Africa-Dialogue:

CV Ntonghanwah Forcheh

2011-06-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

Ntonghanwah Forcheh Resume

Ntonghanwah Forcheh(PhD) holds a BSC (London), MSC (Sheffield) and PhD (Sheffield) all in statistics and is currently an Assoc. Professor in Statistics. I have served as the Head of Department of Statistics for the maximum 2 terms (2004-2010) and have been a consultant for several local organizations including the Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Communications Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National AIDS Coordinating Agency, Botswana Telecommunications Authority, Rural Industries Promoting Centre, EECG, among others, as well as for some international organizations such as JICA and UN-FAO. I have assisted in developing departmental, regional (SADC) and pan-African syllabi for training of statisticians & served as resource person in training staff of many organizations in research methods and statistical computing, notably SPSS. I have been invited to and actively contributed to many continental workshops on statistical development and human resources, Gender Statistics, NSDS,

I have almost 20 years of working as a statistician – conducting training, research and professional services such as consulting, external examiner and reviewer to a number of journals. I have, as of May 2011 published 5 book chapters, 21 refereed journal articles, 5 refereed conference proceedings, 3 monographs and 5 technical reports either as single or co-author. As a lecturer, I have played a key role in the design and introduction of first ever Postgraduate Diploma and Master degrees in statistics at the University of Botswana in 1998. As Head of Dept, I introduced the first ever PhD/MPhil in Statistics, University of Botswana, participated in reviewing of the SADC model syllabus for training of junior Statisticians in SADC, and developed it into a Diploma in Stats Program at University of Botswana. I have actively participated in many workshops for development of statistics in Africa as well as the Southern Africa region. These include the Statistics Commission for Africa biennial workshops, African Symposium for Statistical development (ASSD), African Group on Statistical Training and Human Resources (AGROST) and various SADC workshops for harmonization of statistical training syllabi and curriculum development among others. As a result, I am very conversant with the Statistical needs in National Statistical Systems in the continent, and have been contributing as a trainer and consultant to address some of these needs for the past 10 years.

I have extensive experience in the use of SPSS for analysis of large scale surveys. I regularly teach SPSS to our degree students as well. I also have extensive experience in use of SPSS Builder for developing data entry applications. I have also developed data entry applications using MS Access, EPI data, QPL and CSPro. Recent important projects include working as part of two international teams in project for Botswana Dept of International Trade to Analyze the regulatory regimes, statistical data and market opportunities for specific services sector in the EU and SADC. During this project, I gained a full appreciation of the data gaps and data needs for

Botswana

with regards to Trade in Services in particular, and other trade data in general. One of the outcomes of this experience was recommendation made at the project seminar on the way forward for collection and harmonization of trade statistics in

Botswana

1.1: PERSONAL PARTICULARS

NAME: Ntonghanwah Forcheh (Ph.D.)

DATE OF BIRTH: 31 August 1964.

MARITAL STATUS: Married with 3 children

1.2.1 PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualification	Subject	Institution	Country	Year
Ph.D.	Statistics	University of Sheffield	England	1992
M.Sc.	Statistics	University of Sheffield	England	1988
B.Sc.	Statistics	University of London (UCL)	England	1986
A-Level	Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics	Cameroon College of Arts, Science & Technology (CCAST)	Cameroon	1983
O-Level	8 Subjects including Maths & English	G.S.S Nyasosso,	Cameroon	1981

1.2.2: Other Recent Training

Qualification	Training	Institution	Country	Year
Participation Certificate	Participatory methods in the analysis of poverty	Central Statistics office and United Nations Development Programme, Botswana	Botswana	24-28 July 2006
Attainment Certificate	Enhanced eLearning Certificate	Centre for Academic Development, Univ. of Botswana	Botswana	Oct-Dec 2006

1.2.3: Computing Competency

· SPSS, STATA, MINITAB, GLIM, and SAS

· SPSS Data Entry Builder and Station, CSPRO, EPIDATA, QPL

· Computer programming in FORTRAN and QBASIC.

· LaTeX, Microsoft Office and MS FrontPage

· WebCT 6/Blackboard for web based instruction

1.3 Employment Record:

23-Sept 2009-Present:	Associated Professor, Department of Statistics, UB: Department of Statistics, UB, Teaching, Research, Services and academic leadership
01-August 2004-July 2010:	Head of Department of Statistics, University of Botswana (UB). Supervised 23 academic and 2-support staff, provide academic leadership, manage Undergraduate, graduate and PhD programs, prepare budgets, acquire manage Dept recourses.
23-Sept 2003-August 2009:	Senior Lecturer, Department of Statistics, UB, Teaching, Research and Services
01-July – 31 August 1999:	Acting Head, Department of Statistics.
11-Nov 1992 Sept 2003:	Lecturer, Department of Statistics, UB: Department of Statistics, UB, Teaching, Research and Services

1.4 Scholarship/ Awards

Cameroon Scholarship for outstanding performance in the 1983 G.C.E Advanced Level. Award to study for a Bachelor Degree in Statistics in the

United Kingdom

(1983).

1.5. Positions held at Other Universities

1988-91	Lecturer	Black Access Program, Castle College, Sheffield, England
1988-91	Tutorial Assistant	Dept. of Probability & Statistics Sheffield University,
1989	Tutorial Assistant	Post-Black Access students at Sheffield Polytechnic, England.

1.6: Positions held at the University of Botswana:-

23 Sept 2009 to Present Associate Professor, Dept of Statistics

01 August 2004 to Present: Head, Department of Statistics

22 September, 2003 to Present Senior Lecturer in Statistics:

01 July – 31 August 1999: Acting Head, Department of Statistics.

19 Nov., 1992 to 21 Sept. 2003 Lecturer in Statistics

Current annual Salary BWP386,436

Current Supervisor: Prof. K. Thaga,

Head of Dept of Statistics,

Thagak@mopipi.ub.bw

2. TEACHING

2.1: Current Teaching (Semester I, 2009/2010)

(I have taught 17 different courses at the University of Botswana since my first appointment as shown below)

2.2 Other Teaching

Ö 1998-1990: Mathematics & Statistics Lecturer. The Black Access Program, Castle College, Granville Road, Sheffield S2 2RL.

Ö 1988-1991: Tutorial Assistant, University of Sheffield, England

2.2: Student Supervision

2.2.1 Post Graduate Dissertations/Projects Supervised

1. Ndwapi N. (2008). Multivariate analysis of Poverty using Association Rules. (Master of Statistics degree dissertation. Department of Statistics, University of Botswana).

2. Pule M. (2006): Quality of Botswana Trade Statistics and Implications for Botswana’s share of SACU revenue. (Master of Statistics degree dissertation. Department of Statistics, University of Botswana).

3. Mapesala M. (2004): Influence of socio-economic and demographic factors on cereal production in Botswana. . (Master of Statistics degree dissertation. Department of Statistics, University of Botswana).

4. Musenge E. (2003). Modeling Water level of Boreholes in Botswana: A case study of the Palapye Wellfields. Masters of Statistics Degree Dissertation, University of Botswana.

5. Mengistu Elenni (2000). Effects of Agricultural Inputs and Gender Differentials on Cereal Production: A case study of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. (Masters Statistics Degree Dissertation, Department of Statistics, University of Botswana).

