Public Health Wednesdays (PHW): Africa & Asia Health Check

AFRICA: EBOLA & MALARIA

THE NEVER ENDING CASE OF EBOLA: DRC & UGANDA

Uploaded by BBC News BBC World on 2019-06-07.

Infected boy from the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is now being treated in Uganda with Ebola.

The Uganda Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of Ebola on the border of the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Health Security is a major concern for African states but yet majority of African States don’t include Health Security concerns in their foreign policy objectives. The border between both countries need constant testing on site for anyone coming into the country.

During the MERS outbreak, Japan made travelers go through rigorous screenings before entry. In some cases, depending on the country, Japan simply did not allow entry. Proactive measures in health security might not be PC but such measures will save lives and the economy.

The cases of Ebola in the DRC this week show a decrease(54 cases) compared to the 88 cases reported two weeks ago.

ALGERIA

Source: ISS Africa

Algeria is currently between the process of revolution and the growing pains towards the democracy transition. However, Algeria is now the fourth African country to be declared “MALARIA FREE”. The other African countries declared Malaria free are: Lesotho, Mauritius and Seychelles. This is worth celebrating in the fog of war.

ASIA- PAKISTAN HAS A HIV PROBLEM…

This is so beyond tragic, enough money for weapons but none for medical professionals. Irony, so many young brilliant minds leave Pakistan to be doctors in global north countries. My former boss was of Pakistani decent, brilliant and a resume that screamed “Global Health Professional”. The tragedy here is the additional role of stigma.
Public health education is so necessary. It must be communicated in a manner which EVERYONE in the community is clear on the illness/disease. Lastly, countries such as Pakistan refuse to discuss topics such as HIV in open dialogue with the population. Pakistan now has the second growing number of HIV cases in Asia.

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

“SAY NO TO THY SWINE”

Source: Bloomberg

The African Swine Fever is harmless to humans but fatal to pigs. It has been reported in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Cambodia, and North Korea. In China, there was a case of frozen pork dumplings getting pulled from the shelves

There are also stronger consequences in the market with pork stocks

Click below for a current update on the African Swine from FAO

Here is a bit on the transmission of the transmission of the African Swine Fever. It is old but very educational.

http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/empres/disease_asf.asp African Swine Fever (ASF) is a viral disease is not harmful for people - but it does impact rural economies, their sources of income and culinary practices and, of course, a very large numbers of pigs.

“ASF was first documented in Kenya in 1921.

Honestly, it is the labeling of ASF as the Ebola of pigs that makes me cringe ....”

— Why is it called the African Swine Fever?

See you next PHW!

Public Health Wednesdays (PHW): Africa & Asia Health Check

We will catch up more on Friday Ramblings. 

AFRICA

LIBERIA

Liberia and Central Africa Republic have issued health alerts on Monkey Pox outbreaks. Last year we discussed the zoonotic disease Monkey Pox, so if you need to catch up and learn more. 

PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE

Majority of African countries do a very poor job towards investments in health infrastructure. The consequences towards this lack of investment contributes to the exhausting inefficiency of countries providing overall public health services to the public.

There always seems to be an excuse for holding “leaders” accountable towards investing in their country’s public health.
International Non-Governmental Organizations that provide “aide” fuel this destructive attitude and ideology that African leaders ought not to be held accountable because of (Fill in the blank) towards their own public health. You often find such excuses come from those that hail from global north spaces that cannot even grasp the health security issues facing Africa.

It also comes from privileged people that hold roles in leadership within these African states that fear accountability. 

You cannot actively exploit “aide” that cripples your country while concurrently complain on former colonial masters exploiting your space.

At some point in time, African leaders must admit their failure towards building and investing towards their own public health.

COOL INVESTMENT FROM JAPAN 

Read here to understand the role of TICAD as a soft power tool from Japan towards Africa Public Health.

