Africa Unite

‘Africa Models’ is a four part series featuring at least one uniquely inspiring aspect of four states that could be considered as worthy model nations (sorry to dash your expectations if you thought the title referred to our beautiful African princesses). So who are these signally successful nations in the African context and what can other Africans, as individuals and also at national level, learn from their experience? I have unilaterally and perhaps to some, arbitrarily chosen the following African states to be nations that others can do well to emulate. (Not in order of importance. selection designed to be representative of Africa’s West, East, North and South.)

Ghana- laying the foundations of democracy.

‘African Models’ has chosen to highlight Ghana’s path to effective and peaceful democratic politics, Somaliland’s perseverance and domestic reconciliation which is resulting in the creation of a working state located in a very volatile region, Botswana’s social harmony and sustained progress even as it battles valiantly against a particularly serious HIV/AIDS challenge, and finally, Tunisia’s steady progress, cosmopolitan social harmony, especially in light of its religious tolerance and unique position at the crossroads of three worlds- Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Today’s Ghana really started on January 28, 2000 with the historic and peaceful transition of power when John Agyekum Kufuor was sworn in as president. It was the first time in Africa when an elected president, after full tern, was peacefully succeeded by another elected president.
Currently, Ghanaian politics is vibrant, participatory and in large measure, relatively unblemished by extreme instances of abuse of power, police and army brutality and other afflictions tormenting too many of Africans 55 nations. The stable progress of Ghanaian democracy can best be attributed to the high level of care with which elections are conducted. The most important element which contributed to this smooth electoral transition is Ghana’s code of conduct governing the etiquette of electioneering of political parties. Article 5 of the Code states that “Political parties must at all costs avoid defamatory, derogatory, and insulting attacks on rival parties or individual personalities by any form of communication, written or verbal.”
Having established these grounds and in order not to stifle debate, the Code of Conduct further stipulates, “It is expected that criticisms of opponents will occur during electioneering. However, where political parties or their agents have to criticize policies, actions, and programs of rival parties, their agents or individuals within the parties, it must be done with decorum and not inflammatory rhetoric or language.”
Writing in the news magazine West Africa, 17th -23rd July 2000 (on the eve of elections), the Rev, Dr. E. Kingsley Larbi, chairperson of the Interparty Advisory Committee (IPAC), Code of conduct sub-Committee, expressed his best hopes with this earnest entreaty.
“The destiny of our nation and our people now lies in our hands, Henceforth the way we use our tongues and our pens will largely determine the way forward. We must all work hard to protect the relative peace we are now enjoying, and Ghana shall be saved. Let it not be said that ‘wars and rumors of wars’ that have contributed to marring the beauty of the nations of Africa, and have condemned our continent to perpetual penury, did not spare our beloved country, Ghana.”

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Although Somaliland is not (formally) recognized by any state, this writer, like a growing number of other concerned deservers, is convinced that Somaliland is more than deserving of global recognition and uses this opportunity to wish the people and government of Somaliland success in their commendable and on-going efforts to achieve their right to self-determination.

Attributing icon of the golden age,Girma Beyene Ethiopian Music Festival boosting

By Abiy Demilew

Dedicated for one of the living icons of the golden age of Ethiopian music, Girma Beyene, the 7th edition of the Ethiopian Music Festival, boosted in Addis this week, 7th - 17 May 2008, embracing various concerts.
Alliance Ethio-Francaise, which has been engaged in organizing Ethiopian Music Festivals for the last many years, and which is celebrating its centenary, has dedicated the 7th EMF in tribute for the Ethiopian pianist, composer and arranger of the golden age, Girma Beyene.
Francis Falceto, French music researcher and critique and producer of the ethiopiques series, defines Girma Beyene in his book Abyssinia Swing, a pictorial history of modern Ethiopian music, as one of a pioneering generation of artists that has a huge influence on current Ethiopian music.
Francis Falceto describes, from the very beginning of the 1960’s and for some twenty years, he ranked among the Ethiopian musical scene’s most creative and prolific artists. He left precious few recordings behind him as a vocalist: it was above all as a pianist, organist, composer and arranger that Girma made his mark on what is today agreed to be the golden age of Ethiopian music. Throughout the heyday of vinyl record production (1969-1978), the figure of Girma Beyene dominated the recording sessions.
The then-privileged partner of Alemayehu Eshete, Girma innovated, through his simple and to-the-point playing, melding the lightness of pop into the ethos of a changing Ethiopia. Admired for his musical elegance, Girma none the less met one of the saddest fates in Ethiopian music. Though his countrymen still remember his charming voice and his knack for pop, they have totally forgotten his role and importance as an innovator.
Going into exile in the USA in 1981, Girma departed the Ethiopian music scene, sinking into the anonymous “Little Ethiopia’ of America’s East Coast.
According to the Alliance booklet, there has been a renewed interest of late in the work and personality of Girma Beyene. International groups such as the Either/ Orchestra, the Daktaris, Le Tigre (Platante), The Ex, Badoum Band and Antibals have added some of Girma’s major compositions to their repertoires.
Ethiopian music festival in its 7 editions has attributed numbers of legendary musicians of the golden age of Ethiopian music including Mahmoud Ahmed, Asnaketch Worku, Tilahun Gessesse and many others.
A Night of Ethiopian Music has two complementary shows tied together by the appearance of Charles Sutton, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia in the 1960s who was a leading force in Orchestra Ethiopia. In the first part of the evening, veteran Ethiopian musicians who were part of Orchestra Ethiopia and well known in their own right for their playing, will perform a set of traditional Ethiopian music in which they will be joined by Charles Sutton, according to Alliance. Charles Sutton will present a more jazz-oriented approach on piano accompanied by upright bass and acoustic guitar.
Addis Acoustic Renaissance, comprised of Addis Ababa’s greatest acoustic musicians, the Addis Acoustic Renaissance project brings forth to you Addis’s favourite pop and jazz tunes from the 50’s and 60’s in a new light.  Directed and arranged by exceptional guitarist Girum Mezmur, the project intends to combine the past with the present and paving the way to more exciting music coming to both local and international venues. The group is flavoured with, Girum Mezmur (guitar), Henock Temesgen (double bass), Dawit Ferew (clarinet), Natnael Tessema (Drum), Mesale Legesse (kebero), Ayele Mamo (mandolin) and Melaku Tegegn (shaleka) Accordion.