Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia will on Tuesday, January 17 open the 74th Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
The three-day programme is on the theme: “Positioning the African Market for Sustainable Economic Development through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
Mr Wamkele Mene, Secretary General AfCFTA, would deliver the keynote address for this year’s Programme, which is under the auspices of the School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE), College of Education, University of Ghana. Dr Simon-Peter Kafui Aheto, Director, 74th ANYSC/ Senior Lecturer, Department of Distance Education, SCDE, University of Ghana, who disclosed in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, said the Programme would consist of the Main School and Conference, and a Youth School.
He said the Main School and Conference were slated for Tuesday, January 17 to Wednesday, January 18, while the Youth School would be on Thursday, January 19, both at the Conference Room of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana.
“We are expecting about 400 participants for the main School and Conference from civil society, government agencies, private sector, informal sector, academia and people from all walks of life,” Dr Aheto said.
“For the Youth School, we will be expecting a minimum of 350 participants from around the country.”
Touching on expected outcomes of the Programme, Dr Aheto said one of the major outcomes of the Annual New Year School and Conference was the release of a communiqué at the end of the event.
He said the previous communiqués had shaped policies and provoked discussions of the themes within the public space. He reiterated that adequate opportunities would be created to ensure non-partisan discourse on the theme and widely disseminate policy briefs both locally and internationally.
He noted that this year’s Programme would contribute to the continent’s quest in advancing trade and industry to build a robust African economy that could sustainably contribute to growth in member countries He said the Annual New Year School and Conference had existed over the last 74 years; adding that “in the course of the year, we shall be cutting sod for the Annual New Year School and Conference Multipurpose Digital Youth Village Complex on campus, a hub for youth training and development in Ghana and on the continent.”
“Again, this year’s ANYSC coincides with the 75th Anniversary celebration of the premier University of Ghana, the institution that is affectionately called, Legon.”
Dr Aheto told the GNA that the 74th ANYSC was creating a platform for every Ghanaian, and every African to have a better understanding and involvement of the whole concept of the AfCFTA, an intra-continental trade space to promote. Since its inception in 1948, the Annual New Year School and Conference has been the flagship programme of the University and attracts people from all walks of life to deliberate on topical issues of national and international interests. It opens at the beginning of every new year.
At the end of every school and conference, a communiqué is issued, which captures the recommendations of participants and discussants. The recommendations usually inform policy decisions and directions in the country.
Source: GNA
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The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme introduced by the government will fail, the Minority in Parliament has said.
The opposition lawmakers have asked the President to suspend the programme and engage further on it.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday January 16, the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu said the programme poses a threat to financial institutions and insurance companies as well as individual bondholders.
He explained that the financial institutions that support businesses will not be in the position to do so again if the government goes ahead with the implementation of the programme.
“It is a risk to financial institution, insurance companies and now extended to individual bondholders,” Mr Iddrisu said.
He added “the financial institutions and insurance companies offer employment and they support businesses, this is at risk now.”
The Tamale South Lawmaker further asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to suspend the programme and engage further.
“Suspend the ongoing debt exchange, it is already failing, it promises to be a failure.
“Suspend it and engage in deeper consultation and allow for greater transparency In order to save the Ghanaian economy.”
“We demand transparency, they are simply not transparent even in the way they are managing this.”
The Minority lawmakers are not the only persons who have raised issues against the programme.
For instance, the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has said that the Debt Exchange Programme could wipe out the middle class.
This, he said, is where the danger is hence, further engagements are needed.
He said these while speaking with a group of individual bondholders led by convener, Senyo Hosi and private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu when they submitted a petition to exclude individual bondholders from the debt exchange to him on Friday.
The Suame Lawmaker said “What we [are] talking about is that many of these bondholders also belong to the middle class and that’s where the major worry is. If we are wiping away the middle class, that could be dangerous, so we need to have some further dialogue on this.
“Government thinks that this is the best way forward, however, even if it is, we need to engage, reflect and then move on and that will encourage some people who have some doubt to better appreciate where we are.”
“Nothing can substitute for discussions, round table discussions and engagements wherever we find ourselves in. I think it’s important that we go back to the drawing table to have engagements with the major stakeholders…All of us are in it. And if we don’t manage it well, we’ve gone through this before, way back some 25, 30 years ago and repositioning was a major, major difficulty.
“Today many people are coming on board and if this thing should happen, how do we build confidence and trust and reconstruct a new savings culture?”
Also, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh asked the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to review the decision to include individual bondholders in the programme.
He described the inclusion of the individual bondholders as unfair and untenable.
“The Finance Minister (Ministry) must as a matter of urgency review as soon as possible its decision and resolution on individual bond holders. I don’t agree with them and I think it’s unfair and untenable! Review your decision now,” the Majority Chief Whip tweeted.
The debt exchange programme announced by Mr Ofori-Atta has suffered rejection from Ghanaians.
For instance, Convener of the Individual Bondholders Forum (IBF) Senyo Hosi, said regarding the programme that in an unfortunate oppressive fashion, the government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.
In the process, the IBF said, Ghanaians have been presented with painfully stark, impoverishing and unsustainable choices – a situation deeply troubling and wholly untenable.
This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission,” a statement issued by Hosi said.
The Government of Ghana (GoG) announced that under its Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme, individual bondholders were to submit to a “voluntary” arrangement to exchange their domestic bonds for new benchmark bonds.
This arrangement, according to IBF, irreversibly takes away the wealth and livelihoods of direct and indirect individual bondholders whose only crime has been to trust their government.
Tied to this is a mandatory deadline which compels holders to either accept the government’s offer or risk the threat of prohibitive losses, the Forum added.
It stressed “In an unfortunate oppressive fashion, government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.
“In the process, we have been presented with painfully stark, impoverishing and unsustainable choices – a situation deeply troubling and wholly untenable. This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission.”
The Individual Bondholders’ Forum (IBF) is a voluntary group of individual bondholders established with defined governance structures to coordinate and defend the interests of individual bondholders in respect of the DDE program and to engage the GoG.
A late penalty by Kofi Agbesimah was enough to hand Bechem United all three points in their betPawa Premier League game with Medeama SC on Saturday.
The Hunters won 1-0 at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem in this Matchday 13 encounter which ushered in the weekend round of matches.
Bechem United move to second on the table with this victory, four points behind leaders Aduana FC with the rest of the Matchday 13 fixtures to come on Sunday and Monday.
Bechem United have now won six of the 13 matches they have played this season as they chase a first ever Ghanaian top-flight title.
Defeat was the sixth for Medeama SC who have now lost two of their last three matches. They remain in eighth position, three points behind Bechem United as the 2022/23 season nears the halfway point.
The Yellow and Mauves will need to improve on their output especially on their travels if they hope to win a first league title.
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The CEO of Image Bureau, an events company, George Quaye, is appealing to the government to extend the December in Ghana festivities to cover other sectors of the creative industry.
He mentioned that the celebration should not be limited to music and parties since there were many areas of the arts and entertainment industry that could equally serve patrons during the festivities.
Citing the 10 main fields of Ghana’s creative industry as visual arts, performing arts, cultural sites, traditional cultural expressions, publishing, new media, design, creative services, music and audiovisuals, George Quaye pointed out that music and movies continued to enjoy the attention and support leaving the rest to almost a goose egg.
“Currently, apart from music and movies, and to a lesser extent heritage sites and visual arts, the other domains in the Creatives basket could arguably be likened to lesser-known sports. The media has simply not thrown enough light on them and event planners for fear of losing money haven’t ventured into those spaces.”
“That is why I believe that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture needs to, as a matter of urgency, make some funding available to planners who want to venture into those spaces. Something to at least provide some sort of a buffer should they incur losses. They are grey areas that require some level of government investment to help them stand.”
“December in GH is a big deal for Ghana and patrons, particularly those from the diaspora, should experience Ghana in every way and not just music and parties,” he said.
There is no doubt that December in GH has become one of Ghana’s successful tourism brands, and an anchor that has created a global wave, perhaps a movement, with people always looking forward to it every year.
Last December’s session was another success with events such as Afrochella, Afro Nation Rapperholic, Akwaaba Parties, Polo Beach Club, Taste of Ghana, Little Havana, Around the World, Rythmz on the Runway to the Shatta Concert, Samini Experience, Stonebwoy’s BHIM concert, Western Carnis, Nite of Laughs serving the purpose of selling Ghana’s creative works.
Even though George Quaye, who is also the host of A-Z on JOY FM, gave a huge thumbs up to the project, he said there were questions that needed answers.
“For instance, has the December in GH experience been limited to music concerts and parties? What’s the word from our tourism sites? How come we didn’t premiere any big movies? Aside from Roverman’s Festi of Plays, were there any other theatre experiences? How about comedy, poetry, visual arts, etc?
“Do we have figures from our hotels, transport, food and beverages, etc., to help us analyse the gains, identify the possible bottlenecks and make it even better for 2023?
“These are relevant questions that will shape the focus and objective of the project better going forward,” he added.
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 Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has alleged that JNS Talent Company which received GH¢2.6 million from the National Cathedral Secretariat for Talent mobilisations is owned by a Board member.
JNS Talent Centre Ltd which allegedly runs a crèche in Dawhenya was paid some GH¢2.6 million to help build the cathedral, the lawmaker revealed in a tweet last Wednesday.
The lawmaker has now revealed that JNS Talent is owned by one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
However, Mr Ablakwa claims documents in his possession reveal that Mr Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the same as Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng who still serves on the National Cathedral Board as an Executive Council Member/Director.
Below is the full post by the Okudzeto Ablakwa
Painstaking and diligent parliamentary oversight with the gracious guidance of the omniscient and omnipotent has led to what can only be akin to Tsar Bomba findings.
Blatant corruption, conflict of interest, self-dealing and grand fraud have never been this majestic. It couldn’t have ever occurred to us that the conduct of an exalted man of God during the sacred construction of the Lord’s temple would leave an entire nation utterly dumbfounded.
You will recall that in my earlier exposé of the scandalous GHS2.6million cash transfer from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited, I pointed out that incorporation documents reveal that the three directors of JNS Talent Centre Limited are Johannes Eshun, Sheila Eshun and Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
I also later revealed that Rev. Johannes Eshun is a branch pastor of National Cathedral Executive Council Member/Director, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng’s Power Chapel Worldwide.
Hitherto, the third director—Mr. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi has remained a mystery figure.
I am now able to reveal the true identity of this mystery director of JNS, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. Definitely, the code has finally been cracked and it shocks to the marrow!
Unimpeachable and incontrovertible evidence confirms that Mr. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the famous Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng who still serves on the National Cathedral Board as an Executive Council Member/Director.
For the avoidance of doubt, there is no distinct Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is a criminal creation of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng. The two are therefore one and the same.
Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi thought he had outwitted every Ghanaian, particularly our authorities whom he dribbled for many years; but the day of reckoning is finally here.
From unassailable and irreproachable documents in my possession, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi uses multiple passports and multiple identification cards with different names and different dates of birth as his special modus operandi.
When JNS Talent Centre Limited was being incorporated, he submitted a passport with the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. The passport’s number is G0886001. At the time, he claimed his date of birth was 30th December 1969.
Instructively, the passport bears his unmistakable picture. (See passport in issue attached).
Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng has used other Kwabena Adu Gyamfi passports. Their passport numbers are: G1262918; G0390695 and G3415693. (All duly attached).
Curiously, on 25th November 2021, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration granted Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng a diplomatic passport. The diplomatic passport which expires on 24th November 2026 rather carries the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and not Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng. There’s no indication it’s for the use of a reverend minister. Its diplomatic passport number is: DX006845. (Accordingly attached).
The story gets even more fascinating. When the National Cathedral of Ghana was being incorporated on the 19th of July 2019; Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng used his driving license for the registration. For his driving license, he uses the name Boateng Victor Kusi. In a more bizarre twist, he uses a different date of birth which is captured as: 07/09/1971. This date of birth makes him about two years younger than what’s contained in his numerous Kwabena Adu Gyamfi passports. (Driving License is duly attached).
It’s been very puzzling to further discover that the acclaimed man of God and confidant of President Akufo-Addo illegally has two Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs)—P0002502682 and P000627241X. The Ghana Revenue Authority has made clear that each Ghanaian can only have one unique TIN and proceeds to prohibit individuals from having multiple TINs.
Deeper investigations expose a host of companies which Rev. Kusi-Boateng operates as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi on the blind side of many. These businesses are: Y-CV Construction Ltd.; Qharis Consortium Ltd,; Kharis Football Academy FC Ltd.; El Dunamis Media Limited; Onpoint 1 Laundry Ltd.; Vibrant Generation Chapel Worldwide LBG; Dunamis Chapel Worldwide LBG; El-Dunamis Enterprise and Duna Media Foundation.
Some of these entities are registered to engage in small-scale mining.
My latest tracking of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi’s travels reveal that he used his diplomatic Kwabena Adu Gyamfi passport on the 12th of January, 2023 aboard flight KP021 from Accra to Lome. He used the same diplomatic passport to Dubai on December 9, 2022, aboard flight EK787. Earlier on 20th November 2022 he used his ordinary passport on a similar Dubai trip. This shows that he is still actively using the two identities.
It remains exceedingly baffling why he keeps two personalities— one as Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng and the other as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. Two personalities with different dates of birth; different passports; different TINs; different professions (Business Man and Prophet) and different addresses. What is he running from? Who is he hiding from? Does he suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder or Multiple Personality Disorder?
Having established beyond any scintilla of doubt that Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng is Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/Ofori-Atta government and the Executive Council Members of the National Cathedral of Ghana owe the Ghanaian people some serious explanations. It would be extremely surprising if they claim they didn’t know this dark side of Kusi Boateng AKA Adu Gyamfi.
These explosive findings make the conflict of interest charge in the GHS2.6 million scandalous payment by the National Cathedral of Ghana to the shady JNS Talent Centre Limited even more blatant, direct, offensive and absolutely embarrassing.
Clearly, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi sat on the Cathedral board and literally paid his own company a staggering GHS2.6 million for no work done.
When the siphoning was completed, they captured the same as “Contractors Mobilization” and presented it to Parliament hoping that they would legitimize the dubious transaction and therefore get away with murder.
It has also emerged from a JNS Bank Statement put out by puerile NPP propagandists that Rev. Kusi-Boateng Adu Gyamfi’s JNS Talent Centre Limited received a whopping GHS3.5million from the government through payment by Controller with swift code CODGGHAC on 23rd August 2021. Many are asking what Kusi-Boateng Adu Gyamfi’s JNS which operated a zero account for many months (since February 26, 2021, when the account was opened) before the sudden government transfer did for government to warrant that huge payment?
This appears to confirm justifiable criticisms that the cathedral project has blasphemously become an avenue for money laundering.
Having stripped Kusi-Boateng naked, the earlier ridiculous concoction that JNS is a benevolent lending institution collapses. JNS must therefore refund our GHS3.5 million and our GHS2.6 million without further delay.
DEMANDS
1. The immediate resignation of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi from the Board of the National Cathedral of Ghana;
2. Rev. Victor Adu Gyamfi AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi must be compelled to refund all taxpayer funds diverted into his company, JNS;
3. Rev. Victor Adu Gyamfi AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi must be subjected to thorough credible investigations and prosecution for his many other offences which have now come to light;
4. President Akufo-Addo must outrightly dissolve the Board of the National Cathedral of Ghana;
5. A special forensic audit must be expeditiously commissioned into the National Cathedral project.
FURTHER ACTIONS
1. I shall be petitioning CHRAJ at 1 pm today invoking its mandate under Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate the odious conflict of interest;
2. I intend to file an urgent question when Parliament resumes for the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs to inform Ghanaians why Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng qualified for a diplomatic passport and the nature of due diligence, if any her ministry may have carried out;
3. I also intend to file an urgent question for the Finance Minister on exactly what work JNS did to warrant a colossal transfer of GHS3.5million from our taxes and why that transaction did not find expression in his GHS339million unconstitutional cathedral withdrawals as presented to the Vote of Censure Committee.
The Minority in Parliament has said that the Debt Exchange programme introduced by the government, threatens financial institutions and insurance companies.
Their Leader, Haruna Iddrisu said the sector has not yet recovered from the recapitalisation exercise that was carried out by the government hence, there is no need to institute other directives or programmes such as the debt exchange that will take it through enormous stress again.
“It is a risk to financial institution, insurance companies and now extended to individual bondholders,” Mr Iddrisu said at a press conference in Accra on Monday January 16.
He added “the financial institutions and insurance companies offer employment and they support businesses, this is at risk now.”
