Articles
ENGLISH REPORT
Friday,
October 30, 2009
We ended up at about 7:30 to about 75 people in a square in downtown Accra, Ghana's capital. Everyone wore a T shirt "vegetarian Association of Ghana."
Ghanaians, Nigerians, Ethiopians, Cameroonians ...
Note that Togo has made a remarkable appearance with a delegation of 9 nine students, all vegan, representing the infant society of vegans and vegetarians students from the University of Lome (Togo-AEV), which already counted about forty members.
We ended up at about 7:30 to about 75 people in a square in downtown Accra, Ghana's capital. Everyone wore a T shirt "vegetarian Association of Ghana."
Ghanaians, Nigerians, Ethiopians, Cameroonians ...
Note that Togo has made a remarkable appearance with a delegation of 9 nine students, all vegan, representing the infant society of vegans and vegetarians students from the University of Lome (Togo-AEV), which already counted about forty members.
They came with a professor at the University of Lomé, Ameyo.
We walked about 1 hour in the city center to the Ministry of Health,
A car with loudspeakers, was leading the demonstration,
On the course, some protesters handed out leaflets explaining the issue of vegetarianism, and there were banners with pro veg slogans.
Arrived at the Ministry of Health, it was interesting to note a panel of at least 12 square meters on the building, with a slogan: "Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat"
This proves that the input of Ghana Ministry is sensitive about vegetarianism.
We stayed about 45 minutes before the Department. The Minister was unfortunately no longer there, but our presence was noticed by the administration.
We walked about 1 hour in the city center to the Ministry of Health,
A car with loudspeakers, was leading the demonstration,
On the course, some protesters handed out leaflets explaining the issue of vegetarianism, and there were banners with pro veg slogans.
Arrived at the Ministry of Health, it was interesting to note a panel of at least 12 square meters on the building, with a slogan: "Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat"
This proves that the input of Ghana Ministry is sensitive about vegetarianism.
We stayed about 45 minutes before the Department. The Minister was unfortunately no longer there, but our presence was noticed by the administration.
Then we went to eat at ASSASEPA http://www.ivu.org/africa/ghana-vag/index.html,
one of 5 or 6 vegetarian restaurant in Accra, the atmosphere was very friendly.
In the afternoon we went to an orphanage in Accra to distribute approximately
1m3 of vegetable food, for children, we were very well received by the manager
who greatly appreciated this gesture of the vegetarian movement.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Location: Greater public garden Kouame Nkrumah Memorial.
Between 8 am and 10 we have installed tarps and chairs for the conference,
This large green space in downtown is really suitable for a green and veg convention.
The conference started around 10:30 in front of about 250 to
At 50 meters from the conference, in the same park twenty stands were installed: they were required by producers of veg food, veg restaurant tenants, and also of African medicine herbal and stand on the language Esperanto.
The stands were very well supplied with rich and varied veg food, including food tasting (gastronomic discoveries) and new flavors that have demonstrated the dynamism of Ghana in search of new tastes.
There was a constant flow of visitors, and we can reasonably estimate that 500 people visited the stands and heard at least part of the conference.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Location: Greater public garden Kouame Nkrumah Memorial.
Between 8 am and 10 we have installed tarps and chairs for the conference,
This large green space in downtown is really suitable for a green and veg convention.
The conference started around 10:30 in front of about 250 to
At 50 meters from the conference, in the same park twenty stands were installed: they were required by producers of veg food, veg restaurant tenants, and also of African medicine herbal and stand on the language Esperanto.
The stands were very well supplied with rich and varied veg food, including food tasting (gastronomic discoveries) and new flavors that have demonstrated the dynamism of Ghana in search of new tastes.
There was a constant flow of visitors, and we can reasonably estimate that 500 people visited the stands and heard at least part of the conference.
For 4 to 5 hours, ten speakers explained the benefits and necessity of
vegetarianism in the world today.
For example, I can quote:
For example, I can quote:
-The former president
of the Supreme Court of Ghana: 81 years old, vegetarian
for 50 years, he spoke of his good health, and encouraged the entire world
to vegetarianism. Fond of peace, he quoted Gandhi, one of the largest
vegetarian twentieth century.
- Emmanuel Eyo, Nigeria, IVU Regional coordinator for Africa
Mr. Anteneh Roba-president of www.ifundafrica.org an Ethiopian who lives in the USA... especially from the USA for the conference.
