Daniel Amoako Antwi, [R] Executive Director of Africa Skills Hub Foundation. receiving an award

The Ghana Outstanding Community Leadership Conference and Awards, held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, has named Africa Skills Hub Foundation (ASH) the Most Outstanding Community Advocate of Youth Empowerment.

This national honour shines a spotlight on Africa Skills Hub’s transformative work in youth development and economic inclusion across Ghana, from rural farming communities to emerging urban hubs.

The organisation’s bold, community-driven model equips young women and people with practical skills, entrepreneurship support, and leadership tools to thrive in today’s economy.

“We are honoured to receive the Most Outstanding Community Advocate of Youth Empowerment Award,” said Daniel Amoako Antwi, Executive Director of Africa Skills Hub Foundation.

“We dedicate this achievement to all the young people we’ve worked with, the communities we’ve served, and our partners who continue to support our shared vision for inclusive growth. We remain committed to building skills and creating opportunities throughout Ghana”.

With initiatives spanning over 16 regions, the organisation has trained approximately 16,000 youth and 13,000 women in fields such as agribusiness, digital marketing, climate-smart farming, and innovation-led entrepreneurship, resulting in a reported 60% increase in jobs created and employment among program participants over the past nine years.

Africa Skills Hub’s programs blend hands-on learning with participants through extensive aftercare services, including regulatory, IT, financial, legal, market access, and intellectual property services.

ASH also manages a dedicated micro-credit fund that supports youth and women-led businesses, affirming its commitment to addressing structural barriers through evidence-based solutions.

Looking ahead, Africa Skills Hub remains committed to scaling its impact through

strategic partnerships, digital innovations, and inclusive enterprise accelerators tailored to the growing needs of young Africans.

This recognition affirms the value of our work and strengthens our resolve to deepen opportunities for youth and women across Ghana. To the organisers of the Ghana Most Outstanding Community Awards, Business Executive Group, we extend our

heartfelt appreciation for highlighting the significance of youth empowerment in

Ghana.

About Africa Skills Hub Foundation (ASH)

Africa Skills Hub Foundation (ASH) is an enterprise support organization based in Ghana that creates economic and skill-based opportunities for African’s youth, women and SMEs.

Since its inception in 2016, ASH has impacted young graduates by providing essential skills and job opportunities, trained SMEs in entrepreneurship, agribusinesses, digital and climate-smart practices, and economically empowered women-led businesses through access to capital and markets opportunities.

Ghana has been named among seven emerging ocean economies chosen to pioneer the implementation of the Ocean Centres initiative. 

The International Ocean Centres Initiative for Safer and More Sustainable Ocean Economies across the Global South will be championed in Ghana by the UN Global Compact Network Ghana. 

The selection followed a comprehensive scoping phase conducted in 2023, which included analysis of UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition strategy documents, academic research, benchmarking, and expert interviews across diverse national contexts. 

A press statement announcing this indicated that the Ocean Centres would be officially launched at a high-level side event of the United Nations. 

Ocean Conference on June 10 at Nice, France, titled “United by Ocean Centres – Global and Local Ocean Collaboration in Practice”. 

The event is expected to bring together international experts, government leaders, and the country would lead from each ocean centre to explore how local action can inform global progress. 

The statement noted that Dr Emmanuel Kofi Mbiah, the Country Lead for the Ocean Centres in Ghana, would participate in the United Nations Ocean Conference, attend various events, take part in a workshop, and speak at the official launch. 

“We believe that, at a global level, the Ocean Centres initiative will strengthen food security, port efficiency, clean energy development, and biodiversity protection. As hubs for sustainable ocean stewardship, they will drive long-term economic and environmental benefits through collaboration, innovation, and investment,” it said. 

It noted that Ghana faces relevant challenges in maritime safety, governance, and infrastructure such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU), fragmented regulation, and limited investment. 

It added that the government is beginning to allocate more resources to the blue economy, showing commitment to long-term development. Opportunities include improving safety in the trawler industry, raising ESG awareness, and embedding international standards. 

“Despite constraints like limited environmental planning and a small maritime sector, strong climate awareness and public-private collaboration offer momentum. 

It announced that the priorities of Ghana’s Ocean Centres across the four Action Areas are Shipping and Ports, Fishing and Aquaculture, Finance and Investment, and Offshore Renewables, adding that at the national level, the initiative aims to strengthen maritime safety, reduce accidents, and foster a culture of prevention. 

These improvements, it stated, would enhance operational efficiency, sustainability, and regulatory compliance, supporting Ghana’s broader blue economy agenda. 

The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. 

The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with more than 20,000 participating companies, five Regional Hubs, 63 Country Networks covering 80 countries and 13 Country Managers establishing Networks in 18 other countries. 

Source: GNA 

Tucked away along the charming coastline of Ghana’s Central Region lies the humble town of Saltpond, a place that has not only witnessed the birth of the nation’s independence movement, but also the origins of one of its most beloved musical traditions – the iconic Ghanaian brass band.

According to Dr. Nana Baa Wiredu, an International Tourism Consultant and the first African to serve as the United Nations World Tourism Organization Regional Director for Africa, the Saltpond brass band tradition can be traced back to the early 20th century, when the colonial authorities established the presence of the military and police in the town.

“The colonial administrators recognized the strategic importance of Saltpond as a center of commerce and trade. To maintain control and project their power, they formed military and police bands to entertain the local population and project an image of order and stability,” explains Dr. Wiredu, a native of Saltpond whose great-great-grandfather was the manufacturer of salt and gave the name “Saltpond” to the town.