The Tamale South Lawmaker further asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to suspend the programme and engage further.
“Suspend the ongoing debt exchange, it is already failing, it promises to be a failure.
“Suspend it and engage in deeper consultation and allow for greater transparency In order to save the Ghanaian economy.”
“We demand transparency, they are simply not transparent even in the way they are managing this.”
The debt exchange programme announced by the Finance Minister Mr Ken Ofori-Atta has suffered rejection from Ghanaians.
For instance, Convener of the Individual Bondholders Forum (IBF) Senyo Hosi, said regarding the programme that in an unfortunate oppressive fashion, the government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.
In the process, the IBF said, Ghanaians have been presented with painfully stark, impoverishing and unsustainable choices – a situation deeply troubling and wholly untenable.
This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission,” a statement issued by Hosi said.
The Government of Ghana (GoG) announced that under its Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme, individual bondholders were to submit to a “voluntary” arrangement to exchange their domestic bonds for new benchmark bonds.
This arrangement, according to IBF, irreversibly takes away the wealth and livelihoods of direct and indirect individual bondholders whose only crime has been to trust their government.
Tied to this is a mandatory deadline which compels holders to either accept the government’s offer or risk the threat of prohibitive losses, the Forum added.
It stressed “In an unfortunate oppressive fashion, government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.
“In the process, we have been presented with painfully stark, impoverishing and unsustainable choices – a situation deeply troubling and wholly untenable. This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission.”
The Individual Bondholders’ Forum (IBF) is a voluntary group of individual bondholders established with defined governance structures to coordinate and defend the interests of individual bondholders in respect of the DDE program and to engage the Government of Ghana.
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana
annai bank statement in past three years, there is one state bank
According to Sahara Reporters, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, a special assistant on public communication to Mr Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the PDP, has said that Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is the worst Lagos State civilian governor, says he steals other governor’s credits.
Photo Credit: Sahara Reporters
Mr Phrank made this known through a statement which he shared with Sahara Reporters on Monday, where he noted that the best governor of Lagos State was Lateef Jakande and not Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
More so, he further noted that the late late Lateef Jakande who was a disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Jakande built the Lekki-Epe Expressway from scratch, effectively opening up the Lekki Peninsula axis.
According to Phrank, Jakande constructed the Alausa Government Secretariat and Governor’s Office, the Lagos State University (LASU) and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), and a host of other low cost housing units in Lagos State, which includes Amuwo-Odofin, Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, and Badagry.
He went ahead to list other achievements of the late Lagos State governor, who governed Lagos between 1979 and 1983, alleging that Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was the governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, turned Lagos State into his personal property.
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Dr. Chinonso Egemba, a popular Twitter doctor better known as Aproko Doctor has opened up on his health battle with brain tumor.
Aproko Doctor revealed that for the past two to three weeks, he has been fighting for his life.
He disclosed that on the 5th of December, 2022, he was diagnosed with brain tumor, which has left him partially blind.
According to him, he went blind in one eye due to the tumor.
READ ALSO: Rapper Ikechukwu Reveals His Battle With Illness That Made Him Paralyzed
He wrote: “Throughout December of 2022, I was fighting for my life. I went blind in one eye on the 3rd of Dec. 2022 & on the 5th, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“Today I stand here before you to share my story. It has been a long road to recovery but each day is better than the last.
“It was Dr. Tayo Ojo, a neurosurgeon here in Nigeria that did the surgery. So many people begged me to leave the country and get the surgery done but something kept me back here because I still had trust in us.
“We just need more investment in our health sector.
“Education, health. For me… those are the two systems any nation needs to succeed.
“I’m dedicating my life to seeing that they succeed in our country Nigeria.
“I hope you see it too.”
Watch video below:
Throughout December of 2022, I was fighting for my life. I went blind in one eye on the 3rd of Dec. 2022 & on the 5th, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Today I stand here before you to share my story. It has been a long road to recovery but each day is better than the last. pic.twitter.com/PECblk7Q73
A former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene-Ntow says the idea of pairing Alan Kyeremateng and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the 2024 presidential race is an unrealistic proposal.
“That is not a realistic proposal. That is not a proposal to be considered,” he said.
Explaining his reason, the former General Secretary cited the party’s constitution, saying that an elected candidate has the constitutional right and privilege to select a running mate after which comes endorsement by the party’s council.
Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene-Ntow
Using President Akufo-Addo as an example, Mr Ohene Ntow explained that the president during the time he was elected, proposed a few names who could be his running mate but were rejected by members of the council. Subsequently, the council itself proposed a few names that were rejected by President Akufo-Addo.
According to him, the president then selected Dr Bawumia who was not a member of the party.
He is of the view that running mates should not be forced on presidential candidates and that democratic principles must rule. He explained that forcing a running mate on a presidential candidate would set a “dangerous precedent.”
Mr Ohene-Ntow argued that “people seem to want a certain arrangement by all means” especially between Mr Alan Kyeremateng and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, however, he would reject that feeling outright.
Meanwhile, the former General Secretary who already has thrown his weight behind Mr. Alan John Kyeremateng in the flagbearership race, has said that Vice President, Dr. Bawumia should step down for a while.
According to him, Dr. Bawumia is younger and as a result, has more time ahead of him. He suggests that criticisms regarding the economic challenges facing the country now have been directed at Dr. Bawumia more than President Akufo-Addo. Consequently, he needs some time off to revitalise himself and come back into the race another time.
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 OFFICE of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has increased its fees and charges on all transactions from January 1, 2023.
The Registrar of Companies, Jemimah Oware, in a statement issued on Thursday, January 12, 2023, said the upward review was made following Parliamentary appro to review its fees and charges upwards.
“This is in accordance with fees and charges (Miscellaneous provisions) Act (2022), Act 1080 as passed by parliament and earlier indicated in our press release dated 14th November, 2022.
“The changes in fees and charges would apply to the amendment of business names, subsidiary business names, partnerships, external companies, professional bodies as well as the incorporation of companies limited, unlimited by shares and companies limited by guarantee,” the statement said.
She further stated that companies which defaulted in filling their annual returns and financial statements would pay an amount of GH¢300.00 for each day the default continued against the company and its officers.
“From the 1st of June, 2023, the ORC will for the first time be implementing section 126(7) of the companies Act (2019), Act 992 which states that ‘where a company defaults in complying with the filing of Annual Returns and Financial statements, the company and every officer of the company that is in default is liable to pay to the Registrar an Administrative Penalty of Twenty- Five penalty units for each day during which the default continues.
“A penalty unit is established by the Fines (Penalty Units) Act (2000) (Act 572) and the current monetary ue per penalty unit is GH¢12.00. This means that effective 1st June, 2023, an administrative charge of GHC300.OO would be charged for each day the default continues against the company and every officer of the Company until section 126(7) is complied with,” the statement continued.
It also stated that the full implementation of the company’s Act, 2019, Act 992 was being proposed by management and the board to ensure companies complied with the Act more seriously than they had done in the past.
It, therefore, appealed to company secretaries as well as auditors to comply with the directives in order to prevent their companies from being rendered inactive due to non-compliance.
Additionally, it cautioned registered businesses such as sole proprietorships and subsidiary businesses that have failed to renew their businesses after three months, to do so in order to prevent them from losing their business names.
“The ORC will also be introducing expedited or express services to ensure that patrons of the services get their documents within forty-eight (48) hours at the Head office in Accra and some Regional Offices when it commences after the first half of this year,” it added.
Germany-based veteran Ghanaian highlife musician, Lee Duodu, has revealed his intentions of collaborating with highlife legend, Abrantie Amakye Dede soon.
According to him, collaboration with Amakye Dede, who is also his friend, had been part of their vision, adding that he believes Amakye Dede has something unique which makes him stand tall among his colleagues in the music industry.
The two highlife musicians did not state when the song will be released, but mentioned that “we just hope to put smiles on the faces of Ghanaians.”
This gives a clear picture that when it comes to music business, Lee Duodu definitely knows better than others.
Lee Duodu, who joined the music industry four decades ago, mentioned that he has performed on a number of platforms with Amakye Dede, and therefore collaborating with him would definitely push highlife music to another level.
In an interview on Adom FM mid morning show with OPD, Lee Duodu, credited with songs such ‘Odo Mani Agyena Wo’, ‘Ankwanoma’, ‘Akwankwaa’, ‘San Bra’, ‘Akpeteshie’among others, said, “We’ve been on a lot of platforms and hopefully people will hear from us very soon. The two of us will definitely put out a song,” he said.
Kenneth Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, last Friday paid a visit to the headquarters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
It was his turn to honour the Party-Government Engagements initiative introduced by the leadership of the party.
The initiative aims at bridging the gap between government appointees and various stakeholders of the party.
He was warmly received by the national executives of the party led by Chairman Stephen Ayesu Ntim, who said that the Party-Government Engagement initiative was introduced to ensure broader collaboration between government appointees and party stakeholders in preparation for the 2024 general polls.
In his opening address, Ofori-Atta admitted that Ghana was plaqued with difficult socioeconomic conditions in 2022, as skyrocketing inflation and high interest rates triggered a cost of living crisis. He, however, noted that the Ministry of Finance is determined to achieve macroeconomic stabilisation to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and also enhance the living conditions of the general populace.
He gave the assurance that government is determined to get the economy back on track, and rallied the leadership of the party to support government’s remedial interventions at reviving the economy.
He asserted that government’s Extended Credit Facility agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would energise and stabilise the local economy. Moreover, he assured the leadership of the party that government has no intention to cancel the flagship Free Senior High School Programme as it remains an important social safety net to majority of Ghanaians.
The General Secretary also used the occasion to bring to the attention of the Finance Minister concerns expressed by Ghanaians, particularly individual bond holders regarding the Debt Exchange Programme. He said, the party leadership continues to be inundated with these concerns, and appealed to the Finance Minister to take a critical look at the policy and explore the possibility of exempting holders of smaller bonds, particularly pensioners.
In his concluding remarks, the Minister for Finance thanked the party leadership for the warm reception, and urged the party leadership to put in place adequate guidelines to ensure a smooth conduct of its parliamentary and presidential primaries as that is critical to the party’s quest to win a third consecutive general election.
Kenneth Ofori-Atta was hosted by National Executives of the party led by Mr. Stephen Ayesu Ntim, National Chairman and Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary. Other National Executives in attendance were Madam Rita Asobayire, National Second Vice Chairperson; Alhaji Masawudu Osman, National Third Vice Chairperson; Dr. Charles Dwamena, National Treasurer; Mr. Henry Nana Boakye, National Organiser; Alhaji Aziz Haruna Futa, Nasara Coordinator; Dr. Antoinette Tsibu Darko, Deputy General Secretary; Mr. Haruna Mohammed, Deputy General Secretary; Mr. William Yamoah, Director for Finance and Administration; Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, Director for Communications and Mr. Kwame Kyeretwie-Amponsah, Director for External Affairs.
Gunmen burned a Catholic priest to death and shot and injured his colleague in northwest Nigeria on Sunday, police said, the latest violence raising concerns about security ahead of an election next month.
Nigerians will vote for a new president on Feb. 25 but kidnappings for ransom and killings by armed gangs in the north have lead to fears that polls may not be held in some areas.
The motive for the latest attack was not immediately clear but gunmen have previously targeted priests in the largely Muslim north.
Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson for Niger state, said in a statement that armed men torched the residence of Father Isaac Achi, of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, in Paikoro local government area, after failing to gain entry around 3:00 a.m.
Father Achi was burned to death while another priest identified as Father Collins, who was at the house, was shot and injured as he tried to escape.
He is recovering at a local hospital, Adiodun said.
“This is a sad moment. For a priest to be killed in such a manner means that we are not all safe. These terrorists have lost it, and drastic action is needed to end this ongoing carnage,” said Niger state governor Sani Bello.
Source: Reuters
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Former Executive Director of the Danquah Institute Mr Gabby Otchere-Darko has asked the government, through the Ministry of Finance, to keep engaging investors on the Debt Exchange programme.
The leading member of the governing party said there must be a way out which protects investment of individual bondholders.
“Let them keep engaging to find a way, like I said, to ease the burden on us holders. There must be a compromise.
“A way which protects if not our expected gains but the investments of individual bondholders without jeopardising what the debt exchange prog is meant to achieve,” he tweeted.
“What we are seeing with the mobilisation of agitation on individual bondholders poses a real and serious risk worse than what we witnessed when opposition to E-Levy succeeded in derailing an already shaky macroeconomic situation from 2021,” he said.
(5) Let them keep engaging to find a way, like I said, to ease the burden on us holders. There must be a compromise. A way which protects if not our expected gains but the investments of individual bondholders without jeopardising what the debt exchange prog is meant to achieve.
Mr Otchere-Darko further indicated that the debt exchange programme is voluntary for individual bondholders but a very necessary evil for our economy.
“Its success is critical to restoring macroeconomic stability, securing an IMF prog. It hits those of us holding bonds very hard. A straight no to it is no solution!
“If the no-compromise opposition to it wins, what then has been achieved? It may lead to national debt default. So what then happens to the ue of your bonds after! Potentially worthless. If participation is low, we jeopardize resolving the economic crisis and hardships.
“I’m sorry but we have to face the hard/painful truths. We ain’t sitting pretty. Our focus must be on how the burden to individual bondholders may be possibly eased; but not to take the hardline position of simply saying no to participation. It will come back to hit us harder!” he said.
The debt exchange programme announced by Mr Ofori-Atta has suffered rejection from Ghanaians.
For instance, Convener of the Individual Bondholders Forum (IBF) Senyo Hosi, said regarding the programme that in an unfortunate oppressive fashion, the government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.
In the process, the IBF said, Ghanaians have been presented with painfully stark, impoverishing and unsustainable choices – a situation deeply troubling and wholly untenable.
This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission,” a statement issued by Hosi said.
The Government of Ghana (GoG) announced that under its Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme, individual bondholders were to submit to a “voluntary” arrangement to exchange their domestic bonds for new benchmark bonds.
This arrangement, according to IBF, irreversibly takes away the wealth and livelihoods of direct and indirect individual bondholders whose only crime has been to trust their government.
Tied to this is a mandatory deadline which compels holders to either accept the government’s offer or risk the threat of prohibitive losses, the Forum added.
It stressed “In an unfortunate oppressive fashion, government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.
“In the process, we have been presented with painfully stark, impoverishing and unsustainable choices – a situation deeply troubling and wholly untenable. This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission.”
The Individual Bondholders’ Forum (IBF) is a voluntary group of individual bondholders established with defined governance structures to coordinate and defend the interests of individual bondholders in respect of the DDE program and to engage the Government of Ghana.
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Final – Argentina v France – Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – December 18, 2022 Argentina’s Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy alongside teammates as they celebrate winning the World Cup REUTERS/Carl Recine
World football federation FIFA has launched disciplinary action against Argentina for “offensive behaviour” and “fair play violations” during and in the immediate aftermath of their World Cup-winning defeat of France in Qatar.
The AFA has also been charged for potential “misconduct of players and officials” as well as with breaching media and marketing regulations during the tournament. FIFA has yet to specify which individuals have been targeted.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy after the match, before being filmed in the dressing room mocking France star Kylian Mbappe.
Argentine players and officials also sang an offensive song about the media while celebrating at the mixed zone, one of the press areas, after their victory over France Lusail Stadium in Doha.
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Messi vows to continue with Argentina after winning 2022 FIFA World Cup
Croatia, who were beaten by Argentina in the semi-finals, are also being investigated for potential breaches relating to discrimination, as well as order and security at matches.
In other disciplinary cases . . .
Serbia have been fined 50,000 Swiss franc (£44,000) and handed a partial stadium closure – 25% of seats closed – for their next “A level” international following “chants by Serbian supporters and team misconduct” during their 3-2 defeat by Switzerland in a Group G match, and Mexico and Ecuador have been punished for chants by supporters.
Mexico have been fined 100,000 Swiss franc (£88,000) and ordered to play a home match behind closed doors, suspended for a “probationary period”, while Ecuador must pay a 20,000 Swiss franc fine (£17,650) and face a partial closure of their stadium in their next match.
Image: Cabinet Secretary for Education CS Ezekiel Machogu during placement of KCPE candidates in secondary schools
The secretary of the cabinet for education has urged school administrators against raising tuition.
Machogu said the government has not changed the amount parents should pay when addressing the nation on Monday at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development’s form one placement launch.
He instructed parents to simply pay the amount the government set in place in 2016.
