Beyond Boundaries

MAURITANIA

SENEGAL

The Gambia:
A Rising Voice
UNITY WITHOUT VERITY IS NO
BETTER THAN CONSPIRACY

www.africaispwa.com
CONTENTS
11    14    34   
The Gambia: Madou Lamin Sima, Celebrity Spotlight:
A Rising Voice Ambassador-At-Large Business Meet Ms. Bodega
& Investment for Gambia

Story on p. 11 3  
Editor's Note

4  
AFRICA IS PWA

5   
Building Equity Sustainability
Together
West Africa A Future By Design

8   
The Role of the Public-Private
Partnership

23  
Rebuilding A Better Gambia:
A Small Country With Large
Possibilities

26   
Travel Reversing The Triangle

30   
A Child From the Rock

31
Peace in the 21st Century?

18   
The Future Development of Africa: All rights reserved.
Socio-Cultural Dynamics, Economic Realities Copyright, April 2021.
and Governance Within a Systemic Paradigm

AFRICA IS PWA |  1
PAGE 2 AFRICA IS PWA

"The empowerment of consciousness and

the enforcement of enlightenment is a
driving force toward inclusion, which is
vital for the sustainability of global people
and factors into the reduction of poverty,
inequality and lays the basis for continued
economic growth, from a solid
commitment to change"

So powerful is the light of unity that

it can illuminate the whole earth

AFRICA IS PWA |  2
 EDITORS NOTES

ANTOINETTE PITCAN OLIVIER STEPHENSON

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR

“I am grateful for this opportunity to amplify the brilliant "Writing is something I do in solitude, the
voices that are often excluded from the dominant work takes me into another world. That’s true
narrative which seeks to permanently silence us and to ecstasy. That, and seeing the reaction from
address problems facing our global population". others. That’s extremely satisfying and
gratifying''

We are only as strong as we are

united, as weak as we are divided.

AFRICA IS PWA |  3
 EDUCATION LIFESTYLE &
TRAVEL
News AFRICA IS
PWA Beyond Boundaries
Movements of the People
By A.P
Africa Is PWA Magazine, is an online
magazine, that places specific focus on West
Africa. It features coverage in the areas of
culture (cuisine, storytelling) arts and
entertainment, coverage of the region’s
ethno-diversities, opinion pieces, human
interest stories, news, politics, history, and
current affairs and technology.
Africa Is PWA Magazine is also an online
magazine created for West Africa and the
African diaspora(s) at large. Created to
examine, inspire, empower, and connect to
the changing new and innovating Africa and
the impact of the world around you.
A new avenue for the cutting-edge women
game changers, influencing a changing
Africa today through exposes, personalized
on location, selection interviews with
women-ought-leaders, best-selling authors,
spiritual luminaries, health, and wellness
experts. And "women" All designed to light
up, guide audiences through their big
questions about life, growth, and
sustainability that will help move them
closer to a better version of themselves.
INNOVATION
Story
Africa is PWA Magazine creates the
marketing conduit to that worldwide
audience. Marketers, constantly seeking
fresh and novel ways to capture consumer
engagement and ultimately their loyalty,
can use a music program that has all the
components of qualitative business arts and
entertainment.
The Africa Is PWA Magazine is that DIGITAL
MAGAZINE designed to highlight all the
cultural nuances that endeavors to position
West Africa one of the most popular tourist
destinations in the world.
African music and films have crept into the
mainstream consciousness via commercial
advertising, and can be integrated, further.
Africa Is PWA will further amplify this as
content on a regular basis. Multichannel
marketing is easily assimilated onto a
programming platform that incorporates
music, travel, fashion, food and lifestyle.
AFRICA IS PWA |  4
 BUILDING EQUITY SUSTAINABILITY TOGETHER

WEST AFRICA A FUTURE BY DESIGN

BY AP
        espite the widespread adoption
D
of and progress towards the
Economic Growth
Sustainable Development Goals, the and Human
situation in Africa is not improving. Development Plan
The continent still has much to do to The sub-Saharan African region's growth rate has
catch up with the rest of the world. A been very low for many years. It's been even lower in
new report from the Sustainable the last two years, which means that the region is not
Development Goals Center for Africa keeping pace with its SDG goal. The region's growth
shows that most countries on the fell to approximately 1.4 percent in 2019, a bit above
continent are failing to achieve the the SDG target but below the region's long-term
goals set by the UN. Over 50% of the average.
global poor (those who earn less
than $1.90 per day) live in Africa.
Africa has experienced a series of shocks, such as the
Arab Spring, the impact of the eurozone crisis, and
Over one-third of Africans are at risk
the rise of China as a major trading partner. At the
of starvation. The SDG Center's
same time, globalization has slowed. Commodity
forecasts show that the majority of
prices have remained low, and economic growth
African regions are unlikely to meet
remains relatively sluggish. While climate conditions
the SDGs. The struggle is most
remain unfavorable, population growth continues to
pronounced for Central Africa across
outpace economic growth. The result is that twenty-
all the goals. There is a non-
eight African countries are categorized as low
governmental organization with a
income, and 37 are classified as low HDI countries.
mission to provide opportunities for
children in West Africa, are to Children in Africa today are still at risk of not receiving
empower and transform their lives. a full, high-quality education or decent health care.
Poor education services are contributing to a lack of
reading and writing skills among children in Africa.

In many countries, household

Data Gap Persist surveys are too small, sporadic,
The progress Africa has made towards attaining the
and incomplete to provide
SDGs in the last three years has been incomplete. Few
reliable data. In Africa, not
data points are available to support global reviews.
enough data exists for tracking
Where data exists, it is not complete and consistent.
the SDG targets, and this is
Too often, the nations of Africa are ill-equipped to
hampering efforts to achieve the
track progress towards their development goals.
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).

Continue reading at next page >

AFRICA IS PWA |  5
AFRICA IS PWA

Challenges To
Governance In
Achieving The
SDGs
The challenges inherent in the SDG framework
must be addressed now more than ever. Of
particular importance is the need for attention
to the governance framework for the SDGs.
There are still many hurdles in the path to its
full realization. A lack of clarity around the
issue of accountability persists, as well as the
lack of reporting on key elements such as
ratification, reporting mechanisms, and roles
and responsibilities. The existing reporting
mechanism is not comprehensive, encourages
selective reporting, and is not of the same
standard, thus compromising comparability.

-Saharan Africa alone hosts more than 1 billion people. And yet, in sub-
Financing The Saharan Africa, one in three people is unable to raise the basic means of
Sustainable living. Notable, national development banks (NDBs) are the main source of
Development long Sub-term credit in many middle-income countries and developing

Goals In Africa Is economies. Though, Africa has 140 NDBs. They are still constrained by

Getting Harder regulation, governance, and financing. Because of this, the size of most
NDBs is small compared to the size of the economy in their respective
Globally, there is still financing needed for the countries.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It's
also true for Africa. Despite an annual total Some other sources of financing are also unreliable, such as official
financing mix of $640 billion ($500 billion in development assistance. It's failing on a per capita basis, and the wealthier
domestic revenue, $50 billion from OECD nations are not meeting their SDG commitments of 1.4 percent of
development assistance, slightly less than $45 GDP. While the world's population continues to grow, most countries are
billion in foreign direct investment, and not experiencing faster economic growth. The world's poorest are also
approximately $60 billion in remittances. those who do not see any gain in income from global growth. The majority
According to an estimate, additional annual
6
of developing economies are struggling to meet their most basic needs,
financing required is between $500 billion and while wealthy developed nations face challenges of slowing economic
MARCH 2022 | ISSUE 01

$1.2 trillion. Over half of the world's population growth, a shrinking middle class, a low birth rate, and an aging society.
now lives in developing countries.

Continue reading at next page >

AFRICA IS PWA |  6
AFRICA IS PWA

There Are Global

Repercussions For
Not Achieving
SDGs In Africa

For the first time in history, all African

countries are in the driver's seat of their
destiny. The key to success is how these
countries leverage their unique assets and
capabilities to take advantage of the
unprecedented opportunity to achieve
accelerated development and ensure that
Africa realizes the full potential of its human
capital and people. The failure of Africa to
attain the SDGs will have far-reaching
implications across the entire planet since
many of the SDGs have a global nature. These
include climate change, the condition of life
underwater, and the effective cooperation of
partners.

Young people are the hope of Africa for the

next generation of ethical leaders and social-
economic development. We must address
difficult social issues that affect their ability to
live a dignified life and realize their full
potential.

The world is changing fast, and the need to

make decisions based on long-term thinking is
as important as ever. There is a lot of potential
in West Africa to become one of the top 10
economies in the world, but it will take more
than a few decades to do that. The current
government and businesses in West Africa
need to collaborate to build equity and
sustainability for the future. For more blogs,
keep visiting our website.