6. Suwareh B.S.A. (1998). Impact of Population on the Attainment of Food Self Sufficiency in the

Gambia

.. (co-supervised with Dr. H. Bariagaber). (Post Graduate Diploma Research project, Population and Sustainable Development Program, University of Botswana).

7. Muhamad A. (1998). The Effects of Socio-Economic & Demographic Factors on Mother and Child Health in Pakistan. (Post Graduate Diploma Research project for the Population and Sustainable Development Program, University of Botswana).

8. Mushongah J., (1997). Gender Issues and the Management of Rural Water Supply. A case study of the Chivi District, Zimbabwe. (Postgraduate Research project for the Population and Sustainable Development Program, University of Botswana).

2.3.2: Undergraduate Projects Supervised

9. Segolame Davis (2009). Review of the use and misuse of factor analysis with an illustrative example using student performance data. Bachelor of Statistics degree project. Department of Statistics, University of Botswana).

10. Khachana T. (2003). From Linear regression to ordinal logistic regression: A Review. (Batchelor of Statistics degree project. Department of Statistics, University of Botswana).

11. Kgakololo C. (2002). Job Satisfaction among University of Botswana lecturers. (Bachelor of Statistics degree project. Department of Statistics, University of Botswana)

12. Mogapi O. S. (2001): Predicting Crop Production From farmer's estimates: A Case study of Maize Production in Ethiopia. (Bachelor of Statistics degree project, Department of Statistics, University of Botswana).

2.4: Guest Lectures and Short Courses

I have been invited to deliver Guest lectures for various Quantitative Methods/Computer Application Courses to a number of Postgraduate Programs at the University of Botswana, notably:

1999: (February): Quantitative Methods & Computer Applications for MPA/MBA students, University of Botswana (2x2hrs lectures, Invited by Dr. W. Edge, PAS).

1999 (March): Introduction to SHAZAM: Guest lecture to M.A. Econometrics students, Dept of Economics, UB. (Invited by Prof. M.S. Mukras)

1998 (October): Position paper and facilitator for The Use of Internet in Social Science Research. A 2 days workshop for Lecturers, Faculty of Social Sciences.

1997(October): Introduction to SPSS for Windows. A 2 days workshop for Lecturers, Faculty of Social Sciences and NIR.

1997/98: Organisation and Analysis of Survey data using SPSS. Guest lecture to the Master in Library & Information Science (MLIS) students (1x2hrs lecture, Invited by Dr. B. Grand, LIS)

1995/96 and 1996/7: Quantitative Methods & Computer Applications for MPA/MBA students, University of Botswana (3x2hrs lectures, Invited by Dr. W. Edge (PAS).

1993/94: Introduction to Statistics and organisation and analysis of survey data: Guest lectures to MBA students (3x2hrs lectures: Invited by Prof. B.A. Fubara, School of Accounting and Management Studies, UB).

3: Publications:

3.1: Chapters in Books:

Brown, B., & Ntonghanwah, F. (2009). Exploratory investigation into pre-service teachers' career-goal contents and their relationships with class participation motivation in higher education in Africa. In W. Kouwenhoven (ed.). Advances in technology, education, and development, (pp.425-450).Vukovar, Croatia: Intech
A A. Alao, S.O. Ojo and N. Forcheh. (2009). Using Computer Technology for education and occupational information. Analysis of Trends at the University of Botswana. In Roth R., Hiew C. and communion A.L (eds). Peace, Hope, and well-being across cultures. Proceedings of the 65^th Annual convention of Psychologists. August 11-14, 2007. pp191—201.Shaker Verlag Aachen, Germany. ISBN 978-3-8322-7917-2. www.shaker.de
Alao, A., Forcheh, N., Roy, H., and Tidimane, C. (2007) Alcohol Use at the Universities. Analysis of Trends at the University of Botswana. In McCarthy S., Newstead, S, Karandashev, V., Prandini, C., Hutz, C., and Gomes, W. (Eds.) Teaching Psychology Around the World. pp. 439 – 457. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle, UK,. ISBN 1-84718-259-3.
Forcheh N. (2006). Statistical Components of Social Research Ethics. In Apollo R. and Nyamnjoh F.B. (editors): Challenges and Responsibilities of Social research in Africa: Ethical Issues, pp91-100. OSSREA, Addis Ababa. ISBN 99912-572-9-2 http://www.ossrea.net/
Forcheh N. (1995). Further Aspects of Data Analysis. Book chapter in Fubara B. A. and Mguni B. S.: Research Methods in Management, Minerva Press, UK. P193-210.

3.2: Refereed Journal Articles

1. Fako TT. Kangara LW and Forcheh N. (2010). Predictors of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among young people: Lessons from Botswana. Journal of AIDS and HIV Research Vol. 2(6), pp. 116-130, September 2010

2. Alao, A.A., Mabote, M.M., Sento-Pelaelo, O.T., Kgosidintsi, A.D. Forcheh, N., Molojwane, M.B., Mphele, S.B.M., Mulosu, S., Setlhare-Oagile, N., Phaladze, N., Msimanga-Ramatebele, S.H., Kgathi, C (2010). Coping strategies during bereavement. Ontario journal of African educational research. Summer 2010 pp1-18

3. Yadavalli V.S.S, Labeodan MMO, Udayabaskaran S. and Forcheh N. (2010). Modeling T4 cell count as a marker of HIV progression in absence of any defense mechanism. Orion Vol 26 (2), pp.113-123

4. Fako T.T, Stoffel R. T. Moeng SRT and Forcheh N. (2009). Gender Differences in Satisfaction with the Type of Work University Employees Do: Evidence from the University of Botswana. J. Service Science & Management, 2009, 2: 404-417 Online December 2009 (www.SciRP.org/journal/jssm) Copyright © 2009 SciRes JSSM

5. Setlhare K., Forcheh N. and Gabaitiri L. (2009). Estimating the Contribution of HIV/AIDS and Related Causes to Mortality in Botswana. European Journal of Social Sciences – Vol 9(2) (August 2009), pp218-230. www.eurojournals.com/ejss_9_2_04.pdf

6. Forcheh N. and Fako TT. (2007). Determinants of effective productivity among service workers: the case of nurses in Botswana. African Journal of Business Management Vol. 1 (5), 099-106. Full text at: http://www.academicjournals.org/AJBM/contents/2007cont/Aug.htm

7. Ekosse, G-I. E. and Forcheh N. (2007). Mining Association Rules Applied to Goethite and Haematite Abundances in Manganese-Contaminated Soils. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies Vol. 16, No. 4 (2007), 531-538.
Abstract at: http://www.pjoes.com/index.php?s=abs_index&id=2007160400

8. Ekosse G., Fouche P.S. and Forcheh N. (2006). Granulometry, cluster analysis and spatial distribution of manganese contaminated soils, Kgwakwe, south-eastern Botswana. International Journal of Environmental Studies. Vol. 63(2), p155-169. (April). http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals

9. Ekosse G. and Forcheh N. (2005). A multivariate Analytical Approach to Granulometry of Kaolinitic Sediments from Botswana. Botswana Journal of Technology Vol. 14(1). 36-42. Indexed and abstracted at: http://www.ajol.info/ .