Machogu added that each secondary school student will receive Ksh22,244 from the government while junior secondary school pupils would receive Ksh15,000.
He claimed that because of the capitation amount, there should be no tuition fees for students in day schools and grades 7.
According to Machogu, students moving up to Grade 7 will get a new uniform for the junior secondary division. He gave the school administration the authority to choose the colors and uniform styles that they saw fit.
Content created and supplied by: ThomasSankaraJnr (via Opera News )
Popular Nigerian singer, Annjay Chioma has weighed in on the second apology issues by her colleague, Brymo who again bowed to pressure and tendered apology to the Igbos.
Brymo had apologized after thousands of Nigerians signed a petition to stop him from winning the All Africa Music Award where he was nominated in the ‘Songwriter of the Year’ category.
The singer had been under fire for stating that the Igbos are not ready to produce a Nigerian president.
He also urged the region to test the waters with the vice presidential slot before aiming for the presidency.
However, taking to his Twitter page hours ago, Brymo apologised to the Igbos.
He begged them to forgive his assertions that came across as bigoted spewings against the Igbo tribe.
Brymo stated that he didn’t mean to harm them hence, his apology.
“Forgive my assertions that came across as bigoted spewings against the Igbo tribe. I did not mean to do harm, I am sorry!!
He added, “My apologies are extended to all igbos that may not know too. I missed that cos I am deeply affected most around once I’m closer to. Do accept my sorry, I did not mean harm”.
Reacting to this, Annjay berated Brymo, she added that the apology is not coming from the heart.
“Brymo your Apology is not straight from the heart… I am disappointed. You fell my hand. I swear”, she wrote.
Brymo clarifies accusations of insulting the Igbos
Recall that Brymo had earlier, clarified his ‘bigotted’ statement to the Igbos.
Taking to his Instagram page, Brymo stated that the whole drama started with Chimamanda Adichie receiving a Chieftaincy title in her hometown, yet shunning a national award.
According to him, he has been an advocate for Igbo presidency in the past few years and was only calling out the Ndi Igbo movement, which he is clearly not pleased with.
Brymo stated that his words were misconstrued as he didn’t insult any tribe.
“It is very important you understand that this entire fracas began with me seeing in the media that Chimamanda Adichie refused some national honours and had picked up some traditional title in the East at home.
I have clamoured for Igbo presidency in the last few years, you wouldn’t believe it.
Clarifying his statement, he said, “When I said ‘Fuck Ndi’Igbo to hell with it – the ‘it’ refers to the peddlers of the movement i.e people championing for it.
On insulting the tribe, Brymo said, ” I did not insult the tribe, I am sorry to anyone who it sounded as such to. I was trying to weigh into a very important matter”.
Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale is appealing to his baby mama, Michy to grant him access to their son, Majesty.
Reacting to an interview where Michy disclosed she was careful not to avail herself for unwanted criticisms, Shatta Wale claimed that he had not seen nor spent time with his son for years.
He appealed to her to make him see their son.
In a post on Snapchat, Shatta Wale wrote “Michy being frank with her experience out there but someone should tell her I have not seen Majesty for years and that’s not cool. I also want to buy my son some toys and trainers.”
This is not the first time the 2014 VGMA Artiste of the Year has lamented about the situation of not having a good father/son relationship with Majesty.
His appeal is a follow-up to Michy’s interview with Kwaku Manu recently where
Michy explained that although she and Shatta Wale were not together anymore, she was careful not to dent his image with her actions.
“I don’t want people having anything to say about my ex. He has a lot of enemies so I’m very careful with my dealings. Of course, he has a reputation to protect. I’ve been with him from the start so I respect the hustle, where we came from,” Michy stated in the interview.
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 Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare is heading to Kumasi following the tragic death of a police officer and his family during a fire incident.
Seargent Owusu Asante Baafi, who is with the anti-robbery unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, his wife and child were burnt to death in a fire that gutted the police barracks where they lived.
The bodies of the family have been deposited at the morgue.
Assembly Member for the Apromase/Asawase Electoral area, Ernest Kwarteng, told Citi News that they are awaiting the experts to reveal what caused the fire.
Meanwhile, personnel from the Anti-Robbery Unit of the Ghana Police Service and other sympathizers have gathered at the residence.
An early morning fire has gutted several shops, a restaurant, and corn and fufu mill in Hohoe.
The fire believed to have started at about 0430 hours on Sunday, destroyed goods running into thousands of cedis.
Master Dzayon Joshua, an eyewitness, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that at about 0430 hours, he saw smoke from the mill and rushed to the area.
He said by the time he got to the mill, the intensity of the fire increased and touched the electrical wires connected to the mill.
Master Dzayon said the fire then spread rapidly to the nearby shops.
Madam Hannah Amegbor, owner of Amen Chop Bar, one of the affected shops, said she received a distress call at about 0457 hours that fire had gutted her shop.
She said when she arrived, the first provision shop was already in flames and efforts to douse the fire proved futile.
Madam Amegbor said when they called the Hohoe Municipal Fire Service, they were told that the fire tender was spoilt, adding that the cause of the fire was unknown to her.
Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, owner of one of the burnt provision shops, told GNA that he received a call at about 0500 hours and when he got to the scene, all goods were burnt, and he could not salvage anything.
Mr Wisdom Azumah, owner of the mill, said he had been operating since 1989 and it was the first time such an unfortunate incident had happened.
He noted that he had no faulty electrical connections that he deemed could be the cause of the fire as speculated.
Da Dzigbordi, Organiser, Hohoe Market Women Association, said they were appalled by the late response of fire officers and was disappointed that the fire tender at Hohoe was faulty.
Station Officer II (SOII) Osei Henry, Hohoe Municipal Fire Officer, told the GNA that at about 0500 hours, they received a call about the incident and when they arrived, the fire was well-lit.
He said the fire tender was faulty but a call was placed to the Kpando Division of the Service and they arrived at 0600 hours whilst the Hohoe officers were assisting in dousing the fire.
SOII Osei said at about 0700 hours the fire was brought under control, adding that the cause of the fire was still being investigated.
He noted that the callers called the 112 shortcode, which sent their information to Accra where Accra had to call Ho before Hohoe Division was then called by Ho.
SOII Osei noted that the Kpando Division came and assisted within a short period.
Mr Daniel Noble Awume, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), visited the scene while the Police were present to provide security at the scene.
Source: GNA
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MTN GHANA has disputed an allegation that it owes the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) a total of GH¢8,209,603,842.14 (US$773 million) between 2014 and 2018.
According to the telecom firm, it was a tax-compliant corporate entity and the tax liability notice of GH¢8,209,603,842.14 (US$773 million) issued against it by the GRA was, therefore, unacceptable.
The assessment of GH¢8,209,603,842.14 by the GRA includes penalties and interest charges.
“In this regard, from the base component of the assessment (that is, excluding penalties and interest), on MTN Ghana’s analysis, the GRA infers that MTN Ghana under declared its revenue by more than approximately 30% over the five-year period 2014 to 2018,” it said in a statement.
It said the GRA audited MTN Ghana for the period 2014-2018, using a third-party consultant as well as a new methodology based on call data records (CDR), recharges, and other data.
“MTN Ghana strongly disputes the accuracy and basis of the assessment, including the methodology used in conducting the audit.
“MTN Ghana believes that taxes due have been paid during the period under assessment,” it explained.
The statement further said MTN Group and MTN Ghana would continue to engage with the relevant authorities on this matter adding MTN remained resolute that MTN Ghana is a tax compliant corporate citizen.
Again, it said MTN Ghana would like to further assure its shareholders and other stakeholders that MTN Ghana was a responsible business with an absolute commitment to transparency, good corporate governance, and compliance.
MTN Ghana thanked the GRA for its support throughout the process, especially allowing it to temporarily withdraw the Notice of Assessment in a bid to resolve the matter in an amicable manner.
In 2019, the GRA commenced an audit of MTN Ghana with the objective to give assurance on the reliability and completeness of revenues declared by MTN Ghana for the purpose of tax computation for the period 2014-2018.
The GRA had not issued MTN Ghana with any prior guidelines and standards relating to the new CDR sequence-based methodology used for the audit.
In May 2021, after consultations and discussions between MTN Ghana, MTN Group, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Ghana and the GRA, the parties agreed to an independent review by a global professional services firm.
Former Editor of Kotoko Express, Jerome Otchere, says spending over $5m at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is a joke.
Ghana exited the tournament at the group phase with three points and finished at the bottom of Group H.
The Black Stars recorded a win against South Korea in their second group game.
The team suffered a defeat against Portugal in their opener before suffering a 2-0 defeat against Uruguay in their final game.
The Youth and Sports Minister, speaking on the floor of Parliament after Ghana’s exit, revealed that a total amount of $5,171,040 was spent out of the $8,166,200 budgeted for the team.
But Mr Otchere is of the view that the decision to spend the said amount is a complete joke.
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“A management committee member of the Black Stars has said each member was paid $100,000 which we must not be happy about. We must hold the Ghana Football Association [GFA] responsible for how money was spent,” he told Asempa FM on the Ultimate Sports Show.
“The Sports Minister in Parliament said $5,171,040 was spent out of the $8,166,200 budgeted for the World Cup in Qatar and for me, this is a joke.
“We only won a game and the argument is that we came back with a balance of $3m. It is unacceptable because our game is not developing and this should be a cause for worry,” he added.
Popular radio presenter Maina Kageni has left Kenyans on Twitter on a breezy after he shared a video showing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua dancing alongside his wife.
The Deputy President is known as a reserved politician whose only agenda is to fight for his people. However, in the undated shared video, Gachagua is seen wearing a stunning grey suit with a white shirt and a tie. The look is further complimented by a white cowboy hat.
Dancing in front of him is the wife Mama Dorcas Rigathi who is seemingly enjoying the music as well as she breaks into some moves. The second family is enjoying the music with other Kenyans in the background.
Kenyans online reacted to the video with majority admiring how the two danced off the night. Here are some of the reactions to the video;
Big Brother Naija former housemate, Prince Nelson Enwerem has sent a strong message to South Africans as the first edition of Big Brother Titans officially kicks off.
Kemi Filani reported that Big Brother Titans, the first of its kind premiered yesterday, Sunday 15th January 2023 with twenty housemates; ten from South African and ten from Nigeria.
South African, a country once engulfed with apartheid regime otherwise known as racial racial segregation are known to tweet with English language and thereon divert to other native languages not understood by people who are form their country. It is worth noting that South African has eleven official languages.
Reacting to the manner in which they write, Prince Nelson appealed to them to tweet in a way everyone would understand.
He wrote: “As the show have started… South Africans abeg tweet what all of us will understand… don’t start with “oh yemi and Nelisa were in the pool” and then disappear into “jokdgwk sibtye haibo hebanna like bathong”🙄 #BBTitans”.
Meet the twenty housemates of Big Brother Titans
The Big Brother Titans kicked off on Sunday 15th January with twenty energetic, young and vibrant housemates drawn from Nigeria and South Africa.
BBTitans housemates are competing for a grand prize of $100,000.
The Housemates are: Yemi Cregx (Nigeria), Khosi (South Africa), Juicy Jay (South Africa), Olivia (Nigeria), Nelisa (South Africa), Blaqboi (Nigeria), Mmeli (Nigeria), Nana (Nigeria), Ipeleng (South Africa), Marvin (Nigeria), Thabang (South Africa), Jaypee (Nigeria), Yaya (South Africa), Ebubu (Nigeria), Lukay (South Africa), Jenni O (Nigeria), Tsataii (South Africa), Kanaga Jnr (Nigeria), Justin (South Africa), Yvonne (Nigeria).
Femi Ogunrombi played Papa Ajasco after the original cast member, Abiodun Ayoyinka, pulled out of the show.
Nollywood actor, Femi Ogunrombi, is dead.
Shaibu Husseini, a theatre practitioner and journalist, announced this in a tweet on Saturday.
“I have just been informed that the ethnomusicologist, former Instructor with National Troupe, and one-time stand-in for the ‘Papa Ajasco’ character on the popular Wale Adenuga Production comic series ‘Papa Ajasco’ Femi Ogunrombi is dead!”, his tweet read.
Mr Ogunrombi was famous for his role in Wale Adenuga’s comedy series Papa Ajasco, a character he took when Abiodun Ayoyinka pulled out of the show.
Mr Ayoyinka played the role for eight years while the deceased took on the part for two years.
He was a recipient of many local and international awards, most notably in 1995, when he was awarded a gold plaque and a Diploma Certificate in Creative Composition in North Korea for performing a song in that language.
From nursing to music
Femi Ogunrombi started as a trained and registered nurse.
He studied Medical Nursing in 1975 and practised at the General Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he was attached to the Accident and Emergency unit. This enabled him to switch to industrial medical practices; he worked with Atlantic Textiles Mills as a medical officer.
However, in 1980, he decided to follow his passion for the arts.
First
In 1975, he was a choirmaster and music producer. He shut down his clinic in 1979 to pursue his music career.
He frequented EMI studios, where he worked with Chris Ajilo and Item Udoh. He also liaised with Peco Colete, who managed Majek Fashek then.
He also worked with veterans like Leji Oyewole, Emma Arinho, Epifanio Joseph, Late Billy Wright, among others.
He eventually studied Dramatic Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
There, he founded the famous Ayoro Voices, a performing choral group at the University of Ife, between 1980 to 1984.
The group was a cultural ambassador for the school. After starring as Papa Ajasco for two years, he returned to his first love, music.
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FORMER PRESIDENT John Dramani Mahama has slipped up on the date of the Ghana Priority Health Infrastructure Project popularly known as Agenda 111, as announced by President Akufo-Addo, in his latest critical post against the government.
“The ‘Agenda 111’ hospitals promise is in its 4th year, yet not a single hospital has been completed to support quality health care delivery,” Mr. Mahama posted on his Facebook page yesterday.
The project, as envisioned by the President, was to ensure that Ghanaians in every district and region in the country had access to quality healthcare services.
It covers designing, procuring, constructing, equipping and commissioning of 101 District Hospitals, six Regional Hospitals in newly created regions, one Regional Hospital in the Western Region, two Psychiatric Hospitals in Kumasi and Tamale, as well as the rehabilitation of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi and the redevelopment of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
The proposed project is expected to boost the provision of healthcare infrastructure in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring universal healthcare to all citizens and attainment of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3).
It will further be a fulfillment of the government’s policy of a hospital in each district and region and improve the geographical coverage of healthcare delivery in the country, as well as offer improved access to healthcare for all Ghanaians.
In the process, the outcome will also come with a model of accelerated construction of health facilities developed for future health projects, the government indicated.
Mahama’s Criticism
But ex-President Mahama, who is staging a comeback for the presidency, said contrary to the “lofty promise” made in 2020, no single hospital has been completed by the NPP government.
“The NPP must learn to take Ghanaians serious[ly]. Enough of the slogans!” he stated.
However, the slip on the date has taken away the shine of his message, with people trolling him on social media.
Unfortunately for Mahama, the gaffe plays into a caricature that the NPP has long been painting of him, with some of the party’s supporters asserting, “That’s a prettybig mistake to make.”
Private legal practitioner, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has advanced reasons for which individual bondholders are supposed to welcome the debt restructuring offer from the government.
According to him, the Ghanaian economy could crash if the bondholders do not quickly accept the offer as outlined by the Ministry of Finance.
Gabby, in a series of posts on social media, warned against the agitations surrounding the deal and encouraged the bondholders to play their role in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
“Ghana is in a very difficult place. What we are seeing with the mobilisation of agitation on individual bondholders poses a real and serious risk worse than what we witnessed when opposition to E-Levy succeeded in derailing an already shaky macroeconomic situation from 2021,” portions of his tweets read.
“The debt exchange programme is voluntary for individual bondholders but a very necessary evil for our economy.
“Its success is critical to restoring macroeconomic stability, securing an IMF prog. It hits those of us holding bonds very hard. A straight no to it is no solution!”, Mr Otchere-Darko stressed.
“If the no-compromise opposition to it wins, what then has been achieved? It may lead to national debt default.
“So what then happens to the ue of your bonds after! Potentially worthless. If participation is low, we jeopardize resolving the economic crisis and hardships”, he wrote.
Gabby Otchere-Darko concluded his tweet storm by reminding Ghanaians that the country’s economy is not in a good shape and that certain uncomfortable measures ought to be taken to restore it.
“I’m sorry but we have to face the hard/painful truths. We ain’t sitting pretty. Our focus must be on how the burden to individual bondholders may be possibly eased; but not to take the hardline position of simply saying no to participation. It will come back to hit us harder!”.
