Zamalek set sights on Yanga

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Young Africans

Young Africans team

Egyptian giants Zamalek FC are set to come to Tanzania with a contingent of 27 people ready for their first round first leg match of the CAF Champions League against Young Africans later next month.

Zamalek spokesperson reportedly told SuperSport that the club is ready for her trip to Tanzania and that they have been issued 27 Visas for the first clash with Yanga scheduled for February 18 in Dar es Salaam.

To make sure that they regain their dominance in the continent, Zamalek have recruited top quality stars to strengthen their squad ahead of the forthcoming Champions League campaign. The list includes top quality partner strikers Ahmed Hossam “Mido” and Amr Zaki, who previously featured for different Premier League clubs in England, as well as EIslam Awad, Nour Elsaid and Alexis Enam.

And, the five times African Champions are expected to use the quintet to fire on all cylinders when they confront Yanga, who are their first hurdle in their quest to snatch their sixth continental silverware.

Other players who are likely to make up the squad include Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed, Mahmoud Abdul-Rahim “Jnc”, Mahmoud Fathallah, Hany Said, Salah Suleiman, Karim Hassan, Mohamed Abdel Shafi, Sabry, Ahmed Samir, Omar Jaber, Hazem Imam, Ibrahim Salah, Merghany Ahmad, Ahmad Tawfiq, Ahmed Hassan, Alaa Ali, Mohammed Saeed “snapshot”, Shikabala, Ahmed Jaffar, Hamdy Hussein, Ahmed Abdel-Kader, Mohammed Ibrahim and Hossam Arafat.

Zamalek won the last of their five Champions League titles in 2002. They have struggled since then, with arch-rivals and Cairo foes Al-Ahly surpassing them to take their sixth Champions League title in 2008. The match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam will be officiated by Ethiopian referee Bamlack Tessema, who will be assisted by Yilma Knife and Mussie Kindie.

Tanzanian Waziri Sheha, will be the fourth official while Malawian Charles Kafatia, will be the match commissioner. Meanwhile, Zamalek management has dismissed concerns that head coach Hassan Shehata might leave after the surprise ENPPI defeat broke their 8-match victory run. Zamalek Vice-President Raaouf Gaser insists that the club board is fully committed to Shehata, denying any possibility that the coach will leave his post after the 2-1 loss to ENNPI on Friday night.

The three precious-point loss had the Zamalek fans venting their anger on their veteran coach, Shehata, who indicated with his hands that he will leave. “Shehata’s gesture was out of momentary anger after  seeing the opponents scoring two goals,” Gasser was quoted as saying by the club’s official website. “I am confident that Shehata will not leave us in this critical period of the domestic league, as the team is expecting crucial games on their way to the tournament’s title.

“The board has full confidence in the technical staff and players, and our fans must support them to resume our successful campaign,” concluded Gasser. While Zamalek suffered a shock defeat in domestic league, Yanga registered an emphatic 3-1 over JKT Ruvu on Saturday. The win not only revived Yanga’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title but also boosted their confidence in the lead up to the Zamalek clash.

Source Tanzania Daily News

Tanzania to reign in natural gas production

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IMF deputy managing director and acting chairperson Naoyuki Shinohara

Tanzania has good prospects of becoming a major producer of natural gas by the end of a decade, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

But, the Bretton Woods institution has warned that successful management of the future gas wealth remains critical. Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Tanzania, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair Naoyuki Shinohara stated:  “There could be large foreign direct investment inflows over the next five years, and a substantial increase in exports and government revenue beginning around 2020.

“The authorities are appropriately planning to review over the coming year the macroeconomic policies and institutions that are needed to meet this challenge.” The country has proven natural gas deposits of about seven trillion Cubic Feet (CF). It is estimated that Tanzania will confirm around 60 trillion CF of natural gas from the current seven trillion CF.

