Accra, May 20, GNA — Mr Benjamin Kwaku Kumi, the Ayensuano Constituency Executive Member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Eastern Region, has called for unity among all the aspirants after the May 13 presidential and parliamentary primaries.
The primaries saw former President John Dramani Mahama securing 98.9 per cent of the total votes cast to win the flagbearership race, defeating his only contender, Mr Kojo Bonsu, a former Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, who had 11 per cent.
The other contestant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, withdrew from the race.
Mr Kumi made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday and called for unity among the rank and file to adequately prepare for the 2024 general election.
“Former President Mahama is a humble and peace-loving person who will ensure unity and peace among the contestants to keep an eye on the bigger picture, which is working together to win the election 2024,” he said.
“Now that the primaries are over, there is the need for the aspirants to come together and work as a team to wrest power from the ruling New Patriotic Party.”
Mr Kumi said even though elections came with disappointments, and in most cases bitter rivalry, putting the pain behind them and accepting defeat was the beginning of the healing process.
He congratulated former President Mahama and all winners in the parliamentary and presidential primaries for their hard work and called for unity and peace to win power next year.
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice through its Senior State Attorney, Mrs. Nana Adoma Osei in her advice to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has stated that the state cannot prosecute the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana First Company Limited, Mr. Frank Akuley, who was arrested in March, 2021 by Police over alleged construction fraud.
The Senior State Attorney, Mrs. Nana Adoma Osei advised that, “A careful and painstaking euation of the docket reveals that the accused did not have the intention to defraud. The issues in contention are of a civil nature. The parties are therefore advised to explore the option of ironing their issues out in a civil suit.
From the foregoing, we disrecommend the prosecution of the accused person. “Please do not charge him with any offence”
The CID charged Mr. Frank Akuley ‘Defrauding by False Pretences: Contrary to Section 131 (1) of the Criminal Offenses Act 1960’, according to the Statement of Offence of the charge sheet, and arraigned him before court and later granted bail.
Before the introduction of this project, GFCL has done its financial engineering with its Banker, GCB Bank PLC.
GCB Bank PLC as a matter of assurance wanted to know if the government of Ghana is in support of the project, in other to avoid any financial losses if the project did not go as planned.
This led to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources given GFCL “Letter of Support” to financial institutions for financial support and assistance after the Ministry had subjected the project or facility to technical and financial reviews and concluded that, its viability and sustainability is not in doubt.
On 29th May, 2017, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources gave two separate letters to GFCL.
One of the letters was an introduction letter, which was signed by the then Minister, Hon. Joseph
Kofi Adda, introducing the company to the various Assemblies and invite them to accord the company their utmost assistance to ensure this laudable project come into fruition in your district.
The other letter titled “Letter of Support” signed by the same Minister, introducing GFCL to the financial institutions for financial support and assistance after the Ministry had subjected the project or facility to technical and financial reviews and concluded that, its viability and sustainability is not in doubt.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development gave GFCL an introduction letter, introducing GFCL to the various assemblies requesting them to accord GFCL the necessary courtesies towards facilitating the ventureship. This letter was written and signed by Hon. O.B Amoah (MP), Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development on 9th August, 2017.
Ghana First Company Ltd entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the various MMDAs to construct ultramodern automated toilet facilities across all Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Assemblies across the country.
The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement signed between GFCL and the Assemblies was for 30 years.
Sections of the agreement between GFCL and the Assemblies state that;
Section 3 ii. “That the Project Partner hereby covenants that the land it shall provide shall be its self-acquired land with title, right and or interest in the said land having vested in the Project Partner. Furthermore the land so provided shall be vested to the project owner who is authorized to use the respective land for the purpose of securing funding only for this project.”
In view of the fact that the Land Title Deeds covering the lands provided were not available, the Assemblies signed an undertaking in support of section 3 ii “that it is in the process of securing the land title document on the lands provided by the assembly and that the registered documents covering all the lands provided by the Assembly shall be submitted to Ghana First Company Limited within 4 (four) calendar months for onward delivery to your Bankers’’.
Since 9th July, 2017, when this undertaken was made, the said Land Title Documents have not been submitted by any of the Assemblies.
Due to the failure of the Assemblies to submit these land titled documents have resulted to the stall of the projects.
Section 3 iii “That the project partner hereby covenants further that in the event it has no self-acquired land then it shall facilitate and ensure the acquisition of a third party’s land’’.
Section 3 iv “that the project partner hereby further covenants that whether the land for the project is its self –acquired land or a land belonging to a third party it shall bear the sole responsibility of procuring the said land for the project free from all encumbrances, example being that it shall be free from litigation whatsoever or any adverse claim or defect in its usage for the project under any circumstance. In this instance conditions in clause 3ii supra also apply”.
In view of section 3 iii and iv, some MMDAs are claiming that, the lands they provided for the construction of the toilet facilities belong to the chiefs and for that matter they cannot provide the Land Title Documents for the lands provided, even though they have signed the agreement and supported it with letter of undertaking indicating that they are in the process of securing the land titles and promised to deliver these land titles within Four (4) calendar months for onward delivery to your bankers.
From the company’s documents obtained by this paper indicates that, they are in the view that, if this is what some of the MMDAs are saying, then it means that they have impersonated by signing the agreement and the undertaking by themselves without indicating the third party.
Section 3 v “That the Project Partner shall ensure that the Assembly itself, agents, privies, assigns, servants, workmen whomsoever or otherwise howsoever during the tenure of any government shall not dispossess the Project Owner from its ownership and that no person at law shall take over the property comprised in the project herein either permanent or temporarily and that the project is indemnified against all government interferences. All related legal cost arising out of government interferences shall be borne by the Assembly.”
In view of this section, some of the assemblies have teamed up and collaborated with some contractors to complete the projects with their own specification, open and operate the same Clean Ghana Sanitation PPP Turn Key projects of Ghana First Company Limited on the same Lands which has been vested in Ghana First Company Limited (Project Owner) without the company’s consent and appro.
Section 3 xi. “That the Project Partner shall at all time during the tenancy of this agreement ensure that there is at all times security to protect the facility from any form of destruction whilst the Project Owner shall be responsible for the maintenance and uninterrupted operation of the facility.”
Ghana First Company Ltd then entered into agreement with all the contractors who were to build the toilet facilities. According to the agreement signed between Ghana First and the contractors,
Clause 5(iv) states that”, that the contractor agrees that the Contract is a TURN KEY PROJECT
and that the Contractor shall be paid only upon full completion and hand over of the entire project”.
Clause 39.1 of the agreement between GFCL and the Contractors states that “ Without prejudice to Clause 5 v of the contract agreement, the Employer reserves the right to pay part of the total sum amounting to 60% of the quantum sum after collaborative site visit and inspection is done by the employer, the bankers and the contractor.
The employer therefore, without any doubt reserves the right to uphold this said payment when defects are detected after the collaborative site visit and inspection. Payment will therefore be done after these defects are remedied by the contractor”.
This clause is not a mandatory clause, but it’s the employer who has this right but not the contractors. The contractors were trying to enforce this clause but it was not their right.
Some contractors who claimed they were hard up and could not continue the work, appeal to Ghana First for financial assistance to enable them complete the work. Since Ghana First Company Ltd don’t want any abundant projects, gave some of the contractors’ financial assistance to a tune of over GHC 5.5 MILLION even though it was not part of the agreement.
From our sources, not a single contractor has handed over a completed project to GFCL.
On August 22, 2019, GFCL made a publication in the Daily Guide newspaper challenging contractors working for the company on the issue of non-payment of 60% of work done.
Portion of the publication reads “the management of the company hereby challenges any contractor working for the company who claims to have completed 60% of the required specifications and has a certificate to that effect, signed by the CEO of the company, to submit its certificate to the Head Office of the company for inspection, verification and due payment within five (5) working days from the date of release of the document. Though the project is a “turnkey project” as stated in clause 5 (v) on page 5 of the contract agreement, the company respects what is stipulated in clause 39 (1) on page 17 of the same document, that the employer reserves the right to pay 60% of work done in accordance with the required specifications”.
From our reliable source, no contractors was able to present a certificate showing 60% of work done as the publication demanded.
According to our information, building up to the scam and fraud issues alleged against Ghana First Company and its CEO, the aggrieved contractors started mounting spirited Radio and TV programs interviews calling on the government to investigate and conduct forensic audit of GFCL operations because the company is a scam, to the extent of threatening and demonstrating against the company and the government.
Somewhere in March 2019, some of the contractors wrote to Ghana First Company’s Partner in Germany (Thermodul Systems GmbH), informing them that Ghana First Company Ltd is using the MOU signed to extract various monies from many Ghanaian Contractors and for that matter the company and its CEO are scammers so they should withdraw from the agreement.
The MOU signed between GFCL and Thermodul System was that, Thermodul will invest US$ 300,000,000 into the projects.
On the 2nd of April, 2019, GFCL received a letter from Thermodul Systems signed by its CEO, Ms. Lidia Mathe, terminating the MOU.
In response to this said letter, signed by its company Lawyer, Charles Amoah ESQ, GFCL vehemently refuted the allegation and threating to seek full force of the law to redress or redeem its image.
On May 1st, 2019, Thermodul System wrote back to Ghana First Company Ltd, signed by its CEO, Ms. Lidia Mathe, seeking amicable resolution and retraction of their allegation.
On 3rd May, 2019, Ghana First Company Ltd responded to their Amicable Resolution and Retraction letter accepting their apology. This letter was signed by the CEO, Mr. Frank Akuley.
From the above narration, it’s evidently clear that, both the assemblies and the aggrieved contractors have contributed to the delayed of the Projects.
This paper has cited a board meeting of Ghana First Company Ltd which was held in December, 2022. The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ghana First Company Ltd resolved among other things that:
The contract between GFCL and the contractors has expired and any contractor who wants to continue to work with GFCL should come and follow the required process to renew its contract with GFCL with ultimatum up to the end of February, 2023.
Contractors who terminated their contract with GFCL and wish to continue to work with GFCL should come and follow the due process to revoke their terminated contract with ultimatum up to the end of February, 2023.
The CEO has been directed by the board and the shareholders to take legal action against the assemblies who have teamed up with some contractors to dispose the project owner from its ownership.
The CEO has been directed by the board and the shareholders to take criminal action against contractors who have completed the projects with their own specifications, open and operate the project awarded to them as TURNKEY Project by Ghana First Company Ltd and signed an agreement to that effect, without the company’s consent and appro.
For example, if a government award a Turnkey Project to any contractor working for the government and you the contractor has not completed and hand over the entire project to the government, you the contractor cannot go ahead and complete and run it as your own being road, schools, hospital or any infrastructure projects. The law that does not allow any contractor to own a government projects, is the same law that is governing the activities of any project owner. The law allows the contractor to demand for his money after completion of the project but does not allow the contractors to own the project whether you have completed the project or not.
Any contractor who does so will be liable for criminal prosecution.
From a reliable source within the company, the CEO feels reluctant and delaying the process to take legal action against the government (Assemblies).
With this, it will be in the best interest of the government to sit down with the company to find a lasting solution to this problem to avoid any legal issue.
This paper can confidently say that, there will be a looming judgement debt if the company pursue this issue in the court of law.
Source:
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Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has indicated that when voted president, he will chart a new vision for the country’s mining sector that will prioritise preserving the environment and protecting natural resources for future generations.
The former president gave the assurance on Wednesday, May 15, when he delivered an address at the 3rd annual transformative dialogue on small-scale mining in Sunyani.
John Dramani Mahama in his address said he is committed to working with all stakeholders to take bold steps for the mining sector that will be beneficial for the country.
“We must also prioritise preserving our environment and protecting our natural resources for future generations. This means taking bold steps to rehabilitate and restore areas affected by illegal mining and investing in renewable energy sources to reduce our reliance on traditional mining practices.
“As leader of the NDC and incoming President of the Republic, I am deeply committed to working with all stakeholders to chart a new vision for our country’s mining industry. We must ensure that Ghana’s natural resources are managed to benefit all our people, not just a few,” John Dramani Mahama stressed.
In his address, the former president said Ghana must prioritise sustainable development and responsible mining practices.
He said there is a need to work together to develop and implement policies that prioritise sustainable mining practices and hold those who engage in illegal mining accountable.
“This will require stricter enforcement of mining laws, increased investment in responsible mining technologies, and efforts to educate and empower small-scale miners to operate sustainably,” John Dramani Mahama emphasised.
The Rivers State Police Command has initiated investigation into the explosion that occurred on Tuesday outside a prominent hotel on Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
It should be noted that an unidentified person allegedly detonated a dynamite during a pro-police protest following the tenure of local government chairmen in the state.
Iringe-Koko, the state police command’s spokesperson, made the announcement in a statement issued on Friday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
While one suspect has been identified, Iringe-Koko described the occurrence as regrettable and stated that the next step is to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.
The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command is conducting a thorough investigation into an explosion incident that occurred on June 25th at Aba Road, opposite Hotel Presidential. Following the incident, one person has been identified in connection with the explosion.
“The command has launched a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the cause and circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event, with ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Rivers State remaining our top priority.”
Iringe-Koko requested the public to provide police with information that could benefit the investigation.
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“The command would like to express its gratitude to members of the public who have provided information, pictures, and videos to assist the police investigation. The Commissioner of Police advises that anyone who sees a suspicious object should evacuate the area immediately and notify the police without delay.
“Every effort is being made to gather all pertinent information and bring clarity to this situation. Further updates on our findings will be provided as the investigation progresses.
“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to maintaining law and order in the state. Residents and visitors are encouraged to cooperate with the police and report any suspicious activities or information related to the incident.”
Ghanaian international, Kevin-Prince Boateng, has officially confirmed his retirement from active football.
The 36-year-old who last played for his former side, Hertha Berlin retires from football at the age of 36.
The former Black Stars player announced his retirement on Instagram.
“I LOVE YOU. But that’s a WRAP for me ???? Thank you FOOTBALL for everything ‼️,” Kevin-Prince Boateng wrote as he accompanied it with a video.
Boateng made his mark on the international stage by representing Ghana in two FIFA World Cup tournaments.
In the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, Boateng played a crucial role as Ghana reached the quarter-finals for the first time in the country’s history.
One of his memorable moments was when he scored a goal in the round of 16 matches against the United States of America, helping Ghana secure a 2-1 victory and progress to the last eight.
However, his journey ended in disappointment as they were eliminated by Uruguay in a penalty shootout.
Boateng also featured in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, representing Ghana under Coach Kwesi Appiah.
Unfortunately, Ghana finished last in their group, which included the United States, Germany, and Portugal.
Coming through the youth system, Boateng began his career at Hertha BSC, before joining Tottenham Hotspur in England. After a short loan spell with Borussia Dortmund, Boateng moved to Portsmouth.
In 2010 he joined Serie A side AC Milan, winning both the league and Supercoppa Italiana titles in his first season. Boateng left Milan after three seasons, returning to Germany and joining Schalke 04.
In January 2016 he returned to Milan, remaining for six months, before moving to Spanish club Las Palmas. Boateng made his third return to Germany in 2017, playing for Eintracht Frankfurt, before joining Italian side Sassuolo.
After a short loan to Barcelona, with whom he won a La Liga title, he moved back to Italy, joining Fiorentina.
In January 2020 he was sent on a six-month loan to Turkish side Beşiktaş, and in September 2020 he moved to Monza.
Boateng represented his country of birth internationally at youth level; he opted to represent Ghana at senior level 15 times between 2010 and 2014—scoring two goals—and represented them at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
Samuel Ayeh-Paye, the former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano, has called for a thorough investigation into the recent train accident, stating that the sentencing of the driver involved is not sufficient to close the case.
Ayeh-Paye highlighted the need for accountability from various stakeholders, including the railway development authority and the Ghana Railway Company Limited.
His comment comes in the wake of the newly imported train which was involved in an accident during a test run on the Tema-Makapadan railway line.
The driver of the truck at the centre of the incident has been sentenced by the Juapong District Court to six months in prison.
However, the former Ayensuano MP stated that the sentencing of the driver must not end investigations. To him, the respective stakeholders in the railway sector must come out with answers to the situation.
“Sentencing the driver to 6 months in prison shouldn’t end there. There must be a proper investigation to find out what happened. There are other stakeholders; the railway development authority, who have some questions to answer because they are the regulatory body.
“We have the Ghana Railway Company Limited as well on why they were not able to do proper surveillance. There’s an obstacle on the lines before the train was moved on the line we have to find out, that is the first question…So, for me, I think we shouldn’t end there. Nobody should sit to say that once the driver has been sentenced, it ends it.
“Also, if you look at the pictures we’ve seen so far, you ask yourself, it looks as if somebody just picked the truck and dumped it in the middle of the track. Because you can see weeds behind it and in front of it, so when it came people were saying that it was photoshopped…you see how it was positioned, the middle [part] of the truck was positioned on the line. So, for me, we should not end it here. We must do a proper investigation,” he said.
Famous Nigerian music director and cinematographer, ThankGod Omori better known as TG Omori or Boy Director, has revealed his plan to switch careers after retirement.
The video director, on Wednesday in a tweet on his official Twitter handle, revealed that he would be switching careers at the end of his music directing phase to become a porn star.
READ ALSO: Portable Laments As TG Omori Charges Him $50,000 For A Music Video (Video)
TG Omori wrote: ”After this music video phase, I’m going to retire and become a porn star so that y’all can watch me.”
He prayed to make so much money like the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, from the anticipated post-retirement job.
“Small work, Ronaldo salary. Amen God,” he added.
Read some comments below:
@precious_kali: ”Too much money they make you reason out of the box.”
@BoiEmi: “Please don’t do this to your Only fans.”
@Kobby4Desmond: “lol, with your directing skills, your porn videos are going to be classic ig.”
@oluwase17330228: “U gat to retire soon so u can gain cause video directing be like computer programming for a kid.”
@Djmackzy_11: “Just Playing I Know, How Much will they pay You?”
Seoul – South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has stopped selling some emergency seats following an accident in which a passenger opened an emergency exit mid-air, the carrier said Sunday.
The incident took place onboard a A321-200 plane, which was carrying nearly 200 passengers as it approached the runway at Daegu International Airport, about 240 kilometres (149 miles) southeast of Seoul.
The plane landed safely but several people were hospitalised. There were no serious injuries or damage.
Starting Sunday, the 31A and 26A emergency seats on its 14 A321-200 jets would no longer be offered for sale, the carrier told AFP.
“As a safety precaution, this measure will apply even if the flights are full,” it added.
The man was detained by authorities in Daegu for allegedly breaking aviation security laws. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The man, in his 30s, told Daegu police that he had wanted to get out of the plane because he was feeling “suffocated” inside the cabin.
He also had been under stress from being unemployed, authorities said.
A nearby passenger captured footage of wind blowing through the open door, with fabric seat-backs and passengers’ hair fluttering wildly as several people shouted in shock.
Some gunmen, suspected to be bandits have killed one Musa Ille, the secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
It was gathered that the terrorists shot Musa dead in front of his residence in Tsafe town on Monday evening.
INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the deceased was a grassroot politician who contributed to the success of the party in the 2023 Election which produced Dauda Lawal as the state governor.
READ MORE: Many Feared Dead As Rival Bandit Groups Clash In Zamfara
Confirming the horrible development, the PDP Chairman of the local government, Garba Garewa, disclosed the killing of the party’s secretary in Tsafe to newsmen on Tuesday.