“Do you know by 2022, Africa will need $25billion-$30billion in healthcare investment? Hospitals, Clinics, HealthCare Assets, etc ”

SOUTH AFRICA: UPDATE ON LISTERIA

The cause of Listeria for our South African friends can blamed on bolony/polony.

Source of Listeria for our friends in South Africa

CHINA & BOTSWANA- PUBLIC HEALTH AS A SOFT POWER TOOL

Last year, we touched on Botswana as a country that had so much potential with branding and “soft tools” but the government chooses not to actively invest in such public diplomacy. 


Brush up on Botswana and those soft tools

We touched on 4 neglected pieces that could build a powerful brand for the country. It appears China will apply number 2 as a soft power tool.  

ASIA

JAPAN "Let's talk about Sex"

While Japan has no problem investing in the public health infrastructure of Africa, it is failing miserably in teaching the Japanese youth on sex education.

In discussing Sexual Health Education or (Reproductive Health Education), it is absolutely forbidden for teachers to mention the following: Intercourse, Birth Control and Abortion. 

Catch up more on the dilemma of talking about sex in Japan. 

THAILAND: SUPER GONORRHEA "THE CLAP"

“If you spread the Clap....is it called the applause?”

— Public Health Wednesdays bringing the humor in Sex

Public health officials say the world's first confirmed case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea has been reported in the U.K. Health experts have expressed concern for some time about the rise of drug-resistant strains of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).

“Do you know that a person can contract Neisseria gonorrhoeae AKA gonorrhea outside of sexual contact (Vaginal, Oral, or Anal Intercourse)?

Skin to skin contact (with no sexual activity) can also pass the clap....”

Our Advice: Always use your umbrella no matter the enviroment. 

See you next PHW!

Cassava Tuesdays: Where is Morna in the Cabo Verde Brand?

“The thread to the fibers of the Green Cape

The heart beat of cape verdean people ”

— Morna Music

SIDE BAR #1

My younger years, this was the flag of Cabo Verde. The current flag came to be in 1992 but this flag below shares the familiar colors we associate with Pan African Colors.

Pan-Nationalism is quite a common theme throughout Africa. Western Asia and North Africa States sometimes labeled as Pan-Arab States share similar flag colors. Think of the following countries and the colors of their flags: - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and United Arab Emirates.

the current flag of cabo verde

“The (10)gold stars represent the (10) islands of the country.

Dark blue represents the Atlantic Ocean

The Red Stripe - Represents the road to economic progress.”

— Cape Verde

“ On a scale of 0 (Highly Corrupt), 100 (Very Clean)

Cape Verde scores 59 ”

— Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International

Capital: Praia
Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Creole
Religion: Christianity, Islam(Very small minority)
Population: 539,560

Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva

President Jorge Carlos Fonseca

“Depending on which Island, Self- Identity/Cultural Identity can be tricky. The countries listed below influence Identity Politics and Cultural Hertiage:
Brazil
Portugal
United States
Netherlands”

— Struggles of Colonialism- Water & Cassava

“Cabo Verde scores 56.24/100 on the ease of doing business.
”

— The World Bank Group (Doingbusiness.org)

Cape Verde currency...Does that face look familiar??? Look Below.... She sang with no shoes in solidaritary  of poor women that could not afford shoes.

“Do you know your phones?
Lusophone- Portuguese
Arabophone-Arabic
Francophone- French
Anglophone-English
Hispaniphone-Spanish
Rusophone-Russian”

— Behind Water & Cassava (Half Anglophone/ Half Francophone)

THE PAST

Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, (G.O.A.T).  (1924-1973)

OUR BROTHER IS ALWAYS OUR BROTHER

Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, we shall call him (Grande Irmao) of African Lusophone spaces. He is credited to be the architect of freeing Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde from Portugal.  He founded and lead the organization, Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC). This is the reason for the still close relationship between Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. Both countries still consider each other as brother countries because of their joint colonial past in fighting for independence. He is also one of the founding fathers of the Angolan political party, MPLA (Movimento Popular Libertação de Angola). I hope to touch on the other founder Agostinho Neto on another Cassava Tuesday for my take on Angola. All two were close to Mozambique’s Eduardo Mondlane a force to be reckoned with on his own right. Our three musketeers were mates at the University of Lisbon.  All three men are very important to the Lusophone political narratives in Africa.