These troupes, mainly soldiers, would often incorporate old, discarded instruments that were handed down to them by their colonial masters. However, the authorities did not consider these musicians to be true professionals, and instead referred to them disparagingly as “amateurs” – a term that the local Fanti people would eventually corrupt into the word “ametsiwa.”

“The colonial administrators didn’t want to acknowledge the skill and artistry of these brass band musicians. They saw them as uneducated, untrained, and unworthy of being called ‘professionals.’ But the people of Saltpond knew better – they recognized the incredible talent and dedication that went into these performances, which offered them another recreational pastime both for the indigenes and the colonial people who were there – the merchants and the protectors of the merchants,” says Dr. Wiredu.

As the colonial era drew to a close and Ghana gained its independence, these military and police bands would evolve into the civilian brass bands that have become a beloved fixture of the country’s cultural landscape. But the legacy of Saltpond’s salt traders endures, with the town’s annual “Ayeriye” festival still featuring elaborate processions of women adorned in the flowing gowns that echo the fashions of their Senegalese forebears.

“The brass band tradition is woven into the very fabric of Ghanaian culture. And at the heart of that tradition is Saltpond, a town that has always been a crossroads of commerce, creativity, and cultural exchange,” says Dr. Wiredu.

Indeed, the influence of Saltpond’s salt traders can be seen not only in the music and fashion of Ghana, but also in the town’s distinct architectural and cultural features. The Fanti people, who have long been the dominant ethnic group in Saltpond, have maintained a strong sense of identity and tradition that is reflected in the town’s vibrant festivals, intricate beadwork, and intricate woodcarvings.

“When the Senegalese salt traders came to Saltpond, they brought with them a rich cultural heritage that would leave an indelible mark on the town,” explains Dr. Wiredu. “The flowing gowns and ornate headdresses worn by the Senegalese women, for instance, would go on to inspire the elaborate costumes and pageantry that have become synonymous with Ghanaian brass band performances.”

But the influence of these visiting salt traders extended far beyond the realm of fashion and aesthetics. It was their musical traditions, particularly the use of wind instruments like trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, that would ultimately give birth to Ghana’s iconic brass band sound.

“The military band in Saltpond was known for their virtuosic performances on these instruments. The local musicians quickly picked up on the techniques and incorporated them into their own playing, creating a unique fusion of imported and indigenous musical styles,” says Dr. Wiredu.

And it is this spirit of creativity, resilience, and cultural pride that has made the Saltpond brass band tradition such an enduring and beloved part of the Ghanaian experience. From the bustling streets of Accra to the rural villages of the hinterland, the stirring sounds of these ensembles – with their powerful brass melodies, driving rhythms, and vibrant energy – continue to captivate and inspire, a testament to the power of a town that has long been a crossroads of commerce, culture, and innovation.

After 68 years of Ghana’s independence, the story of Saltpond’s brass bands serves as a poignant reminder of the country’s rich heritage and the enduring resilience of its people. And for those who venture to this unassuming coastal town, the opportunity to immerse themselves in this living, breathing tradition is a truly unforgettable experience – one that speaks to the very heart of what it means to be Ghanaian.

The town of Saltpond has a unique history that has shaped the cultural identity of Ghana. Beyond the origins of the brass band tradition, Saltpond was also a hub for the salt trade, attracting visitors from across West Africa. According to local lore, the town was even the site of a legendary confrontation between the indigenous Fanti people and the colonial authorities.

As the country celebrates the 68th anniversary of its freedom, the story of Saltpond serves as a poignant reminder of the power of a place to shape the course of history. And for those who venture to this remarkable town, the opportunity to immerse themselves in its rich cultural tapestry is a truly unforgettable experience – one that speaks to the very heart of what it means to be Ghanaian.

Notably, the brass band tradition that was born in Saltpond would quickly spread to neighboring communities along the coast, taking root in towns like Ada, Accra, and Volta. The distinct sound and pageantry of these ensembles became a beloved part of the cultural fabric, providing entertainment and a sense of identity for Ghanaians across the country.

“What started in Saltpond as a small military and police band evolved into a true grassroots movement, with brass bands popping up in communities far and wide,” explains Dr. Wiredu. “The people embraced this music as their own, infusing it with local rhythms and traditions to create something truly unique and captivating.”

Today, the presence of brass bands is a ubiquitous part of Ghanaian life, whether accompanying funeral processions, serenading wedding parties, or marching in vibrant festivals. This enduring legacy is a testament to the transformative power of a single town, and the way in which cultural innovations can ripple outward to shape the identity of an entire nation.

“Saltpond may be a small place, but its influence on Ghanaian culture is immeasurable,” says Dr. Wiredu. “The brass band tradition is just one example of how this unassuming town has left an indelible mark, inspiring generations of artists, musicians, and visionaries who have helped to define the soul of our country.”

By Innocent Samuel Appiah

An Australian bouncy castle operator at the centre of a tragedy in 2021 that killed six children and seriously injured three has been cleared of breaching safety laws.

A court found Rosemary Anne Gamble, who runs the business Taz-Zorb, not guilty, ruling that the incident was “due to an unprecedented weather system” that was “impossible to predict”.

The victims, who were on a bouncy castle at a primary school fun day in Devonport, Tasmania, fell about 10m (33ft) after strong winds blew the castle skywards at a school fair.

The verdict on Friday caused anguish among their families, with some crying out in court in disbelief, ABC News reported.

Prosecutors had accused Ms Gamble of failing to anchor the castle adequately, but her defence argued she could not have done more to eliminate or reduce hazards that led to the tragedy.

Magistrate Robert Webster agreed with the defence and found that the incident happened due to a dust devil – an upward spiralling vortex of air and debris – that was “unforeseen and unforeseeable”.