10. Ekosse G., Ngilia J.C. and Forcheh N. (2005). Multivariate analyses of heavy metals in soils and Colophospermum mopane leaves around the Selebi Phikwe nickel-copper mine and smelter/concentrator plant area, Botswana. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Mgt.(JASEM). Vol. 9(1). p177-185. online at: http://bioline.org.br/ja

11. Fako T.T., Forcheh N., and Linn J.G. (2004). Correlates of work-Place stress: A case study of Botswana Nurses working in clinics. Botswana Notes and Records. Vol. 36. p106-124

12. Fako T.T and Forcheh N. (2004). Factors associated with nurses’ involvement in postnatal health education in Botswana. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies. Vol. 18(2). Pp26—36. online at: http://schapera.fws1.com/pula

13. Fako T.T., Forcheh N. and Ncube E. (2004). Prospects of safe motherhood in Botswana: Midwifery training and nurses ability to complete the Botswana Obstetric Record. Journal of Social Science & Medicine, Vol. 58 pp1109--1120. online at: http://elsevier.com/locate/socscimed

14. Forcheh N. (2003). Designing and Coding Survey Instruments for Statistical Analysis. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies. Volume 17, No.1 Issue 28, pp67-84. online at: http://schapera.fws1.com/pula

15. Forcheh N. (2002). Ehrenberg Law-like relationship and anthropometry. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: A 165, Part 1, pp.155-172.

16. Fako T.T, Forcheh N. and Balogi K.T.O. (2002). Productivity among Nurses in Botswana. African Sociological Review. Vol. 6(1) pp148-160.
www.codesria.org/Links/Publications/asr6_1full/fako.pdf

17. Fako T.T, Forcheh N (2002). Extent of Involvement in postnatal Health Education by Nurses in Botswana. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. Vol. 4(2). P49-54

18. Onyewadume, I.U., Amusa, L.O. & Forcheh, N. (2001). Comparative analysis of selected physical and motor performance characteristics of athletes with mental and physical disabilities. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 7(2), 361-380.

19. Fako T.T and Forcheh N. (2000). Involvement in Antenatal Health Education among Nurses in Botswana. Mosenodi: Journal of the Botswana Educational Research Association, Vol. 8, No. 1 pp.27-39.

20. Fako T.T and Forcheh N. (2000): Job Satisfaction among nurses in Botswana. Society in Transition: Journal of the South African Sociological Association. Vol. 31, No. 1 p10-21.

21. Forcheh N. (1994). Sex Bias in Handwriting and Students' Evaluation. Tonota Journal of Education (TOJET): Volume 2 p45-62

3.3: Articles in refereed Conference Proceedings

22. Amos Alao A., Sunday O. Ojo and Ntonghanwah Forcheh (2010). Gender and Computer Diffusion in a transitional Society – The Case of Botswana. In R. Roth, C. Barreda-Hanson and Ch. Hiew (Eds.): Families in Transition: Proceedings of the 66^th Annual Convention International Council of Pschologists. July 15—18, 2008: St. Petersburg, Russia. ISBN 978-3-8322-9180-8, Shaker Verlag, Aachen

23. Forcheh N, and Amey AKA (2007). Monitoring Malnutrition in under-Fives: A new Statistic. In Njuho, P.M. and Mwambi, H.G. (2007). Biometry in Poverty Alleviation Programmes. Proceedings of SUSAN-IBS Conference, 7-11 July, 2003, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. p40-48. http://www.tibs.org/WorkArea/downloadasset.aspx?id=636/

24. Yadavalli VSS, Setlhare K. and Forcheh, N. (2006). Stochastic structures of graded size in manpower planning systems. In H. Nyongesa (Editor). Proceedings of the Sixth IASTED International conference on Modelling, Simulation, and Optimization, September 11-13, 2006, Gaborone, Botswana. ISBN: 0-88986-618-X /cd 0-88986-620-1. pp 128-132. ACTA Press, Anaheim/Calgary/Zurich. http://www.actapress.com/Abstract.aspx?paperId=28288

25. Forcheh N. (2003). Education attainment as per 2001 Population and Housing Census. In “2001 Population and Housing dissemination seminar: 8-11 September, 2003”. Published by Central Statistics Office, Gaborone. Dec 2003; p366-377.

26. Forcheh N. and Setlhare K. (2002). Gender Differentials in Mortality in Botswana. In Gender: Opportunities and Challenges. Proceedings of the 1st National Conference of the Gender Policy and Programme Committee (GPPC), edited by Kaye S., Machacha L and Maundeni T.

3.4: Monographs

27. Nyamnjoh F.B., Forcheh N. and Maphanyane M. (2002). Survey on the Level and Perception of Freedom of Expression in Botswana. MISA Botswana and Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Gaborone. 27pages. ISBN 99912-993-3-5.

28. Sunny G., Babikanyisa V., Forcheh N. and Akinboade O. A. (2001). A Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa: Costs and Benefits. Regional Integration Research Network Series Papers. No. 13. COMESA, Lusaka. 80pages. ISBN 9982-26-006-5.

29. Fubara B.A., Forcheh N., Iwisi D.S. & Magembe B.A.S(1994). Predicting Corporate Health in Botswana. University of Botswana. 25pages. ISBN 99912-2-093-3

3.5: Technical Reports

30. Forcheh N. (1997). An optimum subset of principal components for discrimination. Department of Statistics Working paper series, No. 3, University of Botswana.

31. Forcheh N. (1994). Principal Components Analysis of Structured Multivariate Data. Department of Statistics Working paper series, No.1, University of Botswana.

32. Fubara B.A., Mukras, M. Forcheh N. and Osei-Hwedie (editors) (1994). Proceedings of the African Regional Conference: Effect of European Economic Integration and its Implications for Africa. Conference held in Gaborone, Botswana (20-24 June 1994). (approved but not published by Minerva Press,

)..

33. Forcheh N.(1988). Analysis of the Kalahari Particle Size Data. Research report, Department of Probability and Statistics, University of Sheffield.

3.6: Published Conference Abstracts.

34. Forcheh N. (2001). Ehrenberg Law-like relationship and anthropometry. Abstract in the South African Statistical Journal Vol. 33 (2). p212-213.

3.7: Other Unpublished Research

Fieller N.R.J., Forcheh N. and Nicholson P.(1991). 3). Statistics of provenance studies with special reference to the ICPS measurements of trace elements. Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA) conference. Oxford University.
Forcheh N.(1991). Linear Discriminant and Principal Components Analyses of Multi- structured Data. Postgraduate (Statistics) Students conference. Newcastle, England. March 1991.
Forcheh N.(1990). Principal Components Analysis of Multi-Grouped Data. Postgraduate (Statistics) Students conference, Bath, 1990.
Forcheh N.(1989). Multivariate Analysis of Multi-Grouped Data. Postgraduate (Statistics) Students conference. Glasgow, 1989.

3.8: Thesis and Dissertations

Forcheh N.(1992). Principal components and linear discriminant analysis of multi-structured data sets, with applications in Archaeological and Environmental studies. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Sheffield.
Forcheh N. (1987). Sex Bias in Handwriting. M.Sc. Dissertation, Department of Probability and Statistics, University of Sheffield.
Forcheh N.(1986). Predictive Validity of the Government Common Entrance Examination into Secondary Schools in Cameroon. B.Sc. Dissertation. Department of Statistics, University College London.

