BOOK SHELF: The Door of No Return: The History of Cape Coast Castle and the Atlantic Slave Trade

Many lyrics have echoed about the horrific Trans Atlantic Slave Trade on the process of human cargo. In 1974, The O'Jays recorded Ship Ahoy paying homage to Africans who survived and overcame the predicament of slavery and human bondage. Also, Seventies Jamaican Reggae group, The Cimmarons released Ship Took Us Away From Africa, an overnight mindblowing sensation at a time of the reggae boom and Rastafarian prophesy which took roots reggae to newer heights.

William St Clair's remarkable new book The Door of No Return: The History of Cape Coast Castle and the Atlantic Slave Trade, came at the right time after extensive and exhaustive research digging into the archives. It was fifty years ago that on March 7, Kwame Nkrumah's practical and enigmatic leadership achieved full democratic fabric, making Ghana the first West African Coast to gain independence.

I haven't been familiar with a whole lot of stuff regarding the slave trade until St. Clairs in-depth, well-written book which caught my eye at the "Black Township" where I partly engage in African cultural relativism. Very few of us are African-born and most of the people here are aging and are fast-talking in joining the band wagon - homeward bound to motherland. Their focus had been Ghana as the free land offer by the Ghanaian government is attracting every African Diaspora.

Listening to these aging folks talk, I tried to imagine what must have gotten me in this place and why am I trying to figure out why these folks think going back to motherland is the last straw. These are mostly retired men who had thought a whole lot of time had been wasted thinking the land of the free was a safe heaven until now. I also imagine these aging folks, maybe there's nothing out there for them anymore, thus no longer productive in a society where free enterprise is highly comepetitive among the youngish capitalists. Or maybe, the bills are driving everyone crazy while their retirement benefits can afford them all sorts of luxury if they relocate to motherland. Why not?

Talking about enterprise, St. Clair's book noted the entrepreneurship of the slave trade and how detailed and organized it was relying on the archives of the Cape Coast Castle. The castle's first construction was commenced by a Swedish construction company in 1653 at the peak of the Scramble for Africa when for a decade (1653-1663) the Swedes and the Danes were the domineering colonists until the British empire conquered the castle in 1664. It was a game of chess among the European traders and dealers and despite all that, the local kingmakers had the upper hand and determined a good bargain on the people that were being traded for transport across the Atlantic to the shores of America.

The book is entirely drawn from St. Clair's personal research from the archives of the castle. I think from a personal point of view and based on the tedious research project carried out by St. Clair detailing on how the Coastal kings negotiated with European traders and an ensuing warfare as the castle almost got hit by the French in 1756 and the returning of some slaves, for instance, the return of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo who also became a slave trader makes this 282 pages of Blue Bridge Books quite interesting and engaging.

News Desk Friday, September 21, 2007

Reps Exchange Blows as Etteh Defends Self

ABUJA—THE hitherto cold war between the pro and anti-Etteh groups in the House of Representatives over the N628 million controversial contracts snowballed yesterday into physical fighting between the two sides. MORE>>

Militants Get Presidential Amnesty...

ABUJA — FOLLOWING a series of high level negotiations, the Federal Government has granted Presidential amnesty to Niger Delta militants. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, announced yesterday, in Abuja, that the decision to grant militants amnesty was part of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s promise to solve the Niger Delta crisis once and for all. MORE>>

Tribunal Dismisses Yar'Adua's Objection to Atiku's Petition

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday scored a major victory in his battle to invalidate the election of President Umaru Yar’Adua, as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja held that his petition challenging the president’s victory at the April 21 election must be heard against the wish of the president. MORE>>

'Niger Bridge May Collapse Soon'

The Niger Bridge between Asaba in Delta State and Anambra State may collapse soon. The Controller of Works in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. J.A. Adesina, who spoke to journalist on Thursday, said the bridge lasted till now because of the light traffic on it initially. MORE>>

Odili Sues EFCC, Begs AGF to Stop Arrest

FORMER Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, asking the court to restrain the anti-graft body from prosecuting him over his tenure between May 29, 1999 and May 29, 2007. MORE>>