He said: “We are suspecting his killers to be bandits, they entered his house yesterday (Monday) and shot him.”
Also, a resident, who confirmed the PDP’s chieftain during an interview with Sahara Reporters said: “The late Musa Ille was one of our good and God fearing neighbors, he was killed in front of his house.”
The Ministry of Energy has defended recent statements made by sector Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh regarding the issuance of a load-shedding timetable.
Widely known as NAPO, the Minister’s remarks dismissing the necessity for such a timetable have been strongly condemned by the public but have been reaffirmed by the ministry.
The Minister on Saturday dismissed calls for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to issue a load-shedding timetable, amidst intermittent power disruptions commonly known as ‘dumsor.’ He asked people demanding a load-shedding timetable to release their timetable.
But in a statement released on March 26, the ministry clarified that the Minister’s comments had been intentionally distorted to falsely depict Opoku Prempeh as an insensitive person.
“The minister dismissed the need for a load management timetable because in his view and as indicated by the Electricity Company of Ghana, the cause of the temporary power challenged are being addressed. The minister in the clip said ‘addressing the issues is not an event’, which is rightly so.”
Below is the full statement.
The Ministry of Energy has taken notice of the spin around an interview granted Joy News by Energy Minister, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh on the margins of the inauguration of the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Campaign Team last Sunday. The rather innocuous statements of the Minister as captured by the Interview have been distorted to portray him as being insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians and thus, we wish to avert the minds of Ghanaians to the context of the Interview and clarify as follows:
1. The Minister dismissed the need for a load management timetable because in his view and as indicated by the Electricity Company of Ghana, the causes of the temporary power challenges are being addressed. The Minister in the clip said, “Addressing the issues is not an event” which is rightly so.
2. The Minister’s comparison of the current energy sector to the one under former President John Mahama, where Ghanaians reeled under pervasive ‘Dumsor’ for 4 years, comes on the back of recent similar calls in the media space by the NDC Flagbearer for a load management time table. This call, in the view of the Minister is borne out of the quest to score cheap political points. In fact, a careful listen of the interview will show that, the comparative template was set by the interviewer.
3. In the said clip, the Minister is clearly seen straining his voice because of the obviously noisy background, in order to be heard by his interviewer. This has unfortunately been misconstrued. Dr. Prempeh is known to be very media friendly.
4. The Honourable Minister has always been sensitive to the plight of the Ghanaian people and continues to ask for their forbearance, as has always been the case when challenges relative to power stability emerge
5. The Ministry wishes to assure the general public that the Ministry as the policy maker and mother agency of the various power sector actors is working assiduously with these agencies to ensure that the temporary challenges are resolved.
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The company authorised to lead the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin project says illegal mining (galamsey) is a threat to the initiative.
Officials of the company are thus embarking on a responsible gold mining initiative as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to protect the purity of the Gold Coin, and also ensure sanity in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector in the Ashanti Region.
The E On 3 Group, the company that was given authorisation by the Bank of Ghana to mint the coin, on Monday, March 20, 2023, started an intensive media campaign on responsible gold mining in the Ashanti Region, which took officials of the company to three media stations in Kumasi namely Sompa FM/TV, Opemsuo Radio and Pure FM.
The officials took time to explain what the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin stood for, and the dangers posed to its noble objectives by galamsey, which is endemic in the Ashanti Region.
E ON 3 Group believes that there has been too much talk on stopping galamsey without the corresponding action, and therefore, the time to act is now to save the lands and water bodies from further destruction.
The company said since the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin is 24 carats (99.9 percent) pure gold, it is important that it moves with purity in gold sourcing.
Partners
The Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin was launched on December 12, 2021, to recognise His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene for his tremendous role in bringing an end to the protracted Dagbon conflict, as well as other peace-building and national development initiatives.
Access Bank is the official banking partner for the gold coin, while GLICO and Coronation Insurance Company Limited are the official insurance companies. Other partners are Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), KLG Group/KGL Foundation and Gold Coast Refinery.
For the responsible gold mining initiative, the partners are, E ON 3 Group, Manhyia Palace, Ansong Askew, African Responsible Mining Company, Access Bank, KGL Group/KGL Foundation, PMMC, Gold Coast Refinery, GLICO, and Coronation Insurance Company Limited, supported by World Gold Council, Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and PX Precinox.
Pursuing zero mercury
A leading official of E ON 3 Group said during the media interviews that the application of dangerous chemicals like mercury and cyanide in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector is having negative impacts on the ecosystem.
“There has been contamination of rivers in the Ashanti Region including River Offin with mercury and other dangerous chemicals, which has exposed many mining communities to serious environmental and health risks. Therefore, we are going all out to promote zero mercury in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector in,” the official said.
Land Reclamation/Protecting rivers
The company also touched on the reclamation of mined-out lands, which it intends to undertake as part of the responsible gold mining initiative.
The company maintained that the Asantehene takes great interest in ensuring that mined-out lands are returned to beneficial end-use, and therefore everything will be done to reclaim mined-out lands in the Ashanti Region.
Education & training
Officials of the company also noted that the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin project will embark on sustained education and training programmes on illegal gold mining for chiefs in the Ashanti Region.
The education and training programmes seek to build the capacities of the traditional rulers to better appreciate the enormity of the galamsey challenge and prepare them properly to adopt local efforts to counter the activities of illegal gold miners.
Besides these, there will be media engagements as part of efforts to deal with the illegal gold mining menace.
The media play a fundamental role in creating a healthy environment by spreading awareness and creating avenues for engagement.
Consequently, the media will be empowered to set the agenda for the anti-galamsey fight and responsible gold mining drive in the Ashanti Region.
There will also be visits to the churches and mosques to engage their leaders and congregants on how to use their platforms to combat illegal gold mining.
Convener of the Pensioner Bondholders Forum Dr Adu Anane Antwi
Pensioner bondholders exempted from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) have told the government to pay them to enable them to cater for their medical bills.
They resumed picketing on Monday, May 8 after claiming that the Finance Ministry has failed, on many occasions, to pay their due coupons and principals.
They had on Monday, April 17 served notice of returning to the Ministry to “further press home our demand for the payment of all coupons and principals in arrears, and an end to payment delays”.
Convener of the Pensioner Bondholders Forum Dr Adu Anane Antwi “If you are faced with a situation where the bondholders, the pensioners who need their money for medication and you don’t give them and they will die, you can’t bring them back so borrow from the treasury bill market and pay them so that they can live and then we can bring the economy back.”
The pensioner Bondholders are asking government to borrow from the treasury bill market and pay their coupons and principals.#3NewsGHpic.twitter.com/Ibf05xAw5j
Dr Anane further said they are only at the Finance Ministry for one thing, that is for their mature principals and coupons to be paid.
“When our mature bonds are due, you pay [and] when our coupons are due, you pay because we are an exempted group,” Dr Anane Atwi told journalists on Monday, May 8.
What AG told Ofori-Atta on imposing Debt Exchange Programme on bondholders
He said they had engagements with the Ministry after consistent failure to pay their dividends.
He said the Ministry gave assurances at the meetings that the payments will be made following measures to reconcile data from the DDEP.
It is lazy for the Ghana Revenue Authority to keep focusing on existing tax payers for revenue mobilisation while the vast majority of non-taxpayers are not sought after, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has said.
Speaking at the 57th Congregation at KNUST on Friday, 24 November 2023, Dr Bawumia said: “By linking the Ghana Card number and the TIN number, GRA can tell who has filed and who has not filed their tax and so it is rich data that is available to GRA and I am asking GRA to use that data”.
“It is a very lazy approach to go and keep looking for taxes from people who are paying taxes already when you could look at those who are not paying taxes who are the vast majority. They should be the ones that GRA should be focusing on and we would get more taxes from the vast majority”, he noted.
He, thus, urged the GRA to incentive its tax collectors with bonuses for every new taxpayer they bring on board.
Recently, the GRA has been closing down tax-defaulting companies in a bid to ramp up its mobilisation.
Accra, Jan. 12, GNA – The Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) says it is deepening decentralisation and improving efficiency and compliance within the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and District Assemblies.
The measures include the introduction of the District League Table, electronic biometric clocking system, unannounced visits to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCs) and investments in capacity building and training initiatives.
Speaking to journalists at a media engagement hosted by the leadership of the OHLGS in Accra, Dr Nana Ato Arthur, Head, Local Government Service, said the Service was working to digitise the operations of the Assemblies to reduce infractions particularly with the issuance of building permits.
He said the clocking system that had been introduced at the OHLGS and most Assemblies was already yielding dividends.
“Gone are the days when staff report to office after 09:00 hours and they leave office around 14:00 hours. When we instituted the biometric clocking system, it has checked lateness.
“At the end of the month, reports are generated from the clocking system and when we get to know those who go to office late consistently, we (query) them. The unannounced visit is also helping,” Nana Arthur said.
He said the implementation of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) at the Local Government Service had helped to improved budget monitoring and control and enhanced the capacity of local government units in financial management.
“…almost all the MMDAs are using the innovative strategies for their revenue mobilisation. This has increased revenue for most MMDAs including Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Adentan Municipal Assembly; Secondi- Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), among others.” Nana Arthur said.
The Local Government Service was established under the Local Government Service Act, Act 656 of 2003 to ensure the efficient management and administration of the nation’s decentralised local government system.
The Service has the mandate to support local governments to deliver value for money services through mobilization, harmonization and utilization of quality human capital and material resources to promote local and national development.
Touting some of his achievements since taking over as head of the OHLGS in 2017, Nana Arthur said 14,000 personnel of varied classes had been recruited into the Service, with its current staff strength standing at 37,676.
He said the Service currently had 164 Coordinating Directors and 97 in acting Capacity from various professional classes heading the 261 MMDAs and a total of 14 Chief Directors and 2 in acting capacity, managing the 16 RCCs.
“Promotion and Career progression in the Service have also witnessed a very significant increase since 2017,” he said.
Under the construction sector, Nana Arthur mentioned the completion of a five-storey ultra-modern office complex for the OHLGS as among his major achievements in that area.
He said the OHLGS was also constructing a Human Resource Development Centre at Akumadan in the Offinso North District in the Ashanti Region, which would be used as a university.
“The project is expected to be fully completed in July 2024,” he said.
The host of Kokrokoo on Peace FM, a subsidiary of the Despite Media Group, Kwami Sefa Kayi has indicated interest in the disciplinary actions the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will take against some of its members who invaded the studios of UTV last weekend.
According to Sefa Kayi, he is interested in what the ruling party will do to the people involved in the incident beyond what the police will do and will therefore pay rapt attention to the party’s response.
“For me, what I want to see, I am waiting, today is Monday, we are waiting toll Friday. Apart from what the police will do in relation to the law, I want to see what the NPP will do to the young men especially the one who said he is the acting regional youth organiser.
“…I will follow the case keenly,” he said on his show on Monday, October 9, 2023.
His statement was in response to the NPP’s National Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah who appeared on Kokrokoo to denounce and condemn the actions of the said party members.
Background
A group of NPP members stormed the studios of UTV during the broadcast of United Showbiz on Saturday, October 7, 2023, demanding for regular pundit of the show, Kwame Asare Obeng alias A Plus.
The group, said to be unhappy with A Plus shredding a letter by the leadership of the NPP to the management of UTV calling for a reform of United Showbiz, are said to have assaulted some staff of the media company before making their way into the studios.
The police later announced the arrest of 16 individuals in connection with the attack.
The incident has since received widespread condemnation from political activists and various critics who have described it as a direct attack on media freedom and the freedom of speech.
The Ministry of Finance has announced the release of GHS20 million to support students in both private and public tertiary institutions across the country.
This fund, disbursed through the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), aims to assist approximately 10,243 students who have applied for financial aid.
Nuhu Bayorbo Mahama, the Chief Executive Officer of the SLTF, addressed the media on Friday to provide details on the allocation.
He revealed that the trust fund has already disbursed around GHS58 million to 54,658 students for the 2023/24 academic year. This includes approximately GHS27 million allocated as allowances to 68,000 teacher trainees during the same period.
Mahama emphasized the critical role of these funds in enabling students to register for their examinations, thereby ensuring they can continue their education without financial hindrances.
“The release of this fund is crucial in helping our beneficiaries register for their examinations. We are committed to supporting students in achieving their educational goals,” Mahama stated.
Since the implementation of the government’s ‘No Guarantor Policy’ two years ago, there has been a significant increase in the demand for student loans. This policy has simplified the loan application process, making it easier for students to access financial support.
Each student beneficiary is expected to receive between GHS1,500 and GHS3,000, depending on their individual needs. The allocation aims to cover essential expenses and reduce the financial burden on students.
“The ‘No Guarantor Policy’ has made a substantial impact, and we have seen a drastic rise in the number of students applying for loans. Our goal is to ensure that no student is left behind due to financial constraints,” Mahama added.
The West Africa Chartered Property Underwriter (CPCU) Society Chapter, an affiliate of the Institutes’ CPCU Society, an international organization with headquarters in the USA, organized a day-long seminar in Accra recently. The society’s objective is to promote ethical standards in insurance practice.
The Acting Commissioner of Insurance, Mr. Michael K. Andoh, who was the Special Guest of Honour, advised players in the insurance industry to desist from “premium undercutting” to help sustain the insurance industry.
Premium undercutting is the practice where an insurance company offers clients “unrealistically low premiums” in order to gain a competitive advantage over others, often below the acceptable rate limits set by the insurance regulator, the NIC.
According to him, premium undercutting remains a challenge to the insurance industry and denies it the necessary funds to develop.
Mr. Andoh gave this advice during a day-long seminar organized by the West Africa Chartered Property Underwriter (CPCU) Society Chapter.
Mr. Andoh said premium undercutting was against the ethics and standards of the insurance industry.
Though he could not give figures on how much undercutting costs the insurance industry, he said it was one of the reasons some insurance companies recorded underwriting losses.
The Acting Commissioner of Insurance stated that the seminar discussed technology, new trends, challenges, and opportunities in the insurance industry.
He said the low insurance penetration in the country was a result of the low adoption of technology and the failure on the part of some insurance practitioners to adhere to the standards of the profession.
The Global President of CPCU Society, Traci Adedeji, in her remarks, said the CPCU Society was established 80 years ago to promote professionalism and ethical standards in the insurance industry.
She said the Ghana chapter was established in October 2023 to promote the insurance industry in Ghana.
Ms. Adedeji urged practitioners in the insurance industry to build trust, pointing out that trust was crucial for the development of the insurance industry.
She encouraged insurance practitioners to prioritize the needs of customers above their interests.
The Senior Director, Analyst Gartner Inc, USA, Rajesh Narayan, in his remarks, urged players in the insurance industry to embrace technology.
He said technology was not meant to displace them from their jobs, but to help them become more efficient and reach more customers.
Justice Peprah Agyei, West Africa CPCU Society Chapter Interim President, in his address, said the association was established to elevate insurance practice in the sub-region.
He also mentioned that the association was created to facilitate networking and promote innovation in the insurance industry.
Primeboy, the childhood friend of the late singer, Ileriouluwa Oladimeji Aloba better known as Mohbad, has accused his wife, Omawunmi of framing him up in public.
The singer’s friend, who was declared wanted hours ago and turned himself in to the police in an exclusive interview with TVC, revealed that before his death, Mohbad and his wife had a heated argument.
According to him, he had accompanied the singer to perform a day before his death, that was on Sunday but the singer had chased him out at Town Hall in the car after he and his wife got into an argument and were having a hidden conversation.
He described the late singer as not just his friend, but his everything and debunked reports that he was with him when he died.
Crying out over how Omawunmi is trying to frame him, he expressed his sadness at how Nigerians are pointing accusing fingers at him over his friend’s death, which he is innocent of.
Primeboy further made it known that he never received any message from the police and was surprised when they declared him wanted.
“That’s a big lie, there is no way I will receive a message from the police and I will refuse them. Before being declared wanted I wanted to turn myself in – I mean to explain myself at the station because started accusing me wrongly. People that I called said I should chill, I shouldn’t go anywhere, and should wait for them to invite me. So I kept waiting and suddenly I found myself wanted online yesterday. People started calling me that N1 million for anyone who finds me and I was shocked and surprised. I called my lawyer and family and they said I should calm down and that nothing would happen, so far I know nothing about it.
Mohbad is my childhood friend, those days when his stepmother didn’t care about him, I was his stepmother, dad, friend, and everything to him.
He lived with me then and my mum fed two of us together.
I wasn’t with him when he died, because we departed after his show on Sunday.
He chased me out of the car that day because he and his wife were having a hidden conversation, it was his family affair.
They don’t even know how I feel losing him and now they are now accusing me, the feeling is crãzy. I know God sees it all.
I want justice for Mohbad and I want his wife to stop framing me online, that’s wrong”.
Kemi Filani reported hours ago that Mohbad’s friend, Primeboy, had turned himself in after being declared wanted by police
This came after the Lagos State Police Command had declared him wanted for failing to respond to their invitation.
Primeboy had been summoned by the police as part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s untimely demise. The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, issued a statement confirming the development.
The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry as part of its renewed effort to fight the destructive illegal mining and formalise the small-scale mining sector will in the next six months introduce three high-speed Diamond DA-42 aircraft for surveillance.
A Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resource, George Mireku Duker who is the Chairman of the recently established Joint Committee during an inspection of the aircraft at the Takoradi Airforce Base said this would be in collaboration with the Ghana Airforce and the Ghana Chamber of Mines who are expected to pay for the retrofitting of the aircraft at a cost of €700,000 before they are deployed.
“These are specialised aircraft for surveillance and recognisance, and we believe our regularisation effort could help in getting things done, especially getting the galamsey menace controlled. That is why my government is collaborating with private partners like the Chamber of Mines. They have come together on this one, and we anticipate that they will take up the cost and use it to monitor their activities and also help in checking the galamsey”, he said.
George Mireku Duker, after inspecting the aircraft said the sustainability of the government’s current flagship policy of gold for oil policy would heavily depend on a formalised small-scale mining sector, hence the Lands Ministry will keep up the fight till the sector is formalised.
“As I speak, government has embarked upon a gold for oil policy and if we are going to be vigorous about that journey, then we must have a regularized industry… I believe the President is so determined in fighting the galamsey canker on ours and fortunately for us, due to the collaboration the Ministry has with the Chamber of Mines, we have come together to restore these special aircraft to assist in fighting the galamsey,” he added.
He also explained what informed government to take the cost-effective route of undertaking repair works instead of purchasing new equipment which will serve the same purpose.
“This is an effort we are making to clamp down on recalcitrant persons who are still determined to destroy our industry. We want to streamline and regulate activities in the mining sector… We believe that it is cost-effective compared to procuring drones and other equipment. Though drones may have their efficiencies, this could be in the air for hours without being noticed and collect evidence that can be used in a court of law“, he noted.
The Diamond DA-42 aircraft were procured and delivered in 2011 to the Ghana Airforce originally for offshore surveillance but has over the period developed faults with the communication and surveillance software.
George Mireku Duker mentioned that the work on the aircraft is expected to last six months.
“The servicing works on the aircraft will see the replacement of crashes, hard drives, outdated software and engines among others”, he assured.
