AfroNews 12 September 2011

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page 7
THE GUIDE
Redundancy
How to protect
yourself against
unfair dismissal
page 13
New book celebrates
everyday black
heroes in Britain
Mets new
campaign
targets street
robbery
page 4
Ann Akin is the
girl to watch
Ms. Frances Mensah Williams addresses need for positive role
models for young Black Britons in her Everyday Heroes:
Learning from the Careers of Successful Black Professionals
pages 10 - 11
Congolese musicians
record an LP to
benefit Oxfam
page 17 page 6
FREE PRESS
IPCC: Investigation into
Smiley Cultures death
not yet finalized
Merlin: Family ready to take case to European courts
page 3
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Owusu-Ankomahs Microcron
Kusum exhibition at October Gallery
October Gallery will
exhibit new works by the
renowned artist Owusu-
Ankomah from 15th
September to 29th October
2011.
Born in Sekondi, Ghana, in 1956,
Owusu-Ankomah pursued studies in
Fine Arts at Ghanatta College in
Accra before moving to Bremen,
Germany where he now lives and
works.
His charged paintings on canvas
depict an alternate world wherein
monumental human figures his
core motif are shown moving
within an ocean of signs that sur-
round, support and, in fact, define
them.
The way in which these figures
coexist and interact with various
symbolic sets has developed through
distinct phases over time, reflecting
Owusu-Ankomahs own journey of
spiritual discovery.
His early work drew heavily on
the ancient traditions of African rock-
painting and masquerade, before his fig-
ures shed their masks and body paintings
to become unashamedly visible. Finally,
naked and powerful, these eloquent actors
became covered in scripts of complex
symbols that, in a studied trompe loeil
effect, camouflage their finely sculpted
bodies against alternating backgrounds of
relevant and significant signs.
Using a palette of new colours, Owusu-
Ankomahs latest work further develops
these possibilities, adding further visual
signs of his own invention to the custom-
ary lexicon of adinkra symbols, each rep-
resenting a particular concept used by the
Akan-speaking peoples of Ghana. In the
same Akan language kusum refers to sacred
sites involved in the secret performances
of mystery rites. Owusu-Ankomah extends
his visual explorations in novel directions
by developing innovative symbols, such as
the Microcron the circle of shining orbs
signifying universes inside universes.
This unique
symbolic logic
yokes together
ancient tradi-
tions of secret
k n o w l e d g e
with current
s p e c u l a t i o n
about the mys-
terious nature
of reality
derived from
t h e o r e t i c a l
physics, which
predicts the
parallel coexis-
tence of multi-
di me ns i ona l
universes with-
in a single mul-
tiverse. To
illustrate quite
how mysteri-
ous such hid-
den knowledge
can become,
O w u s u -
Ankomah points to the existence of infor-
mation amongst the Dogon people of Mali
whose traditional veneration of the dog-
star Sirius (the brightest star in the sky at
night) includes awareness of its small
dense companion.
The actual existence of Sirus B, a hot
and highly dense, dwarf, companion star,
was only confirmed by modern astrono-
mers using a large 18 telescope in 1862.
Today, the question remains as to how the
Dogon people, unencumbered by advanced
technologies, could have known of their
sacred stars binary companion, since it
has always been, and still remains today,
completely invisible to the naked, human
eye.
These and other mysteries are embed-
ded in the symbolic web of messages
both secret and exoteric which beguile
the inhabitants of these marvellously paint-
ed worlds. The same iconic glyphs encap-
sulate, for those who strive to decipher
their concealed meanings further, Owusu-
Ankomahs musings on the wonders of
this mysterious world replete with secret
signs and alive with hidden meanings.
WHERE ACTION IS
Fashions Finest London Fashion
Week Shows feature emerging
and established designers
Fashions Finest London
Fashion Week off schedule
show is coming up on 17th
and 18th September at The
Westbury Hotel and Jewel
Piccadilly respectively.
The Fashions Finest London
Fashion Week shows are the most
popular and sought after off schedule
shows for designers during London
Fashion Week.
They are renowned for discovering
new talents and giving opportunities to
those who would not normally be able
to afford to participate at London
Fashion Week.
The shows attract press, buyers and
fashionistahs from around the world
who want to see the new trends being
developed by the featured designers.
The shows are aimed at brand new
or emerging designers as well as estab-
lished designers who want to use them
as a platform to either launch them-
selves or their brand new collections.
The Shows on 17th September will
feature new and emerging and interna-
tional designers who have been estab-
lished for more than nine months and
have already done at least one fashion
show.
On 18th September, the Shows will
feature new UK based designers who
have been existing for less than nine
months and generally have never fea-
tured in a major fashion show before.
Fashions Finest Shows are pro-
duced and choreographed by Mahogany
Events. For further information and
tickets, please log on to http://www.
f a s h i o n s f i n e s t . c o m/ i n d e x .
php?option=com_content&view=artic
le&id=1&Itemid=1
Thames Tunnel Mill
will open its doors to a
contemporary art exhibi-
tion in a range of styles
and media; painting,
drawing, sculpture, pho-
tography sculpture and
more featuring inspiring
art by new talented art-
ists.
Thames Tunnel Mill is a
Grade II listed building, 19th
century flour mill sitting on the
River Thames in London.
The 5th Art At the Mills is a
community event and there will
also be an open air market place
selling art and refreshments.
There will also be art and poetry
workshops for children.
The exhibition takes place
during Open House Weekend.
Many local historic buildings
will be opening their doors dur-
ing the duration of the exhibi-
tion including film studio and
archives, St Marys Church and
Brunel Museum.
Artists exhibiting will
include Zita Holbourne,
Antonietta Torsiello Imaging,
Angela Forbes, Andrew Harry
and founder and director of Art
At The Mills, Ricardo
Mandarino.
Community art exhibition
at Thames Tunnel Mill
Owusu-Ankomah, Microcron - Kusum No.1, 2011. Acrylic on
canvas, 135 X 170 cm.
Photo Copyright Joachim Fliegner. Image Courtesy October Gallery London
Exhibition dates: 15th September
29th October 2011
Venue: October Gallery, 24 Old
Gloucester Street, London
WC1N 3AL
Telephone: 020 7242 7367

Opening hours: Tuesday
Saturday 12.30 - 5.30pm
Courtyard caf: Tuesday
Friday 12.30 - 2.30pm
Admission: Free
www.octobergallery.co.uk
Nearest tubes: Holborn/Russell
Square
Buses: 19, 25, 38, 55, 168 and
188
OWUSU-ANKOMAH:
MIRCROCRON KUSUM
17th September at 10:00
18th September at 17:00
Thames Tunnel Mill,
113 Rotherhithe Street,
Rotherhithe, London
2 minutes walk from
Rotherhithe Tube Station,
next door to the famous
Mayflower Pub
ART AT THE MILLS
3
COMMUNITY
IPCC: Investigation into Smiley
Cultures death not yet finalized
Merlin: Family ready to take case to European courts
The recent article in The
Guardian regarding investigation
into the death of David Emmanuel,
popularly known as Smiley
Culture, was not based on the
full investigation report, which is
not yet finalized, Independent
Police Complaints Commission
(IPCC) has said.
The article was based on a private let-
ter updating Merlin Emmanuel about the
progress of the IPCC investigation into his
uncles death, IPCC said.
The Guardian reported that Police
officers who carried out the raid in which
the reggae star Smiley Culture allegedly
stabbed himself to death are unlikely to
face criminal charges, disciplinary action
or be officially questioned.
The newspaper quoted the confidential
letter to the singers family, in which Mike
Franklin, commissioner of the IPCC, said:
The [IPCC] investigation has identified
aspects of the operation which were not
satisfactory, and criticisms have been made
of some of the officers actions. However,
these do not meet the threshold for miscon-
duct under the police misconduct system.
Commissioner Franklin added that the
IPCC has not found any evidence which
would suggest any criminal acts were
committed by any of the officers in the
house.
Smiley Cultures family has strongly
criticized the officers involved in the fatal
arrest of the reggae star. On the Campaign
for Justice for Smiley Culture Facebook
page, Merlin wrote
that first, Smiley
was handcuffed after
fatal injury, second,
there were no finger-
prints on knife and
third, the officers
cant explain how
Smiley got into kitch-
en yet it is still being
said that there were
no grounds to assume
the officers were
involved in anything
criminal! Looks like
unless you have
CCTV, its impossible
to discipline an officer here in the UK. We
are ready to take this case to the European
courts if we need to.
Reacting to The Guardians report,
IPCC said: Only when the Commissioner
has fully considered and agreed the inves-
tigation report, will it be final and it is at
that point that he will make the decision
about whether or not it should be referred
to the CPS.
All the evidence gathered during the
investigation will be heard by a jury at the
inquest into Smiley Cultures death, IPCC
said. At the inquest, the police officers
will give evidence in public and Mr.
Emmanuels familys representatives will
have the opportunity to cross examine
them. We will not risk prejudicing that
process, IPCC said.
By Stephen Ogongo Ongonga
Only when the Commissioner has
fully considered and agreed the
investigation report, will it be final
and it is at that point that he will
make the decision about whether
or not it should be referred to the
CPS
Independent Police Complaints
Commission
4
COMMUNITY
Mets new campaign
targets street robbery
A new campaign by the
Metropolitan Police
Service (MPS) is urging
Londoners to take care of
their valuables when out
and about.
The awareness campaign
launched on 5th September is
aimed at helping reduce street
crime. To support the campaign
1,000 officers and community
support officers (PCSOs) will
engage with school children
across London as they start their
new school year.