Senate to Probe Sale of Houses

SENATE declared yesterday that it would commence a probe of the sale of government houses and monetization policy of the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo. The probe is coming barely two weeks after President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua revoked the purchase of some government houses by some aides to former president Obasanjo near the villa. MORE>>

Jena 6 Rally @ Leimert Park, Los Angeles

For some reason, I thought Los Angeles area gangbangers had caused a commotion within the Crenshaw Boulevard thoroughfare of the "Black Township." That was not the case as I drove by the area running series of errands. It was the "Jena 6" rally to protest Jena, Louisiana District Attorney Reed Walters charging of six black students with second degree attempted murder for a fight that occured in school premises. A boys will be boys fight notably of teens growing up turns out racial in Jena, Louisiana.

Good thing, I was able to get a glimpse of the action and seeing all the TV trucks with cameras and microwaves recording and reporting the demonstrations, I couldn't but park my car on the huge 25 Cents an hour metered parking lot to get a piece of the action.

Thousands trooped in black to show their support with placards reading "Free the Jena Six," "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," "Slavery is over and racism is back," "No more Jim Crowe Laws," sending a powerful message that America should live up to its creed.

The traffic jam could be seen all the way from the Washington Boulevard Corridor stretching to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall to Degnan Blvd. at 43rd Street where Leimert Park sits. Meanwhile, as the peaceful demonstration was carried out without incident, vendors and store owners around Leimert Park area made brisk business selling t-shirts and other accessories to show support for the Jena 6 and their families. To be honest, I have not seen a rally in recent times where black folks came out enmasse, united to protest the trial of a seventeen year old convicted in an adult court by an all white jury for something that doesn't make sense.

I was really impressed with the move, the togetherness shown by a community that wants freedom and justice to prevail in a democratic society.

To help support the Jena 6 you can sign the petition at Color Of Change and make a donation to the legal defense fund, or buy a "Free the Jena 6" t-shirt. You can also call the Louisiana State Governor at 866-366-1121, or 225-342-7015, telling her to use her executive powers to intervene in the case. There is also the Free The Jena 6 website where you can donate, follow the case, take action and support the cause.

News Desk Wednesday, September 19, 2007

One Feared Dead, 350 Displaced by Flood

Awka—At least one person has been confirmed dead and over 350 people sacked from their homes in about 10 communities of Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, when River Niger and Anambra River overflew their banks, submerging the various communities, following a torrential rainfall last weekend. MORE>>

Yar'Adua Pledges To Match Economic Growth With Development

ABUJA—President Umaru Yar’Adua yesterday said his government would take necessary steps to address the problems of Economic Growth without development in the country, pointing out that economic growth could only be real and justifiable if it results in better living conditions of Nigerians. MORE>>

'Liberia Allowance Not Paid Since 2005'

Policemen, who returned from a peace-keeping mission to Liberia two years ago, told the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, on Tuesday, that they were yet to collect their estacodes since 2005. MORE>>

Governor With Four Wives Says No First Lady

Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako on Tuesday said his four wives had equal status in his administration. Speaking to newsmen after a meeting with President Umaru Yar’Adua, Nyako said that there was no First Lady in the state. MORE>>

Boy Beheads Dad For Ritual Purpose

Residents of Bale Ilado village in Morogbo area of Lagos State were on Monday afternoon thrown into confusion when a member of the community was beheaded by his own son. MORE>>

Reliving Holmes-Cooney Bout Tele-Talk

I had called my brother in the United States to see what's really cracking and in cases like this we normally talked about eighties pugilists and flamboyant boxers. Just to make an argument, I had picked Gerry Cooney to whoop Larry Holmes even though I knew Holmes would destroy the white man's hope. I had been reading the The Ring magazine and other boxing journals that wrote extensively about Cooney's power punch and how he had floored Ken Norton in round one at the Madison Square Garden in 1981.

As we talked frequently on the phone, my brother had insisted Holmes would destroy Cooney and that Cooney wasn't going to last. "A no contest," he would say. What do I know, really, other than reading boxing journals and besides, have not watched any of Holmes' or Cooney's fights live on close-circuit or pay-per-view. Each time we talk on the phone, even on other personal and family issues, my brother never says bye without mentioning the Holmes-Cooney fight with all amounts of impunity that Holmes will come out smoking on June 11, 1982.

