made off....

A hundred years ago I feel in in love with a shoot, shot in the ancient city of Bamako, Mali starring one of my uber fave models, Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kebede -styled by my all time favourite fashion stylist, fellow Ghanaian Edward Enninful for American Vogue, and was blown away.

Until the aforementioned shoot, big high-fashion glossy shoots shot in Africa were negative colonial affairs, comprising of the palest, blondest white models wearing beautiful, grand couture pieces in some forsaken African village somewhere surrounded by dirty looking black African children in unkempt torn clothes -if you know what I mean....

Thus Edward Enninful's Bamako shoot which I think was taken at an annual music festival in the desert was a turning point, -plus it was beautiful -and why wouldn't it be ...only it got me dreaming of my beloved Ghana -and I think I was a bit jealous, stylist Edward Enninful was Ghanaian after all....

I often prayed after the Bamako shoot, that editorials of that magnitude ---for the likes of American Vogue (I don't think I have to explain to you where the likes of American Vogue are in the food-chain of glossy magazines), would choose out sweet motherland Ghana for shoots..

Anyway, fast forward some years and the mother of all shoots involving the First Lady of Fashion, the one and only queen of the catwalk-- Naomi Campbell is in Accra, Ghana ooOOo, style by the one and only Edward Enninful, shoot by Belgian photographer Willy Vanderperre for W magazine, and I'm blown away all over again.....

I'm hoping that this shoot represents the beginnings of Edward Enninful's love affair with Ghana -and hope to see more of him in Ghana...maybe even see him at next year's GFDW (Ghana Fashion & Design Week)...

For more info about the above shoot visit: http://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/2013/10/naomi-campbell-ghana/photos/slide/1

To keep up with all of Edward Enninful's stylish happenings visit: https://twitter.com/EdwardEnninful

http://www.edwardenninful.com/

To keep with fab photographer Willy Vanderperre visit:

http://willy-vanderperre.tumblr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willy-Vanderperre/298848050241335

To keep with Queen of Catwalk Naomi Campbell via: https://twitter.com/NaomiCampbell

https://www.facebook.com/NaomiCampbell


P.s I think the above shoot has done more for Ghana than any copied and pasted GCSE project-like pamphlet by any Ghana tourist board has ever achieved -no????

Zimbabwe's Big Brother Africa contestant Pokello launches fashion label QOS (Queen of Swagger) in Ghana........

 Zimbabwe's most famous 'It' girl Pokello Nare in black -takes a bow at her first fashion show in Ghana....

Pokello Nare's shoe store in Zimbabwe

Paulina says: Pokello Nare, Zimbabwe's Big Brother Africa contestant and girlfriend of Accra based actor and former Ghana Big Brother contestant, Elikem Kumordzie has launched her new fashion label QOS (Queen of Swagger) in Ghana at La Palm Hotel.

An incredible first collection comprising some of the most gorgeous va-av-voom dresses I've seen in some time, -Pokello also Incorporated cute pieces made from traditional GTP and her native Zimbabwean fabrics...

I'm pleased to report that Pokello has lost none of her 'It' girl verve or innate sense of style and continues to inspire even here in Ghana -the land of the 'most ambitious' women on the planet.

I'm now wondering if as stated in the past, if Pokello will be opening another of her shoe boutiques in the Accra Metropolis?

Elikem Kumordzie also showed his collection to a roaring crowd including Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings at last nights 2013 edition of Citi FM’s ‘Expressions of Accra’... I'm intrigues as to why Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings would go to this event and not the uber prestigious, internationally feted GFDW (Ghana Fashion & Design Week)?

The event also included fashion shows by: AfroMod Trends, Ameyo, Maksi Clothing, SA4A Designs and Horseman Shoes -and was sponsored by: GTP, HFC bank, Airtel and Sleek cosmetics..

Only goodness knows what Africa's highest profile couple have planned for us next, but whatever they decide to do/launch, we will all be watching and wishing them luck.....