AFRICA IS PWA |  7

THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Overcoming Connectivity
Challenges, Ensuring
Economic and Social
Development for West
Africa
Economic inequality in West Africa is the distribution of
wealth. South Africa, the world's most developed
economy, is also the world's most deprived. Despite a few
country's economies growing at 8% (which is higher than
that of most countries), it is nearly impossible to miss its
poor citizens in the streets of their capital, pulling on
donkeys to transport goods as the rich and famous drive
around in luxury cars.
Inequality Drivers
In Nigeria, the gap between rich and poor is growing wider
by the day. The richest people in the country have a
combined net worth of $29.9 billion, making them more
than 50 times richer than the poorest 40%. More than two-
thirds of Nigerians are living below the threshold for
absolute poverty. The following factors are the reasons
why there is unequal income distribution in Africa:
Divergence, determinants, and consequences.
BY NIAS AUHK
In Africa, where growth often occurs in sectors
characterized by low absorption of unskilled labor, high
earnings inequality, and high capital share in total income,
GDP growth often does not lift all boats. It's a rising tide
that doesn't lift all boats. The report suggests that there
are several reasons for this. First, the economic growth and
development have been driven by natural resource
exports, which tend to concentrate wealth and power
among the few.
Government spending on health and education, two areas
where countries have limited ability to control spending,
has remained relatively low. Today inequality is due to
regressive tax rates, unresponsive wage structures, and
inadequate investment in health, education, and social
protection for vulnerable and marginalized groups. Many
countries around the world are struggling with these
issues.
AFRICA IS PWA |  8
 Benefits Of Public-Private
Partnership

The financial crisis in 2008 has seen renewed interest in Public-

Private Partnerships (PPPs) in both developed and developing
countries. Governments faced constraints on their public resources
and fiscal space while recognizing the importance of investing in
infrastructure to help their economies grow. In the absence of
funds for infrastructure development, they turn to the private
sector as an alternative source of funding to meet the funding gap.

·PPPs encourage the private sector to deliver projects on time

and within budget.
·The introduction of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a way
of improving the delivery of public services through greater
operational efficiency is an area that has generated much
interest.
Closing The Gap ·It is imposing budgetary certainty by setting present and future
costs of infrastructure projects over time.

Quality education doesn't reduce poverty, but if ·The government is working to establish Public-Private

accompanied by progressive taxation, it will close the Partnerships (PPPs) as a means of developing local and private

inequality gap. It is important to remember that sector capabilities. Through joint ventures with some large

raising taxes is not necessarily a bad thing since it international firms, as well as subcontracting opportunities for

generates more money for social spending. Countries local firms in areas such as infrastructure, electricity, health,

have to focus on growth patterns instead of growth security, cleaning, and maintenance.

rates. When growth is in labor-intensive sectors, such ·Governments should use public-private partnerships as a way to

as agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, gradually expose state-owned enterprises and government to

inequality falls. African governments are currently increased levels of private sector participation (especially

facing difficult budgetary constraints due to foreign) and ensure that PPPs are structured in a way that

corruption, mismanagement, and IFFs. They've also allows for the transfer of skills to lead to national champions

not allocated significant enough portions of their that can run their operations professionally and eventually

budgets to other projects. export their competencies by bidding for projects/joint

ventures.
·PPPs also help in the creation of personal prosperity in the
economy. They help to make the country more competitive in
terms of its infrastructure base. As a result, they also give a boost
to the business and industry associated with infrastructure
development. Addressing the need for infrastructure
development in the Philippines by building upon limited public
sector capacities is a necessity.

AFRICA IS PWA |  9
How Can Africa Develop

One way to do this is by giving preferential access to ·It will not be long before ECOWAS/WAEMU can provide a

leading world markets to the African Growth model for African neighborhoods to shift from the

Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Everything But Arms development paradigm of aid dependency to a contract with

(EBA), two preferential agreements extended by the African neighbors that involves leading and lagging countries

United States and the European Union, respectively, of the neighborhoods. In this model, the donor community

since 2001. However, not all African countries benefit would provide the right incentives for regional cooperation

from these preferential trade agreements. Some of the initiatives to ensure developmental progress for the

countries in the region of West Africa do not. communities.

·The goal should be to establish African Economic Areas that
would tie the economic interests of the top-performing and
the bottom-performing countries in each region tightly
together.
·The freedom of people to move, trade, and work where they
want without restrictions imposed by government policy.
·A major economic development strategy for land-locked
countries is to maintain and protect access routes to land-
locked countries to export and import goods. Providing the
political space to invest in regional infrastructures, such as
railways and roads, is another important component.
·In exchange for the actions above, bilateral and multilateral
development partners should commit to working together.
·This strategy will make a bigger impact on improving social
services and other life-sustaining infrastructure aimed at
raising living standards and the creation of portable human
capital in lagging countries.
·The most important thing to do to make sure the next wave of
global growth happens is to make sure the infrastructure,
which drives economic development, is strong enough to
support it. This means supporting growth-sustaining
infrastructure in the leading countries where growth is most
likely, and infrastructure to connect the markets of large
leading countries with labor, capital, goods, and ideas in
smaller neighbors.
Developing countries should be allowed preferential access to
the markets of high-income countries for their exports,
without strict rules of origin or eligibility criteria that prevent
the rapid growth of trade in intermediate inputs with other
developing economies.

In countries of West Africa, which are faced with a critical shortage of

infrastructure funding, PPPs provide significant capital in the form of long-
term financing. While these projects do not necessarily fully address the
shortfall, they can provide significant capital where viable projects are carved
out. For more blogs, keep visiting our website.
AFRICA IS PWA |  10
THE GAMBIA:
A RISING VOICE
BY OLIVIER STEPHENSON

In the recent Africa Cup of Nations football

tournament, while The Gambia lost to hosts
Cameroon in the quarter-finals, the match marked
the end of what was seen as an exceptional display
of football by a team that fell short of what was
considered by many as a sort of fairytale ending
from a country that not too long ago was not even
thought of as even being a worthy opponent.

The Gambia’s 2-0 loss was seen as actually a win by

many as tournament debutants who were being
anticipated to be knocked out in the group stage.
Its rise as a team that came through pre-qualifiers
with Africa’s eight worst-ranked sides beat Djibouti
on penalties, reached the last-eight of the AFCON,
beating Mauritania and Tunisia in the group.

At one period in its history when it was known as

the Gambian Empire, it was one of English-
speaking Africa's most powerful states.

From 1815 to 1965, The Gambia was a British colony

that once enjoyed a degree of autonomy under the
Crown as part of Sierra Leone. It also shares borders
with Senegal, Mauritania, and Mali.

The capital city of the Gambia is Banjul. Its official

language is Diola, which is spoken by about half the
population. Over 75 percent of the total population
lives below the poverty line, and about 15 percent of
the population is illiterate.

The role of technology in The Gambia’s agro-

entrepreneurialism is a topic that has been
receiving attention lately. Technology plays an
important role in rural areas, especially for those
who are involved in agricultural entrepreneurship.

AFRICA IS PWA |  11

 PAGE 12 THE GAMBIA ARISING VOICE AFRICA IS PWA

Recently, Gambian President The National People's Party, led by President Adama
Adama Barrow has pledged to Barrow, which was formed at the end of 2019
work to jumpstart the country’s allowed Barrow to seek a second term in the 2021
economy when he was sworn in for
elections. When a new Constitution was drafted in
a second five-year term in office
2019, it was introduced to the National Assembly for
near the capital, Banjul.
a two-term limit for the presidency but was then

President Barrow came to power in rejected in Parliament in September 2020.

2017 after defeating his
predecessor Yahya Jammeh at the
polls and comfortably winning
with 53 percent of the first-round
vote.

An appeal plea by the country’s

leading opposition candidate
Ousainou Darboe of the United
Democratic Party alleging
corruption in Barrow’s campaign
was dismissed by the Supreme
Court.

“Today we can comfortably

conclude that my election to
another five years is a vote of On March 2, 2020, the Women Special grassroots elections were organized by the
confidence in my government, a
Deliver Forum was held in Women's Bureau of The Gambia to choose one
vote of acknowledgment of my
Banjul, with support from the woman representative from every district for the
achievements,” Barrow said after
Center for International Private National Women's Council. 40 to 50 villages are
he was sworn in. “2022 to 2027 is a
period to press on for accelerated Enterprise, the World Movement typically encompassed by each district.
growth, expansion, and for Democracy, and the National
advancement. The focus now Endowment for Democracy. According to Africa is PWA Magazine sources, the
centres on economic key role of the council is to contribute to shaping
development,” he said.
The forum which was attended policies that affect the wellbeing of girls and
by approximately 130 women in The Gambia. The CEP is a community
President Barrow now faces the
challenge of reviving the economy participants, brought together empowerment program designed to address the

of the African continent’s smallest leaders from three sectors of specific needs of women and men in the Upper
country. society to discuss different River Region, Gambia. The program trains
modern approaches on how to facilitators to implement a comprehensive range of
improve female representation community development programs in The Gambia.
in positions of authority, in
addition to ways how to make
governance more inclusive of
underprivileged groups.

