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Fifteen dignitaries from US, Bahamas to visit Ghana for NYSCA2025

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Fifteen officials and dignitaries from the United States of America and the Bahamas, including Johnny Ford, Founder of the World Conference of Mayors will visit Ghana for the National Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards 2025 – Ghana Edition.

The mayor of Prichard, Alabama and President of the World Conference of Mayors, Jimmie Gardner, is also expected with other officials.

NYSCA2025 is a national gathering of young people leading change, and Predecessors changing youth. The event is hosted in many countries around the world annually and climaxed in the Global Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards (GYSCA).

The Ghana Edition for this year is happening at The Palms Convention Center within the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on 29th March, under the theme Appreciation, Legacy, and Succession. 9am to 1pm is an Exclusive Breakfast Meeting and 6pm to 9pm is The National Banquet.

Changemakers in the 16 regions of Ghana will be awarded and invited to attend the Global Edition set to happen on November 29 in Texas, USA.

Speaking at this year’s historic Conclave and Awards are Dr. Abu Bako, Hon. Johnny Ford, Hon. Jimmie Gardner, Dr. Willie Snead, Nadine Lowe, Dr. Melisa Hall, and Author Ralph Antwi.

NYSCA2025 is hosted by Author Ralph Antwi and the Relevant Achievers Impacting Nations. Other African countries joining countries in America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East to host NYSCA2025 are Nigeria, Namibia, and South Africa.

Hon. Johnny Ford

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When NDC is in power, things work better for Black Stars

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Gospel musician, Grace Ashly Gospel musician, Grace Ashly

Grace Ashly has claimed that Ghana’s sports sector, particularly the senior national football team, the Black Stars, thrives whenever the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is in power.

The Gospel musician made this statement during an interview with Nana Romeo, where she expressed preference for the NDC’s leadership in relation to the development of sports.

“When the NDC is in government, many aspects of life in Ghana, especially in sports, tend to improve. Also, I have the freedom to pursue my goals for the Black Stars when the NDC is in power. Let’s pray for the NDC’s success” she stated.

She also emphasised her willingness to continue making songs for the national team, stating that she is ready to contribute more if given the opportunity by the relevant authorities.

“I am always ready to do more songs for the Black Stars if I am given the opportunity by the leaders,” she added.

Grace Ashly is widely known for her contribution to Ghanaian football through making patriotic and motivational songs for the Black Stars.

Her official 2014 World Cup’ song titled ‘Yenie’, among many others, became a street anthem.

AK/EB

You can also watch videos from the unveiling of the 2025 TGMA nominees on GhanaWeb TV below:

Looters apprehended as fire continues to burn shops

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Several shops at the Central Market in Adum have been destroyed Several shops at the Central Market in Adum have been destroyed

Some looters have been apprehended by security personnel at the scene of the devastating fire that has engulfed several shops at the Central Market in Adum.

A National Security operative at the scene to assist the fire personnel made it known.

Addressing the media, he explained that the primary challenge faced by the fire service personnel is their inability to access the area where the fire is burning due to the wooden structures surrounding the building and the looting of items by individuals.

He stated that the fire would have likely been extinguished if there was a clear pathway for the fire service to access the source of the blaze.

“It started around 5 A.M. thereabout, and we arrived there around 5:15. The main problem is how to get access to where the fire started. Had there been a way through, they would have finished their work within 30 minutes. But the people were even disrupting them. Some were looting. We had to go and arrest some of them.

“And the military too came in, and then they even helped us along. So now the fire is towards the Roman hill area, towards phase two of the building, so they are still working on it seriously. The fire is still raging, and there is water in the tenders. But getting to where the fire is our problem right now,” he said.

The raging fire that has engulfed several shops inside the Central Market in Adum, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region, has not yet been extinguished by the Ghana National Fire Service.

The latest update from the GNFS indicates that efforts are still underway to contain the fire, which has engulfed the topmost part of a three-story commercial building housing electrical shops.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, accompanied by security personnel and REGSEC, visited the scene of the fire to inspect and assess the extent of the damage. Operatives from the National Security have also briefed him.

The blaze continues to cause extensive damage, with estimates indicating losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of cedis.