Other ongoing Research

2009-2010: Grief and bereavement and coping strategies among University of Botswana students. Lead Statistician in an Office of Research and Development (ORD) funded project with Careers and Counseling Unit and Department of Psychology.

3.9: Notable Academic Conferences attended where I presented a Paper

Conference	Paper Presented
1. August 2009: 57^th Session of the International Statistics Institute (ISI) conference, 16-22 Aug 2009, ICC, Durban, South Africa	Mining Association Rules beyond Market research. (Session STCPM6)
2. August 2009: 57^th Session of the International Statistics Institute (ISI) conference, 16-22 Aug 2009, ICC, Durban, South Africa	Data Challenges in monitoring MDGs in Africa: HIV/AIDS prevalence data. (Session STCPM34)
3. July 2007: IBS - SUSAN 2007 WORKSHOP / CONFERENCE 24 to 27 July 2007 KUMASI, GHANA, ASHANTI REGION, Ghana[1]	HIV/AIDS Pandemic and the Shifting Roles and Needs of the Elderly in Africa
4. November 2006: South African Statistical Association Conference, Stellenbosch University from 30 Oct-3 Nov 2006	Multi-grade manpower systems with grade dependent promotion probabilities
5. SEPT. 2006: The IASTED Conference on Modeling, Simulation, and Optimization, Gaborone, Botswana, Africa September 11-13, 2006.	Stochastic Structures of Graded Size in Manpower Planning Systems
6. Nov. 2005: South African Statistical Association Conference, Rhodes University. 31 Oct-4 Nov 2005	Sources of Variability in Student Performance: Impact of Question Choice.
7. May 2005: Departmental Seminar Workshop. Mokolodi Game Reserve Conference Hall. 20^th May 2005	Are All Botswana Coins Fair?
8. Nov. 2004: South African Statistical Association (SASA) 2004 Conference, Bloemfontein. 01-05 Nov 2004	Modelling the Likelihood of Non-Harvest of Cereal Crops among Traditional Farmers in Botswana
9. Sept 2003: Botswana 2001 Population Housing census dissimilation conference 8-11 September 2003, Boipuso Hall, Gaborone	Education Attainment in Botswana as per 2001 Census
10. 2003: 50^th Anniversary Conference of the South African Statistics Association. Caesar Palace, 03-07 November 2007.	Role and Utility of Assessment in University Education
11. 2003: 2001 Population and Housing Census Dissemination Seminar; 8-11 September, 2003. Gaborone, Botswana.	Education Attainment in Botswana in 2001.
12. 2003: Eighth Biannual Conference of the Sub-Saharan Network of the International Biometrics Society. Theme: Biometry in Poverty Alleviation. University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus. 7^th -12^th July, 2003.	Monitoring Malnutrition in under-fives: a New Statistic
13. 2001: The University of Botswana-Gender Policy Programme Committee: First National Conference on Gender: Gender Development: Opportunities and Challenges in Botswana. 22^nd-24^th October 2001. Maharaja, Gaborone.	Gender Differentials in Mortality in Botswana.
14. 2001: The OSSREA Botswana Research workshop on challenges and responsibilities of doing social research in Botswana: Ethical Issues. 4-5^th June 2001, OASIS MOTEL, Tlokweng.	Statistical Components of Social Research Ethics
15. 1999: South African Statistics Association Conference. 3-5 November, 1999. Durban.	Ehrenberg Law like Relationship and Anthropometry
16. 1999. Faculty of Social Science Workshop on "Social Science Research in Africa". April 28-29 1999. University of Botswana.	Issues in the Organisation and Analysis of Survey Data.
17. 1997: PTA/IDRC Research Network Conference on Setting up of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Padmozi Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia from 28 to 30 April 1997.	Costs and Benefits for setting up COMESA.
18. 1991: Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA) Conference. Oxford University, England	Joint Paper presented by Supervisor
19. 1991: Postgraduate (Statistics) Students Conference. Newcastle, England. March 1991.	Linear Discriminant and Principal Components Analyses of Multi- structured Data.
20. 1990: Postgraduate (Statistics) Students Conference. Bath, England. March 1990	Principal Components Analysis of Multi-Grouped Data.
21. 1989: Postgraduate (Statistics) Students Conference. Glasgow, Scotland. March 1989.	Multivariate Analysis of Multi-Grouped Data. 1989.
22. 1988: Postgraduate (Statistics) Students Conference. Surrey, England. March 1988.	Multivariate Analysis of Multi-Structured Data.

3.10. Significant workshops and Symposia for Statistics Development attended:

2010 Statistics Commission for Africa - STATCOM-Africa-II, UN_ECA hall, 17 – 22 January 2010, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Organized by United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and Friends of Africa. This was the second of the biennial STATCOM for Africa meeting that brings together policy makers in Statistics across the continent, as well as from supporting agencies such as the World Bank, UN Statistics Commission, PARIS21 the review progress and plan for the future in the development of Statistics in Africa. The workshop was highly successful, and established several working groups to develop policies and indicators for development of statistics, including AGROST, Gender Statistics, Environment Statistics, etc. I contributed significantly during both plenary and breakaway sessions.

2009 Africa Statistical Harmonisation and Capacity Building Integration, East London, South Africa, 7-12 December. Discussed the Harmonisation and Capacity building strategies necessary for achiving the African Union Integration Agenda, as well as made proposal for the Second ST for Statistics in Re

2009 5th Africa Symposium on Statistical Development (ASSD). Dakar – Senegal. UNECA -Africa Centre for Statistics.

2009 The PARIS21 Consortium Meeting “Statistics for development - Renewing the partnership” (Dakar, Senegal, 16-18 November 2009). The Partnership for Statistics in the 21st Century (PARIS21) was the main organiser for this workshop that was hosted by the government of Senegal. The President

2009: Meeting of the African GROup on Statistical Training and Human Resources (AGROST). Novotel Hotel, 18–19 June 2009, Bujumbura, Burundi. A Forum on statistical training and human resources in Africa took place in Bujumbura, Burundi from 18 to 19 June 2009. It brought together 58 representatives from African Statistical Training Centers (STCs), Statistics Departments of selected universities, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), sub regional, regional, and international organizations with special interest in statistical training and human resources development in Africa. The Forum was jointly organized by the African Centre for Statistics (ACS), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21), and the French Cooperation, in close collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies of Burundi (ISTEEBU).

2009: Rockefeller workshop for Training of Trainers (from Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland) on the Biometrics and Research Methods Teaching Resource CD. Dr. N.O. Ama and I jointly organised the 3 days workshop hosted by Dept of Statistics, University of Botswana 01-03 June 2009.

2008: First Regional Workshop on National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). Organized by UN-ECA –African Centre for Statistics and Partners. UN Building, Addis Ababa, 17-19 Dec. 2009.

2008: Regional Workshop on gender Statistics. Organized by UNECA –African Centre for Statistics and Partners. Addis Abba, Ethiopia. UN Building, 15-16 Dec. 2009.