Meanwhile, the invitation to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) expires today, Monday, January 16, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
This comes after two extensions of the expiration date by the Finance Ministry.
The decision to include individual bondholders was necessitated after government was forced by labour unions to abandon plans to include pensions in the debt exchange programme which was first announced in December 2022.
Source: ghanaweb.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 euate it as a matter of priority.
THE GHANA Revenue Authority (GRA) exceeded its revenue target for last year by GH¢3.6 billion, the highest in recent times.
The authority, which was tasked to collect GH¢71.94 billion last year, realised GH¢75.54 billion, representing a nominal growth of 31.5% in 2022.
The higher than targeted collections were driven by increased collections from domestic revenue and customs.
A congratulatory letter from Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Commissioner-General, to management and staff of GRA, sighted by DAILY GUIDE, which stated, “In 2022, the authority was tasked to collect a total tax revenue of GH¢80.30 billion. However, in the Mid-Year Budget and Economic Policy Statement of 2022, the target was revised to GH¢71.94 billion, a reduction of GH¢8.36 billion representing 10.4%.”
“Colleagues, I am happy to announce that by close of the 2022 fiscal year, the authority had collected a total tax revenue of GH¢75.54 billion as against a revised target of GH¢71.94 billion exceeding the target by GH¢3.60 billion (i.e., 5.0%). This performance represents a nominal growth of 31.5% over the tax revenue collected in the 2021 fiscal year.
“Domestic tax revenue and Customs revenue recorded nominal growth of 28.9% and 38.4% respectively. Total tax revenue collected by the Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) in 2022 was GH¢53.28 billion as against a target of GH¢51.75 billion representing a positive deviation of GH¢1.53 billion (3%), whilst the Customs Division collected GH¢22.26 billion as against a target of GH¢20.20 billion also exceeding the target by GH¢2.06 billion (i.e., 10.2%).”
“The target was achieved mainly as a result of rigorous efforts made in the application of technological initiatives which brought about transparency and efficiency in tax administration,” he mentioned.
Some of these included the implementation of the 2.5% increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate, reduction in the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) rate to 1%, resumption of collection of Vehicle Income Tax (VIT), resumption of collection of Tax Stamp, the complete reversal of the discount of import ues of general goods & Home Delivery Values of vehicles, and the partnering the MMDAs in the collection of property rates.
Dr. Owusu-Amoah called on all staff to put in extra efforts to ensure that the implementation of the afore-stated plans went smoothly.
Kenyan political analyst Herman Manyora has reacted after president William Ruto’s two days tour to the Nyanza region. On Friday and Saturday Ruto and his close allies his deputy were warmly welcomed to Nyanza and showered with goodies a thing that left people talking. This convinced many that Ruto was finally taking over Raila’s backyard ready for the next general elections.
Herman Manyora has however come out to spill the beans as to why Ruto received such a warm welcome in Nyanza. He does not believe that Ruto would be appreciated by the people who are strongly behind Raila alleging something must have happened for him to be welcomed. He said that the likes of James Orengo have never believed that Ruto won fairly and would therefore never lay a carpet for him.
According to him its either the leaders from Nyanza have a bigger plan and are playing the president or they were compromised to welcome him to their counties against their will.
“You wouldn’t think people like Orengo would roll out a red carpet for a man they believe didn’t win the election. It’s either these people are playing games with the president or these people have been compromised.” Manyora said.
Manyora is one of the greatest supporters of the former prime ministry and he doesn’t believe that Nyanza will ever accept Ruto as president. Do you agree with Manyora that there is something that made the Nyanza governors to accept Ruto into Raila’s backyard? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Follow the page for more news updates daily.
Grammy award-winning Nigerian act Burna Boy has been crowned the Best Act in Africa at the 8th edition of the prestigious All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA.
The ‘Africa Giant’ Croner also won the Best Album of Year award, beating the likes of the of South African Kabza De Small, Didi B from Vote d’ Ivoire among others to clinch the award. However, the Ivorian singer, Didi B went home with Song of to the Year Award.
READ MORE: Over 6,000 Sign Petition Against Brymo’s AFRIMA Win
Other Nigerian singers that won awards on the night were Wizkid who walked away with Best Act in West Africa award, Davido (Best Male Act in African Inspirational Music) while Adekunle Gold won two awards: Best Act Group in African contemporary music and Best Act , Duo or Group in African Pop, featuring Davido.
Best Female Act in West Africa award went to Guinean singer, Manamba Kanye. The awards night, which was held at the 15,000 capacity Dakar Arena in in Diamniadio, Senegal climaxed the four days festi of music to celebrate African music superstars.
The glamorous event featured performances from Ghana’s rapper Black Sherif, Psquare among other acts.
Ghanaian actress and TV presenter Nana Ama McBrown, has melted the hearts of many netizens with her admirable football skills and dance moves.
During the hot hours of Sunday, January 14, 2023, the Empress shared a video playing football on the green grass section of the compound of her residence.
READ ALSO :Nana Ama McBrown warns Linda Osei after she mocked her over her B*tt surgery [Watch
Ghanaian actress Nana Ama McBrown football skills
She was spotted with a young lady as they passed the ball to each other. They later made a dance video dancing to one trending song on TikTok.
Many staunch followers of the Empress know her love for the football game with others knowing how exceptional her ball possesion skills are.
Mrs McBrown Mensah was spotted rocking a blue jumpsuit shorts, which she paired with a pair of slippers which are referred to as chalewote in Ghana.
READ ALSO :Dr Likee proposes to Delay as he brags about his bedroom prowess The video has sparked massive reactions on social media as many admire her football skills coupled with her dance moves.
Watch the video below:
READ ALSO :Actor Majid Michel surprises wife on her birthday, She cries tears of Joy [Video]
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The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has revealed that Parliament was not presented with the details of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme before the announcement by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Suame MP speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, January 16, said there were broad discussions about the economy but they did not have the details of the debt exchange programme.
“There were meetings before the budget came to be consummated and later on presented by the Finance Minister. So we had broad discussions, but the details were not known to us at the time, but some consultations went on as to where exactly we were as a nation. But I am not too sure that this matter came up for discussion maybe the broad strokes were mentioned but not the details,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told host Bernard Avle.
The government’s deadline for bondholders to sign onto the domestic debt exchange programme expires today, Monday, January 16, 2023.
In the government’s quest to address the country’s ongoing economic challenges, the government launched the programme to invite holders of bonds to voluntarily exchange approximately GH¢137 billion domestic notes and bonds of the Republic including ESLA and Daakye for a package of new bonds.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also reiterated his earlier call to the Finance Minister to undertake extensive consultations on the debt exchange programme to allow bondholders better understand their options.
On Friday, January 13, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said involving individual bondholders in the Domestic Debt Exchange programme could wipe out the middle class and negatively affect the savings culture of Ghanaians.
Speaking with a group of individual bondholders led by convener, Senyo Hosi and private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu after a petition to exclude individual bondholders from the debt exchange was presented to him on Friday, the Suame MP called on the Finance Minister to properly engage with major stakeholders.
“What we [are] talking about is that many of these bondholders also belong to the middle class and that’s where the major worry is. If we are wiping away the middle class, that could be dangerous, so we need to have some further dialogue on this.
“Government thinks that this is the best way forward, however, even if it is, we need to engage, reflect and then move on and that will encourage some people who have some doubt to better appreciate where we are.”
“Nothing can substitute for discussions, round table discussions and engagements wherever we find ourselves in. I think it’s important that we go back to the drawing table to have engagements with the major stakeholders… All of us are in it. And if we don’t manage it well, we’ve gone through this before, way back some 25, 30 years ago and repositioning was a major, major difficulty.
“Today many people are coming on board and if this thing should happen, how do we build confidence and trust and reconstruct a new savings culture?”
Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is leading an energy sector delegation at the 13th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The platform brings together Heads of State, Ministers and energy decision-makers among its Membership and States-in-Accession, as well as multilateral organizations, global stakeholders and private sector players.
Ghana will use this opportunity to seek for strategic private sector partnership pursuant to efforts at scaling up the penetration of renewable energy in its generation mix by 2030.
The Ghanaian delegation will also participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023, where the President of the Republic, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to deliver a statement relating to energy, technology and climate change.
Ghana’s energy security in the overarching context of fully optimizing energy resources at its disposal remain the top most priority of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and therefore using every opportunity, locally and internationally to deepen the frontiers of these efforts.
Source: /Ghana
: 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 euate it as a matter of priority.
OVER 10,000 individual bondholders have petitioned Parliament in the ongoing debt restructuring programme by the government.
The petitioners urged Parliament to save the 1.3 million Ghanaian individual bondholders who have been shortchanged in the domestic debt exchange programme.
Parts of the petition read, “We are unaware of any Parliamentary appros, directly or indirectly that the managers of the DDE have been granted to make unilateral decisions over financial arrangements originally clad with binding contracts.
“If that was the case, your office would have invoked the principles of fair and impartial hearing for both parties, in this case, Individual Bondholders and assigns of the DDE programme to justify their positions,” the petition said.
It said that has been the basic approach adopted in other jurisdictions that ever dealt with creditors in a domestic debt exchange programme.
“Parliaments, by their truly representative nature, will not only consider the overall national interest however precarious, but will also ensure citizens are protected from capricious decisions by the executive,” it stated.
It further noted that the Parliament may have been liberal when it comes to approving expansionary national budgets even in the face of austerity.
“Sirs, let it not be said ever that during your leadership, you looked on when your constituents, whose primary duty to country was service and love through hard work and taxes, were impoverished by executive fiat. Your constituents should never ever be afraid of their representatives. Save them,” it said.
“Finally, we wish to state that within our group are persons who possess technical and policy skills and are willing to assist government to explore viable options without catastrophically impairing the interest of Individual Bondholders,” it added.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp blasted his side’s effort in a humiliating 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion that he called the worst ever in his reign.
Winger Solly March scored twice and created a third for Brighton as they dominated the game from start to finish, with Liverpool barely able to string together a single decent attack.
“Massively frustrated, congratulations to Brighton on a super game against a bad opponent. We were not good today, I can’t remember a good phase or period,” an irate Klopp said.
“Doing better than today should be easy, because this is a really low point. I can’t remember a worse game,” he added.
Despite losing 3-1 to Brentford in their last Premier League game on January 2, Klopp said that he had been confident coming in to Saturday’s game that his side could get a much-needed win.
“There was no sign for this performance before the game, but that’s probably how it is sometimes. There’s nothing that I thought yesterday or this morning that this could happen.”
Liverpool’s campaign has been derailed by poor performances and injuries to key players, with captain Virgil van Dijk missing due to a hamstring strain and recent signing Cody Gakpo starting up front due to the absence of Darwin Nunez.
As a result, the Reds struggled to maintain possession and Brighton were able to make the most of the chances they were offered.
“In these moments we passed from the last line up front, and then when we want to push up the ball was already gone again. So that’s why, it’s just counter [attacks] from their side and it always looks horrible,” Klopp said.
Liverpool are eighth in the table on 28 points, seven behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, who currently occupy the last Champions League place.
The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has released 2023 prophecies for Nigerian telecommunication giants.
The priest said that there would be difficulties in the communications sector as a result of issues the Nigerian Communication Commission will have with the telecom corporations in his 79-page predictions for 2023.
According to him, MTN would be sued in the coming year while Airtel will encounter difficulties.
He also forecast that Globacom will offer more services and that telecom banking will soon be offered by the neighborhood telecommunications .
Although Airtel will confront challenges, it will also benefit from new technology. MTN will be the target of legal action.
The telecom businesses would cause issues for the Nigeria Communications Commission. For Nigeria’s ministry of communication, there would be problems. There will be subpar service in every aspect of telecom operations. Although Globacom will have new technology to improve its services, it will still run into opposition from ris and other parties that oppose its development. I think Globacom will soon offer telecom banking and direct additional developments in the area.
Content created and supplied by: Erioluwa3110 (via Opera News )
Well-known socialite and hard-die fan of Stonebwoy, Ayisha Modi has dragged dancehall artist Shatta Wale for calling out Nana Ama McBrown.
Shatta Wale has taken to his page to share a video lambasting the host of United , Nana Ama McBrown. He described her as a ‘nonsense presenter”.
READ ALSO: Ghanaians drag Shatta Wale for tagging Nana Ama Mcbrown as “Unprofessional”
“Nana Ama McBrown is an actress, Nana Ama McBrown doesn’t know anything about presenting. Sometimes she can present and someone can counter her,” he said.
– –
“Let us be real in this life, it’s stupid. You, people, are villagers. Stupid people. You are worrying Ghanaians, you are worrying Ghanaians. It’s nonsense. That’s why you all can’t stop me. That’s what you all deserve. Stupid!” he ranted.
Wading into the ranting of Shatta Wale, Ayisah Modi has taken to her page to lambast Shatta Wale as she renders an apology on behalf of the artist to Nana Ama McBrown.
She wrote;
We sincerely apologize to the general public for this very act of nuisance. The person who did this video is one of our ……..patients who escaped last night. We urge the public to go about your various business as everything is under control. Thanks for your understanding…God bless you & pray for Shatta Walle @iamamamcbrown is not your Mate in this industry. Kindly respect yourself!!! Thank you 😂😂😂😂😂😂. AMA is a legend and has to be respected in this so-called media space. You can argue with ur phones 📞 . You are a musician not a politician. Stay out of politics, what are u teaching the upcoming Artist? You are a model and a leader to many so act like the Leader that u are. Respect and bless up.
READ ALSO: I’ve not seen my son for years – Shatta Wale cries out
THE GREATER Accra Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, has petitioned the National Chairman and Parliamentary caucus over an alleged assault and misconduct of the Regional Chairman, Nii Ashie Moore.
In the petition dated January 11, 2023, Mr. Tetteh Chaie stated that, “The Regional Chairman Ashie Moore disregarded my advice not to circumvent the already laid down party guidelines for the constituency elections in the case of Amasaman.
“He disregarded the suspension of the former Constituency Chairman (Kofi Zoryiku) by the then General Secretary of the party by reinstating him and including him in the election processes although he had not gone through the election procedures. He also included Mr. Thompson, an aspirant who was disqualified per the mandatory disqualification in the guidelines and whom a petition had been brought against.”
According to the Regional Secretary, the Regional Chairman did this with the connivance of Nii Okai Laryea and some of the regional executives.
“He then tasked me to write a letter to the Electoral Commission and the Amasaman Divisional Police informing them of the impending elections, and I refused because it was contrary to party election guidelines and procedures. The issue is still pending and I plead that the Chairman and Nii Okai Laryea be stopped from carrying out this illegality,” Mr. Tetteh Chaie mentioned.
He stressed that the Regional Chairman wants to run the day-to-day administrative activities of the party with no regards to the Regional Secretary.
He said at the last party’s regional meeting held on January 10, 2023, Mr. Laryea assaulted him when he was exiting the office for lunch, in the full glare of some party executives and members who came to transact business.
He also mentioned that the Regional Chairman ordered the security man to lock the main gate, thereby preventing the Regional Secretary from exiting since, “In my attempt to stop him he assaulted me.”
He is, therefore, calling on the party hierarchy to investigate “this anti-party conduct on the part of Hon. Nii Okai Laryea a co-opted member to assault the Regional Secretary for no offence” and culprit brought to book.
Mr. Tetteh Chaie also recalled that the Regional Chairman, a day before the National Congress, assaulted the Deputy Regional Secretary in the full glare of party executives from all the regions in the hall where party accreditation were being sorted out.
Tetteh Chaie has served notice that the attempt by the Chairman to make his own rules which is contrary to the dictates of the party’s constitution will not be countenanced since it’s contrary to party constitutional provisions.
“I’m therefore counting on your good office to ensure that, the issues raised are dealt with expeditiously to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the region,” he called on the top hierarchy.
For many, being born into a wealthy home is almost an insurance against the difficulties and discomforts of life. It is sometimes even seen as a lunch-pad to riches. For business mogul and philanthropist, this is far from truth.
Born to a wealthy man in a village in one of Ghana’s poorest regions, Upper East, young Seidu, who targeted the impossible, neither had life on a silver platter nor inherited any lunch-pad riches. Unlike many children of the wealthy few, Seidu did not stay with his biological parents to enjoy the conveniences that his dad’s wealth could buy.
Despite that early-life hard luck, young Seidu trudged through life’s trenches with bare audacity until his intense, stern gaze into poverty’s face eventually bought him freedom from the wants of this world.
