The Paediatric Society of Ghana is urging the government to purchase more childhood vaccines because the initial shipment is woefully inadequate.
According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the first consignment of childhood vaccines, which included Oral polio, measles-rubella, and BCG vaccines, arrived over the weekend and will last for six weeks.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of GHS, says by the time the consignment runs out, more would have arrived.
But President of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, Dr. John Adabie Appiah, tells Citi News that it will take about six months to vaccinate all children who missed their vaccination.
“We need to vaccinate a larger population and make sure that the population has herd immunity before we can relax and that will take not less than six months to get to that point so six weeks is woefully inadequate due to the vaccine shortage. There are over 800 cases of measles and this is terrible. The situation is going to get worse so more needs to be done. So, we hope that more vaccines will come in to cover the rest of the year.”
The Ghana Health Service has announced that vaccinations for children will begin today, Monday, March 13. 2023.
Following months of shortage, some childhood vaccines have arrived in the country.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye urged all parents to vaccinate their children during a media interview.
“By Monday morning, there will be vaccine available for those who need it. The doses that are available are enough for at least six weeks across the country. So, by Monday, we will start vaccinating all.”
The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Saturday, March 11, 2023, took delivery of the first consignment of Measles vaccines, BCG vaccines and Oral Polio Vaccines.
The Ministry of Information in a Facebook post said distribution to various regions and facilities is underway.
The Information Ministry assured that more vaccines are expected in the country in the coming weeks from multiple sources.
The Ghana Health Service has confirmed taking delivery of a consignment of childhood vaccines entreating caregivers to desist from rushing to hospitals for the vaccines.
The GHS said the Ministry of Health has made adequate provisions for the supply of vaccines that will last for the rest of the year and beyond.
The vaccines, according to GHS include BCG, OPV with accompanying devices such as needles, syringes and safety boxes.
At the stroke of midnight on December 29, 2023, hundreds of Ghanaians gathered at the Akwaaba Village in Accra burst into a spontaneous chant of olé, olé, olé olé.
The singing of the popular Spanish chant amidst blasting fireworks, was in celebration of the ongoing sing-a-thon by Afua Asantewaa, entering its sixth day.
Afua Asantewaa, a journalist and entrepreneur at 12:00 am on December 24, 2023, commenced a daring attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for the longest singing marathon.
With over 120 hours under her belt, Afua Asantewaa is well on course to dislodge the current holder of the record, Sunil Waghmare from India who did 105 hours of singing in 2012.
Watch video of the jubilation that greeted day six of Afua Asantewaa’s sing-a-thon below:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, declared that no ransom will be paid for the rescue of the school children abducted from a primary school Kuriga in Kaduna State.
The President made the disclosure at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which held at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, briefing State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting, said Tinubu also reiterated his directive to the defence to ensure that the children are rescued and brought back safely to their homes.
He also said the President made his stance against payment of ransom to kidnappers and that the current administration is determined to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country.
“Mr President has also directed that no ransom will be paid by government to any of these criminal elements. I think it’s important that this be put out there,” the Minister said.
According to him, under the current government, kidnapping, especially mass abduction will not be tolerated.
This is coming a day after Kaduna-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, revealed his intention to dialogue with bandits who abducted about 287 schoolchildren from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the State.
Gumi had said in a bid to facilitate the release of the abducted children, Tinubu give him the opportunity to negotiate.
According to the prominent Islamic scholar, Tinubu must not repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to dialogue with bandits.
Black Stars midfielder and star boy, Mohammed Kudus replied and made ‘nonsense’ of a prophecy that was made against him by a Ghana Prophet.
Having lost the opener against Cape Verde in a 2:1 showdown which was accurately predicted by the Man of God, the Black Stars needed to avoid defeat to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive.
They played the Pharaohs of Egypt at the Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan in their second group game of AFCON 2023.
Prior to the match, Reverend Jedidiah Kore have predicted the scoreline of the game and wished doom for Kudus.
As if to prove the Prophet wrong, Kudus scored Ghana’s two goals in the 2-2 draw with Egypt. He opened the scores with a powerful strike during first half injury time and striked again two minutes later before Mostafa Mohammed equalized in the 74th minute.
The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampam, Sam Nartey George has added his voice to the growing division among NDC legislators over the shake-up in the party’s leadership in Parliament.
He lays blame on the doors of national officers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the mixed reactions that have greeted the replacements saying they failed to engage the party’s legislators.
“The crux of the matter we are dealing with is the fact that, there were no consultations. We hear Adabraka say that, consultations were done, but we are the individuals who are being affected by this decision. Were we engaged? Absolutely not. The issue is whether Parliament as the institution to be affected was engaged. That is where we have to begin thinking hard and seriously about it”, he said on Eyewitness News.
Current and past NDC MPs are divided over the development over lack of consultation. Party supporters are equally livid demanding an immediate reversal of the decision.
But the party insists the announcement is in line with its strategy for election 2024 and will not be reversed.
For Sam George, it is only appropriate for the party hierarchy to think about the disagreements and consider broad discussions as soon as possible to avert further confusion.
“Our national executives must accept and admit that they may think they have done consultation, but they needed to engage the parliamentary caucus. That is why I think we need to resolve this matter within the next 24 to 48 hours. There must be a sit down between the MPs and Adabraka to listen to what the parliamentarians have to say. What we want is legitimacy and legitimacy comes from consensus.”
The NDC has replaced Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu with Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Other changes include Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle who has been brought in to replace Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Governs Agbodza has also replaced Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.
Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyoe-Ghansah were, however, maintained as First and Second deputy Whips respectively.
But the reshuffling in the lawmaking house is brewing tensions.
Some 44 MPs signed a petition to reject the decision of the party. The 44 members believe the decision by the party is unfair and unpopular.
However, some 77 MPs have also reportedly signed a different petition to endorse the decision of the party.
According to reports, the 77 MPs believe that Dr. Ato Forson and Armah-Kofi Buah are politically astute and have the quality to lead the party in Parliament.
“This reaction we are seeing would have been properly managed. The NDC MPs caucus was to have been called int a meeting for the national officers to say, this is the decision we have taken based on consultation with the various stakeholders. There will be questions and disagreements but in the end, we would reach a consensus.”
“It is the shock factor of hearing it in the media and asking if I am part of the system. So this issue has to be resolved. We have the Council of Elders and the structures of the party, and they need to find a way of bringing Adabraka and the parliamentary caucus together”, Sam George stressed.
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) is urging the government to swiftly address the demands of the Senior Staff Associations of the universities in the country.
Senior Staff Association of the Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) on Wednesday 17 January 2024, declared an indefinite nationwide strike over the blatant disregard for their welfare by the government.
According to the Association, their calls for the payment of their two-tier pension and overtime allowances requests have gone unheeded, resulting in the strike.
The strike has led to the withdrawal of various services, including healthcare, administration, and security, affecting final-year students who require strict supervision from senior technicians during their practical sessions.
The president of NUGS, Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, in an interview with Citi News, described the situation as a hindrance to the progress of academic work.
He said, “We’ve had complaints, especially from students who are now in their final year, third year, and particularly science students who will mostly be engaging in practical sessions, needing these senior officers, especially technicians in the labs. The students are all complaining because they have not started their final-year projects and will need the strict supervision of these technicians, who are senior members. All these individuals are needed in the labs and offices. Each role played by these individuals helps in the smooth running of academic activities.”
He thus called on the government to address this issue as soon as possible with the unions. “We are just asking the government to sit down with these unions and come to an agreement with them. According to their conversations, they have been fighting for these conditions of service for years, and the government keeps rescheduling meetings and not giving them proper attention.”
Mr. Oppong further called on the government to outline reasons for their inability to meet the demands for better conditions of service. He stressed that the absence of the vital services of the senior staff was hampering the progress of academic work.
In case you’re not up to speed with ‘post-Ai lingo’, ‘bot’ is short for “robot”, and “robot” is the main tool used by the “artificial intelligence” system that is invading our lives with frightening speed and driving many people crazy (especially those who are in the second half of their life-spans).
Driving people crazy? Yes! Just listen to what a friend who has just relocated to Ghana, after many years of cold absorption in “Cornback” (Aburokyire, or UK for those who are only in the first part of their life-span).
He writes: ‘Opanin’, (this title immediately identifies me with his age-group and explains why he chose me to tell his story too!)
“I’ve been back for some years, but kept an account with a financial institution there in case an emergency arose in my life that required access to foreign funds.
“Without asking me, a very nice lady at the institution decided that she would enroll me into a scheme whereby I would not need to go in person to the institution if it became necessary for me to engage in a transaction. Even a telephone call would not be necessary. An ‘app’ on my mobile phone would handle everything for me.
“Now, I don’t do too many transactions, so I readily agreed.
Life went on as before. But then I came to Ghana. And just after I had arrived, COVID-19 hit both Britain and Ghana. Going back to the UK in the middle of the pandemic became an unattractive prospect, given my age and the gloomy reports about how the disease was affecting the British. Better enjoy the sunshine at Ogyakurom, I thought.
“And then one day, I discovered that I’d lost the phone with the ‘app’ on it! When I tried to access my account with a different phone, I got short shrift. The ‘app’ understandably wanted to ‘verify’ my ID before allowing me into the account (thank God it was so protective!) but it wouldn’t accept anything not produced in answer to its demands!
“Now, this was the frightening part: after the ‘app’ has refused me access to my account, it would tell me that it was passing me on to a member of the ‘help team’. It would warn me that a lot of people were using its systems, and so I might experience some minutes of silence on the line. Then it would put on some atrocious ‘music’.
“I would then hold on the line and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait. One hour. Two hours. Then I would hang up.
Sometimes, it’ll get me to keep holding on, the ‘bot’ would actually LIE and tell me that I would be connected to the ‘Help Desk’ in ‘two minutes’. Big joke! Two hours again!
“I began to develop feelings of paranoia towards the ‘app’. Obviously, it had been programmed to keep me hanging on the line so that the institution could charge me while not connecting me to the service I wanted! (There was a warning that ‘charges’ could be incurred on certain calls!) Yes, the institution was set up to make profit for its owners, but should such a blatant fleecing of customers be allowed?
Who could affirm the claim that the customer was NOT being connected to the service he wanted because too many people were genuinely using the service at the time? Wasn’t it the institution that projected the number of call centres it thought it would need?
“I tried my luck every now and then,” the Diasporan continued, “I would do everything I was asked to do, but still no luck. What I resented most was that the ‘bot’ was almost always rejecting my responses to its requests without telling me why. And yet, it was also not allowing me to ‘appeal’ to real humans! Why? Because an ALGORITHM is created to act as if it was INFALLIBLE! If that is not tyranny, what is? Big businesses are trying it out. Will authoritarian governments be next?”
Already, Britain is in the throes of a major scandal, unprecedented in nature that was created for the British Post Office, after it used a software system called “Horizon” which the Post Office commissioned from a private company. As many as 1000, I repeat, 1000 subpostmasters who had been employed after normal routine enquiries on financial probity had been made on them, were suddenly “exposed” by the Horizon software to be indulging in false accounting and embezzlement of all sorts.
Many were jailed. Others lost their homes. All because the gullible bosses of the British Post Office believed that Artificial Intelligence could not go wrong! (See Google “The British Post Office Scandal”)
www.cameronduodu.com
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The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has expressed gratitude to the media for their instrumental role in the successful hosting of the 2023 African Games in Ghana.
This marked the first time the Games were held in Ghana, setting high expectations for the continent.
The captivating three-week event concluded on Saturday, March 23, with a memorable closing ceremony at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
In a press briefing held on Monday, March 25, the Sports Minister acknowledged the pivotal contribution of both local and international media in delivering an exceptional experience to a global audience.
“We are here to extend our appreciation to the media, both local and international, for their outstanding coverage throughout this journey.
“Your support was not limited to the duration of the games; from the outset, during challenging times, your critiques and suggestions were invaluable. You have played a significant role in shaping our journey and achieving the success we celebrate today. We cannot depart without acknowledging your commendable efforts” he said.
Ghana’s performance at the African Games saw the nation achieving its highest medal count with 69 medals. Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa secured the top three spots with 192, 121, and 106 medals respectively, while Team Ghana finished in sixth place overall.
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Alan Kyerematen, founder and leader of the Movement for Change, has pledged to introduce comprehensive interventions to improve the lives of all Zongo community residents if elected.
Key among these initiatives is the integration of Arabic school teachers into the Ghana Education Service, ensuring they receive a regular salary for their vital work.
Kyerematen also promised to enrol teachers at Arabic schools (Makaranta) in a government salary scheme if he becomes president.
“It’s unfortunate, Makranta teachers are not considered as part of the Ghana Education Service, because teachers are teachers all over the world. I have also committed that when I become President, we will, make sure to integrate Makranta teachers into the GES.”
Speaking at the launch of Zumunta, the Zongo wing of his party, Kyerematen criticized both the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for neglecting Zongo communities despite receiving significant support from them during elections.
In Darkuman, Ablekuma North Constituency, Kyerematen was greeted by a large crowd of supporters, with whom he met local leaders, including Chiefs and Imams, to garner support for his presidential bid.
The electorate expressed strong backing for Kyerematen’s candidacy, citing fatigue with the dominance of the NPP and NDC.
Leaders of allied parties and movements also urged voters to support Kyerematen, emphasizing the need for change and his vision for a better Ghana.
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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the next government will unveiled a groundbreaking visa-free policy aimed at strengthening Pan-African and Caribbean unity, boosting tourism, and enhancing trade and investment in Ghana.