While overall crime in London
continues to fall, there has been a
recent rise in street robbery. The
main factors for this years
increase are a rise in the theft of
high-value smart phones and dig-
ital media players and gold jewel-
lery robberies, where stolen
chains and necklaces are being
sold for cash through the second-
hand market - largely driven by
the high value of gold.
To coin-
cide with the
new academ-
ic year the
MPS will be
s u p p o r t i n g
c h i l d r e n ,
e s p e c i a l l y
year seven
pupils just
starting sec-
ondary school
to advise them
on how to
keep safe. As
11-year olds
start their new
schools they
are often mak-
ing longer
journeys or
have new
phones. At
this time of
year Met said
they have pre-
viously seen
an increase in the number
of young people (11-16)
whose mobile phones are
stolen after leaving school.
Until half-term (Friday
21st October) some 1,000
police officers and PCSOs
will be deployed each day
specifically to protect
young people as they make
their way home from school
or college. They will pro-
vide a visible presence out-
side schools, in and around
transport hubs and on buses
to reassure young people,
give them tips on how to
keep safe, and letting them
know about SAFE: the
MPSs youth website.
We take street crime
very seriously, said
Assistant Commissioner
Ian McPherson, head of
MPS Territorial Policing. Being
robbed can be a traumatic experi-
ence and so tackling it is a key
priority for us and we are doing
everything we can through
enforcement, education and pre-
vention to address it.
The Met is asking the public to
take basic precautions to help
minimise the chance of street
robbery happening. When you
are out, where possible try to
keep any valuables hidden. Smart
phones and media players are
becoming must-have items for
many people - that includes crim-
inals too. They simply see these
items as cash, AC McPherson
said. Many robberies happen
when people check their phones
just after leaving a train or under-
ground station, or when they are
going about their business and
may be distracted. Young people
too, especially secondary school-
aged children are also targeted -
usually after school by other
young people.
Londoners are advised to keep
a record of their phones IMEI
number: its unique reference
number. To find out the IMEI
number type in *#06# and it will
display the 15-digit number,
which can then be registered at
www.immobilise.com
AC McPherson added: As
well as taking care where you
take out your valuables, we urge
owners of smart phones, MP3
players and tablets to record the
IMEI number and register it at
immobilise.com. We also advise
owners to lock their devices, and
utilise existing and freely avail-
able GPS tracking and location
apps. These actions can help us
find the phone if stolen as well as
arresting the person who stole
it.
For more information or advice
on how to keep safe visit www.
met.police.uk/crimeprevention
Conference on African
contribution to science
and inventions
Most people dont know
much about the contribu-
tions Africans have made
to science and inventions.
Most scientific books men-
tion nothing or very little
at best about the African
effort in this area.
You are invited to a special
event in London where speakers
will explode the myth that Africa
and Africans contributed no real
value to human development.
Leading scientists, engineers,
inventors and historians will
show in detail via presentation,
debate and audio visual demon-
strations, the African
contribution pre trans-
atlantic slave trade and
colonization of Africa,
during slavery, the
present contributions
by Africans and
Africas role in the
21st Century.
It is advisable to
book early. Speakers at
the event include: Dr.
Mark Richards, DJ and
Lecturer in the
Department of Physics,
Imperial College
London; Leeroy Brown, winner
of the Inventor Consumer Award
at the BBCs Tomorrows World
Awards; and Michael Williams,
engineer, publisher and author of
the best-selling book series
Black Scientists and Inventors.
As well as taking care where you
take out your valuables, we urge
owners of smart phones, MP3
players and tablets to record the
IMEI number and register it at
immobilise.com. We also advise
owners to lock their devices, and
utilise existing and freely avail-
able GPS tracking and location
apps. These actions can help us
find the phone if stolen as well as
arresting the person who stole it
Assistant Commissioner Ian
McPherson,
Head of MPS Territorial
Policing
The Science Museums Dana
Centre
165 Queens Gate
South Kensington
London, SW7 5HD
Thursday 22nd September 2011
Time: 6:30pm to 9pm
Cost: 4.99
To book: call 020 7942 4040 or
e-mail tickets@danacentre.org.uk
www.bispublications1.blogspot.com
AFRICAN CONTRIBUTION TO
SCIENCE AND INVENTIONS
You are advised to make it harder for thieves by taking some
basic measures like not having your jewellery on show
The Mens Room is
hosting two workshops
on What your man isnt
telling you in London
and Birmingham.
David Murrow, author
of Why Men Hate
Going to Church, will
be presenting on this
hot topic.
They are for women who
would like to enhance their
understanding of communi-
cation with men. The events
are suitable for women who
are single, married, widowed
or divorced. The minimum
age entry is 16. Free
Admission.
For more information
please contact Sylburn McLean
about London workshop on
07956 982659 or Matthew Ebo
for Birmingham workshop on
07762 171916.
What your man isnt telling you
The Mens Room
hosts workshops for
women about men
Workshop in London
15th September 2011
7:45 pm to 9:30 pm
Venue: Tubbs Road, Harlesden,
London.
Workshop in Birmingham
18th September 2011
6:30 pm to 8:15 pm
Venue: Mansfield Road,
Birmingham, B6 6DB.
WHAT YOUR MAN ISNT
TELLING YOU
5
IPCC rejects report that officer
cleared of shooting Mark Duggan
A report by The Times indicat-
ing that an officer has been
cleared of shooting Mark Duggan
is wrong, misleading and irre-
sponsible, Deborah Glass,
Deputy Chair, Independent Police
Complaints Commission (IPCC)
has said.
Duggan, 29,
was shot dead by
police in
Tottenham on
4th August. A
local protest
over his death
triggered four
nights of rioting,
which spread
across England.
His funeral took
place on 9th
September.
The circum-
stances of the
death of Mark
Duggan are sub-
ject to an ongo-
ing investigation
that is far from reaching any conclusions.
We have a team of dedicated investigators
working on the enquiry, who are following
numerous leads including examining
CCTV, and we are still appealing for fur-
ther witnesses. Forensics tests are continu-
ing and we have commissioned scientific
experts to inform our investigation,
Commissioner Glass said.
Contrary to the report by
The Times, Commissioner Glass
said that IPCC is in regular
contact with Mr. Duggans fam-
ily, adding that there was con-
siderable contact between the
IPCC and the family in the days
following the shooting.
Commissioner Glass said the
public will not get answers from
partial and inaccurate reporting,
but through the evidence from
our investigation being tested -
and challenged - in a public
forum before a jury in a criminal
or coroners court - which will
happen in this case. I understand
the frustration that this is a
lengthy process, but I would
urge people not to rush to judg-
ment until they see and hear the
evidence for themselves.
Shaun Hall, the late Duggans
brother has said he is not confi-
dent at all that the IPCC will
establish what had happened,
BBC reported.
O
B
V
COMMUNITY
Asylum
seeker jailed
for fraud
An asylum seeker from
Rwanda who earned over
100,000 while working
illegally, has been jailed
for 11 months.
Betty Mugambi was jailed at
Birmingham Crown Court on
30th August 2011 following an
investigation by the UK Border
Agency. Mugambi, 32, of Sabell
Road, Smethwick also pocketed
over 16,000 in benefits by pre-
tending to be a penniless asylum
seeker.
She entered the UK in 2002
and claimed asylum but her claim
was refused and she was barred
from employment. Mugambi
claimed to be destitute and
received 10,199.16 in asylum
support benefits from February
2003 until November 2003. This
support was stopped when her
asylum claim was refused.
After her asylum claim was
turned down, Mugambi abscond-
ed and stayed in the country as an
illegal immigrant. She used a
false identity and false National
Insurance number to gain illegal
employment with Salts
Healthcare, Richard Street, Aston,
Birmingham. She worked for the
company as a stores assistant and
a team leader from June 2003
until November 2010
earning 96,258.54.
While working
for Salts Healthcare,
Mugambi was also employed as a
care assistant by Leonard Cheshire
Disability between April 2007
and October 2009. She used a
false French passport and a false
National Insurance number to
obtain this employment where
she earned 8,342.79.
In March 2010, whilst work-
ing for Salts Healthcare, Mugambi
told the UK Border Agency that
she was destitute and received a
further 6,102.65 in asylum sup-
port. She could not be removed
from the country at that point
because she made further repre-
sentations about her asylum claim
which the UK Border Agency had
to consider.
Mugambi was arrested by
West Midlands Police in
November 2010 after attempting
to cash a cheque for 1,868.12
from HM Revenue and Customs.
This was a tax rebate following
her employment with Salts. She
used a forged driving licence
when trying to cash the cheque.
After her arrest UK Border
Agency officers launched an
investigation along with West
Midlands Police.
On 27th April 2011 Mugambi
was charged with five fraud and
identity offences and on 2nd
August 2011 she pleaded guilty at
Birmingham Crown Court to all
five charges.
On 30th August she was sen-
tenced at Birmingham Crown
Court to eight months imprison-
ment for obtaining a pecuniary
advantage by deception and
obtaining property by deception;
two months imprisonment for
two counts of fraud by false rep-
resentation and one month impris-
onment for possession of false
identity documents.
The judge ruled that Mugambi
should serve half of the total sen-
tence of 11 months in custody
and half on licence.
Carol Mills, asylum fraud
investigator, UK Border Agency,
said: As this case shows, we will
not hesitate to prosecute foreign
nationals that break our laws
stealing thousands of pounds
from the public purse.
We will track down, prose-
cute and seek to deport those
who, like Ms Mugambi, abuse
their right to be here.