So, too, the talks around town within the Lagos metropolis gisted about the upcoming bout and where to see it live on close-circuit. The airwaves, though, did a good job. We were kept posted on the press conferences regarding "The Great White Hope" never seen in 22 years after Rocky Marciano whose 49-0-0 record has not been broken.

Eventually Holmes and Cooney digged it out after all that jazzy talks and hypes favoring Cooney on my tally to demolish Holmes. I was wrong. Cooney who graced the cover of Time Magazine and a series of publications did not live to his creed as anticipated. Holmes dropped Cooney in round two sending a signal that Cooney would soon be history. I'm not sure how Cooney did it dragging the fight to the 13th round when Cooney's trainer threw in the towel saying enough is enough. The fight was one of the eighties best promoted bouts.

Just Wondering What Happened

I have not surfed the web the last few days which is really unusual. I have thought, maybe, I'm just losing it and no longer interested in all that cyber gimmick and warfare, apparently a commonplace thing. Without a doubt, cyberology is therapeutic and most surfers have relieved their pains by engaging in all aspects of discourse and other ways and means of seeking help.

My own case is a bundle of tasks. Real Estate has fallen dramatically and homeowners are now on the edge with many living on a shoe string. A record foreclosure in the nation's history has determined it's not rosy at all, and that the war in Iraq has preoccupied the minds of decision makers in D.C.'s Capitol Hill and the White House. But think of it, though, a war president who doesn't give a damn about the plight of his own people means there is something fishing; probably good or bad. After all, Ronald Reagan did it during the Cold War era sacrificing American economy to dismantling the Soviet Bloc. Am I making sense here?

Nevertheless, war is not the answer but somehow it takes care of many problems just like The Red Storm on the Reich and American's victory in World War ll stopped Adolf Hitler from wiping out the Jews, the Gypsis and other ethnic minorities from the face of this planet. After World War ll, the whole world thought it would not happen again. Of course, it happened again, and this time around, on the shores of the African continent. When Yakubu Gowon's-led Genocidal campaign and Obafemi Awolowo's orchestrated Economic Blockade nearly wiped out the Igbo nation from the face of this planet, the entire world thought it was the last straw. It happened again. In Rwanda. In Sudan. In Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The bottomline: War is an enterprise.

News Desk Friday, September 14, 2007

Kalu, AG Stalls Court's Hearing

ABUJA — A MOTION filed by the immediate-past Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kalu to terminate his ongoing trial at a Federal High Court, Abuja was yesterday stalled after the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) asked for a month-long adjournment to enable him decide whether to continue with his (Kalu) trial or stop it. MORE>>

Attorney General is Absolutely Right - Afe Babalola

Lawyer to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Afe Babalola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said, in an exclusive interview with DAILY SUN, that the AGF, had every right under the constitution to step into any criminal case he may deem fit at any material time. MORE>>

Police Kill 16 Robbery Suspects, Arrest 780 in Lagos

While briefing reporters at the State Command Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar said out of the 780 suspects, 668 had been charged to court. Abubakar said his men recovered 16 arms, 43 ammunition of various caliber, 22 stolen vehicles and 255 motorcycles from armed robbers. MORE>>

N628m Contracts: Director Faults Speaker, Others

The Director of Works and Estate Management in the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Mahdi, on Thursday said that the controversial contracts for the renovation of the residences of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Patricia Etteh and her deputy, Alhaji Babangida Nguroje, did not follow due process. MORE>>

PDP Gives Ali, Others Quit Notices

The PDP, which held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, said its decision to sack the executive officers ahead of the congresses and the National Convention was in tandem with section 13 (12) of its constitution. MORE>>

Nigeria Moves to Halt US Military

Defence sources, however, told THISDAY last night in Abuja that the Federal Government was already discussing with heads of government of the African Union and leaders of the sub-regional body, the Economic Community of West African State, on how to block any move by US to establish a base in the gulf. MORE>>

Ohakim Woos Foreign Investors

Another group in Texas was a consortium of about 12 investors providing different capabilities led by Ray Warren of Deep Southgate Chemical Blending and Manufacturing. Some others in the group include Oil Fields Services Industries, Trinity Industries and Petro Africa. MORE>>

The Ramblers Dance Band 'Hit Sound, Vol 1'

I still remember as a child walking through Kanda Estate to the Ruga playgrounds to watch our local football heroes, The Seekers Football Club play games that attracted surrounding towns showcasing talents never seen before. And I still remember, while my childhood buddies and I walked through the affluent Kanda Estate, the airwaves were all over blasting 'Knock On Wood' and we began to recite that club number released by Ramblers Dance Band. 'Knock On Wood' and probably 'Alome' were the tracks implanted in my brain until now that I started researching and digging out archives of African musical heritage.

