Education both formal and infor­mal is the bedrock of all societies and those that have more of it ad­vance in same proportion. In that sense the African youth have no option in the land of Ideas (Germa­ny) than to learn a trade with dully registered certification since ex­pertise is very much acknowledged here or upgrade through higher education. As Mahtab Narsimanhan put it “a good education is the greatest gift you can give yourself or anyone else” This holds true because of the vast mysteries that are unravel in the process of acquiring knowl­edge with the most basic being the fact that our perceptions change and we get refined as well. What we do is what we know and have learned, either through instruc­tions or through observation and assimilation.

While most feel that education is a necessity and use it as a tool for reaching a specific target or personal mark, after which there is no further need to seek greater education. Nonetheless, the im­portance of education in society is indispensable and for that reason society and knowledge cannot be ever separated into two distinct entities. The merits African youth can derive from Education are enormous as it changes lives and society in general. Self-Empowerment is strongly linked with education as it makes you strong enough to look after yourself in most given situations and also able to question authority for its negligence or discrepancies. With that, you can exercise your rights as a person and seek im­provement in the structural func­tioning of governance and econ­omy. It is only when one is aware of the policies of its government will he be able to support or pro­test for a change because people can bring about development only when they know where improve­ment is necessary for the greater good of society. Education helps you understand yourself and oth­ers better even as you realize your potential and qualities as a person.

Financial Stability and Dignity of Life is another concrete fruit of both formal and informal educa­tion in the sense that you do not only gain sufficient academic qual­ification or recognized training through learning of a trade but you are able to get suitable employ­ment at a later stage. A decent em­ployment would be rewarded with appreciable income through which you can look after your personal expenses. With enough financial indepen­dence you are able to extend hand to others at the same time hav­ing the financial security to meet emergencies and also take up in­vestment opportunities. In that sense, you become the fisherman who has the skills to earn a living as the proverb goes “If you give a man a fish, he will go hungry again but when you teach him to fish, he will fend for himself for a lifetime; this literally backs the need for skill development of the youth of Africa here in Germany and Africa. Most importantly, the German sys­tem is very practical and gives you the hands on experience needed to sharpen skills which invariably affect productivity positively. This is perfectly seen in the output of products and services in the Ger­man Economy. From many years of experience and education the youth will be able to take to entre­preneurial Ventures that will lead to self-fulfillment and the rippling effects will be seen at home(Africa) in the form of capital outflows for start-Ups and well-tailored pro­fessional services that the Conti­nent is in constant need of.

More important is the axiom that “An Idle Mind is the Devil’s Work­shop” How is this true? Psycholo­gists posit that an average person has about fifty thousand thoughts in a day and each one of them leads to an action and we leave by ACTIONS. For this reason, proper harnessing of the thought process­es of the youth is very vital for re­searches, active dialogues on de­velopment and continuous effort for knowledge and skills through higher education, skills develop­ment from learning of a trade and proper mentorship. This calls for selfless mentorship from accom­plished individuals who are keen on passing the baton to the African youth to be independent and as­sets to steer the continent to the next level.

As the saying goes “if you think education is expensive, try igno­rance” often the zeal for education is among the youth but funding is a major issue but interestingly the following Foundations and fund­ing opportunities are available and African youth can take the oppor­tunity in bridging the education­al and literacy gab by applying to them for Scholarships.

Among them are the DAAD www. daad.de (Scholarships for Masters ,Professional Training and PHD), Vodafone Stiftung ,www.voda­fone-stiftung.de (mentorship and scholarship for bachelor’s degree and master’s degree for youth with migrant background), Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (www.fes.de sup­port for degree programs), Schot­stek (www.schotstek.com Mentor­ship and scholarship for youth with migrant background), Hamburg Merit scholarship (Scholarship for master degree students), Clauss­en-Simon stiftung (www.clauss­en-simon-stiftung.de scholarship for high school, degree, masters and PHD opportunities), Kon­rad-Adenauer Foundation (www. kas.de scholarships for degree, Masters, Artist, Musicians and Writers) What Africa needs most is the Ed­ucation of its youth, hence Africa Youth must Arise and sharpen their skills and above all, it will be great for all African youth to actively get involved in the AFRICA YOUTH ED­UCATION (AYE) program as it is an elevator for networking, dialogue and promoting of the Values of Af­rica. To this end, Best Wishes to all African Youth in their endeavors, many thanks to Mr Desmond John Beddy and other Organizers who have tirelessly worked by uphold­ing community empowerment as a major priority and as such initiat­ed a worthwhile program like the African Youth Education Program (AYE). “From Mathematical rea­soning, if time is equal to life, they have given part of their time to so­ciety, hence a fraction of their life is equal to the AYE program” and May all together uplift the AYE pro­gram and the image of Africa.