To keep up with all things fab and Pokello visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pokellos-Addicted-2-Shoes/188649157851208

See more photos from the fashion show via: http://www.bbafanclub.com/2013/10/pokello-debuts-her-clothing-line-queen.html

Luxe Africa: Nigeria

Title: Nigeria lacks lustre for its wealthy
Dated: 2012

"Millionaire at 29? That's five years too late," barks a brash mobile phone advertisement in Lagos.

The billboard, depicting a young man in a sharp suit in one of the Nigerian city's more upmarket neighbourhoods, neatly encapsulates the get-rich-quick attitude that prevails in the country's urban areas.

Luxury cars and large, gated villas are a common sight in Lagos. Step inside the plush hotels and men in expensive-looking silk shirts chatter on mobile phones and women clutch designer handbags.

Nigeria has nearly 100 million people living on less than US$1 (Dh3.67) a day. But in a country where the gap between the rich and poor is glaring, it also has a growing band of wealthy elite including more than 2 million dollar millionaires.

Many have earned their money either through the country's oil wealth or by capitalising on the burgeoning consumer market.

The challenge for Nigeria now, however, is how to get this growing wealthy elite to invest their cash at home.

"There's only 1 per cent of Nigerians that have serious amounts of money but those that do want somewhere to invest and there are not many areas for them to invest in Nigeria, so they look outside," says Harry Smith, a sales manager at The First Group, a property company based in Dubai.

In many ways the country's infrastructure has not kept pace with the aspirations of the wealthy.

Roads are choked with traffic, shopping malls are undeveloped and business people grumble about a shortage of decent hotels and restaurants and the poor standard of domestic air travel. Partly for these reasons, many flock to London, New York, Paris and, increasingly, Dubai for large parts of the year.

For Princess Fifi Ejindu and her husband Chief Onyemaechi Ejindu, Dubai offers an opportunity to combine business and leisure.

Princess Fifi, who heads an investment company based in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, held a glittering 50th birthday party at the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai last month.

"The shopping in Dubai is incredible, the restaurants are beautiful and the nightlife is wonderful," she says. From the mid 2000s, the couple have bought and sold a number of apartments in Jumeirah Beach Residence, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Palm Jumeirah as well as retail units in International City.

Even losing money in the Waterfront, a Nakheel development planned but never built on the edge of Dubai, has not dimmed their love for the city.

"I still believe in the Dubai dream," says Princess Fifi. Nigeria's own property scene is in an earlier stage of progress. Billboards on Lagos' Bar Beach advertise Atlantic City, an ambitious mixed-use development with echoes of projects dreamed up in Dubai's boom years.

Described by the 1986 Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka as "rising like Aphrodite from the foam of the Atlantic", the project is designed to provide homes for 250,000 people and offices and other workplaces for another 150,000 across several kilometres of reclaimed land.

Business people say similar investment is needed in the retail sector.

Big international shopping chains are largely absent from the malls in the main cities. Limits on the import of materials, designed to nurture local industries, make it difficult for foreign retailers to bring in clothing and furnishings.

"The government has to create an enabling environment, like a shopping free zone, to enable these retail chains to come in," says Princess Fifi.

Until that happens most wealthy Nigerians are likely to continue to do the bulk of their shopping and property buying abroad.

Source: http://www.thenational.ae/business/property/nigeria-lacks-lustre-for-its-wealthy


Paulina says: I thought it was only Ghana's HNW-ers who descend on Dubai for holidays and shopping sprees, but it appears all of West Africa's cash-rich, time poor elites head there -while they wait for their own various countries to catch up with their wants in terms luxury goods and services.

I'm also a big fan of uber elegant Princess Fifi Ejindu, a Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman who is the patron of AFWL (Africa fashion Week London) -mentioned in the above piece.

Note, in terms of what Princess Fifi Ejindu is doing for the luxury market and the fashion industry in her native Nigeria, -she has no equal in our very own sweet motherland Ghana -and that's such a shame, especially as Ghana seems to be full of wives of this, and heads of that...

Note also, South Africans have their very own -Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe – a woman who continues to put SA's fashion industry on the map...-

I'm guessing we Ghanaians have a lot of catching up to do!!! We need to start respecting the billion dollar fashion industry, -and start supporting it.

