So far, media coverage of China’s involvement in Africa has mostly been about investment. Stories of Chinese engineers in hard hats standing by roads up mountains in Ethiopia. Stories of Chinese farmers moving to Zambia.
But, in a push to extent its economic reach, China is now making a very real effort to export its culture to the world’s poorest continent. Last year the Asian giant overtook the U.S. as Africa’s top trading partner, confirming to the West that it has a real battle on its hands to maintain its influence over African nations.
But, while China’s economic influence is now mighty and its cheap goods can be bought everywhere from Lagos to tiny tribal villages in remotest Ethiopia, Africans, especially young ones, still admire and try to copy U.S. culture.
Middle class teenagers in Nairobi dress like suburban kids from Atlanta, posters of Obama adorn minibus windows in Kinshasa, American hip-hop is everywhere.
China now seems to have realised this.
Here in Addis Ababa this week China and Ethiopia signed an agreement to work on a “cultural exchange program” from 2010 to 2013. Ethiopia’s state news agency said the countries will dispatch “art troupes, artists, writers and art exhibitions” to each other. It will be interesting to see how mutual the traffic is.
And it’s not just China trying to use culture to secure access to a continent overflowing with mineral resources and a largely untapped consumer market of nearly 1 billion people with more money in their pockets each year.
Addis Ababa is host to Chinese, Indian and even Turkish schools where Ethiopian children must sing the national anthems of those countries every morning, where they learn their languages, their dances, their songs, their particular set of manners. And where they learn a foreign history alongside their own.
Such schools and “cultural exchange programs” are mushrooming all over the continent as the war for influence over African countries heats up.
Similar schools from the European powers have, of course, existed for years, educating and, sometimes indoctrinating, Africa’s elite. But the British, the French, the Germans and the Spanish are losing ground to the world’s emerging powers.
So how will this all play out? What will the impact of these new cultural imports be on the individual cultures of African countries, arguably still the most unique and preserved in the world? Is this really just imperialism version 2.0?
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Gambia News : Gambia Red Cross Creates a Family Links Website on Haiti
The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) in Banjul on Wednesday disclosed the creation a family links website on Haiti to accelerate the process of restoring contacts between separated family members.
According to a press release from the GRCS, "As a result of the earthquake which hit Haiti on 12th January 2010, thousands of people within Haiti and abroad have lost contact with their loved ones. The Red Cross movement has created a family links website to accelerate the process of restoring contacts between separated family members. This website offers the possibilities for persons in Haiti and abroad to publish their own names and the names of their relatives with whom they are striving to restore contact.
"The ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) has deployed two Restoring Family Link (RFL) specialists and within less than 24 hours, 6,000 persons were registered as being sought for by their relatives or have confirmed being safe and well,” the release said.
The release went on to urged members of the general public to contact the Gambia Red Cross Society Tracing Services for any RFL needs to restore contact with loved ones with whom contact is lost, listing some telephone numbers
According to a press release from the GRCS, "As a result of the earthquake which hit Haiti on 12th January 2010, thousands of people within Haiti and abroad have lost contact with their loved ones. The Red Cross movement has created a family links website to accelerate the process of restoring contacts between separated family members. This website offers the possibilities for persons in Haiti and abroad to publish their own names and the names of their relatives with whom they are striving to restore contact.
"The ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) has deployed two Restoring Family Link (RFL) specialists and within less than 24 hours, 6,000 persons were registered as being sought for by their relatives or have confirmed being safe and well,” the release said.
The release went on to urged members of the general public to contact the Gambia Red Cross Society Tracing Services for any RFL needs to restore contact with loved ones with whom contact is lost, listing some telephone numbers
Gambia News : Gambia Tourism Employers to Vouch for Employees
Employers of labour in the Tourism industry in The Gambia have been asked to attest to the good character of their employees before they will have their licences renewed in 2010.
The warning was given here by The Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA), PANA reported Wednesday.
'This mode of registration is the first of its kind in the history of the GTA," a press release from tourism officials said.
They said that those needing attestation were tourist taxi drivers (newly employed), fruit sellers, hairdressers, staff of beach bar owners, food vendors, bicycle rentals, and horse riders, among others.
They are required to produce a Certificate of Charter from the Gambia Police Headquarters in Banjul on or before 8 January in order to be issued Operational Licences by the GTA.
The warning was given here by The Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA), PANA reported Wednesday.
'This mode of registration is the first of its kind in the history of the GTA," a press release from tourism officials said.
They said that those needing attestation were tourist taxi drivers (newly employed), fruit sellers, hairdressers, staff of beach bar owners, food vendors, bicycle rentals, and horse riders, among others.
They are required to produce a Certificate of Charter from the Gambia Police Headquarters in Banjul on or before 8 January in order to be issued Operational Licences by the GTA.
A New Gambian Site Launched: Jollof News Goes Online
Jollof News, the latest in a string of web based news sites dedicated to the cause of the promotion of democracy, has officially launched with effect from today, Sunday 17th January, 2010.
Built, powered & administered by the UK based BT Web Consult & Build company, this intended pan-African media institution, with a focus on the Senegambia region, is run by a dedicated core of mainly Gambian journalists. Like the rest of the online newspapers based either in Gambia or abroad, it is intended to add a force to an already established crusade in the promotion of a free press, with the goal of pushing for the safeguard of freedom and justice in Gambia, Africa and the rest of the world, while at the same time highlighting issues on going in the Senegambia region, through effective dissemination of information, with maximum regard for responsible and ethical journalism.