HIV and sexual health
charity Terrence Higgins
Trust (THT) is launch-
ing a free course in
Birmingham to help
local people living with
HIV take control of their
health. The course begins
on Thursday 22nd
September at 11:00am at
the ABplus drop-in cen-
tre on Lower Essex
Street, and runs each
Thursday for seven
weeks.
The Positive Self
Management Programme
(PSMP) will be delivered by
trained tutors, with each ses-
sion lasting two and a half
hours. Over the seven week
course, participants will meet
others with HIV from their
community, build support
mechanisms, and develop self
confidence to help them feel
more in control.
Course topics include the
importance of taking HIV med-
ication, relaxation techniques,
healthy eating, managing
fatigue, and planning for the
future.
HIV remains the UKs fast-
est growing serious health con-
dition. The most recent figures
from the Health Protection
Agency show that, in 2009, 477
people were newly diagnosed
with HIV in the West Midlands
area, and 4,141 people needed
HIV care in the region, an 11%
increase on the previous year.
Mick Mason, Regional
Manager for THT in the
Midlands, said: Getting diag-
nosed with HIV is a life-chang-
ing event, and we know many
people struggle to cope. The
Positive Self Management
Programme aims to give people
the tools and techniques to
manage their condition better,
by providing information and
advice but also simply by put-
ting participants in touch with
other people living with HIV.
We are really pleased we can
now offer this programme in
Birmingham, and wed encour-
age anyone who is affected by
HIV to sign up.
The course will take place
at the ABplus drop-in centre,
29-31 Lower Essex St,
Birmingham B5 6SN. For fur-
ther information, or to book a
place, please call THT in
Birmingham on (0121) 694
6440, or email matthew.
keogh@tht.org.uk.
THT launches course to
support HIV-positive
people in Birmingham
H
o
m
e

O
f
f
i
c
e
The circumstances of the death
of Mark Duggan are subject to an
ongoing investigation that is far
from reaching any conclusions.
We have a team of dedicated
investigators working on the
enquiry, who are following
numerous leads including exam-
ining CCTV, and we are still
appealing for further witnesses.
Forensics tests are continuing
and we have commissioned scien-
tific experts to inform our investi-
gation
Deborah Glass,
Deputy Chair, Independent
Police Complaints Commission
The late Mark Duggan
6
COMMUNITY
Ann Akin is the girl to watch
Playwright, actress, director
and producer Ann Akin is the one
to watch. With a sold out play
Conversations With Love writ-
ten, choreographed and directed
by this young star, she is defi-
nitely going places. Pauline Long
caught up with her to find out
about her journey to success.
You started off as an actress from the
age of 13, appearing in several popular
productions including Eastenders and
The Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall.
Tell us more about your journey.
I started training when I was 13 years
old. I had a friend at school who attended
Saturday classes at Sylvia Young and she
told me to go along with her. Thats the
moment when I actually remember making
the decision that I wanted to be a perform-
er but I feel as though from that moment,
thats what Ive always been and always
pursued. I had an unwavering view from a
very young age that I was going to be noth-
ing but a performing artist but not with an
aggressive approach, it was a matter of fact
approach. I just didnt think that I would or
could be anything else. So after I attended
Sylvia Young, I did dance GCSE and went
on to do Musical Theatre at the BRIT
School. After BRIT I no longer wanted to
study so I took two years out and got
involved in as many projects as I could. It
was during these two years that I set up my
dance company, Divine Teknique with my
younger brother. I then went on to do a
degree in Media Performance and also a
post graduate in Acting. But I would work
professionally as well as study whenever I
could in a variety of projects. The thing
about acting is its at times mystifyingly
difficult and it was and still is important to
me to learn my craft.
You and other talented personalities
formed the Vintage Star Productions
company. Why did you decide to go down
this route at such a young age?
I formed Vintage Star with my very
close friend Catherine Ashton mainly
because we were slightly frustrated with
waiting. The joy and
pain of this industry that I
love so much is its all
very dependent on timing
and Catherine and I just
decided that the time was
now to take our career
into our own
hands and try to
navigate it our-
selves. But in all
honesty we
never imagined
that things would
have taken off
the way that they
have in such a
short space of
time.
Your latest
p r o d u c t i o n
Conversations
With Love sold out at Soho Theatre
three nights in a row. How did it feel and
did you expect that?
To say that I feel over-
whelmed is an immense
understatement. Im just
so surprised! But equally
so happy and just so
proud. Ive never been a
writer or maybe the best
way to describe it is Ive
never pursued a writing
career or tapped into that
side of my mindset.
Everything that I have
written before now has
been in private. Ive
always and still do see
myself as an actress/danc-
er/choreographer so to
have such a great response
to something that I wrote
really does blow my mind.
I completely did not
expect people to receive
the piece in the way that
they have. I guess its
because its so honest.
Whenever I have written
things in the past, its
always been my unre-
served feelings about a
certain situation and I
applied the same approach
when writing this play.
What reviews did it
receive?
We received a 5 star
review written by Keji
Dalemo for afridiziak.
com theatre news after
seeing the show at Soho.
She described the piece as
the best piece of art ever
and this left me tearful
and stunned. She
described my writing as simply divine
and for someone who reluctantly receives
the title playwright this made me so proud.
Its honestly the most overwhelmingly
amazing ride that I have been on. Jeremy
Kingston from The Times also referred to
the piece as A fascinating all-women per-
formance of dance and voice after seeing
it at The Lost Theatre. Jeremy wrote: Ann
Akins expert choreography and direction
of her cast of seven brought variations in
the tone, mood and movement.
When is it back in the theatre?
At this very moment I am unsure when
Conversations With Love will be back in
the theatre but I doubt it will be a long
wait. So watch this space!
You have this amazing talent and you
are taking other people with you by pro-
viding opportunities through your com-
pany Vintage Stars, but what about the
funding?
In all honesty we have somehow man-
aged to get this far without any funding.
Catherine and I have funded it ourselves
which has been difficult but we have also
called in a lot of favours and managed to
get stuff for free, like our rehearsal space
for example. Id say that funding is the
main thing that is holding us back as a
company. At times the demand for time
and effort put in the company and the play
has far outweighed the ability for me to
work a day job. This is a sacrifice that I
have willingly made but it does at times
have an affect on my living. Catherine and
I have so many goals for where we want
this company and play to go but as you
know it does cost money. Wed love to be
able to start paying our in-house company
actors and also production team of musi-
cians, etc. Now that there is a slight calm
in the Vintage Star storm, funding is the
next thing that we are going to work hard
to obtain.
What are you planning next after
Conversations With Love?
I really would love for Conversations
With Love to have a longer run and this is
what I am now going to work towards. I do
also have so many ideas for the piece that
I have not been able to develop due to the
pace at which everything has happened so
Id love to work on all of these ideas. The
next step is to develop the piece and also to
get it on again for a longer run. Seeing
what we, as a company, have achieved so
far I know that this is attainable.
By Pauline Long
Pauline Longs Celebrity Corner
THE AFRONEWS
To be featured here, please drop an
email to: plcelebritycorner@live.co.uk or
afronews@myownmedia.co.uk.
+44(0)7704193590
I really would love for
Conversations With Love
to have a longer run and
this is what I am now going
to work towards. I do also
have so many ideas for the
piece that I have not been
able to develop due to the
pace at which everything
has happened so Id love to
work on all of these ideas.
The next step is to develop
the piece and also to get it
on again for a longer run.
Seeing what we, as a com-
pany, have achieved so far I
know that this is attainable
Ms. Ann Akin,
Playwright, actress, dancer
and choreographer
http://www.theafronews.eu/black-community/blog
Get lat est news
about and from
t he Black Communit y
in t he UK on
www.facebook.com/VintageStarProductions
VINTAGE STAR PRODUCTIONS
LINK
7
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Deportee removal staff
unprofessional and racist
A new report by the
Chief Inspector of Prisons
has revealed that force or
restraint was used unnec-
essarily during removal
of immigration detainees
to Nigeria and Jamaica.
The report also showed
that some staff demon-
strated an unacceptably
unprofessional attitude.
Most escorts dealt sensitively
with detainees, but some were
unacceptably unprofessional, said
Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector
of Prisons.
Inspectors accompanied a
removal by the UK of 35 detain-
ees to Jamaica and 53 detainees
to Nigeria, as well as reviewing
records of three previous removal
flights to both countries.
The aircraft were chartered by
the UK Border Agency (UKBA)
and G4S were contracted to carry
out the removals.
Collecting detainees from
immigration removal centres and
transporting them to the airport
was generally well organized and
the escorts generally dealt sensi-
tively with the inevitable stresses
and complications that arose.
Where there was full use of
control and restraint, inspectors
saw generally good management
and escorts generally performed
their duties in a calm and profes-
sional manner.
The inspectors were however
concerned to find that in some
cases, staff were not properly
coordinated during potential and
actual incidents, which raised
tensions. Force and restraints
were sometimes used for longer
than was necessary.
The report also revealed lack
of accredited training to guide
and support staff who have to use
force in confined spaces, such as
on an aircraft.
During removal, some staff
used highly offensive and some-
times racist language between
themselves, the report showed.
Staff numbers seemed excessive
at times and in some cases, proce-
dures were too risk-averse.
It also emerged that there
were no arrangements to provide
any advice or support to detain-
ees who did not have family or
other contacts in Lagos.
In the introduction to the
report, Mr. Hardwick said: Staff
numbers seemed excessive at
times but for the most part they
were well organised, calm and
went out of their way to assist
detainees. However, it was par-
ticularly concerning that some
staff used unprofessional lan-
guage, swearing freely, telling
offensive jokes and indulging in
sweeping generalisations about
national characteristics. The vul-
nerability of detainees during the
process of removal is not to be
taken so lightly, and the behav-
iour of all staff representing UK
authorities should reflect better
training and higher standards. In
some cases, procedures were also
too uniformly risk-averse, failing
to recognise the individuality of
each detainee.