Unfortunately, as most of our stories go with fighters of colonialism in Africa, Mr. Lopes was murdered by some disgruntled PAIGC members with the help of the Portuguese police and never lived to see an independent Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. I should note that American Intelligence deny any intervention of the Portuguese and claim that this as an issue of Creoles(Mulattos) not wanting him to be leader of the party and president of the country.

“Our Lusophony brothers and sisters are passionate about him as the Francophones feel about Patrice Lumumba and Thomas Sankara. The Anglophones on Steven Biko and Kwame Nkrumah. The Arabophone on Gamal Hussein.

All those phones in a sentence.. go use a phone today..”

— Water & Cassava

A song for our Lusophony friends by the Cape Verdean Queen of Morna, Cesaria Evora. That is the lady on the currency above this text. This song could be an ode to Angola during the time of civil war about still seeing and loving the beauty of Angola. This song also has some Cape Verdean Creole, which makes it a bit difficult to translate. It is still such a beautiful song, I hope you enjoy.

COUNTRY BRANDING EXAMPLES

  A country that is: Clean, Modern, Secure, (Outside)
   
Safe/Attractive Airline Carrier, Culturally Seductive, Positive Reputation and Behavior (Inside)

Benefits: Media and Tourists love you and it feels like this

Uploaded by Be_ Gentel on 2016-04-03.

Let's take a look at the Republic of Mauritius through the lenses of Air Mauritius

Description

now

A country that is: In-War, Transitioning out of War, High Crime, Severe Poverty(Outside)
Corruption, Citizens abuse Tourists, Poor or Inadequate Infrastructure (Inside)

Expectations: No Tourists and the Media will show more of this below. 

 Let's look at Libya through Libyan Airlines just in case the media is biased. 

أكثر من نصف قرن من العطاء ،، ليس الافضل و لكن من هنا البداية نحو الأفضل ..

Do you see yourself excited for that trip to Tripoli? Libya or Mauritius?

“Cape Verde Scores

72.2- Overall Governance Score

76.1-Safety & Rule of Law

78.0- Participation & Human Rights

60.6-Sustainable Economic Opportunity

74.0-Human Development”

— Ibrahim Index of African Governance

cape verde or cabo verde or green cape or .......

This is the importance for branding your country correctly.  This issue was so important that the country asked the United Nations to formally recognize a name change to Cabo Verde.

WHERE IS THE MORNA IN BRANDING?

There is something missing in the brand of Cabo Verde.  There are tools in their branding box, but the government is not investing in the box to promote the brand effectively. We will go through problems and opportunities for Cabo Verde in this section. 

The lack of appreciation towards country branding and working on investments that support the brand of the country thoroughly is the norm with some African countries. This is not to bash our Cape Verdean friends, few African countries truly invest in their brand and even their soft power, which we refer here to as Cassava Diplomacy. Interesting enough, despite the lack of investing in infrastructure that supports brands and soft tools, there are no issues with enjoying tools and brands from China and from former colonial countries. 

Branding examples and Soft Tools IN AFRICAN SPACES

• My use of all those phones
• Francophone countries in Africa that still view boulangeries to be of upper class but the local bakery to be for the locals. They can say Merci to Napoleon, his goal of francophonising the world down to cuisine is still effective.
• Lusophones are you Latin, Hispanic or Lusitanic? Please do not bring this up among people who identify as Lusophone unless you want to feel all their passion and love for all that is Portuguese. Please take my word for this, speaking to Mozambicans, Angolans, Brazilians you shall just be passion-ed to death.
•  The Anglophones in Africa  proudly say: My English name is…
   

BRANDING PROBLEM #1

COUNTRY CARRIER (NO LONGER AVAILABLE AS OF 3/18)

As discussed earlier with our Cassava Tuesday entries, part of the country brand must include a country carrier. The role of a country carrier is not just for quick safe transportation but to sell the country. This separates countries that are Developed, Underdeveloped and “the other”.