2008: Restitution workshop: Capacity Building Program for STCs, Abidjan 24-25 July. Capacity building program for Statistics training Centres and Institutes. Organised by African Capacity Building Foundation and partners. I Participated as Head of Dept of an invited Training Centre. Our Dept was selected as one of the Training Centres to host Postgraduate Training in Statistics

2008: The second international workshop for the Teaching of Biometry in Africa. University of Cape Town. 30 June to Saturday, 5 July 2008. Sponsored by Rockefeller Foundation. I participated as a Trainer of Trainers.

2007: SADC/EU Regional Statistical Training Project (RSTP) - 8 ACP RAU 005 Training of Trainers/Stakeholder Consultation Workshop, 19-30 November 2007: Johannesburg, South Africa.

2007: SADC/EU Regional Statistical Training Project (RSTP) - 8 ACP RAU 005 Training of Trainers/Stakeholder Consultation Workshop, 14-19 May 2007: Zanzibar, U.R. Tanzania.

2006: The First International workshop for the Teaching of Biometry in Africa. The University of Cape Town. Monday 26^th June to Friday 30^th June 2006. Sponsored by Rockefeller Foundation.

2006: Participatory Poverty Assessment Methods Workshop. 24-28, July 2006, Gaborone, Botswana. Organised by UNDP in collaboration with the Central Statistics Office.

2005: Poverty Mapping Workshop, The Convention Centre, Grand Palm, Gaborone.

3.9 Other Workshops and Conferences

2007. Resource person at the CODESRIA ((www.codesria.org) Methodological Workshop of Training the Trainers with theme: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Social Science held at Hotel ‘Les Flamboyants’, Sally Portudal (seaside resort) in Mbour, Senegal– Tel: +221 33-957-07-70. 10-14 December 2007.

2003: Crossing Borders to Fight HIV/AIDS. Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC) and Fafo Institute of Applied Social Science Conference. November 25, 2003, Boipuso Hall, Gaborone.

2003: Enhanced Sampling and Analysis of Messy Data for Biometricians. The Eighth SUSAN 2003 Pre-conference Course: 4—6 July, 2003. University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.

2000: Millennium Conference of Commonwealth Statistics. 1-5 May, 2000.

Botswana

Conference and Exhibition Centre. Gaborone

1999: Data Mining. One-day Pre-conference workshop organised by South African Statistics Association on 2 November, 1999. University of Natal, Durban.

1998: Botswana Literacy Survey Dissemination Seminar. Boipuso Hall-Gaborone. 22-24 June 1998. Seminar to disseminate and discuss the results of the first ever literacy survey in Botswana, hosted by C.S.O.

1997: Population and Sustainable Development Program (P&SD). Workshop on the research projects of the 1996/7 participants. Mokolodi Nature Reserve 21-22 May 1997. (Also chaired a Session).

1997: Population and Sustainable Development Program (P&SD) Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting University of Botswana, 5-6 May 1997.

1996: Population and Sustainable Development Program (P&SD). Curriculum Review Seminar. Kagison Centre, Gaborone. November 1996.

1995: The CSO 1993 Botswana Agricultural Census Results Seminar. Sheraton Hotel, Gaborone Botswana. 4 April 1995.

1994: Workshop on Conference Overview and the Way Forward: African Regional Conference: Effect of European Economic Integration and its Implications for Africa. Oasis Motel, Gaborone Botswana from 20-24 June 1994.

3.10: Ongoing Work

Sponsored Project

N. Forcheh, N.O. Ama, K. Sediakgotla, P. M. Kgosi, K. Setlhare (2007). “Factors responsible for academic differentials: a case study of Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Botswana”. A project funded by UB FSS Research and Publications Committee under round 13 of ORD research funding. Questionnaire instruments currently being developed.

4: Service:

4.1 Service to the University

2004 to 2010: Head of the Department of Statistics since 1^st August 2004 to 31 July 2010

May 2005 to 2006: Member of the Publications Committee of the OSISA-UB Partnership.

2002/2003: Representative of the Faculty of Social Sciences to the Faculty of Science Board.

1997 to 2002: Chairman of the Faculty of Social Sciences Computer Advisory Committee. Committee determined faculty IT requirements, recruited IT staff for the Faculty and commissioned and undertook training courses for staff before centralisation in 2002.

1993-94 Drafted the document to set up the Statistical Services Unit (SSU) in the department of Statistics (jointly with Mr. Mabotho) which led to the established of the SSU in 1997.

1999 (July-August): Acting Head of Department of Statistics at the University of Botswana.

1994-1999 Coordinator (jointly with one other colleague in the Dept) of the Statistical Services Unit (SSU) in the Department of Statistics. Contributed in bringing in and performing several projects for the Unit.

1993 to 1997. Secretary of the Organising Committee of the Postgraduate Programs in Statistics, Department of Statistics, University of Botswana.

May 1997: Served as an Internal Examiner and chaired a session at the Workshop to present and examine the research projects of the 1996/7 participants of Population and Sustainable Development Program (P&SD): Mokolodi Nature Reserve 21-22 May 1997.

Nov. 1996: Chairman of the subcommittee to review quantitative method courses of Population and Sustainable Development courses for Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Botswana.

1996: Representative of the Department of Statistics to the Graduate Study Committee Board.

1993 to 1995: Secretary of the Organising Committee of the African Regional Conference on the proposed European Economic Integration and its implications for Africa held in Gaborone, Botswana from 20 to 24 June 1994.

Dec. 1995: Undertook a facts finding mission to the Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ISAE), University of Makerere, Uganda as part of the Needs Assessment for Setting up the Postgraduate Programme in Statistics. Mission commissioned by the Vice Chancellor, University of Botswana.

1994 to 1995: Conducted the Needs Assessment study for the setting up of the UB Postgraduate programs in Statistics.

4.2. Professional Services.

4.2.1 Academic Leadership

August 2009: Chaired the following 2 Sessions During the 57^th Session of the International Statistics Institute held in Durban, South Africa. STCPM 6, Data Mining Methods and STCPM 7, Data Mining Applications.

June 2009: Jointly organized the Training of Trainers workshop on the Biometrics and Research Methods Teaching Resource CD at the Department of Statistics, University of Botswana. Academics, researchers and trainers came from Universities in Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland.

December 2007. Resource person at the CODESRIA (www.codesria.org) Methodological Workshop of Training the Trainers with theme: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Social Science held at Hotel ‘Les Flamboyants’, Sally Portudal (seaside resort) in Mbour, Senegal– Tel: +221 33-957-07-70. . 10-14 December 2007

4.2.2 Reviewer for International Journals, namely:

The African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition And Development (AJFAND, 1 article reviewed in 2009)
Journal of Higher Education in Africa (1 article reviewed in 2007, 1 in 2008, 1 in 2009)
Educational Research and Reviews (2 articles reviewed in 2007)
Africa Development (3 articles in 2006)
Botswana Journal of Business (1 article in 2005)

4.2.3 External Examiner at other

January 2010 University of Forte Hare, East London, South Africa, Faculty of education. External Examiner for a Master of education thesis.

2007– 2009 Department of Statistics, University of Venda, South Africa, External Examiner for Graduate Programs. Also serving as Adviser to a PhD student.

April 1998 to Dec 2003: External Examiner for Quantitative Methods Courses at the Botswana Institute of Administration and Commerce (BIAC).