AFRICA IS PWA |  12

When women who were However, according to a report by Al Jazeera,
campaigning in the villages of their the international Arab-language news
district were interviewed, they channel, The Gambia’s economic growth is
indicated that before the Tostan
estimated to have bounced back to about 5
program, they had very rarely spoken
percent in 2021.
publicly and never dreamed they
could run any kind of office.
The use of appropriate agricultural
They also noted that they learned technologies such as high-quality seeds,
that women have the equal right but fertilizers, and pesticides has been found to
also the responsibility to vote and to
increase agricultural productivity and
run for office and that they practiced
income.
new leadership skills through their
participation in the Community
Management Committee. The government of The Gambia has
specifically made it a priority to provide
In its tourism sector, The Gambia has appropriate technologies to farmers through
many opportunities for visitors and it the extension system. Extension officers
has seen a considerable increase in
work in every district of the country and are
recent years within the increase in
tasked with helping farmers increase their
scores of hotels but still offers
production capacity. These extension
considerable room for growth and
development. services are available free of charge, but
farmers must have their seeds, fertilizers, and
And while it is a relatively small pesticides to utilize them.
country, The Gambian Government
has declared the development of
more tourism facilities as a priority
for its economy. This includes an
increase in more four- and five-star
hotels, cruises on the Gambia River,
sport fishing, and eco-tourism.

The sector which has grown steadily

is supported by a fairly sound
macroeconomic management and
sound fiscal management. This has
led to a specific reduction in the
fiscal deficit and an increase in
international reserves closer to
prudential levels.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has

resulted in an economic downturn in
2020, reducing visitor attendance
and trade disruptions have led to a
contraction in growth and reversing
gains in poverty reduction.

AFRICA IS PWA |  13

PAGE 14 THE GAMBIA ARISING VOICE AFRICA IS PWA

To this end, Africa is PWA Magazine in its debut Thus, to amicably achieve any meaningful development, there was first
edition has placed its focus on The Gambia’s a need for national reconciliation through transitional justice. The
leadership ingenuity and imagination in its attempt Gambia Government embarked on a rapid transformational process by
to scale up associated socioeconomically by way of instituting transitional justice processes and procedures. This
elevating the practice of branding and upskill culminated in the introduction of the following:
education, health, and business development
services internally, met with Ambassador Lamin ·Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC)
Sima. ·Establishing a Commission of Inquiry (Janneh Commission) to
unearth the corruption, extrajudicial killings, and misappropriation
PWA: of funds managed by the previous government

Ambassador Sima, what can you tell us about how ·Establishment of a Constitutional Review Commission to repel all

The Gambia’s leadership is scaling up ways of draconian laws introduced by the previous government

elevating the practice of branding and upskill ·National Human Rights Commission to upscale the rights of

education, health, and business development citizens and people living in the Gambia

services internally? ·Other commissions deemed necessary and relevant

Ambassador Sima:
The new administration (government) also embarked on a massive
Following the 2016 presidential elections in The
transformation of infrastructural developments in road construction i.e.,
Gambia, a new political dispensation was heralded
through our Chinese intervention and other international partners to
with the introduction of a new president and a new
construct up to 600km of roads within 5 years. Currently, additional
cabinet that spearheaded the political
50km dual lane roads are being constructed by the organization of
transformation of The Gambia using responsible
Islamic Countries (OIC) project. This project is ongoing.
democracy. This meant the subsequent 5 years to
follow will be justified by rule of law, human rights,
Up to 3,850 classroom blocks have been constructed over 5 years. These
and good governance which will be guided by the
are modern buildings with state-of-the-art facilities which are
tenets of democracy.
conducive for learning both for students and teachers at the primary,
secondary and tertiary levels, all over the Gambia.

AFRICA IS PWA |  14

PAGE 15 THE GAMBIA ARISING VOICE AFRICA IS PWA

In addition, the government provided a package worth over 400, 000,

000 million dollars through its World Bank partners as a food bank to
households for food security which was distributed through its scheme
called the NAFA programme to every household in the Gambia for
every month up to four months consecutively.

This was highly appreciated and welcomed by underprivileged

societies.

As part of its corporate social responsibility scheme, the government of

the Gambia has extended a hand of partnership to the private sector
known as the engine of growth by giving concessions on food and other
social amenities to importers and exporters.

Up to six months duty-free to food commodity importers was given. As

if that was not enough the president through the government ordered
up to 200, 000 tons of 100% broken rice and distributed these amongst
residents and the business community.

A package for youth entrepreneurship was announced by the

government through its European Union partners with an 11 million
A Dutch non-governmental organization partnered Euro package for youth empowerment programme. The Government
with the Gambia government to deliver such also appointed Ambassadors at large for Business and Investment that
enormous projects which have changed the entire will promote and provide to those interested in investing in the country.
learning environment through the Ministry of Basic
and secondary education and the Ministry of Higher One of which I Modou Lamin Sima was appointed as Ambassador at
education. Large to facilitate and promoted business and investments on behalf of
the Gambia Government.
The University of the Gambia Campus with a
perimeter of over 5km square will be completed in
3 months from now that will house all the schools
and faculties of a functional university. This also
included the construction of teacher house
quarters, toilets, and study libraries in each facility
built.

Following the emergence of Covid 19, the Gambia

government introduced a robust health care system "As Gambians, we are
strong, gentle,
that will primarily engage all primary health care resilient and more
centres in the country to sensitize, educate and beautiful than any of
provide the requisite knowledge and medical care us imagine".
required to contain the pandemic.
- MODOU LAMIN SIMA

Thus, the government gave a whooping

www.laminsima.com
500,000,000 (five hundred million dalasis) package
which was equivalent to (10 million US Dollars) at
the time to the ministry of health to carry out these
activities.

AFRICA IS PWA |  15

PAGE 16 THE GAMBIA ARISING VOICE AFRICA IS PWA

PWA: PWA:
How do you see the Gambian Do you see The Gambia working as a
government working conduit in promoting West Africa,
alongside our publication? enlightening, inspiring, and
empowering the region?

Ambassador Sima:
The Gambia is a party to many international conventions and therefore
stands as a proxy in delivering all its expectations as a sovereign state.
The Gambia has managed to return to the Commonwealth of nations
which it reoccupies its full status after a brief absence during the
previous administration.

The AU, ECOWAS, World Bank, NATO, COP26, and a host of other
international bodies fully recognizes the Gambia as a strong
stakeholder and contributor.

In terms of mediations, the Gambia participated in the Malian fracas

(coup de tat), Guinea Conakry coup de tat, Burkina Faso, and most
Ambassador Sima: recently Guinea Bissau attempted coup de tats through its regional

Most recently the president of the republic has bloc ECOWAS to facilitate peace and bring normalcy.

assented to and signed 7 protocols into law, key

amongst them is the Access to Information Bill. This Internally, the government is embarking on a security sector reform

was highly welcomed by the media fraternity and a which is a strategic orientation mindset that is geared towards

boost to a long-awaited bill. regaining trust and confidence in the democratic processes and
procedures being implemented.

There is also undeniable and visible Freedom of

Expression which was ably demonstrated in the just
concluded Presidential Elections of 4th December
2021 in which 6 political parties participated. The
government has worked with the Gambia Press
Union to promote the welfare of journalists and
media houses.

There has been a proliferation of over 40 radio

stations and five TV stations currently in existence
all of whom have been granted a license to operate
which is unprecedented in the history of the
Gambia. The Ministry of Information gives a regular
and periodical update of government activities and
programmes on both radio and TV.

AFRICA IS PWA |  16

PAGE 17 THE GAMBIA ARISING VOICE AFRICA IS PWA

PWA: PWA:
Also, do you see your country Finally, how do you see The Gambia’s future
playing a role in the support within the next five years?
of adapting the magazine’s
campaign to meet the big Ambassador Sima:
challenges, that includes, but
is not limited to, the change We envisage a highly developed country with robust and action-
in the mentality of the oriented performance measures that will drive our growth. The
Gambian people which is government is now putting the square peds in round holes i.e., fighting
supported by the many social
systems – even superstitions – endemic corruption and malpractices in all sectors of the public
as well as apparent improper domain. The Gambia is hoping to emulate the Singaporean model and
beliefs? by so doing we can only grow from being good to being great.

While The Gambian national football team, known as “The Scorpions”,

Ambassador Sima:
has lit hope into the hearts of its country’s supporters and posing hope
The government of The Gambia through its State-
to become a more serious force in the footballing world, the same hope
Owned Enterprises (SOEs) is revamping and
is also gradually being realized and felt in that African nation. And even
revitalizing its old methodology of doing things.
though it is Africa’s smallest nation, by all appearances it now stands to
This is paying a dividend as seen recently in its
become rising in force on the African continent. And as Ambassador
branch called Gambia Revenue Authority that is
Lamin Sima envisages it becoming a “highly developed” nation with
collecting revenue for national development.
vigorous “action-oriented” measures that will help to drive its growth
toward its future.
A substantial amount of over 12 billion dalasis have
been collected over one year. This is reducing the
Gambia’s overdependence on foreign aid as well as
on the balance of payments. On socio-cultural
Assets, the government is utilizing its Ministry of
Tourism and Culture to stitch the wounds and
establish culture-centered tourism for all and
sundry.

Although Covid 19 has significantly affected the

growth of the sector, nonetheless tourism continues
to make head waves for the Gambia by contributing
more than 20% GDP.

The current national reconciliation and reparations

efforts by the TRRC are also building bridges to
bringing back sanity for national economic recovery
amongst others.

AFRICA IS PWA |  17

 THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA:
SOCIO-CULTURAL DYNAMICS, ECONOMIC
REALITIES AND GOVERNANCE WITHIN A
SYSTEMIC PARADIGM

BY DR. DAVE R. BRITTON, JSD.