Inflight Magazines and Infight Entertainment highlight key players and areas of your destination. They are purposely designed to promote: Investment Opportunities, Culture, and Tourism, they are tools found in the country brand box. In this age of International Relations or state play, never forget that if the global community does not eat like you, drink like you, watch your entertainment, vacation with you, wear you as fashion. You do not matter, you are other and fair game to push other states’ soft tools or brand.

TACV Cabo Verde Airline is the country carrier of Cabo Verde but have you seen this airline before? They fly to ten destinations in North America, South America, and Europe, still does not ring a bell?

You can have a country carrier but if you do not market your brand effectively, you might as well not have one. It becomes an expense and not an asset for the country brand. Speaking of expenses, as of last year Loftleidir Icelandic will take over all marketing and business operations as the new strategic management partner of TACV. In return Loftleidir Icelandic, will have “right of first refusal” to own majority stake in TACV and Cabo Verde will be a minority holder. TACV is currently in the red of about $100 +million and as of last month, Cape Verde has decided to privatize the airline by March 2018.

SIDEBAR #2: COOL NORTH DIPLOMACY

Icelandair Group owns Loftleidir Icelandic which is the largest corporation in Iceland. So, let us say Thank you to Cabo Verde for pushing the country brand of Iceland. One country's lack of understanding in branding is another's soft power. In case you were curious, the Nordic country is part of a collective in diplomacy known as Cool North Diplomacy. 

OPPORTUNITY  #1

BLUE TOURISM- ACTIVE SPORTS TOURISM

At the coast of west Africa, there is a serious business of fun in the sun. From nearly nothing just a few years ago, water sports have taken off in Cape Verde. It's even been named one of the world's best places to surf. Now the government is trying to catch the wave.

“Cabo Verde’s (Cape Verde’s) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 4.9% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017, compared to 3.0% in the previous quarter”

— MacuHub

OPPORTUNITY #2

Attracting new markets and adding variety to its tourism package -- that is what Cape Verde chamber of tourism believes can help boost an already lucrative sector. Tourism is the highest foreign exchange earner in the country, which is made up of 10 islands off the West African coast.

“More Cape Verde Citizens stay in Brazil, Portugal, United States and Netherlands”

BRANDING PROBLEM #2-HUMAN CAPITAL FIGHT

Cape Verde is a collection of 12 islands off the coast of North-west Africa. Here, foreigners outnumber locals, and 9 percent of the country's GDP comes from expatriates. Cape Verde has few natural resources, little arable land and is prone to drought - just some of the reasons why many residents are desperate to move to greener pastures.

OPPORTUNITY #3- NEIGHBOR APPEAL

The Ghanian Company, Trasacco group purchased land in Sal Island for the purpose of tomato production. 

““We expect an investment of approximately 140 million euros, employing 3,600 workers, providing housing for most of them, to export approximately 150,000 tons of tomato per year, worth approximately 300 million euros”

— CEO of the FOISal company, Ronald Quist

OPPORTUNITY #4- GLOBAL APPEAL 

“Tourisim accounted for 44 % of the GDP in 2016.”

— World Travel & Tourism Council

The country will exempt all E.U citizens from visas to visit the country in hopes to boost tourism by 7%. This is excellent in promoting the brand because European tourist make for a huge chunk of visitors. It would be much better if this was extended to all African states, like other African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and the island country of Seychelles dropping visa requirements for other African countries. Global Appeal is only believable if your neighbors do the boasting for your brand. 