A Visionary Leadership
As the Vice President to President Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr. Bawumia has consistently demonstrated his commitment to Ghana’s growth and development.
Now, as the NPP’s presidential candidate, he’s taking his vision to the next level with a bold initiative that’s expected to transform Ghana’s tourism and trade landscape.
Building on Past Successes
The proposed visa-free policy builds on the success of the ‘Year of Return’ and ‘Beyond the Return’ initiatives, which brought waves of visitors and investors to Ghana, highlighting the country’s cultural vibrancy and historical significance.
This move is also expected to pave the way for more initiatives like ‘December in GH’, further solidifying Ghana’s position as a hub for cultural exchange and economic growth.
A Boost to Tourism and Trade
By implementing a visa-free policy for nationals of African and Caribbean countries, Dr. Bawumia’s government aims to attract more tourists, investors, and traders to Ghana.
This move is expected to enhance trade and investment, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
49 Days to Election Day
With just 49 days left until the presidential elections, Dr. Bawumia’s visa-free policy announcement is a clear indication of his commitment to Ghana’s progress.
A Nigerian man has been left heartbroken after spending eight months in Dubai and returning to find out that his wedded wife has been sleeping with their gateman.
In a hair-raising story secretly sent to @Postsubman on Twitter, the man devastated man said he is seeking advice on how to handle the situation.
READ ALSO: “I don’t want my husband to prosper and be free” – Empress Lupita confesses (Video)
As revealed by the betrayed husband, his wife is currently five months pregnant, and the baby is not his own because he has been away in Dubai, UAE.
He explained that people are pleading with him to forgive his wife and accept her, but he is finding it difficult.
The man narrated that each time he sees his wife and the pregnancy, he only thinks of the gateman and the betrayal.
He wrote…
READ ALSO: Video of Empress Lupita using frogs to prepare food of her husband causes stir
“He spent 8 months in Dubai only to find out that his wife is already sleeping with the gateman. To the extent that she is already 5 months pregnant. I have never cheated on her even with the temptations I faced daily.”
READ ALSO:Husband catches wife cheating on him just 9 months after their wedding
Former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah has confronted private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu over his commentary on the ongoing investigations against her by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The outspoken lawyer has consistently backed the OSP on its decision to investigate Dapaah, seize monies found in her home, and freeze her bank accounts on suspicion that they were tainted properties.
However, the former minister, who seems to be affected by the remarks, accused Martin Kpebu of unfair commentary.
This happened on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, after the High Court heard arguments for the abridgement of time for the hearing of the confirmation of the freezing and seizure orders.
Martin Kpebu was in court to represent his client in a separate case in Financial Court 2, where proceedings for the Cecilia Dapaah case were held.
The lawyer however explained that his commentary has been strictly based on the facts of the case that are available to the public.
Veteran Gospel musician, Yaw Sarpong has broken silence after news of him getting stroke went viral.
Recall that about 5 years ago ace Gospel musician, Yaw Sarpong divulged that he was bedridden for 2 years due to an unknown sickness.
He revealed that during the sickness he could not do anything, adding that even doctors told him he would not be able to talk or walk.
In a video that flew across social media platforms yesterday, February 27, Maame Tiwaa who happens to be Yaw Sarpong’s backing vocalist and a Gospel heroine said that Yaw Sarpong was allegedly down with a stroke.
In the viral video, Maame Tiwaa was seen singing one of Yaw Sarpong’s sad songs whilst crying.
One could hear the Gospel heroine saying “God please heal Yaw Sarpong”.
Well, it is reported that the gospel musician as well as Maame Tiwaa is doing very fine.
According to Ghanaian journalist, Kofi Adoma, when he heard of the news, he tried to reach out to the duo who told him they were doing very fine.
Kofi Adoma noted that the video that circulated on social media is an old video.
Two more persons have today picked forms to contest in the Ejisu New Patriotic Party (NPP) bring the number of aspirants to nine.
The by-election has become necessary following the demise of Member of Parliament for the area, John Ampontuah Kumah.
Former Assembly member for Essienimpong Electoral Area, Aaron Prince Duah and Maame Yaa Aboagyewaa are the latest to join the race.
Aaron Prince Duah who described himself as a grassroots person believes that quality will win him the elections.
The NPP has scheduled the election of a parliamentary candidate for the constituency on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, announced in a statement that prospective parliamentary candidates could purchase and submit their nomination forms from Tuesday, April 2 to Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the constituency party office.
The NPP stated that an aspiring parliamentary candidate must obtain nomination forms after paying a non-refundable application fee of GHȼ3,000 in a banker’s draft payable to the NPP National Headquarters, Accra.
Additionally, an aspiring PC must pay a non-refundable filing fee of GHȼ35, 000 in a banker’s draft payable to the New Patriotic Party National Headquarters, Accra.
However, the statement noted that Women, Youth (individuals aged between 18 and 40 years), and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) will receive a 50% discount on the filing fees, reducing their non-refundable filing fee to GHȼ17,500.
The nine aspirants picked their forms between Tuesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 3.
Seven of them picked on Tuesday while the remaining two picked up their nomination forms on Wednesday.
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The inflation rate for February 2024 reportedly dropped to 6.3 percent, compared to 6.9 percent in January, following consecutive declines in November and December at 6.8 and 6.6 percent, respectively.
On Thursday, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reported in a press release that the price changes in food, energy, and transport, constituting approximately 57 percent of household budgets, were the primary contributors to the inflation levels.
According to KNBS, prices in commodities such as housing, water, and electricity decreased by 0.8 percent.
This decrease was attributed to a 9.3 percent drop in the prices of 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and an 11 percent reduction in the prices of 50 kWh of electricity. Additionally, the price of a liter of kerosene dropped by 0.5 percent during the same period.
While gas prices rose by 4.3 percent, petrol and diesel prices decreased by 0.5 percent between January 2024 and February 2024.
The Transport Index increased by 0.2 percent during the same period.
Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index
The Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index increased by 0.3 percent between January 2024 and February 2024.
“The rise in food inflation is mainly attributed to the increase in prices of some food items, which outweighed the decrease in prices of other foodstuffs,” KNBS said
Between January 2024 and February 2024, prices of food experienced the following drops: a kilogram of beans (0.6%), 2 kilograms of maize flour (1.0%), fortified maize flour (1.5%), 1 kilogram of maize flour-loose (1.6%), 1 kilogram of loose maize grain (3.4%), sugar (4.6%), and tomatoes (5.7%).
However, during the same period, prices of spinach, sukuma wiki, and wheat flour-white increased by 3.9, 3.4, and 2.6 percent, respectively.
Year-on-year, between February 2023 and February 2024, prices of commodities under transport increased by 10.8%, while those under housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels increased by 8.4%, and food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 6.9%.
Relief for consumers is also anticipated due to the appreciating shilling, which, for the past three weeks, has continued to gain against the US dollar, attributed to eased debt pressure.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has finally spoken about the economic challenges Ghanaians are going through.
Bawumia, who was elected flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after the November 4 primaries spoke about the economy during his acceptance speech at the Accra Sports Stadium.
According to him, Ghana’s economy was not immune to global economic challenges brought on by international exogenous factors but that efforts were underway to fix the challenges.
The veep who is chair of the Economic Management Team (EMT) of the current government said he was aware of the sacrifices and struggles that Ghanaians are going through and that he was assuring that signs of recovery are currently underway.
Bawumia has been serially accused of abandoning his economic forte that brought him fame prior to 2016 speaking more to issues around digitalization in recent years.
Vincent Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has released a video of Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh on social media following her incident with a car salesman in Abuja.
In the video posted to his Instagram page on Saturday, the actress was seen fighting with an alleged vehicle dealer about unpaid bills.
According to reports, the movie star purchased a car for N86 million in installments and refused to pay the remaining N2 million after one year.
Calling her out and expressing dismay at the way she attacked the auto dealer, VeryDarkMan asked if this is what she wanted to accomplish with her political position.
He said that he was impressed by the vehicle dealer’s ability to remain composed in the face of the actress’ actions.
READ MORE: “I Rejected Bribe To Say No To Protest, Other Celebrities Accepted” – VeryDarkMan
Sharing the video, he captioned, “Warning, This video contains graphic images that some viewers may find distressing.
Tonto d! keh, is this what you want to do with the political office you are pursuing? Imagine assault!n a man that sold car to you because he asked for unpaid debt that has gone over seven months; this is not fair Tonto, is it an off€nse to ask for ones money, this is the same woman who fights ag^! not billion and opprzzion according to her….. I really love how composed the guy remained and how he didn’t touch her, tonto d! keh God is watching”.
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has advised Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to ensure transparency and detailed policy communication to earn the electorate’s confidence in his potential presidency.
Recognising the ongoing nature of development, the Asantehene highlighted the Vice President’s responsibility to articulate his strategies that would build upon the current NPP government’s accomplishments.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II underscored the significance of the NPP Flagbearer’s articulation of future plans, asserting its critical role in securing the trust of Ghanaian voters.
He also called upon the Vice President’s advisors to offer robust support and counsel, aiding him in the fulfilment of his objectives.
“…What matters is for you to let Ghanaians know that if they follow him if he is elected president, he can make changes for Ghana to grow. He should accord Ghanaians due respect and carefully outline his policies for Ghanaians to know what he wants to bring on board.
“If you continue making known and explaining the policies you want to bring on board if elected and if they are true and God permits and Ghanaians listen and give you the nod, I am sure you will do them for Ghana to grow for us. Other parties want to govern so let us understand your policies well.”
“…Let Ghanaians know that there is a shortfall here but when I am elected, I will work on it. When you do things like that, they will believe you. But if you are only poised to come and rule then it will not work,” he advised during the Vice President’s visit as part of his Ashanti Region tour.
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Actor and self-styled Pastor Yul Edochie has taken social into a state of frenzy after advising fans to spend their savings rather than saving for the future.
In a post on Instagram, Edochie encouraged followers to “chop their money” and share some with those in need, emphasising that death is inevitable and someone else will spend it if they don’t.
Edochie’s comments have received mixed reactions, with some criticising his approach as reckless and irresponsible, while others see it as a call to live in the present and share with others.
Yul expanded on his views, stating that life is not as serious as people make it out to be and that everyone will eventually die.
He emphasised the importance of enjoying one’s life and sharing with others, rather than hoarding wealth.
“We’re all going to die. It’s only a matter of time. e go reach everybody. Life is not that serious. Na we just dey take am too serious. That money wey you dey hide, bring am out, chop am well well. Share some with other people. If not, you go still leave am die,” he said.
The Federal Government, on Thursday, threatened to imprison Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen who tamper with Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, made the announcement on Thursday at the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria’s 17th annual lecture event in Abuja.
He stated that none of the chairmen have immunity and will be imprisoned if they tamper with funds designated for the development of their areas.
Fagbemi stated, “We have a situation on our hands; I know that it is still there; the conduct of elections must be done by the states.”
“But the distinction is this: don’t forget, the governors have immunity, the local government council chairmen or councillors, they have no immunity, so they have to choose between dealing with the funds of the local government as they like and risking going to jail. The choice is theirs (LG chairmen).
READ ALSO: “Nigeria Is Okay, Go And Hustle” – Portable Curses Those Asking Him To Sing At #EndBadGovt Protest
“If they want to tamper with these funds and end up in jail, it is their choice. If they want to write their names in letters of gold, activities like construction or road upgrades must be returned to the local government. They don’t all have to come to Abuja.
“If they stay at the local government, we will be able to reduce the level of insecurity that we have in Nigeria today. What obtains offshore is that the security agents are able to perform optimally because of information that comes to them from members of the public and usually it is from the grassroots.”
According to the Minister, the Federal Government opted to use the Supreme Court to achieve LG autonomy due to the challenges it will face at State Assemblies, stressing that any Speaker who would have supported the cause will not survive the tenure or lose his reelection.
The Minister stated that for over two decades, local government administration in the country has been in comatose with state governments not remitting funds meant for the local governments.
Former president John Dramani Mahama has described as bizarre efforts by the Akufo-Addo government to take credit for Ghana’s economic growth in 2017.
Mr. Mahama said the New Patriotic Party has driven the country into an economic ditch and has been making attempts at claiming credit for the hard work of the National Democratic Congress in 2016 which led to the significant economic growth the country recorded in 2017.
Speaking on the topic “Africa’s Strategic Priorities and Global Role” at Chatham House in London on January 27, former president Mahama said the records are clear to point to the work that his government did before leaving office in 2016.
Answering a question from Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhiyini on the evidence of the work the NDC party put in to record the 8% economic growth in 2017, Mr. Mahama said: “When we were leaving office in 2016, all the multilateral agencies predicted Ghana was going to grow at 8% because of the work that we have done and in 2017, it grew at 8%. There was no way the current government could have influenced that growth in 2017.”
“The indices show that when we left office, the debt to GDP was 56%… Meanwhile, you inherited it in 2017 at 56% of debt to GDP so what other evidence do you need to attribute Ghana’s fiscal and economic growth to the NDC?”
He also chastised the New Patriotic Party’s government and condemned its domestic debt exchange programme which has got many investors and bondholders agitated.
He said the NDC went through an IMF programme and didn’t have to take Ghanaians through the current debacle.
“There is one significant fact that I kept saying that nobody pays attention to. Under an IMF programme, for the first time in history, we agreed with the IMF that we were going to do zero Central Bank financing so in the 2016 fiscal year, the government implemented its whole budget without taking a single Cedi from the Bank of Ghana.”
The leaked video of American Singer and Rapper Sexyy Red has indeed caused quite a stir on social media, attracting significant attention and reactions from users.
