NOPPAW: African women are the backbone of Africa

African women have been nominated for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. The candidacy of African women for this prestigious award was submitted by Nobel Peace Prize for African Women Campaign (NOPPAW) backed by Italy based associations Solidarietà e Cooperazione Cipsi and ChiAma l’Africa.

The idea of proposing African women for the Nobel Peace Prize is aimed at making the international community recognise that without the hidden and hard work of African women, most African societies would be poorer both economically and socially.

African women are the backbone of Africa, the Campaign says. They are responsible for 75% of agricultural production and produce 85% of Africa’s consumer goods.

The campaign highlights the fact that thousands of African women’s organizations deal with political and social issues, provide healthcare and promote peace.

During war, African women endure the massacre of their fathers, brothers, husbands and sons, and are forced to watch as their children are taken from them and obliged to fight.

“Women are indeed the backbone of Africa in all the areas of life; from homemaking and raising children to the economy, politics, culture, the arts and the environment. Indeed, it is impossible to conceive of any human future in Africa without their essential, active participation. Without their far-reaching contribution today, there can be no Africa of tomorrow,” NOPPAW says.

It is a high time the entire world formally recognised African women’s significant contribution to the continent’s development.

“In our modern world, plagued by human as well as (the well documented) economic crisis, we believe that the humble woman of Africa and the pivotal role that she plays can help pave the reconstruction of a more just human society – not just in Africa, but across the globe.”

Awarding the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize to the African Women would be a symbolic act to show appreciation for their daily struggles.

The file submitted to the Noble Peace Prize Committee nominating African women for the prize included documents and reports prepared by jurists, African and European sociologists, and above all, more than 100 life stories of African women and of a network of women’s organizations in all parts of Africa. 

African continent is full of women who day by day, are doing extraordinary things to overcome their difficulties, says Mr. Eugenio Melandri, spokesman of ChiAma l’Africa Association. They are women who don’t attract media attention, but whose courage and determination, move the whole continent ahead, Mr. Melandri adds.

It is the first time in the history of the Noble Peace Prize that an enormous and informal group of people has been proposed for the prize. This symbolic gesture is aimed at provoking emotions, pushing for solidarity with African women, and above all, recognizing their important role, says Mr. Guido Barbera, President of Solidarietà e Cooperazione Cipsi. It is impossible today to imagine of any action aimed at development in Africa without putting women who are the constructors of peace, at the centre of such an action, Mr. Barbera adds.

The campaign to award African women the Noble Peace Prize will continue until October, when the prize will be given out. Many activities have been organized as part of the campaign, including a caravan organized by Cinemovil Association which will depart from South Africa to Norway, passing through  several African and European countries.

At the same time, several activities will be hosted by African women in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and in many other African countries.

An international event will be held in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together representatives of international institutions and organizations and MPs.

As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day this year, the best way of giving meaning to this celebration is to officially recognize and appreciate the efforts of African women by granting them the Noble Peace Prize.

Please back the campaign by signing the online petition on this link: http://www.noppaw.org/

NOPPAW

Via Colossi, 53 – 00146 – Roma, Italy
Tel. +39 06 5414894
Fax +39 06 59600533
www.noppaw.org & www.cipsi.it.

By Stephen Ogongo Ongong’a

Ghanaian Gospel artist Cecilia Marfo is set to perform in Verona on 12th February. The concert will take place at Via Staffali 12, Dossobuono di Villafranca Verona, from 16:00. 

Cecilia will be hosted by Prophet Elisha Amankwa of Ambassadors of God Ministry, Italy.

A lot of things can easily happen when a Christian lady decides to walk in town with no panties but Gospel musician Cecilia has confessed that she did not wear any underwear for nine solid months in her adult life. It was not because she wanted to look erotic or had an allergy for panties but she simply did not have any panties at all. She did not even have an old torn one to hold on to and had to go through hell anytime she menstruated.

Cecilia is a female musician with a male voice and is best known for her hit song, “Afunu Ba”. She explained that prior to the release of the song, life was so hard that she would wake up at dawn and go to the Kumasi market to pick up pieces of rotten vegetables and beg for bones from butchers before she could prepare food for her family.

She said the rotten foodstuffs were so valuable to her family that they actually thanked God, danced and jubilated over them. Cecilia said apart from that, the only alternative was to drink water for breakfast, lunch and supper until her husband, Clement Adu Yeboah, decided to leave Kumasi for Accra to seek greener pastures at a time she was three months pregnant with her second child.

According to Cecilia, she and her family lived in abject poverty that was so miserable that even the paupers called her poor and gave her money.

She said she eventually moved to Accra to join her husband but he was still unemployed and life was not getting any better; thus there were several times she and her children went from street to street within the Ashiaman township begging for alms. The Gospel artiste made the disclosure when she spoke to Delores Frimpong-Manso on her ‘DELAY’ show in an interview that was so moving that both the host and the guest wept.

Cecilia said the entire family had no clothes and they wore what could be best described as rags. The only additional clothes they had were given to them as gifts from people who knew of their plight, she added. With tears in her eyes, Cecilia narrated how she did not have money to buy soap to bath and antiperspirant, thus she developed an offensive body odour which made people hold their nose when they got near her.

Cecelia maintained her faith in Christianity and remained loyal to her church and church activities until Esther Smith heard her sing at a church program and recommended her to a music producer, Charles Sarpong, who took interest in her music and invested in her.