Reacting to the report,
Jonathan Ellis, Director of
Advocacy at the Refugee Council
said: It is unacceptable that peo-
ple being returned to their own
countries are not only still being
f o r c i b l y
r e s t r a i n e d
unnecessarily,
but also have to
put up with
derogatory and
offensive behav-
iour from their
escorts. These
are human
beings we are
talking about.
He pointed
out that some of
the people being
removed may
have been let
down by the
asylum system
and have a gen-
uine fear of
being returned
to their country,
and so will
u n d o u b t e d l y
find this an
extremely dis-
tressing experi-
ence.
If people have to be returned
in this way, it must be done in the
most dignified, respectful and
safe way possible. The Chief
Inspector of Prisons report makes
a clear case for a review of the
removals process, including the
use of restraint techniques, and
arrangements for people when
they arrive back in their countries
to ensure their ongoing safety and
wellbeing, Mr. Ellis added.
TUC: Its harder to find job in
Eastern half of London than West
Finding a job in the Eastern
half of London is harder than the
West, new TUC analysis of offi-
cial statistics has revealed.
The TUC research ranks the City of
London and each of the 32 London bor-
oughs by the ratio of Jobseekers Allowance
(JSA) claimants to every Jobcentre Plus
job vacancy.
In July 2011, across the capital the
average ratio was nine job seekers for
every available job, compared to a GB-wide
figure of six per vacancy. Boroughs in the
Eastern half of the capital, including
Waltham Forest (25 job seekers for every
vacancy), Hackney (22), Lewisham (21)
and Redbridge (15), had some of the high-
est ratio of JSA claimants to job vacan-
cies.
As the UK moves towards a new
North-South divide, London seems to be
witnessing an East-West divide, says the
TUC. The City and West London are cur-
rently faring much better than the
East, with Kingston upon Thames
(three), Westminster (three),
Richmond upon Thames (four) and
Hillingdon (four), the best London
boroughs in which to secure
employment as they have the low-
est ratios of job seekers per avail-
able job.
The TUC has analysed how
these figures have changed since
last year (July 2010). Over the past
year, around 50 per cent (16 out of
33) of London boroughs have
experienced an increase in the
number of job seekers per vacancy.
The Eastern half of London has
borne the brunt of this increase
with some of the highest rises seen
in Waltham Forest (14.5 per cent)
and Barking and Dagenham (4.6
per cent).
Since July 2010 the unemployment rate
has also increased in 25 out the 33 London
boroughs, five are unchanged and only
three London boroughs have seen their
unemployment rate drop, showing that
economic recovery in London is still some
way off.
While bankers are back popping
champagne corks and picking up mega
bonuses in the City, many ordinary
Londoners are struggling to find work,
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber
said. Ministers claim there are plenty of
jobs out there, but with more than 20 job
seekers chasing each vacancy in parts of
the capital, there are terrible employment
blackspots that cause huge economic and
social damage to local areas.
Mr. Barber called for strong and sus-
tainable economic growth saying that it is
the only way to tackle jobs crisis. But the
governments deep and rapid spending
cuts are jeopardising our chances of recov-
ery. The Chancellor urgently needs to put
forward a plan B before our economy
heads back towards recession and even
more people lose their jobs.
H
o
m
e

O
f
f
i
c
e
However, it was particularly con-
cerning that some staff used
unprofessional language, swearing
freely, telling offensive jokes and
indulging in sweeping generalisa-
tions about national characteris-
tics. The vulnerability of detainees
during the process of removal is
not to be taken so lightly, and the
behaviour of all staff representing
UK authorities should reflect bet-
ter training and higher standards.
In some cases, procedures were
also too uniformly risk-averse,
failing to recognise the individual-
ity of each detainee
Mr. Nick Hardwick,
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
T
U
C
TUC General Secretary Brendan
Barber calls for strong and sustain-
able economic growth
8
CURRENT AFFAIRS
New Oyster system to help
customers pay correct fare
Good news for passengers who occasionally forget to touch out
Transport for London (TfL)
has introduced a new facility for
Oyster pay as you go customers
who are occasionally overcharged
when they forget to touch out at
the end of their Tube, DLR,
Overground or National Rail
journey.
Under Oyster terms and conditions,
customers who do not touch out to com-
plete their journey are charged the maxi-
mum Zone 1-6 fare.
But the new system will record the
journey a passenger usually takes so that if
a passenger occasionally fails to touch in
and out, it will calculate their likely jour-
ney and charge the appropriate fare.
A refund of the difference will then be
provided and can be picked up when the
customer next uses their regular station.
Refunds will only be provided where it
is possible for the system to make an accu-
rate assumption of where the journey was
likely to have begun and ended.
Registered Oyster customers who have
supplied their details will receive an email
to let them know that the refund has been
made. TfL said this also acts as a further
reminder of the importance of always
touching in and out to validate journeys.
Around 1,500 customers a day are
already benefitting from the new system.
Only journeys that have been started
and are missing the touchout at the end of
the journey are eligible for completion by
the new system. It is intended to help
people who occasionally forget to touch
out and therefore the system only operates
once a month for each Oyster card.
Station ticket offices and the Oyster
helpline will continue to offer passengers
an alternative means of resolving incom-
plete journeys that are not addressed by
this system.
Shashi Verma, TfLs Director of Fares
& Ticketing, said: Oyster is the transport
ticket of choice for most Londoners, and
the vast majority of customers use it cor-
rectly and are charged the right fare for
their journeys.
A small minority of rail journeys how-
ever are still not being touched in and out
correctly and are being charged maximum
fares. We dont want to penalise customers
who normally touch in and out for occa-
sionally forgetting, so, for such customers,
we are looking at ways of correcting jour-
neys that have been left open without a
final touch at the destination.
T
r
a
n
s
p
o
r
t

f
o
r

L
o
n
d
o
n

2
0
0
5
MAC proposes further curbs
on non-EU migrant workers
The Shortage Occupation
List should be revised to
restrict migrants from out-
side the European Economic
Area to a smaller proportion
of occupations within the UK
labour market, the Migration
Advisory Committee (MAC)
has advised the Government.
The MAC recommends the list be
reduced to cover 190,000 employees
[not migrants] or well under one per
cent of the UK workforce. In 2008,
before the MAC recommended
changes to it, that list covered over
one million employees.
The occupations in the list are the
only positions open to migrants from
outside the European Economic Area
under the shortage occupation route
of Tier 2 of the Points Based System
and Tier 2 is subject to an annual
limit of 20,700.
The latest MAC recommended list pro-
vides a more detailed breakdown of the
sectors of the labour market affected by
shortage. This has enabled the MAC to
identify individual job titles rather than
broader occupations.
A total of 29 job titles are recommend-
ed for removal from the list. They include:
secondary school biology teachers; con-
sultants in obstetrics and gynaecology;
paediatric surgery; nuclear medicine and
paediatric dentistry; veterinary surgeons;
and tutti orchestral musicians.
The 33 recommended addi-
tions to the list include: consul-
tants in emergency medicine;
actuaries; specific roles within
the visual effects and 2D/3D
computer animation for film;
television and the video games
sectors; high integrity pipe
welders; environmental scien-
tists; and operations managers
in the decommissioning areas
of the nuclear industry and
geochemists. The MAC said
these will help to ensure the
UK remains a leading global
player in these fields.
Although the proportion
of the labour market covered
by our new recommended list
is lower than before, our rec-
ommendation will have only a
limited impact on migration
volumes because overall migra-
tion through Tier 2 is limited, Chairman
of the MAC, Professor David Metcalf
CBE, said. However, the list is more
selective than before: it is targeted specifi-
cally on those job titles where there is cur-
rently a clear evidence of shortage. We
think it is vital that the government,
employers and the training sector take con-
certed action to raise the skill levels of the
UK workforce, especially in long-standing
shortage occupation areas. This will reduce
the UKs reliance on migrant workers in
the long term and provide real benefits for
the economy as a whole.
The government will consider the
MACs recommendations and respond in
due course.
We dont want to penalise
customers who normally
touch in and out for occa-
sionally forgetting, so, for
such customers, we are
looking at ways of correct-
ing journeys that have been
left open without a final
touch at the destination
Mr. Shashi Verma,
TfLs Director of Fares &
Ticketing
http://www.theafronews.eu/news/blog
Check out
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t he Black Communit y on:
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10
COVER
The social unrest seen in the
UK during the summer of 2011
has brought to the fore the need
for positive role models for young
people from ethnic minorities.
There is an urgent need to show-
case Black heroes that todays
young people can identify with
and to highlight careers that are
realistic and achievable, says
Ms. Frances Mensah Williams, a
writer and careers coach with a
successful track record of guiding
Black professionals in the UK to
achieve their career aspirations.
Speaking ahead of the October launch
of her new book Everyday Heroes: Learn-
ing from the Careers of Successful Black
Professionals, Ms. Mensah Williams, who
is the CEO of HR and Training consultancy
Interims for Development Ltd. and Editor
of the leading online careers publication,
ReConnect Africa.com, says: While the
arguments rage on about the causes of the
summer riots, some things are self-evident.
We have to reach out to those young people
who see no future for themselves. Instead
of just telling them what they are doing
wrong, we need to also be showing them
what they can do right.