About 3.5 trillion CF of the reserves have already been commercialised with natural gas wells being drilled in Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay gas fields. Tanzania’s gas reserves border those of Mozambique in the Ruvuma basin where commercial natural gas reserves of about 800billion US dollar (1,280trn/-) have been discovered by Eni SpA and Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

To prepare the economy for major gas investments, the government is drafting a natural gas master plan as well as a gas and petroleum revenue management Bill. The Bill will cover the budget treatment of gas revenue. Also the tax regime will be reviewed to ensure adequate cover for the gas sector. This will go hand in hand with development of staff expertise in the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) on tax issues associated with the development and exploitation of gas.

The reports for huge gas deposits have drawn the interest of the world’s largest oil and gas exploration companies such as BP, Petrobras, Statoil, Exxon Mobil and Shell. According to Bloomberg, a news wire firm, this year, 23 wells will be drilled off Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, almost double the number in 2011, according to research from Morgan Stanley.

“Assuming that the drilling success is continued you would expect to see consolidation around probably one mega-terminal,” for Mozambique and one in Tanzania, Ophir Chief Executive Officer Nick Cooper said in an interview. “Obviously the bigger fish tend to eat the smaller fish.”

Statoil ASA (STL), Norway’s largest oil company, plans to drill a well this year at an exploration block in Tanzania where it’s a partner with Exxon Mobil, CEO Helge Lund said. Statoil also has to drill at two exploration licence areas in Mozambique before 2015. The “geographic location is almost perfect for LNG” shipments eastbound, the Exxon Mobil CEO said.

Mozambique and Tanzania may eventually rival Qatar and Australia as the world’s biggest suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Investec’s Joyner said. The East African deposits found so far are large enough to justify construction of at least eight LNG production trains, according to estimates by the companies.

By ABDUEL ELINAZA, Tanzania Daily News

Stephen Paves Windy Way

pinkfmonlinegh.com
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A second half goal by Stephen Gurah helped Windy Professionals to secure a maximum three point’s over venomous vipers in the 2012 Division One, Zone ll League.

 

Playing home way from home due to a three match ban, Windy Professionals carried the game to Vipers as they  enjoyed a great pound of possession and dictating the affairs of the game from the defensive half to the attacking third of the pitch.

 

As Windy Professionals kept pushing the ball to Vipers the goal was just a matter of time and their one time dare devil striker Stephen Gurah’s blind-folded move over the the Vipers defence in the 82nd minute saw his shot hitting the twine to register the only goal of the match.

 

“I am very delighted that we won this match because that’s what we prayed for and we thank God that he has granted us the three points which we really deserve”.

 

“For me, I see this year as my year of breakthrough and I will do my best to be slotting in the goals in other to help Windy Professionals to qualify for the middle league which is a dream of all my colleagues”. Stephen told Pink fm after the game.

 

By: El-Amisty Nobo

ENVIRONMENTALISTS LAURA TURNER AND BARBARA PYLE TO VISIT GHANA

gmaworld.com
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Accra, 27th January, 2012: Environmentalist and Chairman of the Captain Planet Foundation, Laura Turner will pay a visit to Ghana this February. The daughter of Ted Turner, Mrs. Turner-Seydel is the recipient of numerous humanitarian and environmental awards. She will be accompanied by Barbara Pyle, co-creator of the award-winning 1990s animation series, Captain Planet,  founder of the Captain Planet Foundation and  lately, the environmental movement The Planeteers.  They are visiting Ghana as guests of the Rotary Club of Accra Airport and Global Media Alliance. They will participate in a series of humanitarian and environmental activities and events scheduled to take place in the country from the 1st to the 5th of February, 2012.

Mrs. Seydel will assist in launching the Accra Airport Rotary Club Foundation. The foundation will serve as the action arm for Rotary Club of Accra Airport’s service to their community.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Rotary Club of Accra Airport Foundation, Mr. Kwesi Atuah, expressed delight  at having Laura Turner-Seydel as Guest Speaker for the occasion and remarked that ‘Considering her role in humanitarian efforts, it is only fit for Laura to address such a memorable occasion for the Rotary Club of Accra Airport, Ghana and International’. He added that the launch will also witness a fund raiser to help raise funds for the club’s on-going projects, and also to initiate and pursue other life-enhancing projects.

The Rotary Club of Accra Airport, which turned ten years last year, has embarked on several life-touching projects including eye screening tests and treatment for some 200 cataract and glaucoma patients.