Projects and Consultancies:

August – December 2010: Statistician for project: Analysis of the regulatory regimes, statistical data and market opportunities for specific services sector in the EU under EPA in Botswana. Main Contract No. Project:9.ACP.RPR.007-CRIS 2009/226842: 144/TA/TRADECOM/P137awarded to SAANA Consulting,

Sept – December 2010: Statistician: Assistance to the Botswana Dept of International Trade, Ministry of Trade and Industry to “Analysis of the Regulatory Regimes, Statistical Data and Market Opportunities for Specific Services Sectors in SADC under SADC Protocol on Trade in Services”. Main Contract no Project:9.ACP.RPR.007-CRIS 2009/226842: 178/TA/TradeCom/P145 awarded to Imani Development South Africa

November 01-05, 2010: Co-trained 7 department of tourism (DOT) staff in research methods and use of PASW/SPSS for analysis of tourism data sets.

Nov-Dec 2008: Lead Co-researcher on behalf of the Statistics Services Unit (SSU) on the Project to determine costumer satisfaction with Water Utilities Corporation Services – Sponsored by Water Utilities Corporation.

Aug-2008 to February 2009: Lead Co-researcher on behalf of the Statistics Services Unit (SSU) for the Project to determine the likely Impact of the proposed (2008) Liquor regulations on Traditional Beer. Project Sponsored by Botswana Breweries Limited (BBL).

May 2008: SSU Project: I-TECH Short Course in Introduction to SPSS. Co-Trainer of 15 staff from Ministry of Health working on the PMTCT programme in introduction to SPSS from 26-30 May 2008.

Sept. 2007: SSU project: NACA Course on Basic and Intermediate SPSS for Windows: Lead Trainer of 22 Staff members of institutions involved in HIV/AIDS studies in Botswana on behalf of the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA), Botswana from 24-28^th September 2007.

2007: SADC/CSO training Short-course in CSPRO and SPSS. Co-Trainer of 58 staff members from different organizations involved in official Statistics in Botswana from 10-22^nd September 2007.

June 2005 to February 2006: Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology (MCST): Tender MTC 190/6/16 2004/2005 awarded to EECG/UB Staff Consultants. Statistician for the Consulting Team to set up a National Innovative Data Base for Research and Development in

Botswana

July 2003-Dec 2004: World Bank Energy Reform Study, Botswana (July 2003-Dec 2004). Served as the Statistician for local consultant in Botswana on this project being carried out in 4 countries (Botswana, Ghana, Senegal and

Honduras

) on energy Use, Energy Supply, Sector Reforms and the Impact on the Poor. Main responsibilities include adapting international questionnaires to local (Botswana) context, supervision of data entry, cleaning of national data, analysis of secondary and primary (surveyed) data and co-writing of the project report.

April 2004 and June-July 2005: FAO Project: ‘APPUI A LA REHABILITATION DU SYSTEME DE STATSITIQUES ET D’INFORMATION AGRICOLES’ (April 2004 and June-July 2005). Served as an International Consultant in Statistics and Information Systems for FAO for the above project.: Designed data entry programs for the first Annual Agriculture Sample Survey for

Gabon

. Designed a Web-based database for the existing agriculture data for the Ministry of Agriculture (GabonStat),

Gabon

, trained local staff in all phases of the project. Trained Gabon’s Statisticians (June-July 2005) in the Department of Agriculture, in use of SPSS data entry to prepare data entry programs, validation and checking of data, and use of SPSS for windows to analyse their first annual agriculture sample survey data and produce relevant tables and to update and launch the web-based data base for the ministry.

May 2002 to January 2003: Botswana Telecommunications Authority “Market Study of the Telecommunications Sector in Botswana” (May 2002 to January 2003). Served as the Statistician for Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA) consultancy. Responsibilities included designing and conducting a survey for demand of telecommunication services in Botswana, analysing relevant data, designing the structure of the database for capturing telecommunications data in Botswana and co-writing the consultancy report. Project awarded to the UB Consulting Group.

October and December, 2001: FSS project - Ministry of Finance and Development, Botswana: (October and December, 2001). Served as the principal trainer (with other Faculty of Social Science Staff at the University of Botswana) of middle level staff (October 2001) and Senior level staff (December 2001) of the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Nov. 2001 to July 2002: FAO National Consultant in Statistical Data Processing to Botswana (Nov. 2001 to July 2002): Some of achieved goals included: teaching SPSS windows and SPSS data entry program to middle and senior staff at the Department of Agricultural Planning and Statistics (DAPS), Ministry of Agriculture, Botswana Designing the data entry programs for capturing data for the annual agriculture surveys and farm management surveys, training data entry operators, and supervising data entry of all relevant data and assisting DAPS staff in tabulation of farm management survey data.

Nov 2000-March 2001: JICA PV Master Plan, Botswana (Nov 2000-March 2001). Served as Statistician in designing the questionnaires, analyzing relevant data and co-writing report for the tender awarded to “Energy Environment, Computer and Geophysical Applications” (EECG) Consultants by UNICO International Corporation and Electric Power Development.

4.3: Community Service and Other Services

Ongoing:

Regularly attend Stakeholders (such as CSO, BNPC, LEA, etc.) dissemination workshops. Assist their staff on methodological issues and statistical resources and software – for example, recently I made input into the 2010 Census Questionnaire (suggestions for incorporation of Gender Statistics and ICT questions into the population Census) and input into new Statistical Act for establishing the Botswana Statistics Bureau as a parastatal.

March 2004 to April 2006: Chairman of the National Squash Centre Club, Gaborone, Botswana. My responsibilities as chairman ranged from staff recruitment, maintenance of the national facility, youth development, supervision of the club manager, coordinating the organisation of tournaments and working with the Botswana Squash and Racquet Association to organise national and international events

March 2002-Feb 2004: Vice Chairman of the National Squash Centre Club, Gaborone, Botswana

2001-2002: Committee Member of the National Squash Centre Club, Gaborone, Botswana

1991 to 1992: Tutor(sub-warden) at Earnshaw Hall of Residence, University of Sheffield.

1989/1990 President of the African Caribbean Students Society, University of Sheffield.

1986/87: President of the African Caribbean Students Society, University of Sheffield

4.4: Membership of Learned Societies

Member the Biometrics Society
Member of the South African Statistical Society (SASA).
Former Member of the Royal Statistical Society (1990-1993)
Former Member of the American Statistical Association. (1995-1998)

5. Academic Leadership

1) Curriculum Development: From 2007 to Date the Department has under my leadership:

o Developed a PhD and Mphil program that has been approved at the Departmental Board, FSS Board and Board of School of Graduate studies. The program is on target to be launched in 2010.

o revised the Diploma in Statistics Program that has been approved by The Departmental Board, Departmental Advisory Board and the Faculty executive and has been presented to the Faculty Board.

2) Research with Junior Staff

o I have undertaken various research with junior colleagues in the Department, leading to a number of publications, notably our recent joint paper in July 2009.

o I am also leading a research project with several members of the Department, mainly junior staff. The study permit has recently been approved and one of he research instruments has already been administered.

3) Collaboration with External Organisations

o Through engagement with Regional and international organisations such as SADC, UN-ECA, AfDB, PARIS21, the Department is now considered as an important Partner in development of policies on training of Statisticians in the region and the continent. I have been invited to all high level consultative meetings held in the continent on this issue over the last 2 years. I have also been invited to attend two additional workshops in November 2009.