“Ms Gamble could have done more or taken further steps, however, given the effects of the unforeseen and unforeseeable dust devil, had she done so, that would sadly have made no difference to the ultimate outcome,” the magistrate said.

The six children killed in the accident – Addison Stewart, Zane Mellor, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Peter Dodt and Chace Harrison – were aged between 11 and 12.

They were all at a Hillcrest Primary School fair when the accident took place on the last day of term before the school holidays in December 2021.

Five of the children were on the castle when the gales swept it up and flung it across the school oval.

The sixth child, who was waiting in line, died after being struck in the head by the inflatable blower.

The tragic accident shattered Devonport, a city on the north coast of Tasmania with some 30,000 residents.

Ms Gamble was charged nearly two years after, in November 2023.

Andrew Dodt, the father of one of the young victims Peter, said after Friday’s verdict that “our hopes are just shattered now”.

“At the end of the day all I wanted was an apology for my son not coming home, and I’m never going to get it, and that kills me,” he said in a statement to local media.

“I’ve been broken for a long time, and I think I’m going to be broken for a lot more.”

Ms Gamble’s lawyer Bethan Frake spoke on her behalf, acknowledging that the incident has caused “scars that will remain for an extremely long time, likely forever”.

“I am a mother,” she said, quoting Ms Gamble. “I can only imagine the pain that other parents are living with each and every day because of this terrible thing that happened.”

“Their loss is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

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In recent months, artificial intelligence (AI) has become the center of global conversation — and with it, a wave of fear. From Accra to Silicon Valley, people are asking the same question: “Is AI coming for my job?”

As a team working at the forefront of AI research and implementation in Ghana, we’d like to say this clearly: AI is not here to take your job. It’s here to make your job better. Faster. Smarter.

In fact, what AI is really doing is recreating the job market — and it’s giving countries like Ghana a unique opportunity to leap ahead, not fall behind.

When AI Enters the Room, Work Becomes Faster

Not long ago, a real estate contractor told us how long it takes to complete just six houses. The issue wasn’t materials or manpower — it was delays due to disorganization and lack of clarity on the ground.

Imagine AI interpreting architectural drawings, mechanical layouts, and plumbing plans — and turning them into clear, step-by-step daily instructions for workers. Suddenly, confusion is replaced with momentum. Deadlines are met. Productivity skyrockets.

This is how AI transforms work. It doesn’t replace the builder. It supercharges the builder’s speed and precision — and in a country where housing demand far exceeds supply, speed matters.

Lawyers, Teachers, and Other Professionals Are Already Seeing the Benefits

We’ve seen it ourselves: legal teams using AI to draft documents in minutes rather than days. Educators summarizing lesson plans or grading patterns instantly. AI doesn’t eliminate expertise — it frees up time for higher-value thinking.

AI helps you work smarter. Not harder.

 

Ghana’s Youth + AI = A Massive Opportunity

Ghana has a young, ambitious population hungry for growth. AI can dramatically accelerate learning and skills development:

• Vocational training becomes easier with AI-led visual guides and simulations.
• Students in underserved areas gain access to smart tutors in local languages.
• Coders and tech learners receive real-time feedback and project support.
• Professionals in trades like plumbing, welding, or painting can use AI to plan projects and avoid costly mistakes.

The outcome? A more skilled, adaptable workforce — built faster than traditional systems can support.

READ ALSO:  Hubtel Opens Ghana’s First AI lab

 

AI Can Power Smarter Governance

AI’s potential extends beyond the private sector — into the heart of national development.

Here’s what’s possible:

• Urban planning with AI simulations that model roads, drains, and power needs before concrete is poured.
• Public health monitoring, identifying trends before outbreaks escalate.
• Smart budgeting, helping ministries prioritize funds based on data, not guesswork.
• AI assistants for citizens, providing 24/7 access to services without long queues.
• Cross-agency intelligence, using centralized data to identify waste, fraud, and duplication.

With the right policy framework and data-sharing culture, Ghana can use AI to govern more effectively and spend more wisely.

 

AI for Business: Your Free Consultant

For Ghanaian entrepreneurs and business owners, AI is like hiring a brilliant assistant — free of charge:

• Analyze customer complaints and sales trends.
• Draft business emails, ads, or contracts.
• Translate documents or summarize reports.
• Identify gaps in inventory or operations.

You don’t need a data scientist. You just need to start using the tools. AI levels the playing field for small businesses and startups — helping them think like big companies.

READ ALSO: HubtelWay AI: An Artificial Intelligence Solution to Enhance Organizational Culture

 

Final Thoughts: Relax, But Don’t Sleep

AI is not a threat. It’s a tool.

It will eliminate repetitive work. It will accelerate productivity. It will create new jobs that don’t exist yet. And it will allow developing countries like Ghana to leapfrog challenges we’ve struggled with for decades.

But we must start now. To the youth, the professionals, the policymakers, the entrepreneurs — relax. AI isn’t here to take your job. It’s here to help you do more, do better, and move faster.

And Ghana?

We’re just getting started.

 This article was written by the research and engineering team at Hubtel’s AI Lab — a unit dedicated to exploring and applying artificial intelligence to local problems across commerce, public services, and digital infrastructure in Ghana.

 

Government said on Thursday it views a Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole basis to settle the Western Sahara dispute within the framework of the UN, aligning itself with a growing number of Western, African and Arab countries that back Rabat’s position on the dispute.

The long-frozen conflict pits Morocco, which considers the desert territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario front, which seeks an independent state there.