END

 

Rotary Club of Accra Airport: The Rotary Club of Accra Airport was chartered in 2000, hence our name the Millennium Club. The club currently comprises 50 members from a varied professional background. Seventeen (17) of our members are female. Our club has 35 Paul Harris Fellows.

The Club has chartered one Rotaract Club – The Rotaract Club of Central University.  The club has sponsored 7 students for RYLA, sponsored one ambassadorial scholar to the USA and counselled several ambassadorial scholars in Ghana. We have undertaken a lot of projects which have impacted on innumerable communities.

 

About Global Media Alliance: Global Media Alliance (GMA) is a focused Integrated Media & Entertainment Company with a vision of becoming an industry leader in Africa. The Company has a wide footprint in Africa with significant presence in West Africa, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya.

With over 300 experienced, young and vibrant staff, GMA is a leading communications company in West Africa. Our expertise is a blend of talent and knowledge harmonized from our diversified and varied staff force with people from different parts of the world including India, Kenya, Germany, Lithuania, Greece, Italy, USA, UK and a many more. Founded in South Africa in 1998 and later moved to Ghana in 2001, GMA is a corporate member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

GMA has established itself as a leader in the Public Relations, Event Management, Media and Entertainment industries with unsurpassed innovation and strategic relationships. Known as trailblazers, GMA introduce new concepts to the Ghanaian public such as the first international multiplex cinema, a lifestyle store and a full service broadcasting wing; Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC), comprising three radio channels and a free-to-air television channel with superior programming.

 

Visit GMA website: www.gmaworld.com

GHANA PLANETEER MOVEMENT TO HOST LAURA TURNER AND BARBARA PYLE

gmaworld.com
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Accra, 27th January, 2012: The Ghana Planeteer Movement, the local chapter of the Captain Planet Foundation, will host two top US environmentalists Laura Seydel-Turner, Chairperson of the Captain Planet Foundation, and Barbara Pyle, founder of the foundation.  They would participate in a series of activities scheduled from the 1st to the 5th of February.

While in Ghana on their five-day visit, Laura Turner and Barbara Pyle will pay a courtesy call on the U.S Ambassador to Ghana, the Minister of Environment, as well as the Mayor of Accra and some environmental institutions, together with members of the Planeteer Movement of Ghana.

Timothy Karikari, President of the Ghana Planeteer Movement notes that Laura and Barbara’s visit is a boost for the group. “Having our founder and chairperson visit us is a motivation to our relatively young movement to do much more. We would have the opportunity to interact with them and learn a lot to improve our approach towards environmental advocacy and action in Ghana”, he said.

Launched in October 2010 by Laura Turner-Seydel, together with Edward Boateng, Executive Chairman of Global Media Alliance and Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, Omanhene of the Akyem Abuakwa State, the Planeteer Movement of Ghana have been active advocates in environmental issues, putting thought and word to action and embarking on series of educational campaigns in schools as well as hands-on clean up exercises.

Laura Seydel-Turner, daughter of Ted Turner, founder of CNN is the winner of several environmental and humanitarian awards including the League of Conservation Voters Environmental Hero Award, and the Healthy Child Healthy World’s 2010 Mom on a Mission for Service Award. Barbara Pyle is co-creator of the award-winning 1990s animation series, Captain Planet, founder of the Captain Planet Foundation and lately, the environmental movement The Planeteers.

END

 

Rotary Club of Accra Airport: The Rotary Club of Accra Airport was chartered in 2000, hence our name the Millennium Club. The club currently comprises 50 members from a varied professional background. Seventeen (17) of our members are female. Our club has 35 Paul Harris Fellows.

The Club has chartered one Rotaract Club – The Rotaract Club of Central University.  The club has sponsored 7 students for RYLA, sponsored one ambassadorial scholar to the USA and counselled several ambassadorial scholars in Ghana. We have undertaken a lot of projects which have impacted on innumerable communities.