In response to the video’s circulation, Sexyy Red posted a message on X expressing her feelings of being “brokenhearted.”
She further clarified that she wouldn’t engage in such explicit content and share it publicly.
Essentially, she seemed to suggest that she had no intention of the video becoming public and claimed not to know how it was leaked.
However, it’s worth noting that the video was initially uploaded by Sexyy Red herself on her Instagram story.
The reasons behind her decision to share such content remain a mystery and have left many people perplexed.
THIS IS WHAT SHE WROTE ON HER OFFICIAL X PAGE;
TAKE A LOOK AT THE VIDEO HERE: https://t.me/ghpageofficial/20006
This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of social media, where even private moments can quickly become public, leading to unexpected consequences and reactions.
Fruits are generally considered a healthy and nutritious food group. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber and can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. However, according to WebMD, some fruits can cause high blood sugar and increase the risk of diabetes if consumed on a regular basis.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose). High blood sugar levels can cause damage to organs and tissues over time, leading to complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and blindness. While eating fruits is generally recommended for people with diabetes, it’s important to choose the right types and consume them in moderation.
Here are some fruits that can cause high blood sugar and increase the risk of diabetes if consumed on a regular basis:
Mangoes
Mangoes are a sweet and juicy fruit that are high in sugar and carbohydrates. One medium-sized mango contains around 45 grams of carbohydrates, which is equivalent to three slices of bread. Eating too many mangoes can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, especially for people with diabetes.
Grapes: Grapes are another sweet fruit that can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. They are high in sugar and carbohydrates, with one cup of grapes containing around 27 grams of carbohydrates. Eating grapes in moderation is okay, but consuming large amounts can increase the risk of diabetes and other health problems
Dates
Dates are a sweet fruit that are high in natural sugars and carbohydrates. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but can also cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels when consumed in excess.
One medjool date contains around 18 grams of carbohydrates, which is equivalent to eating about one slice of bread. Consuming too many dates, especially for people with diabetes, can cause a spike in blood sugar levels and increase the risk of developing diabetes or complications associated with high blood sugar levels.
Pineapple: Pineapple is a tropical fruit that is high in sugar and carbohydrates. One cup of pineapple chunks contains around 22 grams of carbohydrates, which can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should consume pineapple in moderation and choose fresh, unsweetened varieties over canned or processed versions.
Watermelon: Watermelon is a refreshing and hydrating fruit that is low in calories and high in nutrients. However, it’s also high in sugar and can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. One cup of watermelon contains around 11 grams of carbohydrates, which can be significant for people with diabetes.
In conclusion, while fruits are generally considered a healthy food group, some fruits can cause high blood sugar and increase the risk of diabetes if consumed on a regular basis.
Content created and supplied by: Anniepen001 (via Opera News )
Andy Appiah Kubi, the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Asante-Akim-North, has revealed that he has provided the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, with all the relevant details concerning claims of bribery attempts made on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who had demanded the dismissal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Special Prosecutor had summoned Appiah Kubi, the spokesperson of the ‘rebel’ MPs demanding the sacking of Ken Ofori-Atta for an inquiry into accusations that a wealthy businessperson believed to have links with all political parties had attempted to persuade the MPs to withdraw their demands.
After appearing before the Special Prosecutor on May 10, Andy Appiah-Kubi expressed his readiness to make himself available for further questioning if necessary.
“He needed information from me and I have given the information, I have given a statement and that is the cooperation [I’m talking about]. I already appeared before the committee [and] I have testified, if they find it necessary to invite me again I will avail myself,” the Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North told journalists in Parliament where the interrogation took place.
However, the information he furnished the Special Prosecutor is yet to be known.
Somewhere in 2022, Andy Appiah Kubi and over 70 NPP MPs called for the removal of the Finance Minister but later softened their stance after meeting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who is the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, and Andy Appiah-Kubi alleged that a businessman tried to influence the group with money brought to Parliament in a bid to get the MPs to abort their decision.
The Majority Leader has promised that Parliament will investigate the allegation of bribery levelled against the unnamed businessman, saying, “The alleged bribery has come to my notice, and we will investigate to see if it is true and the motive behind.”
Source: dailyguidenetwork.com
: 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.
Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has urged Ghanaians to vote for him in this year’s general elections.
Dr Bawumia says a vote for him will ensure a Ghana that is filled with endless possibilities.
He said this in a Facebook post on Tuesday after his campaign tour of Offinso North, Offinso South and Afigya Kwabre North constituencies in the Ashanti region.
He observed that the people in these areas celebrated the “impact” that the NPP administration has made in the lives of the residents.
“Testimonies on – and sometimes from – the persons whose lives we have touched as a government and as individuals in positions to have a positive impact were very heartwarming,” he said.
He added “Under my Presidency, the various policies, programmes and solutions will do even more of the talking. Let us all go out and cast our votes for a Ghana filled with endless possibilities.”
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, convicted controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky for abusing the Naira.
It was gathered that Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted him after review of the case.
READ MORE: EFCC To Arraign Bobrisky For Alleged Money Laundering, Other Offences On Friday
However, Bobrisky in his defense, told the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the naira.
He said that he is a social media influencer with over five million followers.
The judge then told him that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.
He said: “I know, My Lord. My Lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.
“I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money.
“I will not repeat it again. I regret my actions.”
INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the judge, reserved judgement on Bobrisky’s sentencing till April 9, ordering his remand in EFCC’s custody.
With the conviction, the crossdresser could either serve six months in prison, pay a fine of N50,000 or do both.
Section 21 (1) of the CBN Act 2007 states that: “a person who tampers with a coin or note issued by the Bank is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable for imprisonment for a term not less that six months or to a fine not less that N50,000 or to both such fine and imprisonment.”
Corruption fight: Let’s search homes of all ministers – Martin Kpebu
CitiFm
Private Legal Practitioner, Martin Kpebu has called for the homes of all ministers and government appointees to be searched as part of the fight against corruption.
Speaking on the case of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah on the Big Issue on Citi FM on Saturday, the outspoken lawyer said searching the homes of government officials would send a strong message that the government is serious about fighting corruption.
“Let’s search the officers at the Jubilee House, let’s search the Ministers, let’s search them…the monies are in their homes. If we don’t do this we are not fighting corruption. If we don’t search all the ministers forget it we are just playing.”
Martin Kpebu’s call comes after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) found $590,000 and GH¢2.7 million in cash during a search of the home of the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah. The money is suspected to be tainted property.
The OSP has commenced investigations into the matter, and Cecilia Dapaah has been charged with money laundering and other corruption-related offences.
Mr Kpebu defended his call, saying it is necessary to send a strong message that the government is serious about fighting corruption.
“Let’s search them all of them,” Mr Kpebu said, “But we are men and we need to fight like men otherwise let’s forget about the corruption fight to send a strong message that no one is above the law.”
The post Corruption fight: Let’s search homes of all ministers – Martin Kpebu appeared first on Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana.
Tacha Akide, a past housemate on Big Brother Naija Pepper Dem, has stated that no one can accuse her of sleeping with a married man.
In a snippet of yet to be released episode of Chude Jideonwo’s podcast, the reality star made the audacious claim.
She mentioned how people have linked her to various married men, but no one has boldly declared who she is sleeping with or presented evidence.
Tacha added that she can freely announce that no man is funding her and that she works hard to maintain the lifestyle she enjoys.
She remarked how few people can make this declaration with their entire chest.
The influencer stated that it has not been easy for her, particularly in her industry, where forces do not want her to succeed.
READ MORE: South African Singer, Tyla Suffers Life-Threatening Injury, Takes Vacation From Music
In her words,
“There is no time they have not linked me to married men, but they can’t bring any man forward because there is none. I say it proudly any day and anytime, anywhere, in my sleep or dream. Everything I enjoy I worked for it so hard, not a lot of people can make this mouth. And I say it again, because it is not easy, especially in the industry where there are forces that don’t want you to prosper”.
The National Democratic Congress ( NDC) has expressed its sadness following news of the passing of the former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost Dr Michael Kwabena Ntumy.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, December 27, the NDC said Apostle Ntumy’s contributions were a blessing to the church and the nation. The NDC thus extended its condolences to his family, church and the entire Christian community.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is deeply saddened by the passing of Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy, esteemed former chairman of the Pentecost Church. His profound contributions were a blessing to both the church and the nation.
Apostle Dr. Ntumy’s unwavering commitment to spiritual leadership and community development has left an enduring legacy,” parts of the NDC statement read.
The news of the demise of Apostle Dr Ntumy was announced by Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, through a press statement.
He was 65 years.
Apostle Dr. Michael Ntumy was a teacher in Yendi in the 1980s before becoming a Deacon and Elder of the Church.
He got married to his wife, Martha, at age 24. He began full-time Ministry at age 26 with The Church of Pentecost.
He was called to the office of an Apostle at age 33 and six years later, elected the fourth Chairperson of the Church. After serving for two terms (10 years), he handed it over to Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah.
Apostle Ntumy is known to have survived many trials in life, including being held hostage in rebel territory during the Liberian Civil War in the 1990s.
He also faced other attacks on his life ranging from physical assaults to poisoning and paralysis, which led to his confinement to a wheelchair.
The revered man of God served The Church of Pentecost in Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.
Read the NDC’s press statement below
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is deeply saddened by the passing of Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy, esteemed former chairman of the Pentecost Church. His profound contributions were a blessing to both the church and the nation.
Apostle Dr. Ntumy’s unwavering commitment to spiritual leadership and community development has left an enduring legacy.
The NDC extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, the Church of Pentecost and the entire Christian community during this challenging time.
In remembrance of Apostle Dr. Ntumy’s impactful legacy, the NDC acknowledges his positive influence on the body of Christ in Ghana and beyond.
May the memory of his works, life and legacy continue to inspire and bring solace to all who are saddened by his demise.
Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah (4th from right) with some stakeholders
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has assured customers of its readiness to continuously provide quality service to improve revenue mobilisation for sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at its maiden edition of the Customer Experience Conference yesterday in Accra, he said the country’s economic prosperity hinges on the efficiency of GRA, hence the need for it to adopt ways of collecting taxes in a manner that suits the Authority and tax payers.
“As a revenue Authority that is supposed to collect tax of GH¢126 billion for 2024, we are committed to ensuring that we can collect it in the best way with a customer service delivery approach,” he said.
He added that the maiden edition of the conference is aimed at examining successful approaches and best practices in promoting voluntary tax compliance from other tax jurisdictions.
He said the conference is also expected to facilitate knowledge sharing, consultation and networking among tax professionals, policy makers, researchers and international organisations in the area of service delivery.
The MD also advised the staff to remain professional and adopt a customer-centred approach in dealing with tax payers.
He believes the leveraging on technology to simplify the processes and procedures using its social media handles, websites, among others, will go a long way to improve the relationship between the GRA and tax payers.
Director of Revenue, Policy Division of GRA, George Winful, representing the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, said given the economic challenges that the country faced recently, it was imperative it explores more effective and innovative ways for domestic resource mobilisation.
He said the conference will, therefore, position GRA favourably among its peers in the quest to become a world class tax Authority while applauding GRA for meeting its targets in the last four years.
Mr. Winful, however, urged the staff not to be complacent but to continue with the trajectory as the country aims to grow the tax revenue in the medium term from 14% percent of GDP to 20% by 2027.
He, also, expressed the Ministry’s commitment to support GRA to achieve its mandate as the Authority aligns it strategic plan to the country’s medium term revenue strategy rolled out in 2023
He said the Ministry of Finance recognises its role in pursuit of this vision and will therefore continue to support the creation of systems that promote efficiency, transparency in tax administration in Ghana.
Head of Customer Experience Unit, GRA, Dr. Birago Antwi Adjei, in a presentation, said the unit which was established with its objective to be customer-centric, demystify taxation and service delivery is poised to deliver on its mandate in fulfilling the needs of its customers.
She said as a result of the initiatives to improve customer service delivery, her outfit supported by other departments’ resolved about 95% cases reported by customers.
The conference held under theme, “Building a Growth-Friendly Tax Environment” brought together Board members of GRA, tax experts among others.
Also present was the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson a tax consultant, Patrick Mukilbi, representatives from AGI, Ghana Medical Association, Foreign Common Wealth Development office Ghana Hotels Association among several others.
Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s consistency after thrashing Lens 6-0 in the Champions League.
The Gunners qualified for the last 16 as Group B winners and the Basque head coach was full of praise for his players.
He said: “We had the chance to qualify top and we did it in a convincing way against a good side.
“From the beginning, we showed the determination to go for it. Everything happened in the right way and I am really happy.
“It is great we are able to win this way and we have been so consistent at home.
“The players need to have these experiences and believe we can do it against big players and teams.
“Now we wait and see who we have in February.”
Arsenal were prolific at the Emirates with six different players managing to get on the scoresheet, including last Saturday’s match winner Kai Havertz.
And with the hectic schedule starting to have an impact on teams, Arteta admits he is going to have to rely on his leaders to guide them through a tough period.
He added: “We share six different scorers. The team has the capacity which is really good for the confidence of the players.
“We only have five subs and are very short, we have to prioritise. Martin [Odegaard] said he was fine and managed himself in the second half.
“There are different options but today we were really attacking and we want to approach to win and be dominant.
“Declan Rice was superb. His consistency and understanding of the game, his decision-making and timing to win the ball back and the speed that he plays is so good.
“Havertz is scoring and playing well too, it is positive. The crowd are singing his name and being with him, he is a tremendous player.”