Realising early in his life that he had absolutely no one but himself to blame and hold responsible for everything that either happened or did not happen to him – whether right or wrong – young Seidu would fuel his mission to escape from poverty with sheer hunger and anger.
As he told CTV’s Nana Otu Darko in a recent interview, hunger and anger drove him to think his way out of the trenches of poverty.
Gifted with wisdom to know from very early in his life that “my dad’s wealth wasn’t mine”, tough Seidu would start from very humble beginnings to conquer the behemoth heights of poverty.
“I wasn’t born into riches. I didn’t inherit riches although my father was a rich man. People who inherit riches normally don’t succeed because they would have had a pampered upbringing and mess up later”, he waxed philosophical to Nana Otu Darko.
“I’m a very tough and fearless person but humble. I grew up at Burma Camp among soldiers, so, you can imagine how tough I am. I have been a cobbler (shoeshine boy) before. I was also a bus conductor (trotro driver’s mate) at a point in my life”, he recounted.
“It is hard work and the grace of God that has brought me this far”, Mr Agongo, who now owns media giant Class Media Group and a plethora of other businesses, acknowledged the handiwork of the Divine God in his life.
To him, “it is foolish” for anyone to rely on their parents’ wealth to build their life because whereas hunger and anger may have been the motivators that fueled their ancestors’ hustles, a voracious appetite to “show-off” on social media in “designer” stuff might, more than likely, be the motivator for the progeny.
“Hunger makes you think. Secondly, anger can drive you to success. It has nothing to do with your parents’ wealth. I know the children of the rich will suffer in the future because they would not manage that wealth properly because their parents were driven by hunger and poverty but they are being driven by social media, so, they buy designer belts, shoes, and cars. You’ll never succeed that way”, the owner of the now-defunct Heritage Bank Limited continued.
“I’m grateful to God for how he wired me because I realised from an early age that I can’t blame anyone for my circumstances. I blame myself for everything”.
And, so, he became his own boss from the very outset. As CEO of his own shoeshine busy, young Agongo put his very heart into his job. Excellence was his target and excellence he hit.
With the same fervour, dedication and commitment, young Seidu took his trotro mate job to dizzying heights. He was on to a good start – thanks to his toughness and rugged audacity to succeed.
He then took things a notch higher. “I was the very first person to set up a communication centre at Burma Camp”, he said with well-deserved pride, recalling: “People queued to speak to their soldier relatives abroad at my booths. It was very successful”.
“By the grace of God, no enterprise I establish ever fails; it’s just that I don’t get the right people to run them. It’s the same for all business owners in the whole of Ghana. Businessmen are struggling and suffering to get honest, decent managers and workers but don’t get them. It’s difficult because all that those people think about is what my family and I have and how they will mess it up, without thinking that the better you run my business, the more experience you gain to run yours in the future”, the media mogul bemoaned.
But it would take him quite some doing before his bank and media forays.
“Real businessmen have humility and are able to do even the dirtiest and lowliest of jobs but in our part of the world, businessmen are all about showing off with big cars, among others, so, they make the concept of business look different”. Far from being a show-off and keeping his eyes on the ball, Seidu Agongo turned his attention to even much bigger things. “While at the Burma Camp, I loaned the proceeds from my communication centre business to the soldiers at a 30-per-cent interest rate because I didn’t know what to do with the huge profit. I did very well with that business, too”.
“From there, I went into rice, sugar and tin tomatoes trading at Nima. I created the bustling business environment you see at Nima today by virtue of my business. I attracted people to Nima to trade. Everyone knows me at Nima as ‘Seidu the Rice Seller’. I could sell GHS4 million worth of rice in a day. You can ask Olam, Stallion and others. Banks were unable to count my money and, so, they did what they could and returned the following day to continue counting the money”.
“I drove trailer trucks myself to go and cart rice to sell. I could bring 20 to 30 containers of oil to Nima. The whole of the Nima Roundabout gets clogged with human and vehicular traffic just because of my trading activities there. I’ve done a lot of work in my life but my philosophy is the work must impact the lives of people positively”.
“The rice brands I sold were mostly imported brands from Thailand and USA. I only sold foreign rice. So, it meant we were creating jobs for those countries anytime we consumed their rice. It wasn’t meaningful to me because I believe money must be made in a satisfactory way to help other people but not through any means at all, irrespective of the consequences”.
“So, I began searching for institutionalised businesses protected by government regulations to establish more businesses. That’s what got me to set up Heritage Bank. Such businesses can outlive me and last for decades because they would have had protection from government regulatory institutions”.
Heritage Bank Limited, which he said “was doing well” even when it was collapsed by the Bank of Ghana, was one of those institutionalised businesses.
Ironically, it didn’t get to enjoy the regulatory protection that had attracted Mr Agongo to venture into such waters. The giver of the protection killed the seeker of that protection.
“The success of every bank depends on the kind of board members you have: are they people you want to control, or do you want them to use their knowledge and expertise to run the institution independently of you? I didn’t want remote-controlled board members. I wanted people who could look me in the face and tell me the truth, so, I had very good board members. For instance, the late Prof Kwesi Botchwey was the Board Chair. Also, Mr Benson Nutsukpui, a former President of the Ghana Bar Association, a very respectable person who won’t allow anyone to dent his reputation, was a member of the board”.
Despite the bank’s death, Mr Agongo’s toughness isn’t shaken one bit. “I came into this world to experience life, not to avoid it, so, I am always prepared for whatever happens. If I can help the situation, I would do everything possible to salvage what I can and leave the rest to God, but if it is beyond me, I just leave it all to God to deal with”.
“I don’t want to go too much into the Heritage Bank matter”, he pleaded, explaining: “Because up till now, I haven’t been given any letter about why the bank was collapsed but, maybe, the regulators know why that happened. Apart from the announcement of the bank’s collapse in the media, I never had any official correspondence to that effect. I don’t fault anybody because every misfortunate has a purpose. So, I don’t question God about anything that happens. He knows best”. Rather than worrying about the millions of dollars he lost following the collapse of the bank, Alhaji Seidu Agongo – very typical of his philanthropic nature – is more concerned about the fate of his workers who suddenly lost their jobs.
“I was worried about the bank’s collapse because my workers who had families and dependents lost their jobs and livelihoods suddenly just because of the decision of the central bank to collapse the bank. So, the human aspect of it really breaks my heart but I leave it all to God, He knows best”.
“It’s unfortunate that the major reason that motivates certain actions of the typical Ghanaian is short-sightedness. Even animals protect each other, so, to collapse banks suddenly without thinking of the repercussions on the workers and their families and dependents was heartbreaking for me. I strongly believe that any action that would have a rippling effect on a lot of people and their lives and livelihood must be well-thought-through otherwise, the life of the person taking the action will even go in the reverse direction. Institutions must not act willy-nilly but I believe God is king”.
Mr Agongo, a young tough shoeshine boy and trotro mate, who now employs and pays an “uncountable number of workers”, said: “Even if Heritage Bank doesn’t bounce back, something bigger than it will come up because I have vowed to sacrifice myself to the service of the nation by doing something special for this country – something that will make you proud to be a Ghanaian; not material things like cars, etc.”
As for his media empire, which consists of nine radio stations across the country, a TV station and a news portal, Mr Agongo said he sought to use them to correct the waywardness of the country.
“I saw Ghana as going wayward. Not that I disrespect anybody. So, I wondered how I could get a medium through which well-meaning Ghanaians and I could speak to the masses. I feel my media houses have achieved only 3 per cent of the vision for which I set them up. They are region-based and the objective for setting them up was for them to own the regions and impact the lives of the people in those parts of the country but I don’t see much of that”.
“I don’t dictate to my radio stations what to say and not to say. Even if I’m in the news for a bad reason, I won’t stop them from reporting on it”.
What Drives His Business Success?
“Every successful businessman must be humble enough for even his security man to be able to approach him with new ideas because as a businessman, whatever people tell you is important since all knowledge is not in one person’s head”, Mr Agongo, who rises for work every 3 am, said.
“One thing about Ghanaian businesspeople is that they like to show off. They buy the latest cars and chase everything in skirts but money is spiritual, it doesn’t like to be messed about with. And God has already planned everything in the Universe, so, all you have to do is find your place in it and fit in because we’re insignificant in the grand scheme of things. So, there are so many factors that lead to the failure of businesses in Ghana. Even government policies are a factor as well as hatred, jealousy, the proverbial ‘pull him down’ syndrome and stereotypes – Who is he? Where’s he from? How can a northerner, whose kin and kith are known to be fufu pounders, security guards and farm hands, own a radio station? Are you God? You are not God. It’s all hatred”.
“[Barack] Obama, from Kenya, rose to become the US President. As we speak, a Briton of Indian ancestry is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It means you can’t, in the slightest way, alter God’s plan, so, shut up and be in your corner and do what you can and leave the rest for God. But, sometimes, we try to interfere with God’s plan. So, for success, there must be a change in mindset. You must go through the process rather than chasing overnight success”.
“Once you go through the mill and you establish yourself, it is difficult to bring you down”.
Attitude of The Ghanaian Worker
“If care is not taken, it may get to a time that no businessperson would establish any jobs because the attitude of the average Ghanaian worker is bad and appalling. Every business is like an infant. It needs nurturing. But Ghanaian workers don’t think about the job but rather what they would get from it. We need to prioritise things. First of all, you can’t make money without putting in efforts that would result in money as the outcome. You have to use the strength, wisdom and knowledge God had gifted you with to make the things you want manifest because God didn’t give anybody money to come onto this earth. If He wanted it so, He would have designed it so. But He gave you wisdom, knowledge and strength to work and, so, if somebody has employed you to do a certain job, care about the job: what can I do to make it better? What are some of the weaknesses? What level do I want to take this job in the next two years? Once you think that way, money has no choice but to come. Every business evolves but a typical Ghanaian worker is all about the money. Even when you express gratitude, they wish it could be money. So, you should be able to gauge the stage of the business and tie it in with your demands and expectations because there is no free lunch. It’s a two-way affair: you can’t get what you don’t create.
What Gives Him Satisfaction
I’m satisfied when I am able to help a lot of people and families to realise their dreams. At the end of the day, that is what matters. It’s not about the car you drive or plane you fly in. all that is vanity. But if I am able to help one million people and their families and dependents, at least that would reduce poverty and suffering. There are some brilliant students from poor homes who would have gone to waste had I not adopted them or intervened one way or the other.
Is Ghana on the right path
I feel Ghana has never been on the right path even from Nkrumah’s regimes. I won’t talk about only this leadership. I feel Nkrumah, Kufuor, Jerry Rawlings, Atta Mills, this leadership [Akufo-Addo], we’ve not been under any right leadership because Ghana has no structures. If you are a president, it is only the structure that protects you. The structure makes you the commander of the Ghana Armed Forces. If your structures are not right, what do you think we can achieve? There are no structures. Institutions are not right. You can’t achieve anything. Forget it. So, businesses will keep collapsing. The institutions are not strong. The judiciary is protected by the institutions; if it’s weak, nobody would want to be a judge.
The presidency is protected by an institution if it’s weak … If a businessman is coming from Singapore or America, he looks at the institutions, not the presidency. That is it. And, since Nkrumah’s time to date, institutions are not working. Let me be very frank with you, I’m coming from America to invest $100,000 in Ghana. I will be looking at the institutions, not the presidency because the president will be gone in eight years, maximum but how is our police system working, how is our military working, how is our judicial system working, how is our labour system working? It’s the institutions that protect your investment.
So, that is why people who amass wealth in government become paupers after leaving office in about five years because the structures are not there to protect him but if you look at somebody like Donald Trump, his father was into real estate and he still benefits from that inheritance. So, if the institution doesn’t work, discretionary actions take over. Institutions protect growth, protect businessmen, protect investments, protect even succession plans, so, trust me, you can’t get one 100-year-old business in Ghana because we don’t have the institutions to protect them to grow to that extent. Even wills can be manipulated. So, since Nkrumah’s time to date, if those things are not sorted out, we are just wasting our time. I’m a realist. The sad story is that once the institutions and the structures are not working well, we are all behaving like mosquitoes.
Favourite Quote
‘Time will eventually expose you’. And, so, time did expose Mr Agongo to the world as a strong-willed businessman who weathers whatever storms fight his progress and shrugs off hurdles.
But, perhaps, time, has more to expose than the Agongo we see now, for ‘vindication lies within its womb’.
Source: /Ghana
: 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 euate it as a matter of priority.
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Sunday confirmed that Ghana has sought debt treatment under the Common Framework platform supported by the Group of 20 major economies.
Reuters reported that Ghana requested on Tuesday to restructure its bilateral debt under the Common Framework platform supported by the G20, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The crisis-hit nation becomes the fourth country to apply to the G20 initiative launched in 2020 and designed to streamline debt restructuring efforts in the wake of poorer countries buckling under the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ghana just became the fourth country to seek treatment under the Common Framework, sending a signal that it is seen as an important pathway for debt resolution,” Georgieva said in a blog.
Ghana’s debt restructuring under the Common Framework aims to include non-Paris club members, such as China in debt relief talks. China is Ghana’s biggest bilateral creditor with $1.7 billion of debt, while the country owes $1.9 billion to Paris club members, according to data from the International Institute of Finance (IIF).
Reuters reported first earlier this month that Ghana was seeking debt treatment under the G20 programme.
Ghana, which secured a $3 billion staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in mid-December, has been hesitating on this request due to the long delays faced by other countries using the process.
The Common Framework, designed to allow for speedy debt restructuring, has been widely criticised for its glacial progress. Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia signed up in early 2021. While Chad secured a deal with creditors in November, Zambia is still locked in talks. Ethiopia’s progress was held up by civil war.
“Countries seeking debt restructuring under the Framework will need greater certainty on processes and standards, as well as shorter and more predictable timelines,” Georgieva said in the blog on Sunday.
Source: Reuters
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Paris St-Germain (PSG) are threatening to quit the Parc de Princes in a row over ownership of the stadium.
PSG have played in the 47,000-capacity stadium since 1974 but believe it needs significant renovation which will cost around 500m euros (£443.45m).
They are willing to fund the work, but only if they are allowed to buy it.
This plan has been rejected by the mayor of Paris, who told newspaper Le Parisien: “Parc des Princes is not for sale. And it will not be sold.”
PSG have reacted angrily, arguing the stance will cost taxpayers money.
The club, who argue the renovations and subsequent increase in capacity would allow it to generate income more in line with leading clubs elsewhere in Europe, say they will now be “sadly forced to advance alternative options for our home”, which could include moving outside Paris.
A PSG spokesperson said: “It is surprising and disappointing to hear that the mayor of Paris is taking a position which, effectively, will force PSG, our fans and communities from the Parc des Princes.
“PSG and the Parc des Princes are part of the proud history and heritage of Paris.
“PSG has already invested more than 85m euros to maintain the stadium, while committing an additional 500m euros in renovations for our fans and to allow PSG to grow and compete with other clubs at the highest level in Europe.
“Obviously, this enormous investment would only be made by PSG if we actually own Parc des Princes. It is regrettable that the mayor is now suddenly foreclosing – definitively – the sale discussions we’ve been having for a long time, with the club now sadly forced to advance alternative options for our home.”
Ghanaians have descended on dancehall artist Shatta Wale after he dragged television personality, Nana Ama McBrown.
In a video shared online, the controversial artist, Shatta Wale opined that Nana Ama Mcbrown doesn’t deserve to host UTV’s late-night entertainment show because she has no knowledge about journalism and TV presenting.
READ ALSO: I’ve not seen my son for years – Shatta Wale cries out
According to Shatta Wale, Nana Ama McBrown is unprofessional and should be sacked by the UTV boss. He added that the employers should replace Nana Ama by employing her with a young graduate who has fresh and modern knowledge about TV presentation.
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“Nana Ama McBrown is an actress, Nana Ama McBrown doesn’t know anything about presenting. Sometimes she can present and someone can counter her,” he said.
“Let us be real in this life, it’s stupid. You, people, are villagers. Stupid people. You are worrying Ghanaians, you are worrying Ghanaians. It’s nonsense. That’s why you all can’t stop me. That’s what you all deserve. Stupid!” he ranted.
However, some social media users have descended on Shatta Wale over his video…
Nana Appiah– We sincerely apologize to the general public for this very act of nuisance. The person who did this video is one of our psychiatric patients who escaped last night. We urge the public to go about your various business as everything is under control. Thanks for your understanding…God bless you & pray for Shatta Walle
Blessing Naana Ansah – Senkyira – What music school did shata wale attend? If he believes in talent, then he should understand people like McBroom also have talents
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READ ALSO: My father always tells me I am an opportunist – Nana Aba Anamoah reveals
Alexander Nyamekye Baidoo – You’re the same person who went to her show and gave her phone. Anaa you want to go for your phone back?