SIDEBAR #3: THE CASE OF CHINA  

The “Belt and Road” Initiative is about China Soft Power in African Spaces. This is not about economic and social development for Cabo Verde. This is China playing the game of Power and Engagement. Be CAUTIOUS of state to state “friendship” in which one state has HARD AND SOFT POWER. Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton called this Smart Power, that was the approach of Uncle Sam’s interaction with China during her term.

China is playing and Cabo Verde is getting played, you would have to go back on our MulDay entry on Africa Blue Economics and Overfishing to understand this piece. 

Cape Verde's leaders said they support the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's trip. Both countries plan to deepen bilateral cooperation. Wang Yi said Cape Verde is one of China's most important partners in Africa -- and that their bilateral friendship sets an example for large and small countries on mutual respect and treating each other equally.

The Brand of Cabo Verde must invest and work on diversifying the economy and even focusing on entrepreneurship.

Institute of Surfing-Cabo Verde, Do not laugh at me. There is a Cannabis University in the states making millions in revenue. To know more about Oaksterdam University and their subjects that include Business Courses, Cannabis Laws and Raising the best bud

Europe makes up for the largest trading partner and foreign investment for Cabo Verde. This is highly problematic and feeds into the poverty rate of the country. Cabo Verde needs to work with more African countries in this area not Europe. Reach out to Mauritius perhaps?

We shall leave you with the Princess of Morna, see you next Cassava Tuesday!

Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan for Everyone but for Africa, Yadah Yadah ....

LAST TIME WE TOUCHED ON JAPAN...

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

We will start here and TICAD much later.........

---

what is yadAH yadah?

George's new girlfriend explains things using 'Yada-yada' to gloss over things.

---

BEFORE WE START OUR STORY....

THE PAST OF JAPAN  & CULTURAL DIPLOMACY 

Cultural Diplomacy from Japan can be a touchy subject for the Asia Pacific Region. This Japan brings back memories of “Empire” and “War”. There is no soft power in this Japan below, this is pure Hard Power and Realism. Depending on you ask, Japan has never apologised for the war.  

“We are not going to apologize every year based on the new elected administration

We are not going to give funds for every new administration

We are not going to apologize for every former minister that speaks harshly about this topic

Take your statues down and then we can speak of shrine visits.”

— Japan to South Korea, China and the Asia Pacific Region

This tension will push Japan to go inside and not invest on Cultural Diplomacy because Japan is viewed through the lenses of this flag.
 

This flag was in use during the Edo period or Tokugawa period (徳川時代) about some 200+ years before the war.
However, it should be noted that this flag is controversial and painful for people of South Korea and China. Think the swastika for Germany, The Confederate Flag in America, Afrikaner Oranje, Blanje, Blou Flag of South Africa and Namibia.

This flag is a reminder of Colonialism and Imperialism.

DOES JAPAN'S DARK CULTURAL DIPLOMACY MATTER TO AFRICA?

There are three major players in Africa from Asia: China, Japan, and South Korea. Currently, there is an unspoken competition between all three on just who can be the most influential friend for Africa but that will be addressed later with TICAD.

In 2013, there were some serious tensions brewing between China and Japan on the role of “influence” and “leadership” with ASEAN. China accused Japan for trying to “assert complete leadership” in the region. 

Just because Japan invested a tiny $1.5 billion into the ASEAN union and I forgot to mention the “soft loans” that topped over $500 million from Japan to Myanmar...... 

Japan has also made sure that with every natural disaster in the Asia Pacific region, before the U.N, International Red Cross, like this Sting song... It is first to help with recovery efforts.
 

I will touch more on ASEAN states later with this blog. The ASEAN way can also serve as a great platform for some African States. Here is a tiny bit about ASEAN.

This competitive relationship between the two is creeping into Africa. 

“So, you understand now that Korea and China would not mind if Japan was out of African Affairs.

There will be no wasabi tears to shed here..

But
This does not mean Korea is simply so happy with the presence of China in Africa.

However, China and Korea could care less for Japan in Africa and for that matter Asia Pacific Affairs.”