A briefing on the state of the Diamond aircraft were led by W02 Hoggar Charles, an Aircraft Technician of the Ghana Airforce.
Provisional results trickling in points to the fact that the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson has been reelected as a lawmaker for the area, DGN Online can report.
Though the Electoral Commission has not declared the results, but reports indicate that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate has taken commanding lead in the by-election with over 3,000 votes.
Already, members of the opposition party have taken to the streets in jubilation, believing that they have won the election.
Voters in the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region went to the polls to vote in a parliamentary by-election to elect a member of parliament for the area today June 27, 2023 following the nullification of the previous election won by Gyekye Quayson.
Following the declaration of the seat as vacant as a result of a Supreme Court decision for the name of James Gyakye Quayson to be expunged from parliament, the area received intense political activities in the run-up to today’s election.
A total of 41,168 registered voters were expected to vote in 99 polling stations across the constituency.
Three candidates contested the by-election with Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson as the front runners in the keenly contested election. The third candidate, Bernice Enyonam Sefenu representing the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
Since 2012, the NDC had won two of the three parliamentary elections (2012 and 2020) with the other one slot going to the NPP (2016) and pundits expect the seat to swing towards the NPP.
Before the creation of Assin North and Assin Central constituencies from the then Assin North Constituency in 2012, the constituency was seen as the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with Kennedy Agyapong winning the seat three terms (2000, 2004, and 2008).
However, the NDC represented by Samuel Ambre, won the newly created Assin North Parliamentary seat in the 2012 by obtaining 14,338 votes representing 51.64 per cent to beat Ebenezer Appiah-Kubi of the NPP who garnered 12,281 votes, representing 44.24 per cent.
In the 2016 parliamentary elections, Abena Durowaa Mensah who contested on the ticket of the NPP annexed the seat by securing 15,553 votes representing 56.77 per cent against Samuel Ambre of the NDC who secured 10,751 votes, representing 39.24 per cent.
The NPP candidate, Abena Durowaa Mensah who was the incumbent MP garnered 14,193 votes representing 44.79 per cent to hand over the seat to the NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson who obtained 17,498 votes, representing 55.21 per cent.
Strategically, the NPP selected Charles Opoku, an indigene of Assin Breku, the constituency capital to neutralise the political advantage of James Gyakye Quayson, also an indigene of the town.
Due to the seriousness both the NPP and NDC attached to the elections, high-ranking officials of the two political parties were in Assin North to campaign for their respective candidates in the run up to the poll.
Today’s poll is seen as a mid-term election to test the popularity of the ruling NPP administration and the main opposition NDC which would set the tone for a psychological mind game in the run-up to the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The NPP likewise, its NDC counterpart, sent members of different ethic identities to every community including farms and hamlets to campaign for their respective candidate.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, National Chairman, Stephen Ntim, General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong and other national officers of the party, members of parliament, regional and constituency executives and other officials among others campaigned vigorously on the need for the electorate to vote for Charles Opoku.
Led by the former President, John Dramani Mahama, Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, General Secretary, Fifi Kwettey and other leading members of the party including members of parliament the NDC gave indication of the party winning the elections.
The NDC besides playing the sympathy card, focused on marshalling its supporters within the settler communities to vote massively for the party’s candidate in the by-election.
General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwettey, during a radio rally on Rich FM, a local radio station at Assin Fosu pleaded with the host to allow him speak Ewe to reach out to people from the Volta Region domiciled in the various communities in the Assin North Constituency.
The Registrar of the National Teaching Council, Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, has raised concerns about the significant attrition rate in Ghana’s education sector, emphasizing that it poses a considerable threat to the country’s educational landscape.
In a recent statement, Dr. Addai-Poku revealed that over 16,000 Ghanaian teachers have applied for positions with the Department of Education in the United Kingdom in the current year alone.
By June 13, 2023, approximately 10,000 of these applicants, holding Ghana Teacher Licenses, were granted certification to work in the UK without requiring further assessment by the UK government.
Speaking on Asaase FM, Dr. Addai-Poku attributed this trend to the success of the Teacher Professionalism Program initiated five years ago.
He noted that Ghanaian teachers have become increasingly attractive in the international job market.
Consequently, the UK government eased some restrictions on applications from four African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, for qualified teacher positions in the United Kingdom.
“After the lifting of restrictions were eased, we have seen that there is a high rate of people applying for professional standing; the evidence that you are a professional teacher in Ghana and that you are in good standing…”
He continued, “…and we’ve realized that over the years, from last year till now, that application has gone up so high, and data we received from the Department for Education in the UK indicate that as of April this year, about 16,000 teachers had applied out of which 10,000 people had been given the authorization to travel to the UK to teach,” Dr. Addai-Poku explained on Assaseradio.com.
Expressing his concern, Dr. Addai-Poku urged stakeholders within Ghana’s education system to explore measures to mitigate the current mass migration of teachers to the United Kingdom.
He emphasized that this issue is particularly troubling because it predominantly affects science, mathematics, and experienced teachers, making their replacement a challenging endeavor.
Dr. Addai-Poku called upon the Ghana Education Service (GES) to evaluate the impact of this attrition rate on the quality of education within the country and to determine if they are still in a good standing to address the growing challenge.
Kwabena Kwakye, the main anchor of Boiling Point, popular political talk programme aired on Accra-based Oman FM has passed on.
Mr. Kwakye is said to have collapsed during a production at Ken City Media in Accra and was pronounced dead at the hospital, credible sources told MyNewsGh.com.
His employer Ken City Media led by businessman Kenneth Agyapong and the family are expected to make a formal announcement of his demise.
Aside Boiling Point, Kwakye was a panel member on the National Agenda, an Oman FM morning show programme and occasionally held the ‘fort’ when the regular anchor, Fiifi Boafo was not available.
The late broadcaster previously worked as Parliamentary and Presidential correspondent at Net2 TV and Oman FM.
He also worked previously with the likes of Professor Kofi Agyekum of Legon, Professor Kwesi Yankah, Mr Kwabena Agyapong and Hon. K.T. Hammond now Trade Minister.
Kwabena Kwakye was appointed to the Board of the Ghana National Petroleum Company GNPC in 2017 by President Akufo-Addo. The board was then chaired by the former acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay.
Kwabena Kwakye was active in the campaign of his boss, Kennedy Agyapong to become Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party but was defeated by Vice president Mahamudu Bawumia.
The abysmal performance of the Cedi against the major trading currencies is disturbing businesses, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce, Dr Mark Badu-Aboagye, has said.
He said that this is certainly not a good time for businesses in Ghana owing to the free fall of the cedi.
“Not a good time for businesses. Rate of depreciation of the cedi and high cost of operating troubling,” Dr Mark Badu-Aboagye said on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 on Thursday, May 16.
Ghana’s cedi is in a record-breaking weakening cycle. The currency hasn’t gained versus the dollar in the past 22 trading sessions, the longest streak, Bloomberg reported.
The currency hasn’t gained versus the dollar in the past 22 trading sessions, the longest streak according to data compiled by Bloomberg going back to 1994. The cedi traded 0.3% weaker at 13.9310 by 1 p.m. in London.
It’s declined 14% this year, a slump beaten only by currencies that have been devalued, including the Egyptian pound and Nigerian naira.
The slide has been fueled by a slump in cocoa earnings, with exports dropping by nearly a third to $508 million in the first two months of the year due to adverse weather, disease and fertilizer shortages.
Despite a temporary surplus in 2023, Ghana’s historical current account deficit is also resurfacing, signaling further challenges to the cedi, said Gergely Urmossy, emerging market strategist at Societe Generale.
The cedi’s forward curve calculation sees the currency breaching its record low of 14.6174 per dollar by the third quarter, ending the year at 15.98. FX forward pricing is calculated based on the spot rate and the interest rate differentials between the two currencies for the tenor of the forward.
In the wake of the poor performance of the Cedi, a Minister of State under the Rawlings administration, Kojo Yankah, has suggested to the government to prioritise the provision of incentives for businesses to produce more, not the introduction of taxes.
Mr Yankah indicated that taxing businesses amidst the dwindling fortunes of the local currency is only suffocating the business community.
Mason Greenwood has reportedly told his advisors that sealing a summer move to Barcelona would be his ‘dream’.
The former England international is currently on loan in Spain with Getafe after it was decided he would play no part in Manchester United‘s immediate future.
This came after criminal allegations against him for attempted rape, assault and coercive control were dropped. The 22-year-old denied all the charges.
Greenwood is a long-term target for the Catalan giants and reports towards the end of December suggested that they were weighing up a £40million move for the United exile.
And it now appears as if the striker is edging toward that move after The Sun reported that Greenwood has told his advisors to make the move happen.
Greenwood has not set LaLiga alight by any means but he has on occasion produced the flashes of quality that promised a long and successful career when he broke into the United first team in 2019.
Mason Greenwood of Getafe CF (Photo by Cesar Ortiz / Pressinphoto / Icon Sport)
The forward currently has five goals in 19 games and with no future at parent club United on the cards, Greenwood now has his heart set on a move to the Nou Camp.
Mason Greenwood of Getafe CF (Photo by Cesar Ortiz / Pressinphoto / Icon Sport)
Reports suggest that United want £40m for the striker despite the fact that he will have just one year left on his Red Devils deal at the end of this season.
Barca have reportedly sent scouts to watch Greenwood play six times this season and are impressed by his performances.
Greenwood’s current side Getafe are also rumoured to be interested in permanently signing the forward.
The Northern Regional Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has instructed constituencies with unopposed parliamentary candidates to hold an Extraordinary Constituency Delegates Conference on Sunday, 21st January 2024.
This conference is intended to acclaim or confirm the unopposed aspiring Parliamentary Candidates.
This directive follows the NPP General Secretary’s statement dated 17th January 2024, which communicated the decisions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) from their meeting held on the same day.
The Northern Regional Chairman, Mohammed Adam Baantima Samba, in accordance with Article 7(31) of the party’s constitution, has directed the convening of this conference.
The unopposed aspiring Parliamentary Candidates for the Karaga, Tolon, Gushegu, Bimbila, and Tatale-Sanguli constituencies will go through popular acclamation at this conference.
In a letter signed by the Northern Regional Secretary of the NPP, Prof Zakaria Hudu, and sighted by Citi News, the party expressed optimism that the Extraordinary Constituency Delegates Conference will be a milestone in strengthening the party’s democratic process.
It is also expected to unite members towards a successful outcome in the 2024 elections.
Read the full statement here
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Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo has applauded her junior colleague, Iyabo Ojo for her daughter, Priscilla’s unique personality.
Victoria had run into Priscilla at an event and the two had taken a video, which Victoria shared on her Instagram page, calling Priscy her friend’s daughter.
She praised Iyabo for raising another Queen like her, as she described Priscy as an adorable lady.
“My friend’s daughter @iyaboojofespris ….U have raised another Queen @its.priscy ….She is so adorable…Bless….”.
Taking to her comment section, Priscilla appreciated her for the love writing, “Thank you ma”.
Some of the movie star’s fans gushed over the young influencer and entrepreneur.
One Ronnie Dikko wrote, “She is beautiful
One Official Doree wrote, “A Queen
One Maria Ibiang wrote, “She’s beautiful
One Lamehi Blue Angel wrote, “She’s so cute”.
The praises on Iyabo Ojo is coming amid the allegations leveled on her by social media activist, Very Dark Man, whom she had a spat with over her constant interference in the late singer, Mohbad’s case
Very Dark Man accused the movie star cum reality star of engaging in a threesome with her daughter. He didn’t stop there, he went in to label her a failure, suggesting that her involvement in Mohbad’s case was a means to remain relevant in the spotlight and gain public praise.
Iyabo also laid strong allegations against him, labeling him a clout chaser spreading false information and expressing untrue opinions about people.
She further noted how the greatest weapon used to fight a woman is slut shaming and it is already far time worn.
In different news, Victoria Inyama had crowned the 17/18th of June, 2023 as a life-changing day for her.
The movie star recounted her experience at an event, which marked a new beginning for her.
In a follow-up post, Victoria had announced her comeback to the movie industry, after quitting to find a new purpose.
In an emotional post, Victoria revealed how life showed up for her and how she found her second purpose in life, which has been helpful to many.
A Nigerian side-chick named Florence has ended it all after her married sugar daddy dumped her to focus on his family.
According to reports, the late side-chick was hoping that her sugar daddy would have divorced his wife to marry her but unfortunately, she was living in a fantasy Island.
Sadly, she decided to end it all by drinking poison after her sugar daddy warned her never to either call or text him again because he now wants to focus on his family.
According to some witnesses, the lady drank rat poison to end it all because she wasn’t able to cope with the shock of the breakup.
Netizens Reactions…
@Lilan Helbert – No sympathy for this one I beg I need adonko next level .
@Iam Blessy 1 – Hmm )d) de nipa bedru akyire o hmmm
@Nielakourt – Eeeeiii????? on top of someone’s husband
Former President John Dramani Mahama has identified Africa’s unique problem that he says if managed well can be an asset at the same time.
He says Africa has the youngest and largest population of young people.
In his keynote address at the Korea-Africa Business Summit 2023, Mr Mahama stated that “In Africa, we have a unique problem, which is an asset at the same time, if we manage it well— Africa is the youngest continent and has the largest population of young people. Africa’s youthful population is educated and eager to acquire new skills to enter the world of work.
“Twelve (12) million young Africans enter the labour market every year. Unfortunately, only three (3) and four (4) million jobs are created annually in Africa. Africa needs to double its job creation capacity to keep up with the growing youth bulge, or it will turn into a ticking time bomb.”
To do this, he added “we must accelerate the growth of African economies. We must diversify our economies from just the export of primary products. We must strive for value addition for our exports. We must promote African entrepreneurship and enterprise, but above all, we expand trade among ourselves.”
How can we forge a partnership with Korea that allows our young people to benefit from a transfer of knowledge and technology that harnesses their vast talents and creativity for growth? I would like to have this summit consider the above when submitting a report on the outcomes of our deliberations.
Mr Maham further stated that Ghana has had a history of Korean investments in Ghana.
Early investors like the well-known Bok Nam-Kim made significant investments in fisheries and agribusiness, he said.
He added other investors who have come in have concentrated on the import of used autos and auto spare parts.
“With the recent opening of a KIA vehicle assembly plant, I can see new beginnings. Younger Koreans like my friend Kojo Choi have invested in the Fintech space. His PaySwitch payment and settlements platform is bringing in some of the latest Korean fintech experience, providing banking and credit solutions for Ghana.
“Digital finance and services (and App development) are other areas young Ghanaian fintech and technology talents will benefit significantly from in partnership with Korea. There is a huge demand for services in this area.”
Food production and Agri-business are other areas in which Africa has a comparative advantage,he further stated.
“There is a demand for technology solutions in Ghana’s agriculture value chain and agri-business. A viable partnership can be developed to provide digital solutions for producing animals and crops.
“Ghana has a significant endowment in natural resources. Ghana is blessed with gold, bauxite, manganese, oil, and, lately, lithium. A collaboration between Ghana and Korea to use Ghanaian lithium to build batteries for the EV revolution in the world would be a mutually beneficial venture.”
Bayport Savings and Loans Plc, the foremost provider of deduction at source loans, savings, and investment products, is thrilled to announce the commencement of its 20th-anniversary celebrations.
This milestone signifies twenty years of delivering seamless payroll lending services to public sector workers, as well as offering savings and investment solutions to the public nationwide.
During the anniversary launch, Mr. Akwasi Aboagye, the Chief Executive Officer of Bayport Savings and Loans, passionately reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to its vision of empowering individuals and improving livelihoods.
“My team and I remain more focused than ever on leading the “deduction at source” lending and savings and fixed deposit investments sectors of the financial services industry,” he assured.
Amidst the prevalent macroeconomic challenges and their consequential impact on the financial sector, Mr. Aboagye resolutely affirmed that Bayport has successfully charted a resilient course that guarantees sustained growth in the foreseeable future. Moreover, the company remains unwavering in its commitment to providing access to essential financial services for Ghanaians.
Mr. Aboagye highlighted that the company’s transformation into a fully digitized and interconnected financial services provider. This strategic shift he said has enabled Bayport to meet the evolving needs of its customers more effectively and efficiently.
“We firmly believe that we can enhance our operations further, leveraging advancements in technology and automation to become a fully dynamic enterprise. Throughout this evolution, we remain steadfast in upholding the highest levels of security, transparency, customer service, risk management, and ethics,” he added.
Mr. Aboagye further conveyed the company’s unwavering commitment to promoting financial inclusion by providing tailored loan and investment products that empower individuals and contribute to their financial well-being. Bayport aims to serve as a catalyst for positive change, striving to make a meaningful impact in the lives of its esteemed customers.
“While we have come a long way, our journey is far from over. There is still much to be accomplished, and we are committed to building a customer-centric, resilient, and sustainable business,” he noted.
He applauded the board, management, and all Bayporteers for their unrelenting dedication and support that has pushed the sustained growth of the company over the past two decades.
Head of Supervision at the Bank of Ghana, Mr. Osei Gyasi, commended the leadership of Bayport for the significant role they continue to play in driving financial inclusion in the country, especially in the provision of loans to public sector workers.
He further applauded the company’s remarkable journey in the domestic financial sector over the years whilst encouraging them to explore innovations that will sustain growth and profitability.
The 20th-anniversary celebrations are on the theme “Bayport Savings and Loans: Celebrating 20 years of needs met, opportunities created, plans accomplished, hopes realized and dreams fulfilled.”
Prophet Kofi Oduro, the founder and leader of Alabaster International Ministry has descended heavily on the four robbers who killed a policeman at Ablekuma FanMilk during a robbery operation on a bullion van.
The prophet invoked curses on the robbers and their descendants for causing pain and grief to another family.
Prophet Kofi Oduro explained that the vengeance of God will befall the killers down to their 20th generation.
“The fools who shot a policeman last Thursday, let me boldly tell you, you may have already shared the loot amongst yourselves but the vengeance of God will come after you. Yeah! I’m telling you. The blood of Amoah and that of Osei will cry out unto you and the descendants after you; 20 generations are destroyed. I curse you from this generation unto the 20th generation.
“If nobody has told you, I have told you, On behalf of Amoah who had died a painful death and left a wife and two children,” Prophet Oduro swore.
On Thursday, June 22, 2023, some armed men attacked an improvised Cash In Transit (CIT) vehicle and killed a police officer who was performing escort duties at Ablekuma FanMilk.
The deceased was seated in the front seat of the white van at the time of the attack.
He succumbed to several gunshots fired at him by one of four assailants, who made away with two bags whose contents remain unknown.
Source: GNA
: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of . accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi, says the government is on track to complete the asphalting of 35 kilometres of roads in Koforidua within the shortest possible time.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industries revealed that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured him that all deplorable ancillary roads in the municipality will also be rehabilitated.
He said contractors who have abandoned their work will be returning to complete it.
In an interview with Citi News on the state of roads in the Eastern Regional capital, Okyere Baafi assured that a good number of bad roads in the municipality will be fixed before the end of the government’s term.
“We are working on the asphalt overlay, and we are trying to fix 35 kilometres of asphalt roads in Koforidua, which is on track. We will do everything we can to finish within the shortest possible time. And that is not the only road we are tackling; we are also looking at ancillary roads in town that will benefit the people.