For more on the Rotary Club of Accra Airport, visit:

http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/story/StoryDetail.aspx?accountid=4761&sid=89259&stid=

 

 

About Global Media Alliance: Global Media Alliance (GMA) is a focused Integrated Media & Entertainment Company with a vision of becoming an industry leader in Africa. The Company has a wide footprint in Africa with significant presence in West Africa, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya.

With over 300 experienced, young and vibrant staff, GMA is a leading communications company in West Africa. Our expertise is a blend of talent and knowledge harmonized from our diversified and varied staff force with people from different parts of the world including India, Kenya, Germany, Lithuania, Greece, Italy, USA, UK and a many more. Founded in South Africa in 1998 and later moved to Ghana in 2001, GMA is a corporate member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

GMA has established itself as a leader in the Public Relations, Event Management, Media and Entertainment industries with unsurpassed innovation and strategic relationships. Known as trailblazers, GMA introduce new concepts to the Ghanaian public such as the first international multiplex cinema, a lifestyle store and a full service broadcasting wing; Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC), comprising three radio channels and a free-to-air television channel with superior programming.

 

Visit GMA website: www.gmaworld.com

BURUNDI: Fears of looming food shortage

News Ghana
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Not enough to eat…heavy rains have affected harvests BUJUMBURA, 27 January 2012 (IRIN) – There are fears of a looming food shortage in Burundi after heavy rains damaged two successive harvests, say officials.

“More than half of the expected harvest was lost in flooding and siltation,” Methode Niyongendako, a consultant with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said.

The rains peaked in mid-September and November, exceeding forecasts in terms of volume and frequency, and were the heaviest since October 1961, according to households questioned, added Niyongendako.

The most affected provinces include Gitega, Mwaro, Ngozi and Ruyigi, which have many rivers running through them.

In Makamba, in the south of Burundi, at least 60 percent of the banana, cassava and maize crop was swept away, according to Salvator Sindayigaya, the agriculture provincial director, with the Kayagoro, Kibago, Makamba and Nyanzalac communes the most affected.

The affected crop accounts for the country’s June to December harvest, agriculture season C, which represents 15 percent of the annual production.

According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), the persistence of banana bacterial wilt in the provinces of Cankuzo and Kirundo and the continuation of cassava mosaic disease have further undermined food availability.

“In Cankuzo, food stocks for the poorest households are quickly depleting because the harvest from the 2011 C, mainly beans and maize, was lower than expected due to excess rains,” added FEWS NET.

At present, the Ministry of Agriculture and partners are assessing the production for season 2012 A, which ends in January and represents 35 percent of the total annual production.

But there is little hope for good stocks as heavy rains, which started with the planting season in September 2011, continued throughout the cropping season.

On 11 January, for example, some 45 hectares of crops were destroyed in Buganda, northwestern Cibitoke Province.

“We were expecting a good harvest but hail destroyed all the crops of cassava and maize,” said Ernest Ndayizeye, a local leader. “Our children will die of hunger.”

Rising prices and funding issues

In central Karuzi Province, Isaac Nimpagaritse, an agriculture official, noted that food prices had increased.

A kilogramme of beans is now selling for 800 francs (US$0.62), double the normal price, after the bean crop was damaged at the flowering stage.

“If they [farmers] plant 50kg of beans they were normally getting 300kg [in harvests] but now they cannot even get [something] to eat. Many now have only a meal per day.”

Food scarcity has also been blamed for primary school drop-outs in Karuzi where 5,000 children left school in the first term of the 2011-2012 school year, according to education officials.

In response, agriculture and administration officials are calling for help with planting material ahead of the next planting season B, expected to be harvested in June.

But limited funding is a problem.

“Emergency needs are not funded; what is provided for the intervention is well below the needs,” said FAO’s Niyongendako.

A programme coordinator at the UN World Food Programme, Christian Nzeyimana, said: “There are no pledges; we live on voluntary contributions from donors.

“If the situation worsens with the results of the evaluation of season A, the gap might be even bigger and compromise other programmes.”

jb/aw/mw

Theme (s): Early Warning, Food Security, Health & Nutrition,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

View the original article here

Ladies In Business:Estelle Hosts New Album Launch in NYC+Halle Berry To Launch Shoe Line ’5th Avenue’

News Ghana
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Due for release on the 28th of February this year, songstress Estelle was kind enough ( not to us though) to hold a blogger preview for her upcoming album ‘All Of Me’. If her recent track ‘Thank You’ is anything to go by, the album will be nothing but a string of hot tracks and hot features.