His intervention was particularly adapted to the realities of Africa and the world.
He spoke about:
- Challenges for health (cancer, heart disease, Diabetes, hypertension, obesity)
- Environmental issues with some very recent elements, explaining that the group of American researchers WORLD WATCH INSTITUTE, world renowned, calculated from October 21, 2009 that livestock are responsible for 51% of emissions of greenhouse gases, (http :/ / www.worldwatch.org/node/6294n line 13) and not just 18% of FAO as previously thought. Dr. Anteneh explained that it is Africa that will suffer from climate change a priority and that 250 million Africans could be affected in the coming years.
- Fishing is beyond 250% of marine resources
Mr. Anteneh has distributed hundreds of leaflets summarizing color very well the current issues of food choices each of us.
Mr. Dave Way, Canadian, Doctor of biology who teaches mathematics at the University of Lomé provided also a convincing demonstration and explained that today, the ecology cannot do without vegetarianism.
We are now 6 billion people, soon 9 billion.
Dave recalled that the Earth's resources are limited and we must take lower consumption habits, especially by stopping farming, wasteful of resources in agricultural land, water, energy and more generally reducing consumption generally.
Like Dr. Anteneh, Dr. Way said that vegetarianism is a means of action must meet the challenges of climate change.
At the end of the conference, around 15:30, the food dishes varied veg were distributed free to anyone present, in a great atmosphere.
I left Accra on Sunday afternoon,Safe in this 2nd African vegetarianism was perfectly organized by our friend Ghanaian Wisdom Korblah, who was listening to everyone for all participants to be comfortable.
It was so well looked after all the invitations, logistics, housing, and transport.
I know the logistics costs in West Africa, and I think with the 1600 pounds of Europe sent by IVU, it would have been difficult to make bigger.
75 people at the event and 500 people who attended all or part of the conference is still little, but it is encouraging because this Congress has shown the existence of a true African current vegetarian, with stakeholders’ weight to the conference.
For this is the first manifestation may be vegetarian in Africa on the public highway? It must be a beginning; 5000 people at the next Congress?
The atmosphere was very friendly and Ghanaians were open-minded on the subject of vegetarianism.
This meeting allowed us to get to know, vegetarians of Africa, to share ideas, emails ...
The traditional classical subjects of respect for animal life, health and veg gastronomy were discussed and explained.
I think the new major theme is "vegetarianism as a way to fight against climate change," a major challenge of the XXI century.
Thank you to IVU! Thank you to all participants and speakers! And thank you in Ghana, true democracy in Africa!
Be veg, Make Peace! AEV-Togo
"Nothing would do more good to humanity than a vegetarian diet"
Albert Einstein
- Emmanuel Eyo, Nigeria, IVU Regional coordinator for Africa
Mr. Anteneh Roba-president of www.ifundafrica.org an Ethiopian who lives in the USA... especially from the USA for the conference.
His intervention was particularly adapted to the realities of Africa and the world.
He spoke about:
- Challenges for health (cancer, heart disease, Diabetes, hypertension, obesity)
- Environmental issues with some very recent elements, explaining that the group of American researchers WORLD WATCH INSTITUTE, world renowned, calculated from October 21, 2009 that livestock are responsible for 51% of emissions of greenhouse gases, (http :/ / www.worldwatch.org/node/6294n line 13) and not just 18% of FAO as previously thought. Dr. Anteneh explained that it is Africa that will suffer from climate change a priority and that 250 million Africans could be affected in the coming years.
- Fishing is beyond 250% of marine resources
Mr. Anteneh has distributed hundreds of leaflets summarizing color very well the current issues of food choices each of us.
Mr. Dave Way, Canadian, Doctor of biology who teaches mathematics at the University of Lomé provided also a convincing demonstration and explained that today, the ecology cannot do without vegetarianism.
We are now 6 billion people, soon 9 billion.
Dave recalled that the Earth's resources are limited and we must take lower consumption habits, especially by stopping farming, wasteful of resources in agricultural land, water, energy and more generally reducing consumption generally.
Like Dr. Anteneh, Dr. Way said that vegetarianism is a means of action must meet the challenges of climate change.
At the end of the conference, around 15:30, the food dishes varied veg were distributed free to anyone present, in a great atmosphere.