“We are trying to fix all the roads. I had a one-on-one meeting with President Akufo-Addo two weeks ago, and he has assured me that he will make sure that all the roads are fixed. We are counting on his assurance, and the good news is that the Roads Minister also assured us last week that he will pay the contractors on the Abugre and Apenkwa roads. When these monies are paid, these contractors will also return to the sites to continue their work.”
He further mentioned that “I am sure that by the end of the year, Koforidua will see some improvement in its road network. We have put some urgency into this, and we are on track. We hope that before this government’s term ends, we will be able to fix some roads in Koforidua.”
Nollywood actress turned politician Tonto Dikeh had got many talking online as she storms her ex’s wedding in a sexy outfit.
The actress who meant well for the new couple rocked her verified page with photos of herself stunning in a white masterpiece. She appreciated her designer who worked impromptu to deliver the beautiful out
Tonto Dikeh is delighted to celebrate the union of two hearts as one, despite having a past with the groom.
OFF TO CELEBRATE LOVE..WHEN TW HEARTS BECOME 1❤️🥂💐…This dress was made in less than 4hoursThanks to an amazing designer @renbossclothingsI told her give me something very decent but SEXY.SHE DELIVERED………”
Before the wedding, Tonto Dikeh sought advice on attending her ex wedding after she had been invited.
The mother of one revealed that her ex deserves happiness because she nearly made him mad during their relationship, adding that her absence at his wedding will make her a bitter ex.
Tonto Dikeh’s statement about her ex is contrary to the issues being raised with her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill.
It’s been years that the couple have been going back and forth with each other over who’s been wrong in their marriage.
There is also the case of child’s custody and support between the two. At every birthday of their son, King, the former couple goes back and forth on who has been responsible for the child’s wellbeing.
General Overseer of Life Assembly Worship Centre, Rev. Christian Kwabena Andrews, popularly called ‘Osofo Kyiri Abosom’, says the one-week fast and prayer declaration by the Perez Chapel over the Nogokpo controversy involving the church is a complete “waste of time”.
He wondered why the church would embark on a fast and prayer for their Head Pastor, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, because the people of Nogokpo has threatened to take action against him regarding a sermon he delivered in church concerning Nogokpo.
Preaching to the congregants at the Perez Chapel, the Archbishop narrated an experience he had with some demonic entities on his journey in Nogokpo.
His comments infuriated the residents in the community who found Archbishop Agyinasare to be stereotyping them as a hub of withcraft, a notion they seek to clear from the minds of Ghanaians.
They leaders in the community released a press statement demanding an unqualified apology from the Archbishop or face their wrath.
Fast and Prayers For Archbishop Charles Agyinasare
On Sunday, June 4, the Presiding Bishop of Perez Chapel International, Benjamin Ohene Aboagye, declared a weeklong fast and prayers to protect their Head Pastor.
“On the 25th of last month, during our Supernatural Empowerment Summit, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare made a statement concerning the Nogokpo issue. I think we are all aware of the issue in Ghana. It is trending on social media and other platforms. We, the Perez Council, on behalf of the Executive Council, have taken notice of all these things and this is what the Executive Council is saying.
“We are declaring a one-week fast from the 5th to the 11th of this month, and we expect all pastors, elders, deacons, deaconesses, and all our churches to participate in this fast for one week. We believe that God is our helper. He is our rock. He is the one we look up to. So this is the decision we have taken for now. We expect everyone [in all our branches] to take part in this fast,” he said.
Declaring Fast and Prayer, Very ‘Useless’
But Osofo Kyiri Abosom has expressed shock that the Perez Chapel would declare a period of fast and prayer for their Pastor over a threat by Nogokpo.
“Fasting for one week, it’s a waste of time. Agyinasare, wherever you are, your fasting for one week is useless. We already have God’s power; it’s not the fasting that will clear anything. If you have the power, there is no need to fast for something of that sort,” he told Peace News.
To him, if the church adhere to this instruction, it means they believe in the spirit of Nogokpo.
“Does this mean you believe in the spirit of Nogokpo?”, he questioned.
Agyinasare Vs Nogokpo
On Sunday, May 28, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare said he has no intention to cast a slur on the people of Nogokpo and the Volta Region and that his earlier comments were in reference to an incident that happened after a crusade held in the area.
“To drive home my point, I made reference to several instances where I have encountered manifestations of demonic powers in my crusades, which have taken me to over 92 countries of the world.
“I gave an example of people who were seeking to levitate during a crusade in India. I gave an example of an attack I suffered as a very young pastor who had gone to preach at a bus stop around Korle Bu.
“In reference to Nogokpo, I wish to clarify that I never intended to refer to the town but an incident that happened after a crusade at Aflao – I had absolutely no intention to cast a slur on the people of Nogokpo town and the Volta Region as a whole,” the archbishop explained.
He added; “I have had a cordial relationship with the people of the Volta Region – my wife of 38 years is an Ewe from Keta and two of my biological children bear Ewe names – all the examples I gave were not intended to denigrate any of the towns and their people, but to elucidate the principles of divine protection to congregants.”
However, the Chief of Nogokpo and his elders have called for the presence of Archbishop Charles Agyinasare before them to resolve the matter.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi//Ghana
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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia inaugurated the Phase Two expansion of Tamale International Airport on Tuesday.
Tamale International Airport is the third-busiest airport in Ghana, after Kotoka International Airport and Kumasi Airport.
It serves as a vital transportation hub, connecting both domestic and international destinations to Tamale.
The airport was originally established during World War II for military use. Its importance led to plans for its expansion, but these were interrupted by political changes in 1966. Modifications were later made for civilian operations.
Work began in September 2014 to upgrade the Tamale Airport to international status. The project was divided into two phases:
Phase One involved extending the runway from 2,438 meters to 3,400 meters, constructing a new apron and taxi link, rehabilitating the existing apron, and installing aeronautical ground lighting systems.
Phase Two, which began in August 2019, involved expanding the airport terminal building to include a VIP lounge, two boarding gates, self-service check-in kiosks, check-in desks, airline offices, commercial retail areas, and a multipurpose terminal for Hajj travel facilitation. The expansion also included a 5-kilometre road network and other supporting structures.
At the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Bawumia expressed gratitude to the project’s funders.
He highlighted the project’s alignment with the government’s vision to boost the aviation industry and make Ghana a West African aviation hub.
The project is also expected to stimulate economic trading activities and offer an alternative to Kotoka International Airport. It has an estimated capacity of around 250,000 passengers.
The Vice President also highlighted some of the benefits of the project, particularly its potential to support the activities of the Northern Development Authority.
Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah praised the project, emphasizing its role in enhancing aviation transport and encouraging local airlines to contribute.
British High Commissioner to Ghana Harriet Thompson praised the project’s potential to boost tourism.
Overlord of Dagbon Yaa Naa Abubakar Mahama II commended the project on behalf of the region’s chiefs and residents.
He urged the government to create irrigation dams to support agriculture and pledged the region’s commitment to maintaining the project.
Ghana has no plans of building a Skytrain, but rather focusing its attention on the Western and Eastern railway lines development for the moment, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), Mr Yaw Owusu, has stated.
He said it was extremely expensive to build skytrain as a kilometre was estimated to cost $20 million within the cities, adding Ghana does not have the resources for such a project.
Mr Owusu who conceded though that the skytrain project was mentioned in the budget, made these known in an exclusive interview in Kumasi during a stakeholder sensitisation workshop on the new Railway Master Plan on Friday.
As part of government’s agenda to revitalise the railway network, GRDA, under the Ministry of Railway Development, he said had revised the existing master plan which seeks to create an efficient railway network linking all the regional capitals and potential mineral deposits.
Mr Owusu indicated that railway network in the country was less than a percentage of the transport sector, and there was the need to change that narrative and concentrate on the development of the existing ones.
So far, he said $2billion had been invested in the ongoing projects such as the Tema to Mpakadan, Takoradi port to Nsuta mines to Huni Valley and Obuasi to Kaase to Adum.
The CEO was worried that Ghana could not borrow from the financial global market because her credit rating was low.
“There is money out there, people are willing to give out loans, but our capacity to borrow is limited because we have borrowed so much money to the extent that our debt to domestic gross product is very high in the financial global market,” he said.
He, therefore, called on private investors to partner with the Authority to develop railway transport in the country.
The CEO expressed much concern about the manner some individuals had been encroaching on their right of way which was creating a lot of difficulties.
On illegal mining activities (galamsey), the Director of Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Al-Amin Is- Hak Al-Hassan, said it was their greatest headache as the illegal miners had been undermining the very foundation and embankments of the railway lines.
“They are digging so close that erosion is undermining the construction work, they don’t even care when we are around,” he added.
He mentioned that about €28million had been used on diversions of the railway lines in areas such as Obuasi and Dunkwa.
Touching on theft and vandalism of railway assets, Mr Al-Hassan called for a railway-specific punitive legislation to punish perpetrators, and to stop theft and vandalism of railway assets.
The director stressed that persons in possession of assets, be they “thieves or buyers”, should face long jail sentences to deter repeated actions.
Source: Ghanaiantimes.com.gh
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Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have introduced their newborn son to the world.
The “Umbrella” singer, 35, and her rapper partner, 34, posed for a series of adorable photos that featured the couple’s newborn baby, son Riot Rose, as well as son RZA, 16 months.
DIGGZY/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
In the pictures, Rihanna holds baby Riot while Rocky carries RZA on his shoulders, posing together for the first time as a family of four.
The musician and mom of two is also photographed carrying her newborn alone as she leans up against a car.
Additional pictures show the couple playing with Riot on a blanket as he sweetly smiles up at his parents.
DIGGZY/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
Sources confirmed to PEOPLE in August that the “Diamonds” singer and her partner had welcomed their second baby together. TMZ was the first to report the baby news. At the time, reps for the couple could not be reached for comment.
Rihanna revealed the exciting news that she was expecting another baby in the opening moments of her Super Bowl performance in February, rubbing her stomach and leaving the zipper of her outfit — a jumpsuit layered over a close-fitting bodysuit and sculpted bandeau — down to reveal her belly.
DIGGZY/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
“She loves being a mom so this is where her mind is at the moment,” a source told PEOPLE in February about Rihanna’s parenting style. “She is the happiest she has ever been.”
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was key for the Thunder in their win against the Warriors
The Golden State Warriors succumbed to a 130-123 overtime defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder as they were beaten for a sixth game in a row.
Chet Holmgren scored a three-pointer to level at 117-117 with seven-tenths of a second left in regulation time.
Team-mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander then scored 10 of his 40 points in overtime to help the Thunder to victory.
The Warriors were again without Draymond Green as he serves a five-game ban.
Green received his suspension for putting Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert in a headlock.
Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 40 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Dallas Mavericks 132-125.
Milwaukee were 12 points behind during the second half but outscored the Mavericks 43-27 in the final quarter on the way to the win.
“We’re building something special. You can feel it. I thought it was a great character game,” said Bucks coach Adrian Griffin.
The Miami Heat saw their seven-game winning streak brought to an end with a 102-97 defeat by the Chicago Bulls, while the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans 121-120 in another close game.
Victor Wembanyama was again impressive for the San Antonio Spurs but they let a 19-point lead slip in a 120-108 defeat by the Memphis Grizzlies.
French rookie Wembanyama, 19, scored 19 points with 13 rebounds and eight blocked shots but the Spurs suffered an eighth straight loss.
The founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah, has said that if Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is considering selecting a female running mate, then he recommends Irene Naa Torshie Addo, the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
According to him, she is one of the people who can help the party break the eight-year cycle in the next election.
He said that although Irene Naa Torshie Addo has not informed him of any intention to be the running mate of the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, he can vouch for her any day as the best person for the role.
In an interview with Ade Akye Abia on Okay FM, Owusu-Bempah said in Twi, “If Dr Bawumia wants a lady as his running mate, then he has taken too long; he should have mentioned Naa Torshie’s name long ago because that woman, all clergymen in this country respect and honour her dearly.
“I won’t campaign for her because she has not discussed anything like that or that she is interested, but my truth is that if Dr Bawumia wants a female running mate, if they will listen to me, then Naa Torshie is the person who can make the grounds soft for him to win.”
He added that, despite all the issues and mistreatment he received from the NPP following their attainment of political power, Naa Torshie was one of the people who calmed his nerves and helped him resolve his issues with the party.
“If there is anybody that Vice President Dr Bawumia should thank, then it is Naa Torshie (Irene Naa Torshie Addo). She calmed my nerves. She could come to my place, and we could chat, and she reassured me. God bless her,” he added.
His comments come on the back of two female names that have emerged as potential running mates for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the NPP: Irene Naa Torshie Addo and Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Chief of Staff.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has reacted to criticisms of his proposal to run a 24-hour economy when he is voted into office again by some persons including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
According to the former president, he never said that his proposal was novel as being asserted by Dr Bawumia and his other critics.
Speaking at a campaign in the Ahafo Region, on November 21, 2023, Mahama explained that his proposal involves putting measures in place to ensure that all businesses get the chance to operate both day and night if they want to.
“When I talked about the 24-hour economy, many people are saying it is not a well-thought-through programme and that people were doing 24-hour economy already.
“If one pharmacy is doing 24 hours, if one factory is doing 24 hours, that is not what I am talking about. Everybody should be encouraged to be able to do a 24-hour shift. Because we have the harvest season now, factories that are processing agricultural products should be able to run two shifts. So that they are able to process as much of the agricultural produce as possible,” he said.
He added, “What we are saying is that we will give incentives for everybody who wants to run a 24-shift system to be able to do that so that more young people will be employed.”
Bawumia’s criticism:
Vice President Dr Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), at a campaign event in Nalerigu, in the North East Region, on Monday, November 20, 2023, attacked the 24-hour economy policy proposition put forth by Mahama.
Bawumia explained that the idea of a 24-hour economy was not new to Ghana and that it appeared Mahama does not understand the concept.
“John Mahama says he has a new idea, what is this new idea, he says he wants a 24-hour economy. He doesn’t even understand that promise,” Bawumia told a teeming crowd up north on his first visit since his election as flagbearer.
He listed among others; hospitals, power and fuel service providers and some chop bars, that are already operating 24 hours adding that thanks to digitalization, “you can transfer and receive money 24 hours.”
“He (Mahama) doesn’t understand his own policy, it does not make sense. I want you to note in 2024 we are having a new vision. I will bring new policy and we will transform this country. John Mahama is the past, Dr. Bawumia is the future,” Bawumia added to cheers from the crowd.
SEVERAL SHOPS have been gutted by an inferno at the French Line Market, near the Kumasi Central Market on Sunday morning.
The exact cause of the blaze, which destroyed items in the shops, was not immediately known when this report was being filed.
According to eyewitness reports, they spotted a huge smoke from one of the shops in the market around 8am, and before they could react, it turned into a massive blaze.
The eyewitnesses then called personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), who also sent their men to the scene, the paper gathered. According to Divisional Officer Grade 1, Rashid Nisawu, Deputy Regional Commander at the Ashanti Regional Fire Command, they received a distress call 8:39am and rushed to Alabar-French Line.
“We sent five fire engines and when they got to the fire scene, the inferno was burning and destroying food items, which were mainly cereals at the French Line,” he said, adding that access to the fire scene was the main challenge the firefighters faced.
Divisional Officer Grade 1, Rashid Nisawu, also said most of the shops had gas cylinders, which the traders use for cooking “and it caused explosions here and there”. According to him, despite the challenges that they encountered, the firefighters managed to quench the blaze at exactly 10:58am, saying, “The fire is under control now.”
The fire officer, however, could not readily state the exact cause of the fire and the shops destroyed by the fire, noting that investigations were underway.
Mustapha Gbande, a deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged party members to take cutlasses to voting centers.
According to the National officer of the opposition NDC, it is the only way the party can ensure the 2024 election is free and fair.
Speaking to Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie on Okay FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Mr. Gbande said when you have a Cutlass in your pocket at the polling station, “nobody can misbehave towards you”.
According to him, he has advised the party leadership on the need to adopt the cutlasses approach.
“I have told the leadership of the NDC that we have to prepare in advance for the NPP ahead of the elections. when we are going to the polling station, let’s carry with us cutlasses. if we do, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not be able to misbehave toward us.” He said.
Mr. Gbande’s declaration comes after NDC 2024 flagbearer John Mahama declared boot for boot.
Mr. Mahama called on members of the NDC to remain vigilant during the 2024 general elections so as not to allow rigging to happen.
“The NPP should not even think of rigging the elections because the NDC would mark them boot for boot,” he said.
Speaking with executives of the party in the Abuakwa South, Abuakwa North, Fanteakwa South, and Fanteakwa North constituencies in the Eastern Region, he entreated them to be resolute and resist any move by the NPP to rig the 2024 general elections.
Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama has eulogised him for his passion to seeing women and young people grow to help build the country.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari says Mr Mahama’s passion for humanity is desirable.
In a Facebook post on Friday, June 9, to chronicle how the former president discovered her, Madam Mogtari asked young people to avail themselves for mentorship.
According to her, that is key to achieving success in the future for whatever endeavour they set out to achieve in life.
“Dear young people, President Mahama discovered me a Young Activist and Lawyer and groomed me for the job! Today let me indicate that beyond the close relationship, the working relationship and of course the campaigns that have been prosecuted over the years, HE John Mahama is a passionate advocate for Women and young people and is certainly the Man to help us build the Ghana we want!“
Former President John Mahama is seeking to be re-elected as president of the country in the 2024 presidential elections.
He won flagbearer primaries to lead the National Democratic Congress into the 2024 presidential election, polling an overwhelming 297,603 votes representing 98.9% of the total valid votes cast at the end of the NDC primaries on Saturday, May 13.
His only contender, the former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, polled a paltry 3,181 representing 1.1%.
The other contender in the flagbearership race, former Finance Minister in the Mills regime, Kwabena Duffour, pulled out of the race a day before the polls.
This is the fourth time John Mahama will be leading the NDC into an election.
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A pregnant woman named Mrs Ogunbunmi has reportedly been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Ogun State.
Mrs. Ogunbunmi, who is due for delivery, was alleged to have left her home in Oke Lantoro for the State General Hospital in Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
According to reports, her husband, Ogunbunmi Lateef, claimed to have received a WhatsApp message informing him of his wife’s kidnap by the abductors.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the occurrence and stated that the suspected kidnapping was reported to the Command.
READ MORE: Ojude Oba Festival: No One Is Interested In Your Fashion Parade; End Cultism, Money Rituals In Ogun – Kemi Olunloyo To Governor Abiodun
She said, “One Ogunbunmi Lateef of Oke Lantoro reported that his pregnant wife due for delivery left home for State Hospital Ijaiye Abeokuta.
“He received a WhatsApp message confirming the abduction of his wife by unknown armed men.”
Highlife music legend, Akosua Adjepong, has expressed her disappointment with the current state of the Ghanaian music industry.
In a recent interview with RAJAB Media GH, she pointed out a lack of seriousness among major stakeholders as a significant hindrance to the industry’s progress.
Adjepong noted that Ghana has a wealth of rich rhythms to explore, but the music industry has been lagging behind compared to other countries like Nigeria and Senegal, where musicians are taking advantage of this musical diversity.
She highlighted her experiences in Seychelles, where she heard music from various countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali.
She questioned why Ghana wasn’t capitalizing on these rhythms and suggested that Nigerians were even playing Highlife music better than Ghanaians currently.