Ghana considers the autonomy plan “as the only realistic and sustainable basis to a mutually agreed solution to the issue,” said a joint statement issued after talks between Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, in Rabat.

The UN should remain the exclusive framework for finding a solution to the issue, the statement said.

The position was expressed a few days after similar stands by Kenya and the UK, reflecting a diplomatic shift in Morocco’s favour.

Ghana and Morocco also agreed to promote defence cooperation and work on a visa waiver deal.

With Morocco home to fertilisers and phosphates giant OCP, the two countries agreed to cooperate on food security, the statement said.

Moroccan fertilisers will help Ghana develop cocoa farming and reduce dependence on food imports, worth $3 billion annually, Okudzeto Ablakwa told reporters.

Ghana, part of the Morocco-Nigeria pipeline deal, backs Morocco’s initiative to help landlocked Sahel states access global trade through the Atlantic, he said.

Moroccan Minister Bourita said Ghana’s position on the conflict was conducive to bilateral cooperation.

The Moroccan autonomy plan has gathered steam since the U.S. recognised Rabat’s sovereignty over the disputed territory in 2020, followed by France last July.

Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; Editing by Leslie Adler and Alistair Bell

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Karpowership Ghana, in partnership with the Ghana Navy and the Forestry Commission, has embarked on a massive tree-planting exercise in the Western Region in support of the government’s “Tree for Life” initiative.

The event, which took place at the Sekondi Naval Base, saw the symbolic planting of 100 trees within the Naval facility, with an additional 2,900 trees earmarked for planting in the Subri Forest Reserve – a key ecological zone in the region.

The event, which is a demonstration of its commitment to environmental sustainability, was celebrated under the national theme “Reclaiming degraded landscapes”.

The initiative is part of Karpowership Ghana’s ongoing support of the government’s “Tree for Life” programme, which aims to combat deforestation, restore degraded lands, and raise national awareness on environmental protection.

This year’s effort brings the company’s total number of trees planted to 14,000 across Ghana since 2022.

Speaking at the event, Sandra Amarquaye, Head of Corporate Communications at Karpowership Ghana, described the initiative as more than a ceremonial gesture: “Today is not just about planting trees, it’s about cultivating a culture of responsibility.

“We are proud to say that we are not only powering homes and industries across Ghana but also investing in the very environment that sustains us all. This is what we mean when we say, Plant Today, Power Tomorrow.”

Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, commended the initiative and praised Karpowership Ghana for aligning their corporate actions with national sustainability goals: “We need more of these public-private partnerships if we are to tackle the climate crisis and protect our natural resources.”

He added that,  “while planting trees is commendable, it is equally important to care for them,  to nurture, protect, and ensure their sustained growth and survival.”

The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Commodore Samuel Ayelazono echoed the importance of collective environmental action, noting that the Navy sees environmental protection as part of its broader duty to the nation.

“The Navy’s mandate is to protect Ghana’s maritime domain, but we recognise that our duty also extends to the land and environment we are called to serve.

“Partnering with Karpowership on this initiative is a step we are proud of, and we are committed to maintaining the trees planted here at our base. Thank you Karpowership Ghana.”

The  Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, expressed deep appreciation to Karpowership Ghana for the initiative, describing it as a timely response to the environmental degradation threatening forest reserves in the region.

“Ghana stands at a very critical moment with the menace of Galamsey and its unfortunate impact on our environment.

“Therefore, this year’s theme speaks to the urgent task we face as a nation and as a global community, restoring what has been lost, healing what has been harmed, and renewing our commitment to the protection of the natural environment upon which all life depends.”

The event brought together traditional leaders, regional officials, environmental advocates, and school children, who took part in planting the ceremonial trees and receiving sensitisation on the importance of trees in climate regulation, air quality improvement, and water conservation.

As part of its long-term sustainability agenda, Karpowership Ghana reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship through impactful initiatives.

The company emphasised that tree-planting is not a one-off activity but a vital component of its broader strategy to support climate resilience, restore ecological balance, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s green development goals.

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.

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.

Algeria’s conflict with Morocco over Western Sahara

France and Algeria

The women’s wing of UBA Ghana, U-Lioness, hosted an inspiring and engaging event dubbed “Time with the Amazons.” This session brought together women from various departments and branches across the bank to engage in open conversations around life, career, and personal development.

The event held at Best Western Plus was part of U-Lioness’s broader mission to foster a culture of connection, support and continuous development among women within the organization.

It featured top female executives of the bank who served as resource persons, including: Evelyn Quansah – Country Head, Human Resources, Rita Mills-Robertson – Head of Corporate Banking 1 and Theodora Awotwi – Head of Corporate Banking 2.

These accomplished professionals referred to as the “Amazons”shared personal and professional stories, reflecting on their challenges and achievements while offering practical insights into thriving as women in the workplace.

The Amazons emphasized the importance of self-care in today’s fast-paced world. Key tips included: Personal Growth & Self-Care where they encouraged the women to schedule Self-Care and treat it as a non-negotiable priority, seek support by building a network that encourages well-being.

They also shared strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance: Clearly separate work from personal life, prioritize time, allocate dedicated time for work, family, and rest, recharge regularly, take breaks and engage in meaningful personal activities.

Dr. Serwaa Attafuah, a renowned medical professional from the Bank’s hospital, delivered an insightful talk on the importance of wellness, emphasizing how vital it is for women to prioritize their health amidst the demands of both their personal and professional lives.

Dr. Attafuah highlighted the various aspects of physical and mental well-being, providing practical tips and advice tailored specifically to women. She spoke about how regular health check-ups, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management can positively impact women’s overall health and productivity.