Gadufia Shadrack – Like joke like joke this guy madness is becoming serious oo they need to check him before it’s too late oo hmm
Agyenim Boateng –Wisdom has eroded Shatta Wale. Macbrown, forgive him, for he doesn’t know what he is doing. We will soon visit him at the psychiatric hospital if does not change.
The Chamber of Automobile Dealership Ghana, George Dumenu, has appealed to the government to return the duties paid on the vehicles seized by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to help save dealers from losses.
EOCO on December 9, 2022, raided some garages and seized 37 imported luxury vehicles suspected to be stolen from America and Canada.
Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of a stakeholder’s engagement with the security agencies, General Secretary of the Chamber, George Dumenu described the affected dealers as victims.
“This is frustrating. All your resources have gone to waste. So the government should come to our aid and if possible, all the monies we have paid to customs be refunded to us.”
A police officer has died together with his wife and child after fire gutted the police barracks where the family resided.
The police officer is reported to have been with the anti-robbery unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command.
According to the Citinewsroom.com report, the Assembly Member for the Apromase/Asawase Electoral area, Ernest Kwarteng, said the cause of the fire is yet to be revealed.
“According to eyewitnesses, the fire swept through one of the rooms and as we speak, a married man, the wife and daughter are no more.”
“They have been burnt and the body deposited at the morgue. The police came in but we are waiting for the experts to tell us exactly what happened”, citinewsroom.com quoted Ernest Kwarteng as having said.
The bodies of the family have since been deposited at the morgue.
Source: ghanaweb.com
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OVER 10,000 individual bondholders have petitioned Parliament in the ongoing debt restructuring programme by the government.
The petitioners urged Parliament to save the 1.3 million Ghanaian individual bondholders who have been shortchanged in the domestic debt exchange programme.
Parts of the petition read, “We are unaware of any Parliamentary appros, directly or indirectly that the managers of the DDE have been granted to make unilateral decisions over financial arrangements originally clad with binding contracts.
“If that was the case, your office would have invoked the principles of fair and impartial hearing for both parties, in this case, Individual Bondholders and assigns of the DDE programme to justify their positions,” the petition said.
It said that has been the basic approach adopted in other jurisdictions that ever dealt with creditors in a domestic debt exchange programme.
“Parliaments, by their truly representative nature, will not only consider the overall national interest however precarious, but will also ensure citizens are protected from capricious decisions by the executive,” it stated.
It further noted that the Parliament may have been liberal when it comes to approving expansionary national budgets even in the face of austerity.
“Sirs, let it not be said ever that during your leadership, you looked on when your constituents, whose primary duty to country was service and love through hard work and taxes, were impoverished by executive fiat. Your constituents should never ever be afraid of their representatives. Save them,” it said.
“Finally, we wish to state that within our group are persons who possess technical and policy skills and are willing to assist government to explore viable options without catastrophically impairing the interest of Individual Bondholders,” it added.
Manchester City players surround the referee following a decision in the defeat to Manchester United
Manchester City players surrounded the officials in the Old Trafford tunnel following their controversial derby defeat to Manchester United, sources have told ESPN.
City were left furious after Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser was allowed to stand despite Marcus Rashford straying into an offside position.
The goal was initially ruled out by the linesman but was then awarded by referee Stuart Attwell because Rashford did not touch the ball before Fernandes scored.
Pep Guardiola argued afterwards that the forward had interfered with play before the goal, which came just four minutes before Rashford scored to seal United’s 2-1 win.
The controversy led to an angry confrontation between players and officials in the tunnel after the final whistle. Jack Grealish, who opened the scoring for City, was seen remonstrating with Attwell as they left the pitch and the arguments continued on the way to the dressing rooms.
“Rashford is clearly offside so I played him offside,” City defender Manuel Akanji said. “He runs to the last second and only stops because Bruno is coming in behind him.
“I understand he doesn’t touch the ball but he runs for 30 metres, chasing the ball then he stops. The referee didn’t look at the situation.
“The referee didn’t say anything to me but I talked to the linesman and he said, ‘Did Rashford touch the ball?’ I said, ‘no but he’s chasing the ball for a long time.’
“In that situation, the referee has to at least look at the situation and can understand the situation I am in and Kyle [Walker] on the other side.
“Probably the pressure got to him in the stadium. That’s why he decided to let it go.”
Akanji also hinted at the confrontation in the tunnel after the City players and the officials, including Attwell, assistant referees Gary Beswick and Darren Cann as well as fourth official Robert Jones, left the pitch.
“I came really late to it,” he said. “When I was there it was close to the end. I don’t know how it started or what was the actual reason, but everybody was not in a good mood.”
City boss Pep Guardiola weighed in by saying that Fernandes’ goal would not have stood had it not been scored at Old Trafford.
“Rashford is offside, Bruno is not offside, the question is interference,” Guardiola said. “When one player from 18-yard box shoots and one player is in front of the keeper but doesn’t touch the ball, it is disallowed all the time.”
Online comedian and skitmaker, Emmanuel Iwueke popularly known as Craze Clown has stirred reactions with his statement to his mothers.
Taking to the micro blogging platform, Craze Clown avowed that a mother has failed in her duties of her son prioritizes her over his wife.
“As a Mother, If your son prioritize you over his wife then you’ve failed as a Mother”.
Craze Clown shades Yomi Casual over his discredit for online influencers
Last year, Craze Clown had thrown a shade at Yomi Casual and some other celebrities for discrediting online influencers and entrepreneurs.
Yomi Casual had made a statement revealing that those whose income comes majorly from social media should seek respect from those that made it without the influence of social media.
His post came hours after there was a massive blackout worldwide on Instagram, Whatsapp and Facebook which left more than 10 million users startled at the outage.
Reacting to this, the comedian said he find it hilarious how people think it is quite easy to navigate on social media, stating that whether online or offline, the hustle is real, the approach is just different.
Taking to Instagram, he said people should desist from making jokes off someone’s source of livelihood due to the fact that social media is challenging as there is so much pressure online and If not well cultured might lead someone to depression.
The online skitmaker wrote:
“The way people make it look like it’s easy to make it on social media just makes me laugh sometimes. I’ve seen many ‘OGs before IG’ still finding it hard to navigate on social media. People getting depressed coz of social media coz the pressure is too much! During the social media down time I saw so many people dragging influencers and those that make a living off social media, making jokes off someone’s livelihood. This is the 21st century and it is what it is! Get with it!”.
The controversy surrounding defunct Hiplife music group 5Five’s smash hit song, ‘Muje Baya’ released in 2010 has taken a new twist.
The controversy started when the producer of the Song, Appiah Dankwah, popularly known as Appietus was accused of illegally using a beat from a South African song – ‘Amerido ‘by DJ Crido.
Appietus admitted to the accusation and explained that it was 5five who brought the beat to him saying “that was the first time I sampled someone’s beat for a song.”
After thirteen years, the legendary Ghanaian music producer has precipitated another controversy around the same song.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Citi TV‘s entertainment talk show ‘Upside Down’ – hosted by multi-talented broadcasters, Frema Adunyame and Nana Tuffour, Sunday, Appietus who revealed how the ‘Muje Baya’ song was produced said the award-winning defunct music group failed to pay him after producing it.
According to Appietus, “after recording the song, they told me they were going to show it to an investor. The next moment, I heard the song playing on radio. They lied to me”.
He stressed that the song took just one week to become one of the monster hit songs in Ghana.
Appietus has produced over two hundred and fifty smash hit songs . 5Five’s ‘Muje Baya'[Move Back] remains one of his all-time hit productions.
5Five, a now defunct Hiplife music duo, involved Luther Asamayi (Pappi) and Jeffery Opoku Agyekum (Killi).
North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is calling for the immediate resignation of the founder of the Power Chapel Worldwide from the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.
According to him, as the Secretary of the Board, Rev Victor Kusi Boateng created criminal multiple identities on the blind side of the state, hence the need for him to step aside.
In a Facebook post on Monday, the MP said Mr Kusi Boateng created a second identity of ‘Kwabena Adu Gyamfi’, which he disguised as a company director to receive funds from government.
In his view, this constitutes a conflict of interest, hence the need for the preacher to resign to pave the way for investigations into the matter.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no distinct Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is a criminal creation of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng. The two are therefore one and the same.
Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi thought he had outwitted every Ghanaian, particularly our authorities whom he dribbled for many years; but the day of reckoning is finally here.
From unassailable and irreproachable documents in my possession, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi uses multiple passports and multiple identification cards with different names and different dates of birth as his special modus operandi”, Mr Ablakwa revealed.
In addition his to call for the theologian to resign, he added that, “Rev. Victor Adu Gyamfi AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi must be compelled to refund all taxpayer funds diverted into his company, JNS.
Rev. Victor Adu Gyamfi AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi must be subjected to thorough credible investigations and prosecution for his many other offences which have now come to light”.
The MP further stated that a ‘special forensic audit’ must be conducted into the ongoing National Cathedral project; while calling on the President to dissolve the entire Board of the National Cathedral.
The revelations and demands by the NDC lawmaker come in the midst of lingering public debates about the relevance of the National Cathedral project.
According to the project critics, even though they recognise the need to honour God, the timing of the project is prudent.
In their view, given the prevailing economic crisis in the country, it is needless for government to focus on such a project in the face of the glaring hardship and the depleting macroeconomic variables.
The critics have further argued that the project is a personal campaign promise of president Akufo-Addo and therefore state resources should be allocated to its execution.
Meanwhile, proponents of the project, including Victor Kusi Boateng, have maintained that the Cathedral will benefit the country in many useful ways.
In a spree of multiple justifications for the project, the advocates of the Cathedral have stated that when completed, it will serve as a tourist destination to help generate revenue for the country.
This they say is one of the reasons why the novel project must not be stifled with opposition and ridicule.
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Italy’s most-wanted mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested in Sicily after 30 years on the run.
Messina Denaro was reportedly detained in a private clinic in Sicily’s capital Palermo. He is alleged to be a boss of Sicily’s notorious Cosa Nostra mafia.
Italian media reported that he had been receiving treatment when he was arrested just before 10:00 (09:00 GMT) and taken away by the Carabinieri.
He was tried and sentenced to life in jail in absentia over numerous murders.
These include the 1992 killing of anti-mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, the deadly 1993 bomb attacks in Milan, Florence and Rome, and the kidnapping, torture and killing of the 11-year-old son of a mafioso turned state witness.
“This is a great victory for the state,” said Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni.
Read Full Story ….
HERE >>> :
Source: BBC
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The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma has reacted to reports that ‘unknown gunmen’ invaded the residence of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere where they killed his uncle and set his vehicles ablaze. (Source: Thisday)
Ikenga is the National Spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP). He is also the PDP’s House of Representatives candidate for Ideato Federal Constituency In Imo State. In an interview with a journalist, Governor Uzodinma said security agencies gave him evidence that Ikenga was attacked for breaching an agreement he had with his attackers.
In Governor Uzodinma’s exact words, “The politician whose house was attacked, I have already in my security report all the meetings he had with those who don’t want election according to them in Biafra land. I have evidence with security agencies where they met and the people are saying that he breached their agreement, that after agreeing with them that they will be no election in Biafra land, he is contesting an election. So go and ask the security agents”.
watch video from 0:30 seconds
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Filmmaker Leila Djansi’s sister, Emefa Efua Djansi, has died.
The journalist and political activist lost her two and half year battle with a stroke on January 5 at the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital.
She was 44.
Emefa Djansi famously known as Efua Djansi Asamoah was arguably one of Ghana’s first female investigative Journalist who in her time unravelled significant occurrences notably the killing of the overlord of Dagbon, Ya Naa Yakubu Andani.
She began her journalism career in Ho, where she launched and operated The Volta Observer newspaper at the age of 24.
The paper thrived for four years until digital news and social media phased it out.
During her time as a journalist, she worked as a Joy FM correspondent from Ho, Volta Region, after which she had a brief stint with Citi FM.
Emefa Djansi leaves behind two daughters, her mother, and three sisters.
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 Ministry of Education says it will appoint Dean of Disciplinary Affairs who will be in charge of disciplinary issues in the various Senior High Schools and public tertiary institutions.
According to the ministry, misconduct of students that attract sanctions will be directed to the dean of disciplinary affairs.
This comes on the back of the issue of the eight female students of Chiana Senior High School who were dismissed for making derogatory comments against President Akufo-Addo in a viral video last year.
The President intervened by asking the Education Ministry to readmit the eight students.
Subsequently, the Ghana Education Service referred to the school’s Disciplinary Committee to explore alternative sanctions other than dismissal.
Speaking to Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the Education Ministry, Kwesi Kwarteng noted that the guidance and counselling unit in schools will work together with the Dean of Disciplinary Affairs.
“Recently, the Minister hinted of Dean of Disciplinary Affairs to augment the work. Just as we have institutions responsible for ensuring discipline, we still have persons who will go against the accepted cultural ues and norms. So the Dean will work with the Guidance and Counselling unit to make sure there is discipline in our schools.”
The National Lottery Authority has warned that it will revoke the licenses of Private Lotto Operators who have not yet regularized their operations for the 2023 Licensing Year.
In a statement released by the Authority, with a list of Private Lotto Operators in good standing, the Authority cautions that Private Lottery Operators who still need to regularize their operations have up to January 23, 2023, to do so or face severe sanctions.
“NLA will revoke the licenses of operators who have failed, refused, or neglected to regularize their registration and pay the required licensing fees by 23rd January 2023. Furthermore, in collaboration with the security agencies, NLA will undertake exercises to clamp down on all unlicensed and/or illegal lotto and/or lottery operators. All illegal operators arrested during these exercises will be made to face the full rigours of the law.”
NLA has also published the list of entities the Authority has entered into third-party collaborations with and has advised the Public to deal with only the entities listed, as the Authority will not be liable for any losses or damages incurred from transactions with other parties.
NLA, in the statement, also informs Private Lotto Operators that its Lotto Commission, approved by its Governing Board and payable to agents, is still 20% until otherwise communicated.
NLA has also notified the relevant regulatory bodies to take action.
Below is the complete statement published by the Authority.
NATIONAL LOTTERY AUTHORITY: STATUS OF THIRD-PARTY COLLABORATIONS AND PRIVATE LOTTO OPERATORS FOR THE 2023 LICENSING YEAR
The public is hereby notified that NLA has entered into collaborations with the following entities and has successfully licensed them for the 2023 Licensing Year in accordance with the provisions of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722).
THIRD PARTY COLLABORATIONS: 1. KGL TECHNOLOGY LIMITED 2. AFRI LOTTO SYSTEMS LIMITED 3. BLUE STAR HI-TECH COMPANY LIMITED 4. FORTUNE SYNERGY LIMITED 5. WULUCKY GHANA LIMITED 6. ZETA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED 7. GLOBALFUN GHANA LIMITED
Upon the expiration of the deadline for registration on 29th December 2022, the underlisted companies had duly registered and partly satisfied the requirements to be licensed as Private Lotto Operators.
PRIVATE LOTTO OPERATORS: 1. ACCURATE GIANT LIMITED 2. ALPHA LOTTO LIMITED 3. FROM-HOME COMPANY LIMITED 4. GLOVITA LOTTERY LIMITED 5. LOTTO AND LOTTERIES LIMITED 6. MIWOR KAKRA YEBEDI NTI LIMITED 7. RAND LOTTERY LIMITED 8. SADACO-HOPE LOTTERY GHANA 9. WULUCKY GHANA LIMITED 10. ZACDOW COMPANY LIMITED 11. ZINBAX CONSTRUCTION LIMITED The public is hereby advised to deal with ONLY the above-listed licensed companies on lotto/lottery operations.
NLA will revoke the licenses of operators who have failed, refused, or neglected to regularize their registration and pay the required licensing fees by 23rd January 2023.
NLA, in collaboration with the security agencies, will undertake exercises to clamp down on all unlicensed and/or illegal lotto and/or lottery operators. All illegal operators arrested during these exercises will be made to face the full rigours of the law.
Persons/entities, which are yet to obtain or renew their licenses, may contact the NLA to go through the licensing processes.
NLA would also like to take this opportunity to inform Private Lotto Operators that the Lotto Commission, approved by its Governing Board and payable to agents, is still 20% until otherwise communicated.
NLA has also notified the relevant regulatory bodies to take action.