— Water & Cassava

COOL JAPAN TO THE WEST LOOKS LIKE

However as with most things (not all), time mends and shapes everything. Japan is now known for its own unique soft power known as Cool Japan. Cool Japan was birth in the 1980’s and since then we are all trying to keep up with the cool factors of Japan. Japan is cool in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia but Africa???

COOL JAPAN & AFRICA OR YADAH...

“... THE LACK OF RESPECT AND AWARENESS OF YOUR COUNTRY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TRANSLATES TO
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A MEMBER OF THE OTHER, aka “SUBALTERN”.”

— Water & Cassava

“Antonio Gramsci used this term to refer to people considered infererior be it race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.

This term is forever stamped in International Relations Theory because of an essay by Gayatri Spivak. She asked a simple question,
Can the Subaltern Speak?

This blog is about Africa and Asia, so I do not see a problem using this word in both spaces. I should note that academically, this word is getting a bit trendy and abused. ”

— Subaltern

At this point of the Water & Cassava Blog you are versed on Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy. But if you need a refresher, just go back to any Silk Road Thursday Entry or Cassava Tuesday entry. 

“A state’s public diplomacy is a direct response to its culture, foreign policy, and political ideologies.

These three elements drive attraction and create a unique soft power for the respective state.

All three elements must be present for the soft power effect to occur.

Cultural Diplomacy is a soft power tool that occurs during the long-term run while Public Diplomacy focuses on the short-term run of the country.”

— Understanding the complex ties with Japan and Africa through the lenses of China and Korea

Officially the name of the Japanese flag is called Nisshōki ("sun-mark flag"). Commonly people refer to the flag as Hinomaru ("circle of the sun").

AFRICA IN JAPAN POP CULTURE

SIDEBAR #1 : "SOFT CONNECTIONS" CHINA IN AFRICA.

While China's economic and trade impact on Africa has raised global attention, China also runs one of the world's largest short-term training programs. It also gives generous support to 31 Confucius Institutes teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture at many top universities in Africa. So what do Africans feel about the deliverables of China's soft power investment?

“Do you see the problem here? The China culture must be understood and learned but noticed the African leader not advocating that this street be a two-way street. 

Japan can use this as an entry tool to Africa. Korea and China still don’t understand this piece on diplomacy in Africa must be fluid. ”

JAPAN IN AFRICA CULTURE???

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa.  It is a yada-yada approach! The assumption here on both sides is, in the name of TICAD all will be great. Diplomacy must be fluid and Soft influences must go both ways. Majority of African leaders suffer from forms of the colonialism disease that range from early stages to fatal stages in development, so they do not invest in their “soft influences”. They have no problem absorbing other soft influences on the behalf of aid and relief. Africa has made no efforts to work on the art and execution of niche diplomacy in Asian spaces.

Culture is an extended arm in International Relations. A successful relationship between Africa and Japan will be expected for Japan not to downplay the role of culture and identity of Africans in Japanese spaces.

 

BUT JAPAN HAS AFRICAN FESTIVALS...

Festivals do not count per-se, because they are just extra pluses towards the city brand. It benefits cities in Japan that have “African themed festivals”, it shows the global stage, “Japan is DIVERSE!!”.

INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS

International Relations can be best described today as Intercultural Relations. The U.S vs. West Asia is a great example on just how the lack of respect and appreciation of Intercultural Relations can bring countries to their knees.

The very definition of International Relations that is “relations with other nations” rests on the shoulders of that each country has unique traditions, social interactions, political dynamics, and intellectual orientations that make up the country. Japan must understand, with interactions towards any African country, it will go favorably if they start to pay attention to those shoulders.  

There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy between Africa countries and Japan. This is not unique to Japan because China and Korea do not value this or have no clue on a starting point. However, this gap could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. The neglect or underestimation of cultural diplomacy towards Africa by Japan hinders fluid relations but because China and Korea are guilty of this issue, Japan can use this as winning attribute to building on African Affairs.

some examples on how Japan can work on CD with Africa:

• Pop Culture
  Anime and Manga with African Myth and Folklore, Cool Japan!