I urge some of our perpetually hidden ladies-who-launch, our chichi Lebanese and growing expat community to start patronising some of the big events and ventures in Ghana.

We need to see boards of Ghana's most elegant and connected --set up to help the arts and the fashion industry -please!!!!
I'll leave it there.....you know what I'm like when I get started.... xx 

Enforcing Accountability: World Bank Debars Ghanaian Company for Sanctionable Misconduct Relating to a Waste Management Project in Liberia

This two-year debarment follows the company’s acknowledgment of misconduct

 

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2013— The World Bank Group announced the debarment of Zoomlion Ghana Limited (Zoomlion), a privately held company headquartered in Ghana for a period of two years following the company’s acknowledgment of misconduct impacting the World Bank-financed the Emergency Monrovia Urban Sanitation Project in Liberia. The company paid bribes to facilitate contract execution and processing of invoices.

The debarment is part of a Negotiated Resolution Agreement (NRA) which acknowledges the company’s cooperation and disciplinary measures against staff involved in the misconduct. 

The two-year debarment came into effect on September 24, 2013. During this period, Zoomlion will not qualify for any contract financed by the World Bank Group.

As part of the settlement, the company will also need to demonstrate full and satisfactory compliance with the World Bank Integrity standards.

“This is a case where a company under a World Bank investigation is demonstrating responsibility for wrongdoing by enforcing disciplinary action and committing to a new standard of integrity governing its operations,” said Leonard McCarthy, World Bank Integrity Vice President.

“Promoting this type of corporate responsibility while holding companies accountable for wrongdoing is one of the strategic pillars of the World Bank’s anticorruption strategy.”

Zoomlion’s debarment qualifies for cross-debarment by other MDBs under the Agreement of Mutual Recognition of Debarments that was signed on April 9, 2010.

About the World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency
The World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) is responsible for preventing, deterring and investigating allegations of fraud, collusion and corruption in World Bank projects, capitalizing on the experience of a multilingual and highly specialized team of investigators and forensic accountants.

Key results of INT’s work in FY12-13 include:

• 74 entities sanctioned in FY 13 including settlements where companies are debarred as a default sanction in addition to committing to cooperation with the Integrity Vice Presidency. These include the Canadian company SNC Lavalin and more than 100 of its affiliates and the Indian company Larsen and Toubro Limited among others.

• 253 jointly recognized debarments among MDBs that signed the Cross Debarment agreement..

• Building precautions against fraud and corruption in high-risk projects.

• The World Bank introduced its new App to report fraud and corruption allegations relating to its projects. The new App also complements other tools and information resources to support the detection of fraud and corruption red flags. The World Bank Integrity App is available for the IOS platform through the iTunes store.

• Following Alstom’s acknowledgment of misconduct in relation to a Bank-financed hydropower project in Zambia, the World Bank debarred Alstom Hydro France and Alstom Network Schweiz AG (Switzerland) - in addition to their affiliates - for a period of three years as part of a Negotiated Resolution Agreement between Alstom and the World Bank which also includes a restitution payment by the two companies totaling approximately $9.5 million.

• The second meeting of the International Corruption Hunters Alliance brought together 175 senior enforcement and anticorruption officials from 6 regions, to inject momentum into global anti-corruption efforts.

• Cooperation agreements in support of parallel investigations, asset recovery and information sharing with the UK Serious Fraud Office, the European Anti-Fraud Office, Interpol, the Korean Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, the Ethiopian Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission and several other national and international authorities.

Enhanced preventive training and forensic audits designed to identify and address red flags and integrity controls in World Bank-financed projects.


Source: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/09/25/world-bank-debars-ghanaian-company-sanctionable-misconduct-waste-management-project-Liberia

Paulina says: Another day, another something, something, something........I am speechless...... Heaven Help Ghana.....

Hot chocolate demand sends cocoa prices soaring

Dated: 15/10/2013
Chocoholics beware. Cocoa has become this year’s hot commodity.

The price of cocoa, the key ingredient in chocolate, has soared more than 20 per cent since January. Recovering demand in the US and Europe, the largest chocolate buyers, and dry weather in west Africa, the world’s key producing region, have transformed demand and supply prospects.