Arteta’s attention will now turn to Saturday as Arsenal return to Premier League action at home to Wolves.
Nigerian music sensation, Davido, has hailed Grammy-winning Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo for her pivotal role in paving the way for a new generation of African artistes to shine on the global stage.
In a recent interview with CNN’s Inside Africa, Davido expressed his admiration for Kidjo, emphasising her profound impact on showcasing African talent worldwide. He fondly referred to her as “Mama Africa” and highlighted her versatility and ability to captivate diverse audiences.
“I’ve always been wanting to work with Mama Africa [Angelique Kidjo], that’s what we call her, for a long long time,” Davido remarked during the interview. “She can perform anywhere and for different crowds. And she has represented us so well, you know, on the global scene. She opened doors for new artistes like myself.”
Davido’s comments echo a sentiment shared by many within the African music industry, acknowledging Kidjo’s trailblazing efforts in breaking barriers and elevating African music to international acclaim.
A recent collaboration between Davido and Kidjo on ‘Na Money,’ featured alongside The Cavemen on Davido’s Grammy-nominated album ‘Timeless,’ further solidifies the bond between seasoned icons and emerging talents in the African music scene.
Reflecting on Kidjo’s illustrious career and her ongoing influence, Davido’s praise serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of artistes who transcend borders and unite cultures through the power of music. As African artistes continue to make waves on the global stage, Kidjo’s pioneering spirit continues to inspire and guide the next generation of musical innovators across the continent and beyond.
Samira Bawumia campaigning for her husband in Kumasi
VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s hopes of being elected as the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 polls has been given a lifeline.
This follows the decision of his wife, the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, to canvass for votes for him in the Ashanti Region, the party’s stronghold.
Samira Bawumia, who is rhetorically very good, has appealed passionately to the party’s delegates to vote massively for Dr. Bawumia to help retain the NPP in power.
She said aside being intelligent, visionary, competent, patriotic and development-oriented leader, Dr. Bawumia also has what it takes to lead the NPP to retain power.
In this regard, Samira Bawumia entreated the party’s delegates, whose votes would determine who would lead the party into the 2024 elections, to cast their ballot for her husband.
According to her, total endorsement of Dr. Bawumia by the party’s delegates would send a strong message that the Vice President is competent and the party is united behind him.
“I’m appealing to you to show Dr. Bawumia great support by voting massively for him on November 4, this year, which is few days away when our party goes to the polls”, the Second Lady said.
She was addressing NPP delegates from Manhyia North and South, Asawase and Nhyiaeso Constituencies at the True Vine Hotel as part of her campaign tour of the Ashanti region.
The NPP, she said “needed a competent, peaceful and inspiring leader at this crucial time to help break the two term governance jinx to sustain their good works.
On her personal note, Samira Bawumia said she would work assiduously to ensure that the welfare of the party members and Ghanaians in general were addressed as First Lady.
“I am sure you all know how passionate I am about issues of employment because I believe a working person has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.
“I want to assure you that your concerns would be mine too when by God’s grace we record a decisive victory in the upcoming 2024 elections”, Samira assured, attracting applause.
Nana Ama Ampomah, Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser, on her part, appealed to the NPP delegates to vote massively for Dr. Bawumia in the party election.
“Let’s work with a good heart for Dr. Bawumia and ensure that we campaign these last days for him so he can win massively and lead our party to victory in 2024”, she said.
According to her, Dr. Bawumia has clearly displayed that he is focused and capable of leading NPP to win a third consecutive victory in 2024 so the party should support him.
The UN has urged Tunisian authorities to end a crackdown on the media and free speech.
It comes a few days after a prominent Tunisian journalist was arrested on charges of insulting President Kais Saied.
A judge ordered the detention of Zied el-Heni ahead of a trial in which he could be sentenced to five years in prison.
In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the situation as “troubling”.
“The crackdown earlier this year against judges, politicians, labour leaders, businesspeople and civil society actors has now spread to target independent journalists, who are increasingly being harassed and stopped from doing their work,” Mr Türk said.
“I urge Tunisia to change course,” he added.
President Saied has previously defended his administration by saying he wants to save the north African nation from chaos.
However, critics have accused him of staging a coup after he suspended the National Assembly in 2021, passed a new constitution and moved to rule by decree.
Source: BBC
: 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.
In a remarkable display of solidarity, the celebrated Ghanaian reggae and dancehall artiste, Samini, has embarked on a journey to Abidjan to fervently back the Black Stars ahead of their upcoming match.
In an interview with Isaac Kofi Dzokpo, he expressed his confidence in the team’s prowess, Samini boldly predicts a victory against Mozambique, envisioning a 2-goal triumph.
Upon his arrival at the Midez H&R Hotel in Abidjan, the artiste was greeted with an outpouring of joy and jubilation from ardent fans and supporters.
Known for his passionate commitment to music and national pride, Samini seized the moment to issue a heartfelt appeal to fellow Ghanaians, urging unity and rallying behind the Black Stars. He emphasized the crucial role of collective support in propelling the team to success.
As anticipation builds for the impending match, Samini’s presence in Abidjan serves as a beacon of encouragement for the Black Stars and the entire nation, fostering a sense of unity and optimism among fans.
MTN’s Resounding Applause: Facilitating Ghanaian Fans’ Journey to AFCON 2023
In a noteworthy development, telecommunications giant MTN has earned resounding applause for orchestrating a remarkable initiative. The company facilitated the travel of 163 Ghanaian fans, stakeholders, and football enthusiasts to Ivory Coast for the 2023 AFCON.
MTN’s initiative stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to supporting the Black Stars. The all-expenses-paid trip is strategically designed to galvanize support for the senior national team, creating an environment conducive to their success at this prestigious continental showpiece.
Beyond a mere football match, this initiative symbolizes a convergence of collective hopes, unwavering support, and national pride. MTN’s contribution extends far beyond the realm of telecommunications, positioning them as a key player in fostering a sense of unity and national identity through their support for the Black Stars.
President Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to bolstering Ghana’s security apparatus in order to safeguard the nation against potential terrorist threats.
In light of recent attacks in neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the imperative of enhancing Ghana’s security measures.
His remarks were delivered during the inauguration of the International Maritime and Exhibition Conference held at Burma Camp.
Highlighting the concern sparked by the proximity of terrorist activities in neighbouring nations, President Akufo-Addo underscored Ghana’s vulnerability and stressed the need for preemptive actions.
He articulated the government’s commitment to fortify the country’s security infrastructure to effectively counter any potential security breaches.
Additionally, President Akufo-Addo asserted that the government’s commitment extends to ensuring the safety of Ghana’s territorial waters.
“The government recognises the need for a well-resourced and technologically advanced Navy. We have commenced equipping the NAVY with Drones, coastal radars, real-time surveillance and tracking protocols in other to improve maritime domain awareness,” Akufo-Addo said.
play videoActor LilWin throwing ten bundles of money on daughter of Philadelphia Movement
Last week, Naa Jacque, the daughter of the Believers Worship Center “Philadelphia Movement,” launched her EP titled “Tears of Joy.”
Ghanaian actor Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as LilWin, was invited to the event.
In a video sighted by GhanaWeb, the actor is seen walking up to the singer and spraying bundles of cash on him.
After showering money at the event, LilWin joined others in dancing joyfully.
As Naa Jacque sang excerpts from her EP, LilWin approached her and threw a bundle of cash in her direction.
Earlier in October this year, LilWin was captured throwing ten bundles of money at Prophet Adom Kyei-Duah, the leader of the Philadelphia Movement, as a gesture of appreciation for his support during challenging times.
The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has called on the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in the Water and Sanitation sector(CONIWAS) and the private sector to complement government’s efforts to provide universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
Mrs Dapaah said this at a meeting with members of CONIWAS in Accra last Thursday.
The meeting was to engage the minister on the implementation plan and the expected roles of civil society organisations towards ensuring universal access to water and sanitation by 2030.
The meeting also followed the announcement of presidential compacts by the leaders of five African countries on the sidelines of the United Nations Water Conference in New York held in March this year.
Innovation The countries are Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Liberia and Uganda.
The compacts were aimed at accelerating access to water and sanitation services, including increasing budget allocations, reducing open defecation and delivering climate-resilient services.
Mrs Dapaah was of the view that “the gaps of ensuring universal access to potable water and sanitation must be bridged” because figures show that currently Ghana had recorded 87.7 per cent in clean water coverage with improved access to toilet, constituting 80.8 per cent.
She, however, said African countries and, for that matter, Ghana must find its own innovative ways in bridging the gap in water and sanitation to achieve the SDGs.
A member of the Council of Elders of CONIWAS, Oduro Donkor, commended government for taking steps to make water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues a top priority.
He, however, called for urgent steps to establish a National Sanitation Authority and approve, without any further delay, the establishment of a National Sanitation Fund.
Mr Donkor further stressed the need for comprehensive sector reforms that addressed institutional, regulatory, human resource, governance, funding and technological aspects of WASH.
He said a Water Services Act should be the basis for a harmonised sector.
This should address the regulation of service providers and sanitise the rural water sector interface with the urban water sector.
Source: graphiconline.com
: 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.
LONDON – Nicola Sturgeon is set to resign as first minister of Scotland on Wednesday after eight years in the job, the BBC reported, leaving office with no clear successor and with the question of independence unresolved.
Sturgeon became the leader of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) in the wake of its 2014 independence referendum when the country voted 55% to 45% to remain as part of the United Kingdom.
The BBC cited a source close to Sturgeon as saying”she’s had enough”.
She suffered a blow in November when the UK’s top court ruled that the Scottish government could not hold a second referendum without appro from the British parliament.
Sturgeon said in response that she would turn the next British general election into a de facto referendum to ramp up pressure on Westminster to grant another vote.
Support for independence rose above 50% in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling but it has slipped back in recent months.
Sturgeon, 52, had also recently become embroiled in a row over transgender policies after Scotland passed a bill to make it easier for people to change their legal gender.
The Conservative government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded by saying it would block the bill, the first time it had invoked the power to veto a Scottish law because it would have a broader impact on the UK.
Scotland was then forced to review the management of its trans prison policy and stop transgender people with a history of violence against women from being placed in female prisons.
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has expressed concerns over the timing for the implementation of reversal of the benchmark ue policy.
It has thus asked government to engage key stakeholders immediately.
The association projects that the immediate implementation of the reversal will lead to unbearable economic hardship for business operators in the country.
During the later days of 2022, the Ghana Revenue Authority announced the complete reversal of the benchmark policy effective 1st January 2023.
Speaking to Citi News, the General Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Samson Asaki Awingobit urged government to stick to its promises of making business activities more conducive for stakeholders.
“I believe that government will do something better. It’s challenging. This is not the best because we just entered a new year. I think that if something has to be done, government must engage in consultation on the reversal. Let’s engage and understand what government is doing to assuage the plight of Ghanaians and business communities because we suffered in 2022.”
The District Chief Executive for Garu in the Upper East, Osuma Musah has stated that his outfit was not aware that the military had planned any operation in the area.
This comes on the back of the recent military and civilian brutalities recorded in the Upper East region.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Francis Abban, the DCE stated that even uniformed security personnel with the District Security (DISEC) Council were not aware of the military operation.
“Not at all, not in the least of suspicion, we didn’t even suspect it. So when we started having these calls I had to call DISEC members one by one, ‘What’s it what is happening’ but they didn’t know.
“If you know how the military operates, when they have a target operation they don’t trust anybody to let you know what is happening. They just come in the middle of the night like they did. They will usually finish before you know what has happened,” Mr. Musah stated.
He continued: “Even DISEC members who are uniform people or security personnel, they didn’t know.”
However, the Members of Parliament for Garu and Tempane are calling on the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack on civilians in their two constituencies.
According to the MP for Garu, Albert Alalzuuga Akuka, and MP for Tempane Lydia Akanvariba Adakudugu, military officers entered their constituencies and engaged in actions that resulted in harm to the residents.
“It has come to our attention that a concerning incident occurred in our constituencies today, Sunday, 29th October 2023 around dawn at 2:00 am. Military officers entered our constituencies and engaged in actions that resulted in harm to the residents.
“This unprovoked action by the Military on innocent civilians is uncalled for and must be condemned by all peace-loving people. Any form of violence and brutalities meted on citizens, especially when it is perpetrated by those who are supposed to serve and protect them must be condemned unequivocally,” the two MPs stated.
They continued: “We are deeply disturbed by these reports, especially considering the volatile nature of the area vis-a-vi the Bawku Conflict (Note that Garu and Tempane are part of the Bawku Traditional Area), and we are therefore actively seeking more information about the situation.”
Source: starrfm
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The leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has assured the public that his side will not engage in any form of physical altercations during the upcoming parliamentary session on Tuesday, October 22.
He made these remarks during an interview with Accra-based Peace FM on Monday, October 21, in response to threats from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to occupy the majority side of Parliament.
Mr Afenyo-Markin emphasised that the NPP MPs are not inclined towards violence and would rather stage a walkout if the NDC MPs attempt to engage them in fisticuffs or forcibly take over their seats.
He reiterated the NPP caucus’s commitment to maintaining peace and decorum in the House.
This development follows threats by NDC MPs to assert themselves as the new majority caucus in Parliament following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
However, the Supreme Court has stayed the Speaker’s ruling, allowing the four affected MPs to continue representing their constituencies.
Despite the NDC MPs, led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, claiming they are the new majority caucus based on the Speaker’s ruling, Mr Afenyo-Markin stated that the NPP will continue to respect the legal processes and will not be drawn into any confrontation.