“I went to Seychelles, and I heard them play songs from different countries. I heard Nigerian music, Senegal and Mali. Now the question is, why is Ghana not taking advantage of these rhythms?’
“As it stands now, it seems Nigerians are even playing better Highlife music than Ghana. If you listen to songs from Senegal and Mali, you will notice that they are similar to rhythms from the Northern part of Ghana. So why are we suffering? I will keep saying that the right things have not been done,” she said.
Her comments come at a time where many creatives in the music industry, have aired their concerns about the state of the industry and its growth, especially in light of the progress of their Nigerian counterparts.
The BBNaija All Stars reality show has reportedly scrapped the jury method of evictions.
According to Daily Post, the housemates would now get evicted based on having the lowest votes and not with a jury deciding who to send home.
READ ALSO: BBNaija All Stars: Lucy, Prince, Kim Oprah, Omashola Joins Show As House Guests
This decision was said to have been taken less than 24 hours after Kiddwaya was sent home by a panel made up of Saskay, Vee, and Elozonam.
Recall that the jury method of eviction has been a major topic of controversy among BBNaija fans after the first two housemates to be evicted were only sent packing by the jury despite not having the lowest votes.
From today, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Mali and very soon in Guinea, millions of mobile users will enjoy music for free on Spotify platform when subscribing to an Orange mobile offer; The new partnership between Orange Middle East&Africa (www.Orange.com) and Spotify will bring a new music journey to mobile users, thanks to a vast music catalog and a user-friendly interface.
Orange, operating in 18 countries across Africa and the Middle East, has recently partnered with Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming platform, to offer all mobile customers an exciting music experience. By offering complimentary data bonuses to access to Spotify’s service, Orange strengthens its position as an all-in-one entertainment service provider.
With a worldwide community of over 551 million monthly active listeners, including 220 million subscribers, Spotify provides a wide range of African and international artists with a library including over 82 million tracks. Orange customers can now enjoy this personalized and enriching musical experience by creating for instance their own playlists.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Managing Director for Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa,said “We are excited to partner with Orange Middle East&Africa to offer data bonuses to our customers in Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Madagascar, and Mali, allowing them to enjoy our vast music library of over 100 million songs, without worrying about data. We are aware that data costs continue to be a hindrance for people who would like to stream music, that’s why we are actively working at Spotify SSA on partnerships like this one.”
Brelotte Ba, Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, said: “We are pleased to partner with Spotify to bring a new experience to our customers in Africa and the Middle East. As a multi-service operator on the continent, we want to provide our customers with easier access to the rich musical culture in Africa and to the promotion of local talents. The deployment of this service in the countries where we are present will greatly facilitate access to an incomparable musical experience for all communities and thus contribute to the acceleration of digital inclusion on the continent.”
Music stands as the primary source of entertainment across the African continent. The vast community of Orange mobile users in several countries will enable Spotify to promote local talents and introduce them to a larger audience. This strategic partnership will constitute for
Orange a substantial progression towards enhancing the musical experience across the African landscape, fostering a deeper connection to cultural and entertainment elements. Orange is exploring opportunities to expand the offer in other countries.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.
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Interestingly, today we are looking at his beautiful family and children as little is known about his personal life. Surprisingly, Atsu was married to a German lady named Marie Claire Rupio and they have two adorable children. The two been married for a while and Atsu tried his possible best to hide his marital life from the social media.
Christian Atsu was one of the most integral part of black stars golden generation who once reached couple of finals in the African Cup of Nations but due to hard, they were not able to attain a victory. Christian Atsu love life has been one of the successful marriages in Ghana and we hope they do continue making it look attractive.
Marie Claire Rupio is the name of the beautiful German wife of Christian Atsu and they gave birth to two adorable children before his demise. Christian was one of the most celebrated football player in Ghana here before the tragedy happened. Now let’s check out their photos;
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A popular locally brewed alcoholic drink, ‘Akpeteshie’, has been described as having the potential to attract more foreign exchange income for the country when properly branded and marketed internationally.
Honorary Consul-General at Ghana’s Consulate in Hungary, Boldizsar Peter Entz, the who made the prediction during an interview with the DAILY GUIDE in Hungary, said ‘Akpeteshie’ is one of the best alcoholic drinks in the world now.
“Alcohol has a big potential so Ghanaians should make plans and take advantage of their locally brewed ‘Akpeteshie’ and generate the needed foreign exchange income to support the economy”, Mr. Entz who once lived in Ghana admonished.
According to him, areas such as packaging, tasting, flavouring and marketing should be critically looked into in order to make ‘Akpeteshie’ an international brand.
Mr. Entz also suggested that ‘Akpeteshie’ manufacturers in Ghana should start thinking of blending the alcoholic drink with other fruits in order to give it a new and delicious taste.
He was speaking with the paper at the National Agriculture and Food Exhibition and Fair 2023 (OMEK) in Budapest, Hungary.
Farmers in the host country and the neighbouring countries use the fair to display their farm products and machinery.
A delegation from Ghana made up of some prominent businessmen with special interest in farming products and machinery, attended this year’s OMEK Fair to share their experiences and also learn from their colleagues in Hungary.
Mr. Entz said the OMEK Fair has several advantages for businesses, especially farmers who display their farm products and machinery at the show, urging Ghanaian businesses to also take advantage.
“Aside from increasing your market share and getting more profit, the OMEK Fair will also make it possible for you to meet new people for possible partnerships, and that’s why I am recommending OMEK Fair for Ghanaian businesses,” he said.
On his part, Edmund Kyei, a member of the Ghana delegation attending the 2023 OMEK Fair, also stressed on the need for the two countries to work closely together, especially in the area of business to help improve their economies.
Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has expressed disappointment in Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng regarding the handling of the case involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
Mr. Gyamfi criticized the decision to refer the case to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for investigation, arguing that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) should have conducted its own probe into the money laundering allegations against Cecilia Dapaah.
During an interview with TV3, Mr. Gyamfi questioned the OSP’s choice not to include their report findings with the FBI in the docket presented to EOCO, labeling it as a “missing link” in the investigation.
“He was whining and lamenting too much, you are a creation of law, exercise your powers and you are here singing ‘ankonam’.”
“Kissi Agyebeng announced that a search was being conducted but he couldn’t make the findings public. In referring Cecilia Dapaah to EOCO he should have at least added the findings that he made through that search.
He even told us he collaborated with the FBI, what were his findings? That is a missing link,” he stated.
Sammy Gyamfi accused the government of attempting to cover up the truth and avoid a thorough investigation into the allegations against Cecilia Dapaah.
“There is a grand conspiracy by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia NPP government to cover up the truths and real facts of this Cecilia Dapaah case. This should be obvious to any objective bystander,”
“This government led by the President himself has acted in ways that show they are not interested in an investigation at all and you see if they think that they are helping Madam Cecilia Dapaah in doing so, then they’re mistaken,” the communication officer stated.
The Attorney General (A.G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, in a letter addressed to EOCO dated Thursday, April 25, stated that there is no basis for EOCO to investigate Cecilia Dapaah.
According to AG, the OSP failed to attach to the docket presented to EOCO, their report findings with the FBI, after probing into the financial transactions of the former minister.
Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan has responded to comic actor Funny Face following the latter’s recent social media post.
Funny Face in a recent Facebook post disclosed to Ghanaians how things are really hard for him.
Funny Face claims losing a lot of ambassadorial deals has made him go bankrupt making what to even eat become very difficult.
He added that, because of his present financial situation, he is unable to see his daughters.
Funny Face in the post blamed himself for his current situation because according to him, he turned his back at some helpers who were there for him when he was a nobody.
Social media users took to the comment section to blast the comedian.
Many believe Funny Face is irresponsible because he could not utilize the suppport footballer Adebayor among other people offered him.
Well, legendary footballer, Asamoah Gyan has paid a courtesy call on the comedian.
In a post by the legend, he has sorted Funny Face out with some 1000 ghana cedis and hopes other benovelent people will follow suit.
Asamoah Gyan claims the comedian has in one way or the other contributed to the lives of Ghanaians through his talent, hence, the need to be there for him.
“I managed to call FUNNY FACE . He poured his heart out to me and I’m soo touched. I decided to start campaign to support the guy with 1000 momo on his number (0244812335)“, he said.
What to Eat Is Even A Problem Now- Funny Face Cries
Ghanaian comedian, Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng, popularly known as Funny Face has taken to social media to share his predicaments.
Funny Face has sadly shared that he is going through hell as what to even eat these has now become a very big problem.
According to him in a Post, he has lost all ambassadorial deals and genuine people who were willingly giving him a helping hand.
He added that he has not been able to see her daughters for a very long time due to his financial situation.
Meanwhile, Funny Face has said that he blames himself for being ungrateful to some people who helped him when he was a nobody.
Basic schools in Nyankpala in the Tolon district of the Northern Region remain closed following two shooting incidents caused by unknown persons over an alleged chieftaincy dispute.
The gunshots started on Thursday, February 9 before the situation was brought under control.
However, there was more gunfire in the community on Sunday leaving residents worried.
The identity of the shooters and their motives are unknown, but some residents believe the incidents are connected to the enskinment of a new chief in the community.
Some teachers who spoke off record said, the schools are closed due to the insecurity situation in the area.
Head coach of Ghana national team, Chris Hughton says he will always do his best for the Black Stars but cannot win every game.
The former Premier League manager has come under pressure following the recent poor results.
Having recorded three wins and two draws in his first five games, Hughton suffered back-to-back defeats in the October international friendly games.
Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat against Mexico before a 4-0 defeat against the USA.
It has been widely reported that the 63-year-old would be sacked before the qualifying games but has been given two games to save his job.
However, in an interview, Hughton insisted that his job is to get the best results for the team.
He, however, assured that, he will always work hard to get the best results.
“My role as the coach of the Black Stars is to get the best results and the best performances from the team,” he told BBC Africa.
“You can’t always get that, but what you can always do, you can always learn from your previous experiences whether it is good or bad and ultimately, I will work as hard as I always do to try to get things the best way that we can,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chris Hughton has announced his squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros.
The Black Stars will host Madagascar on November 17 at the Baba Yara Stadium before travelling to face Comoros at the Stade de Moroni.
As part of efforts to improve education in the Klottey Korle Municipality, the Nii Noi Nortey Foundation has donated an amount of GHs10,000 to assist final-year students in all public basic schools within the municipality.
The money is to help with the organization of Mock Examinations for the students ahead of the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The examination which started on Monday, 5th June 2023 will end on Friday, June 9, 2023.
The Sub-Committee on Education under the Nii Noi Nortey Foundation which visited the various examination centres for monitoring reports that the examination has so far been successful.
This is another kind gesture from Valentino Nii Noi Nortey to the people of Klottey Korle Constituency.
Source:
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“Between all the aspirants vying for the flagbearership position, nobody can say he knows any of them more than me. I have had interactions with them, there’s none I don’t know but I have listened and listened, not because I am a minister, if NPP wants to break the eight, it’s only one person and we have to give all our votes to this man.”
These were the words of the Eastern regional minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, when Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President who is also seeking to lead the NPP as flagbearer took his campaign to the Mpraeso constituency.
According to the minister who served as a Member of Parliament for the area for three consecutive terms Dr Bawumia has what it takes to break the eight-year cycle by winning the next presidential election.
“I am here to speak to you about the next flagbearer of the NPP, someone who will lead us to cross the red sea to the promised land. Among all the 10 candidates aspiring to lead the NPP, I am closer to all of them but I have listened and assessed all of them, I believe strongly if NPP wants to break the eight, then it is only one person who will lead us to. Mpraeso people, you know how I communicate things dear to my heart. We must vote massively for Dr Bawumia, he has always stood for Mpraeso constituency. In every election, he has come here many times to campaign so you can’t disappoint him.”
He stated this amidst applause from the teeming supporters of the party who graced the occasion.
The regional minister’s endorsement of the Vice President is the latest after some party heavyweights and government appointees including Okere MP who doubles as Local Government minister, Dan Botwe, threw their support for the Vice President.
He took his campaign tour to the Eastern region where he campaigned in almost all the 33 constituencies.
Ghanaian rapper Medikal has recently brought his personal struggles into the public eye, shedding light on his marital issues.
The rapper, who has been amidst controversy for weeks, has once again captured attention with startling revelations about his failed marriage.
In a candid social media address to his fans, Medikal disclosed that his relationship with his baby mama, Fela Makafui, had been marred by prolonged disputes, culminating in a significant disagreement over her decision to undergo liposuction post-pregnancy.
Expressing his preference for natural beauty, Medikal initially opposed the idea of cosmetic surgery.
However, after months of strained communication, he reluctantly supported Fela Makafui’s choice out of love.
Despite his efforts, Medikal confessed to feeling indifferent even after the procedure was completed.
“My baby mama wanted to do a liposuction. I was against it but hse insisited. I prefer my women natural. I supported her but after the whole process , I still feel indifferent,” Medikal stated.
The rapper’s decision to go public with these intimate details reflects a growing trend of celebrities sharing personal struggles and challenges, sparking conversations about body image, relationships, and societal pressures.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it is concerned about the decision by Member of Parliament for Odododiodio constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye not to seek re-election in 2024.
The party has said it cannot afford to lose Nii Lante who is one of their experienced lawmaker.
Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande said this in an interview on Accra-based Neat FM.
“Nii Lante is someone who is considered as late former President Atta Mills’ son. He was a presidential staffer and became Sports Minister. He has been very useful and resourceful to the party in several ways and we cannot lose him just like that,” Mustapha said.
Nii Lante who has been MP since 2013 in October 2023 announced he will not be seeking contesting the parliament seat in 2024.
He therefore did not file nomination for the parliamentary primaries which has now has three aspirants, contesting to succeed him.
However, Mr Gbande has urged him to exercise restraint and help work for the victory of the NDC in the 2024 general election.
First National Bank (FNB) Ghana has announced a temporary arrangement with partner banks to complete foreign exchange transactions for and on behalf of the bank and its clients.
The announcement follows the temporary suspension of Forex License of FNB as well as Fidelity Bank, by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) for breaching sections 3.4, 3.5, and 3.9 of the Ghana Interbank Forex Market Conduct Rules.
The suspension of the Forex license has resulted in FBN temporarily halting the processing of new or pending foreign exchange transactions for 30 days due to ongoing engagements with the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
In a press release, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs of the bank, Delali Dzidzienyo, stated that the bank is working with other partner banks to minimize any possible disruptions that may erupt as a result of the ongoing talks with the BoG.
He reaffirmed the Bank’s dedication to resolving their differences with BoG.
“As a bank, we hold ourselves to the highest operational and regulatory standards in every aspect of our business. We are committed to reaching an amicable resolution with the Bank of Ghana for the restoration of our Foreign Exchange license,” he stated.
The Board Chairman of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi has visited veteran musician Yaw Sarpong of the Asomafo Music Group fame.
The former Minister of Education under the erstwhile John Agyekum Kufuor administration, used the opportunity to wish the musician well and a speedy recovery.
It is not clear what disease Yaw Sarpong is battling with after several years.
Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi adds to the number of known Ghanaians who have visited the musician who has been hospitalized.
This website cannot report if there was a financial donation to the music icon.
O.B. Amoah, Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD), and the Member of Parliament for Akwapim South constituency in the Eastern Region, has asserted that the NPP possesses the legal means to prevent Alan Kyerematen from running as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections, asaaradio.com reports.
Amoah cited Article 13 (7) (f) of the NPP constitution, which outlines the party’s rules for presidential candidate elections.
According to him, candidates who file nomination forms for the party’s presidential primaries must sign an undertaking.
He stressed that Alan Kyerematen, along with the other nine candidates who submitted their nominations for the party’s primaries, signed this undertaking willingly.
Therefore, he added, the party has the authority to restrain anyone who chooses to disregard the signed commitment.
Amoah suggested that if the NPP decides to take legal action against Kyerematen, he is confident that the party will obtain an injunction to prohibit him from participating in the 2024 elections as an independent candidate.
In the event that Kyerematen alleges that his decision to take this path is a result of specific actions or inactions by the party or its leadership, he may be required to provide evidence of his claims in court.
Kyerematen, in a press conference held on September 25, 2023, announced his resignation from the NPP and the establishment of the “Movement for Change.”
He revealed his intention to contest the December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections as an independent candidate, represented by the butterfly symbol.
Alan Kyerematen initially filed his nomination to contest the NPP presidential primaries on June 19, 2023.
After participating in the party’s special electoral college polls on August 26, 2023, where he secured 95 votes and ranked third, he was shortlisted as one of five candidates for the main presidential primaries scheduled for November 4, 2023.
However, he withdrew from the race on September 5, 2023, through a press statement.
What Article 13 (7) (f) of the NPP constitution says:
“no member shall be entitled to nomination as the party’s presidential candidate unless he or she has signed the undertaking for presidential aspirants.’
“The undertaking signed by the candidates’ states that ‘persons who express, or indicate their interest to contest in the party’s presidential primaries and file their nomination forms, shall not offer themselves as independent candidates and they shall not under any circumstances be in breach of the undertaking.
“in the event of the breach of the undertaking, the New Patriotic Party reserves the right to restraint any candidate from contesting as an independent candidate or as a candidate on the ticket of any other party”.
“This undertaking explicitly states that those who express interest in contesting in the party’s presidential primaries and file nomination forms shall not present themselves as independent candidates and shall not, under any circumstances, breach this undertaking.
“Furthermore, the undertaking grants the NPP the right to restrain any candidate who violates this commitment from running as an independent candidate or on another party’s ticket.”
Multiple award-winning actress Funke Akindele has warned her younger colleague, Timini Egbuson, over his wrong habit on a movie set.
A video shared on Funke Akidnele’s Instagram story captured when she called out Timini Egbuson for toying with his phone.
The mother of two warned Timini against using his phone while on set, stating he is not a professional for using his phone.
However, Timini Egbuson clarified that he was using his phone for the props set.
Funke Akindele react as Alesh Sanni petitions AMVCA over her movie
Recall that Funke Akindele reacted when Alesh Sanni petitioned the organizers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA, for her movie Battle on Buka Street.
Many were surprised when Funke Akindele failed to clinch an award at the 2023 AMVCA despite her movie leading as the highest-grossing film in Nigeria.
On Instagram, Alesh Sanni claimed the low ratings of Funke Akindele’s movie was as a result of many not being able to afford it at the cinema.
The actor noted that the availability of the movie on Prime Video got many testifying about the accolades awarded to the movie from reviews.
Alesh Sanni acknowledged Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson for beautifully interpreting their roles in the movie.
He wrote on Instagram, “AMVCA ORGANIZERS CAN DO BETTER PLS
Now that #BattleOnBukaStreet is now on Prime Video; I hope those that didn’t see it in the cinema can now bear witness that Funke Akindele is a legend*
Mercy Johnson brought all the onions to that movie. This movie made me laugh and cry.
Well done @funkejenifaakindele #mercyjohnson”
Funke Akindele reacted to Alesh Sanni’s petition with appreciation. She wrote, “Ose dear”
Alesh Sanni’s petition to the organizers of AMVCA was not the first one. Kemi Filani recalls that controversies trailed the 2023 award show as many called out the organizers for reportedly robbing certain celebrities of their shine.