A touching story. It shows that as long as there is life there is hope. A famous Ghanaian singer in his song “Dabi Dabi Ebe Ye Yie” said “A dirty cloth cannot be thrown away, it’s just dirty and can be washed and used again. Also the only time you can count someone out is when they die.” Indeed, Cecilia’s story is a motivation to all out there who are going through tough times in their lives. Hang in there, keep trusting in God for in due season, you shall surely overcome.

By Baby Nayoca

Several Italian local Governments have backed the campaign calling for the next Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded to African women.

The latest to join the campaign are the Regional Council of Reggio Emilia, the Province of Turin and the Province of Alessandria.

The campaign titled Nobel Peace Prize for African Women was launched by the Nobel Peace Prize for African Woman (NOPPAW) Organisation a couple of years ago.

The motion asking the Regional Council of Reggio Emilia to back the campaign was presented by Councillor Matteo Riva and approved on 17th January. Apart asking the Regional Council of Reggio Emilia to back the campaign, the motion also called for organisation of several activities at local level to raise awareness of the role of African women in fighting corruption, in promoting peace, and in contributing to the continent’s economic development.

The idea to launch Nobel Peace Prize for African Women campaign came up during a seminar in Dakar, Senegal. It was a seminar on new Cooperation between Africa and Europe.

The campaign highlights the important role played by African women in promoting good human relations which promote harmony and peace, said Councillor Natalia Maramotti. She added that African women support their families and are the backbone of their national economies.

“Women in Africa are responsible for seventy percent of agricultural production; they produce eighty percent of Africa’s consumer goods,” NOPPAW says.

Unfortunately, most often these women are prevented from owning the plot of land they work on simply because they are women.

“With the help of microcredit, African women run tens of thousands of small enterprises in sectors ranging from agriculture to trading and cottage industries,” NOPPAW says.

The campaign also highlights the fact that there are thousands of women’s organizations dealing with political and social issues, providing healthcare and promoting peace.

African women continue to defend and feed their children, to fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), “and take care of the weakest and most vulnerable of their communities, despite sexual discrimination, polygamy and the lack of interest or absence of their men folk. In the face of such abuses of power, the women of Africa rise up to defend their violated rights,” NOPPAW says.

During war, African women endure the massacre of their fathers, brothers, husbands and sons and are forced to watch as their children are taken from them and obliged to fight.

“Women are indeed the backbone of Africa in all the areas of life; from homemaking and raising children to the economy, politics, culture, the arts and the environment. Indeed, it is impossible to conceive of any human future in Africa without their essential, active participation. Without their far-reaching contribution today, there can be no Africa of tomorrow,” NOPPAW says.

NOPPAW is appealing to the entire world to formally recognise African women’s significant contribution to the political, economic, social and cultural life at all levels. “In our modern world, plagued by human as well as (the well documented) economic crisis, we believe that the humble woman of Africa and the pivotal role that she plays can help pave the reconstruction of a more just human society – not just in Africa, but across the globe.”

The campaign urges the international community to find a way to make a crucial difference. This includes awarding the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 to the African Woman so that her daily struggle might be better publicized, appreciated and held as an example to facilitate human growth in Africa and the world.

Some of the prominent Italian politicians who are backing the campaign include Secretary General of Democratic Party Pierluigi Bersani, former Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Speaker of Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini, Foreign Affairs Minister Franco Frattini, Equal Opportunities Minister Mara Carfagna, MPs Walter Veltroni, Giovanna Melandri and Alessandra Mussolini, and Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno.

You are encouraged to back the campaign by signing the online petition on this link: http://www.noppaw.org/

NOPPAW
Via Colossi, 53 – 00146 – Roma, Italia
Tel. +39 06 5414894
Fax +39 06 59600533
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.noppaw.net/

By Stephen Ogongo Ongong’a

“We should actively participate in all activities in our areas”

Donkor Ida, the newly crowned Miss Ghana in Italy plans to use her title to fight against child labour, exploitation of domestic workers and violence against women and girls.

She is proud to have won the crown describing it as “a dream come true.”

“I consider this as a personal victory because it is an award which encourages me not to give up. I am also very happy for this opportunity given to me to represent Ghanaian ladies and cultures in Italy,” she says.

Ida who hails from Kumasi in Ghana has observed that generally Ghanaians in Italy have negative views about models. She would like to change that by being a role model many young people can identify with. “I’ll remain the same cool and humble Ida people have always known,” she says.

She also aspires to become an actress and to play a key role in a movie.

Asked what the qualities of her ideal man are, Ida says: “He should be a good looking guy, honest, respectful and humble.”

Her biggest dream in life is to contribute to the reduction of poverty, improve health care and education in Ghana and Africa in general.

She is advising girls aspiring to become models to be themselves and to take their studies seriously. “It’s not an easy field,” she says.

Ida would like to encourage all Africans in Italy, especially the young ones to fully integrate in the local community while at the same time maintaining their traditional cultures. “We should actively participate in all activities in our areas,” she says.

BASIC INFORMATION
Full Name: Donkor Ida
Age: 24
Place of birth: Kumasi, Ghana
Height: 1,79 m
Dress Size: 38 - 40 (EU)
Eyes: Brown
Hair Colour: Black
Qualification: Diploma in Visual Arts
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

By Stephen Ogongo Ongong’a

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