Also in tow with Estelle fro the NYC bash was her musical friend and associate Mr J Legend. Estelle was said to have performed tracks from the album such as ‘ I’m doing me’ written by Ne-Yo a club banger “International” ft Chris Brown and Trey Songz and the mellow John Legend written song, “Love The Way We Used To”. How amazing does Estelle look in her all jumpsuit…gorgeous!

Oscar winning Hollywood star Halle Berry is stepping into the world of footwear this year and creating her ‘Halle Berry 5th Avenue’ collections. I’m curious to see the collection as Halle is of course an amazing style queen.

Check out what Halle Berry said about her creations after the jump

“Women have always loved shoes. It’s like if your hair is not right and your shoes are not right, the woman is not right. If both of them are right, you’re pretty much OK.”

“And shoes are a statement. They can be very sexy; they can say something about where you are in the day; they can say what your mood is; they give you a chance to accessorize. And I’m a girl that loves to change my shoes all the time. It’s an expression of who you are really. I’m a girl if I find a shoe that I really like I like to get them in all colours. I’m big on that.”

When asked about her favourite designs:

“I would say I’m a nude girl because this goes with everything. You can dress it up and dress it down. I can’t think of any girl who wouldn’t want her name on a brand of shoes. I think that’s pretty cool.”

View the original article here

Barclays Bank wins ‘shame award’ at WEF for speculating on food prices

News Ghana
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Barclays Bank has been adjudged the world’s worst company at the Public Eye ‘shame award’ for speculating on food prices as a result of which about 44 million people worldwide were pushed into extreme poverty in the second half of 2010.

The award, organised by Greenpeace and the Berne Declaration (BD), was held January 27, 2012 on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos.

Barclays’ activity is fuelling hunger and poverty worldwide, says the World Development Movement, which nominated the bank for the shame award.

“Barclays is gambling with the price of food, and therefore with people’s lives. Speculation benefits a tiny minority in the financial sector, and at the same time fuels food price spikes which force millions of people to go hungry. Governments must take urgent action to curb this reckless practice,” Amy Horton, campaigner at the World Development Movement, said on its website.

It is estimated that the bank is making up to £340 million a year from speculating on food ‘futures’ markets.

Brazilian construction giant Vale also won the People’s Award for its involvement in the construction of the controversial Belo Monte dam in the Amazon in which 40,000 people are likely to be forced from their land if the dam goes ahead.

The awards are organised each year to shame global firms whose activities are seen as irresponsible.

By Ekow Quandzie/Ghanabusinessnews.com

View the original article here

Ban urges African countries to entrench civil, political and economic rights

News Ghana
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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged African countries to entrench civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights to boost stability and development in the continent.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a promise to all people in all places at all times,” Mr. told African leaders gathered in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for the annual Summit of the African Union (AU).

He cited discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity as one of the injustices that has been ignored or even sanctioned by many States for too long.

“This has prompted some governments to treat people as second-class citizens, or even criminals. Confronting this discrimination is a challenge. But we must live up to the ideals of the Universal Declaration,” Mr. Ban told the Summit, held in a new conference centre funded and built by China.

“I salute your efforts to build African prosperity and grow intra-African trade. Our challenge is to transform Africa’s potential into progress for all,” he said.

The Secretary-General noted that 25 African countries will hold elections at either the presidential, legislative or local levels this year and urged them to ensure that the polls are well-managed, transparent and inclusive.

“The transition in Tunisia has been a model for other States. In Libya, our political mission is helping the new transitional authorities to organize elections and improve public security, rule of law and transitional justice,” said Mr. Ban.

He once again encouraged the transitional authorities in Egypt to guarantee the peaceful and early handover of power to a civilian government, uphold human rights, release political prisoners and accelerate the pace of reform.

Mr. Ban pointed out that the the so-called Arab Spring – popular protests for civil rights – took the world by surprise because traditional indicators were showing that the affected countries were “stable.”