For further enquiries, call the Customer Service helplines on 0266-087-966 or 0266087946. NLA, DEVELOPMENT THROUGH GAMES.
SIGNED MANAGEMENT
Source:
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Ghanaian singer Fantana has been gifted a brand new black Range Rover by her mother Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey who is the Member of Parliament for the Jomoro Constituency.
The musician took to her social media platforms to make the special announcement to the world as she revealed how much she loves her mother so much.
READ ALSO :Scary moment Nigerian stuntman fell from 3rd mainland bridge into Lagoon
Fantana’s mother gifts her brand new Range Rover
Sharing the adorable photos of herself posing with her brand new Range Rover, Fantana wrote : “thank you MOM! @dorcasaffotoffey , I love you so much❤️you literally go above and beyond to give me everything I want. my bestfriend , my honorable , thank you for everything.”
See her post below :
READ ALSO :Fantana and mother hijack millionaire Kofi Abban’s birthday party [Watch]
Fantana’s mother was born on May 4, 1972, at Tikobo Number 1, and according to reports, she is the 18th child of her father’s twenty-three children.
She relocated to the USA, where she studied courses in dental hygiene, real estate management, branding, and customer service.
She holds a diploma in branding and customer service management, a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in marketing.
She is married to Joseph Lawrence Ashun and has two daughters, Fantana and her sister, Lynelle Koffi. In August 2019, Hon. Affo-Toffey was elected as the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for the Jomoro Constituency.
READ ALSO :Catch all the beautiful moments from actress Nkiru Sylvanus’ traditional wedding
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The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has responded to Telecommunication giant, MTN following the latter’s reaction to a notice of tax assessment served by the Authority.
MTN had raised issues with a $773 million back-tax bill, including penalties and interest charges in Ghana.
The company had said it was going to fight the ‘inaccurate’ assessment because it was dissatisfied with the methodology.
But GRA in a statement justified the tax assessment and audit insisting that it was done within the remits of the law and by the principles of transparency.
It said, although MTN has been tax complaint over the years, this latest notice does not in any way “prejudice the conduct of audits as required by law.”
Below is the Authority’s response
The attention of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been drawn to a public statement issued by SCANCOM PLC (MTN GH) in reaction to a Notice of Tax Assessment served on MTN Ghana by the Authority on the 10th of January 2023.
GRA wishes to remind taxpayers and the general public that its mandate in tax administration is derived from the Ghana Revenue Authority Act 2009, (Act 791), the Revenue Administration Act 2016, (Act 915) and several other tax laws.
Section 36 of the Revenue Administration Act 2016, (Act 915), mandates the Commissioner-General to audit the tax affairs of a person; and it is in accordance with this provision that the Authority conducted a Tax audit on MTN Ghana for the tax period 2014 to 2018.
The audit was conducted as required by law adhering to the principles of fairness and transparency.
Section 42 of Act 915 also prescribes the ways in which a person can object to a tax assessment that is served by the Commissioner-General.
In the case of MTN Ghana, GRA followed due process in serving a Notice of Assessment and has engaged MTN Ghana as required by Law to ensure that it communicates the basis of assessment as well as the several avenues available for objection as required in Section 42 of the Revenue Administration Act.
We wish to emphasize that MTN Ghana has been reminded at all times in the Authority’s interactions with them about their right to object to any tax decision by the Commissioner-General.
Admittedly, MTN Ghana has been audited many times in the past and has received numerous awards as a compliant taxpayer; however, these do not in any way prejudice the conduct of audits as required by Law.
GRA uses this opportunity to remind taxpayers of their obligations under the tax Laws to declare and pay the right amount of tax(es) as well as the mandate of GRA to ensure that all businesses pay the right amount of tax.
A Roman Catholic priest has been killed by armed gunmen at his parish in northern Nigeria, who then burned his rectory in the village of Kafin Koro to the ground.
The body of Father Isaac Achi was found in the charred ruins of the building.
Another priest, Father Collins Omeh, was shot as he tried to escape the blaze and subsequently taken to hospital.
He told local reporters that Father Achi was shot dead by the gunmen, who he said were shouting jihadi slogans.
In a separate incident, a gang in the north-western state of Katsina kidnapped at least five people as they prepared for a church service.
The Association of Road Contractors Ghana, has accused the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) of killing business in the road construction sector.
The Association says though government owes them in excess of GH¢5 billion, both SSNIT and the GRA fail to consider the debts owed them and use same as credit to ease business for contractors.
The comments come on the back of the disappointment of the association following government’s promise to pay them a chunk of debts owed before December 2022.
National Chairman of the Association of Road Contractors Ghana John Afful Jnr. has been speaking to Citi News.
“These two institutions, SSNIT and GRA are liking the roads sector. When we go and tell them that the government is owing us this amount of money, the five percent will definitely be deducted before they pay us. They should even use it as credit for us, they will say no to the extent that officers will tell you to go and borrow money.”
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ahmad Nasir Yartey tells Citi News, the government continues to do its best, to settle contractors debts owed them.
“The assurance is that, for every quarter, the ministry releases money from the road fund so as and when we receive some releases, payments will be made. Government is committed to pay road contractors for the job they have done for this country, so we will continue to make the effort to ensure that they receive their payments.”
Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, stated in a meeting with the Ogbu Bolo leaders that Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, is attempting to challenge him but is unqualified to do so. He advised him to check his blood pressure before engaging in combat, pointing out that his blood pressure would rise as a result of his desire to fight him.
Wike went on to say that combat takes place physically rather than verbally. None of them, he claimed, are strong enough to fight him, and even if they were, they might faint while doing so.
He said, “Let me tell you, Amaechi, your son, none of them has what it takes to fight me. We’ll smoke them out soon, so don’t worry. That isn’t how it happens. You should check your blood pressure, sugar level, and any other internal organs to determine whether you are ready because the heat will make your blood pressure rise and if it does, your doctor might not be available. So you need to be very careful.”
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Chelsea fans have expressed dissatisfaction towards the signing of €100 Million rated attacker Mikhailo Mudryk. As per them, the club should have gone all out to sign Enzo Fernandez who was willing to join the club at all costs this winter. They have pointed an accusing finger at Boehly for making move on a player whose allegiance is sworn to another club, Arsenal.
“We were really hoping to sign Enzo Fernandez this window and the player also showed interest in moving to the club. For some reason, focus was shifted from a player who wants us, to a player who was praying to join Arsenal. I don’t know how the club is working now. Our chance to sign Enzo has finally been blown,” spoke one bitter fan on Sly Sports.
Screenshot: Chelsea fans are disappointed with the signing of Mudryk
Enzo Fernandez was recently involved in an altercation with Benfica’s manager Roger Schmidt in the dressing room. It was rumored that the player was putting up a defiant act so that he could force a move to Chelsea but unfortunately things didn’t work out as planned. Luckily for him, his manager doesn’t hold grudges and has since allowed him to be involved in first team duties for the club.
Chelsea players frustrated after conceding a goal. (Image: Courtesy of Google)
My opinion
The signings that have already been announced by Chelsea have been very promising, particularly that of Joao Felix who unfortunately is serving a suspension after a cruel tackle on his debut. The Portuguese striker is the only new signing that has not been criticized by the fan base and that shows that a lot is expected from him. As for Mudryk, he will have to win the trust of the fans at Stamford Bridge because before the move, he had hoped so much to play for Arsenal.
Joao Felix’s move is expected to improve the current squad. (Image: Courtesy of Google)
Mudryk’s move to Chelsea has been met with a lot of question marks from the fan base. Making a move on Enzo Fernandez would have been more ideal since the club already has more than 10 attackers but the midfielders currently in the squad have been poor to say the least. With that said, I think the panic signing of Mudryk is going to cost Chelsea a lot.
What is your take from this article?
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Nigerian singer, Brymo has finally bowed to pressure and has tendered an apology to Igbos.
This comes after thousands of Nigerians signed a petition to stop the singer from winning the All Africa Music Award where he was nominated in the ‘Songwriter of the Year’ category.
The singer had been under fire for stating that the Igbos are not ready to produce a Nigerian president.
He also urged the region to test the waters with the vice presidential slot before aiming for the presidency.
However, taking to his Twitter page hours ago, Brymo apologised to the Igbos.
He begged them to forgive his assertions that came across as bigoted spewings against the Igbo tribe.
Brymo stated that he didn’t mean to harm them hence, his apology.
“Forgive my assertions that came across as bigoted spewings against the Igbo tribe. I did not mean to do harm, I am sorry!!
He added, “My apologies are extended to all igbos that may not know too. I missed that cos I am deeply affected most around once I’m closer to. Do accept my sorry, I did not mean harm”.
Brymo clarifies accusations of insulting the Igbos
Recall that Brymo had earlier, clarified his ‘bigotted’ statement to the Igbos.
Taking to his Instagram page, Brymo stated that the whole drama started with Chimamanda Adichie receiving a Chieftaincy title in her hometown, yet shunning a national award.
According to him, he has been an advocate for Igbo presidency in the past few years and was only calling out the Ndi Igbo movement, which he is clearly not pleased with.
Brymo stated that his words were misconstrued as he didn’t insult any tribe.
“It is very important you understand that this entire fracas began with me seeing in the media that Chimamanda Adichie refused some national honours and had picked up some traditional title in the East at home.
I have clamoured for Igbo presidency in the last few years, you wouldn’t believe it.
Clarifying his statement, he said, “When I said ‘Fuck Ndi’Igbo to hell with it – the ‘it’ refers to the peddlers of the movement i.e people championing for it.
On insulting the tribe, Brymo said, ” I did not insult the tribe, I am sorry to anyone who it sounded as such to. I was trying to weigh into a very important matter”.
Dancehall artist Charles Nii Armah Mensah known well as Shatta Wale has lamented over not seeing her son for years.
Shatta Wale and MMichy broke up about three years ago. It seems the two are not very cool after the break up as both parties have fired shots at each other in a series of interviews and social media captions.
READ ALSO: My father always tells me I am an opportunist – Nana Aba Anamoah reveals
After the separation of the two, Michy has been in possession of their son, Majesty. The artist has come out to beg Michy to allow him to see his son, Majesty. According to Shatta Wale, it’s been years since he set his eyes on his son.
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Shatta Wale has cried out to Michy to allow him to be part of their son’s life. He disclosed that he wants to buy toys for his son, Majesty.
This is the second time Shatta Wale is coming out to disclose that he is not allowed to see his son. The first time was in 2018 when he begged Michy Online to allow him to see Majesty.
“I like how Michy is being frank with her experience out there, but someone should tell her I have not seen Majesty for years, and that’s not cool. I also want to buy my son some toys and trainers,” he shared.
READ ALSO: I once used my father’s name to get out of ‘trouble’ but ‘it didn’t work’ – Kennedy Agyapong Jr
The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament is expected to commence sittings today, Monday, January 16, 2023.
This is to examine the Auditor General’s report on public accounts of government for the year 2020.
The committee will also scrutinize the Auditor General’s report on public accounts of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies during the sittings.
The accounts of public boards, corporations and other statutory institutions for the year 2020 will also be considered.
The committee which will be sitting at 9 am each day is expected to conclude proceedings on Friday, February 10, 2023.
The deadline for individual bondholders to assent to the governments invitation to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme(DDEP) ends today.
Reports, however, reaching the Daily Graphic indicate that the response has been extremely poor with millions of bondholders refusing to sign on, a development confirmed by some banks.
It is not clear what the government’s response to the development will be but it is likely to force another postponement of the deadline for further consultations.
Some bondholders, since the announcement of the DDEP, have maintained their call on the government to stick to its initial intention to exempt them from the programme.
Message to bondholders
Last Thursday, some commercial banks in the country issued messages to their individual bond holders to subscribe to the government’s DDEP.
One of such messages the Daily Graphic has accessed read; “In pursuant to the Minister of Finance’s directive on the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, we wish to inform you of the addition of individual holders as eligible.
“Please note that this exercise is purely voluntary and if you would like to participate, kindly use your CSD ID … via this link … This link expires on Thursday, January 12, 2023.”
The message also provided telephone numbers for further clarification.
Groups
As the deadline approached, groups formed by the bondholders emerged to intensify pressure on the government to rescind its decision.
One of such groups, the Pensioner Bondholder Forum, whose membership is in excess of 400 pensioners, implored the government to desist from adding its members to the programme.
The forum, which also serves as the mouthpiece of all pensioners across the country with investments in government bonds, held a press conference last Wednesday to voice their frustrations.
The convener, a former Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Adu Anane Antwi, stated at the press conference that the petition was delivered to the Minister of Finance and the President.
The pensioners maintained that their monthly pensions from SSNIT had been eroded by inflation to the extent that the coupons they received from their investment in government bonds had become their core income while waiting for the payment of the principal amount upon maturity.
“It is important to note that the periodic coupon payment is what pensioners use to cater for the day- day- demands on them, such as feeding, buying their regular medications for their chronic health problems, paying other medical bills, paying school fees of children, paying electricity and water bills, taking care of dependants, paying transportation, accommodation and related expenses, and meeting expenses relating to their social engagements and other miscellaneous expenses,” they affirmed.
Another group, Ghana Individual Bondholders Forum, formed by the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs), Senyo Hosi, is soliciting the signatures of individual bondholders to petition the government on the matter.
As at yesterday, more than 30,000 bondholders had signed on according to Mr Hosi, who has described the position of the government as one not in the interest of the people.
He told the Daily Graphic that the pressure would be maintained and asked all affected to sign on to the group to increase the numbers.
Exposure
Individual bondholders in the country at the time of the announcement was said to be about six million.
Total amount in government bonds amounts to some GH¢8 billion.
New arrangement
On December 5, 2022, the government, in its quest to address what has now become an economic crisis, launched a domestic debt exchange pursuant to which it invited certain holders of approximately GH¢137.3 billion of the principal amount outstanding of certain of its domestic notes and bonds issued by the government, E.S.L.A. Plc or Daakye Trust Plc to exchange their Eligible Bonds for a package of new bonds to be issued by the government.
The expiration date was December 19, 2022.
However, the government subsequently announced an extension of the expiration date to Friday, December 30, 2022 and the settlement date to Friday, January 6, 2023.
Among many other issues, including the various agitations from labour and the financial services sector, the government, on December 24, announced its decision to extend the expiration date of the invitation from Friday, December 30, 2022 to Monday, January 16, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Per a press release, circulated by the Ministry of Finance, the settlement date for the invitation is now expected to occur on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, or as soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than the longstop date which is now scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2023, unless further extended by the government pursuant to the invitation.
The announcement date per the release is now expected to occur on or around January 17, 2023.
New terms
In addition to the foregoing extensions, the government announced the following modifications to the Invitation to Exchange, which are set forth in further detail on a Term Sheet:
Offering accrued and unpaid interest on eligible bonds, and a cash tender fee payment to holders of eligible bonds maturing in 2023; Increasing the new bonds offered by adding eight new instruments to the composition of the new bonds, for a total of 12 new bonds, one maturing each year starting January 2027 and ending January 2038; Modifying the Exchange Consideration Ratios for each new bond. The Exchange Consideration Ratio applicable to eligible bonds maturing in 2023 will be different from other eligible bonds; Setting a non-binding target minimum level of overall participation of 80 per cent of aggregate principal amount outstanding of eligible bonds; and expanding the type of investors that can participate in the exchange to now include individual investors.
These modifications, the release said, would be set forth fully in an amended and restated exchange memorandum which is expected to be published during the week of December 26, 2022. Conforming changes (including adding and modifying defined terms) in respect of the above amendments and modifications to cure ambiguity, omission, defect, error or inconsistency may be included in the amended and restated exchange memorandum.
Source: Graphiconline
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Kathmandu – Searchers on Monday found both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from a passenger flight that crashed on Sunday, killing at least 68 people in Nepal’s deadliest plane crash in 30 years, officials said.
The data on the recorders may help investigators determine what caused the ATR 72 aircraft, carrying 72 people, to crash in clear weather just before landing in the tourist city of Pokhara.
Both recorders were in good shape and would be sent for analysis based on the recommendation of the manufacturer, Teknath Sitaula, an official at the Kathmandu airport, told Reuters on Monday.
Rescuers were battling cloudy weather and poor visibility as they scoured the river gorge for passengers who were unaccounted for more than 24 hours after the crash. Sixty-eight bodies have been recovered.
Reuters footage from the crash site showed rescuers looking at the charred remains of the plane near a gorge in the mountains.
The plane, on a scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, gateway to the scenic Annapurna mountain range, was carrying 57 Nepalis, five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one person each from Argentina, Ireland, Australia and France.