Ghanaian musician and performer, Fancy Gadam, has shared insights into what fuels his dynamic stage performances and his plans for the rest of the year.
When asked about what drives his energy on stage, Fancy Gadam credited his fan base as his main source of motivation.
“What gives me the energy to perform harder on stage mostly comes from the fan base. When I hear people hail me when I’m on stage, sing songs without missing a word, that gives me more energy to perform,” he said on October 25, 2024, in Accra.
The artiste emphasized the exhilarating atmosphere created by his fans’ support, noting that this connection enables him to perform tirelessly for hours.
Fancy Gadam, who started his career as a dancer before venturing into music, added that his background in dance gives him a unique edge on stage. He advised his fellow artistes to integrate dance into their performances if they have the skill, highlighting its ability to enhance audience engagement.
Reflecting on his achievements this year, Fancy Gadam expressed gratitude for the milestones he has reached in 2024, most notably the new contract he recently signed.
“2024 has been beautiful. I just signed a new contract, and that shows I’m doing well for myself,” he shared, thanking his fans for their unwavering support.
The musician also hinted at his excitement for upcoming events, particularly those planned for the holiday season. He assured event organizers that booking him for December shows would be a choice they’d never regret.
“When you put me on, I’ll give you the numbers, and I’m going to entertain your patrons,” he promised.
The interview took place on the sidelines of his unveiling as the new brand ambassador for The Game Energy Drink, a prestigious partnership that, according to him, is both a milestone and a testament to his hard work and growing influence.
Ghanaian midfielder Carlos Ohene has been recognized for his exceptional performance in the Bulgarian First Professional League, securing a spot in Sofascore’s team of the week.
Ohene’s standout contribution included a goal in Levski Sofia’s resounding 6-1 victory over PFC Lokomotiv Sofia 1929.
The hosts started strong, with Ante Aralitsa giving them the lead in the 5th minute. However, Levski quickly responded, with Maicon setting up Alex Kolev for the equalizer in the 12th minute.
Aldair then put Levski ahead with a fine individual goal in the 21st minute, and Ohene played a crucial role in the team’s third goal just before halftime. He initiated a quick counter-attack and passed to Jawad El Jemili, who scored with a left-footed shot.
El Jemili added his second goal just two minutes later, giving Levski a commanding 4-1 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Levski continue to dominate, with Ohene scoring the team’s fifth goal in added time. Sangare then added a sixth goal in the 97th minute to complete the rout.
The match was briefly interrupted in the 76th minute due to a lighting issue at the Lokomotiv Stadium, but the teams quickly resumed play and Levski emerged victorious.
Levski Sofia will play Botev Vratsa in their next league game.
Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, has been spotted in a viral video kneeling before the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, apologizing to him.
In the video shared by EDHUB on X on October 5, 2024, Shatta knelt before Mahama, who was sitting on a chair, asking for his forgiveness over anything he might have done that offended him.
The artiste mentioned that he does not want to begrudge the former president because it was through him that he secured his first house.
In response, Mahama urged Shatta not to fret because he holds no grudge against the artiste and will continue to be his son as it has always been the case.
In the course of the conversation, Mahama said, “Oh Shatta, there is nothing. You are my son; there is no issue. I will tell him that I met you. If you call and he doesn’t pick up, it means he was peeved. Don’t worry, I will talk to him.”
Afterwards, Shatta Wale responded, “I know, sir, thank you. Through you, I got my first house, so I don’t want to offend you. I have been calling him, but he doesn’t pick up the calls. I just wanted to engage you.”
It will be recalled that Rev. Lawrence Tetteh revealed that Shatta knelt and apologized to Mahama in an airplane during a trip they were embarking on.
Watch the video below:
Shatta Wale goes on his knees before former President John Mahama and pleads. pic.twitter.com/YOVptK76Fj
A medical practitioner at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Doctor Amina Haarun has apologized for disclosing the health status of popular Ghanaian musician, Kuami Eugene.
The musician was involved in a near-fatal accident last Sunday, March 17, 2024.
According to eyewitnesses, the musician’s vehicle rammed into a tipper truck from behind.
The accident happened around 11:30 pm.
The doctor attending to Kuami on Monday in what is described as unauthorized disclosure, made public the health condition of the musician in a post on social media.
“Kuami Eugene is here at the hospital with us, and it ain’t looking good. Kindly send him a prayer,” the doctor disclosed.
However, in a regrettable tone, the she has admitted her mistake adding that “Mistakes are made for lessons to be learnt.”
“I am highly regretful of the inconveniences caused to the Patient due to my violation of our “Code Of Ethics”. Mistakes are made for lessons to be learnt, henceforth, will not repeat such mistake in the future and am trying my best to solve this as soon as possible,” she added.
Her statement also confirmed reports that she had been suspended for three months. She clarified that her license had been suspended for the said duration and that she was to stay away from the facility during the period.
Speculation over the wellbeing and whereabouts of Cameroon’s 91-year-old President Paul Biya has become a hot topic across Africa this week.
After attending the China-Africa summit in Beijing in early September, it was perhaps no surprise that he gave the UN General Assembly in New York a miss.
But when he stayed away from this week’s summit of French-speaking countries (La Francophonie) at Viller Cotterêts, north of Paris, the rumour mill went into overdrive, as he had not been seen in public for about a month.
Cameroon’s ambassador in France insisted that Biya was “in good health” and in Geneva – his habitual base when away from home.
Other sources suggested this was because he needed to rest under medical supervision after a heavy diplomatic schedule in July and August.
After all, he is Africa’s oldest head of state and the second longest-serving, narrowly beaten to that record by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of neighbouring Equatorial Guinea.
Such mundane indications were not enough to still speculative guesswork about Biya in Africa-interested media and political circles.
So finally the government spokesman, René Sadi, issued a formal denial of the rumours, adding that the president would return home “in the next few days”.
And the head of the president’s private office, with him in Geneva, also said he was “in excellent health”.
Cameroon occupies a key strategic location, as the gateway to landlocked Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR).
Apart from struggling to fully suppress jihadist violence around Lake Chad, it also wrestles with a complex and often violent crisis in its English-speaking regions.
In leading the response to these challenges, Biya has brought an unusual personal style that often eschews the front of the stage, without any apparent personal need to engage in diplomatic presenteeism or performative summitry.
He is a habitual non-attendee at many gatherings of African leaders.
Even back home, with his measured speech and cautious tone, Biya has for many years spaced his personal interventions, largely delegating the day-to-day running of the government, and handling of technical dossiers, to a succession of prime ministers.
Unexplained absences from public view have been nothing out of the ordinary for this most enigmatic of presidents.
Rumours that he has died do surface from time to time, largely because of these unannounced disappearances from the scene.
But this low-key style belies the determination with which he contrived his arrival in power in 1982, elbowing aside his patron and predecessor Ahmadou Ahidjo, promising liberalising change before entrenching a hold on the presidency that no subsequent challenger or campaign of protest has managed to shift.
As a wave of multi-party democratising change swept across much of Africa at the beginning of the 1990s, Biya was one of several incumbent leaders to shrewdly adapt, allowing sufficient reform to take the heat out of mass protest while nevertheless firmly keeping control.
Since one narrow election victory back in 1992, he has shrugged off subsequent political challenges, helped perhaps by manipulation of the polls and certainly by the divisions among often tactically inept opponents.
Now, with Biya’s current seven-year term drawing to an end in November 2025, supporters have even been pressing the 91-year-old to stand again.
Critics feel that it is long past time for Cameroon’s national leadership to pass to a younger generation who could tackle national problems and explore opportunities for development and progress with more speed and dynamism.
In 2016 teachers and lawyers in the two mainly English-speaking regions, South-West and North-West, protested over the failure to properly resource English language rights and public services.
If Biya had responded more rapidly and with a more assertively generous and loudly touted reform package, perhaps he could have assuaged discontent early on – and thus averted the eventual slide into violent confrontation between the security forces and armed militants demanding outright secession.
Biya did later bring forward reforms – to meet the grievances of the English-speaking regions and, nationwide, to decentralise power to regional councils.
But sometimes citizens have faced long waits before the regime addresses their concerns – decentralised structures were not set up until many years after the original framework legislation had been passed.
Some Cameroonians are, however, comfortable with Biya’s restrained approach to leadership and his readiness to leave successive prime ministers to handle routine decisions.
They see his role as more symbolic and distant, akin almost to a constitutional monarch.
Certainly, this representational role is a dimension of the presidency with which he has seemed at ease.
On 15 August, for example, he was at Boulouris, on the Côte d’Azur in France, where he gave a detailed 12-minute address at the commemoration of the 1944 Allied landings to liberate southern France from the Nazis – an operation in which many troops from the French African territories took part.
And in fact, despite frequent absences from the Cameroonian capital Yaoundé – usually retreating either to his home village in the forested south or to his preferred international base, Geneva’s Intercontinental Hotel – Biya has continued to take the key sensitive political and strategic decisions.
The main gatekeeper to the heart of power at the Étoudi presidential palace is the Secretary General of the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh.
A power system where Biya, as the head of state, keeps his cards so close to his chest inevitably generates gossip about his own intentions for the 2025 election and about potential successors.
But some of the senior regime figures most frequently tipped, such as Laurent Esso and René Sadi, are by now themselves far from youthful.
Support groups have also appeared to promote a passing of the torch to the president’s elder son Franck Biya, a businessman – although Franck himself has never shown any interest in politics or given any hint of such ambitions.
But in today’s Africa, where disenchantment with the political establishment runs deep, particularly among young urban populations, establishment attempts to secure the continuation of power can carry risks.
In neighbouring Gabon, President Ali Bongo was deposed by the army last year after the regime manipulated the 2023 election to deliver him a further seven-year term despite his fragile state of health.
And when Senegal’s President Macky Sall lined up his Prime Minister Amadou Ba as his successor, he was decisively rebuffed by the voters who opted instead for the young reformist opponent Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Biya and his inner circle may feel confident of avoiding such scenarios. But that will require a shrewd reading of popular sentiment, especially among youth and the middle-class in big cities such as Yaoundé and Douala.
Prolific Ghanaian rapper, Obrafuor has sued American rapper, Drake for copyright infringement.
According to details of the suit that has been shared online via the District Court of Southern District of New York, Obrafour is suing Drake for sampling his “Oye Ohene (Remix)” in his song “Calling My Name.”
Details of the suit suggest that Drake had sought permission to sample the song via email but the email was never responded to. He, however, went ahead to release the track which was featured in an album days later.
“Obrafour had not yet responded to the June 8, 2022 Clearance Email or the follow-up June 13, 2022 Clearance Email at the point when Drake’s “Honestly, Nevermind” album was released on June 17, 2022. Nonetheless, the Infringing Work is one of the songs appearing on the “Honestly, Nevermind” album, as released to the world by ‘surprise’ on June 17, 2022,” the suit reads.
Based on the success of the song which was on Drake’s highly published, “Honestly, Nevermind” album, Obrafour is asking for $10,000,000 as compensation.
“Obrafour sues for copyright infringement under the Copyright Act and seeks all remedies afforded to him thereunder, including preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, monetary damages, including but not limited to, actual damages, profits directly and indirectly attributable to from Defendants’ infringing conduct, statutory damages under the Copyright Act in the sum of up to $150,000.00 per infringement where such infringement commenced after the Copyrighted Work was registered with the United States Copyright Office, and other economic relief,” part of the suit reads.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Presidential Candidate, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has announced the party’s commitment to establishing a specialised children’s hospital if elected in the December 2024 polls.
Speaking to students at the Goaso Nursing and Midwifery Training College, she emphasized that the proposed hospital would tackle challenges faced by infants at birth, while also serving as a hub for training pediatric doctors and nurses.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also addressed concerns about the ongoing exodus of nurses, pledging that the NDC would implement policies to curb this issue.
She encouraged the students to support the NDC’s vision for the health sector by endorsing the party in the upcoming election.
“How did we arrive here as a country? I am creating awareness for you so you know why you must vote. We stand for development and you don’t develop anything if you don’t develop the people. Development should reflect in the abandoned project and equipment while retooling the health sector.
“As NDC, one of the things we plan to do going forward is to establish an ultra-modern children’s hospital that will take care of the health needs of infants.”
“We don’t have one, so we lack pediatric nurses and doctors in the system. We planned to establish this when we were in power but unfortunately for us, we were kicked out. The establishment of the University of Ghana Medical Centre was part of the bigger plan of establishing a children’s hospital.”
“We will also develop a policy to take care of the training and exportation of nurses abroad. This will help us bring in returns. Many countries do it and so it is not a new thing. We need to know where you are to extend support and so when we say the NDC cares it has a lot of meaning,” she stated.
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Showbiz news website TMZ has defended its decision to publish pictures of Liam Payne’s dead body following outcry from fans.
The American publication caused fury this week after it shared pictures showing the singer’s arm, waist and tattoos just hours after he fell 45ft from a balcony at a hotel in Argentina.
An image of the police tent that was set up over the One Direction star’s body at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires was also published.
Fans and celebrities, including former X factor contestant Rylan Clark, branded it a ‘disgrace’, with TMZ removing the images shortly after.
The website’s Executive Producer, Michael Babock, has since defended the decision to use the images, claiming they were trying to confirm reports Liam had died before police had established his identity.
Babock told Fox 5 New York: ‘There’s a balance, and that’s obviously a conversation that newsrooms across the have – you want to be sensitive to the family and to the friends and also while working a news story.