Quite interesting and good to know, Ramblers Dance Band came a long way during Ghana's colonial and post-independence era. Tenor Saxophonist Jerry Hansen who had played with several top-notch big bands including E.T. Mensah & His Tempos Band following the highlife boom, Hansen, in 1961, broke up with Ga native King Bruce who led the Black Beats Highlife Band, then a classical, swing and jazzy-fusion blend of big bands. Hansen left the Black Beats with nine other musicians to form a 15-piece band, the Ramblers Dance Band, playing gigs, night clubs and major events all around the shores of Ghana. The Ramblers would be idolized and 'Knock On Wood' would be a national anthem as it echoed all the time at Harlem Cafe in Nima 441, Accra.

Paying attention to the music now, I can feel the originality of highlife music begun by this sensational group led by Hansen. I can also feel a drawing of rock guitar, jazzy tunes and the swing and Latin-American salsa flavors come to life. Though in the 60s, there were great big band influences like C.K. Mann Big Band, Azaga & the Archiboys, African Brothers Band and many other big band jam sessions in Accra, saxophonist Hansen took Ramblers to another level recording 'Knock On Wood,' a "soul-funktified" grooved dance track. The entire CD sounds very persuavive from the rhythmical sense, the chorus very commanding and the remastering absolutely perfect.

Track List:

1. Ekombi

2. Agyanke

3. Ama Bonsu

4.Nyame Ke Nhyehee

5. Nyame Mbere

6. Alome

7. Knock On Wood

8. Onua Pa Due

9. Ima Abasi

10.Betta Ni

11.Gyae Su Na Nkomo Dzi

12.Meda Gbefa

13Meni Nda Obiara So

Original Release Date: September 1995

Label: Flame Tree

News Desk Thursday, September 13, 2007

ICPC Boss Blasts AG Over Kalu

ABUJA— CHAIRMAN of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, yesterday blasted the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), for the procedure he adopted to take over the prosecution of the immediate past governor of Abia state, Chief Orji Kalu, from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). MORE>>

Yar'Adua Revokes Sale of House to Andy Uba

The house located along Ibrahim Taiwo road in the precincts of the presidential Villa was sold to former president Obasanjo’s influential aide as part of the monetization policy of the president Obasanjo regime. Credible sources at the Villa said the revocation was based on the fact that eight of such houses sold tosome of the former president’s aides did not follow due process. They were all revoked. MORE>>

Ibadan Jailbreak: Why We Struck - Inmates...

IT was revelations galore on Wednesday as some of the injured inmates in the jail-break at the Agodi Prison, Ibadan, related how they were being treated by the authorities of the prison command. MORE>>

No Apology to AGF, says EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday said it had not apologised to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa, or any other Nigerian over the ongoing trial of a former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kalu. MORE>>

Lawyers in Diaspora Hail Attorney General

Nigerian lawyers in diaspora have hailed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), for his insistence on the rule of law in the administration of the criminal justice system. MORE>>

E. T. Mensah & His Tempos Band

Known as the "King of Highlife" in the 50s and 60s, the swing, bebop and big band leader E. T. Mensah was extraordinarily talented and his music being remastered today tells of a masterpiece. Ethno Music is really doing a marvelous job providing its listeners with vintage African sound.

Mensah, one of the first to introduce salsa flavored rhythms to Africa in the 50s entertained his audience during the colonial era gaining international recognition when he joined the original Tempos Band, taking over as the band leader. His amazing career can be read at Retro Afric in great detail. Brilliant stuff and great compositions in that era.

Vintage African Music

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Listening to some of these tunes takes one aback to those pretty-good-old days of nkwu elu, palwine and storytelling to keep body and soul together. Enjoy!