After almost two years of sluggish price action – people were buying less luxury chocolate as the eurozone crisis peaked – analysts and traders believe sentiment has switched.

“Cocoa is a bullish commodity at a time when the rest have been weak,” says Derek Chambers, head of cocoa at commodity traders Sucden.

Prices have risen to their highest in two years. While a clean break above the £1,750 a tonne level has not been achieved, cocoa bulls say that the market is well supported.

Analysts believe the supply-demand balance has shifted to a small deficit in the 2012-13 crop year, which ended in September, and expect that deficit to grow to between 130,000 and 170,000 tonnes in 2013-14.

Strengthening the bulls’ case is a lack of forward buying by confectioners ahead of the traditional seasonal peak in chocolate demand that spans Christmas, Valentine’s day and Easter.

 

Chocolate makers usually hedge their exposure to future cocoa needs out to about seven to eight months, but the industry average is currently at around four to five months, a three-year low, according to analysts.

Though some chocolate producers have forward cover of about 12 months, analysts believe others have been caught out by the price rally since the middle of the year.

This has forced some manufacturers to rush into the market, putting further upward pressure on prices. Traders believe this could spur additional buying by some chocolatiers.

“I think it can go higher: in the near term there’s more upside risk,” says Kona Haque, analyst at Macquarie.

Hedge funds and other financial investors started to buy cocoa in July after reports of unseasonably dry weather in west Africa pushed prices higher.

This was followed by cooler temperatures, which harmed some of the growth of flowers and pods.
Chocolate producers decided to wait for a price correction in the belief that the price gains were based on speculative buying, rather than actual supply and demand.

However, a stronger-than-expected recovery in luxury chocolate consumption meant prices rallied further. The selling by financial investors never materialised.

Indeed, Lindt, the Swiss luxury chocolate maker and a bellwether for upmarket chocolate demand, has reported sales growth of almost 13 per cent in the first six months in North America. Its main European markets in Germany, France and the UK have also performed well, the company has told investors.

 

Little surprise, then, that the level of net “long” positions or bullish bets placed by fund managers on the London and New York exchanges is at record levels.

Some of the larger funds, aware that a number of chocolate producers are “short” and are likely to be forced into the market to hedge their future cocoa purchases, are loath to liquidate their positions.

“It’s become a subtle game,” says Jonathan Parkman, co-head of agriculture at brokers Marex Spectron.

Another source of selling, which could have allowed manufacturers to hedge at lower levels, has also disappeared.

Ivory Coast, the largest cocoa producer, announced forward sales of its 2013-14 crop reached 1m tonnes at the end of July, much earlier than expected.

 

With Ghana’s hedging patterns similar to Ivory Coast’s, this indicated the world’s two largest cocoa producers had less to export, suggesting prices could rise without running into selling pressure, says Macquarie.

Although further gains would mean pain for chocolate makers, higher prices should in the longer term incentivise cocoa farmers to meet growing demand for chocolate in emerging markets.
Weak cocoa prices in the past few years have discouraged investment by farmers.

In some producing countries, a growing number of farmers have switched to palm oil and rubber, which offer better yields and returns.

Mr Chambers of Sucden believes current prices are too low to guarantee cocoa supplies in coming years. He says: “You need sustained higher prices than this to stimulate production to satisfy growing chocolate demand, perhaps in the £1,850 to £2,250 range.”

Source: FT
http://www.ft.com/

The State of The Union: Nissan to build cars in Nigeria

 

 

Nissan will become the first global carmaker to build cars in Nigeria since west Africa’s largest economy rolled out a policy to tempt investors into its nascent automotive industry.

The Japanese carmaker, which has aggressively targeted growth in emerging markets as the centrepiece of its global strategy, plans to build 45,000 cars a year in the country, likely starting with an SUV early next year.

 

Nissan, which last month announced it would be the first international carmaker to build vehicles in Myanmar, targets a doubling of sales in Africa to 220,000 by 2016.

 

Nigeria, which imports millions of dollars worth of new and used cars into the country every year, has embarked on a drive to attract manufacturing and industrial investments into the country since former Goldman Sachs banker Olusegun Aganga was made minister of trade and investment this year.