‘When the information was coming in, police had not yet confirmed that it was Liam, so what was done on the TMZ website, there was an image – did not show the full image, didn’t show his face – but that showed his arm and his abdomen, where he has some very recognisable tattoos, so that’s sort of used as a way to confirm, or to match up the tattoos at a point where police had not yet confirmed his identity. And then, once they did, obviously, that photo was removed.
‘I mean, it’s just a terribly horrific and sad story. It’s something obviously that shouldn’t have happened, and this guy had so much life left to live and you feel horrible for everybody.’
TMZ published the photos in an article shortly after news of the singer’s death emerged.
The article read: ‘TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam’s body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby.
‘We’re not showing the whole body, but you can clearly see his tattoo – a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen.’
The celebrity news website also subsequently amended the copy to say: ‘TMZ has seen a photo showing Liam’s body on the deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby.
‘You can clearly see his tattoos – a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen – which helped us confirm early reports from witnesses.’
Former X factor contestant Rylan Clark criticised the decision to publish the photos.
He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘And TMZ f****** shame on you. Disgrace.’
Pop star Alesia Cara added: ‘You’re gross @TMZ’
The latest development comes as:
Yesterday, dramatic images of Payne’s hotel room surfaced following his death.
Payne was found dead by police who say they found the popstar’s medicines including clonazepam – a drug which is used to control epilepsy, involuntary muscle spasms and panic disorders.
The photos were published across the Argentinian media, including major broadsheets today and purport to show Payne’s suite at the Casa Sur hotel in Palermo.
There was a frantic call to 911 from hotel staff about ‘an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol’ who was ‘smashing up his room’ minutes before he died.
These photos inside the luxury suite, published by Argentinian magazine Clarin, appeared to confirm the troubling report about Payne’s mental state.
On a table, the surface was covered with tin foil, white powder, a lighter and scorch marks on the wooden surface.
A blackened aluminium drinks can lid appeared to have been heated and a smashed TV screen on a shelf bore the signs of a heavy impact whilst a half-empty Champagne flute was nearby.
Police later confirmed that after a search of the popstar’s room medicines like clonazepam were found – a drug which is used to control epilepsy, involuntary muscle spasms and panic disorders.
More candle and aluminum foil remains were found in the bathtub of Payne’s suite, the bottom of which was stained and had some burns.
In a tape of the 911 call from the hotel manager to police, he could be heard saying: ‘I’m calling from the Casa Sur hotel in Palermo, we have a guest who is over the top with drugs and is breaking up the entire room.
‘We need someone to come.’
The call then cuts off and on a second call, the manager adds ‘when he is conscious he is breaking up the room.
‘We need you to send someone, please’.
Payne suffered a huge blow just days before his tragic death – he was dropped by his record label Universal Music, the Mail can reveal.
Originally signed to Sony as part of One Direction, Liam penned a deal with Capitol Records, a label owned by Universal, in July 2016 when he launched his solo career at just 22 years old.
Liam was said to have been ‘thrilled’ when he signed to Capitol in what was understood to have been a very lucrative deal.
The label is a subsidiary of Universal, but in the company’s recent reshuffle he came under the main label.
The Universal Music Group tribute read: ‘We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne.
‘His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him.
‘We send our deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones.’
Capitol Records reposted the statement as well.
Multiple sources have confirmed to MailOnline that the singer was axed by the record label.
A source said: ‘Liam’s advance was massive and he didn’t recoup [it].
‘Out of all of the One Direction boys, Liam was on the wrong path musically.’
It is understood that the release of his second album was put on hold prior to Universal dropping him.
Meanwhile, it can also be revealed that Liam’s PR resigned earlier this month, which left him without any publicity representation.
The resignation came as Liam’s ex-fiancé Maya Henry began legal proceedings against the singer after accusing him of repeatedly contacting her.
One source said: ‘It is like all of Liam’s music career that he had built up since he went solo eight years ago was crumbling, there was very little left for him.
‘It must have absolutely devastated him.’
Last night Payne’s One Direction bandmates broke their silence following his tragic death as they released an emotional statement.
In a joint statement last night signed from ‘Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry’, they said they were ‘completely devastated’.
‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they said.
‘But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.’
Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik all later released separate tributes.
Styles wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly devastated’ and will ‘miss him always’.
‘His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
‘Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
‘He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
‘My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew him and loved him, as I did.’
Tomlinson said in a separate emotional tribute that he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’.
He posted a picture on his Instagram page of the two of them on stage with Payne lovingly putting his arm over Tomlinson’s shoulder.
Tomlinson said he would be an uncle to Payne’s son Bear if he ‘ever needs me’ and ‘tell him stories of how amazing his dad was’.
‘I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life,’ he wrote.
‘I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.
‘I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
‘Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.’
Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’.
In his own heart wrenching tribute, he said he had ‘lost a brother when you left us’.
‘And I can’t explain you you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,’ he wrote.
‘I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherevere you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are.
Ghanaians React As Mahama Directs Five Strong Questions To Dr. Bawumia In Recent Campaign [VIDEO]
News Hub Creator2h
Former president, John Dramani Mahama has the faith of wining the upcoming elections to be held in December. Per his campaign speeches, he is not interested in wining the elections only but has the strong urge in rescuing Ghanaians from the current hardship and also resetting the economy back to default remains his sole vision. Dr. Bawumia, flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party also is confident in wining the elections so as to continue the good works his government has already started. The two flag-bearers have been in the headlines of the news for a while now as they both pose dating statements to each other. John Mahama in his recent campaign directed five questions to Dr. Bawumia on issues relating to the current state of the economy.
In a post sighted on the official twitter page of TV3 Ghana is a video featuring John Mahama in which he posed some questions to the flag-bearer of the NPP. He reflected on some years again where Dr. Bawumia posed about a hundred and seventy questions to the then Vice President of John Mahama, Late Amissah Arthur on issues relating to the economy. John Mahama in return also asked the current vice president five questions which he demands a response. He asked Dr. Bawumia to state why the dollar to cedi rate has escalated, increasing debts on the country, high inflation percentage, the borrowing of 42 billion cedis from the bank of Ghana and why has Dr. Bawumia ran from the economy to digitalization. Watch the full video via the link below.
The post-Sir Alex Ferguson years of Manchester United have often proven downbeat and underwhelming, but few iterations of the Red Devils have been as confounding and confusing as this one.
Erik ten Hag’s 2023/24 outfit have flattered to deceive for the most part. If you were being generous, you can offset a lot of their dismal performances and results down to their varying injury crises, but things shouldn’t be this bad.
United showed their very best qualities to come from behind and beat third-placed Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Here are 90min’s key takeaways from that victory.
Marcus Rashford from the left, Alejandro Garnacho from the right – end of story
Rashford finally put in a good display / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages
Marcus Rashford‘s best football has always come when coming inside from the left.
Alejandro Garnacho is one of the Premier League’s quickest players and is capable of going both ways at full tilt.
It shouldn’t have taken Ten Hag this long to realise how to get his star wide-men reading from the same hymn sheet.
Though sometimes his body language was at times…let’s say ‘suboptimal’…Rashford’s quality really raced to the surface up against Villa’s naive high line. Likewise, Garnacho was able to twist and turn his way infield as well as around the outside. A defiant second half display should have served both well moving forward.
Rasmus Hojlund shouldn’t have needed a miracle
Hojlund’s drought is over / Nathan Stirk/GettyImages
Rasmus Hojlund claimed he was the ‘happiest man alive’ in the aftermath of his winning goal – the Dane’s first in the Premier League.
But it shouldn’t have taken 15 sodding games for him to score a league goal. That’s ridiculous. Some of the blame is in part down to him for not even fashioning some luck to find the net, but United generally have done an awful chance of feeding their centre forward. Even this goal required a bit of fortune and quick-thinking to react quickest from a corner.
Hojlund’s impressive Champions League performances proved he has the tools needed to dominate centre-backs and harass defenders. Now he just needs a consistent stream of service.
INEOS have plenty of work to do
Brailsford watched on at Old Trafford / Nathan Stirk/GettyImages
Tuesday’s match was the first since the club announced a deal with INEOS to purchase a 25% stake in the club.
The chemicals company were represented at the game by Sir Dave Brailsford, who will become a United director once the transaction has been approved by the Premier League.
Fortunately or unfortunately, he was treated to a true Jekyll & Hyde performance from his new team. The glaring deficiencies were probably more obvious than the potential despite United’s resounding fightback to earn the three points.
This version of United remain a work in progress, and boy will INEOS know that.
Erik ten Hag has bought himself more time
Pressure has been mounting on Ten Hag / Nathan Stirk/GettyImages
There has understandably been quite a bit of speculation regarding the future of Ten Hag in recent weeks. New ownership groups – in this case, at least ones with power in the football department – sometimes want to mark their new reign with a fresh change of manager. United’s woeful results and performances would be enough of an excuse anyway to part ways with Ten Hag and start afresh.
But the club can’t keep chopping and changing like that. The 2023/24 season has raised questions over the destination of the Dutchman’s project, but he does deserve more time to find a solution. He should at least be granted the use of a fit squad with most of his star players healthy again.
The Member of Parliament for Agona West, Cynthia Mamle Morrison, has accused the National Patriotic Party (NPP) of attempting to intimidate her following her decision to run as an independent candidate.
This accusation comes in the aftermath of a recent shooting incident during one of her campaign rallies, which left four individuals injured.
Among the victims was Rasheed Haruna, the Nasara Coordinator for the constituency and Chris Arthur’s Campaign Chairman, who was reportedly shot in the ribs.
Following the incident, Chris Arthur, the NPP parliamentary candidate for Agona West, alleged that Morrison was somehow involved in the shooting.
In an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Hon. Morrison vehemently denied the allegations, characterizing them as unfounded attempts to intimidate her.
“This thing has never happened here, but I know because of my independence they want to intimidate me, but that will not work…they think I am here to spoil their votes but they don’t know I am here to win”, she declared.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service issued a statement on October 28, 2024, assuring the public of its commitment to conducting a thorough investigation into the shooting incident and bringing the perpetrators to justice as the election season unfolds.
None of my supporters fired gun at Agona West rally – Cynthia Morrison
Sunyani, Sept.30, GNA –Mr Fuseini Adjei, the National Union Chairman of the Public Services Workers Union of the Volta River Authority (VRA) has cautioned against the proposed merger of power producers and distributors, saying it would be unfavourable for the nation’s energy sector.
The government is proposing a bill to merge power producers and distributors; however, the proposed bill has since generated a public outcry among energy sector workers in the country.
The proposed bill is seeking for the merger of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), the NEDCo and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
However, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Mr Adjei said any attempt to merge the power producers, and the distributors would not be in the interest of the nation’s energy sector in tackling the nation’s power crisis .
Earlier, the staff of the NEDCo undertook a peaceful demonstration to register their displeasure about the proposed bill.
Rather, it was imperative for the government to extensively engage stakeholders in the power sector in finding solutions to challenges in the energy sector.
He said any move to privatise the nation’s power sector too would lead to increased power costs, saying “private entities always prioritise profit over public service”.
Mr Adjei pointed out that currently the VRA was selling power at a reasonable price due to the Authority’s social contract and cautioned against measures that could “harm” the sector and thereby benefit private entities.
He also called on the government to engage stakeholders in the drafting of the proposed bill to capture their expertise too.
In a related interview, Mr Prince Mash-hud Abdulai, the Vice President of the NEDCo Senior Staff Association noted, that, “At this stage of our operations, a merger is not the solution.”
Rather, he called on the government to provide the necessary resources and financial support to energy sector players which he added remained crucial for them to effectively and efficiently serve the people.
Mr Abdulai said if proper care were not taken the power sector could fall into the “hands of the private sector” and that would allow private companies to “dictate prices and use of power which may not be in the best interest of the people. GNA
Black Stars coach Otto Addo has made late additions to his squad ahead of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers doubleheader against Sudan, Ghanasoccernet.com can exclusively confirm.
On Friday, October 4, the 45-year-old coach announced a 35-man squad for the Matchday three and four fixtures against the Falcons.
However, there have been some changes to the lineup due to injuries.
Midfielder Majeed Ashimeru is expected to join the team’s camp, but he is likely to miss the matches after RSC Anderlecht informed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) of a knock he sustained in their 3-0 victory over Standard de Liège.
As a precautionary measure, Cercle Brugge’s Francis Abu has been called up to replace the former WAFA midfielder.
Ibrahim Osman, currently on loan at Feyenoord from Brighton & Hove Albion, is also set to miss the games. AZ Alkmaar winger Ibrahim Sadiq has been invited to replace Osman.
Additionally, Kingsley Schindler of Turkish side Samsunspor will be unavailable after suffering an injury during his team’s 3-1 win against Adana Demirspor.
In response, FC Basel defender Jonas Adjetey Adjei, who received his first call-up for the matches against Angola and Niger, has been summoned to fill the gap.
The Black Stars officially began their preparations on Monday, with the first leg scheduled for Thursday, October 10, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The return leg will be held on October 14 at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya.
Following a 1-0 loss to Angola and a 1-1 draw with Niger, Otto Addo and his team are focused on securing all six points from these crucial encounters.
Instagram is the main platform used by paedophile networks to promote and sell content showing child sexual abuse, according to a report by Stanford University and the Wall Street Journal.
“Large networks of accounts that appear to be operated by minors are openly advertising self-generated child sexual abuse material for sale,” said researchers at the US university’s Cyber Policy Centre.
“Instagram is currently the most important platform for these networks with features like recommendation algorithms and direct messaging that help connect buyers and sellers.”