4) Overall Profile of the Department

o Departmental research output has increased significantly through the implementation of PMS and research plans in the Department in the last 5 years, leading to a couple of promotions and pending promotions. There are several active research groups in the department at the moment. During the recent International Statistics Institute Conference, 7 members of staff had accepted papers and 6 attended (including a staff member on study leave for PhD) and presented papers, significantly raising the profile of the Department.

5) Management of Resources: Staffing Training and recruitment and budget management

o In the last year, the Department has finally succeeded in filling all its professorial positions, and all but one of its senior lecturers posts. It is expected that this position would be filled through internal promotion One staff member has completed an MSc. and PhD, another has completed a PhD, two are on the tail end of their PhDs and one is scheduled to go for PhD. Department budgets have been spent according to the votes, and Department has managed to attract external funding to supplement some of the votes, notably on research seminars.

Prof. N. Forcheh

Department of Statistics,

University of Botswana

Private Bag UB00705, Gaborone

Tel: 267-75262963, 73385130 , office: 267-355 2696; fax: +267 3185099

Email: Nforcheh@gmail.com , forchehn@mopipi.ub.bw

[1] Forthcoming conference for which Paper has been accepted with funding.

50 years later, the Wind of change is blowing through Africa Again

2011-06-14T03:21:00.000-07:00

Find here a rejoinder that I posted to a social forum on the Wind of change blowing through the continent.

From: FORCHEH, N. (DR.)
Sent: 15 April 2011 16:52
To: 'LECDA-usa@yahoogroups.com'; ACCDF; USNWFC
Cc: 'Alphonse Amey'; SOCIALSCSTAFF; Humanities Staff; Education Academic Staff
Subject: 50 years later, the Wind of change is blowing through Africa Again

In response to this great headline, [99net] Burkina Faso: Mutiny by Presidential Guards

I add the following joiner:

In the 1950s, before most of us were born, the wind of change blew through Africa. After almost 400 years of subordination - from slavery to slave trade and colonization, we had our first smile of freedom when the black star was raised in 1957. A few years ago, Ghana celebrated its 50^th Anniversary and marked the beginning to an end to a dark period for Africa. For those who were lucky to visit Ghana at this time, you would have noticed that something more profound than just celebrating a jubilee had taken place. A former Military leader, Lt Jerry Rawlings, had overseen a constitutional change that introduced multi-part politics, including a limit of 2 terms for any president. He had contested in 2 elections and won. At the end of his second term he had organized free and fair elections, without changing the constitution to enable him to stand again. His party lost this presidential election and a new leader from a different party won and was peacefully sworn in. When John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor completed his two terms of office, he in followed the footsteps of his predecessor and organized a free and fair election, despite still being quite popular. As fate will have it, and as if to test Ghanaian maturity in democracy, his party lost – very narrowly. Once again, there was a peaceful transition of power to the opposition. Thank you Ghana. The Black star is shining brightly.

When the wind of change blew to the USA and brought Barrack Obama to power, he used his visit to Ghana to urge Africans to replace Strongmen with Strong institutions. In most parts of the continent, that message is being spread, and Africans in years to come will reap the fruits.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, the wind of change took effect in Africa about 4years after Ghana. The cycle has again begun. Like it happened during the colonial period, some of the change is going to be traumatic, some is going to be peaceful, and for some countries, change would come but peace and prosperity would be an illusion for many years to come. What is inevitable is that Africans would once again destroy dictators in the same way that they destroyed colonization and Apartheid.

It is time for all Africanists (Africans and friends of Africa) to join the wind of change and do our best to ensure that the inevitable change is both peaceful and lead to national unity and prosperity. But as Mandela once declared, we are a peaceful people, but if change must come only through use of force, then so be it. The time for change is now. Like a famous daughter of Africa recent wrote in her book, we must put the ghosts of colonialism behind us and take responsibility of our destiny.

Bukinabe are looking for avenues to express their displeasures with the current regime, in power since assassinating Thomas Sankara in 1987. It should not be lost to our memories that Thomas Sankara was one of the few real pan-African leaders after the great era of the fifties and like all before him, his stay was cut short be a greedy and treacherous friend. Now Blaise Compaoré’s time is up. He can heed the wind of change or like Laurent Koudou Gbagbo, he will end up in a bunker with only wife and children next to him, protected by nothing more than a bullet proof vest.

May spirit of Thomas Sankara’s guide the Burkinabe at this trying time for change.

your views are welcomed.

Ntonghanwah Forcheh

Anabenu

2008-09-23T03:26:00.000-07:00

Download attachment and let me know.

Link to Africa Related Websites

2007-07-03T02:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/index/index.htm
Http://www.cafonline.com/
http://www.fecafootonline.com/

African Union Head of States Meeting

2007-07-03T00:42:00.001-07:00

The African Union Head of States meeting is being held in Ghana to discuss the proposed United States of Africa.

Have you followed the debates? What are your views. Share them here.

Forcheh

Africa Dialogue

2007-04-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

The African Union Website requests comments from readers on the topic of African Union and the eventually United States of Africa. However, following my frustration in trying to post such comments in vain, and also failing to get any response from the AU mail administrator as to what the problem might be, I decided to create this forum to enable other Africans share their views about this topic, uncensored and annonimouusly if they so pleased. here is the first mail that I posted to the AU comment page.

From: FORCHEH, N. (DR.)
Sent: 25 April 2007 19:25
To: 'AUgovernment@africa-union.org'
Subject: Laying the Foundation for a Possible African Union and United States of Africa

The Organization of African Unity and its successor, the African Union has pursued the idea of a United States of Africa for a very long time. The history of Pan Africanism predates all living heads of states in the continent, and indeed all living Africans, yet the goal appears to be as elusive as ever. This is not to say that the OAU and AU have not made important contributions towards the advancement of the continent. However, after the peaking in the late 1960’s, the OUA and AU having been fighting a frustrating battle at uniting the continent and bringing it to anything near integration. Regional ranging from ECOWAS in the west to PTA/COMESA and SADC in the south have made some strides.

In the mist of all the developments, any African traveling around the continent is immediately frustrated that it is much easier for Europeans to enter and leave any of our countries, than for any African even official trips to enter other countries. It is easier for most African academics for example to travel to Europe and North America than to travel to other African countries. The level of intolerance and xenophobia is rising. Even in Southern Africa where cooperation and integration were quite advanced up to the late 1990’s xenophobia is noticeably on the rise, with Zimbabweans currently at the receiving end.

The AU has tended to concentrate on economic and political integration while the rest of Africa, the African People, cries for human integration. Africans long for the old days when the can go from one part of their country to another, from one country another as Africans not as immigrants, the days most of us only heard from story telling by our fathers and grand fathers, the days before end of post colonialism, the days when the likes of Nkrumah still saw the countries they governed as home for all Africans.