Extract from the AYEA Magazine
By: Francis Amemador
Master of Law and Business Candidate
Bucerius Law School Hamburg-Germany.
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Thursday, April 21, 2016, Fatuma Henke, winner of the just concluded Miss Kenya Germany 2016, was interviewed by DJ Bleed on the Music Beatz show on  which airs every Thursdays from 8pm – 10pm on www.topafric.com

Fatuma shared talked about the event and how excited she was upon winning the crown. She revealed all her plans of going back to her Village in Kenya and stopping arranged marriages to under age girls as well the horrible practise of female circumcision.

Fatuma is a student at the University of Hamburg and has only been in Germany for one and a half year.

She got the opportunity to meet the President of Kenya, Kenyatta Uhuru, during his visit to Berlin. Her family back home in Kenya are extremely proud of her and she intends to use this position to make a difference in Kenya.

If you missed the live interview, simply click the audio below to listen to the entire interview...........

 DJ BLEED

Award winning Artist, Tu-brain Spartacus, was live at Topafric Radio (in Hamburg, Germany) getting interviewed by DJ Bleed on the show “Music Beatz” which airs every Thursday from 8pm – 10pm Germany time on  www.topafric.com

Solomon Omoruyi , whose stage name is “Tu-Brain Spartacus”, recently won an award for Best Male Artist at the just concluded Diaspo Awards 2016 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Tu-Brain talked about how he writes his music and also revealed to DJ Bleed where his energy comes from.

DJ Bleed played 4 of his tracks and made him explain the meaning of each song.  

During the live show, some listeners called into the show and demanded to hear the humble yet loud artist’s recently released song entitled “Skelebe”.

Tu-Brain is a perfect example of the phrase “never judge a book by its cover”.  With his blond Mohawk and energetic attitude, one would think he is a wild boy but he is quite the opposite.

He is a meek, humble, and most especially hard working artist  who is simply aiming for the skies.  At this rate he is sure to reach it.

Topafric wishes him all the best.

DJ BLEED

Speech delivered by Ghana ambassador to Germany; Her Excellency Akua Sena Dansua on the 58^th Indepedence Anniversary of Ghana organized by the Ghana embassy in Berlin Germany; 6^th March, 2015 at the Deutchse Bank Hall in Berlin.

Ambassador George Smith, Regional Director for the Sub Sahara Africa, Honorable Minister of Tourism and Culture-Ghana, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Excellences, Colleague Ambassadors, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Our respected Religious and Traditional leaders of the Ghanaian community in Germany, Dear friends of Ghana, Ladies and Gentlemen; Gutten Abend!

I wish on behalf of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and the entire Citizenry of Ghana to welcome you to the commemoration of Ghana’s 58^th Anniversary.  We are grateful that you honor the invitation to celebrate with us.

Let me extend special welcome to the honorable minister for taking time off her busy schedule to join us in this commemoration.

Independence 50 years ago offered us the freedom and opportunity to take our destiny into our own hands to do great things for ourselves. On this occasion, I join hands with all Ghanaians all over the World to pay tribute to Ghana’s founding Fathers affectionately called the “BIG 6” whose struggle and toil led to Ghana’s independence. Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of the ”BIG 6” deserves a special mention for his post-independence leadership which placed Ghana at the forefront of the decolonization of Ghana and carved out an Africa personality.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, today Marks another milestone in Ghana’s history, a day on Which Ghanaians collectively reflect on the Past, take stock of the present and refocus the future direction of our Country which is a model of democracy and good governance in Africa.  It is fair to state that while much has been achieved as a Nation; a lot more remain to be done in terms of development. Efforts to uplift ourselves are unrelenting and the government of Ghana under the able leadership of President John Mahama will continue to pursue strategies and policies that will promote the country’s Socio-Economic development.