Everyday Heroes, she says, came
about because young people are often un-
aware of the kind of careers they can aspire
to while Black youngsters, in particular,
can feel intimidated about joining profes-
sions and, as a result, can end up setting
their sights very low. Yet the truth is that
we have so many successful Black profes-
sionals in Britain who are a great resource
from which young people can learn.
Famous names are often cited when the
question of Black role models arises and,
according to Ms. Mensah Williams, this
is part of the problem. When it comes to
black role models, there seems to be a lim-
ited range of names and occupations that
crop up, she says. But the fact is that
relatively few young Black people are go-
ing to end up as premier league footballers,
famous singers or successful athletes.
Focusing on famous Black people as
role models can prove counter-effective,
agrees Henry Bonsu, a former BBC jour-
nalist and now a presenter and broadcast-
er with Colourful Radio and Vox Africa.
This is not the rst book aimed at raising
the aspirations of African/Caribbean chil-
dren, but where it differs from most is that
it takes success away from the
realms of celebrity, and grounds
it in the reality of those unsung
heroes all around you. So lets stop ex-
pecting Trevor Macdonald, Diane Abbott
or Rio Ferdinand or Lewis Hamilton to
inspire our children, and point out some
everyday heroes closer to home; because
in my experience, they usually bring more
sustainable results.
Everyday Heroes: Learning from the
Careers of Successful Black Professionals
is a collection of interviews with 16 pro-
fessionals from different careers including
law, accountancy, music, publishing, medi-
cine, banking and architecture. In a prac-
tical, easy-to-read format, the everyday
heroes talk about what it takes to succeed
in their careers, their own inuences and
the life lessons they have learned along the
way. The book also includes a number of
projects and exercises to help readers as-
sess their own skills and identify potential
career routes.
By shining the spotlight on what she
calls the quietly successful profession-
als, Ms. Mensah Williams aims to redene
the meaning of success for todays youth
who are bombarded with messages that
focus on money and fame. I think it is
important to stress that achieving success
is not necessarily about being famous, but
involves working hard and being commit-
ted to doing something you really like and
that suits your skills and personality.
She adds: Young people, whatever
New book celebrates
everyday black
heroes in Britain
Everyday Heroes: Learning from the Careers of Successful
Black Professionals by Frances Mensah Williams addresses
need for positive role models for young Black Britons
This is not the first book aimed at rais-
ing the aspirations of African/Caribbean
children, but where it differs from most is
that it takes success away from the
realms of celebrity, and grounds it in the
reality of those unsung heroes all around
you. So lets stop expecting Trevor
Macdonald, Diane Abbott or Rio
Ferdinand or Lewis Hamilton to inspire
our children, and point out some everyday
heroes closer to home; because in my
experience, they usually bring more sus-
tainable results
Mr. Henry Bonsu,
A presenter and broadcaster with
Colourful Radio and Vox Africa
11
their background or ethnic ori-
gin, really need guidance to un-
derstand that they can be suc-
cessful simply by understanding
their own skills and talents and
applying them with integrity
to whatever career they choose
to undertake. By reading about
people in the book who look just
like them and who are working
in careers they may have felt in-
timidated about considering for
themselves, my aim is for todays
generation of Black youngsters to
not only feel inspired but to as-
pire to professions that will give
them better and more sustainable
opportunities in life.
Everyday Heroes: Learning
from the Careers of Success-
ful Black Professionals (ISBN:
978-0-9569175-0-8) is available
through www.everyday-heroes.
co.uk and Amazon.
COVER
Everyday Heroes came about because young
people are often unaware of the kind of careers
they can aspire to while Black youngsters, in
particular, can feel intimidated about joining
professions and, as a result, can end up setting
their sights very low. Yet the truth is that we have
so many successful Black professionals in
Britain who are a great resource from which
young people can learn
Ms. Frances Mensah Williams,
Author of Everyday Heroes: Learning from
the Careers of Successful Black Professionals
13
THE GUIDE
Sunday 10th July saw the
end of a British institution as
the News of the World, once
the biggest selling newspa-
per in the English-speaking
world, printed its last ever is-
sue in a 168 year history and
then closed.
More than 200 journalists are now
out of work after being told they wo-
uld receive a 90-day payment in lieu
of a consultation. The National
Union of Journalists condemned the
payment, saying This outrageous
manipulation of the legal right to be
consulted on redundancies shows the
contempt that the Murdoch empire
has for its loyal staff. True to form, he
believes he can buy his way out of his
obligations.
Although to the best of our know-
ledge, this has yet to be followed up
with legal action, the National Union
of Journalists do have a very valid po-
int. If more than 20 redundancies are
being made within a 90 day period,
this is known as a collective redun-
dancy, in which case employment
law obliges companies to first consult
with representatives of the affected
staff. This consultation must take
place 30 days before (if more than 20
redundancies are planned) or 90 days
before (if more than 100 redundan-
cies are planned).
The consultation will normally
involve:
speaking to staff directly about
why they have been selected
looking at any alternatives to re-
dundancy
If this doesnt happen, the redun-
dancy may be considered as unfair
dismissal. Affected staff could ma-
ke a complaint to an Employment
Tribunal for compensation known as
a protective award. In this situ-
ation, the employer is required to pay
employees their normal weeks pay
for each week of a specified period,
known as the protected period, re-
gardless of whether or not they are
still working. To be covered by an
award, you must:
belong to a group specified in
the award
be someone your employer
plans to dismiss or has already di-
smissed as redundant
be someone for whom your
employer has failed to comply with
the information and consultation re-
quirements
Whilst the News of the World si-
tuation is quite unique, it illustrates
just how complex regulations can
be, at a time when unfortunately re-
dundancies are a real risk for almost
every sector in the economy. If this
should happen to you then we re-
commend you seek specialist legal
advice at the earliest opportunity.
In the meantime, here are some gu-
idance notes:
What is redundancy?
Redundancy is a form of di-
smissal from your job, caused by
your employer needing to reduce
the workforce. Reasons could inc-
lude:
new technology or a new system
has made your job unnecessary
the job you were hired for no
longer exists
the need to cut costs means staff
numbers must be reduced
the business is closing down or
moving
Redundancy selections
and notice periods
Your employer should use a fair
and objective way of selecting people
to make redundant. This means that it
should be evidence based rather than
your employer just deciding who they
want to make redundant.
Normally your job must have di-
sappeared for your employer to make
you redundant. However, it can still
be a genuine redundancy if someone
moves into your job after their job di-
sappears, making you redundant (cal-
led bumping). This can be difficult
for your employer to justify as fair.
If your employer bases your re-
dundancy selection on an unfair re-
ason your redundancy will automati-
cally be unfair and you may be able
to make a claim to an Employment
Tribunal for unfair dismissal.
Unfair selection
Your employer must not use per-
sonal reasons for selecting you for
redundancy. If they use any of the
following reasons to base their de-
cision to make you redundant, then
the redundancy will be automatically
unfair and you may be able to make a
claim to an Employment Tribunal for
unfair dismissal:
any reason relating to maternity
leave, birth or pregnancy or any other
family leave, paternity leave, parental
or dependants leave
you are disabled
you have transferred employers
and are protected under Transfer of
Undertakings Regulations (TUPE)
your membership or non-mem-
bership of a trade union
you are exercising your statu-
tory rights (for example, asking for
a written statement of employment
particulars)
whistleblowing (that is, making
disclosures about the employers
wrongdoing)
taking part in lawful industrial
action lasting 12 weeks or less
taking action on health and sa-
fety grounds
doing jury service
you are the trusteeship of a com-
pany pension scheme
It is up to your employer which
reasons they use to select employ-
ees for redundancy, as long as they
can show that they are fair. The most
commonly used reasons are:
last in, first out (where the em-
ployees with the shortest length of se-
rvice are selected first)
asking for volunteers (self-
selection)
disciplinary records
staff appraisal markings, skills,
qualifications and experience
Sometimes an employer may use
a combination of criteria, perhaps
using some kind of points system to
get an overall score.
Source: Direct Gov
S
P
E
C
I
A
L

U
K

L
E
G
A
L

G
U
I
D
E
Redundancy
How to protect yourself
against unfair dismissal
Notice Periods
The statutory redundancy notice periods
are:
at least one weeks notice if you have
been employed between one month and two
years
one weeks notice for each year if em-
ployed between two and 12 years
12 weeks notice if employed for 12 years
or more
These are the minimum notice periods as
specified by law. However in practice many
companies will offer longer as part of their
agreement with you so please check your con-
tract of employment for what your companys
policy is.
Payment in lieu of notice
In some cases your employer may have
included a payment in lieu of notice clause in
your employment contract. This means that
your employer can end your employment con-
tract with no notice; however they must give
you payment for all of the pay you would have
received during the notice period. This covers
basic pay and may include other matters such
as the equivalent amount of pension contribu-
tion or private health care insurance.
Information required
Your employer must inform you in wri-
ting
reasons for the proposed redundancies
numbers and descriptions of employees
affected
proposed method of selecting the em-
ployees who may be dismissed
proposed method of carrying out the di-
smissals, taking account of any agreed proce-
dure, including the period over which the di-
smissals are to take effect
how redundancy payments, other than the
legal minimum, will be calculated
Redundancy pay
You have the right to a lump sum redun-
dancy payment if you are dismissed because
of redundancy. The amount is related to your
age, length of continuous service with the em-
ployer, and weekly pay up to a maximum. The
employer must also provide you with a written
statement showing how the payment has been
calculated, at or before the time it is paid.
Source: ACAS
Disclaimer: The above article is meant
to be relied upon as an informative artic-
le and in no way constitutes legal advice.
