With only a few hours we will be drawing the curtains on 2022 and we usher in a new year. 2022 has been a year full of drama and surprises with each day coming with its own challenges. We had exciting news, and events in all spheres of our national life.
As the Editor-in-chief, I’m dropping in with this letter to express my gratitude for our success in 2022 and years Opera came to Ghana.
We are privileged to have been able to bring some of the important local and global news events, big stories, and hot gist to you, our readers, who have kept faith in the biggest news APP in Ghana.
This year the editorial team set out to prioritize the news consumption of our users and other Ghanaians who use our mobile app. The idea was to personalize and improve the quality of on the App and also recommend articles that best suit your needs and personal choices.
As I mentioned in my introduction, 2022 was the ‘year of the news’. We covered and reported all the important news events and big stories. This year was particularly big on politics, entertainment, and sports, especially the biggest football mundial (QATAR WORLD CUP 2022).
Next, I want to express how thankful I am for the incredible team of people who work tirelessly to make what it is, and this includes our in-house editorial team, our Hub Contributors, as well as our diverse partners.
Besides strong and sustained readership, let’s also keep the emails and the comments coming because that’s how we will keep on improving and serving our audience better.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and have a happy New and Prosperous 2023.
Let’s push more limits!
Yours truly,
Salisu Alhassan,
Editor-In-Chief
Content created and supplied by: OperaNewsHubGH (via Opera
News )
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has welcomed the complete reversal of the discretionary discount on the free on board (FOB) value of goods and the home delivery value (HDV) of vehicles effective January 1, 2023.
The OSP has expressed gratification about the new policy but has insisted that “the various investigations commenced by the OSP at the Customs Division would still proceed nonetheless and the Office will monitor the implementation of the new policy.”
The Ghana Revenue Authority has reminded all sector commanders of the Customs Division, that the complete reversal of the discount on Free on Board (FOB) value on general goods and home delivery value (HDV) of vehicles is effective January 1, 2023, and therefore they should ensure full compliance.
The move, according to the GRA is in reference to the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government, which is aimed at raising revenue and also to boost the local productive capacity, introduce policies for the protection and incubation of newly formed domestic industries to allow them to make the goods produced in Ghana competitive for local consumption and also for export.
Per the new policy, discounts on import values have been revised from the prevailing 30 percent for vehicles to 10 percent.
All other goods will have discounts on import values of 30 percent instead of the prevailing 50 percent.
A memo from the Commissioner General of the GRA, Rev Dr Ammishadai Owusu Amoah gave a reminder of the effective date as January 1, 2023 and asked Custom officers to ensure “strict compliance to prevent any possible losses of revenue”.
There is however a transitional arrangement for the provision of storage free period for consignments discharged on December 31, 2022, from arriving means of conveyance to go through clearance without being affected by the reversal policy.
In addition, all pre-arrival declarations processed and tax paid even when the goods have not arrived before January 1, 2023, shall not be affected by the reversal policy.
OSP’s gratification, insistence on proceeding with ongoing investigations and monitor the implementation of the new policy.
Reacting to the reversal of the discretionary discounts, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) expressed gratification.
On August 3, 2022, the Office of the Special Prosecutor published an investigative report in respect of a complaint against Labianca Company Limited and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority.
A major finding of the investigation, which led to the recovery of GHC1,074,627.15, is that there appears to be an institutionalised culture of lighthearted unconcern regarding impropriety of action at the Customs Division in respect of the grant of customs advance rulings and other rulings regarding the importation of goods – which indicates a high propensity to engender corruption and corruption-related activities.
On the basis of the report, the Special Prosecutor directed the commencement of a wider investigation into the issuance of customs advance rulings and markdowns of benchmark values and an attendant investigation in respect of the auction of goods and vehicles by the Customs Division.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon (December 29, 2022), the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng noted, “with gratification, that following its various investigations and interventions at the Customs Division, the Government has reversed the discretionary discount on the free on board (FOB) value of goods and the home delivery value (HDV) of vehicles effective 1 January 2023.”