I left Accra on Sunday afternoon,Safe in this 2nd African vegetarianism was perfectly organized by our friend Ghanaian Wisdom Korblah, who was listening to everyone for all participants to be comfortable.
It was so well looked after all the invitations, logistics, housing, and transport.
I know the logistics costs in West Africa, and I think with the 1600 pounds of Europe sent by IVU, it would have been difficult to make bigger.
75 people at the event and 500 people who attended all or part of the conference is still little, but it is encouraging because this Congress has shown the existence of a true African current vegetarian, with stakeholders’ weight to the conference.
For this is the first manifestation may be vegetarian in Africa on the public highway? It must be a beginning; 5000 people at the next Congress?
The atmosphere was very friendly and Ghanaians were open-minded on the subject of vegetarianism.
This meeting allowed us to get to know, vegetarians of Africa, to share ideas, emails ...
The traditional classical subjects of respect for animal life, health and veg gastronomy were discussed and explained.
I think the new major theme is "vegetarianism as a way to fight against climate change," a major challenge of the XXI century.
Thank you to IVU! Thank you to all participants and speakers! And thank you in Ghana, true democracy in Africa!
Be veg, Make Peace! AEV-Togo
"Nothing would do more good to humanity than a vegetarian diet"
Albert Einstein
vendredi 30 octobre 2009
Nous
nous sommes retrouvés vers 7h30 à environ 75 personnes sur une place au
centre ville d’Accra, capitale du Ghana. Tout le monde portait un T
shirt « vegetarian Association, of Ghana ».
Ghanéens, Nigerians, Ethiopiens, Camerounais…
Notons
que le Togo a fait une apparition remarquable avec une délégation de 9
neuf étudiants, tous vegan, représentant la toute jeune association des
étudiants végétaliens et végétariens de l’Université de Lomé (AEV-Togo), très enthousiaste qui compte déjà une quarantaine de membres.
Ils étaient venus avec un professeur de l’université de Lomé, Ameyo
Nous avons marché environ 1 heure en centre ville jusqu’au ministère de la santé,
Une voiture avec des hauts parleurs, était en tête de la manifestation,
Sur
le parcours, certains manifestants ont distribué des tracts expliquant
les enjeu du végétarisme, et il y avait des banderoles avec des slogans
pro veg.
Arrives
au Ministère de la santé, il était intéressant de remarquer un panneau
d'au moins 12 m² sur le bâtiment, avec un slogan : « manger plus de
fruits et légumes et moins de viande »
Ce qui prouve d’entrée que le ministère du Ghana est sensible au sujet du végétarisme.
Nous
sommes restés environ 45 minutes devant le ministère. Le ministre
n’était malheureusement plus là, mais notre présence a été remarquée
par l’administration.
Ensuite, nous sommes allés manger à ASSASEPA http://www.ivu.org/africa/ghana-vag/index.html, un des 5 ou 6 restaurant végétariens d’Accra ; l’ambiance y était très conviviale
L’après midi, nous sommes allés jusqu’à un orphelinat d’Accra distribuer environ 1m3 de nourriture végétale, pour les enfants, nous avons été très bien reçus par la responsable qui a grandement apprécié ce geste du mouvement végétarien.
Samedi 31 octobre 2009
Lieu: Grand jardin public du mémorial Kouame Nkruma.
Entre 8h et 10hNous avons installé des bâches et des chaises pour la conférence,
Ce grand espace vert en plein centre ville est vraiment l’endroit idéal pour un congrès veg et écolo.
La conférence a commencé vers 10h30 devant environ 250 à 300 personnes.
A
50 mètres de la conférence, dans le même jardin public une vingtaine
de stands étaient installés: ils étaient tenus par des producteurs de
nourriture veg, des tenanciers de restaurants veg, et aussi de médecine africaine à base de plante et un stand sur la langue esperanto.
Les stands étaient très bien approvisionnés en nourritures veg très
riche et variée, incluant des découvertes gastronomiques et des
nouvelles saveurs qui ont prouvé le dynamisme du Ghana dans la
recherche de nouveaux goûts alimentaires.
Les
gens arrivaient au fur et à mesure, et nous pouvons estimer
raisonnablement que 500 personnes ont découvert les stands et ont
écouté au moins une partie de la conférence.