Built, powered & administered by the UK based BT Web Consult & Build company, this intended pan-African media institution, with a focus on the Senegambia region, is run by a dedicated core of mainly Gambian journalists. Like the rest of the online newspapers based either in Gambia or abroad, it is intended to add a force to an already established crusade in the promotion of a free press, with the goal of pushing for the safeguard of freedom and justice in Gambia, Africa and the rest of the world, while at the same time highlighting issues on going in the Senegambia region, through effective dissemination of information, with maximum regard for responsible and ethical journalism.
Avon Fire and Rescue Recieve insignia of Commander of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia
Avon Fire and Rescue Service has been awarded one of The Gambia's highest honours for its charity work in the West African state.The brigade has helped kit out The Gambia's fire service with used engines and rescue boats.President Yahya Jammeh has awarded the Bristol-based service the insignia of Commander of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia (CRG).Chief Fire Officer Kevin Pearson said it was a "prestigious accolade"."Not only does it recognise the training and donations we have supplied to The Gambia over the years,but it also pays tribute to the work of our staff in organising fundraising events, collecting items, filling containers and raising money for the charity," he said.
The charity Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP) was set up in 1991 by a former chief fire officer who witnessed a fatal crash while on holiday in The Gambia.He was appalled by a lack of rescue equipment and began raising money for the Gambia Fire Service when he returned home.
Gambia Radio and Television Services Gets $3million Boost
In a landmark presentation at State House in Banjul yesterday, the Republic of China on Taiwan through its Ambassador in The Gambia, Dr Richard Shih presented a cheque for three million United States Dollars (US$3M) to President Jammeh.
The gesture is earmarked for the satellite project of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS). In a brief interview with reporters at State House shortly after the presentation, the Taiwanese chief diplomat in The Gambia noted that the gesture will be used to finance the GRTS satellite project. He used the opportunity to thank President Jammeh, his government and the people of the country for their strong and continuous support for Taiwan?s international participation in all areas.
On the reaction of the president, he told the newsmen that the Gambian leader renewed his government's continuous support for Taiwan at all times. It could be recalled that the GRTS satellite project was the brainchild of The Gambian leader, who is the minister of Communication, Information and Information Technology. The satellite project, which he inaugurated in 2009, is described as one of the best satellite systems in the sub-region.
The project came at a time of unprecedented developments in the country, and since it started operations has promoted not only those developments but also The Gambias peaceful and stable environment. It is hoped that this goodwill gesture from Taiwan, one of the countrys key allies will go a long way in boosting the project.
The gesture is earmarked for the satellite project of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS). In a brief interview with reporters at State House shortly after the presentation, the Taiwanese chief diplomat in The Gambia noted that the gesture will be used to finance the GRTS satellite project. He used the opportunity to thank President Jammeh, his government and the people of the country for their strong and continuous support for Taiwan?s international participation in all areas.
On the reaction of the president, he told the newsmen that the Gambian leader renewed his government's continuous support for Taiwan at all times. It could be recalled that the GRTS satellite project was the brainchild of The Gambian leader, who is the minister of Communication, Information and Information Technology. The satellite project, which he inaugurated in 2009, is described as one of the best satellite systems in the sub-region.
The project came at a time of unprecedented developments in the country, and since it started operations has promoted not only those developments but also The Gambias peaceful and stable environment. It is hoped that this goodwill gesture from Taiwan, one of the countrys key allies will go a long way in boosting the project.
Tunisia 1-2 Gambia: Carthage Eagles Stung By Scorpions In AFCON Prep Match
The Tunisian national team was defeated 2-1 by Gambia today at El Menzah stadium in what was the first official match between the two nations. It was a tough pill to swallow for the North Africans who pressured their opponents and created opportunities from the opening whistle but could not force a breakthrough against the astute and physically imposing Scorpions keeper who was almost unbeatable on the day.
Kenya 'expels hate cleric Abdullah al-Faisal to Gambia'
Kenya has deported to The Gambia a Jamaican-born Muslim cleric notorious for preaching racial hatred, Kenya's immigration minister says. Abdullah al-Faisal was arrested last week and there have been conflicting reports about his whereabouts.
"We had problems deporting him because many countries, including the US, declined to have him even on transit," the minister, Otieno Kajwang, said.
Mr Kajwang said Faisal was being expelled for his "terrorist history".The cleric has served four years in a UK prison after being convicted of soliciting the murder of Jews and Hindus.
"He chose Gambia and we have deported him there this morning," Mr Kajwang told reporters, AFP news agency reports."In fact the information we have is that he has already landed there and Gambia has received him."
"We had problems deporting him because many countries, including the US, declined to have him even on transit," the minister, Otieno Kajwang, said.
Mr Kajwang said Faisal was being expelled for his "terrorist history".The cleric has served four years in a UK prison after being convicted of soliciting the murder of Jews and Hindus.
"He chose Gambia and we have deported him there this morning," Mr Kajwang told reporters, AFP news agency reports."In fact the information we have is that he has already landed there and Gambia has received him."
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