Part I

Looking at the problems of Africa’s lack of development

Introduction
requires us to look at Africa as a system (sub-system to
Africa, apparently coming last to the table of
be exact) whose environment (another system) must be
modernized civilization, has the benefit of near-term
analyzed as a factor affecting not only the African
hindsight. We can project a future after looking at the
decision-makers but the types of solutions that they have
failings of those earlier arrivers to modern life within a
put forth over the years.
systemic paradigm. What I mean is that we must
acknowledge that this reality is governed by systemic
Africa can be defined as an open system, one within
theories and cannot function outside of a systemic
which the elements( countries, territories, and
construct. The global society is itself a system, one
jurisdictions), in exercising their independence, create
experiencing hyper-complexity, and thus being
openings allowing input from its environments( other
unable to observe itself.
systems). In observing how Africa as a system observed
its ineffectiveness, I use what Masciandaro calls the
I have, so far, used terms that are specific to General
adoption of a multidisciplinary approach using cognitive
System Theory but seem to bear a common
principles and instruments “associated with different
definition, it is the familiarity of the words that cause
discipline; economic, legal and social sciences”[1]. This
the lack of understanding of system theory. In the
approach also known as TSI or Total Systems
coming two parts, General System will be explained
Intervention, employs a multidisciplinary systemic
within the analysis of the economic development of
approach to problem-solving within a system.
Africa.

However, the question can be rightfully asked - is Africa

This part one of a four-part series is to establish the
possessing a continent-wide systemic footprint, are there
context within which questions can be asked and the
necessary subsystems capable of system-wide effects,
process of developing answers can be accomplished.
are the nations making up the content elements in a
cognitive system or a mere conglomeration floating on a
The system in which the problem exists is not the
large island surrounded by water. We know that Africa
only factor that determines the character of the
has been seen as a psychic system, claiming uniqueness
problem context. The nature of the decision-makers
within the many languages and cultures found within its
will also greatly affect the type of solutions selected
partially closed borders ( a system theoretical concept)
for problems and the problem-solving methodology
needed to reach that solution. 1 MASCIANDARO, TAKATS, AND UNGER; BLACK FINANCE, THE ECONOMICS
OF MONEY LAUNDERING, EDWARD ELGAR PUBLISHING (2007)

AFRICA IS PWA |  18

Cheik Anta Diop in both the Patriarchal
and Matriarchal editions of his seminal
book The Cultural Unity of Africa, put
forth, though not explicitly stated, the
understanding that the peoples
Africa make up a psychic system. Niklas
Luhmann says of Psychic systems, they
are “constituted on the basis of a unified
nexus of conscious states”.
systems develop in tandem with social
systems society) and present
ontological question as to
actualization. Luhmann suggests that at
some point in time the psychic system
is the environment of the social system
and vice versa. My theory, based on the
concept of Maat, is that there must be,
in Africa, a more durable melding of its
psychic and social systems. Such was
the Egyptian during its development of
civilization.
In the 1960s there was, what we now The following is inserted here to give
called an African renaissance. Many context to the next three parts that I
African nations were granted limited will present and to observe Africa
independence in their internal affairs, the through a feedback loop; It is
of legacy interdependency on Europe and excerpted from the said paper which
the Americas remains up to this day. form the basis for the next two
However, HIM Haile Selassie, the then sections of this three-part paper on
pharaoh/emperor of Ethiopia delivered a the future of Africa.The following is
Psychic comprehensive paper on the future of inserted here to give context to the
Africa, outlining what he saw as the next three parts that I will present
an immediate need for Africa’s future. and to observe Africa through a
their feedback loop; It is excerpted from
More than 50 years later I reviewed this the said paper which form the basis
paper to see where Africa is today and for the next two sections of this
whether the ideas expounded therein are three-part paper on the future of
still viable. Africa.
AFRICA IS PWA |  19
We seek, at this meeting, to determine
whether we are going and to chart the
course of our destiny. It is no less
important that we know from whence
we came. An awareness of our past is
essential to the establishment of our
personality and our identity as Africans.

This world was not created piecemeal. Africa was born no later and no earlier than any
other geographical area on this globe. Africans, no more and no less than other men,
possess all human attributes, talents and deficiencies, virtues and faults. Thousands of
years ago civilizations flourished in Africa which suffer not at all by comparison with those
of other continents. In those centuries, Africans were politically free and economically
independent. Their social patterns were their own and their cultures were truly indigenous.
The obscurity which enshrouds the centuries which elapsed between those earliest days
and the rediscovery of Africans being gradually dispersed. What is certain is that during
those long years Africans were born, lived, and died. Men on other parts of this earth
occupied themselves with their own concerns and, in their conceit, proclaimed that the
world began and ended at their horizons. All unknown to them, Africa developed in its
own pattern, growing in its own life and, in the nineteenth century, finally re-emerged into
the world's consciousness. The events of the past I50 years require no extended recitation
from us. The period of colonialism into which we were plunged culminated with our
continent fettered and bound; with our once proud and free peoples reduced to
humiliation and slavery; with Africa's terrain cross-hatched and chequer-boarded by
artificial and arbitrary boundaries. Many of us, during those bitter years, were overwhelmed
in battle, and those who escaped conquest did so at the cost of desperate resistance and
bloodshed. Others were sold into bondage as the price extracted by the colonialists for the
'protection' which they extended and the possessions of which they disposed of.

Africa was a physical resource to be exploited and Africans were chattels to be purchased
bodily or, at best, peoples to be reduced to vassalage and lackey-hood. Africa was the
market for the produce of other nations and the source of the raw materials with which
their factories were fed. Today, Africa has emerged from this dark passage. Our
Armageddon is past. Africa has been reborn as a free continent and Africans have been
reborn as free men. The blood that was shed and the sufferings that were endured are
today Africa's advocates for freedom and unity. Those men who refused to accept the
judgment passed upon them by the colonisers, who held unswervingly through the
darkest hours to a vision of an Africa emancipated from political, economic, and spiritual
domination, will be remembered and revered wherever Africans meet. Many of them never
set foot on this continent. Others were born and died here. What we may utter today can
add little to the heroic struggle of those who, by their example, have shown us how
precious are freedom and human dignity and of how little value is life without them. Their
deeds are written in history.

AFRICA IS PWA |  20

Today, we look to the future calmly, confidently, and courageously. We look to the vision of
an Africa not merely free but united. In facing this new challenge, we can take comfort and
encouragement from the lessons of the past. We know that there are differences among
us. Africans enjoy different cultures, distinctive values, special attributes. But we also know
that unity can be and has been attained by men of the most disparate origins, that
differences of race, of religion, of culture, of tradition, are no insuperable obstacle to the
coming together of peoples. History teaches us that unity is strength, and cautions us to
submerge and overcome our differences in the quest for common goals, to strive, with all
our combined strength, for the path of brotherhood and unity” [2].

In part two I will outline the proposals made by HIM in the paper, see which ones were
implemented, their effectiveness, and whether they tend to establish a systemic approach
to the development of Africa. In part three I will look at the major economic development
in Africa in Nigeria (West Africa), Ethiopia ( North Africa), Kenya ( East Africa) and Southern
Africa. Our conclusion, part four, will present a systemic approach to the development
questions, applicable to all nations emerging from colonial plunder.

[2] Haile Selassie I; Towards African Unity, The Journal of Modern African Studies, Sep., 1963, Vol. 1, No. 3 (Sep. 1963)

AFRICA IS PWA |  21

We have been conditioned to look at the actions of the Europeans, a continuation of the Roman Empire, as if it carries
politico-ethical implications in the conquests. The act of plunder has been replicated ever since it was holistically applied
to Africa. It became an evolving (autopoietic) sub-system within the Roman/European financial systems. Many of the
plunderers later transformed themselves in stock company and became dominant in the global trading sub-system. These
trading companies greatly affected what happened in Africa. Look, Polanyi established a theoretical concept of the
creation of modern financial civilization that suggest that the financial system was more important than psychic society in
the preservation of civilization.

This importance he sees as the intertwined nature of finances in society. The trader seeks out the bankers for the money
needed for the venture, seeks out the producers for products to buy/trade, these manufacturers seek out the bank for
money to obtain labor and /or raw material needed in the production cycle and the retailers seeks out the bank to finance
the purchase of the produced goods and or services and individual consumers seek out the bank for money to buy these
manufactured goods when their labor is an inadequate trade. Plunder has self-transformed (autopoiesis), in large part, into
a complex sub-system of society, from which the modern financial system has emerged. Africa, an enduring symbol and
victim of plunder, has seen the adaptation of the philosophy of plunder lead to endemic financial corruption and internal
plunder of the national resources by governmental leaders.

Should Africa flow its future through this paradigm, is this the one and only paradigm that supports moving man into a
modern/post-modern society, is Africa so integrated into the Roman financial system that it lacks the ability to observe
itself objectively and is thus trapped therein like a million-year-old lizard in amber.

We have always heard how Europe raped the resources from Africa during colonial times. The post-World- War II world
saw African nations exercising autonomy over substantial portion of their societies, and that has led many into
metamorphoses in their society. Africa has experienced countries identified as democracies, dictatorship, communist,
socialist, monarchic and Islamist. Perceived and real corruption runs common through their failure to move large swath of
their population out of material poverty. Fundamentally Africa’s leaders adopted themselves into the Roman financial
system but lacks the critical step that allow consumers to be able to afford the goods, produced and traded to their
markets.