As a result, the AU has largely been perceived as a gathering of politicians, whose speeches at the OAU and AU congresses are totally at odds with their domestic policies. How does a minister talk of a United States of Africa while at the same time passing laws that make it almost impossible for other Africans to enter their own countries? Africans have countless experiences at African airports when their flight is cancelled and they are refused permission to go out of the airport and spend the night at a more comfortable hotel than the airport chairs, irrespective of the wealth of evidence that they are not trying to become “illegal immigrants”. This is usually most embarrassing if you are traveling with a European colleague on the same mission or a fellow African with a European Passport, and they are let through while you sweat at the airport. This is very far from what the forefathers of the United States of Africa envisaged during those conferences in Manchester, Accra, Tunis, Addis, etc.

A stating point for the United States of Africa is a revisit to the ideals of Black Consciousness. The previous use of “Black” can be replaced with “African” in recognition of the fact that being “black” was first and foremost a political statement and being “African” is not exactly equitable to being “Black”.

The second point is to undertake an education strategy that cleanse the continent of the beggar mentality. This is one of the worst afflictions of modern African, with an impact that is worse that malaria or HIV/AIDS.

It itself is contrary to the philosophy of black consciousness. As Nkrumah once said, we look neither east nor west, we look forward. The African Traditions, across all cultures that I have mingled with is full of a proud people. A people the likes of Sankara called “Burkina Faso” . When Africans share their meager loaf with strangers and ensure that any stranger passing through their homes on a long journey, it is not in expectation of a returned favour, but humanity handed down from generations on end. In some parts of the continent where water is scarce, tradition has it that drinking places are provided on the road for visitors to stop for a drink of free water. African leaders need to start looking forward, African academics must start looking forward. African citizens must start looking forward.

When you attend the next conference or workshop, ask not what you gained from the conference, but what Africa gained from your attendance. When you appointed a minister, elected a head of state, appointed a director, a lecturer, professor, CEO, permanent secretary, football manager, or called to represent and “SERVE” your country in any capacity, ask not what you will most gain from this honour, but how best you will serve your people and continent. Stop looking for appointments with budget heads and concentrate on roles that can best utilize your god given abilities.

During the forthcoming debate, all delegates, including heads of governments, ministers and “all protocol observed” should individually as worshippers before a priest, re-evaluate their individual role in African Development and confess to themselves and the assembly if they so choose, where they could have done more.

In recent times, many former heads of government have shown that our leaders have critically important roles to play when they complete fixed terms of office or fail at the election box and accept the will of their people. Many of these roles could not adequately be filled by people without their profiles and integrities, and Many such roles remain unfilled. Recent history has also shown that by staying in power for too long, some of our hitherto heroes have deprived us of that pride of honouring them and living by their examples, because of the devastating mistakes and accidents that come with overstaying one’s visit.

The African Union rightly outlawed military corps as a means of assuming political power in the continent. By so doing, the Union unwittingly strengthened the resolve of some leaders to hang unto power by all means necessary, leading to neonatal deaths of many of our promising democracies. It is time, then that the AU examines the regular abuse of national constitutions by serving heads of states, and make a similar pronouncement about any leader who hangs unto power through illicit means, and very importantly, those who misuse their country’s resources as oil fields, where you only exploit until it runs dry or until the almighty replenishes. Even sea pirates and other European gangsters of yesteryear saw the need to invest their loath back in their own countries. It is time that African resources are re-invested in the continent.

Finally, it is time that the AU strengthened research for development in the continent. The role of African culture governance and other critical areas need to be researched, an in this vein, more centers such as the recently opened Center for Culture and Peace at the University of Botswana need to be created and properly resourced. Above all research into micro and macro level manufacturing in the continent needs to be promoted. Africa must avoid economic policies that are applicable to industrialized countries without development the industrial base to benefit from them.

This is my humble initial contribution to this noble idea of a debate on the African Union and United States of Africa.

Ntonghanwah Forcheh
Department of Statistics,
University of Botswana
Email: forchehnn@mopipi.ub.bw

African Football

2007-03-24T03:45:00.000-07:00

The rise of Botswan in African Football continues. In a space of two weeks, the young Zebra's (the Botswana Under 23 National team) couched by Major Bright (a local couch) knocked Angola out of the African Game qualifiers and followed that up by knocking the fancy Tunisians out of the Olympic Qualifiers.
For the Angolan Game, the young Zebras won the first leg played in Gaborone 2-0. During the return leg, they held their own sway for almost 80minutes, until one of their players was sent off with barely 10mins of normal play left. The Angolans took this opportunity to score two goals in 10mins to force the game into penalties, but the Zebras were not to be denied.

A week and a half later, Bostwana hosted Tunisia in the return match of the olympic qualifiers, needing a win to go through. The first leg had ended goaless.
On arrival, the Tunisian couch was confident of victory, on the basis that his team that played the first leg in Tunis had been reinforced by two key players.

On the night, the Zebras scored an early first half goal that proved to be the winning goal that saw them through to the next round at the expense of Tunisia. The stadium was packed full with expectations, and the fans were not disappointed.
It should be remembered that both Angola and Tunisia represented the continent in last year's(2006) FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Tomorrow, Sunday 25th March, the full national team hosts Burundi in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, and tickets are at a premium as Batswana are rushing in from all corners of the large country to watch their team continue its winning ways. At this rate, it will be a safe bet that Botswana will make its first apparence in a Major finals at the 2010 African Cup of Nations Finals. To go to CAF page: http://www.cafonline.com/

N. Forcheh
reporting from Gaborne, Botswana

What you don't use you loose

2007-01-18T00:10:00.000-08:00

Its amazing how true the saying "What you don't use, you loose" is. Only two months away from my new found hobby, Blogs, I even forgot my blog name. In one of my last update, I migrated from the old Blog to the new one, and selected yahoo as host. Come today, I couldn't even remember this little change!

And my colleagues at the University of Botswana who have just completed the course on Enhanced Elearning. Happy new year! How are you all doing with content, calendar, notes, blogs, etc. for your online courses?

We need a get together. Please call me on ext 2366.

N. Forcheh
18/01/2007

Posting Messages on your blog

2006-11-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

Once a blog is created, you need to place messages for your visitors unto your blog.
Anyone can access your blog just just by typing the web address.
In order to place a message for your visitors, you must go through the blog.com website again.

GOTO the BLOGGER.COM site: http://www.blogger.com/start
Click on Sign in to Blogger to continue.
Type your blog name and password.
Click on the solid + under new post to type message like this one.

Further help is available from:

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=41378&topic=8915

Waiting from your comment.

2006-09-25T04:34:00.000-07:00

You are all invited to my Blog (Weblog) and to share anything you like there.

Today, I is all about the anticipated arrival of the Cameroon National (football) Team, the Indomitatble lions to play the Zebras - the national team of Botswana on the occation of the 40th anniversary of Indepenndence of Botswana on Saturday 30th September 2006.

The lions only other know encounter with the Zebras was another friendly at the same national stadium in 1990 which ended in a goalless draw. This was after the exploits of the Lions at the Italia-90 world cup.

Watch this space for details.

Forcheh 25/09/2006

Africa-Dialogue:

CV Ntonghanwah Forcheh

Qualification

Year

Tutorial Assistant

Tutorial Assistant

50 years later, the Wind of change is blowing through Africa Again

Anabenu

Link to Africa Related Websites

African Union Head of States Meeting

Africa Dialogue

African Football

What you don't use you loose

Posting Messages on your blog