Ghana abounds in unlimited opportunities; our forward marching development will continue to be anchored on values of freedom and justice, deepening democratic Culture, rule of law and good governance.

GHANA GERMAN RELATIONS:

Excellences, distinguished ladies and Gentlemen, Nananom Ghana has had cordial relations with Germany since 1961 and these relations have witnessed phenomena growth in scope and quality and these is characterized by high bilateral official visits of dignitaries of both countries.

For instance, in January 2007 past President, Horst Koehler of Germany paid a two day state visit to Ghana. Also in June 2007 and August 2008, Ex-President Kuffuor of Ghana paid state and official visit to Germany at different times.

In January 2015, President John Mahama was in Germany for a state visit which was highly successful; thanks to the invaluable support of the German Government and other major private sector Partners and stakeholders like the Afrika-Verein and our Ghanaian Community led by our respected religious and traditional leaders.  During the visit, President John Mahama met with His Excellency Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel separately and held bilateral discussions mainly in the area of Energy, Vocational Skills training and Agriculture. 

On Sub –regional EOWAS issues, Chancellor Merkel and President Mahama discussed various issues including the economic partnership agreement that is awaiting signature between Countries in the Sub region and the EU which will among others allow for market access to member Countries.  They also discussed the threat to peace and security in the sub region and strategies to tackle them.

ON EBOLA:
With regards to EBOLA which ravaged part of West Africa, the President John Mahama as the Chairman of ECOWAS and Chancellor Merkel reiterated the need for international response to future health emergencies. They also noted that hard hit countries by the disease like Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone should be supported to establish sustainable health systems to develop their economies.

Ghana is indeed grateful to the German government for her containment of EBOLA in the sub region to the tune of about 160 Million Euro including logistical support.  It is worth mentioning that President Mahama in his capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS allowed for the establishment of UN Logistic Center for EBOLA in Ghana from where international coordination efforts are being handled. Also, President Mahama was among few head of states that visited the affected countries to show solidarity during their difficult moments. Fortunately, no Ebola case was recorded in Ghana.

GERMAN OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE OF GHANA:
Excellences, Fellow Ghanaians Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen, This Evening has presented us with another opportunity to acknowledge the satisfaction and with deep gratitude the immerse assistance extended to the Government of Ghana by the federal republic of Germany over the years. 

German official development assistance to Ghana has contributed greatly to national development in critical areas like Agriculture, Education, rural development and local government administration.  The development project undertaken by the GIZ to promote Ghana-Germany renewable energy business partnership and the 2012 Germany’s KFW Development Bank disbursement of close to 35 million Euro to support development work in Ghana deserves great mention.

We anticipate that the investment forum held during the visit of President Mahama will lead to an enhanced trade and investment relations between our two Countries.

ON TOURISM: Ghana offers diverse tourism opportunities and Germans are the 3^rd largest tourists that visit Ghana after the USA and UK and I would like to use this opportunity to call for more German investments in tourism infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants and related services in Ghana.

GHANA-THE WAY FORWARD: As our nation celebrates her 58^th birthday, the prevailing socio-economic status of the country is worth mentioning. The economy has maintained satisfactory growth rate with an average annual growth of about 6% over the past 6years.

Excellences, Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen; the importance of the rural electrification project which will occasion the extension of electricity to all parts of the country and the relocation of high energy consuming institutions to Ghana have not matched the current supply of power in the country. The situation is worsened by the intermittent disruptions and discrepancies in Supply of gas for power generation from the nearby countries. This resulted in serious deficit in power supply and has created a difficult situation currently for the nation.  However government is working on a lasting solution which Germany is a partner.

Few Weeks ago, Ghana and the IMF have reached an agreement such that the IMF will provide a sum of 3 million dollars over a period of 3 years to help sustain the lower middle income status attained by Ghana in 2009.

On behalf of the President, let me assure you that the government remains committed to creation of Business environment that balances the growth of local industries and smooth operation of foreign businesses considered vital to creation of robust national economy. Government is also ready to support foreign direct investment in areas of Energy, Agriculture and Infrastructure development.

In conclusion, while extending fraternal greetings to all co-patriots and friends in Germany on our anniversary; my special appeal to you is for us to build a better and prosperous Ghana anchored on United Country with a common vision.

Long live Ghana-German relations, Long live Ghana. Viele Danke!

Compiled by Francis Amemador -/TopAfric Media Network