Miguela Beecham, President of U-Lioness and Business Manager at the Labone Business Office, commented, “This successful event provided a platform for women to connect, learn, and grow. Initiatives like these are vital in shaping the careers and lives of our women professionals, and by empowering them, UBA Ghana is investing in its future and the broader community.”

Furthermore, she thanked the women for their presence as well as the bank for the support towards the event.

U-Lioness aims to empower and elevate women within the bank through shared experiences and strong mentorship. By learning from senior leaders, younger professionals are inspired to pursue their goals with confidence and resilience.

The event also featured a fun mix of wellness and educational activities, pick and act, and an energizing aerobics session hosted by Step Up Ghana.

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Kenyan free-speech advocates and lawyers have condemned the prosecution of the author of an unauthorised biography of Kenyan President William Ruto’s daughter.

Charlene Ruto accused Webster Ochora Elijah of “misusing” her name by writing the book without first seeking permission from her.

On Tuesday, the author was arrested and charged with impersonation over the book titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.

Ms Ruto told journalists that she had reported the matter to the police and was following legal procedures. She is listed as the complainant on the charge sheet.

The charge alleges that the accused published the book on or before 22 May, alongside others who are yet to be charged, with intention to defraud.

The president’s daughter has not complained about the contents of the book, just that it was written without her permission.

But critics say this is not illegal.

Politician and lawyer Willis Otieno said to “criminalise authorship” was misusing the “state machinery in defence of fragile egos”.

Literary critic Mbugua Ngunjiri said the author did “nothing wrong”, giving an example of an unauthorised biography of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in 2014, where the “author did not need to consult”.

“A million writers can write ‘her book’ and it will be perfectly legal. The only time Charlene would be justified to go after the author is if he misrepresented her in any way,” he posted on Facebook.

The president’s daughter told journalists that there was a “bad culture” in Kenya “where we misuse people’s names and we get away with it and that is not right”.

She said the author had not sought permission from her and it did not matter whether the book was “positive” about her.

“The gentleman never came to me with a suggestion that he wants to write a book on my behalf and for me that is a misappropriate use of my name,” she said.

The self-published book, by a little-known author, aged 25, has not been widely distributed and there is not much publicly available information about its contents. It is not available online.

His legal team have argued that his work did not constitute a crime. Lawyer Kennedy Mong’are told local media that he had previously written books about public figures, including on veteran politician Raila Odinga and US President Donald Trump.

Another lawyer, Evan Ondieki, said that high-ranking government figures should expect public scrutiny and that the arrest undermined Kenya’s democratic values.

“You cannot be so thick-skinned that the use of your name or image becomes an offence,” he stated.

In April, a secondary school teacher was charged for impersonating another daughter of President Ruto, by pretending to be June Ruto on Facebook.

Charlene Ruto is a high-profile figure who has in the past been likened to a version of Ivanka Trump, daughter of the US president.

She has often been a guest at public events, and in the past met leaders across the country and attended international forums.

In 2022, she denied that public money was being used to fund what she called the “Office of the First Daughter”.

The court case has amplified concerns about restrictions on free expression, particularly following the recent detention of software developer Rose Njeri.

Njeri was arrested on Friday for creating a tool that helped citizens oppose the government’s annual finance bill.

She was charged with cyber-crime and computer misuse on Tuesday and freed on bail until 20 June when the court will determine whether she will answer the charges.

She has since thanked Kenyans for raising their voices against her “ludicrous” arrest and detention.

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Beyoncé signed off the first night of her London residency by telling fans she was “blessed” to get to do what she loves by performing on stage.

She stormed through a seven-act set at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, treating the audience to a spectacle that lasted just shy of three hours.

But despite this being the first opportunity for fans to enjoy the singer’s country era in person, slow ticket sales and high prices have been the hot topic around the tour.

Promoters slashed some ticket prices in the run-up to shows in a bid to fill the stadium, prompting some of those who bought seats in advance to feel short-changed.

Beyoncé’s rodeo rumbled into London, bringing with it every country cliché you could think of – cowboy hats, horseshoes, tassels and even a gold mechanical bull.

The 40-song setlist relied heavily on tracks from 2024’s Cowboy Carter, which was met with critical acclaim, including taking the top album prize at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Every element of the performance was flawless, from the 43-year-old superstar’s stunning array of costume changes (each one featuring more rhinestones than the last) to the seamless transitions between songs and musical themes.

Much of the talk around the US leg of this tour, which took place in April and May, was the inclusion of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s 13-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, who reportedly begged her parents to dance on the Renaissance tour in 2023, but was denied the opportunity.

She made several appearances throughout the show, earning thunderous applause whilst dancing to an instrumental performance of her mum’s 2006 hit Deja Vu.

The teenager certainly seemed to enjoy her moment in the spotlight, unlike her younger sister, Rumi, who came on stage during Protector, shyly mouthing the words whilst being held by Beyoncé.

The show, which is called The Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour as a way of referencing black performers who were segregated from the country scene, often paid homage in its interludes to these artists.

Beyoncé herself previously hinted about being rejected from the country music world in the past, and throughout the performance, it felt like she was wrestling with this idea.

She blended some of her biggest hits into Cowboy Carter tracks, such as Freedom and Diva, almost to prove that she belonged in this space.

Thursday night’s performance certainly showed she is more than qualified to be a country singer, but perhaps that a 60,000 seater stadium is not the best arena for it.

As the night drew darker, Beyoncé delivered an act comprised of tracks from her house-inspired album Renaissance, which immediately lifted the crowd into a party mood.

LED wristbands lit up in an array of colours as she belted out Alien Superstar and I’m That Girl – which certainly got the best reaction from fans of the night.