MAG/EK

Watch the latest episode of Health Focus below

2025 budget fails to consider geopolitical, global supply chain challenges – Agyinsam

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Member of Parliament for Hemang Lower Denkyira, Lawrence Agyinsam Member of Parliament for Hemang Lower Denkyira, Lawrence Agyinsam

The Member of Parliament for Hemang Lower Denkyira, Lawrence Agyinsam, has criticised the Mahama-led administration for failing to address geopolitical and global supply chain challenges in the 2025 budget.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament during the debate on the 2025 budget, he argued that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was significantly affected by external shocks, such as the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

He added that Ghana needs to adapt to the shifting global landscape, where concepts like near-shoring and self-sufficiency are becoming prominent.

“Mr. Speaker, I am saddened by the fact that I’ve heard economists and others discussing the 5.7% GDP we are talking about, alongside the world’s economy growing by 3.2%. Have they asked themselves what the underlying factors are? The underlying factors are two-pronged: the Russia-Ukraine war, which they don’t want to acknowledge, and COVID-19. That is why Europe grew by only 1.7%, and China grew by just 1.6%,” he said.

“This budget does not take into consideration the geopolitics of this world. The world is now a geopolitical battleground. Globalisation is being de-globalised. There is no globalisation happening anymore because the world depended on China, and when COVID came, everyone started focusing on self-sufficiency in their own countries. Therefore, the new buzzwords are near-shoring, offshoring, and onshoring,” he added.

Agyinsam further criticised the 2025 budget for failing to address the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he believes holds the key to boosting trade and socio-economic development for the country and the continent.

“Near-shoring means that Europe is now looking to bring its manufacturing companies closer, around Poland and Ireland. This budget did not even mention AfCFTA. AfCFTA is the single largest market after the World Trade Organization. This budget did not contemplate or mention anything about AfCFTA, even though we are looking to increase intra-African trade from about 13% to 18%, which would help us trade among ourselves,” he bemoaned.

The Hemang Lower Denkyira MP also pointed out that Ghana’s over-dependence on imported goods is a major factor, contributing to the depreciation of the local currency.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, presented the 2025 budget to Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

The budget presentation was in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

SA/EK

Watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below:

How unemployment in Ghana forced parents of Tottenham’s Kevin Danso to settle in Austria

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Austrian defender of Ghanaian descent, Kevin Danso Austrian defender of Ghanaian descent, Kevin Danso

Austrian defender of Ghanaian descent, Kevin Danso, has disclosed that his parents migrated from Ghana to Austria due to lack of job opportunities.

He explained that his father was struggling to find employment which compelled him to travel abroad for greener pastures.

The Tottenham Hotspur defender indicated that both his mother and father were able to find jobs in Austria, which made them settle there and eventually gave birth to him.

In a conversation with Ghanaian musician Black Sherif shared by Tottenham Hotspur’s social media handles, Danso said that his parents groomed him with Ghanaian culture, including speaking the local dialect at home.

“They [parents] came from Ghana to Austria. It was tough in Ghana, looking for job opportunities. I think that at that time in Ghana, it was definitely difficult to find work or things like that.

“So he made the move. He decided to go to Austria, where he found work. I was born in Austria but grew up on Ghanaian culture. Both of my parents are Ghanaians so everything in the house was Ghanaian. We weren’t allowed to speak any language apart from Twi at home,” he narrated.

Danso is a key player for the Austrian national team.

Watch Kevin Danso’s remarks in the video below:

Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Debate as some Ghanaians predict a win for Black Stars against Chad

SB/EK

Wetin to expect as Nnamdi Kanu terrorism trial begin afresh today

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Di trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of di Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) go start afresh dis Friday for di Federal High Court in Abuja, one of im lawyers don confam to BBC.

Na Justice James Omotosho go dey in charge of dis case now, afta Nnamdi Kanu ask Justice Binta Nyako to withdraw hersef from di matter wen Kanu accuse her of partiality.

Nigeria goment dey accuse Kanu of terrorism and attempts to bring down goment, sake of di activities of Ipob, a group wey dey agitate to break away from di south eastern region of Nigeria to become independent kontri wey im name go be Biafra.

Goment bin don declare di group as terrorist organisation in 2017.

Kanu chief defense counsel Aloy Ejimakor post on X last week say “we dey primed and ready” for di trial.

