#IvoryCoast – September 26, 2020 — Workers in the cocoa industry of Ghana and the Ivory Coast should begin to earn higher salaries in October; a 2018 agreement struck between the countries which are the world’s top producers of cocoa is beginning to bear fruit.

The Price Agreement, signed in March 2018 was chiefly aimed at ending price competition and levelling what the marketplace pays for cocoa from either Ghana or the Ivory Coast.

It is working, and can hopefully boost income from just three percent of the global chocolate industry revenue, to a figure commensurate with the level of production.

The International Cocoa Organization published in 2017, that the chocolate industry recorded $22 billion of trade. The Ivory Coast earned scraps; a mere $3.3 billion when it produces 44 percent of the world’s cocoa.

The State of the African Diaspora, SOAD is not only monitoring the progresses of the Price Agreement and the strategies being undertaken to ensure African nations can convert highest production into highest earnings, but it has a multi-talented farmer in the field.

“His Excellency, the man in front of you, is a medical doctor, a farmer, a city mayor and a chancellor of African Kings and African Leaders. Since the Declaration of The Sixth Region of Africa, the State of African Diaspora has been officially created on July 1st 2018, at the 31st Summit of the African Union, in Noaktchot in Mauritania.   

His Excellency Dr Roland Goprou has been appointed by The Prime Minister of The State of African Diaspora, His Excellency George-Louis Tin as the First Roving Ambassador of Africa. 

As an Ivorian, His Excellency Roland Goprou, according to the saying: ‘Charity starts at home’ has decided to take the four Mano River Countries as his stronghold.  Since last year he has been travelling in those countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia to present his accreditation letter to the different governments,” said Professor Bertin Amissale, speaking at the introduction of Dr. Goprou on May 25, 2020.

His Excellency Dr Roland Goprou runs a successful cocoa operation along the Mano River and approved the declaration signed between Alassane Ouattara, Ivorian President and Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana.

“This agreement will benefit us because there will be a price stability.  Two heads of state finally agree to practice the same prices in Ghana and the Ivory Coast will be a sigh of relief to producers because it will prevent the illegal selling of our various products,” said His Excellency, Dr. Goprou who has actioned scholarships for 1,000 Liberian youth from the State of the African Diaspora and who is advancing a potable water project for the Mano River countries.

SOAD is recognized by the 47-year old Mano River Union, (MRU) which synergises protective and developmental efforts for the countries of Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where the MRU is headquartered.

“Also good news for producers, on September 24, Youssouf Fadiga, Director General of Ivorian National Bank said support will increase by eight percent compared to the previous campaign, and will be for cooperative societies, businesses and operators in the coffee-cocoa sector in order to enable them to finance more easily their purchases.  A 2020-2021 marketing campaign is also set to be launched in a matter of days on October 1,” informed His Excellency as he rehashed a major announcement by the Ivorian National Bank (BNI) which has earmarked nearly $200 million to support coffee and cocoa farming. 

Other plans of these top tier cocoa producers, via the 2018 Agreement, is to boost harvest,  expand storage capacity, potentially venture into cocoa paste production and collaborate to protect cocoa crops from swollen-shoot disease.

#TheCaribbean, September 18, 2020 – An overflowing Kaduna River has again dealt a harsh blow to the villagers, which live along its banks.  At least four were killed and 15,000 people displaced following the deluge which fell for hours on August 10. And the rains came again, with intensity at the start of September.

The report of the devastation in this North West territory of Nigeria has resonated with Pan Africanists around the world and has activated the State of the African Diaspora, SOAD that is mobilising immediate and long term help.

“The gesture is molded as the normal distress assistance offered all over the world. To this end we have decided to carry this out under SOAD’s Food Security Program. The efforts of the forerunners of this program, especially those of Nina Womack and brother, Melvin Brown motivated this new effort,” said Tijjani Zubairu Onuvajor, an educator and engineer.

Caribbean citizens know and appreciate their connection to the countries which comprise Africa.  In recent months, Caribbean citizens have also been electrified and awakened by the Black Lives Matter movement which has rocked the planet and re-exposed to new generations, the disparaging treatment of black people.  A bi-product of the BLM protests is heightened sensitivity and renewed interest in Africa, and her people. 

Deandrea Hamilton, a Caribbean region journalist is the SOAD MP for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.  Ms. Hamilton says, “Caribbean people understand what it means to have a natural disaster move in and overwhelmingly turn your world upside down.  The gravity of the loss of the flood victims at Kaduna River can become an opportunity for Caribbean residents to build bridges back to the ‘Motherland’ by being our brothers’ keeper.  It is just a question of whether or not the millions of African descendants who populate the islands of the Caribbean are ready, willing and able to support welfare initiatives like the SOAD Food Security program.”

The goal is to provide a month’s supply of food and toiletries, which SOAD Food Security Program managers explain will buy these otherwise enterprising villagers some time, giving them a good chance to get back on their feet quickly.

On a normal day, like any other community, the people are usually up and about fending for themselves in their personal businesses ranging from small to large-scale types.

Appointed Ambassadors in countries and cities around the world represent SOAD.  In Nigeria, Bldr. Tijjani Zubairu Onuvajor, who is a SOAD MP, will manage the distribution.

“It is our desire to show to the victims that people of the diaspora care about them. It is the focus of SOAD Food Security program to achieve the following objectives:

• Assist the needy with immediate essentials to cushion the effect of the flood
• To prepare for both medium and long-term assistance of communities that suffers such fate in Nigeria and its environs.
• To introduce SOAD as a provider of alternative help or solutions to people’s problems in our communities Thereby paving ways for more extensive engagements to improve the quality of life of our people.

Putting this gesture into context it is right to explain that the floods are a part of life in Kaduna, which is the capital of Kaduna State.”

There is a robust existence for the 1.3 million people who call the capital home.  It is a center for learning which is cradle to the Kaduna State University, the Nigerian Defense Academy, the Kaduna Business School, the Institute of Ophthalmology and the National Board for Islamic and National Studies.

The families impacted by the flooding are mainly traders and farmers, as Kaduna is also an agriculture and transportation gateway to the Northern region of the country.

The government, as a matter of responsibility, does issue flood alert warnings. In this particular case it had been issued by the Kaduna Emergency Disaster Management Agency; it called for the residents to evacuate the area.  News agencies reported however, that many did not leave because of apathy or largely because they underestimated the enormity of the devastation.

Senator Uba Sani, representative for Kaduna Central (APC) had ordered an assessment of the district, which listed Abubakar Kigo road in Kaduna North; Barnawa in Kaduna South; Karatudu, Romi, Narayi and Sabon Tasha in Chikun as the areas worse hit.

SOAD will raise, $10,000 USD; which will bring immediate relief to the thousands hardest hit in Kaduna.

“Caribbean citizens interested in supporting should contact Ms. Hamilton,  (Deandrea@MagneticMediaTV.com) for onward delivery to the MP in charge of the distribution of items in Nigeria. We have put structures in place to ensure these gifts will make the right impact,” said Bldr. Onuvajor, SOAD MP for Nigeria.

And the need along the Kaduna river has increased. 

Devastating floods have continued in Kaduna State; on September 3, hundreds of residents were again displaced by the downpour which caused the river to breach its banks.  In the August floods, four people died.  In the September flood, the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency reported that thankfully, no lives were lost.