Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Benefits of technological development are priceless and it is therefore incumbent on African economies to capitalize on their strong partnership with China

On July 7, 2019, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement was officially implemented, becoming the world's largest free trade area since the creation of the World Trade Organization.

Among other things, it will create a single continental market for goods and services and provide value for investors because if implemented successfully, accessing Africa's 1.2 billion consumer market should be a smooth ride and serve as a catalyst for foreign direct investments. Africa needs technological support to realize the gains of AfCFTA and other initiatives and it is therefore heartening to see private Chinese enterprises taking up the initiative to invest on the continent.

It is therefore not surprising that the African Union has signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with Chinese tech giant Huawei to strengthen sectors including the internet of things, cloud computing, broadband, the rollout of 5G networks and artificial intelligence. This is a confirmation of Africa's need for Chinese technology irrespective of current sanctions from the world's largest economy, the United States.

From smartphones to smart cities, Chinese involvement will continue to be positive in Africa. Chinese mobile phone makers have been smart to tailor their products for the African market with features such as long battery life to address Africa's unstable power supply in certain areas.

China's Transsion, the maker of Techno and Infinix phones, and Huawei have substantial shares of Africa's mobile phone market, 34.3 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively.

Transsion has a factory in Ethiopia for assembling and testing its phones in addition to research and development centers in Nigeria and Kenya. And aside from the creation of jobs through technology, their physical presence on the continent can facilitate the transfer of technology and learning.

On its part, Huawei has partnered with African governments to build much of the continent's telecommunications, offering quality but affordable alternatives.

Meanwhile, in helping African retailers tap into China's large consumer market, China's e-commerce giant Alibaba launched its Electronic World Trade Platform in Rwanda in 2018 to promote cross-border trade between Africa and China. But beyond promoting e-commerce between China and Africa, we believe that, this initiative can be the bedrock for an intra-country e-commerce system boosting trade between African countries especially with Africa's free trade area policy taking shape.

The broadcast media is also not left out of this equation as we see Chinese electronics and media company Star Times playing an active role in the switch from analogue to digital transmission on the African continent.

These examples and many more are evidence of the Chinese contribution to Africa's technological development.

As developing countries are entreated to focus on technology and learning transfer as a means to becoming independent and controlling their technological infrastructure, it is incumbent on Chinese technology companies working with Africa to also exhibit good faith by providing the right training required by their hosts with no holdbacks and withholding of secrets.

Developing higher technology and placing it within the global economic integration has enormous prospects and challenges. And it positions China within the purview of global economic and technological forces.

The prospects of this development is the competitive advantage and global economic edge that China wields over emerging and already developed economies. And this will strengthen China's goal of promoting equitable and efficient global trade.

The Chinese technological transformation and contribution to global development is a success achieved in one generation.

China's economic and global trade growth is inseparable from the systematic and progressive development of its technology. Appropriate and reliable high technology is acknowledged to have been a catalyst for the acceleration of China's economic and infrastructural development. Therefore, with Africa home to the world's youngest population - 60 percent of Africans being under the age of 25 - it is not surprising to see many African countries investing heavily in technology and its related infrastructure.

So, what does this age statistic mean? It shows a booming market for technology and development. And aside from population, other events and indices such as the growing demand for industrialization puts Africa at the same point as China when the latter was beginning its economic transformation in the 1970s.

The benefits of technological development are priceless and it is therefore incumbent on African economies to capitalize on their strong partnership with China, and innovate with China's experience and knowledge.

Timothy Karikari is a PhD candidate at the University of International Business and Economics, based in Beijing. Ohene Opoku Agyemang is a PhD candidate at Jinan University, based in Guangdong.The authors contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

By Timothy Karikari and Ohene Opoku Agyemang | China Daily Global

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Gospel artiste and philanthropist Herty Corgie has been nominated in the Female Artiste of the Year USA category of the Contemporary Gospel Music Awards 2019.

Herty is vying for the trophy as is Annistar, Toya Love, Ruth Seal, Terricann Music, Jane Rita and Pastor Esinu.

On becoming aware of her nomination, Corgie submitted on her social media platforms:

“What an Amazing God we serve! I have been nominated for CGM Awards - Ghana 2019.”

Contemporary Gospel Music Awards (CGM AWARDS) Ghana scheme is designed to foster the development of the Ghanaian contemporary gospel music industry.

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Organisers reckon the contemporary gospel industry needs necessary attention to enhance its rapid growth and development in the country and in the diaspora.

Musicians who released songs, albums, videos or did any kind of project that fell under any of the published categories was required to send in their nominations by email for consideration.

The award is mainly a public choice award which allows the public 70% voting power to decide who wins what. The other 30% power lies in the bosom of board.

Herty Corgie executed the ‘Overflow Concert’ at the Grace 2 Grace Centre in the US on June 2. The Christian music event at the 7911 Braygreen Road, Laurel MD 20707 drew in gospel music notables including J.J Hairtson, Emmanuel Smith (The Voice-UK finalist), Esinu and Obenewa. 

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Kindly use this link to vote for Herty Corgie: https://www.speakupp.com/web/328447-3675/

In what some have described as the worship experience of the year, the concert was chiefly about expressing love for God and acknowledging his Supremacy.

Corgie had offered ‘Glory’, a tune edifying God few weeks prior to the concert and right after the concert impressively offered two new singles ‘Yahweh’ and ‘Ololufe’ on June 14.

At the June 2 event, Herty’s new singles were recorded live and just a week ago released the live video of the ‘Ololufe’ song on her YouTube page. Plans are in the works to release her songs and video on DVD.

Folks can support Corgie’s ministry by purchasing her music here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/hertycorgie3

Gospel music enthusiasts, pastors and church workers are encouraged to vote for Herty Corgie to win the Female Artist of the Year USA.

READ ALSO: GIJ Mentorship Dinner: A Great Learning Experience

It’s now only a matter of time before Herty Corgie’s true musical depth is experienced by all. She thus needs all the material and financial support she can get to continue churning out soul-stirring contemporary gospel music that inspires and transforms lives.

Connect with Herty Corgie on social media platforms:

Facebook: @iamhertycorgie

Twitter: @iamhertycorgie

Instagram: @iamhertycorgie

Youtube: Herty Corgie

By: Michael Eli Dokosi

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I am a Creative Arts Writer who is also into Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Photography and IT consultancy. I am also Social media enthusiast and an alumni of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).

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I am a Creative Arts Writer who is also into Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Photography and IT consultancy. I am also Social media enthusiast and an alumni of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).

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