Information is offered for general informa-
tion purposes only, based on the current law
when the information was published in this
newspaper
14
AFRICAN NEWS
Dont squander chance to build a
better South Sudan, donors advised
A coalition of 38 aid
agencies has called on
donors not to squander
the opportunity to make a
difference in the lives of
the people of South Sudan,
the worlds newest nation.
The call came as new vio-
lence in Jonglei state
increased emergency
needs.
Donors are due to meet with
Government of South Sudan offi-
cials over the next coming months
to discuss development priorities.
The country is one of the poorest
in the world, with half the popu-
lation living below the poverty
line and, after decades of brutal
war, is being built up almost from
scratch.
In a joint report, the aid agen-
cies, which include Oxfam, World
Vision and the South Sudan Law
Society, said it was vital that
donors get their priorities for
tackling poverty right from the
start. The report outlines key
priorities for donors working to
improve lives in South Sudan.
Mary Kudla, Acting Country
Director from Oxfam in South
Sudan said: The war is over, and
the struggle for independence
achieved, but the struggle to
ensure peace and safety for all
and win the battle against extreme
poverty in South Sudan is only
just beginning. Today a 15 year
girl is more
likely to die in
childbirth than
finish school
and people are
still being dis-
placed from
their homes due
to new violence.
The excitement
following the
birth of a nation
is hard to over-
state, but the
disillusionment
following a fail-
ure to deliver
change for the
poorest would
be equally
severe. Donors
need to get their
policies on
South Sudan
right from the
start.
The report
calls on donors
to continue to provide
emergency aid to the
volatile nation and
improve their under-
standing of conflict
dynamics. Already this
year, some 2, 611 people
have been killed in vio-
lent conflicts, with tribal
clashes in Jonglei State
in mid-August resulting
in the deaths of at least
340 people and displace-
ment of 26, 800. A fur-
ther 275,000 people have
already been displaced
by violence this year
which has hindered
much needed agriculture
and crop cultivation.
Dong Samuel Luak,
Secretary-General from
the South Sudan Law
Society said: South Sudan has a
complex mix of emergency,
recovery and development needs.
The country remains vulnerable
to natural disasters such as floods
and drought and is still suscepti-
ble to conflicts. As the recent
clashes in Jonglei show, people
still need emergency aid.
Sustained humanitarian funding
is required, along with increased
support for basic services and
security and justice provision.
The report also calls on donors
to build up the capacity of the
Government of South Sudan, so it
is able to provide more and better
services for its people including
effective security and rule of law
across the country. Government
structures are extremely weak
and being built up from almost
nothing, especially outside the
main towns. The agencies say
that it will take time for South
Sudan to assume full responsibil-
ity for the delivery of services.
NGOs are currently responsi-
ble for the majority of basic ser-
vice delivery in South Sudan,
such as health, education and
water and sanitation, and its vital
that donors continue supporting
these services as they support the
government to build up its capac-
ity to deliver these services
itself.
The aid agencies also urged
donors to support agriculture and
income generating opportunities
for the poorest communities.
Currently only an estimated four
per cent of arable land is culti-
vated, the production of livestock
and fish is just a fraction of the
potential and exports and trade
between different regions of
South Sudan are minimal.
Edwin Asante, Programme
Director from World Vision South
Sudan said: In Western Equatoria
mangos lie rotting on the ground
while traders import juice from
neighbouring Uganda. The local
farmers association wants to buy
a juicing machine, but they dont
have the money. Across the coun-
try, there is a complete absence of
equipment and technology that
would help South Sudanese farm-
ers add value to their products.
Wheat flour, maize flour, sugar
and palm oil all available in abun-
dance in their raw forms, are
imported from neighbouring
countries. Donors could change
this and tap into South Sudans
untapped potential.
The agencies also called on
donors and the government to
help build up social protection
schemes to help the most vulner-
able in South Sudan, such as cash
transfers for those prone to food
insecurity.
Jonathan: Nigerias import policies will be stable
Nigerian President
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
has assured investors that
the new policies governing
imports being prepared
by the Economic
Management Team will
have a five-year tenure, to
enable long-term plan-
ning.
Addressing a delegation of
directors of the Flour Mills
Nigeria Plc who visited him at
State House, President Jonathan
said: The policies being pre-
pared by the Economic
Management Team will have a
tenure of five years, so that inves-
tors can plan for the long term.
He added that the policies are
aimed at encouraging those inter-
ested in doing business in
Nigeria.
The dele-
gation was led
by the Flour
Mills Nigeria
chairman, Mr.
G e o r g e
Coumantaros.
Pr esi dent
Jonathan said
only those who
have invested
in specific sec-
tors will be
allowed to
import the
short-fall to
meet national
needs. For
instance, only those who are in
large-scale rice or sugar produc-
tion will be allowed to import rice
or sugar, on a quota to be deter-
mined by appropriate
authorities, similar to the
current policy in the
cement sector, the
President said.
He also spoke about his
commitment to the revival of
agriculture. Agriculture is
being taken very seriously, we
want to revolutionize agricul-
ture, he said.
President Jonathan com-
mended Mr. Coumantaros for
the confidence he has in
Nigeria, adding that the
Government would continue
to perform its regulatory func-
tions with due consideration
of the interests of all parties.
Mr. Coumantaros told the
President that his company
had invested over $1bn in
sugar, flour mills, rice, soya,
vegetable oil, palm kernels
and cement production in
Nigeria. The Flour Mills alone
had over 65,000 shareholders,
he said.
South Sudan has a complex
mix of emergency, recovery and
development needs. The coun-
try remains vulnerable to natu-
ral disasters such as floods and
drought and is still susceptible
to conflicts. As the recent
clashes in Jonglei show, people
still need emergency aid.
Sustained humanitarian fund-
ing is required, along with
increased support for basic ser-
vices and security and justice
provision
Mr. Dong Samuel Luak,
Secretary-General from the
South Sudan Law Society
U
N
Only those who are in
large-scale rice or sugar
production will be allowed
to import rice or sugar, on
a quota to be determined
by appropriate authorities,
similar to the current poli-
cy in the cement sector
Nigerian President
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
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16
CARIBBEAN NEWS
Shaw urges Private Sector to
make use of economic stability
Now that economic stability
has been secured, the productive
sector must increase efforts to
grow the economy through invest-
ment, enhanced productivity and
innovation, Jamaicas Minister of
Finance, Hon. Audley Shaw, has
said.
In a recent speech to the 3rd Financial
Services Commission Expo, in New
Kingston, Mr. Shaw said that with the real-
ization of economic stability, the time was
ripe for new investments in the real econo-
my.
We must give thanks, because our
economy is stable. We must give thanks,
because inflation for the first six months of
this calendar year was two and a half per-
cent, he said.
With the return of economic stability
and enhanced investor confidence, the
Minister urged investors to get back to
business fundamentals and re-focus on
production and productivity and invest-
ments in the real economy of the country.
He expressed gratitude that, despite the
challenges, the economy grew 1.4 percent
by the end of the March quarter, and by 1.5
percent at the end of June, noting that these
rates were higher than the growth in the
United States over the same period.
Mr. Shaw also pointed to the stability
of the exchange rate; record levels of gross
international reserves; and the generation
of new jobs, averaging up to 15,000 per
month for the period December March,
2011.
He emphasized that the stable environ-
ment now emerging, is critical to economic
growth and development.
Interest rates are virtually at record
lows. The Central Bank is now recording
an interest rate of 6.5 percent, the lowest
interest rate recorded in the history of the
Bank of Jamaica, he said.
He observed that the downward trend
in interest rates is also reflected in signifi-
cant reduction in mortgage rates. We have
seen where mortgage rates are coming
down, and I took an initiative in Parliament
in April, where I virtually abolished the
stamp duty on the transfer of loans, he
pointed out.
Mr. Shaw said that this action has
helped to generate more competition
among commercial banking and mortgage
institutions.
We have seen average reduction in
mortgages since that initiative of between
four and five percent.mortgage rates
c o m i n g
from16 per-
cent down to
10 percent,
he declared.
He admit-
ted that chal-
lenges remain
i n c l u d i n g
issues with
t h e
International
Mo n e t a r y
F u n d s
S t a n d b y
Agr eement ,
with respect
to the settle-
ment of the
seven percent
public sector
wage settle-
ment, which
has impacted negatively on the countrys
Medium Term Economic Programme.
So we had to recast our projections
within that context, and we have to look at
how we are going to accommodate it prop-
erly going forward and, importantly, we
are now sitting down with public sector
workers, Mr. Shaw said.
We have to agree on a formula for
wage settlements, for it cannot be that you
have memoranda and memoranda over the
years and that you programme increases,
but that those increases have no bearing on
the countrys capacity to pay, he said.
By JIS News
Community-based tourism can boost
employment in rural Jamaica - Bartlett
Community-based tourism
has the potential to significantly
boost employment for persons in
rural Jamaica, Tourism Minister,
Hon. Edmund Bartlett has said.
Addressing a recent National
Consultation on Community-based tour-
ism, in Kingston, Mr. Bartlett said the
policy framework for the community-
based tourism strategy will facilitate the
provision of a wide range of job opportu-
nities in the sector.
The consultation aims to facilitate
further dialogue among stakeholders on
the draft Community-based Tourism
Policy and Strategy, which has been sub-
mitted to Cabinet for consideration.
In January 2010, the Ministry of
Tourism and the Jamaica Social
Investment Fund (JSIF) signed an agree-
ment for the development of a communi-
ty-based tourism policy under the Rural
Economic Development Initiative (REDI)
project. The project is being funded by
the Government of Jamaica and the World
Bank, through a US$15 million loan.