Similarly, a section of old classics such as Crazy In Love and Irreplaceable had the crowd singing every word, proving perhaps that a few more classics wouldn’t have gone amiss.

‘The pricing left a sour taste’

With crowds on their feet, it was difficult to see how sold out the stadium actually was, but with just hours to go until the show, there were still thousands of tickets available for sale online.

Despite the tour only stopping in two European cities – London and Paris – the remaining eight dates are not sold out.

Beyoncé’s tour has the highest top-priced ticket of any artist visiting the UK in 2025 at £950, with the cheapest costing £71.

Some seats that were sold in the Beyhive fan presale for £620, excluding fees, are next to seats that were available this week for £141.60 without fees.

Zulkarnain Sadali flew from Singapore to London to watch Beyoncé perform live and bought a ticket in the pre-sale, which he said cost him “more than £700”.

“A couple of weeks ago I checked my ticket and then curiosity got the best of me and I checked the same ticket, or same category, and the price was around £300,” he told the BBC.

“I’m really excited for [the show], but I will say the dynamic pricing really left a sour taste in my mouth.”

Another fan, Holly Whiteman, said she “panic bought” Beyoncé tickets in a fan pre-sale on Ticketmaster, which were “way up in the nosebleeds” and cost £170 each, when she had initially set a budget of £100.

“Fast forward a few days later, the tickets went on general sale through Tottenham Hotspur and I found tickets for the same show in both the same row and the same section for a much cheaper price,” she told the BBC.

“I believe they were at least £50-£70 cheaper per ticket.”

Sadali said that despite feeling short-changed, it had not dented his excitement for the tour.

“It’s really about the Beyoncé experience, you’re not gonna get it anywhere else and I know this sounds like a contradiction, it’s worth every cent,” he said.

Whiteman said the process had left her a bit “disappointed”, but she was still looking forward to the tour.

A Ticketmaster spokesperson told the BBC they do “not use surge pricing or dynamic algorithms to adjust ticket prices”, adding that event organisers are responsible for the pricing structures.

“Since tickets typically go on sale at least 3-6 months before the event, organisers may review prices at key points leading up to the show, but they make any adjustments, not an algorithm,” they also added.

The BBC also contacted tour promoter Live Nation for comment.

Ticketing expert Reg Walker put the lack of sold-out shows down to several factors, including “overexposure” after her last UK stadium tour, which played five nights at the same venue in 2023.

And the ticket prices are “eye-watering”, he told the BBC.

“You might be able to afford to go to one of her concerts where you’re effectively paying, in some categories, the same amount of money as a small holiday, but you can’t do that in consecutive years.

“The pricing strategy on tickets was clearly far too high,” he added.

Walker said there were a lot of “affordably priced” tours coming up – but with so many artists visiting the UK this summer, fans may be picking and choosing who they pay to go and see.

Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar, and SZA are all embarking on stadium tours over the coming months, with Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Chapell Roan and Drake headlining festivals.

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.

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.

Rostock, Jun. 5, (dpa/GNA) – NATO forces have begun conducting a two-week exercise on the Baltic Sea, with the first naval ships departing from the north-eastern German port of Rostock on Thursday morning.

Among the vessels setting off from the Rostock-Warnemünde naval base were the German corvette Magdeburg and the French minesweeper Vulcain.

Dubbed BALTOPS, the US-led annual exercise involves around 50 vessels, more than 25 aircraft and about 9,000 soldiers from 17 countries. It is set to run until June 20.

The Baltic Sea is considered strategically important, especially in light of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine. Russia is the only one of the nine countries with a Baltic Sea coastline that is not a NATO member.

Moscow has criticized the exercise, calling it a provocation. The Russian fleet also conducted exercises in the Baltic Sea in recent days

GNA

PDC

A US judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from enforcing a ban the president ordered barring Harvard University from accepting international students.

The order by Judge Allison Burroughs, who is based in Massachusetts, said the oldest university in the US would face “immediate and irreparable injury” if the proclamation went into effect.

It comes in response to a lawsuit filed by Harvard on Thursday accusing President Donald Trump of waging a “government vendetta” intended to stifle free speech.

Trump has argued that the ban is necessary on national security grounds, and has accused Harvard of not doing enough to stop antisemitism on campus.

The federal judge’s order comes only hours after Harvard amended an existing lawsuit against the US government, claiming that Trump’s move is “part of a concerted and escalating campaign of retaliation by the government in clear retribution for Harvard’s exercising its First Amendment rights” to free speech.

Harvard President Alan Garber also issued a statement saying that the Ivy League school was developing contingency plans for international students in the event they are not able to travel to campus.

The world’s wealthiest university has been embroiled in a legal battle with the Trump administration after it froze billions of dollars of federal funding and accused the institution of failing to root out antisemitism on campus.

In May, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked certification Harvard needed to enrol foreign students on campus, a move that was swiftly blocked by a judge.

The BBC has contacted the DHS for comment on the latest order.

Another federal judge upheld that decision last week, saying she would issue a longer-term hold that would allow international students to continue their studies at Harvard while the legal battle plays out.

The move triggered Trump’s order on Wednesday, which suspended for an initial six months the entry of foreign students seeking to study or participate in exchange programmes at Harvard University.

Trump’s proclamation accused Harvard of developing “extensive entanglements” with foreign countries and continuing to “flout the civil rights of its students and faculty”.

For the 2024-2025 school year, Harvard enrolled nearly 7,000 foreign students, who made up 27% of its population.

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.

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.

Sanchez will attend as special guest, aiming to inspire aspiring players in the Gomoa East District

Every minute of every hour of every day, the equivalent of eighteen football pitches of tropical rainforest was destroyed last year, according to data from the University of Maryland and the World Resources Institute (WRI).