In conclusion, for Africa to succeed in its absorption into the Roman financial system it must develop and expand its
consumer class, or it will need to develop a parallel system moving in tandem with Roman Financial system but seeing
separate event horizons How that can be accomplished might not be explicitly stated in the next three parts but will never
the less become clear at the conclusion of this four-part paper.

2 Haile Selassie I ; Towards African Unity, The Journal of Modern African Studies , Sep., 1963, Vol. 1, No. 3 (Sep., 1963)

AFRICA IS PWA |  22

REBUILDING A BETTER GAMBIA:
A SMALL COUNTRY WITH LARGE
POSSIBILITIES BY AP.

What comes to mind when you think of Gambia? Most people would probably say “small
country.” What might surprise you is that the Gambia is rich in natural resources and has
a lot of potential for economic growth. In this post, we’ll discuss how to rebuild the
Gambia and why it’s a good investment opportunity. The Gambia is a small, landlocked
country in West Africa. It has a population of about 1.3 million people and an estimated
GDP of $3.5 billion.

The country has a very long history of instability and poverty, and it has been ranked as
one of the corrupt countries in the world. The economy in the Gambia is dominated by
agriculture and fishing. The main crops are coffee, cocoa, and cotton. The country also
has a significant mineral resources base, including iron ore, copper, gold, and uranium.
However, due to endemic corruption and mismanagement, it is still a poor country.

Step 1: Utilizing The Gambia’s Natural

Resources for Rebuilding a New Gambia

It is necessary to remember that the Gambia has a vast and varied mineral resources
base, including iron ore, copper, gold, and uranium. However, due to endemic corruption
and mismanagement, very little of this potential has been realized to date. It is in spite
of the fact that the country has one of the world’s largest untapped iron ore reserves. A
strong and effective regulatory framework is important for rebuilding the Gambia. This
will help the country to make the most of its natural resources and opportunities.

AFRICA IS PWA |  23

 Step 2: Implementing a National
Development Plan
A national development plan is essential in order to guide the country’s progress and
identify the key priorities for investment. Such a plan would also identify the areas in
which corruption and mismanagement are most prevalent and would provide targeted
interventions to address these issues. It is important to remember that a national
development plan cannot be implemented without the support of the government. The
government Of Gambia needs to be committed to implementing the plan, and it needs
to have the resources necessary to implement it effectively.

Step 3: Improving Literacy Rate in The

Gambia for Rebuilding it
The Gambia has a relatively low literacy rate, with only about 50 percent of the
population able to read and write. The Gambia has a very young population, with an
average age of just under 20 years. The literacy rate in the Gambia is only around 50%.
This makes it difficult for people to gain access to education and to understand
important government documents. It is also difficult for people to find jobs because they
do not have the necessary skills. This makes it difficult for them to support themselves
and their families. It is necessary to improve the literacy rate in the Gambia in order to
improve the overall quality of life for the people there.

Step 4: Improving Gambia’s Infrastructure

The Gambia has very poor infrastructure. Roads are in poor condition, and there is not much
available in the way of public transportation. The country also lacks medical facilities and clean
water. Rebuilding Gambia’s infrastructure is necessary for rebuilding the Gambia. The country’s
roads, hospitals, and schools are in need of repair and improvement. Additionally, Gambia needs
to rebuild its water and sanitation systems, which were damaged by the years of political
instability.

AFRICA IS PWA |  24

Step 5: The Gambia’s Political Stability
The Gambia’s political stability is also necessary for rebuilding the Gambia. The country
has been in a state of political instability for the past few years, and this has hindered
the reconstruction process. Political instability can lead to social unrest and can also
disrupt economic activities. The Gambia’s reconstruction will require a stable political
environment in order to ensure that investments are made in the country and that the
people are able to benefit from these investments.

Final Thoughts:
The Gambia needs to have a stable government, and its economy needs to grow
through increased tourism and investment. The Gambia also needs to have a strong
infrastructure, and overall its people need to be more educated to effect the rebuilding
of the Gambia. There is so much potential in various sectors, and we can easily rebuild a
better Gambia by following the mentioned methods. In this post, we’ve only scratched
the surface. We hope you’ll continue to explore this fascinating country and its potential
for the growth and rebuilding of Gambia.

AFRICA IS PWA |  25

 Available

To place your advertising in

Africa is PWA Magazine
Visit -
https://www.africaispwa.com

https://www.africaispwa.com
TRAVEL
REVERSING
THE
TRIANGLE
There's something about Africa that makes you want
to explore more of it. Maybe it's the endless variety of
landscapes and cultures, or the feeling that you're
discovering something new with every visit. Africa is a
continent known for its diversity of natural
landscapes and its rich cultural heritage. It's no
wonder that many people are fascinated by Africa
and want to explore it further.

So many places to visit in Africa make it hard for eco-

conscious adventurers to narrow their selections
down to only ten destinations. Africa is a large
continent, and Africa's countries such as South Africa,
Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana are all labeled as eco-
destinations with varying degrees of dominance. As
specific places were chosen, we paid greater
attention to territories where the government has
taken measures to ensure that the protection of the
environment takes priority over the revenue from
tourism.

AFRICA IS PWA |  26

 African Locations To Visit Regarding Culture:
Africa is a vast and beautiful continent, full of different cultures and landscapes. If you're looking to
experience a little bit of everything that Africa has to offer, here are a few great destinations to visit.
From the ancient ruins of Carthage to the wildlife-filled plains of the Serengeti, there's something for
everyone in Africa. When planning a trip to Africa, it's essential to consider the many different
destinations and cultures on offer. From the cosmopolitan city of famous Cape Town to the ancient
ruins of Timbuktu, there is something for everyone in Africa. There are several different cultures in
Africa. The culture is influenced by the people who live in that particular area, as well as their history.
Some of these cultures include Egyptian, Turkish, Moroccan, and many more. Several beautiful places
in our world have been culturally influenced by Africa. From the food to the music, it has influenced
cultures all over the world. Following are the places to visit in Africa regarding culture:

·Rwanda
·Congo
·Masai Mara
·Egypt
·Mali
·Namibia
·South Africa
·Kenya
·Nigeria
·Tanzania

Best African Locations to Visit Regarding

Entertainment:
If you're looking to book a holiday, but are finding it difficult to find the perfect African destination,
then you're in luck. Africa is a diverse place filled with people from different walks of life, and with so
many regions to choose from, it's impossible not to find the perfect destination. You can visit the
capital city of Senegal, Dakar, to experience afrobeat, the "sound of Africa," and some fantastic views
of the Atlantic Ocean. Africa offers a plethora of fun and entertaining attractions for all travelers. Some
of the best African destinations for tourists are:

·South Africa
·Egypt
·Nigeria
·Senegal
·Mali

AFRICA IS PWA |  27

 Best African Locations To Visit Regarding
Heritage:
Africa is the world's second-largest continent; it has many beautiful attractions that you can only find
in Africa. It is home to the most diverse wildlife, picturesque landscapes, and powerful cultural
heritage that stretches back to ancient times. With these facts alone, it's no wonder why so many
people are drawn to this continent. The best African locations to visit for heritage include Alexandria
and Cairo. Africa is a diverse country with popular culture and history. It is home to countless beautiful
and historic sites. Many historic cities in Africa are well worth visiting.

·African Pyramids
·The ancient city of Timbuktu
·Tomb of Askia the Great
·Mopti Manuscripts

Best African Places To Visit Regarding Sports:

You will find Africans in many different sporting disciplines, but some sports are more popular than
others. The following is a list of the best African sports.

·Soccer
·Association football
·Basketball
·Football
·Athletics
·Golf
·Rugby
Cricket

The continent of Africa is the homeland of very rich history and culture that you can find in the
different sports that Africa has to offer. There are many different spots to visit in Africa that can be
great for different types of sports. People who love to play sports will probably enjoy visiting some of
these places. The following countries have more places to visit regarding sports in African countries:

·Kenya
·Ethiopia
·South Africa
·Egypt

AFRICA IS PWA |  28

Final Thoughts:
Africa is a continent of diversity. From the great desert Sahara to the South Pole, there is so much to discover and
explore. There is also something about Africa that's unique and can't be found anywhere else in the world - an
untouched African experience. The continent has everything from monuments to rainforests, deserts to savannas,
and more. Africa is a continent known as the birthplace of humanity with a rich cultural heritage.

It's no wonder that so many people are fascinated by Africa and want to explore it further. With a fascinating
history stretching back almost 4 million years and an ever-changing landscape, there is much to love in this
diverse continent. We have discussed various places to visit in African countries regarding culture, heritage,
entertainment, and sports. For more related blog posts, please keep visiting our website.

References:

https://en.unesco.org/courier/news-views-online/world-heritage-africa
https://www.schooldrillers.com/best-film-industry-in-africa/
https://africawanderlust.com/destinations/best-countries-to-visit-in-africa/
https://en.unesco.org/courier/news-views-online/world-heritage-africa

AFRICA IS PWA |  29

 A Child From the Rock

As a child from the rock,

I am molded out of true grit, sweat, and pain.
Irrepressible, the universe took its time on me,
I was created to inspire, hope, and open minds to possibilities,
Crafted to contribute the universe something unique,
A teacher, never a doubt as to how or why I was created,
I was created to achieve, to excel, to lead.
Children are children,
They all matter,
They are not a disability nor a condition,
A symptom, or disorder is not what they are, nor will be;
They are not an assumption or an afterthought,
A question mark nor a thing to be ignored, bullied, or disregarded.
We must pay attention, hear them, see them, and make time to acknowledge their needs,
Open their minds –
Ignorance and close-minded misrepresentation irritates me!
I see,
I inspire,
I love,
I feel,
I touch,
I laugh,
I live,
I teach,
I am – A Child from the Rock
By AP.