Pendant
4 à 5 heures, une dizaine d’intervenants ont expliqué les avantages et
la nécessité du végétarisme dans le monde d’aujourd’hui.
Par exemple, je peux citer:
-l’ancien président de la cour suprême du Ghana :
âgé de 81 ans, végétarien depuis 50 ans, il a parlé de sa très bonne
santé, et encouragé toute le monde au végétarisme. Epris de paix, il a
cité Gandhi, l’un des plus grand végétariens du XXème siècle.
- Emmanuel Eyo, Nigeria , IVU regional coordinator for Africa
-Dr Anteneh Roba président de www.ifundafrica.org un éthiopien qui vit aux USA.. spécialement venu des USA pour le congrès.
Son intervention était particulièrement adaptée aux réalités de l’Afrique et du monde.
Il a parlé :
- des enjeux pour la santé, (cancer, maladies cardiaques, Diabètes, hypertension, obésité)
- enjeux environnementaux avec des éléments très recents, expliquant que le groupement de chercheurs Américains WORLD WATCH INSTITUTE, mondialement réputé, a calculé depuis le 21 octobre 2009 que l’élevage est responsable à 51% des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, ( http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6294n line 13) et pas seulement de 18% comme la
FAO le pensait avant. Dr
Anteneh a expliqué que c’est l’Afrique qui va souffrir en priorité du
changement climatique et que 250 millions d’africains seraient touchés
dans les prochaines années.
- La pêche est 250% au-delà des ressources marines
Dr
Antena a distribué des centaines de tracts en couleur résumant très
bien les enjeux actuels des choix alimentaires de chacun d'entre nous.
Dr Dave Way, Canadien, Docteur en biologie qui enseigne les mathématiques à l’université de Lomé a aussi fait une démonstration convaincante et a expliqué qu’aujourd’hui, l’écologie ne peut se passer du végétarisme.
Nous sommes aujourd’hui 6 milliards d’être humains, bientôt 9 milliards.
Dave a rappelé que les ressources de la Terre sont LIMITEES et que nous
devons prendre des habitudes de moindre consommation, spécialement en
arrêtant l’élevage, source de gaspillage des ressources en superficie
agricole, en eau, en énergie et plus largement en réduisant la consommation, de manière générale.
Tout
comme le Dr Anteneh, le Dr Way a rappelé que le végétarisme est un
moyen d’action incontournable face aux enjeux du changement climatique.
A la fin de la conférence, vers 15h30, des plats de nourriture veg variée ont été distribués gratuitement à toute personne présente, dans une très bonne ambiance.
j'ai quitté Accra le dimanche midi,
Conclusion :
Ce 2nd
congès africain du végétarisme a été parfaitement bien organisé par
notre ami Ghanéen Korblah Wisdom, qui était à l’écoute de tout le monde
pour que tous les participants soient à l’aise.
Il s’est très bien occupé de toutes les invitations, la logistique, les logements, les transports.
Je
connais les coûts logistiques en Afrique de l’Ouest, et je pense
qu’avec les 1600 livres sterling envoyées de l'Europe par IVU, il
aurait été difficile de faire plus grand.
75
personnes à la manifestation, et 500 personnes qui ont suivi tout ou
une partie de la conférence, c’est encore peu, mais c’est encourageant
car ce congrès a montré l’existence d’un vrai courant africain
végétarien, avec des intervenants de poids à la conférence.
Car
c’est peut être la première manifestation végétarienne en Afrique sur
la voie publique ?? Il faut bien un début ; 5 000 personnes au prochain
congrès ?
L’ambiance y était très conviviale et les Ghanéens étaient ouverts d’esprit sur le sujet du végétarisme.
Cette rencontre nous a permis de faire connaissance, végétariens de l’Afrique, d’échanger des idées, des e-mails…
Les sujets traditionnels classiques du respect de la vie animale, de la santé et de la gastromie veg ont été abordés et bien expliqués.
Je
pense que le nouveau thème majeur abordé est « le végétarisme comme
moyen de lutte contre le changement climatique », un défi majeur du
XXIè siècle.
Merci à l’IVU ! Merci à tous les participants et conférenciers !! et merci au Ghana, vraie démocratie en Afrique !
Go veg ! Be Green !
Nicolas
« Rien ne ferait plus de bien à l’humanité qu’une diète végétarienne »
Albert Einstein