Data from Ghana Statistical Services (GSS) show there has been a substantial drop in Producer Price Inflation (PPI) – from 78.1 percent in November 2022 to 52.2 percent in December 2022.
This represents a 25.9 percentage point decrease in producer inflation relative to the rate recorded in the previous month. Noticeably, all the sectors recorded some level of decrease in inflation.
The PPI measures the average change over time in the prices received by domestic producers for the production of their goods and services.
According to GSS, the producer price inflation in the industry less the construction sector decreased to 65.7 percent in December 2022 from 94.3 percent in November 2022. In the services sector, the rate decreased from 12.6 percent in November 2022 to 10 percent in December 2022.
The mining and quarrying (73.4 percent), manufacturing (64.2 percent), transport and storage (63.6 percent) sectors recorded rates above the national average, while the information and communication sector’s activity recorded the lowest rate of 2.7 percent in December 2022.
This decrease in PPI may have a positive impact on Consumer Price Inflation (CPI), which is projected to continue rising and then peak in Q1 2023. The 54.1 percent logged in December 2022 further surpasses the 50 percent threshold – the highest level in two decades. The pace of inflation picked up as the GH cedi continued to suffer losses against the US dollar, deepening the exchange rate pass-through effects to inflation.
It is important to note that businesses ultimately pass on higher input costs to the customers behind them in the supply chain. As a result, the finished goods that these companies sell to retailers will cost more money.
The Construction Producer Price inflation (C-PPI) rate for December 2022 decreased by 4.5 percentage points logging 22.1 percent compared to the rate recorded in November 2022 (26.6 percent).
Diving in further, the data showed that inflation in the construction of buildings sub-sector decreased by 22.2 percentage points from the November 2022 rate of 100.2 percent to 78.0 percent in December 2022; while the rate for the civil engineering sub-sector decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 4.4 percent in December 2022.
The specialised construction activities sub-sector recorded a 4.9 percent inflation rate for December 2022 compared with 4.8 percent in November 2022.
Also, the Industrial Producer Price inflation (I-PPI) rate for December 2022 was 65.7 percent, indicating a 28.6 percentage point decrease in Industrial producer inflation relative to the rate recorded in November 2022 (94.3 percent).
The Industrial producer price inflation in the Mining and Quarrying sub-sector decreased by 42.2 percentage points over the November 2022 rate of 115.6 percent to 73.4 in December 2022. The Manufacturing sub-sector decreased by 20.1 percentage points to 64.2 percent in December 2022. Electricity and gas recorded a 30.4 percent inflation rate for December 2022, a decrease of 4.5 percentage points from the November rate of (34.9 percent).
The Service Producer Price Inflation (SPPI) rate for December 2022 is 10 percent, a 2.6 percent decrease compared to November. Month-over-month, it decreased by -2.6 percent. The Transport and Storage sub-sector decreased by 24 percent to 63.6 percent, and the Accommodation and food sub-sector decreased by 20.2 percent to 32.5 percent. The Information and communication sub-sector recorded 2.7 percent in December, an increase from November’s 2.2 percent.
Source: B&FT
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will euate it as a matter of priority.
Former Ghana goalkeeper, Abukari Damba believes Black Stars can still make it to the 2026 World Cup slated to be hosted in USA, Canada and Mexico.
Ghana kicked off their qualifiers with a home win against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium with Inaki Williams scoring a late goal.
In their second Group I game against Comoros at the Stade de Moroni, Myziane Maolida’s solitary strike condemned the Black Stars to a defeat.
The defeat leave Ghana at the 4th position with three points after two games.
However, Damba speaking in an interview questioned the level of intrinsic motivation for the players under Chris Hughton but reiterated that the team can still redeem themselves and make it to the Mundial for the fifth time.
“I always talk about the intrinsic motivation of these players, are these players self-motivated enough to play for the national team, these are some of the questions that we always have to ask,” he told Citi Sports.
“But that notwithstanding, I still think we have the opportunity to redeem ourselves [Black Stars], both players and the technical team.
“So far, it is not looking too good, but we can always improve it.
“Again, emphasis on intrinsic motivation, whether they are self-motivated enough to be called upon to play for the senior national team.
“How do players feel when invited to come and play for the national, all these questions need to be answered.
“How do they approach games?
“Whether they play their hearts out and then we juxtapose that with what they play at the various clubs, then we can tell,” he added.
Chris Hughton and his boys will now switch focus to the upcoming African Cup of Nations )AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire commencing next year, in January.
The Black Stars have been paired with seven-time AFCON Champions Egypt, Mozambique and Cape Verde in Group B for the tournament.
Ghana exited at the group stage in the last edition, following a 3-2 loss to Comoros in the final group game under former coach, Milovan Rajevac.
The Ministry of Transport has called on the public to disregard purported increase in public transport fares by commercial road transport operators.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, by the Public Affairs of the Ministry, there have never been any negotiations with the transport operators for a review of transport fares and therefore urged the public to disregard the purported increase
Commercial Transport Operators earlier this week announced a 30% increment in transportation fares throughout the country with effects from Monday January 22, 2024.
GPRTU also in a statement announced that the union would increase transport fares by 20% by January 24, citing the increase of spare parts and the implementation of some new taxes.
Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana in a statement signed by its chairman, William Osei, also hinted of increasing transport fares to reduce the plight of drivers as a result of a substantial rise in the costs of lubricants, spare parts among others.
It stated that the fare increase also aims to address the drivers’ financial challenges and ensure the sustainability of the public transportation industry in Ghana.
But the Ministry says the general public would be informed whenever government negotiates increase in transport fares with the operators.
“When it becomes necessary for such negotiations, and the decisions are taken, the general public will be appropriately informed, as has been done in the past,” the statement from the ministry stated.
“The Ministry will continue to ensure fair and reasonable transport fares in keeping in mind the needs of transport operators and the general public,” it added.
Shatta Michy might no longer be dating Shatta Wale but she apparently has a mouth as big as the dancehall king himself..
Michy has bragged in a new interview that she spends north of Ghc 30,000 each month just fueling her big a$$ car!
Michy’s claim stunned social media users who wondered whether she drives a normal car or a fuel tanker!
“Why, is the car a tanker?,” one netizen wrote in reaction to her claim.
Another said: “Here laughing, thinking me spending 3k a month was a lot ,not knowing it was michy’s three days spending 😂. Anaa ɔboa😂😂,”
A third netizen brought some facts to the table, writing: “No I drive a Lexus.takes about 850 to fill it to the brim and it last almost two weeks till my next refill.but why tell such a big ass lie 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️,”
Huawei has successfully held the FusionSolar Forum 2023 at the sidelines of the Africa Solar Show 2023 last week in Johannesburg. Industry associations, sector organisations, industry leaders and experts gathered to share industry trends and insights and presented innovative solutions and best practices which will contribute to the development of the industry on the continent.
Leo Chen, President of Huawei Sub Saharan Africa, said that the quest for global carbon neutrality, energy security, and commercial value are driving the rapid development of a new international energy industry. The urgency of Africa’s own transition is being accelerated by power shortages and rising energy prices. Leo Chen indicated that in facing these challenges, Huawei as a leading ICT company, can be part of the solution. “With a heavy investment in R&D, we’ve developed the most comprehensive set of technologies in ICT, and this forms our unique advantage.”
He said that by integrating power electronic and digital technologies, Huawei’s ‘4T’ (WatT, HeaT, BatTery, and BiT) technologies, which refers to Huawei’s innovations in the field of power electronics, thermal management, power storage, and Cloud and AI, can enable the traditional solar energy industry to be more efficient and more intelligent.
“The application of our “4T” technologies, will also effectively accelerate Africa’s energy transition toward the direction of ‘4D’, which is Decarbonisation, Digitalisation, Decentralisation, and Democratisation,” he said.
Huawei’s full-scenario smart PV solutions not only can provide solutions to utility-scale large plants, but also to energy storage facilities, commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops, residential rooftops, data centres, and smart microgrids in rural areas. By doing this, more flexible energy generation solutions that are close to the point of use can be applied and the transmission and distribution setup can be minimised, thus saving costs and losses. Through this approach, power consumers can be transformed into power producers, which helps to achieve better power resilience for users and the whole society.
South Africa’s Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientso Ramakgopa gave a keynote address at the forum, and commended Huawei for the role it is playing in infrastructure development in Africa and in greening South Africa’s energy systems. “Huawei is brining technological advancements and innovations that help us keep pace with the developed and industrialised countries in the global north,” he said.
He indicated that his role as the electricity minister involves working with the private sector, including Huawei, to address the power deficit issue and boost a digital and sustainable future for South Africa.
He said, “The South African government is looking for blended financial facilities for the funding of alternative energy installations, making it more accessible to more people. At the same time, the government will also broaden the flow of participation by upskilling people in the technology of renewable energy systems.”
Chen Guoguang, President of Huawei Smart PV Product Line said that, with Huawei’s innovative solutions, it has achieved a very impressive carbon footprint globally. “By the end of 2022, Huawei Digital Power has helped our customers to offset 340 million tons of CO2 emissions, roughly the same as planting 470 million trees,” he said.
John van Zuylen, CEO of AFSIA (Africa Solar Industry Association), presented on the rapid adoption of solar technologies on the African continent, where almost every country now has some solar capacity. With power storage options becoming more accessible and more affordable, AFSIA predicts that Africa will soon outstrip other regions in its use of solar power supply. Huawei technologies currently powers 25% of the world’s PV capacity, and so the company is well positioned to play a growing role on the continent.
In her presentation, CEO of the SAPVIA (The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association), Dr Rethabile Melamu, stressed the need to skill young South Africans to participate and take full advantage of the huge opportunities in this industry. “Huawei’s skills development initiative is incredible and we are partnering with them to make sure we get more young people skilled and accredited for the sector,” she said.
In addition, industry players also shared their experiences. For example, Bui Power Plant in Ghana shared the latest insights into PV and energy storage trends in their organisations and how Huawei technologies are contributing to their success.
In conclusion, Leo Chen expressed Huawei’s commitment to Africa. He said, working with various partners, “over the past two decades, Huawei has brought ubiquitous connectivity to Africa. In the next two decades, Huawei is aiming to bring ubiquitous green power to the continent.”
Source:
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Dennis Miracle Aboagye, a campaign team member of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has lauded Kennedy Agyapong, for his impact and influence within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking in an interview on Neat FM, Aboagye highlighted Agyapong’s historic role as a prominent figure in NPP campaigns, expressing confidence that Agyapong will leverage his influence to help the party secure victory in the 2024 elections.
“Honorable Kennedy Agyapong, like I said, is a critical asset. You will agree that he has always been a leading personality in all our campaigns. So, it is not going to change.
“His influence, strength, and the level of impact he has is not limited to the Central Region alone. Just as he has done in the past, he has expressed his commitment to continue this across the country, including the Central Region, to ensure the political party, of which he is a senior member, emerges victorious in the elections,” he said.
In response to a question about Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia‘s recent visit to Kennedy Agyapong‘s residence, Aboagye clarified that the visit aimed to foster unity and solidarity among all party members.
Hello @StrongmanBurner my fans would love to see you and I perform our beef songs back to back at the Planning & Plotting concert on the 16th of December at La Palm, it would be a great honour if you make it happen 🔥
The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has recommended a 50 per cent haircut on the salaries and emoluments of Article 71 Office Holders as part of the Debt Restructuring Programme and to reduce the pressure on the public purse.
These include the President and Vice, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice, and Justices of the Supreme Court, with salaries charged to the Consolidated Fund and enjoying special constitutional privileges.
The GFL General Secretary, Abraham Koomson said this at the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Industrial News Hub platform in Tema, adding that Ghana was currently encountering a major financial challenge and Article 71 Office Holders could not sit aloof.
Speaking on the government’s debt restructuring, he said the payment of ex-gratia must also undergo an overhaul of about 70 per cent cut and that the ordinary person could not be made to suffer the crisis alone.
He reiterated the call for a reduction in the number of presidential staffers, ministers of state, and other government appointees to reduce expenditure and set the tone to revive the economy.
He said the debt exchange programme should be undertaken with caution in order not to push people in the middle and lower classes into poverty, which would have a negative impact on national development.
Mr Koomson said the programme would also render most of the banks vulnerable and affect the living standard of the citizenry, hence called for circumspection.
Source: GNA
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A section of indus try stakeholders in a group photograph after the launch
The maiden edition of the annual Onyimpon Awards scheme which seeks to celebrate lifetime achievers in the arts and cultural space has been launched.
The launch of the awards scheme took place at the Accra Tourism Information Centre in Accra.
Several stakeholders in the creative arts, including Ken Fiati and Nana Hemaa, Daddy Bosco, Franky5, Adwoa Awindor, among others were present.
It is being organised by the Centre for Communication and Culture, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Ghana Culture Forum, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and the National Theatre.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Enimil Ashon, the Executive Director of the Centre for Communication and Culture and a seasoned journalist, said that the awards scheme takes into account all facets of the arts and culture rather than just one, and honours the creative arts sector.
The main awards ceremony is scheduled for September 13, 2024, which is also Dr. Ephraim Amu’s birthday.
Dr. Amu, a well-known composer, is considered the father of Ghanaian arts music.
Explaining the reasoning behind the September 13 date for the awards night, Mr. Ashon stated, “Dr. Ephraim Amu was born on that day in 1899, and his 125th birthday is being celebrated on this carefully chosen date. For us, setting the date is a declaration. All we are saying is that there hasn’t been enough celebration of Ephraim Amu.”
Mr. Carl Ampah, a representative of UNESCO, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to cultural policies and the preservation of intangible cultural treasures.
He underlined how crucial legal frameworks are for artists, especially when it comes to intellectual property and heritage.
Mr. Ampah commended the Onyimpon Awards for honouring exceptional accomplishments in a range of creative industry areas, such as literature and visual arts.
He emphasised the importance of these artists’ economic contributions as well as the significance of the creative sector to the growth of society and the creation of jobs.
On her part, Madam Betty Kobi, the Ghana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) Director of Marketing, recognised the role of creativity in influencing and advancing national culture.
Queen, one of the wives of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has bragged online about how she enjoys being around her husband.
The beautiful queen shared photos of herself and her husband in the company of their entourage during Ooni’s UK visit.
Queen Ashley revealed that being around her husband opened a wealth of experience as she gets to learn many things, which include his generosity, humility, selflessness and humanity.
Queen Ashley further praised the Ife monarch, using adorable names and words to express her love for him. She prayed for the blessings of God and wisdom throughout his reign.
She wrote expressly on Instagram, “Being around my husband is always a wealth of experience, you embody so much from him, his love to humanity, his humility, his generosity and his selflessness.
Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.
Live a life full of humility, gratitude, and intellectual, curiosity and never stop learning.
The unthankful heart discovers no mercies, but the thankful heart will always find heavenly blessings.
To my Creator
Alasepe mii – my Completer Alatilehin mii – my succour Alagbara l’orun ati l’aye – Mighty in heaven and on the earth Alagbara laiye ati lorun – God has the supreme power on earth and in heaven Alagbawi mii – my Defender Alakoso orun – Supreme Director of heaven Alakoso orun at’aye – The God of heaven Alanu mii – Will always have mercy on me Alase laiye ato lorun – The lawgiver of the earth and heaven I am thankful
My Adorable Husband, Oonirisa Olori Alade gbogbo, My Twinie, My Crown Jewel, My Heartbeat, Akande mi Ajiwe Fun’Osha, Dagunduro Oko AFolasade, Okirikiribiti, Erujeje Adimula, Omo Arogunmasa,. Ko pe Oko Mi, Ki Emi Ola re gun lase Edumare, Ajo ferigi jobi lase gbogbo Awon Onile. God will continue to bless you with more knowledge and wisdom throughout your reign lase Olodumare Asewa
The Lagos State Government has warned against vandalising of public property, vowing to prosecute anyone found guilty.
Disclosing this on Saturday, during an interview with PUNCH, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, made this known while condemning the activities of vandals who wreaked havoc across the state by destroying government property.
Omotosho, emphasised the detrimental impacts of such crime on communities, urging residents to be vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
He added that vandalising public property does not reflect the spirit of a true Lagosian as it was the responsibility of all to ensure that such crime was put to a halt by reporting, arresting and prosecuting suspects.
Omotosho said: “It’s very clear that if you are found vandalising government property, it is economic sabotage and it carries a very heavy weight in the face of the law. So, you will be taken to court, and then the court will make a pronouncement on you, but we usually tell people that whatever the government is doing, you should own it because if you see something as your own, most likely, you don’t want anybody to vandalise it.
READ MORE: Lagos Govt Nabs Hoodlums Collecting Levy On Pedestrian Bridge (Video)
“We go there and use a public address system to tell them not to dash across the road but to use the bridge. So, we will continue to do that anytime the government launches a project, it always says that the project is about the people, their community, neighbourhood and that they should protect those projects and own them so that nobody can say that he or she wants to vandalise them. Unfortunately, we still find the enemies of the society who go about to vandalise government property.
“It is the duty of all of us to see that such nonsense is stopped by apprehending, reporting, and capturing them.”
The Football Association are not currently working on a succession plan for England head coach Gareth Southgate and they are ‘desperate’ for him to stay beyond his current contract, a report has claimed.
Southgate’s deal expires in December 2024 and he is yet to make a decision on his future. This summer’s European Championships will be his fourth major tournament in charge of the Three Lions.
The Daily Telegraph claim that despite this uncertainty over Southgate’s position, the FA do not have any plans to replace him and hope he will stay to lead their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The report lists four potential candidates for the England job should Southgate depart – Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel – but add they have not been spoken to and there is no succession plan in place.
Southgate has admitted that any decision could be taken out of his hands if England do not have a successful Euro 2024, with the Three Lions among the favourites to go all the way.
“If we don’t win, I probably won’t be here anymore,” Southgate recently said to BILD.
“So maybe it is the last chance. I think around half the national coaches leave after a tournament – that’s the nature of international football.
“I’ve been here almost eight years now and we’ve come close. You can’t constantly put yourself in front of the public and say, ‘A little more please’, as at some point people lose faith. If we want to be a great team and I want to be a top coach, you must deliver in big moments.”
Southgate has also been linked with the Manchester United job in recent months, though the Red Devils are still weighing up the future of current manager Erik ten Hag.
Ghana has suffered another drop in the latest FIFA World Rankings following their recent games during the March international break.
The Black Stars faced Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Cranes of Uganda during last month’s break losing the first game game before settling for a 2-2 draw.
Ghana, who previously occupied the 67th position on the global rankings, have now dropped to 68th on the log following the two games.
The United Arab Emirates is the country to have moved above Ghana in the global rankings.
They, however, maintain their position on the African continent despite a run of seven games without a win. The Black Stars dropped to the 14th position on the CAF rankings in the previous release.
The top 15 teams on the continent remain unchanged with Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria occupying the first three spots.
MzVee, an award-winning Ghanaian music artist, has unveiled her first-ever picture book called ‘Natural Me’, which is aimed at children between the ages of 4 and 8.
The book is MzVee’s tribute to young girls, encouraging them to embrace their natural selves and empowering them on their path to sisterhood and self-discovery.
‘Natural Me’ showcases beautiful watercolour illustrations by Lisbeth Checo, celebrating and inspiring positive self-love in young readers.
In a social media post, the award-winning singer announced that her book is now available worldwide in major stores, including Amazon.