“The new policy effectively shuts all avenues for officers of the Customs Division to grant discretionary markdowns and removes opportunity for corruption and corruption-related activities,” the OSP stated.
“The various investigations commenced by the OSP at the Customs Division would still proceed nonetheless and the Office will monitor the implementation of the new policy.”
Source: graphic.com.gh
: 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.
Shatta Wale and Medikal had a capacity crowd showing up at the Accra Sports Stadium for their just-ended Freedom Wave Concert.
Thousands of fans trooped to fill the 40,000 capacity stadium to patronize and support the two artistes, who command large followings in the country.
In videos that have gone viral on social media, fans could be seen occupying every section of the stadium even before the show started.
The Freedom Wave Concert was also graced by other artistes, including Black Sherif, Wendy Shay, Quamina MP, Kofi Jamar, Phrimpong and Joey B.
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Before the concert, Shatta Wale had expressed hope of filling the stadium following Wizkid’s no-show some weeks earlier.
Reacting to this feat from the camp of Shatta Wale, Prophet Reindolph Oduro Gyebi, popularly known as Eagle Prophet, is a man of God with an eagle-like prophetic ministry has revealed that Shatta Wale has the backing of spiritual forces.
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According to Eagle Prophet in the studios of Angel Fm, some dark forces perhaps marine spirits helped Shatta Wale to fill Accra Sports Stadium as no Ghanaian artiste can do that when given the chance, regardless.
Nollywood actor, Alex Ekubo has finally reacted to his ex-fiance, Fancy Acholonu’s apology.
Taking to her comment section to acknowledge her post, Yul appreciated the apology.
The eligible bachelor further prayed for her.
“I appreciate the apology. May God bless us all”.
Fancy tenders apology to Alex Ekubo
Kemi Filani reported that Fancy Acholonu had publicly apologised to Alex Ekubo and his family.
The American model and actress revealed how hard it has been for her losing him.
Expressing herself properly, Fancy stated that she isn’t afraid of being vulnerable and to affirm her love for him. She acknowledged that she hurt him and his family, with the way she handled their breakup.
She noted how her actions were out of character and have realized that we could have controlled her emotions and not been so overreactive.
“Like our shirt says, Nothing makes sense when we’re apart @alexxekubo you still have my heart. I miss you, I love you, and I’m truly sorry for all the hurt & pain you and your family went through with our breakup.
My actions in how I handled things was out of my character. I should have controlled my emotions and bit been so overreactive. I said too much, I did too much. Please forgive me. I’ve learned my lesson in how to handle situations.
I haven’t expressed myself properly. I’m not afraid to be vulnerable and sat you, your family & friends still mean the world to me. Losing you has felt like grief. Love heals”.
Alex Ekubo and Fancy breakup
KFN recalls the internet was set agog in August 2021 when Fancy Acholonu called off her 3months engagement with the actor.
Alex Ekubo and Fancy Acholonu on August 25th sparked a relationship breakup as they unfollowed each other on the photo and video-sharing app, Instagram.
Confirming their breakup, Fancy Acholonu took to her official Instagram page to plead for privacy.
According to Fancy, she broke up with him because they both needed to find happiness and live in their truth.
Nigerian social media personality, Humanitarian, Brand ambassador, business woman and First baby mama of popular Nigerian Musician, Davido by name Sophie Momodu has taken to her official social media page through Instagram to share adorable pictures of herself.
While sharing the adorable pictures, she took to the caption section to write:”2022 tough but beautiful.”
The social media personality who is well known for wowing her fans with adorable pictures of herself showed up this time in a striking two piece outfit and a nice hairstyle that gave her a stunning look. She also appeared with a beautiful makeup on her face that matched her skin colour.
This particular post has stirred a lot of reactions from fans and followers social media users like Iyabo Ojo, Eniola Ojo And Others as they took to the comments section to express their opinions. While some people reacted to the caption of the post, Others showered lovely names on her.
Kindly share your thoughts about this post in the comments section.
Content created and supplied by: GKentertainment (via Opera News )
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is cautioning the general public against consuming a whale that was washed onto the shores of Tema in the Greater Accra Region.