AFRICA IS PWA |  30

 Peace in the 21st Century?
By AP.
Until the philosophy
Which hold one race superior and another
Inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned
Everywhere is war
Me say war

-War, Bob Marley & The Wailers

That epigraph is an excerpt from the song “War” by the late reggae superstar, Bob
Marley. In actuality, the lyrics to that song was actually culled from a speech presented
before the United Nations by the late HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia on
October 6, 1963.

Here is my contention or thesis, if you will: If a country is not engaged in a war, does that
mean that the people are living in peace?

Indeed, the issue of the 21st century is now in redefining social ethics.

I would like to start by redefining the meaning of the word “peace”.

Because the general understanding of that word can either mean
“freedom from disturbance; quiet and
tranquility or freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.”
Really? Is true? Is that a fact we can all accept?

Peace is a word that is also used as an exclamation, salutation or greeting, and to the
point of almost overuse or abuse. And, in my estimation, it loses its full effect from its
original meaning.

From my standpoint, in this current period of the 21st century, the word “peace”, the idea
and meaning of its etymology needs to be re-examined and quite possibly, redefined
and/or looked at quite differently.

In an age that, according to science fiction literature and film, we should have advances
beyond such things as war and poverty. However, there are millions of people around the
world who live in abject poverty and there are countries that are still existing at odds with
each other and threatening to obliterate the entire planet with dangerous puerile threats.

AFRICA IS PWA |  31

 There are two basic instincts in human beings that are really natural defense
mechanisms:
Fight or flight.
Which do you think is the one most often evidenced?

Peace, as we know it, can only be permanent if it is based on two basic principles:
democracy and social justice.

In authoritarian societies, be they religious or political, the votes of people do not

count, and any opposition voice is silenced by either bullets or imprisonment,
peace in such places is either temporary or relative.

The other principle of peace is social justice.

Peace cannot be established in societies where a big class distinction exist. As

individuals, we can only truly be happy if our neighbors are not suffering.

How, therefore, can we hope to establish worldwide peace when 75 per cent of the
wealth of the world is in the hands of one-percent of the world’s population?

History has proven that in societies where large gaps between the rich and the
poor exists, peace is nonexistent.

In a country such as India, millions are born homeless.

The idea of democracy should also be redefined. The basic framework of
democracy is human rights law, that is, according to MerriamWebster,
“a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised
by them directly through a system of representation usually involving
periodically held free elections”.
Therefore, with that in mind, the majority who has won power can only perform
within the framework of the laws of human rights and cannot violate such laws.

As such, no majority in power can use a belief as an excuse to oppress the

population of society, and no majority in power should have the right to prevent
freedom of speech with the excuse of a certain ideology.

Then again, what many meant by freedom was the freedom to buy and sell black
people. Freedom today is a thing. What is freedom? Freedom is as freedom was,
what it is not, is freedom. For some, their interpretation of freedom means a
license not only to kill people of color but with impunity!

AFRICA IS PWA |  32

Some nations around the world continue to oppress their own with either open conflicts
of civil war whereas in some cases, religious or political terrorism seems to reign
almost unabated, while others threaten other countries with potential worldwide
annihilation.

In part of his sermon on Christmas Eve 1967 – 50 years ago – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
said these most profound words:

“I would like to suggest that modern man really go all out to study
the meaning of non-violence, its philosophy and its strategy.

“We have experimented with the meaning of non-violence in our

struggle for racial justice in the United States, but now the time has
come for men to experiment with non-violence in all areas of human
conflict, and that means nonviolence on an international scale.

“Now let me suggest first that if we are to have peace on earth, our
loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our
loyalties a must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our
nation; and this means we must develop a perspective. No individual
can live alone; no nation can live alone, and as long as we try, the
more we are going to have war in this world. Now the judgment of
God is upon us, and we must either learn to live together as brothers
or we are all going to perish together as fools.”

And as Bob Marley intoned in his song “War”:

That until that day

The dream of lasting peace,
World citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued,
But never attained
Now everywhere is war
War

AFRICA IS PWA |  33

 By Olivier Stephenson

Meet Ms. Bodega

Her performances on and off stage are at once sensuous,

enchanting while bringing a unique groove that embraces the
rhythms of Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Middle
East all into an entirely unique mix devised by her. Not to mention
the fact that the performer in question known as Ms. Bodega, is an
extremely gifted singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, radio host
and the owner of her own record company.

Indeed, her performance style is somewhat reminiscent to that of

Colombian-singer-songwriter, Shakira, who has been referred to as
the “Queen of Latin Music” who is noted for her versatility in music
some of the same style motifs that of Ms.Bodega.

She was born and raised on New York’s Manhattan Upper West
Side with an ethnic background consisting of a unique mixture of
an Israeli father is of Spanish-Moroccan-Yemenite heritage and
mother Dutch and Spanish. While she was growing up, she and her
family would spend summer months in Israel where she learned to
speak Hebrew. She eventually learned to speak fluent Spanish,
French and Portuguese.

Her artistic bent could be seen as either unavoidable or inevitable

as she and her three brothers grew up in a rather eclectic home
surrounded with live music and scores of art-work and a father
such as Benjamin Levy is a world-renowned visual artist painter
and sculptor, she notes.

She attended the Bronx High School of Science and later

graduated from UCLA in Los Angeles where she majored in the
study of World Arts.

With her New York City multicultural blend of ethnicities that

Batsheva has put to good use along the course of her musical
development.

AFRICA IS PWA |  34

In 2017, she was the winner of the African Entertainment Award
(AEA) for her song “Watta” that was later remixed to a Spanish
version called “Agua”, that was later a hit on the Panamanian and
other the Radio waves in neighboring Latin American countries.

She has already broken boundaries to wider international

audiences and has now been seen as a catalyst for unity and peace,
through her music. From New York City clubs to world festivals, her
live shows are widely known for her broad mix of rhythms.

Her most recent releases include Latin Zumba-style song in English

and Spanish called “Papi Lindo” and which has now taken her
Zumba fans by storm. The music video for the song was shot in
Senegal, Israel, Puerto Rico and New York with dance steps that is
all-inclusive.

Since then Ms. Bodega has released song collaborations with such
Nigerian Afrobeat stars as MC Galaxy with her song “Fire”, “Watta”
featuring Nigerian Afrobeat Dancehall King, Timaya and Super
Producer, Young.

Her songs and music videos have been on high rotation on radio
and MTV, Trace TV and many more stations throughout Africa and
worldwide.

She collaborated with five top African and Jamaican stars with her
song “Live Your Life” that included Jamaican reggae dancehall star
Gyptian, Nigerian MC Galaxy, Rwandan-Canadian Young D and
Israel-American Neil Bajayo.

Ms. Bodega’s "Bodega World Music" record label releases a wide-

range of music and productions, from Afrobeats, Latin, Caribbean,
Middle Eastern that includes top African, Jamaican and Latin
artists. She is also currently digitally re-releasing her mother’s –
Hanna Vroman Levy’s –catalogue of nine albums. Hanna Levy is a
composer whose music is a mix of classical, Israeli folk and pop
music, as well as children’s songs.

She is currently working on releasing her son, Nahuel’s (also known

as Nawi) music which is a mix of Trap, Hip-Hop, Jazz and more.

AFRICA IS PWA |  35

Her company also currently manages an up-and-coming
saxophonist in Connell Thompson who is gaining a
reputation in the Current Afrobeat circuit, both in the US
and internationally.
And while she is based in New York, Ms. Bodega spends a
good deal of her time in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin
America and the Middle East developing relations,
creating and recording new sounds in music blending
International artists and music producers on songs
together.
In her most recent song “Shoko”, a Nigerian-style street
record, Ms. Bodega she features four big-name African
artists with Nigerian rapper CDQ, Congolese dance star
BM, Benin Republic sensation Fanicko, and Nigerian
songstress Toby Grey. The song is now taking off
internationally.
Bodega World Music is currently in the process of
producing music projects that includes Maxi Priest and
Gyptian along with leading Afrobeat artists such Yemi
Alade, Korede Bello and others.
AFRICA IS PWA |  36
Q: From your association with Africa and Africans, how do you and they
view the commemoration of Emancipation Day?

Ms. Bodega:
I believe now is a time when so much information
is being exposed and coming to the surface
regarding true history and people are waking up
more than ever to the connectivity of African
culture in Africa and the African diaspora Afro-
Caribbean, Afro-Latinos, AfroAmericans, Afro-
Europeans – and more are connecting through
culture and music, and it’s growing daily.

I do see a wider range of communities celebrating

each other’s culture and holidays, including
Emancipation. I see it on social media, too, but I
believe it can always be more. It is important to
commemorate Emancipation Day and use it as a
time to expose even more people to the richness,
strength and impact of African-based cultures
worldwide. Unity is key.