Tally it all up and the world lost 67,000 square kilometres of precious primary tropical forest in one year alone, an area twice the size of Belgium or Taiwan.

Tropical forests, which harbour the highest concentrations of biodiversity, are the most threatened of any forest biomes on the planet. They are also sponges for CO2, helping to prevent global temperatures from rising even faster than they have.

To minimize its contribution to world-wide deforestation and promote more sustainable practices among companies operating in the bloc, the EU has put forward the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

However, as part of a wider push against the EU’s Green Deal – a cornerstone climate strategy to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050 – member states are calling for further delays in putting the law into force.

What does the EUDR aim to do?

The EUDR’s goal is to stop products from entering or leaving the European market if they are made by cutting down trees. Under this law, seven raw materials – cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soya and wood – may only be sold in the EU if no forests have been cleared for them after 2020.

Firms importing the merchandise in question to the 27-nation bloc will be responsible for tracking their supply chains to prove goods did not originate from deforested zones, relying on geolocation and satellite data.

Anyone who fails to comply with the regulations faces heavy fines of at least 4% of annual turnover in the EU. Satellite and DNA analysis will be used to verify the origin of the products and whether the requirements are being met.

In the EU, Spain for example has a “special responsibility” to reduce deforestation as it is the largest European importer of soybeans, according to a warning issued last year by the NGO Alianza Cero Deforestación.

Companies are however far from meeting this tracking requirement. In Germany, for example, Environmental Action Germany (DUH) found that out of 32 surveyed companies across the meat, poultry, dairy, and feed industries in the catering, wholesale, and retail sectors, only four could trace their soy, and just three their palm oil, back to the original cultivation area.

Taking into account the production and use of the seven listed raw materials, the European Commission last month unveiled its first benchmark that classifies countries based on deforestation risks.

Russia, Belarus, North Korea and Myanmar are the only four countries considered to be at high risk of deforestation, while Brazil and Indonesia – in the past often criticized for their extensive deforestation of rainforests – are currently placed in the medium risk category.

The list raised eyebrows among EU member states and environmental groups.

Austria’s minister of agriculture and forestry, Norbert Totschnig, claimed countries with high deforestation risks were now classified as medium risk countries, adding that this undermined the efforts of “countries like Austria, which have very strict laws and operate sustainably.”

According to data from the WRI published on Statista in October, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bolivia and Indonesia were among the countries with the highest primary tropical forest losses in 2023, together accounting for a loss of 2.45 million hectares that year.

Land&Forst Betriebe Österreich, an association of land managers, said: “The current classification is incomprehensible and contradicts the clear wording of the regulation. Instead of a well-founded, data-driven assessment, political considerations seem to have played a decisive role.”

Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida said “no one denies that Belarus and Russia should be sanctioned” but called it absurd to group countries like Italy – along with others in Europe – with nations in Africa that, in his view, have significantly lower regulatory standards.

Environmental group Global Witness complained that the benchmarking system “fell short,” with “countries like Brazil and Paraguay not categorized as ‘high risk’, despite the deforestation crisis consuming climate-critical forests” there.

Why are EU member states pushing for further delays?

Originally, the regulation was to apply from the end of 2024. The European Parliament however voted in December to postpone the application by one year, setting the entry into force on December 30, 2025 for large companies and June 30, 2026 for small and medium-sized enterprises.

A group of 11 EU member states is now pushing to delay the application of the law even further, arguing that “the requirements imposed on farmers and foresters remain high, if not impossible to implement.” They also criticize the amount of bureaucracy required of farmers.

In the document drafted by Luxembourg and Austria and signed by nine other countries – Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Czech Republic – the signatories said the requirements “are disproportionate to the objective of the regulation, which is to prevent deforestation where it actually occurs.”

“We do not want to flood those affected in Europe with bureaucracy; we want to prevent illegal deforestation,” Totschnig said ahead of a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels last week.

His German counterpart Alois Rainer said “the EU’s initiative to curb global deforestation is a good proposal, but the bureaucratic impact on many countries in Europe goes too far.”

The countries are calling for the creation of a category of countries with zero risk of deforestation, which could be exempted from obligations and controls.

Slovenia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food responded to questions from the Slovenian press agency STA saying that the country supported the initiative to further delay the law due to the excessive administrative burden for farmers, small forest owners, entrepreneurs and national authorities. It has issued a call for further simplification of the regulation, especially for the low-risk countries.

In Romania, the Alliance for Agriculture and Cooperation (AAC), made up of four major agricultural organizations, said the law does not introduce real improvements for farmers and forest owners in the European Union.

COP30 on the horizon

Forest protection is high on the agenda of the COP30 United Nations climate conference that Brazil will host in November in the tropical city of Belem.

The Forest Declaration Assessment, a broad coalition of forest-based activist and research groups, has said leaders must show progress on reversing the deforestation trend before convening in the Amazonian city.

The EU takes part in negotiations at COP30 and is expected to push for stronger global action on deforestation and climate finance.

But its credibility may be tested, as internal divisions grow and some member states are pushing back against parts of the EU’s own Green Deal policies.

The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, Agerpres, ANSA, APA, CTK, dpa, EFE and STA as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project.

GNA

PDC

World number two Coco Gauff praised her “will to win” after she overcame a scrappy start to beat fellow American Madison Keys and reach the semi-finals of the French Open.

Gauff won 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-1 under the roof on Court Phillippe Chatrier to reach her third semi-final at Roland Garros.

Both players were well below their best but Gauff eventually found her rhythm late in the second set and kicked on to dominate in the third.