This will benefit and empower many
vulnerable groups, such as women, young
people, as well as under-skilled and
unemployed individuals, the Minister
noted.
Mr. Bartlett said the policy will also
help to address numerous weaknesses at
the community level that have hampered
the growth of community-based tourism
enterprises for years, such as the lack of
entrepreneurial capacity, and a limited
understanding of tourism markets and the
sector in general.
The policy will target these short-
comings by providing appropriate
approaches to planning and management
for such entities as well as institutional
arrangements, technical assistance and
support, he explained.
Mr. Bartlett said that the policy and
strategy being developed under the guid-
ance of the JSIF, is intended to facilitate
the development of a framework aimed at
enhancing the policy and institutional
capacity needed to develop community-
based tourism as a sustainable growth
sector locally.
I must underscore that this is a vital
initiative, as despite the fact that the tour-
ism sector remains the islands primary
foreign exchange earner and the driving
force of the Jamaican economy, there is
still considerable potential for further
growth and development, he said.
He pointed out that trends in the
global travel market continue to indicate
that there is an increased focus among
visitors on heritage, culture, nature and
adventure-based experiences. Hence,
community-based tourism should pro-
vide the spring-board for further growth
in the sector.
Mr. Bartlett said one of the main
goals of the policy is to ensure that
Jamaicas distinctive and rich cultural
and natural heritage is sought after by the
discerning traveller, which will certainly
aid in boosting tourism arrival and earn-
ings.
Despite our successes to date, broad-
ening our range of tourism offerings
remains an important pillar in our thrust
to diversify our product, and developing
community based tourism is key to this
initiative, he remarked.
He pointed out that figures from the
USAID-REACTs International and
Domestic Visitor Profile Report 2007
indicate that European visitors have a
strong interest in off-the-beaten path
tourism in Jamaica, which accounts for a
high number of Europeans who visit the
South Coast.
The vast majority of these visitors,
that is 79 per cent, come to enjoy nature
experiences; 65 per cent for heritage and
culture guided tours, while adventure
tours account for 61 per cent, he said.

By Athaliah Reynolds,
JIS Reporter
J
I
S
J
I
S
Minister of Finance, Hon. Audley Shaw
I must underscore that
this is a vital initiative, as
despite the fact that the
tourism sector remains
the islands primary for-
eign exchange earner
and the driving force of
the Jamaican economy,
there is still considerable
potential for further
growth and development
Hon. Edmund Bartlett,
Tourism Minister
17
Kinshasa One Two
Congolese musicians record
an LP to benefit Oxfam
More than 50 Congolese musi-
cians have come together to
record an album to be released
digitally by Warp Records on 3rd
October 2011 with a CD/vinyl
release to follow on 7th November,
to benefit Oxfam.
Kinshasa One Two, an album by
DRC Music, was recorded in Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of Congo in July.
DRC Music (a collective of producers
gathered by Damon Albarn) set out to
make an album with contemporary
Congolese musicians and worked with
more than 50 local performers including
Jupiter and the Okwess International,
Bokatola System and Nelly Liyemge.
DRC Music is comprised of producers:
T-E-E-D (Totally Enormous Extinct
Dinosaurs), Dan The Automator, Jneiro
Jarel, Richard Russell, Actress, Marc
Antoine, Alwest, Remi Kabaka, Rodaidh
McDonald and Kwes, with album artwork
by Aitor Throup and Hardy Blechman.
The Democratic Republic of Congo
has long been wracked by conflict and is
home to one of the worlds worst humani-
tarian crises. Proceeds from the album will
benefit the local performers and Oxfams
work in Congo.
Every day in DRC there are hundreds
of thousands of people who need Oxfams
support to access education, clean water,
sanitation and basic hygiene. The situation
here has been out of the media spotlight for
too long. Not only will DRC Music shine a
light on the incredible musical talent com-
ing out of the country, it will raise much
needed funds for Oxfams invaluable work
here and focus the worlds attention on
Congo once again, seeing it as a place of
inspiration, creativity and hope, said
Oxfams DRC Country Director, Pauline
Ballaman.
Warp Records said they felt incredibly
fortunate to be involved in the journey that
culminated in Kinshasa One Two. Its
completely, brilliantly, unlike anything
Warp has undertaken before, but nonethe-
less feels like a very natural endeavour for
us to be a part of. Were supremely grateful
to all the artists, musicians and producers
who joined together to create this amazing
record and shared a vision of contributing
in some small way to benefit the people of
the DRC.
Kinshasa One Two will be available
as a digital release; CD edition in digipack
(includes unique code to access album
download plus 3 bonus tracks); and a
deluxe vinyl edition - double vinyl press-
ing in gatefold sleeve, with 14 x
300x300mm art cards (includes unique
code to access album download plus 3
bonus tracks). For further information and
to buy the album, please log on to http://
drcmusic.org
ENTERTAINMENT
18
COMMENTARY-OP-ED
Why are you
scapegoating us?
I understand that, as country
after country plunged into eco-
nomic crisis and austerity mea-
sures loomed, politicians began to
link multiculturalism and immi-
gration with social regression and
all that was tearing not only UK
apart, but also Europe.
I understand there have been numerous
debates and arguments about fairness,
abuse of the British hospitality by foreign-
ers and abuse of asylum. The question on
who should have access to benefits in this
country is leading to some public breaking
point.
I understand that the national mood has
changed; and that the vast majority of
British people, of all colours, believe that
immigration is too high. I also understand
that the public is increasingly becoming
angry because immigration is not being
reduced to a trickle.
I also understand that the blame has not
only been on the bankers and global finan-
cial crisis, but also on immigration to jus-
tify the biggest round of spending cuts
since the 1920s, at the time of this current
economic crisis.
I understood when German Chancellor
Angela Merkel, declared in a speech in
Potsdam on 16th October 2010 that multi-
cultural society had utterly failed, that
the multikulti concept - where people
would live side-by-side happily - did not
work.
I also understood when Belgian Prime
Minister Yves Leterme stated in a radio
interview on 2nd November 2010, that
the policies of integration have not always
had the beneficial effects that were expect-
ed of them.
I understood when the French President
Nicolas Sarkozy, during a television inter-
view using a characteristically impatient
tone declared that: We do not want ... a
society where communities coexist side by
side. If you come to France, you accept to
melt into a single community, which is the
national community, and if you do not
want to accept that, you cannot be wel-
come in France.
I also understood when the Dutch
Deputy Prime Minister Maxine Verhagen,
stressed that the Dutch no longer felt at
home in their own country, while immi-
grants were not entirely happy either, and
called on the Dutch to be prouder of their
nation.
I understood when the Danish Liberal
Party Immigration Minister, Sren Pind
said that multiculturalism should be set in
stone. Pind argued that Denmark only
has room for foreigners that adopt and
respect Danish values, norms and tradi-
tions; if they dont, they shouldnt be here
at all.
I also understand that migrants contri-
bution to the UK economy is so vast and
undeniable. Yet the British Prime Minister
David Cameron admitted that Britain had
been torn apart by the biggest influx of
immigrants in history. He said that sig-
nificant numbers of new people, not able
to speak the same language, not really
wanting to integrate, have created a kind of
discomfort and disjointedness in some
neighbourhoods. He added: This has
been the experience for many people in our
country - and I believe it is untruthful and
unfair not to speak about it and address
it.
Now, lets talk about fairness because I
dont understand how this fairness is being
implemented. What kind of fairness says
that a quirk of fate - the location in which
you happen to be born should determine
your life chances? And what kind of fair-
ness says its a fair game to kill other
human beings through border controls, in
order to keep them out by forcing them
into a situation where they may face tor-
ture and death by preventing them from
coming into the country?
I always wonder why the government
is not willing to take immigration from EU
Countries seriously. They always talk
about reducing immigration from non-EU
countries. Theyve opened the door for
some EU citizens to come in freely at the
time they are seriously considering stop-
ping non-EU migrants from coming here.
No offence to the EU citizens as were
only talking about fairness here.
What I cannot understand is the issue
against non-EU migrants coming to the
UK. Most economic migrants to the UK
make full and worthy contributions to this
countrys economy and by restrictions on
work visas have no recourse to public
funds. They must be in full time employ-
ment to meet the conditions of their visas,
pay tax, NI, council tax unfailingly and
cannot claim benefit if they lose their jobs,
nor claim for any benefits including child-
care. They end up paying into the system
without taking anything out of it.
The EU citizens have everything
including access to benefits, as soon as
they step on British soil. But non-EU
migrants have to live here for nothing less
than between five and 14 years depending
on their visas for that privilege. Is this
fair?
What I also cannot understand is why
the government cannot apply unbiased
policy in reducing the number of immi-
grants allowed here. Clearly, this looks
more like scapegoating than anything else
I could think of.
I do understand that being an economic
migrant is a choice. But lets not forget that
no one likes to be a refugee, it is out of
choice!
By Joseph Spencer
The Palaver Hut
Shame on Jacob Zuma
South Africa is one of the most
developed countries in Africa. In
fact, its natural and intellectual
resources are far richer than some
European countries.
Since its inception as a new democratic
country in 1991, the country has scored a
number of progresses in governance and in
building its democratic institutions. Many
countries, especially those in the African
continent hoped to learn from South
African experience and looked up on South
Africa to be the role model in building a
democratic society.
However, what happened in the past
few months has shaded the light of hope
that many Africans aspired to get from
South Africa. The countrys president,
Jacob Zuma has been witnessed support-
ing the Libyan autocrat Muammar Gaddafi
over the oppressed Libyan people.