“Yet below the surface, there was deprivation, exclusion, abuse. Events have proved that repression is a dead-end. Police power is no match for people power seeking dignity and justice,” he said.

Mr. Ban said he was committed to deepening ties between the UN and AU, noting that the fruits of the two organizations’ partnership had manifested itself in the search for peace in Darfur, in common diplomatic efforts in Guinea and cooperation on Somalia.

“Where there are differences, let us continue to find common ground for the future. For example; let us review how effectively and how quickly we are able to respond to crises,” he said.

He called for joint efforts between the UN and AU to improve the lot of women and youth in Africa, who account for 80 per cent of the continent’s population, pointing out that the presence of Liberian President President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, at the Summit was an indication that women are not only victims of war. “They are also champions of peace,” said the Secretary-General.

He called for greater representation of women in parliaments across Africa, which he said currently stands 20 per cent on average.

“We must ensure that women are fully represented in decision-making bodies, including in Egypt and Tunisia, where they played a role” in the recent pro-democracy protests.

“And we must restore hope and a better future for youth in Africa. Unemployment and poverty feed chronic instability and create tensions. I intend to appoint a special representative for youth, who will open dialogue with young people and lead our efforts,” he added.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Mr. Ban had separate meetings with the leaders of African countries, including Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan with whom he discussed several issues, including the country’s new institutions and constitutional review process.

Issues relating to post-independence arrangements also came up for discussion, including dispute over the transportation of oil produced in South Sudan through neighbouring Sudan, and the need for a quick resolution of the Abyei dispute. The Secretary-General reiterated the continued engagement of the UN in peacebuilding efforts in South Sudan.

At a news conference on the sidelines of the Summit, Mr. Ban voiced concern over the deteriorating relations between Sudan and South Sudan.

“It has become a major threat to peace and security across the region. It is the responsibility of the African Union – and its international partners, including the UN – to intensify common efforts to resolve outstanding issues and build confidence between the two countries,” Mr. Ban told reporters.

“The longer these issues remain unresolved, the greater the tensions will grow. The international community needs to act, and it needs to act now,” he said.

Mr. Ban’s meeting with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki centred on developments in Somalia, including support to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the AU peacekeeping force in Somalia (AMISOM), as well as efforts to combat maritime piracy in the Indian Ocean. He thanked the Kenyan Government for hosting a large number of refugees from Somalia.

The Secretary-General also met with the Libyan Prime Minister, Abdurrahim el-Keib, and voiced his support for the interim Government’s work. They also discussed the security situation in the country and reintegration plans for former fighters, as well as plans to improve conditions of detention.

Mr. Ban’s meeting with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, the AU current chairman, focused on de-escalating inter-community tensions. They also discussed cross-border challenges affecting the central African sub-region, including the growing threat of maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and the need for enhanced efforts against insurgents of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

The Secretary-General also met with the Presidents of Tunisia, Moncef Marzouki, Francois Boziz? of the Central African Republic, as well as Prime Minister Carlos Gomes J?nior of Guinea-Bissau. He also conferred with Presidents Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and Idris D?by of Chad.

View the original article here

African Leaders Urged to Respect Gay Rights

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The secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. has told African leaders it is time for them to respect gay rights.

Speaking Sunday before the annual African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Ban said discrimination based on sexual orientation has prompted some governments to treat people as second-class citizens or even criminals.

“Let me mention one form of discrimination that has been ignored or even sanctioned by many states for far too long, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This has prompted some governments to treat people as second-class citizens, or even criminals. Confronting this discrimination is a challenge. But we must live up to the ideas of the Universal Declaration.”

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he said, is “a promise to all people in all places at all times.”

Across the African continent, homosexuality is outlawed and discrimination against gays and lesbians can be found almost everywhere. South Africa is the only African nation where gay rights and same-sex marriage are officially recognized.

The U.N. leader, in his speech to the summit, also said African nations should accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, which several African leaders have accused of bias.

The outgoing AU chairman, Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, complained in his speech about what he called the “unjust and discriminatory actions” by international tribunals. voa

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