According to the Journal, a simple search for sexually explicit keywords specifically referencing children leads to accounts that use these terms to advertise content showing sexual abuse of minors.
The profiles often “claim to be driven by the children themselves and use overtly sexual pseudonyms”, the article detailed.
While not specifically saying they sell these images, the accounts do feature menus with options, including in some cases specific sex acts.
Stanford researchers also spotted offers for videos with bestiality and self-harm.
“At a certain price, children are available for in-person ‘meetings’,” the article continued.
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.
According to the Journal, the social media giant acknowledged problems within its security services and said it had created a task force to address the issues raised.
Last March, pension and investment funds filed a complaint against Meta for having “turned a blind eye” to human trafficking and child sex abuse images on its platforms.
Barring any last-minute changes or surprises, one of these five personalities is likely to be named Vice Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party by April 2024, MyNewsGh.com has been told.
Of the 5 names, only two names appear to be “new names” based on the earlier list of names that was making the rounds.
Sources told MyNewsGh.com the process for the selection of a running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia started long before the Presidential Primaries based on adopted scenarios.
The two new names said to be part of the final 5 shortlist are Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyapong, the Chairman of Jospong Group and Dr. Ben. Asante, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas.
The three other names part of the alleged shortlist that are already known to MyNewsGh.com readers are Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Energy, Prof Opoku Onyinah of the Church of Pentecost and Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, Minister of education.
Trusted sources in the government told this portal of the 5 names, the one with the least internal party clout is Prof. Onyinah. Source says he is likely to be dropped as there is no formal communication to him about the matter.
“But we are sure it has gotten to his (Onyinah’s) attention and his people will be looking at what is possible and what is not possible if he is on the ticket. But I can tell you with all confidence the party may not agree with his choice.” The source said.
“The actual competition is between Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and the other three especially Dr. Ben Asante and Jospong” the source added.
“Almost everyone around Number 2 [Bawumia] apart from some few older people want Napo on the ticket. There are some few reservations some people are talking about quietly but even those people don’t want to openly speak for you to know what they think”.
The source told MyNewsGh.com Dr. Siaw Agyapong may emerge as a running mate “although it may be difficult to get him convinced to join active politics but I have heard his name with Napo on some big big tables that will shock you….” The source said.
Asked why Jospong, the source who has the ears of senior figures including President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia said Jospong will be approached formally if the party settles on him as the best card to play.
“This Running mate crusades there are those who lobby for it and there are some people the candidate himself lobbies them to join him on the ticket if he thinks they will cover his weaknesses” the source added.
Highlighting Jospong’s advantage, the source said Jospong is a successful businessman and an elder of the church of Pentecost with resources and wide connections.
Insiders in NPP however say Jospong may likely support Napo to be the running mate and instead stay in the background. The two are said to be close.
Dr. Ben Asante of Ghana Gas is said to be pushed by very powerful forces in the party although he himself has not expressed open interest in the Running mate.
His backers say he lacks any controversy and will appeal to moderates but his critics say nobody knows him in Ghana despite claiming “artificial” awards to bolster his popularity in recent times.
He is considered the dark horse of the NPP running mate discussion within the party.
One of the prominent features of the John Agyekum Kufuor administration is the legal battle between the state and the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Tsatsu Tsikata.
Tsatsu Tsikata was prosecuted and controversially jailed by the state for willfully causing financial loss to the state.
While serving his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, Tsatsu Tsikata fell ill and was admitted to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
The situation compelled then-President John Agyekum Kufuor to grant a pardon to the legal luminary, who is a member of the National Democratic Congress.
But Tsatsu Tsikata, on his sickbed, rejected the pardon by Kufuor, reaffirming his commitment to proving his innocence.
“I have never sought, and I do not need your pretense of mercy. Justice is my quest, and I will pursue this quest in accordance with the constitution and laws of Ghana,” parts of his letter read.
Tsatsu Tsikata also explained how the government had literally conspired, through now-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was the Attorney General at the time the charges were initially brought against him, to convict him at all costs for political reasons.
“Your apparent exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy in respect of a conviction and imprisonment which you were the prime mover of is the height of hypocrisy,” it added.
As already known, Tsatsu Tsikata appealed his conviction and won against the state, proving that the claims made against him were untrue.
GhanaWeb has sighted the handwritten letter from the revered lawyer in which he rejected Kufuor’s offer.
Nollywood actor, Junior Pope Odonwodo has been robbed at gunpoint in Delta State on Sunday, January 29th, 2023.
The actor took to his Instagram page to narrate the ordeal, which has left him and some of his colleagues devastated.
Junior Pope recounted how he was riding his car last night, while coming back from work with his colleagues, Georgina Ibeh and Shire twin when the unfortunate incident happened.
The actor revealed that the robbery took place at Ubulu Okiti, in Delta State and the robbers carted away with many of his uables. From his phones to, footwear/production shoes, bag which contained his passport, PVC and ID card and lots more.
Despite the incident, Junior Pope had reasons to be grateful as he got home to see his family hale and hearty.
The father of boys expressed gratitude to God for saying his life.
“Hey Swagnation, how are you all doing?
Coming back from work I was robbed at gunpoint. I was riding in my car with my colleagues, Georgina Ibeh and Shire twin and we were robbed around Ubulu Okiti at gunpoint.
They stole everything, took everything, phones; ransacked the vehicle. Took footwear, production shoes, my bags with my passport in it and personal belongings. My PVC, my ID card and lots of things”, he said amidst tears.
Captioning the video, he wrote,
“Robbed at gunpoint yesterday night at Ubulu Okiti….29/01/23. Returning from a movie set.
Tears dropped the moment I got home by 1am and saw my family.
Thank God for saving our lives. May we not meet our end in our quest for our daily bread… Amen”.
Jide Awobona recounts wife’s robbery encounter on 3rd mainland bridge
In similar news, actor Jide Awobona had recounted his wife’s scary experience at the hands of robbers.
Taking to Instagram, the actor revealed that his wife was threatened at gunpoint on third mainland bridge in August, 2022.
According to him, a gun was flashed at her and she was threatened to be killed if she failed to drop her money and other stuffs. Read more here.
The Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) has called for the prosecution of persons whose involvement in illegal mining activities also known as ‘galamsey’ has contributed to environmental pollution in the country.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, FAGE demanded immediate government action to halt the destruction and restore the country’s natural resources.
According to FAGE, the uncontrolled surge of illegal mining activities in the Ashanti, Eastern, and Western regions has far-reaching and potentially irreversible consequences.
These include severe threats to national food and water security, unprecedented biodiversity loss, destruction of agricultural lands, and impoverishment of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians who depend on farming and ecosystem services for their livelihoods.
FAGE is calling for swift and decisive action from the government, including an immediate cessation of small-scale mining activities, deployment of security forces to affected areas, and redirection of the labour force towards productive employment in agribusiness and manufacturing.
The federation also demands funding for bioremediation strategies to restore damaged environments and prosecution of individuals whose negligence has contributed to the environmental devastation.
“The future of our nation hangs in the balance. We urge the government to take immediate action to save our land, water, and people’s sustainable livelihoods,” the statement read.
The issue of illegal mining has been a long-standing concern in Ghana, with many calling for stronger measures to address the problem. FAGE’s press release has added to the growing chorus of voices demanding action from the government.
Below is the full statement:
The Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) is deeply alarmed by the uncontrolled surge of illegal mining activities ravaging Ghana’s Ashanti, Eastern, and Western Regions, particularly in the critical Birimian and Tarkwaian basins.
The devastating consequences of this unchecked illegal mining epidemic are far-reaching and potentially irreversible:
Severe threats to national food and water security
Unprecedented biodiversity loss that may never be recovered
Destruction of vast tracts of agricultural lands, farms, and plantations
Impoverishment of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians who depend on farming and ecosystem services for their livelihoods FAGE demands that the President and the government take immediate action to address this crisis.
We call for the following remedial measures to be implemented without delay:
An immediate cessation of all forms of small-scale mining activities across the country.
The swift deployment of security forces to affected areas to halt illegal mining operations. We urge the government to collaborate with key stakeholders, including traditional chiefs and civil society organisations, to ensure the effective expulsion of illegal miners.
The submission of a comprehensive proposal to redirect the labour force currently engaged in illegal mining towards productive employment.
This should focus on agribusiness and manufacturing, driven by large-scale investments in irrigation, agro-industrial parks, and processing facilities.
Immediate funding for Renewable Natural Resources Researchers and Ecologists at Ghana’s leading universities to execute bioremediation strategies aimed at restoring our damaged environment.
Swift prosecution of all individuals whose negligence has contributed to the environmental devastation we are witnessing.
We call upon all political parties to review, publish, and commit to sign a performance contract with the Ghanaian people, outlining their commitment and strategies to combat illegal mining effectively.
Furthermore, we urge the media to maintain consistent coverage of this critical issue until long-term solutions are implemented and their efficacy is proven.
Ghana’s future hangs in the balance. We demand immediate, decisive action to save our land, water, and people’s sustainable livelihoods.
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 Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana, Professor Alidu Seidu, has voiced concerns regarding the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ability to effectively promote its running mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as Napo, to voters outside the party.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Upfront with Raymond Acquah, Prof. Seidu highlighted the challenges the NPP might face due to Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s perceived arrogance and recent controversial statements about the country’s power challenges.
Prof. Seidu pointed out that Dr. Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as Napo, has been criticized for his perceived arrogance, an image further tarnished by his recent comments on the nation’s power issues, where he seemed dismissive of citizens’ calls for a load-shedding timetable during a period of frequent power outages, commonly referred to as “dumsor.”
“We have just six months to elections. Yes, you can convince the NPP supporters that ‘this is not how Napo is. Few people have worked with Napo and they know that these are perceptions and that Napo is not like that.’ But we the people outside NPP or even people within the party who haven’t fraternised with him, how long will it take them to change their perception?” Prof. Seidu questioned.
He added that many Ghanaians are still upset about the recent power outages, which have severely impacted their work, businesses, and personal lives.
This resentment could hinder efforts to reshape Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s public image in the limited time before the elections.
In response to these concerns, the National Organiser of the NPP and a close associate of Dr. Opoku Prempeh, Henry Nana Boakye, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to counter the negative perceptions.
He emphasized Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s dedication and capability, noting that the party is prepared to roll out a strategy to address the issues raised.
“I have worked closely with him, so for me, I see a lot of confidence in him. I see somebody who is committed and dedicated to his work, I see that he has the energy to always turn things around. As a political party, the ticket must be sold to Ghanaians and that is what we are going to do,” Nana Boakye stated.
Embattled American music mogul, Sean Combs, aka Diddy, has been implicated in the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur.
The Bad Boy Records boss is accused of paying $1 million for Shakur’s assassination by suspect Duane “Keefe D” Davis, who was arrested for the murder last year, in new court documents, according to the U.S. Sun.
In the papers filed on Thursday (July 18), Diddy is named 77 times by his various pseudonyms: Puffy, Puff Daddy, Puff, and his government name, Sean Combs.
“Defendant [Keefe] has asserted publicly that he only told on himself and wasn’t trying to provide evidence against anyone else in his conversations with police. However, this statement belies this claim, as he suggested that Sean Combs paid Eric Von Martin a million dollars for the killings,” the documents read in part.
In one of the transcripts, Davis reportedly testified to Diddy’s involvement in 2Pac’s murder.
Police asked Davis, “Puffy Combs….Does he play a role in this thing?…” and Davis replied, “Yeah, I think he did.” Davis said Diddy told him and a group of about 45 people how he “would give anything” for Knight’s “head” because he was “scared” of him and also had a problem with Shakur after he had released a diss track about him.
Prosecutors filed the documents in a bid to oppose Davis’ latest bail request. His $112,500 bail bond was rejected last month over concerns about the source of the money.
However, it’s still unknown if Diddy will be subpoenaed or indicted as part of the case.
KRIF Ghana, a leading distributor of office equipment counting machines across the country has partnered with Fichet to provide innovative security solutions to the Ghanaian market.
The partnership will help provide comprehensive range of products including safes, vaults, bulletproof doors, windows and multi-resistant facades for a new standard for security in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the partnership in Accra yesterday, Executive Chairman of KRIF Ghana, Rev. Kennedy Okusun, said the partnership marks a strategic alliance between the two leaders in their respective fields to usher in a new era of safety and security solutions for businesses and individuals.
He said Fichet, which is also synonymous with quality and reliability from cutting-edge technology to timeless design will reflect the evolving needs of modern businesses.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to bring Fichet’s cutting-edge products and solutions to the Ghanaian market, empowering businesses both private and government, with tools they need to protect what matters most,” he said.
He further assured customers of the highest quality products and unparalled service from Fichet which is recognized as the leading global brand that delivers security, time tested products.
Accra, Nov.9, GNA – The top marksman of the Sudanese national team, John Manu, says the team is not under pressure to get results against the Black Stars of Ghana, but they are prepared for the clash.
Ghana’s Black Stars would lock horns with their Sudanese counterparts in the third Group F match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which would be played at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Manu, who plays for Al-Ahli Benghazi, stated that his teammates are very calm ahead of the match and are not perturbed about the quality of their opponents.
“Sudan is not a new team in this kind of competition, having once won the AFCON. We have beaten Ghana before to qualify for the AFCON, so there is no pressure. We are very calm, and we are well prepared for this match.
“I am very happy to be in Ghana, and actually my favourite player is Asamoah Gyan, and I am honoured to play in front of his family, and I am proud to play like him.
When asked about the difference their coach Kwesi Appiah has made to their team, Manu lauded the change he has brought to the team considering his vast experience in the coaching field.