The FDA warned that consuming such fish may have serious health implications, advising the public not to send the carcass of the whale into their kitchens for any form of food preparations.
In a statement, the FDA said, “the public is advised to stay away from such fishes that are washed ashore as one may not know the cause of death which may have an effect on health”.
The FDA assured that arrangements are underway to safely dispose of the carcass to prevent the public from accessing it.
“The situation has been brought under control and is being monitored to prevent people from having access to the carcass as arrangements are underway to safely dispose the carcass”.
It advised the public to contact the FDA or any of the Food Safety Emergency Response partners, if they come across such incidents.
“The public is advised to contact the FDA or any of the Food Safety Emergency Response partners (i.e., Fisheries and Aquaculture, Local Government and Rural Development, National Security, Customs Division, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Department (PPRSD), Veterinary Services Department, Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Armed Forces, and the Ghana Health Services (GHS) if one comes across such an incident,” the FDA urged.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against consuming the carcass of a whale, which was washed onto the shores of Tema in the Greater Accra Region.
The Authority is collaborating with Agencies within the National Food Safety Emergency Response Plan (FoSERP) to address the safety issues.
According to the FDA, the situation has been brought under control and is being monitored to prevent people from having access to the carcass as arrangements are underway to safely dispose the carcass.
“The public is advised to stay away from such fishes that are washed ashore as one may not know the cause of death which may have effect on health,” the FDA said in a public alert notice.
The public is advised to contact the FDA or any of the Food Safety Emergency Response partners (i.e., Fisheries and Aquaculture, Local Government and Rural Development, National Security, Customs Division, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Department (PPRSD), Veterinary Services Department, Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Armed Forces, and the Ghana Health Services (GHS) if one comes across such an incident, it added.
Source: graphic.com.gh
: 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.
Ghanaian Afro-pop, dancehall, and reggae artiste Stonebwoy have urged African and Caribbean states to join hands to confront common challenges, strengthen historical and cultural ties and build socio-economic and political linkages as one region.
According to Stonebwoy the commonalities between the historical and present-day struggles between the two regions should spur a deepening of cooperation in strengthening trade and investment and sharing expertise and knowledge amongst others.
He made this statement during a panel discussion at the Wood and Watta Business Brunch held in Accra.
The event was aimed at connecting the Future of Africa and the Caribbean on issues including trade, investment, culture, entertainment, and many more.
“I have had a fair share of criticism and discrimination from the Caribbean as a dancehall act from Africa sounding like a Jamaican but forgetting we are connected.
There is a great need for deeper collaborations to help build ourselves as a united front to conquer the world in all aspects” he said.
“I think we the Africans embrace the Caribbean more and the Caribbean hardly embraces the African base on my experiences with Jamaicans. And this greatly explains why there is no direct flight from Africa to the Caribbean states,” he added.
The first Honorary Consul of Jamaica to Ghana Mr. Isaac Emmil Osei-Bonsu, in his address, said the African Caribbean must start trading with each other by increasing investment and people-to-people exchanges.
“According to my checks 95% of trade out of the Caribbean went up north; USA, Canada, and 5% goes down south. Almost nothing comes here in Africa. I think conversations like this need to be broadened by engaging ourselves on decisions to restructure the two regions to explore the enormous opportunity” he said.
Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs, Nadia Musa on her part urged the diasporans to explore the opportunity to invest in the Ghanaian economy to support the country’s industrialization drive.
She indicated that diaspora investment was essential for industrialization and consequently the development of the nation.
“The office of the Diaspora Affairs is calling on the diasporans to invest in the country’s economy to improve its industrialization. We are fully convinced that Ghana cannot succeed in her quest to become an industrialized country without the full support and participation of her Diaspora citizens” she posited.
The Wood and Watta Business Brunch organized by Ford Communication and the office of the Diaspora Affairs is the kick-off Afro-Caribbean event that highlights the investment and trade opportunities between the Caribbean and Ghana, from technology to culture and real estate.