 

While it is sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest recipient of foreign investment with roughly $7bn last year, or about 14 per cent of the region’s total, investors complain that Nigeria remains a challenging destination for industrial ventures because of a lack of power supply, poor transport infrastructure and an unskilled labour force.


African countries, long overlooked by global carmakers, are seen as one of the last remaining untapped sources of growth for the industry, after heavy investments in recent decades in India, China and southeast Asia.

“Nissan is preparing to make Nigeria a significant manufacturing hub in Africa,” said chief executive Carlos Ghosn, the global car industry’s most prominent believer in emerging market potential. “As the first-mover in Nigeria, we are positioned for the long-term growth of this market and across the broader continent.”

 

The UN Conference on Trade and Development puts Nigeria as the fourth-best destination for foreign direct investment when measured by returns, only behind Angola, Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan. Unctad estimates that FDI projects returned on average 36 per cent in Nigeria in 2011, compared with an average for emerging markets of 8.4 per cent.

Volkswagen and Peugeot previously built cars in Nigeria but have since closed factories.

The global alliance between Nissan and French partner Renault signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigerian company Stallion Group to begin vehicle assembly in Lagos, the alliance said on Wednesday.

Renault is mulling the possibility of joining Nissan in building cars in the country, a spokesman for the alliance said.

The entry is the first since Nigeria’s government unveiled a new automotive industrial policy designed to encourage carmaking. The Japanese company will build cars, light duty trucks, pickups and vans in the country, it said.

It also has a factory in Morocco and in South Africa, where it will begin production of its relaunched low-cost Datsun cars by the end of next year.

Source: http://www.ft.com/

Paulina says: I'm soooo pleased for our neighbours to the East, because even though there's been much talk of President Goodluck's uber borrowing, and the possible pressures on him to sack one female member of his government over a bulletproof car or two, its good to see -the likes of Nissan (who are partners with Renault) encouraged to invest in Nigeria.

This venture with Nissan is all about mass job creation and development -and this is what Ghana should be aiming for.

This venture also means work for the Nigeria's people (and their families), and means that there's no temptation of certain members of Nigeria's government to line their pockets with sika.... creating a win, win situation -something that just can't be said for Ghana right now, where borrowing has become fashionable for the government and its shameful.

Anyway.....a big congrats to Nigeria....I believe that if they keep heading in this direction, like South Africa -the prosperity buzz will start trickling down to the masses...and change the destiny of ordinary Nigerians..  

Danone Partners With Abraaj In Fan Milk Acquisition

Dated: 25/10/2013

VENTURES AFRICA – World’s largest yoghurt maker, Danone has partnered with Dubai private equity firm Abraaj Group to buy Fan Milk International (FMI), a frozen dairy products and juices maker in West Africa with sales of around $26.3 million in 2012.

Established as a family business over 50 years ago, FMI is a market leader in frozen dairy products in West Africa with operations in Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Benin and Burkina Faso.

In June this year, Abraaj Group announced the acquisition of a 100 percent stake in Fan Milk through one of its funds. However, the new deal with Danone will see it acquire only 51 percent stake while the dairy maker will get the remaining 49 percent.

In the coming years, Danone will gradually acquire controlling stake in the business. The transaction is expected to be finalised by the end of 2013.

According to a statement release by the company: “The combination of Danone’s know-how in the fresh dairy category alongside Abraaj’s 20 year investment experience, insights and local presence on the African continent will boost Fan Milk’s growth in a market with major potential.”

Abraaj founder and group Chief Executive, Arif Naqvi says: “The acquisition of Fan Milk represents the largest FMCG private equity transaction in sub Saharan Africa, outside South Africa.

Naqvi said Abraaj “look(s) forward to partnering with Danone in order to accelerate the growth and penetration of Fan Milk’s portfolio of leading consumer food brands across West Africa.”

According to Danone co-chief operating officer, Emmanuel Faber the transaction represents a major step in the company’s expansion in Africa.

Danone is expanding its business footprint on the continent after it encountered problems in Europe and China.

Last year, the company paid $760 million to take control of Morocco’s top dairy group, Centrale Laitiere.