Asked about her fighting spirit, Gauff, 21, said: “I think just a love to win, the will to win – I have always had that in me, and not just in tennis but in everything. I’m a very competitive person.

“My philosophy is if I can just leave it all out there, then the loss will hurt a lot less than regrets of maybe not giving it your all.”

Gauff, who won the French Open doubles title alongside Czech Katerina Siniakova in 2024, will face world number 361 Lois Boisson in the semi-finals after the French wildcard defeated Mirra Andreeva in straight sets.

Gauff has fared well on clay so far this year, reaching back-to-back finals in Madrid and Rome where she missed out on titles to Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini respectively.

A nervy start saw Gauff and Keys trade early breaks but Keys settled quickly as her rival continued to flounder, opening up a 4-1 lead.

To Gauff’s credit, she fought her way back into proceedings and held set point, but Australian Open champion Keys came through in the tie-break.

Unforced errors started to creep into Keys’ game during the second set and she quickly found herself on the backfoot at a double break down.

But just as Gauff had in the first set, Keys cancelled out the advantage, only for her opponent to level the match with another break and a hold.

Gauff had conceded nine double faults across the opening two sets but it was Keys who finished the match with 60 unforced errors off her racquet, compared to Gauff’s 41.

That ultimately proved to be the difference as Gauff, having finally found her serve, raced through the deciding set.

“It wasn’t an easy match and I’m very happy to get through it,” she said.

“[Keys] is obviously a very great player and her forehand is probably one of the best, if not the best, on tour.

“I knew that I just had to be able to run today. As soon as the ball came short, I knew I had to punish her for it.”

It is the third time Gauff – the 2023 US Open champion – has beaten Keys in six meetings and marked the first time she has beaten the 30-year-old on clay.

Gauff has lost to the eventual winner on each of her past four appearances at the French Open and if she can get through her semi-final, she will face either defending champion Iga Swiatek or world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

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.

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.

The new levy, passed into law introduces a GHc1 levy on every litre of petroleum

As the public debate of the imposition of the new Energy Sector Amended Levy continues to rage after Parliament’s approval of the bill earlier this week, Dr Richard Danso, founder and chief executive of the Alliance for Development & Industrialization, (ADI) has waded into the issue, declaring his full support for the new tax in the light of the financial predicament which the President Mahama administration has inherited and its implications if not resolved.

The new levy, passed into law on Tuesday, June 3, introduces a GHc1 levy on every litre of petroleum products sold in Ghana.

The aim is to generate an additional targeted GHc5.7 billion in revenues towards retiring the energy sector’s total indebtedness which stood at US$3.1 billion as the March 2025. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has explained that a minimum of US$3.7 billion is needed to retire the debt which continues to rise, while an additional US$1.2 billion will be needed to ensure the continuous supply of fuel to Ghana’s thermal power plants throughout this year.

Dr Danso points out that paying a GHc1 levy on each litre of petroleum products out of the effective savings of some GHc4 per litre given consumers by the sharp appreciation of the cedi against the dollar over the past two months is an affordable price to pay for the guarantee of sustained 24 hour electricity supply, which would not happen if the debt is not paid off and companies along the power supply chain are unable to remain in operation generating and distributing electricity.

“All the potential economic gains we are now looking forward to as a country are dependent on our having power to drive our economic activities” Dr Danso asserted in Accra in the wake of the new levy’s Parliamentary approval.

“Without stable electrical power, the economy cannot generate the employment that our youth in particular so direly need and the economy as a whole will not be able to increase the productivity that is requisite if Ghana’s economic performance is to improve on a sustainable basis.”

He further pointed out that without regular electricity Ghana cannot produce cost competitive exports for the international market, which would jeopardize the cedi’s exchange rate against the dollar, which in turn would ultimately eradicate the cedi’s recent appreciation and the consequent cedi denominated savings consumers are enjoying on the price of petroleum products.

“Really this is common sense” Dr Danso has asserted. “The choice is to pay the GHc1 levy on petroleum products as government asks us to do or allow the electricity sector’s financial unviability to take us back to ‘dumsor’ and then we would end up losing the savings we are enjoying from the cedi’s appreciation which is four times the levy.”

Dr Danso also said that Ghanaians should give their government the benefit of the doubt with regards to its promise to re- fence the revenues generated by the new levy and devote all of them to the stated purpose of paying down the energy sector legacy debt. Indeed, one worry that Ghanaians have expressed relates to the failure of past efforts to defray energy sector financial shortfalls.

They point out that ESLA was introduced in 2015 with the promise that it would defray the then energy debt in five years after which the levy would be terminated. A decade later however, it is still being levied but the energy sector debt has risen further rather than fallen.

However, the incumbent government has explained that the predecessor administration imprudently diverted the levy’s proceeds into other purposes, resulting in the current incongruous situation.

Nevertheless Dr Danso agrees that while the new levy will serve to defray the financial gap currently threatening the sustained supply of electricity in Ghana, its critics are correct in their assertion that this is a stop gap measure and a more permanent resolution to the problem of the debt build up needs to be found.

Currently the energy sector is afflicted by several key shortcomings including a costing structure that does not account for the financing of diesel imports for thermal power generation, energy transmission losses of up to 40% of power generated, inefficient billing by the Electricity Company of Ghana and recently unveiled sheer financial and material malfeasance within the state owned electricity retailer as well as dubious procurement processes.

Government intends to address these problems by, among other things, bringing private participation into ECG’s metering and bills collection activities – despite push back by certain vested interest groups – and a greater reliance on cheaper, cleaner gas rather than diesel, for thermal electricity generation.