I think that it’s very necessary, I think that it’s so

essential to focus on the richness and the culture
and the amazing things that comes out of Africa
culture which is clearly not just in Africa, but we
have to pay attention and allow for as much as
possible anything that brings together and unifies
people of African descent, a lot of people are
already mixed and all that. The fact is, there is
such a deep, beautiful rich culture – so many
cultures that come out of Africa – so much of it
during the hundreds of years of slavery that tried
to shut down the culture and the languages and
the dances, but there’s always going to be some
left and some to preserve. And you find that
connection when you go into Brazil, you go into
Caribbean …

AFRICA IS PWA |  37

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Q: Since the Covid-19 has put
everything and everyone in lockdown
mode, how have you been functioning?

Ms. Bodega:
“There was a lot of unknown anxiety, everything was shutting down, us in
the entertainment industry, especially, we already knew that this was
going to take a while and that things were not going to be the same for a
while. All the events, the live performances, a lot of the production that
we do, a lot of the traveling that we do paused. At first, I was sort of in
this grey place but then after a few weeks I said to myself, ‘that’s not
going to get us anywhere’.

I kind of started getting very, very creative, and I picked myself up, and I
took myself out of that kind of darker thought, and I said let’s see what
we can do that’s more creative – in every negative and every situation
there’s always some growth that can happen differently, you just have to
find it.

So, I basically, started coming up with different things. I started using live
platforms, for example, like Instagram live to connect with fans from
around the world. I also got involved in a new streaming platform that
I’m partnered with now called “Day and Night Live”. So, I started working
a lot on that and produced one show with them, which had Jamaicans in
it as well, and it was an interesting event. We had live-streaming from
Jamaica and New York – I was hosting from New York with DJ Norie who
is a Panamanian-Jamaican, and we had Gyptian and Max [Priest] out in
Jamaica with their equipment, and we did a show. So, that was a lot of
work and something that helped me get creative.

I also started realizing we also need to create several streams of income

at a time like this and I think that it’s very important that everyone does
that. It’s critical not just to do it but to inspire others to do it. So, I got
involved – I had an opportunity that came to me – with this company
who helps people’s financial literacy and helps them to get financial
freedom. We’re partnered with a nonprofit that helps people restore
their credit and stuff like that. So, I kind of went another side route to see
how we can help the community while everything is going on like this.

We did some stuff for Africa. We did some giveaways and stuffs like that
on social media. But the truth is we’re all suffering here a well. And so
that was just another way to work positively with another stream of
income and yet also helping the community in a time that is so unknown
and unstable.

AFRICA IS PWA |  38

Q: How long ago when all these
things were put into play?

Ms. Bodega:
I would say it was gradual, from [about] mid-March – actually, right when
everything was announced I was shooting my first Nollywood movie where I had
the lead role, we were shooting out in Maryland and that’s when they announced
that the states were starting to shut down, so, literally, on the last day of the
shoot we all kind of rushed back home and went shopping to stock up the house
with food and everything like that, so, I would say about a few weeks after that
was when all these creative things started coming my way. It was like when I
made a mental switch that’s when all these things started opening up. And I
think that’s how life is, really. I would probably say since April is when those
things kind of came about.

Q: How’s your radio show doing?

Ms. Bodega:
I had a couple of radio shows. I had one in Israel for a few years and then I had
one in –I was a co-host on a radio show based out of New Jersey and the show
was an Afrobeat/Caribbean type of show. I was co-hosting with a deejay – a big
Afrobeat deejay names DJ ZMO – and I did that for about a year. And the reason I
stopped with him was because at that time I started traveling a lot to Africa. I
was in Nigeria a lot, Senegal – and I couldn’t make the weekly show. So, I hadn’t
done the show for a little while but I’m actually in talks for some other radio
shows coming up. I’m also working on hosting my own show – a kind of TV show
which is like radio but visual as well.

The last radio show I was doing was probably 2016, maybe. Before that, I had a
show out in Israel for a while, too. That was an amazing one too, it was actually
one of the first kind of online type of show that did pretty well. It actually
became international; we had a lot of viewership all over in places like Brazil – I
was actually one of the first people to start playing Afrobeat on radio back then
in Israel. And I did just different … Caribbean, Afrobeat, some Latin, some Old
School Hip Hop and stuff that I grew up with, that was the kind of vibe. And then
I would have artists call in from around the world – even from Jamaica – and we
would do interviews and stuff like that. So, that was cool as well.

AFRICA IS PWA |  39

Q: I find your
performing style is
somewhat
reminiscent that of
Shakira. have you
got that
comparison?

Ms. Bodega:
Yes, I definitely used to get some of
that regarding Shakira, especially
when I was performing live with my
band during the years 2003-2008 – I
went by the name of Batsheva back
then – and my music was an organic
blend of R&B/Hip-Hop, Latin,
MiddleEastern. I am more
American-black-music-based while
she (Shakira) is more Rock-based,
but we come from similar
backgrounds and blends, being that
she is Lebanese and Colombian [and
Q: How did you get into reggae and
me with – the Middle Eastern- Dancehall and Afrobeat and those
Spanish blend. At the time I was different types of rhythms?
performing and touring live club Ms. Bodega:
venues and festivals a lot with Interestingly enough, I really grew up with a lot it, because growing up
musicians including keys, guitar and in New York City I was exposed to a lot and I always just felt very
Oud (a short-neck lute-type, pear- connected for some reason I was so connected to Jamaica and
shaped stringed instrument), bass, Jamaican music from a very young age. I always loved a lot of music
live drums, Latin percussion, Middle with flavor and ever since high school we used to even go to the reggae
Eastern percussion and more. clubs in New York, you know, the deep roots reggae clubs, I loved it.

Even my first time to Jamaica, I was 14 years old. I was lucky enough to
go because my father’s best friend from Israel moved there to do
agriculture in Jamaica and he just invited me and my brother and my
best friend to come for a few weeks, and that was my first exposure to
like the deeper culture. I loved Bob Marley already, I loved some other
reggae music but to actually be in Jamaica – I remember the first time I
woke up in Jamaica and heard the birds and everything in the morning I
felt like I was home. I felt such a deep connection to Jamaica and I just
loved every minute. We were spending time in some touristy in Montego
Bay and in Ocho Rios but we also spent time in Mandeville, which is
where he lived. They even took us to like the local nightclub and stuff
like that – I got the real deal from the beginning. And I just developed a
real love for Jamaica since then.

AFRICA IS PWA |  40

And then over the years, through high
school and college, I was always into all
kinds of music, but I loved reggae, I loved
Dancehall – I used to have the little tapes
with the mixes with all the Old School
reggae artists. Friends would call each other
and say “oh, I got this mix now” and that mix
now, and we would kind of send them
around, so people could record them. I just
always loved it. And then over time – you
know, I’m a singer, so I just like to
incorporate a lot of the music. I was also a
dancer – I was a Hip-Hop dancer – and I
studied, like, African, I went to UCLA and I
studied World Arts and Cultures, and so I
actually studied a lot of the African, the
Salsa and all that kind of stuff. I remember I
did a school paper on the connection
between Rastafari and the Jewish history. I
feel very connected to reggae music.
I had some reccordings of live orginal music I
had performed, it was a real mix of sounds and
it was at that time I think I connected with
some Jamaican musicians. I would say, I first
got connected with big Jamaican artists
through Paul Kastick – GrooveGalore – he
introduced me to Maxi Priest, Ky-Mani Marley,
Diana King and Big Mountain. We met each
other on MySpace back then. [Laughs] I loved
the track that he had, and he sent it to me, so I
could record on it, which I did. Then he
suggested featuring Beniton on it – Beniton
who was Maxi’s MC at the time. That was my
first real project and I started doing some
other projects with bigger artists, we did a
song called “Rude Boy”. And that led to me
getting to know some other big artists such as
Maxi Priest and Ki-Mani Marley, as well as
Gyptian.

Q: What period was this?

Ms. Bodega:
Around 2006 or 2007, or so. I got to meet some Reggae artists. I was always
going to events and CD release parties and live shows [where] I was invited. I
would show up really optimistic. Then, I eventually met artists like Gyptian for
instance, and we connected at one of those events. He saw what I was working
on, and I invited him to jump on a song I was doing with African artists and one
thing led to another everything went great. And, same with Maxi. I was actually
at the time getting very much involved in the Afrobeat scene and traveling
back and forth to Africa. They both got excited and wanted to be a part of what
I was doing, and so we decided to do some projects together.

AFRICA IS PWA |  41

Q: Did you get into
African music and culture
the same way you did
with Jamaican music and
culture?