With the new partnership, Faber said Danone will “now be able to develop the dairy product market in West Africa.”

Source: http://www.ventures-africa.com/2013/10/danone-partners-abraaj-fan-milk-acquisition/

Hair Senta

Caribbean curl 20" in burgundy by Hairsenta

 

Ghana based actress Nana Ama McBrown at the HairSenta

　

Jheri curl texture.. Body wave texture- blackest black. Hair by Hair Senta

The ever beautiful former MNET Face of Africa contestant –model Hamarmat at HairSenta

　

I'm sure this is Accra big girl, interior decorator Patty (grey eyes) at the HairSenta...

 The showroom

"Hair Senta is a hair extensions company. We sell human hair textures that match your own natural hair. And also hair related items and accessories for hair."Hair Senta


Paulina says: What do models Menaye and Hamarmat, TV presenter Sika Osei, songstresses Eazzy and Kaaki, Ghanaian actresses Nana Ama McBrown, Jackie Appiah and Roselyn Ngissah all have in common? Don’t know? Nor did I until I heard about the Hair Senta store situated in East Legon on Mensvic Hotel Road (Next to Bank Of Africa), Accra, Ghana.

Fast becoming the go-to provider of all things quality human hair, the good people at Hair Senta can also dye or add highlights to the hair for you at request and can honestly boast of having most of Ghana’s top actresses, TV presenters and It girl on their speed dial.

For more info about the types of human hair and services available at Hair Senta visit: https://www.facebook.com/HairSenta

Make-up by LUXE d’VISAGE

"LUXE d’VISAGE is a mobile makeup and hair service provider that specialises in bridal makeup

 

 

 

Make-up for BDI by Amitibey by LUXE d’VISAGE

On set...@ home with Joselyn Dumas..showing. On Mnet Afican Magic

　



"It is said that the wedding day is one of the most memorable and special days of every brides life. You do loads to prepare for that magical moment and transforming into the ravishing bride you dream of should be no exception. Having a professional makeup and hair artist for your wedding is a luxury well deserved and as such we at LUXE d’VISAGE take pride in providing quality bespoke services for that memorable day..

At LUXE d’VISAGE , we specialise not only in making you look splendid on your day but also in conjunction with top class city spas and at special rates, offer a full range of beauty and pampering services to prepare your skin, refresh your spirit and calm all the pre-wedding nerves in the hectic run-up to that special day. So all you need to do on that day is relax smile and let your inner beauty shine through. You can be assured of professional reliable and friendly service." LUXE d’VISAGE

　

Paulina says: I’m excited again, as yet another fabulous business/brand has been added to the ever growing collection of aspirational brands and quality services now available in Ghana…

Uber new to La Ghana Rising Blog’s picky radar, LUXE d’VISAGE make-up artistry is more than just a bridal makeup provider, –they are also the go-to MUA’s for the likes of TV presenter Joselyn Dumas and a growing band of feted fashionistas in and around Accra for their fabulous hairstyling skills. For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/LUXEDVISAGE 

We are soooo corrupt that we have shot ourselves in the foot. Instead of doing what they are supposed to be doing first --then chop the rest (because we all know they will chop it), they are instead looting, eating, then using the few pesewas (the bones) left ---to tackle: infrastructure, electricity, roads, schools, public toilets and to pay our doctors and nurses; and now 'some shady few' want to make it illegal for the struggling masses in Ghana to demonstrate.....Are they serious????

The state of the Nation: Gifty Andoh Appiah of Joy News TV, Ghana discusses Public lavatories in Nima, Accra in award winning film clip...

OMGoodness...... I've watched a piece about public toilets in Nima, Accra Ghana and I can't believe it.......I've never seen anything like it...........

I can't comprehend the unsanitiery public toilets shown in Gifty Andoh Appiah of Joy News TV, Ghana's award wining clip shot in Nima, Accra.....

I don't know what to say... Our people shouldn't be living like this!!!!