Wetin dey expected to happen in court

Wen a new judge take over a case wey bin din dey go on, e no matter how far di case bin don go, di matter go start again from di beginning.

And di beginning na di arraignment, wia dem go read out di charges for di person to plead guilty or not guilty.

So dis na wetin dey expected to happen today. For Nnamdi Kanu matter di charges against am now dey seven.

Di charges bin dey 15 but di former Judge, Binta Nyako, bin strike out eight of dem.

Dis na di remaining charges:

.Count 1: Say you Nnamdi Kanu as member and leader of Ipob commit act of terrorism against di federal republic of Nigeria by making broadcast wit intention to intimidate di population.

Count 2: Say you Nnamdi Kanu as member and leader of Ipob commit act of terrorism against di federal republic of Nigeria by making broadcast wit intention to threaten members of di public wit sit at home order.

.Count 3: Say you Nnamdi Kanu make broadcast wia you declare your sef as member and leader of Ipob, group wey Nigeria goment don ban.

.Count 4: Say you Nnamdi Kanu make broadcast wia you encourage members of di public to kill Nigeria security officers.

.Count 5: Say you Nnamdi Kanu make broadcast wia you encourage di public to attack officers of di Nigeria police force.

.Count 6: Say you Nnamdi Kanu make broadcast wia you encourage members of di public to burn down evri federal goment facilty for Lagos wey lead to major economic loss to federal goment.

.Count 7: Say you Nnamdi Kanu import Radio transmitter known as Tram 50L and hide am inside container for Ubulisiuzor for Ihiala Local government area of Anambra state.

So, afta Kanu plead guilty or not guilty, di prosecution fit ask for di trial to resume but di defence team dey likely to apply for bail for Kanu bicos na wetin dem bin don dey try to achieve for a long time wen Binta Nyako dey in charge of di case.

Nyako bin insist say Kanu bin jump bail in 2017 afta e run from Nigeria wen she bin grant am bail on health grounds, but Kanu lawyers maintain say e no jump bail rather e run for im life.

Brief background

As di leader of di secessionist group Ipob, Kanu, wey bin base for London, dey always talk about how di south east region suppose pull out for Nigeria and be dia own kontri.

Im major platform na Radio Biafra wey also dey based for London, Britain, and im social media platforms.

For October 2015, men of di Department of State Services, DSS, bin first arrest am as e come into Nigeria. Dat time na wen Muhammadu Buhari be president of Nigeria.

Goment charge am to court for treason – togeda wit four oda pipo – ontop accuse say e dey use im Radio Biafra to dey talk tins wey fit destabilise Nigeria and bring down goment.

Kanu dey remanded for prison for Kuje, Abuja until April 2017 wen justice Binta Nyako grant am bail bicos say im health bin dey fail, but she attach conditions say make Kanu no address di press and make e no dey for gathering of pipo wey pass 10.

Di bail dey in di sum of N100 million wit three sureties, one of dem go be pesin wey im position high for goment; current Abia State senator Enyinnaya Abaribe na one of di pipo we stand surety for Kanu dat time.

Kanu go later disappear from di public afta e tok say soldiers bin attack im house to kill am during one security operation wey dem call Operation Python Dance.

Dat attack, according to Kanu, and di trauma wey follow am, na im lead to di death of im papa and mama wey bin die within two months of each oda – in October and December of 2019 respectively.

Kanu later reappear in October 2018 wen pictures and videos show wia e go pray for di Western Wall of Jerusalem wey be one of di holy sites for Judaism, di religion wey Kanu dey identify wit.

E later return to London and continue im agitation for Biafra, until June 2021 wen security forces bin seize am for Kenya and bring am back to Nigeria by force.

Im case continue again bifor Justice Binta Nyako wey bin don revoke di bail she bin grant Kanu for 2017.

Goment file amended 15-count charges against Kanu wey e plead not guilty to, but Nyako later comot eight of di charges say dem no get head.

Kanu lawyers, dat time wey dey led by Mike Ozekhome a senior advocate of Nigeria, carry di matter go Court of Appeal as dem claim say di lower court suppose strike out all di charges.

Di appeal court agree wit dem and strike out all di charges, but goment appeal to di Supreme Court wey overturn di judgement and say make di matter return to di High Court.