The event was hosted by Managing Director, Ford Communications Lakeshia Ford with selected panelists including Ivie Ani Cultural Journalist, Ms. Leticia Brown Head of Market, Inclusion, and Advocacy at Zeepay, Sandy Alibo Founder Surf Ghana, Ray T. Klein Chief Operating Officer, and Benewah Boateng.
The Ghana Revenue Authority has reminded all sector commanders of the Customs Division, that the complete reversal of the discount on Free on Board (FOB) value on general goods and home delivery value (HDV) of vehicles is effective January 1, 2023, and therefore they should ensure full compliance.
The move is in reference to the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government, which is aimed at raising revenue and also to boost the local productive capacity, introduce policies for the protection and incubation of newly formed domestic industries to allow them to make the goods produced in Ghana competitive for local consumption and also for export.
Per the new policy, discounts on import values have been revised from the prevailing 30 percent for vehicles to 10 percent.
All other goods will have discounts on import values of 30 percent instead of the prevailing 50 percent.
A memo from the Commissioner General of the GRA, Rev Dr Ammishadai Owusu Amoah gave a reminder of the effective date as January 1, 2023 and asked Custom officers to ensure “strict compliance to prevent any possible losses of revenue”.
There is however a transitional arrangement for the provision of storage free period for consignments discharged on December 31, 2022, from arriving means of conveyance to go through clearance without being affected by the reversal policy.
In addition, all pre-arrival declarations processed and tax paid even when the goods have not arrived before January 1, 2023, shall not be affected by the reversal policy.
Source: Graphiconline.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.
Nollywood actress, Judy Austin has finally opened up on her struggles being Yul Edochie’s second wife.
In a lengthy post on her Instagram page, Judy Austin noted how people have been assuming the worst about her and how bloggers have been ganging up against her.
However, learnt a great deal of lessons this year and she knew she had so much endurance in her until endurance became an option.
Judy revealed that God really showed her that she is one of his strongest creation and that her life is miracle.
“I learnt a great deal of lessons this year… I never knew I had so much endurance in me until endurance became the only option… God really showed me that I’m one of his strongest creations.
My life is a miracle. So many things left unsaid. People assuming the worst and running with it… Some bloggers gangling up against me to dim my light and tarnish my image.
But God is still God…. Me still standing tall with God and letting nothing or nobody stand in my way.
Everything about me is a testimony. God’s protection is ever surrounding me.. I have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.
Happy beautiful birthday to me again!! It’s still my day….
And a happy birthday to my birthday mates… We rock…
Thank you guys for all the love your showering on me!!! I don’t take it for granted!!! Love you guys more”.
Yul Edochie celebrates Judy’s birthday
Her husband on his part had taken to his social media page to celebrate his second wife and mother of his son, Judy Austin.
Describing her as God’s special daughter, he poured sweet words on her.
“IJELE ODOGWU!!! A very happy birthday to you. The Queen of Capricorns. Okwulu Okalisa. God’s special daughter. I wish you many more beautiful and successful years filled with God’s blessings. May God lead you always”.
Judy Austin celebrates birthday
Kemi Filani earlier reported that the D-Day for actress and wife of actor Yul Edochie, Judy Austin is finally here!
The Nollywood beauty who turns a new age today had left her fans in awe of her breathtaking beauty. Sharing a photo of her dressed in shining black dress, Judy Austin ushered herself into a new age
She expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life, unlimited blessings and love.
“Happy beautiful birthday to me!!!
Thank you Jesus for the gift of life. You’ve showered me with unlimited blessings and love beyond my wildest dreams. I have absolutely nothing more to ask for other than to give you gratitude!! Thank you for loving me too much my king. You’re an awesome God!! I owe it all yo you.
Please say a thank you Jesus for me if you love me. God has been truly awesome to me this year”.
Gushing over her beauty, one Ademola wrote, “Normally Judy is a beauriiiii. Happy birthday to you, may God ess your heart
One Lady Tiana wrote, “Happy birthday beautiful
One Natasha Mona wrote, “Happy Birthday my beautiful stay blessed more love”.