Known in real life as Vera Hamenoo-Kpeda, MzVee is known for hit songs including “Borkor Borkor”, ‘Natural Girl’ and ‘Dancehall Queen”
A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong has disclosed that his ousting from the party some years ago was orchestrated by comrades who misunderstood his style of leadership.
Mr Agyapong said he was perceived as being too ambitious and tough.
According to him, he was upright, difficult to compromise and only wanted to strengthen the party.
This, he said, made him look as though he had betrayed the party, following which some individuals levelled some allegations and “vile propaganda” against him.
“Everybody who’s worked with me knows that I believe in propriety. I’m not one that can be manipulated easily. I believe in being frank and honest and straight. And I wanted to build a strong party. I do believe that Ghana needs strong parties.
“I think some people did not understand my posture and felt that perhaps I was a bit too ambitious or too tough, and so they engineered my ouster with very flimsy allegations,” he said in an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Tuesday.
Mr Agyapong stated that he dedicated his youth to serving the party when it needed people to step up and therefore only sought to build a stronger party when he became the General Secretary.
He added that he was disappointed at some of the elders of the party in the wake of the orchestrated ouster, saying he had worked with them several times and that they knew his character.
According to the politician, he was one of the leading members helping in the campaign of current President Akufo-Addo in 1998.
He revealed that the ouster was one of his low points in politics.
Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong joins the long queue of NPP flagbearer aspirants who seek to become president.
He posits that Ghana needs a new dawn of politics, an understanding of public service and that the narrative that politicians get into public office only to feed fat on national treasure should change.
This, he said would change only if “a new generational leader” takes charge.
The flagbearer hopeful said something needs to be done to inspire Ghanaians to believe in the government because the trust of Ghanaians has waned.
According to him, it is a danger to the country should the youth detach themselves from politics.
Explaining further, he said that the narrative that citizens aspire to exhibit similar corrupt deeds of politicians if they assume public offices need to be corrected, saying who best to do it than someone who has been in leadership.
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A group of individual bondholders are threatening to take legal action against the government for including them in the controversial debt exchange programme.
The group, known as the Ghana Individual Bondholders’ Forum in a statement signed by one of its convenors Senyo Hosi urged individual bondholders to reject and refrain from complying with the mandatory deadline imposed under the Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme.
It further urged indirect bondholders such as investors in mutual funds, cash trusts, and balance funds to inform their fund managers not to accept the DDE.
It further advised government to open a channel of communication for “immediate frank, transparent and sincere dialogue on the DDE with the IBF with the view to seeking an effective resolution to the developing impasse and the fast-depleting confidence in the Ghanaian economy.”
“The medium- to long-term prospect and outlook of the domestic investment culture in Ghana is going to be affected by this DDE initiative and we call on government to demonstrate the needed sensitivity to enable a constructive resolution in the best interest of all,” it added.
The government in December disclosed that the group of bondholders who hitherto were exempted from the local debt exchange program will be included in the program.
The decision to include the individual bondholders was taken after the government yielded to demands by Labour Union to exempt pension funds from the debt exchange programme.
Ghana in December further extended the deadline to register for its domestic debt exchange to January 16 in order to “secure internal appros” from the financial sector, according to the Finance Ministry.
The Ministry of Finance also announced a change to the debt exchange, with eight additional instruments to be created.
Under the original plan, local bonds were to be exchanged for new ones maturing in 2027, 2029, 2032, and 2037, with annual coupons set at 0% in 2023, 5% in 2024, and 10% from 2025 until maturity.
Announcing the latest extension, the Finance Ministry said that eight additional instruments would be created, bringing the total number of new bonds to 12, with one maturing each year from 2027 to 2038.
The Ghana Individual Bondholders’ Forum said the following in its statement:
Pending further consultations and engagements (including the pursuit of legal action where necessary), we entreat as follows:
1. Direct Bondholders: Reject and refrain from complying with the mandatory deadline imposed under the DDE program and join the efforts of the IBF.
2. Indirect Bondholders (Investors in mutual funds, cash trusts, balance funds). Inform your fund managers not to accept the DDE.
3. Government
Kindly open a channel of communication for immediate frank, transparent and sincere dialogue on the DDE with the IBF with the view to seeking an effective resolution to the developing impasse and the fast-depleting confidence in the Ghanaian economy.
Media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah, has expressed her joy and relief over the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta as the finance minister.
She made these remarks in an interview on 3Music where she said that she was happy that the finance minister was gone and that she saw his reassignment as a dismissal.
She said that Ken Ofori-Atta was the worst finance minister the country had ever had and that he had ruined the president’s legacy.
Nana Aba further alleged that President Akufo-Addo refused to dismiss him when calls from various stakeholders were at their loudest because the president valued loyalty.
“I am so happy that that man is gone. I am telling you on authority that the man is not happy. Whether it is a reassignment or whatever, I see it as a dismissal. That is what I want to call it.
“Ken Ofori-Atta is the worst finance minister this country has ever had. He has messed up the president’s legacy.
“But we have a president who loves loyalty. He will love you for being by his side,” she said.
Nana Aba Anamoah added that he should have resigned for overseeing so much rot and mismanagement in the country.
“I think that Ken Ofori-Atta should have resigned long ago. He has supervised so much rot and I am so glad he’s gone. Some will say too little, too late. But it’s good that it came now,” she added.
On Wednesday, February 14, Ghanaians woke up to the news that President Nana Akufo-Addo had reshuffled his cabinet and sacked 13 ministers and 10 deputy ministers, including health, roads, and environment ministers.
Some of the sacked ministers have been given new roles.
Abena Korkor and his newly found friend Nana Tornado have caused a stir on social media with a recent video that has received mixed reactions from social media users.
For some time now, Abena Korkor and controversial Nana Tornado have been sharing videos of themselves having fun together at various resorts and restaurants.
Even just about a week ago, Abena Korkor shared a video of herself and Nana Tornado cruising around town in a luxury Mercedes Benz.
A new video from the camp of the fearless duo that has surfaced on social media shows the two lodging in the same hotel room.
In the video, Nana Tornado can be heard teasing Abena Korkor for walking like a jonky.
As suspected, the two spent the night together in the same room hence social media users have drawn various conclusions from the clip.
President of the Africa Armwrestling Federation, Charles Osei Asibey, has declined an invitation to serve on New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s Manifesto Committee.
Mr Asibey was named to serve on the Youth and Sports sub-committee together with ex=footballer, Asamoah Gyan, among others in the build-up to the December 7 election.
However, Mr Asibey says his decision is to continue being neutral on political grounds and not be affiliated with any party.
He communicated his refusal in a statement released on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
“Mr Osei Asibey, known for his dedication to sports development and advocacy, has decided not to join the campaign sub-committee to maintain his apolitical stance. He believes it’s important to stay neutral and impartial in his current roles within the sporting community.
“In a statement today, Mr Osei Asibey stressed the importance of keeping politics separate from sports, given his leadership positions in Armwrestling at both local, continental and global levels. As President of the Africa Armwrestling Federation and Vice President of the World Armwrestling Federation, he’s responsible for promoting fairness and integrity in the sport,” the statement read in parts.
Prof. Emeritus Stephen Adei, economist, administrator, and writer who is known for his forthright disposition to matters of the state, has insisted that corruption is killing Ghana and the practice of sending attack dogs after those who cry foul must stop.
In a reaction to alleged misdeeds against him, particularly by a radio programme host, Kwabena Kwakye of Oman FM, Prof. Adei says never has he abused his any office he has held, virtually across all administrations since the presidency of the late J.J. Rawlings, and that the accusations against him, are bare-faced lies.
The former Director General and Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration says the campaign of vitriol against him, for daring to say the obvious, will not succeed.
“I want to reiterate that corruption is killing the nation. That is incontrovertible. The reports of Transparency International (TI) and Afro-Barometer are there to testify. And it is not a phenomenon limited to Akufo-Addo regime, nor the Ministry of Roads which the Honourable Amoako Atta himself said is full of “thieves.” The recent disturbing new dimension about corruption in Ghana is that, now, in 67% of the cases, according to the 2022 United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime report on corruption in Ghana , the public officials in Ghana demand the bribe bold-facedly upfront. That is all I illustrated with the case of the Ministry of Roads because someone that week had cried to me that such a demand was made to him,” Prof Adei said.
While discounting the widely held view that he is a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Prof. Adei said he has never canvassed for any post in any administration.
“First, I have never joined any political party in my life. Thus, I am not a member of the New Patriotic Party or the National Democratic Congress or any other party. Neither have I ever lobbied for any position within any administration. In the same vein, neither have I refused to serve my country when called upon and I think I have the requisite capacity to do so.”
Prof. concludes his statement by condemning the pull-him-down campaign waged against public figures who dare challenge the status quo.
“Let me conclude by saying that the phenomenon whereby any comment by a prominent Ghanaian regarding corruption in Ghana is greeted by directing the anti-corruption agencies or social media personnel and so- called TV and radio hosts of politically aligned media houses to go after them must stop forthwith. If any public office holder feels someone has impinged on their integrity, if they have any, they are at liberty like any other Ghanaian to seek redress themselves and not to direct “independent agencies” to go after them. We should not sit down for people who have contributed to bring Ghana where we are today like Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Sir Sam Jonah, Mr. John Yaw Domelevo, etc. to be taken to the cleaners by “nunkwams” (nobodies), without in anyway alleging they are without fault.”
LOBBY TO SERVE OR JOIN A GRAVY TRAIN OF THE CORRUPT
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Ghana’s leading credit bureau, XDSData, has rubbished the false claims made by the two senior officials of Policy Think Tank Imani Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, who is the President, and his Vice, Bright Simons, claimed a personalized credit scoring system exists in Ghana that it has been producing credit score in Ghana.
This follows the comments made by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who recently announced that beginning next year, Ghana will introduce a personalized credit-scoring system, which will be anchored by the Ghanacard, Ghana’s national biometric identity card.
However, the two IMANI officials in a manner to discredit the Vice President, claimed that even when the Bank of Ghana’s 2022 Credit Reporting Activity, reported that credit score was yet to be introduced in Ghana.
But the XDSData, the agency referenced by Imani as producing credit scores in Ghana, has denied the claims in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, which said that despite its “capabilities”, it has not been able to produce scores due to the absence of a unique identifier like the Ghanacard.
According to them “XDSData Ghana Limited, Ghana’s leading Credit Bureau wishes to inform the public about the bureau’s capability of producing individual credit scores as stated in the document Credit Reporting Activity, Annual Report 2022 published by the Bank of Ghana’’.
“Despite our capabilities, the bureau has not produced scores. This is because of the lack of a unique identifier. Currently, facilities are accessed by individuals using different kinds of identification which makes it difficult for the bureau to be 100 percent sure of capturing a credit subject’s total exposure. However, XDSData Ghana Limited produces credit information just like any International Credit Bureau, adequate for lenders to be able to make informed credit decisions’’ the part of the statement added.
Below is a statement issued:
PRESS RELEASE
STATUS OF CREDIT SCORES IN GHANA 5th December 2023
XDSData Ghana Limited, Ghana’s leading Credit Bureau wishes to inform the public about the bureau’s capability of producing individual credit scores as stated in the document Credit Reporting Activity, Annual Report 2022 published by the Bank of Ghana.
Despite our capabilities, the bureau has not produced scores. This is because of the lack of a unique identifier. Currently, facilities are accessed by individuals using different kinds of identification which makes it difficult for the bureau to be 100 percent sure of capturing a credit subject’s total exposure. However, XDSData Ghana Limited produces credit information just like any International Credit Bureau, adequate for lenders to be able to make informed credit decisions.
The mandatory use of the Ghana card from the 1st of July, 2022 for all financial transactions has seen Data Providers submitting Ghana Card Information to the bureau. Credit scoring models require unique identifiers to fully map information. The penetration of the Ghana Card information supplied to the bureau is progressing at a slow pace. In collaboration with the Bank of Ghana, we have been tracking the Ghana Card penetration which stands at 35 percent as at the end of the last quarter of 2023. This is based on 11,067,161 unique active loan customers submitted by Data Providers.
In addition to continuous research into the use of alternative information within the credit score models, we anticipate releasing the individual credit scores when the Ghana Card penetration rate reaches the 90th percentile; hopefully before the end of year 2024.
The continued active participation and support from the Bank of Ghana, ensuring credit bureaus get adequate data on Ghana Cards from Data Providers is paramount. This will ensure that all aspects of the credit ecosystem are included in scoring calculations.
XDSData Ghana Limited has pioneered credit referencing over the years and thus will endeavor to make credit scoring a reality in Ghana and trusted abroad.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has refuted allegations of exorbitant port charges, asserting that it only imposes approximately 10% of the total fees and levies at the ports.
Director-General Michael Luguji made the point during a meeting with Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam and his delegation.
He called for a comprehensive assessment and overhaul of the port clearing system to alleviate the financial burden on importers.
Luguji highlighted that while the GPHA is often associated with port-related charges, a closer examination of invoices reveals a multitude of customs duties, levies, and charges from other government agencies not attributable to the GPHA.
“Whenever a typical invoice is raised from the port, then the agency that comes to mind is the GPHA, which everyone knows as the Authority that handles port stuff. However, when you study the invoice carefully, there are custom duties, levies, and other government agency charges which cannot be attributed to GPHA in any way.
“Counting the number of levies and taxes, I can see about 22 government taxes or levies on the invoice of an importer and this is a challenge because we did a research which indicates that our contribution to that entire cost of clearing is less than 10%”, Luguji stated, stressing the need for a fairer distribution of costs within the port system.
The visit by the finance minister and ministry officials aimed to gain first-hand insight into port operations, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing concerns and improving efficiency within the port sector.
A renowned economist, Kwame Pianim, has backed former President John Dramani Mahama’s intent to amend the constitution to allow persons with dual citizenship to hold certain positions in Ghana.
In an interview with Citi News, Mr Pianim said the constitution should be amended to allow persons with the needed expertise to contribute their quota to the country’s development.
He described it as “ridiculous” how the current provisions of the 1992 Constitution deny Ghanaians with dual citizenship the opportunity to serve the nation.
“It is ridiculous that when you have a Green Card, you cannot occupy political office, the only thing that makes sense is the person not becoming president because it is only the president that signs agreements and so why are we trying to fly on one wing when we can fly on two wings?”
Mr. Pianim also predicted a tough election for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections.
He indicated that it will be extremely difficult for the government to revamp the economy which is currently struggling
“2024 is going to be difficult and that is why I implore the young people who are brave and prepared to take the challenge to get the economy back to do so. It is going to be difficult to get the economy back.”
The NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson is currently facing trial for holding allegiance to Canada while he contested the 2020 elections.
A pregnant Nigerian woman has reportedly died after being beaten by her husband in the United Kingdom. The woman, identified as Hope, had filed for divorce in Nigeria, with the help of a lawyer, due to alleged abuse by her husband.
However, it was reported that extended family members and pastors in the UK intervened, and the divorce case was discontinued. Tragically, just a day after the petition was struck out, the woman was allegedly beaten in her belly by her husband, who was reported to have been abusive towards her.
Hope was five months pregnant at the time and tragically died as a result of the attack. Her father has reportedly taken up the matter with UK authorities.
The post reads; “WE LOST HER
Sometimes last year, her father called me that her daughter in UK will call me to institute a case for dissolution of her marriage. She eventually called me and I did the needful and the petition was filed at High Court Ikorodu.
A week after I filled the Petition, her husband, herself and other family members requested to have meeting with me so, we scheduled a zoom meeting. Some pastors from UK joined the meeting and it was resolved that peace will be brokered.
Thereafter, she sent me a mail to discontinue the case…. though I never appeared in court until the matter was struck out…. Just yesterday, I was told that her husband hit her at her tommy with five months pregnancy which led to her death. Her father called me yesternight to send those documents I filed in court as he wants to send it to some investigating authorities in UK. Do I believe that the husband hit her… weh, the pictures I have on my phone during my conversations with them give credence to their history of domestic violence. RIP HOPE”
The US has congratulated Nigerian President-elect Bola Tinubu and citizens following the just-concluded general election.
“This competitive election represents a new period for Nigerian politics and democracy,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
The State Department, however, acknowledged the frustration among some Nigerians and parties regarding the way the elections were conducted amid technical problems that have fueled accusations of fraud.
It called on the electoral body to improve on the highlighted issues before the 11 March gubernatorial elections, noting that Nigerians were right to expect them to do better.
The US also urged all parties to avoid “violence or inflammatory rhetoric at this critical time” and seek to resolve any disputes through legal channels.
Mr Tinubu, 70, was declared the winner of the 25 February election with 37% of the vote on Wednesday but opposition parties have disputed the results.
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who finished third in the elections, has promised to challenge the results in court.
Railways Development Minister, John-Peter Amewu, has explained that a viral photo of a wrongly parked truck that ostensibly caused an accident involving newly imported trains was photoshopped.
Amewu posted the photo on his official Facebook page on April 18, hours after the accident was reported but has since deleted it from the page.
Speaking about the issue on Joy FM (April 19, 2024) he said he hadn’t seen the particular photo posted on his page because the page was managed by his handlers.
“I said I haven’t seen the picture myself so maybe I have to get to my Facebook people, I think somebody manages that Facebook so I have not seen it.
“But the picture I saw on social media was a photoshop of a vehicle they put across the line and you can see that that is not the point (the accident occurred), that is not even kilometre 76,” he added.
After deleting the photo, the minister posted a dashcam video of the moments leading to the accident.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service on Thursday arrested the driver, disclosing in a statement that their investigation has established that the suspect left the said vehicle unattended to on the railway line.
The driver, Abel Dzidotor, has reportedly been sentenced to a six-month jail term after appearing before a court on Friday, April 19.
He admitted guilt to three out of the four charges against him.
These charges included inconsiderate driving and causing unlawful damage.
Tuchel guided the Blues to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals in 2021 and 2022, respectively
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel says his sacking by former club Chelsea last September “still hurts”.
The German will take charge of his first match when Bayern face his former club and title rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
And speaking before that game, the 49-year-old revealed his was sacked after a meeting lasting just minutes.
“It was a shock. I felt it, strangely, when I drove to the training centre,” he told reporters.
“The meeting we had felt unusual – it turned out to be very short. It lasted three to five minutes.”
Tuchel was sacked by the Blues following a 1-0 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
“The decision had been made and, honestly, it was a shock for all of us. I was also not in the mood to talk longer,” he said.
“We had a feeling that we were in the right spot at the right time. We felt that we could achieve big things and we wanted to stay longer – it was as simple as that.”
Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in May 2021 – one of three trophies won in 20 months at Stamford Bridge – and was voted World Coach of the Year following that campaign.
But the German departed on new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s 100th day in charge and was replaced by Graham Potter.
“It still hurts in a way,” said Tuchel. “I’m not able to see these people on a daily basis. I love this job. I have a passion for it.
“We built an extraordinary bond in the circumstances. We started there during Covid, during Brexit – then came the change of ownership.
“We were a strong, strong group and it wasn’t in my hands to take this decision. I was no longer part of this group, a group that felt like a family.”
The Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs has expressed high regard for Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
They said this when the Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) met them as part of his campaign tour of the Ashanti Region.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Occupant of the Silver Stool of Asanteman indicated that “For the record, you are the first dignitary, external dignitary that is a nonmember of the house and nonmember of Asanteman who is paying us a visit and nananom especially some of the queen mothers were here before 9 am.”