The highly anticipated Ghana vs. Sudan first-leg encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium will kick off at 16:00 GMT.
Photo: Police officers surveilling the roundabout near State House.
Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga announced fourteen days ago that he is going after the Kenya Kwanza regime if they fail to heed to his demands. He gave a deadline which elapses today at midnight.
A spot check at State House Nairobi shows heightened activity around the official residence of President William Ruto. Roadblocks that were not there yesterday have been erected at almost every turn.
Photo: A police roadblock controlling traffic near State House.
A contingent of police officers from different units can also be spotted on high alert providing surveillance.
It has now become a common occurrence to see police officers around the State House every time the ODM leader holds rallies in the city. They were also present when Raila was at Jeevanjee gardens.
Photo: police roadblock put up at the road leading to State House.
During his initial rally at Kamukunji grounds, Raila was heard saying Ruto should vacate State House and let him occupy it as the legitimate Head of State.
In Kisumu, roads leading to the Kisumu State Lodge were also blocked forcing motorists to use a different route. Police officers could also be conspicuously seen around the official residence of the president.
Photo: police roadblock on the road leading to the Kisumu State Lodge.
Mr. Odinga is planning to frustrate President William Ruto starting tomorrow and force him to act on reforms at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, IEBC, and deal with the high cost of living.
Allies of the former Prime Minister have confirmed that the opposition will take a different trajectory starting tomorrow and assume a more combative style of politics to make the government accountable.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi told the Nation that Azimio would ask its supporters to boycott paying “punitive” taxes and buying certain products. They would also stage demonstrations in different counties. Also on the cards is an attempt to “unlawfully usurp” the powers of the executive.
Source: The Star.
Content created and supplied by: NewsArena (via Opera News )
The Ekiti State government has banned the planned three-day kissing marathon to set the Guinness World Record in the state.
INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that a group identified as Sugartee in an advert making around in the state and social media had scheduled July 7 for the commencement of the longest world kissing marathon in a popular amusement park in the state capital.
However, Ekiti government in a letter dated July 3, 2023, from the Ministry of Arts and Culture addressed to the Ekiti State Hoteliers Association warned that any facility that hosted the event would be severely sanctioned.
The letter further stated that “Kiss-a-thon” as an event is not only absurd, unhealthy, immoral and capable of denigrating the image of the state, it is a programme that runs counter to the values of the people of the state and therefore capable of plunging our youths morally backwards.
READ MORE: Guinness World Records Approves Chef Dammy’s Cook-a-thon, Set To Review Evidence
“Givent the foregoing, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism hereby prohibits the hosting of such event or any other events like it in any facility that wishes to continue to operate lawfully in Ekiti State.
“To the above, you are hereby requested to convey the content of this Notice to the members of Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association to effectively monitor their outlets against being used negatively to cause embarrassment to the Government and People of Ekiti State.”
The development is coming barely some weeks when Damilola Adeparusi popularly called Chef Dammy from Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the state completed a 120-hour cooking marathon.
Burkina Faso’s Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) has unanimously voted to send troops to neighbouring Niger, where the military seized power on 26 July.
State TV quoted Defence Minister Col Maj Kassoum Coulibaly as saying the troops will have a three-month renewable stay in Niger, “fighting terrorism and contributing to stabilising Sahel states”.
Burkina Faso’s interim cabinet on 30 August approved the deployment of troops to Niger in anticipation of a planned military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).
Burkina Faso and Mali are among the few countries that have backed Niger’s military junta, which is under pressure from Ecowas to restore the democratically elected government or risk further sanctions and possible regional military intervention.
Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have also signed an agreement to set up a joint body to co-ordinate efforts aimed at tackling “common challenges”, including a jihadist insurgency, general insecurity and underdevelopment.
Source: BBC
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The Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik on Sunday, April 16, announced a decree that changes the legislation regarding Omanis marrying foreigners.
Omanis can now marry non-Omanis without approval or a permit from the government, according to the new decree.
The royal decree included seven articles with the first stipulating the cancellation of the previous law authorising the issuing of provisions regulating the marriage of Omanis to foreigners and making amendments to the legislation regulating Omani nationality.
Below is the detailed decree with the announcement amendment:
Article (1) cancels Royal Decree No. 58/93 and annuls all decisions issued in implementation of its provisions.
Article (2) states that the provisions of this decree shall not prejudice the provisions of the Islamic Sharia or public order or any provision cited in the laws, Royal decrees or applicable systems stipulating non-marriage to a foreigner as a condition for occupying or continuing to occupy certain public jobs of significance or special nature.
Article (3) stipulates that documents proving the cases of marriage of Omanis to foreigners within the Sultanate of Oman shall be documented in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws and Royal decrees. Foreign documents proving these cases of marriage are treated as official Omani documents after being authenticated by the competent authorities in the respective foreign country/countries, as well as the Omani Foreign Ministry.
Article (4) validates the documents evidencing the marriage of Omanis to foreigners that are issued by foreign official authorities before the date of entry into force of this decree — even though they might be in violation of the provisions regulating the marriage of Omanis to foreigners in force at that time — on condition that those documents be authenticated by the Omani Foreign Ministry, and in a manner that does not contradict the provision of Article (2) of this decree.
Article (5) states that Units of the State’s Administrative Apparatus and other public legal persons shall implement the provisions of this decree, each in their own areas of jurisdiction.
Article (6) repeals all that contravenes this decree or contradicts its provisions.
Article (7) says that this decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and enforced from the day following its date of publishing.
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At least, ten persons have been rescued after a two-storey building collapsed in the Isale Eko area of Lagos State.
It was gathered that the incident happened at No. 15, Iga Iduganran, near the Oba of Lagos’s palace following a fire in parts of Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island.
Reacting to the development, today, the state’s Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, disclosed that 14 other buildings were seriously impacted by the fire.
Also confirming the collapse, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said that the rescued persons are receiving treatment.
“All ten people, nine adults, and one 17-year-old girl have been rescued from the rubble.
READ MORE: Three Children Die In Building Collapse In Jigawa
“Having received pre-hospital care from the agency paramedics, they are now at Iga Iduganran Primary Health Care Centre receiving care.
“The remains of the building will now be leveled to ground zero while the adjacent building will undergo integrity and material testing.”
Ankara fabric, also known as African wax print, is a popular choice when it comes to creating stylish and vibrant outfits. One of the most versatile and timeless pieces made from Ankara fabric is the long sleeve shirt for women. This garment seamlessly combines traditional African prints with contemporary fashion trends, making it a must-have in any woman’s wardrobe.
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In conclusion, the Ankara long sleeve shirt for women is a beautiful and timeless piece that combines traditional African prints with modern fashion trends. With its vibrant colors, bold patterns, and versatile styling options, it is a wardrobe staple that every woman should have. Whether you wear it to work, a social event, or a casual outing, an Ankara shirt is sure to make a bold and stylish statement wherever you go.
Brazil have dropped Manchester United winger Antony following allegations of abuse by his former girlfriend.
The Brazilian football federation said the 23-year-old had been withdrawn from the squad after “facts became public” that “need to be investigated”.
Brazilian news outlet UOL published allegations made by Antony’s ex-partner on Monday.
Police in Sao Paulo and Greater Manchester are investigating the claims, which the player has denied.
“I can calmly state that the accusations are false and that the evidence already produced and the other evidence that will be produced demonstrate that I am innocent of the accusations made,” Antony said on social media.
“I trust that the ongoing police investigations will demonstrate the truth about my innocence.”
Antony is accused of attacking his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin “with a headbutt” in a Manchester hotel room on 15 January, leaving her with a cut head which needed treatment from a doctor.
She also alleges she was punched in the chest, causing damage to a silicone breast implant, which required corrective surgery.
Antony added in his statement on Monday that his relationship with his former partner was “tumultuous”, but insisted he “never committed any physical aggression”.
He also released a statement in June saying he had been falsely accused by his former girlfriend of domestic violence.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it is “aware of the allegations made and enquiries remain ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding this report”.
It added: “We will not be commenting any further at this time.”
Manchester United said they had no comment on the matter at present when contacted by BBC Sport.
The allegations come after the Premier League club announced last month that forward Mason Greenwood would leave by mutual agreement following a six-month internal investigation.
Charges against Greenwood, including rape and assault, were dropped in February. The 21-year-old joined Spanish side Getafe on loan last week.
Antony has been replaced in the Brazil squad by Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.
The founder and leader of Bazooka Fire Ministry in Aflao, in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, Bishop Prophet Bazooka, has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will lose the December general elections.
According to him, if the party does not apologise to him for the mistreatment he has endured, they will be found wanting.
In an interview with Adom News, Prophet Bazooka recounted an incident from 2015 when President Akufo-Addo, who was then the flagbearer and visited Aflao.
He claimed to have prayed for then candidate Akufo-Addo, which he believes contributed to his victory in the 2016 presidential elections.
However, Prophet Bazooka said the NPP government has since failed to fulfil the promises they made to him.
Based on this backdrop, he said the ruling party will lose the December elections.
“NPP is likely to win the 2024 election if they put things in other because I pray for President Akufo-Addo in 2015 to win 2016 general elections but they have failed to fulfil their promises made to me and if they don’t come to see me, I’m this on authority by the power of God that, the NPP will lose the 2024 elections,” the Prophet said.
Prophet Bazooka also said he has prayed for five presidential candidates in Ghana who have gone on to win their respective elections, with some of them honouring their promises to him.
He cautioned his fellow prophets to be wary of politicians who make promises they cannot fulfil when seeking support from churches.
The Prophet also warned politicians to avoid making campaign promises they cannot keep, as they will be held accountable by God.
Warning: This story contains graphic details and may be triggering to some readers.
As the trial of a South African woman who is accused of killing her three young children in New Zealand unfolds, evidence of messages Laura Dickason sent was brought to the court’s attention.
Dickason, 42, a medical doctor, is accused of killing her children in September 2021 days after the family emigrated to New Zealand.
She has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her daughters aged 6 and 2-year-old twin girls.
In the latest court proceedings on Friday according to the New Zealand Herald, messages allegedly sent by Dickason showed her resent and anger.
Some of these messages included:
– “I think God is trying to torture me by giving me the noisiest kids ever”.
– “Tonight Graham and I decided that our children will not abuse and scream at us and hit us any further. From one on they will get hidings and all their nice things will be held back until they start showing some respect. Tonight they threw corn at me and said the meat is disgusting. Then they hit me when I told them off. Maybe the twins are just in terrible twos but f*&^, they are going to kill me. I was so angry tonight, I was haking”.
According to the New Zealand Herald the over 300 000 were sent and received by Dickason to her husband, friends and family.
These messages span from 2016 and some were sent hours before the girls were killed.
Dickason has pleaded insanity and her lawyer Kerryn Beaton KC told the jury that she was in a dark place so removed from reality during the murders.
In these messages Dickason also aired her frustration of never spending time with her husband saying there is “no time to just sit and talk” as “there is always a kid in the middle”.
In addition the court heard how Dickason was scared of the unrest and violence in South Africa and how they had been sleeping with a 9mm calibre firearm beside the bed.
But Dickason told another friend that they were moving to New Zealand to give their daughters “whom they had prayed for so long” an adventure of a lifetime.
In earlier court proceedings Graham Dickason, provided to the court a harrowing account of his wife’s mental state in the months leading up to the murders.
According to the New Zealand Herald he painting a picture of a woman under immense stress and struggling with her mental health.
IOL
Are you or someone you know may be affected by mental health? If so here are some important numbers:
The SA Depression and Anxiety Group’s 24-hour mental health helpline: 0800 456 789
The Family Strengthening Project, FS under the auspices of the SOS Children’s Villages, Asiakwa in collaboration with the Atiwa East District Health Directorate in the Eastern Region has organized an extensive hand washing and proper sanitation and personal hygiene sensitization programme for two communities in the district.
The two communities that benefited from the programme were Adasawase and New Jejeti in the Atiwa East District. The sensitization programme was aimed at equipping community members with the requisite hand-washing skills and its importance in reducing respiratory and intestinal diseases as well as dengue fever among children and the community at large.
The participants were taken through the importance of proper hand washing, proper hand washing techniques and its types and also how to enhance proper hygiene to reduce the spread of diseases in their communities. The Atiwa East District Public Health Nurse, Wilhelmina Oparebea Appiah noted that proper hand washing prevents the spread of infectious diseases like influenza, diarrhea and respiratory infections as well as dengue fever.
She reiterated that proper hand washing reduces infections from cuts, scrapes and wounds, promoting faster healing and preventing complications adding that proper hand washing and personal hygiene are crucial in protecting vulnerable people like children and the aged whose immune systems are more susceptible to illness, diseases, and infections.
Madam Oparebea Appiah explained dengue fever as a mosquito-borne viral disease that affects people worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions adding that the Eastern Region has recorded a high number of cases.
She mentioned some symptoms of dengue fever as sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, rashes, nausea and vomiting. The Public Health Nurse stated that the fever can be prevented by eliminating mosquito breeding sites, use of insect repellents and mosquito nets, avoiding staying out late and wearing of protective clothing.
The Community Empowerment Officer of the Family Strengthening Project, under the auspices of SOS Children’s Villages, Asiakwa, Priscilla Kumi emphasized on the need for parents especially mothers to inculcate the habit of proper hand washing in their children to help reduce child mortality and prevent diseases that hinder proper child development.
At New Jejeti, the sensitization programme saw 311 participants made up of 231 adults and 80 children while at Adasawase, the participants were 284 made up of 230 adults and 54 children.