The world knows how merciless,
Dictator Gaddafi was. Thousands of
Libyans have been killed and tortured by
him in the past 42 years. Even recently, at
the beginning of the Libyan revolution,
many Libyans, including the Libyan mili-
tary personnel who opposed the killing of
unarmed protestors were executed. South
African politicians, including Mr. Zuma
didnt even condemn Gaddafi for these
crimes.
Later in the revolution, after an enor-
mous pressure by the AU and Gaddafi
himself, Mr. Zuma entered in a negotiation
mission to mediate the Libyan government
and the National Transitional Council
(NTC). Even then Mr.
Zuma failed to be a true
diplomat. He flew to
Tripoli, met with Gaddafi,
and flew back to South
Africa without talking to
the NTC. He proved
himself to be an incom-
petent diplomat and
statesman by imprudent-
ly ignoring the NTC who
are the representatives of the Libyan peo-
ple.
In the course of the revolution, South
Africa, under Mr. Zuma, maintained its
anti-democracy, anti-freedom position by
supporting Gaddafi and his autocratic rule.
Mr. Zuma appeared in public on many
occasions and boldly defended Ghadafi as
a Libyan leader.
Quite surprisingly, Mr. Zuma appeared
in public again after Tripoli was controlled
by the NTC. He again, refused to recog-
nize the NTC. This was an insult to the
Libyan freedom fighters who sacrificed
their lives to free Libya from its merciless
ruler. Moreover, it is demeaning to those
South Africans who fought against slavery
and suppression of the apartheid.
Mr. Zuma should be ashamed of his
dirty politics and the lack of moral he dis-
played towards the Libyans struggle for
freedom.
Let it be clear that there is no nation
like South Africa that knows what freedom
is. There are no people like South Africans
who determinedly fought for freedom.
But, its current leaders have failed to live
up to the standards of free people. They
endorsed repression over freedom by sup-
porting African dictators. They preferred
to be friends with dictators rather than sav-
ing millions of Africans who are treated
like slaves on their own lands.
In the end, Gaddafi and all other African
dictators will vanish, but history will live
forever. Sadly, South Africa and its leader
Mr. Zuma will be remembered for standing
on the wrong side of history.
By Markose Yehune
We welcome letters on topical issues, your experi-
ences, and or any article you have read in the
AfroNews. Letters, not exceeding 600 words, must
include your full name (not necessarily for publica-
tion), address and telephone numbers for verifica-
tion. Letters may be edited for publication.
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19
LIFESTYLE & RELIGION
Call for targeted action to tackle
TB among hard-to-reach groups
The National Institute for
Health and Clinical Excellence
(NICE) has called for targeted
action to prevent the spread of
tuberculosis (TB) and ensure
treatment success among patients
who have difficulty recognising
symptoms, accessing health ser-
vices and taking medication.
The patients who are hardest to reach
through traditional hospital based TB ser-
vices include people with drug or alcohol
addiction, homeless people, prisoners and
some migrant communities.
In new draft guidance, NICE recom-
mends strengthening efforts to find patients
early and providing intensive clinical and
social support to help patients complete
TB treatment.
TB is a serious infectious airborne dis-
ease which is spread by simply breathing.
Left untreated TB can be fatal. However
the disease is curable in virtually all cases,
provided patients are diagnosed early and
take a six month minimum course of
medication. Delayed diagnosis and incom-
plete TB treatment can cause it to spread
within the community and also result in
drug resistant forms of the disease that are
harder to treat.
Following infection, most peoples
immune systems can control the infection
so that the bacteria do not cause them to
become ill. This is known as latent tuber-
culosis. However, in around 10 percent of
those who become infected, the bacteria
multiply and cause active tuberculosis
which can make them ill. If this disease
affects the lungs, it can be spread to oth-
ers.
Existing TB services provide excellent
care for the majority of TB cases who live
in household settings, readily seek medical
help and take TB treatment. At least one in
ten of all TB cases nationally, however,
have social risk factors which can lead to
delayed diagnosis and incomplete treat-
ment with serious conse-
quences. These factors
include poor nutrition,
poor access to healthcare,
homelessness, problem
drug use and imprison-
ment.
The new draft guid-
ance recommends com-
missioners of TB control
programmes adopt a more
proactive approach to
finding active TB among
homeless groups by using
mobile X-ray teams in
places where they congre-
gate. For example, home-
less day centres, rolling
shelters, hostels and tem-
porary shelters.
Prisons which have
static digital X-ray facilities should also
X-ray all new receptions (including trans-
fers) for active TB, if they have not
received a chest X-ray in the last six
months.
Further measures to improve detection
of TB include incorporating testing for TB
among hard-to-reach migrants within larg-
er health programmes for new entrants.
This should help detect and treat TB earli-
er, preventing it from developing further,
and spreading to other people.
In addition, all hard-to-reach TB
patients should receive community based
clinical and social support co-ordinated by
their TB case worker. Support will include
directly observing every dose of treatment
and providing practical help with housing,
addiction and other unmet health and social
care problems.
Although TB is much less common
since antibiotics were introduced, it
remains an important public health issue.
In 2009, 9,040 cases of TB were reported
in the UK. Most of these occurred in urban
centres, with over one-third of cases in
London. While most people with TB were
born outside the UK, the highest risk of
disease is among homeless people, prison-
ers and problem drug users.
Professor Mike Kelly, Director of
Public Health, said: TB is a serious public
health issue. If left untreated, active TB
can be fatal. We also know that one
untreated person with pulmonary TB can
infect around 10-15 people every year.
This draft guidance recommends new
ways in which we can help tackle TB
among hard-to-reach groups who are most
at risk. Evidence shows relying on these
groups to present themselves to health ser-
vices doesnt work, and we need to adopt a
more proactive approach to identify and
treat this disease. TB is curable, so its vital
to identify it as quickly as possible and
provide effective treatment to stop it get-
ting worse, or spreading to others.
C
h
r
i
s

S
a
m
p
s
o
n
Church leaders: Military
reactions to 9/11 attacks
made world less secure
British Church leaders
have asked the
Government to examine
its use of military force in
response to violent extrem-
ism.
In a joint statement to mark
the 10th anniversary of the 9/11
attacks, Revd Jonathan Edwards,
General Secretary of the Baptist
Union of Great Britain, Revd
Lionel E Osborn, President of the
Methodist Conference and Revd
Roberta Rominger, General
Secretary of the United Reformed
Church said: It is clear that our
reaction to the attacks on 9/11 has
caused more suffering and loss
than the original attacks. The
War on Terror has done little to
make anyone safer, but has
harmed human rights, depleted
our coffers and damaged our
standing in the world, and at a
cost of many lives.
The Churches will celebrate
Peacemaking Sunday on 18th
September. They described the
ten year anniversary of the 9/11
attacks as a day of huge sadness
for the whole world.
The Church leaders said that
their hearts and prayers are with
all those who continue to mourn
the loss of their loved ones in the
terrible atrocities of 9/11. We
remember those who died in the
attacks, and those who died in the
wars that followed.
They urged Britons to pause
and consider what lessons they
have learned as a nation in the
intervening years. Our military
action in Afghanistan and Iraq
has taught us that defeating an
enemy may take only days, but
rebuilding a just and inclusive
society will take many years,
they said.
Condemning the Britains
arms sales policy, the Church
leaders said: It is sad and ironic
that regimes that seek to maintain
their rule through military force
have often purchased their weap-
ons from Britain, such as Libya,
which has purchased 120 million
Euros worth of British arms since
2005.
Our government aspires to
support democratic reform in the
Middle East, but at the same time
tax-payers money is being used
to support the London Arms Fair,
hosting 1,300 weapons compa-
nies from around the world.
The Church leaders warned
that There can be no future secu-
rity if we place our trust in more
sophisticated weapons. We can-
not rely on military intervention
but must concentrate on support-
ing the principles of political
progress, human security and
economic justice if we are to
achieve a better and more secure
world for all.
The menopause may
have nothing to do with
womens increased heart
attack risk, a new
research has shown.
Its widely understood that a
womans risk of dying from
heart or circulatory disease rises
sharply after menopause because
of hormonal changes. But a new
study suggests heart disease
mortality rates in women
increase with age and are unaf-
fected by the menopause spe-
cifically.
The findings also showed
that the risk of men under the
age of 45 suffering from heart
disease increases by 30 percent
a year, but slows after that age
to around five percent a year.
Amy Thompson, British
Heart Foundations Senior
Cardiac Nurse, said: Were still
a long way from fully under-
standing the reasons why men
and women are affected by heart
disease in such different ways.
Its been thought for some
time that women are protected
by their hormones up until the
menopause, but this research
suggests that it could be down to
other biological differences
between men and women. We
need to see much more research
in this area to find out what is
going on and why. What we do
know is that every single one of
us is at an increased risk of heart
disease as we get older. Old,
young; man or woman; there are
plenty of ways we can all look
after our heart health. Stopping
smoking, eating a healthy diet
and getting plenty of exercise
are great ways to protect your
heart as you get older.
The latest study into the
effects of the menopause has
been published in the British
Medical Journal.
Menopause not cause of
womens increased heart attack
Old, young; man or
woman; there are plenty of
ways we can all look after
our heart health. Stopping
smoking, eating a healthy
diet and getting plenty of
exercise are great ways to
protect your heart as you
get older
Amy Thompson,
British Heart Foundations
Senior Cardiac Nurse
It is sad and ironic that
regimes that seek to main-
tain their rule through mili-
tary force have often pur-
chased their weapons from
Britain, such as Libya,
which has purchased 120
million Euros worth of
British arms since 2005
British Church leaders
New term.
New books.
New uniform.
Cant wait
to start school!
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