• Academic
  Educational Exchanges that include professors and students from both spaces. So not just African students going to Japan for graduate studies but Japanese students and professors in Africa Academic spaces. This also means more African Professors and Deans in Japan universities that claim to teach Africa Affairs.
  

“If the Education Sector can appreciate the importance of “French Academics” teaching Francophone studies ....
Then it must have no problem understanding the importance of African Academics teaching African Studies”

• Blue Economics (Beyond Fish)

• AgriMarketing/ Agri-Economics

• “Experimental” Tourism

  LASTLY ON CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

The new diplomatic language of the 21st century diplomat rest on:-

• Do your “friends” and "neighbors" speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Does the global stage speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Are you humanitarian friendly? (Later on this piece)

Cultural Diplomacy is not about countries explaining their “self” onto the global stage. It is based on Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy. 

“Applying unique intelligence base on culture, history, identity, etc. to build and increase understanding with other countries while simultaneously working on your own interests. Multiple actors, cultural promoters are needed to get this point across....”

— Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy

JAPAN HAS A MEDIA PROBLEM IN AFRICA

Japan lacks international mass media presence on the global stage to promote its image. The United States has CNN and FOX. The UK has the BBC, but do you know the name of Japan’s international broadcasting channel???

Waiting……….

The NHK network could be key to setting up stronger ties to Africa. What better way to spread your message to your new friends using their language with their faces?

P.S NHK has a KiSwahili Channel but BBC has Pidgin, Hausa and so much more. NHK needs to pick up the pace. 

We leave you with this video of African artist, Dobolo based in Japan.

See you next Silk Road Thursday!

Public Health Wednesdays (PHW)- Africa & Asia Health Check

WHO WEEKLY REPORT: AFRICA

“This feel good R & B jam by the elements goes out to: Namibia, Botswana, Swaiziland, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria and Eritrea for no ongoing events.”

— Water & Cassava

---

AFRICA

“There is a conscious effort here not to touch on issues that occur in or around the United States. However, the United States is a super power state that touches, “influences” all that is on this blue ball we call home. So, time to time, I will have to touch on U.S Foreign Policy, especially with conversations that include South Korea and the continent of Africa. ”

— Behind Water & Cassava

This so called global gag rule has been ongoing, since President Ronald Reagan. It is just with Trump, as with policy and law, it was upgraded.

A loss of over $8 billion in aid will be felt globally and services that are offered from this funding includes: HIV, Malaria, Cervical Cancer, TB, Family Planning, and a host of comprehensives health care needs. Groups that accept funding must stop offering abortion services even if it is legal.

I should point out here that every woman that goes in for services is not getting an abortion. I am not so sure the concern on a uterus and sets of ovaries that are not yours. This fixation on genital parts and reproductive organs and never the proactive health on the organs.

Research on gynecological diseases and disorders??? Sanitary napkins that do not include nail polish remover?? Condom use and research for women?? There are a host of other issues but moving along…….

Comprehensive health care for women includes full family planning services and that includes abortion services. It is ironic, the current administration views killing children in West Asia and Africa making “America Great” again. A fetus gets more sympathy and adoration that its final stage of development.  

Unfortunately, or (Fortunately) the States is the largest donor to all International Reproductive Health Efforts. African Countries have continuously not placed public health on the top list of development. They depend on Medical Diplomacy to take care of their own citizens. The U.S cannot be forced to give aid. The current administration is applying realism to all interactions with other states. What happens to America if some girl in Mozambique or Kenya lacks access to condoms, pills, well woman visits or abortion services? …….

“Therefore, you do not depend or pray to which colonized you. You will and always stay a slave.”

— Biko and 'dem tried to warn you...

The Trump administration has argued that forcing America to give aid that includes abortion services is Western Cultural Imperialism. With all 54 countries that make up the continent of Africa, abortion was only learned from westerners. I appreciate the insult inside the insult.