“This shows for the record the high esteem that we accord you and hold you.”
Meanwhile, Bawumia began his tour of the Ashanti Region with a massive walk.
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The chairperson of the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in South Africa, Benjamin Kofi Quarshie has refuted claims that the controversial changes in the party’s leadership in Parliament will affect the fortunes of the party in the 2024 elections.
According to him, their opponent’s (ruling New Patriotic Party) keen interest in the decision only proves it was the right move.
“It won’t affect it [elections], it will never affect it. I have been in politics for long to see that anytime the NPP talks about things that happen in the NDC and they cry more than the NDC, it definitely means that whatever decision that was taken they know,” he said.
Speaking on Joy News The Pulse on Wednesday, he said the New Patriotic Party only comment on issues that have the tendency to affect them.
Making reference to the delegate’s congress held on December 17, last year, he said “we went to congress to elect new leaders, executives, what didn’t the NPP say, what didn’t they say, they said all sorts of things till we ended up electing this crop of leaders, they went quiet. Today we have elected leadership in parliament, they are all around saying this is a disaster, this is whatever.”
He stressed, “I think the disaster that we have as a country is the Akufo Addo – Bawumia administration. They are scared of reshuffling.”
New Minority Leadership in Parliament
Mr. Quarshie said it was wrong for the country to focus its attention on the change in leadership of the minority over pertinent issues like the Auditor-General’s (AG) report.
“I can say we should not focus on the NDC as an opposition changing its leadership in parliament but we should continue to delve into the issue of bread and butter for the ordinary Ghanaian citizen.
“The Auditor General’s report is there, they are running away from it nobody is talking, the NPP communicators, the ministers, nobody is talking about the Auditor-General’s reports,” he added.
“Nobody is talking about the Auditor General’s report but everybody believes we should talk about the NDC change in parliament, is not this a misplaced priority?” he quizzed.
On Tuesday, the NDC issued a statement announcing key changes in its parliamentary leadership.
The party announced that Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has taken over from Haruna Iddrisu as the new Minority Leader.
Ellembelle MP, Kofi Armah Boah replaces James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader.
Kwame Agbodza becomes the Chief Whip for the opposition side and will be deputised by Banda MP, Ahmed Ibrahim and Ada legislator, Comfort Doyo Ghansah respectively.
This decision generated varied views from some Legislators who described it as a coup d’état.
One of the many aggrieved legislators is Tamale Central MP, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who said the timing of the decision by the party’s hierarchy is ‘wrong’.
He questioned the rationale for the change and criticised the party’s leadership for failing to consult the entire Minority Caucus before effecting the changes.
However, the Chairman of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia justified the change and explained that it forms part of the reorganisation process to help the party capture political power during the 2024 elections.
“We started re-organisation of our structures to be able to position ourselves to fight election 2024,” he said.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
In a bid to enhance their campaign efforts, Team Bawumia has launched a Website, Mobile App, and USSD digital platform to connect with supporters and stakeholders.
The team is utilising technology to ensure wider reach and engagement ahead of the upcoming elections.
The highlight of their digital campaign is the introduction of a unique dialing code,*202#, a website (www.bawumia.com), and USSD which allow supporters to contribute their quota to the Bawumia Campaign and also interact and follow his campaign keenly.
The initiative aims to tap into the growing mobile phone penetration in Ghana, where almost everyone has access to a mobile phone. With this innovative approach, Team Bawumia seeks to harness the power of technology to galvanize support and resources for their campaign.
Through these platforms, individuals can stay updated with the latest news, videos, and events related to the Bawumia Campaign.
Speaking about the digital campaign, a member of Team Bawumia stated, “We recognise the importance of technology in today’s world. By leveraging these digital platforms, we can connect with our supporters and engage with them more interactively. It allows us to reach a wider audience and promote the vision and agenda of Vice President Bawumia.”
The digital campaign is in line with the wider shift towards digitalization in Ghana’s political landscape. With the rise in internet and mobile phone usage, political parties are increasingly using digital tools to engage with voters and convey their messages effectively.
With the launch of the dialing code and other digital platforms, Team Bawumia aims to harness the potential of technology to mobilize support and spread its campaign message.
As the election draws near, it remains to be seen how successful this digital campaign will be in influencing voters and shaping the outcome.
A former Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor has picked forms to officially run for the flagbearership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
This comes as the party readies to attempt to take over the reigns of power from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Dr Duffuor joins a growing list of personalities who have picked forms in this regard.
Ahead of the gesture, supporters of the businessman massed up at the NDC Headquarters.
They hoisted posters and placards in solidarity with the NDC stalwart.
The form for Dr Duffour was picked up by the Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser, Gloria Huze who led a delegation to the party headquarters.
According to her, the politician will be the opposition party’s best bet for the 2024 election as he has the masses’ welfare at heart.
Madam Huze said the 2024 presidential elections will need a courageous candidate like Dr Duffour to lead the NDC to save the masses, particularly women, from the hands of the current administration.
He becomes the latest member to pick up his forms after former President John Mahama, businessman Ernest Kwaku Kobeah and Kojo Bonsu, former Mayor of Kumasi.
The deadline for picking nominations is Friday, February 24.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Popular Ghanaian gospel musician, Diana Asamoah, has disclosed the reasons behind her decision to stay single and not consider marriage at this juncture in her life.
According to her, she has no plans to marry at this stage because of how other people’s marriages turned out concerning the treatment meted out to them.
She cited an instance where some Christians pray to marry men of God, but the character of the said persons does not match their role as pastors, and they behave anyhow without reverence for God.
The gospel musician noted that the lives of some women have become miserable because of marriage; hence, one needs to be careful.
Speaking in an interview with JoyPrime TV and monitored by GhanaWeb, Diana Asamoah stated that she has not asked God to grant her marriage; otherwise, she would have been married by now.
This was how the conversation panned out between show host, Roselyn Felli and Diana Asamoah.
Roselyn Felli: Right now what are you looking out for if someone is interested in you and looking at how you look beautiful the suitors are a lot. What do you expect from such people?
Diana Asamoah: It is not about what the person possesses. Recently, I was telling someone about marriage
Roselyn Felli: I want you to talk about yourself not others
Diana Asamoah: Yes, that is what I am saying. I advise current Christians that if you are going to marry, don’t tell God to give you a pastor because some of them don’t fear God. He does what unbelievers do. Because he bears the name ‘pastor,’ people just follow him. You have to marry someone who fears and loves God. He understands the work that you do and knows him very well.
Some people marry because of the wealth of the person and they pretend to love so if God does reveal his true state to you and marries the person, later you’ll notice it was satan you got married to. That is why some people’s lives have been miserable.
Roselyn Felli: Have you told God you want a husband?
Diana Asamoah: No, if I did I would have been married by now
Some members of the public have wondered why Diana Asamoah at her age and popularity has not married yet.
It remains to be seen whether she marries anytime soon or not.
Fast rising Ghanaian young gospel star Adepa Delali based in Obuasi,under the management of Ebenezer Essuman ( CEO of Eben Shoes Collections ) has disclosed in an interview after a heart touching worship ministration on one of the biggest Tv stations based in kumasi that, International Gospel Artiste Judith Kanayo As her real Name but popularly known as Judikay in the Gospel and Showbiz Space is her mentor.
Judikay has been my mentor since 2019, Judikay has been a voice to reckon with in the gospel music niche. After she earned her spot in the limelight when she released “ More than Gold”.
But I moon over Sandy Asare as my role model, inspiration and a mother in the gospel industry that I look up to.
Sandra AGYEMANG Duah better known as Sandy Asare is a Ghanaian contemporary Gospel singer,songwriter and a professional nurse. Sandy worships with the Church of Pentecost and her songs are all inspired by the Holy Spirit and the word of God. Sandy Shares that God gave her a vision that through the power of worship many shall come to know the Lord Jesus.
Adepa Delali counts on that her music ministry has a key role to play in inspiring and blessing believers and nonbelievers as the second coming of Christ is near. She also shares that God gave her a vision to bring many to God through worship ministrations.
After the show, the host of the show also then confirmed that through assertion during the show through her ministrations indeed Adepa Delali truly sounds like Sandy Asare.
Adepa Delali has released some powerful Pentecostal worship videos on her social media handles.
Content created and supplied by: BULLATHEBLOGGER (via Opera
News )
Mauricio Pochettino on his first day at Cobham training ground
Chelsea have been “the greatest team in England” over the past 10 to 15 years, according to new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues have won 21 trophies since 2004, including five Premier Leagues and two Champions Leagues.
But they sacked two managers last season and finished 12th.
“In the last 10, 12, 15 years, Chelsea is the greatest team in England,” said former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino.
“I know very well the Premier League and what the culture of Chelsea means. I think our fans are excited to again be on the road of trying to win.”
The 51-year-old Argentine won three trophies in his time as Paris St-Germain manager, including the Ligue 1 title in 2021-22.
He failed to win anything in his previous six-year spell in England, though did reach the 2019 Champions League final with Spurs.
“We are excited to work with a very young team, with a different approach than in the past,” he said.
“But I think we all need to understand that we have to work really hard and create a very good atmosphere at the training ground to build success for the team in the next few years.
“For me, it is a pleasure and honour to now be involved with Chelsea Football Club. We are so excited, and I know Chelsea very well, it is one of the greatest clubs in the world. So of course, it was easy for us to make the decision to move here.”
New owner Todd Boehly sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter in his first season, with the club spending about £288m in January. That was more than the combined total of all clubs in the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1.
Pochettino has taken over a squad that has seen more change this summer, with Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante leaving to join teams in Saudi Arabia, England midfielder Mason Mount agreeing to join Manchester United, Ruben Loftus-Cheek moving to AC Milan and Mateo Kovacic signing for champions Manchester City.
France striker Christopher Nkunku has arrived from RB Leipzig for £52m and Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson joined on an eight-year contract from Villarreal.
Pochettino said a “very clear project” is now in place which may take time but Chelsea still need to “be at the top”.
He added: “From the beginning, the owners and sporting directors were very clear about the project and we were very excited to join them in this project.
“We are here to try to help the club and the fans. In the end, the most important thing in football is for them to be happy and to feel proud of us and in the way we approach games. The players need to know that.
“Of course, there are always up and downs in the history of football, but Chelsea is a club that it is impossible to have these up and downs.
“We need to be sure that we bring what the club needs to be at the top because the history of the club is to be at the top.”
Liverpool remain interested in bringing Ruben Neves to Anfield this month.
Football Insider claim that the Reds plan on waiting for Wolves to complete their transfer business, before making a move late in the window.
Photo Credit: Twitter
Martinez heads to Inter Miami
Josef Martinez has left joined Inter Miami after leaving MLS ris Atlanta.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to represent Inter Miami and give the best of myself,” said Martinez, 29.
“This is a club with high aspirations and that aims to be amongst the best in the league. I hope to help the team achieve its objectives and leave my mark at the club.”
The new MLS season starts next month.
Bayern close to completing deal for Sommer
Bayern Munich are close to completing a deal to sign Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer, according to Sky in Germany.
Sommer was held out of training on Wednesday to travel to Munich to finalise the deal and undergo a medical.
The two clubs had already agreed a fee of around £7m, plus £1.2m in bonuses, for the 34-year-old Switzerland international.
‘NO PROPOSAL’ FROM AL HILAL FOR MESSI
Lionel Messi is set to stay at Paris Saint-Germain, says Romano.
The 35-year-old was linked to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, but despite the rumours, there have been no talks or discussions between either camp, with Messi set to enter contract talks with PSG.
Leeds target wonderkid
Leeds United are hoping to bring in defensive wonderkid Diogo Monteiro before the January transfer deadline, according to The Athletic.
The Whites see Monteiro as a future first-team star and are keen to ramp up their ‘anticipating talent’ recruitment programme.
Monteiro was born in Switzerland but represents Portugal at youth level. The 17-year-old has already made his senior debut for Swiss top-flight side Servette.
City face transfer battle as £22m ‘offer’ submitted
Leicester City are facing a major battle to sign Azzedine Ounahi after Leeds United reportedly “upped their offer” for the player.
The 22-year-old, who played a starring role in Morocco’s run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, has been on the Foxes’ radar since last year.
It was even reported in December that City had put in a bid of €20m plus add-ons to Angers, but it was not accepted.
Done Deals
Tranmere midfielder moves to Chester FC on one month loan
TRANMERE Rovers have confirmed that midfielder Rhys Hughes has joined Chester FC on a one month loan.
Hughes, 21, has appeared 14 times for Rovers this season, scoring once in a Papa John’s Trophy game against Leeds United U21s.
He began his career with Everton before joining Rovers last summer. He has been a regular in their EFL matchday squads this term, making nine league appearances in the process.
Chester FC sign Tranmere Rovers midfielder on loan
Chester FC have strengthened their squad by signing midfielder Rhys Hughes from Tranmere on an initial 28-day loan.
The 21 year old has joined in time for Saturday’s home game against Peterborough Sports when the Blues will be looking to further establish themselves in the play-off places having risen to sixth with a 15-game unbeaten run.
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Quoting Tacha’s post on Monday, Pam reminded her that she was once twerking on Instagram and had tattooed Davido‘s head on her breast at the girl’s age.
A Twitter user, Pam has confronted Big Brother Naija star, Tacha.
Pam slammed Tacha after she came out in support of the parents who berated their daughter for asking for an iPhone 8 as a birthday gift.
Recall that the reality star had tackled Nigerians for condemning parents of the teenage girl, saying something is wrong with anyone who has a problem with the couple’s action.
Quoting Tacha’s post on Monday, Pam reminded her that she was once twerking on Instagram and had tattooed Davido’s head on her breast at the girl’s age.
“If you had loving parents, you would not tattoo davido on your breast at 19, you were twerking on IG for handouts at her age, talk another thing,” she wrote.
Pam’s post which has gone viral garnered over 6,000 Likes and 3000 reposts.
Rick Ross, a billionaire American artist, has praised Portable Omolalomi and Odumodublvck, two prominent figures among Nigerian Afrobeat musicians.
Rising stars across Africa received a gesture from the Hip-Hop and Rap artist, who is well-known for living the flamboyant lifestyle, from his fleet of flashy cars, expensive Yachts, Cribs and many more.
The American singer, recognised one talent from Ghana and one from South Africa in a video that has been circulating on social media, along with two Nigerian musicians, Portable and Odumodublvck.
“Let’s start with Odumodublvk Nigeria, Portable Nigeria, much love,” he said in part.
Netizen has taken to the comments section to share their excitement…
READ MORE: Mohbad’s Father Examines Son’s Corpse Months After Exhumation
See some comments…
iamkingdinero1 penned: “Portable has come to STAY 😂😂🙌 that “ AKWOI GRACE “ was not just a slang 👏👏👏.”
sabitalk1 wrote: “This man always loves to make a shoutout to Nigerian entertainers bless him 😍😍😍.”
kennedyexcel stated: “Portable don dey go international like play like play him go win Grammy award before 2027…”
ms_leemart stated: “When portable said “Akwoi Grace” he definitely wasn’t capping.”
mazi_sylva noted: “Ha, portable don set ring light be that😂😂.”
The Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have voiced their disagreement with Pope Francis, the leader of the world’s nearly 1.4 billion Roman Catholics’ stance on blessing same-sex couples.
They conveyed their concerns during the opening of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja, while expressing that it could be interpreted as endorsing same-sex marriage within the Church.
President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, highlighted that the recent declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has caused distress among the bishops.
While the declaration prohibits liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, it suggests pastoral blessings for couples in irregular situations, including same-sex couples.
This has led to mixed reactions globally, with many bishops and faithful rejecting the notion of blessing same-sex unions.
Ugorji however emphasized the bishops’ commitment to upholding Church teaching based on Scripture and Tradition, which prohibits blessing same-sex couples due to the grave depravity of homosexual acts.
He stressed the importance of teaching the faithful about repentance and God’s unconditional love for sinners.
His words: “We must sincerely admit that the Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning Blessings), issued on 18th December, 2023, by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has added to our pains.
READ ALSO: Reason Africans Don’t Accept Homosexuality Is Understandable – Pope Francis
“It further stressed that such pastoral blessings should not be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding.
“Given the ambiguities in the Declaration, the document quickly aroused mixed reactions of acceptance, sceptical reserve and outright rejection from Episcopal Conferences and individual Bishops across the world.
“In the midst of this confusion and pushback, we must, as Pastors with the pastoral task of safeguarding the deposit of faith in its purity and integrity, uphold the teaching of the Church based on Holy Scripture and Tradition.
“We shouldn’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by renewing our minds, so we may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We must continue to teach our faithful that there is no possibility of blessing same-sex couples or same-sex unions in the Church in Africa.
“Homosexual acts are of grave depravity which are intrinsically disordered and, above all, contrary to natural law. In furtherance of our pastoral and prophetic mission, we must also continue to stress that God loves the sinner unconditionally and calls him to repentance so that he might live.”
Edward Bawa, the Member of Parliament for Bongo Constituency, has detailed the measures implemented by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to address the recurring power outages.
The Mahama administration faced significant criticism when Ghanaians experienced a power crisis during his tenure. Some NDC leaders, however, have claimed that they resolved “Dumsor” before their term ended.
In a Face to Face interview on Citi TV, Edward Bawa stated that the Mahama government resolved all the initial problems causing the power outages.
He emphasized that issues such as generation capacity, fuel security, and unpaid accumulated legacy debts were addressed in 2015.
“Essentially, by the close of 2015, the major issues that had to do with the power sector had been dealt with. When the NDC came, obviously these problems were still there waiting to strike again. Unfortunately, it reared its head in 2013, when we had a problem with the breached pipeline and that told us that we needed to do something about our fuel security properly. By the close of 2015, we had procured enough generation power to be able to deal with the immediate cause of “Dumsor”.
“Generation was the immediate issue, that part by the close of 2015, actually had been dealt with. There was also a financial aspect of it which was dealt with, particularly just the end of 2015 and 2016. We were dealing with the debts and then by the close of 2015, we had also dealt with the fuel security issue because we had then brought on board Atuabo Gas Plant that was going to utilize our gas.”
Bawa noted that the government introduced ESLA to eliminate legacy debts incurred due to utility inefficiencies and unallocated subsidies.
“It was the financial aspect of it which had to do with the energy sector levy. The legacy debt and so the ESLA was to retire the legacy debts. The NDC government under John Mahama felt that in five years, it would be able to retire the debts and also ensured that no new debt was piled up, so Compact 2 was brought in.”
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Controversial former AIDS ambassador, Joyce Mensah Dzidzor has revealed that she is not interested in going into a relationship again.
READ ALSO: This Guy Can Lie- Cheddar Roasted for Saying He Made a Million Dollar at Age 21
The actress is known to have been in a serious relationship with Dr. UN and Ohene David, however, she has said things are not the same as they appear on the surface.
Speaking in an interview with Graphic , Joyce said that ‘I have been through a lot, and I am tired of heartbreaks.”
READ ALSO: I Made A Million Pounds by Selling Scraps At Age 21- Cheddar Reveals
“I can’t see myself dating any man anytime soon because of the heartbreaks I have suffered from my previous relationships. I am an easygoing person, but when it comes to relationships, it is different‘, she added.
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