Ms. Bodega: But then, what got me more into like the modern day

I would say so. I would say it’s a Afro beat music was when I was working in radio, and it

longstanding passionate relationship from, was first in Israel, I was introduced to a few of the songs

literally, decades in different forms. With that were coming out of Nigeria – Nigeria is like the hub

African music my first real deeper of what’s going on right now. So, I started playing that

connection with African music was when I music and as I was playing it, I was learning it, and I was

was in college at UCLA, I had a dance class kind of researching it and I learned more and more and

that was taught on Nigerian traditional some friends showed me some stuff. And then when I

dance, and I loved it. I felt so – I don’t know came back to New York and I got on the radio show – I

what it was – the drums, the rhythms, was invited on the radio show as an artist to present my

everything. song “Chance Of A Lifetime”, a reggae song …

West African music which is so powerful So, they had me play all my music and stuff and by the

and so rich, and I didn’t just take one class, I end of the show they said, “We want you to stay with us.

ended up taking as much as I could, We want to give you your own show.” And I was, like,

basically. And they even invited me to join “Okay.” I said, “I don’t want my own show right now, but

them in their performance group outside of I’ll co-host.” So, that’s ow that happened. That happens to

class because I was so into it. So, I think that me sometimes. That DJ, DJ Zimo, really taught me a lot

gave me a lot. And that was back then. I did about music, he knew all the current artists and songs

a lot of World Music, so I used to listen to a and everything and so when he would play [the music] I

lot of Youssou N'Dour and Fela Kuti and the would say, “Okay, so, who’s that?” And he would teach me

Old School Afrobeat music. So, I knew that a every time who the artist was and what their names were

lot, and then I loved incorporating it into my and a lot of times, we had interviews with artists calling

original music. All my original music I used from Nigeria or from wherever they were touring, and I

to perform always had some elements of … would be interviewing them and I hardly knew who they

whether it was African-feel or Caribbean or were, and I was learning like that. And one of my bigger

Latin or Middle Eastern, it always had a little songs that came up on the radio, I was interviewing

something more than just American Pop. [Nigerian singer/songwriter] MC Galaxy and live on radio

And, so, I would take that with me into the he asked me to do a collaboration with him. I said, “Okay,

studio, I would take that with me into my let’s do it.” Within three days he jumped on one of my

live rehearsals … songs, we shot the music video and everything and that’s
what first brought me out to Nigeria. I was invited to
perform at a big carnival stadium event for New Year’s
Eve and that was my first experience [going] out to
Nigeria – I’ve been there about six times since then.

AFRICA IS PWA |  42

Q: When was that?

Ms. Bodega:
’15 to ’16 – the turn of 2016. Before that I had spent
some time between 2014 and 2016, I spent some time
in Senegal. So, that was my first real on-hands in Africa
touring – I was touring with some Senegalese big
artists out there, they took me on a tour with them –
they were kind of like Hip-Hop-Afrobeat groups that
were very well known, and we did some collaborations
and performed in different cities and stuff like that.

I love Senegal! Senegal is a very mystic, beautiful

culture, very communal, very hospitable. I literally fell
in love with the culture and the people. And so, when I
came, and I was on the radio show I would also bring
on some of those artists to the show and stuff like that.
But then Nigeria kind of took over a little because I was
learning what was going on there. You know, whatever
Nigeria puts out the rest kind of follow. So, it was a
great time to get in when I got in, in 2016. In America,
they really didn’t know it then, the same way reggae
and Dancehall did. And now the current Afrobeat has
just taken over the waves and stuff like that. In 2016
that wasn’t happening yet. I went there, and I spent
months at a time there and [it] was not always easy.
Nigeria has the most amazing culture, so rich with
everything, but it’s not the safest place – some people
thought I was crazy, But I don’t see myself like that, I
see myself as a pioneer, [I’m] not afraid, I got God with
me and I just go, and I make good connections with
people wherever I go, and then I have the opportunity
to work with some of the biggest artists in studios in
Nigeria. It’s been a rollercoaster ever since.

AFRICA IS PWA |  43

Q: Have you been to Bahia?

Ms. Bodega:
I’ve never been to Bahia, but I have a lot of friends from Bahia. I have a lot of Brazilian friends, and I’ve been invited
down to Brazil. I’ve been there only once. I really do want to make a longer trip to Brazil. My music has also sort of
took off there into the Zumba community, in certain areas. But I love Brazilian culture, I know it very well, I’ve
danced to Brazilian music, and I’ve listened to a lot of Brazilian music over the years. I have tons of close Brazilian
friends. I also speak Spanish and I speak some Portuguese.

When you go down to Puerto Rico or you go down to Cuba, where I’ve been to, or Haiti, and you just see something
so similar – it’s the same people. It’s something you can’t hide, and you can’t deny. I think it’s so, so important to
give that power back, the deep-rooted culture that connects between all people of African descent.

And I think that the world would not be the same – I mean, there’s so much culture out of [Africa] and we have to
celebrate it as much as possible, and refocus the view that has come out of, like, the victimized, slavery times and
colonialism; to let’s celebrate this amazing continent and the culture that comes out of it and that has spread
around the world, and has influenced so much and still continues to influence – and leads so much around the
world. I think it’s so significant.

I’ve actually been to Marcus Garvey’s house in Jamaica when I went there – one of the last times I went. We went
with Gyptian. We shot a scene for the music video that we were working with him, a very powerful song, and we
shot the scene in front of Marcus Garvey’s house – we have pictures and everything. Because, you know, I really am a
true believer in that and I think it’s really, really important to help spread that and spotlight all of that.

AFRICA IS PWA |  44

Q: How do you know when a song is
going to be a hit?

Ms. Bodega:
It’s hard to know what happens to a song when you release
it to the world and if it will actually become a hit. But there
is definitely a certain feeling you get when creating a song
or hearing a song to know that it can potentially be a hit. It’s
a certain magical vibration where all the pieces come
together. When you hear it, and you keep wanting to press
replay, that’s certainly a sign.

Q: How did you come by the name

Ms.Bodega?

Ms. Bodega:
I got nicknamed Bodega – like the Spanish New York City
corner stores – when I was in the studio one night, recording
with a great Hip-Hop producer I used to work with a lot
named D Moet, out of New Jersey. It was a bunch of us at
the studio and someone asked for a piece of gum so I said,
“Oh yea, I have one, hold on a sec” and went to get one from
my bag.

Then a few minutes later, one of the guys said he had a

headache and asked if anyone had an Advil or something,
so, I was like, “Yes, I do! Let me get it from my bag.” They all
started laughing at how I have everything in my bag, “What
are you, a walking Bodega?” And they nicknamed me
Bodega. I have a Gypsy way about me that when I leave the
house I never know where I’m going to end up, so I always
have extra things with me – for everyone. And I started
realizing my music is much the same way, a blend of
different flavors and colors and tastes with a street New York
City feel. So, my old manager from several years back – Jomo
Hankerson, when I was managed by Blackground Records
and I – decided to keep it and brand it to “Ms.Bodega”. And it
stuck!

AFRICA IS PWA |  45

Q: You are also involved with an
African equivalent of the
Grammys, aren’t you?
Ms. Bodega:
I also am a co-producer of the African Entertainment
Awards USA – AEAUSA – and it’s based out of New
Jersey, it’s been around for five years. I’ve been
involved every year either as an artist performing or as
a co-producer, a sponsor – I have booked artists like
Gyptian; I brought one year, Yemi Alade, from Nigeria,
the top female artist out of Africa, I was able to book.
So, the concept of AEAUSA and why I love it so much
and why I believe in it – it’s a nonprofit organization –
it’s an award show … like our Grammys – and the
reason I say that is because it has that Pan-African
motive in it. So, before that I was involved in the
Nigerian Entertainment Awards – NEAs, which was the
biggest awards show in the US at the time.
I was invited to perform there for a few years and
sometimes I was invited just to give out an award or to
do something and I love it I because I love Nigerian
culture and Nigerian culture has such a big influence
but the difference is the AEAUSA covers all of Africa.
East Africa which has a lot of incredible music coming
out of there, South Africa, North Africa, West Africa,
Central Africa and, also, the Caribbean and Latin
America and anything that’s Afro-influenced and
connected to Africa, and even the Middle East, where
we brought in artists from different regions.
So, there’s something way more vast about it, and it’s
not just for music, it’s also for entertainment, it’s for
actors, comedians, anything that has to do with
entertainment … it’s like a celebration of all Afro-
influenced culture.
It’s very powerful, it already has followers from so many
different countries and so many different countries and so
many deep connections in different parts of Africa, the
social media influence and online influence is extremely
big with all the top artists from all the big African countries
are involved, have received awards – they’re very highly
celebrated when they come back home from the award
[show]. They fly in from Africa for the event every year from
different regions. And I am a very big supporter [who]
continues to co-produce the show, and now we’re taking it
to be streamed online.
Those kinds of things, to me, are really the crux of the
future of what needs to happen and the focus of what
needs to happen with African entertainment – or, Pan-
African entertainment, let’s call it – and the celebration of
it, the richness of it, shedding the light on all these regions
that are actually the root of so much of what we know
today and giving the voice of the different languages, the
styles, the harmonies, the melodies, the beats, so much
music came out of that sound, from Salsa to R&B to Blues.
There are so many things and so it’s about exposing and
celebrating all of that.
That, along with projects that I do [with] my record label,
my company, is all about that. If you just look at it, it’s really
just a blend of all of these cultures in a way that sometimes
maybe the artist might not go out of their comfort zone to
go find another artist from another continent and, so,
people like us come in because we facilitate that, we come
up with those ideas, we help produce those things. And it’s
what expands and creates the markets to open up and
actually enjoy each other, the audience grows.
That’s really like the vision, the mission and what I intend to
continue to do both as an artist, myself, and as a producer
or whatever you want to call me.
AFRICA IS PWA |  46
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