“…. Cultural Imperialism for Medical Aid now you say? My goodness, what do you call constantly raping the land of all resources, putting in “applicable heads of state”, Ah yes! Stealing people??? Could you please leave all together and return raw materials as you leave?....”

— Everyone below the Equator

Which African Countries will be affected?

Check out the map below.

EBOLA & CORRUPTION

Apparently all three countires lost over $6 million due to corruption during the Ebola epidemic. 

AIR POLLUTION AND AFRICA

“Air pollution may kill more Africans than HIV/AIDS”

— Shut the Front Door, No way!!! Who the Hell?? What..

WHAT YOU ARE TOLD ABOUT BIO MASS

ASIA

THAILAND

We touched on this briefly last PHW, but there is a drug resistant form of Malaria that has developed from Cambodia and is spreading to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. How is Thailand dealing?

CHINA

Uyghurs: Muslim Minority

China is offering free health care that includes wrap around services for a minority group in China known as the Uyghurs. With the disguise of using applied public health, China is collecting and storing DNA samples that includes biometric data to keep track of the Ugyhurs population.

OUR PINK NEWS IN ASIA- QUEER RIGHTS IN ASIA

JAPAN

ARE YOU OVER 60? MOVE TO JAPAN

Once again, Japan is the best country in Asia for older people to live. If you stay or have visited Japan, this is not surprising at all. I do still see a need for more interactive programs that target the senior population.

KAROSHI & MENTAL HEALTH IN JAPAN

Japan is notorious for incredible working hours that care less of your mental health and more on your dedication to get it done. Even if it means this will kill you, that form of death is known as Karoshi. Workers work 80+ hours over time a month, I am familiar with this kind of work hours. I had a lot of interaction with Texas State Troopers, Houston Police, and Clearlake Police, as I slept on the side of the freeway in my car from one case to the next case. 

I recall making it to a gas station and telling myself if I would just crash for 15 minutes. That ended up to be 1 hour with a police officer banging on my window, asking about my social welfare. After seeing my work ID, he simply said “This job will kill y’all”. I feel the pain and exhaustion of the video below.

A Japanese phenomenon known as "Karoshi," which means "death from overwork," is affecting many young men and women in Japan. Almost 2,000 people in the country committed suicide for reasons related to their job in 2016. Lucy Craft reports from Tokyo.

But it appears a change is coming for Japan…

SOUTH KOREA

ASSISTANCE TO BANGLADESH

South Korea will donate $500,000 to UNFPA Bangladesh to help wth women and girls affected by the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

PILLS,PILLS, PILLS

“Africa Countries,
Do you hear what Kimchi Land knows???
Do you hear what Kimchi Land sings???
South Korea will be investing a bit over $ 3 Billion in their pharmaceutical and health care industries”

— Do you Hear What I Hear with a Twist?

Sister Whitney to all....

MENTAL HEALTH in south korea- ‎한,정

There is room for intersectionality in discussions of mental health. However, the gravity and complexes with mental health surrounding South Korea is heartbreaking and complexing. I am a product of Africa and the diaspora and I appreciate minding my space with some topics.
I can only give my opinions and thought on this issue from my professional and academic background. However even in critiquing the issue of mental health, I am coming from the lenses of the ‘Asian Diaspora”. This is not sufficient, I think to truly critique the issue however as an applied public health professional, I shall try with framework.

South Korea has a unique psychology (Han,  ‎한) that shapes the social dynamics of the society. These pressures of “making it” might be responsible for why less than 48 hours ago, the leader of the Korean pop group SHINee died by suicide.

South Korea is one of the most advanced countries on earth but sadly the stigma behind mental health puts the country on the list of countries that do the least for mental health. There is also the case of Jeong ( 정) that requires you to exercise sympathy and empathy, which is why the lack of care and efforts towards mental health is perplexing.

Until next PHW