If the mayor of Accra is planning on phasing out public toilets -I wonder..... is the government of Ghana planning on building on more better planned, sanitised, subsiduced public toilets or are they relying on landlords to build inferior toilets????
I am beyond shocked..... Can you imagine having to walk in someone elses fecies??? This isn't on...but I'm soooo glad Ms Andoh Appiah choose to cover this topic... we can no longer sweep it under the carpet and pretend it dosen't exquist because the people using these inferior services have no power, thus have no voice.....
...... I wonder..... would something be done about these public toilets if members of Ghana's government and their families had to use them?????

Also where do the folks wash their hands after using these facilities????? And folks using newspaper, what is that????

Omgoodness...maybe I'm showing my ignorance -but I truly had no idea!!! I have wept paaapaaaa tonight.... I have truly wept..

You can watch the award winning clip via: http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/international/2013/10/10/aja-2013-television-news-bulletin-award-clip.cnn.html  

‘Akosombo Dam in critical stage’

Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed that the Akosombo Dam is in a critical stage due to low volumes of water flowing into it this year.
He noted that this was due to the poor rainfall pattern and it would likely affect electricity supply.
Mr. Buah, who was speaking to journalists in Tamale, said unless something critical happened; the country will face a serious energy problem in 2015 and 2016.

The Minister, in Tamale as part of a three-day tour to inspect on-going rural electrification projects in the three northern regions, stressed the need for power supply and distribution companies to adopt the most cost-effective means to generate energy, including thermal and solar, while government and the citizenry used electricity responsibly to reduce the burden.

He said there was also the need for private energy producers to invest in the sector to salvage the situation.

Mr. Buah directed the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) to cut-off government departments and MMDAs that failed to pay electricity bills, saying, “all departments and MMDAs must be connected to the pre-paid meters to ensure that they use energy responsibly”.

According to him, all government departments, ministries, institutions and agencies must find realistic source of funding to pay their electricity bills and that the country must adopt measures towards moving to realistic tariffs for everybody in order to meet the critical demand of the nation.

Mr. Buah noted that all government agencies had annual budgets and part of their budgets included expenditure for utilities, adding they must use such funds to pay for the electricity they consume.
On the directive from the president to ministers to pay electricity, Mr. Buah said a team had been put in place to ensure compliance and that the process had already started.—GNA

Source: http://www.todaygh.com/2013/10/24/akosombo-dam-critical-stage/

Agbobgloshie Market on fire again

Parts of the Agbobgloshie Market in Accra is currently being ravaged by fire. 

The fire which started about an hour ago is yet to be put out because personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service have not been able to gain access to the area under fire.

Citi News Richard Sky who is at the scene of the fire reported that many of the structures in the market have been destroyed by the fire.

According to him the scene of the fire “is so remote and inaccessible to the extent that the Fire Service I’m told is unable to make its way to the root of this particular fire we are talking about.”

The local people are thus making efforts to douse the fire “as they are relying on their buckets, throwing sachet water into the flames in an impossible attempt to put out the flames which are causing serious damage.”

Mr. Sky also reported that the cause of the fire is unknown but in an interview, some of the locals recalled that “the lights were out but they only got to know that the lights had come back and as a result, they heard that fire was whizzing through their homes…so they are trying to do a connection between the power outage and the power that was turned on subsequently.”

He added that the fire service personnel are “doing everything to see if they can get around the structures to enter the area under fire.”

Source: http://www.todaygh.com/2013/10/24/agbobgloshie-market-fire/

Ghana's Premier Luxury Real Estate Company Devtraco Launches 'Palmers Place' as well as three other new projects......

The Devtraco office right next to Palmers Place — at Airport Residential Area...

 Labadi Beach Hotel staff setting up — at Airport Residential Area

DJ Austin entertaining our lovely guests

 　

Sir Sam Jonah and Jamil Ibrahim gracing us with their presence...

 　

The CEO of Devtraco Plus giving a short speech

 

 

The Managing Director of Devtraco Limited — at Airport Residential Area, Accra Ghana...

Our lovely guests engaged in our presentation

 

We are so proud of the beautiful Town Homes in Airport. With amazing finishing and quality materials our customers will also be very proud owners

 For more info about 'Palmers Place' visit at Devtraco: http://devtracoplus.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DevtracoPlusProperties