Pokhara police official Ajay K.C. said the search-and-rescue operation, which stopped because of darkness on Sunday, had resumed.
“We will take out the five bodies from the gorge and search for the remaining four that are still missing,” he told Reuters.”It is cloudy now… causing a problem in the search.”
The other 63 bodies had been sent to a hospital, he said. A spokesperson for Pokhara airport also said that the weather was hampering rescue efforts but that clouds were expected to clear later in the day.
Nearly 350 people have died since 2000 in a plane or helicopter crashes in Nepal – home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Everest – where sudden weather changes can make for hazardous conditions.
Experts say air accidents are usually caused by a combination of factors, and investigations can take months or longer.
India’s aviation regulator said it would take all measures to ensure safe aviation in the country’s airspace.
Nepal has declared a day of national mourning on Monday and set up a panel to investigate the disaster and suggest measures to avoid such incidents in future.
A shocking video about a real-life event which is currently going viral online reveals how a cruel nanny infected her madam’s child with HIV/AIDS.
The horror story was told in a viral video shared on TikTok by @talkradio702.
Narrating the story, the radio presenter said the nanny has been breastfeeding the baby over time without his parent’s permission whiles knowing well that she’s HIV positive.
READ ALSO:Chilling video of Ghanaian nanny mercilessly hitting and kicking a baby under her care
When the child became constantly sick, he was taken to the hospital for medical checks and it was found he is HIV positive.
The child’s parents were shocked since the baby was born without the virus and they themselves don’t have it.
Further investigation revealed that the nanny was the one who infected the child through breastfeeding.
Many people on TikTok have been alarmed by the story which has now received over 20k comments.
Watch the video below:
READ ALSO:Kuami Eugene earns applause on social media after performing on stage with his househelp
A leading figure in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Otchere Darko says the refusal of individual bondholders to accept government’s debt exchange program is likely to worsen the country’s economic crisis.
He is of the belief, the widespread rejection of the program by the bondholders will not mean well for the country.
The private legal practitioner, wants the individual bondholders to soften their stance.
In a series of tweets, Mr. Otchere Darko said the program is necessary to save the economy and that affected persons must bear with the government.
Here is the full post
Ghana is in a very difficult place. What we are seeing with the mobilisation of agitation on individual bondholders poses a real and serious risk worse than what we witnessed when opposition to E-Levy succeeded in derailing an already shaky macroeconomic situation from 2021.
The debt exchange programme is voluntary for individual bondholders but a very necessary evil for our economy. Its success is critical to restoring macroeconomic stability, securing an IMF prog. It hits those of us holding bonds very hard. A straight no to it is no solution!
If the no-compromise opposition to it wins, what then has been achieved? It may lead to national debt default. So what then happens to the ue of your bonds after! Potentially worthless. If participation is low, we jeopardize resolving the economic crisis and hardships.
I’m sorry but we have to face the hard/painful truths. We ain’t sitting pretty. Our focus must be on how the burden to individual bondholders may be possibly eased, but not to take the hardline position of simply saying no to participation. It will come back to hit us harder!
A priority-one target for Arsenal in this winter transfer window is now a confirmed Blue player.
The Ukrainian international completed this record-signing move from his homeland top-tier Shakhtar Donetsk.
Mudryk, following this move is understood made his childhood club 100% profit [€100M] just after playing professionally for exactly three years now.
[understand that some of the €100M package deals are related to Chelsea winning the Premier League or the Champions League].
€62M as per reports was paid upfront, while the remaining spread through add-ons.
Mudryk, prior to making a name for himself at NSK Olimpiyskyi first joined ris Arsenal Kyiv and Desna Chernihiv on loan.
As a new Chelsea player, the 22-year-old penned a seven-and-a-half contract, which is id until 2030.
A right-footed winger with speed, pace, and scoring as strengths, Mudryk bagged 10 goals and 8 assists for Shakhtar Donetsk in 18 appearances this season.
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Drama erupted after a side chick unknowingly entered the shop of her sugar daddy’s wife to shop.
Apparently, the husband had told his wife that he was completely broke and as a good wife, she gave him her credit card to use in the meantime until things get better for him.
Not knowing the husband wanted to lavishly spend on his side chick but not from his account.
READ ALSO: Husband finds out his 3 kids are not his biological children after undergoing a vasectomy
He handed over his wife’s credit card to his side chick to go shopping – The lady who had no idea that the credit card belonged to his sugar daddy’s wife also entered one of the many shops in the market to buy some clothes and shoes.
Unfortunately, the shop she entered belonged to her sugar daddy’s wife who immediately noticed that the credit card contained her details.
She called her husband on the phone to scorn him and later gave the lady some soft beatings.
Watch the video below to know more…
READ ALSO:GH man kills wife after his first attempt to poison her to death failed
Do you remember the point in time when some eighth-grade girls went viral for insulting the president, Nana Addo?
We all know the trending news over the past 24 hours, especially on Twitter, is the surprise dismissal of the eight students from China Senior High School. The GES, just like the general public, decided to sack these eight high school students, though the girls themselves have publicly apologized for their unacceptable behavior that led to this dismissal.
A lot of netizens have reacted to the dismissal of these students, but almost 70% of the public is actually against the dismissal of these students because a lot of people think this dismissal will actually ruin the lives of these students. Do you think they actually deserved to be sacked?
Following the updates from the dismissal of these female students, the GES have released a statement describing the intervention of the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, against their dismissal decision.
“P.O.Box M45, Ministries, Accra Digital Address: GA-111-6780
OF the Republic of Ghana, Education
PRESS RELEASE
The President intervenes in disciplinary action taken against eight (8) students of Chino Senior High School (SHS). The President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, has intervened in the above subject after his attention was drawn to it.
Consequently, the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has directed the Ghana
education to consider an alternative disciplinary action instead of dismissal.
Signed
Kwasi Kwarteng
Spokesperson-MoE “
This literally means the president himself isn’t pleased with this decision taken by the Ges because he brought the free school to make high school available to all children, so dismissing them will rather tarnish their lives, which might push them to hate themselves. The GES are therefore told to withdraw their dismissal decision towards the eight China Shs girls.
Suggest the best punishment for these eight girls who went viral for disrespecting the president, Nana Addo.
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Afro Beats legend D’banj thrilled at the opening ceremony with electrifying performance of some of his old music and a recently released Amapiano single.
Bbtitans promises to deliver an interesting edition including the usual Biggie’s diary sessions, Head of House games, Friday night parties and tasks and would be live on the dedicated channels, DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 29.
Days before the premiere, the hosts of the hit reality show had been unveiled.
As always Big Brother Naija host, Ebuka Uchendu will be hosting the show. Ebuka will be joined by South African media personality, Lawrence Maleka.
Another round of crisis that may lead to another strike is looming in the public universities over the alleged inability of the Federal Government to conclude re-negotiations with the university-based unions on the 2009 Agreement.
This is as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU has lamented that it has lost so many of its members as a result of the failure of the government to pay the four months of withheld salaries during the strike period.
Recall that the government was unable to meet the demands of the four university-based unions, SSANU, ASUU, NASU, and NAAT, who shut down public universities last year.
On February 14, 2022, ASUU withdrew its services precisely. After several weeks, NAAT, SSANU, and NASU followed.
While SSANU and NASU ended their strike in August of last year after reaching a settlement with the Federal Government, ASUU persisted until the National Industrial Court intervened and ordered the lecturers on strike to return to their jobs in October.
As the federal government’s lawsuit against ASUU is still pending in court, Vanguard has reliable information that another round of unrest is building in the universities over the federal government’s claimed failure to wrap up negotiations with the unions on the 2009 Agreement.
The SSANU urged the prompt continuation and completion of the 2009 Agreement’s re-negotiation in a statement during its 42nd Regular National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, which was sponsored by the University of Calabar in Cross River State.
The sooner we finalise this re-negotiation and sign a new agreement, the better for the university system, said Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, national president of SSANU.
The SSANU had stated in the communiqué that “NEC in session is extremely irritated by the Federal Government’s lackadaisical and aloof attitude toward the long-standing issue of renegotiating the 2009 Agreement.
The Agreement has been up for renegotiation for 12 years. This goes against the legally mandated five-year period of time for periodic euation. The way the Federal Government is handling the situation is really depressing and shocking.
“Despite SSANU’s willingness to make sure that this problem is swiftly resolved, we are deeply troubled by the government’s hesitation. NEC consequently urges that this exercise immediately resume and be finished without further delay because the terrible economic conditions brought on by the hyperinflation and its impact on employees have undermined the present Agreement’s .
The president of the SSANU, Comrade Ibrahim, said it was unjust for the government to withhold members’ salaries for four months because the administration invoked the “no work, no pay” policy when the unions were on strike.
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Government’s deadline for bondholders to sign onto the domestic debt exchange programme expires today, Monday, January 16, 2023.
In its quest to address the country’s ongoing economic challenges, the government launched the programme to invite holders of bonds to voluntarily exchange approximately GH¢137 billion domestic notes and bonds of the Republic including ESLA and Daakye for a package of new bonds.
It is currently unclear how many institutions and individuals have signed onto the programme.
The domestic debt exchange program since its announcement has faced huge opposition from labour groups which managed to get pension funds exempted.
Also, individual bondholders who were included following the exemption of pension funds have taken a strong stance against their inclusion.
The situation has put government in a tight corner as it races against time to secure an IMF Board appro for a three billion dollar bailout.
When it comes to fashion, Juliet Ibrahim is one lady that doesn’t disappoint with her appearances, which is a part of her that many of her fans love, and are often quick to commend when she shares photos of herself. The gorgeous movie star in a new post that portrayed her looking absolutely happy, thrilled her fans with her appearance that offers a lot to talk about.
The actress who was dressed in a dark fitted outfit showed how thrilling she is with her appearance that more than defined her genuine look of great sauciness, which is spread over her, as she posed wearing a pretty wig and teasing her fans in one of the photos that made up her post. Indeed, Juliet Ibrahim is proving that her look is a part of her that she doesn’t joke with, and the images on display prices this to be a reality that she bask in.
The images the actress shared are quite exotic and with looks such as the one on display, the actress is going to be a force of great admiration who will blow many hearts away with the gorgeous contained in her photos.
Images credit: Juliet Ibrahim Instagram page.
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Herman Manyora, a political analyst, while speaking on NTV this morning has hit out at the Nyanza Region leadership following their demands to have President William Ruto bring development in the region. Manyora, says, the Nyanza Region should not make Ruto feel as if he must bring development to them.
According to Manyora, Ruto is the President of Kenya and not a chief who can be tasked with the responsibility of bringing local development to every part of Kenya.
“The constitution is very clear. President William Ruto should not be made think that he is supposed to do something. The President is not a chief that he should do everything for specific region” said Manyora.
Manyora stated that everything comes and goes, adding that Raila Odinga has tried everything to become the President but that has not happened. Manyora, added that, Raila’s time will come when he will be replaced by another politician who is greater than him and not a small one.
The political analyst, Manyora, while speaking on NTV this morning wondered how Ruto visited Nyanza Region and got welcomed so brightly. He claimed that something might have happened to see everything run fine without any form of resistance from the people and the region’s politicians.
“Everything has an end, it comes and go. Raila has been a leader and when time comes, he will go. Raila is a master of reinvention. So some small politicians cannot challenge Raila in Nyanza”
“Many people thought that if Ruto goes to Nyanza, something might happen. In politics, every has a price. Some politicians might have been bought. It is strange that Ruto visits Nyanza Region and nothing happens, either some people have been bought or Raila has been compromised” said Manyora.
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Shatta Wale, a controversial dancehall artist, recently said that Ghanaian actress and TV program presenter Nana Ama McBrown does not possess enough presenting abilities.
During an Instagram live session, the singer known as “On God” said that the actress lacked the necessary credentials to work as a broadcaster for UTV.
“Nana Ama McBrown is an actress, Nana Ama McBrown doesn’t know anything about presenting. Sometimes she can present and someone can counter her,” he said.
“Let us be real in this life, it’s stupid. You, people, are villagers. Stupid people. You are worrying Ghanaians, you are worrying Ghanaians. It’s nonsense. That’s why you all can’t stop me. That’s what you all deserve. Stupid!” he ranted.
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READ ALSO: Shatta Wale insults critics criticizing Meek Mill over Jubilee House video shoot
In addition, he begged Fada Dickson that they reeuate their goals since he believes that many of their programs include ludicrous content.
“Fada Dickson I beg, I respect you and Despite so much because the innovations, the idea, the vision that you people have for this country is helping a lot of people.”
“Please check your radio stations and TV stations. The programmes you are doing are nonsense. It’s nonsense, it’s stupid. We have boys from Legon who have some ideas. Let them bring it on board,” he added.
Nana Ama McBrown is the person in charge of the United show that airs every Saturday on United Television.
A police officer with the anti-robbery unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command has been burnt to death in a fire that gutted the police barracks where he lived with his family.
The officer died together with his wife, and child.
The bodies of the family have been deposited at the morgue.
Assembly Member for the Apromase/Asawase Electoral area, Ernest Kwarteng spoke to Citi News.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that most politicians get blinded when they get political power.
Speaking during a book presentation/reception that ended week-long activities that marked the retirement of the Bayelsa State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, Jonathan advised politicians not to be blinded by the power they wield.
He also urged judicial officers to strive to be impartial and courageous in upholding the rule of law, which he noted was significant in the delivery of justice.
Jonathan said;
“I advise politicians that while in office, let us not try to blackmail the judiciary because it is conservative. When we get political power, we get so blinded. Politicians should know that society is changing.
“Today, we are celebrating our retiring Chief Judge because she has served meritoriously. In 2015, she left Bayelsa for Rivers to perform the swearing-in of the governor thereby averting anarchy. It appears that the judicial arm is more functional than the executive.”
30-year-old, Michael Abeiku who was placed on the police wanted list for allegedly murdering his 27-year-old wife last Thursday has been arrested by the police.
The commercial driver who accused the wife of infidelity and subsequently butchered her at Oyoko a suburb of Koforidua in the New Juaben North Municipality fled the scene before the arri of the police after committing the despicable act.
According to Citi News sources, a combined team of Police CID and civilians accosted him at his hideout at Gomoa Fete in the Central Region on Sunday before taking him to the Gomoa Ajumako Police station.
He’s currently at the Eastern Regional police command after he was taken to the crime scene at Oyoko for physical identification by family members of the deceased and neighbours.
Abeiku Michael who is in custody at Koforidua Galloway is expected to be arraigned before the circuit court this week.
A Vice President of Imani Africa Bright Simons has said that the upper middle class in Ghana will now opt for more investment opportunities abroad due to the domestic debt exchange programme that has been introduced in Ghana by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
In a tweet, he said “Folks all fired up about how the economic situation will now push upper middle class folks to join the political fray for more accountability.
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but it will just push them to look for more investment options abroad, causing more economic [problems]for Ghana.”
Folks all fired up about how the economic situation will now push upper middle class folks to join the political fray for more accountability. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it will just push them to look for more investment options abroad, causing more econ wahala for Ghana.
Regarding he debt exchange, the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu indicated that the Programme could wipe out the middle class.
This, he said, is where the danger is hence, further engagements are needed.
He said these while speaking with a group of individual bondholders led by convener, Senyo Hosi and private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu when they submitted a petition to exclude individual bondholders from the debt exchange to him on Friday.
The Suame Lawmaker said “What we [are] talking about is that many of these bondholders also belong to the middle class and that’s where the major worry is. If we are wiping away the middle class, that could be dangerous, so we need to have some further dialogue on this.
“Government thinks that this is the best way forward, however, even if it is, we need to engage, reflect and then move on and that will encourage some people who have some doubt to better appreciate where we are.”
“Nothing can substitute for discussions, round table discussions and engagements wherever we find ourselves in. I think it’s important that we go back to the drawing table to have engagements with the major stakeholders…All of us are in it. And if we don’t manage it well, we’ve gone through this before, way back some 25, 30 years ago and repositioning was a major, major difficulty.
“Today many people are coming on board and if this thing should happen, how do we build confidence and trust and reconstruct a new savings culture?”
Also, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh asked the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to review the decision to include individual bondholders in the programme.
He described the inclusion of the individual bondholders as unfair and untenable.
“The Finance Minister (Ministry) must as a matter of urgency review as soon as possible its decision and resolution on individual bond holders. I don’t agree with them and I think it’s unfair and untenable! Review your decision now,” the Majority Chief Whip tweeted.
The debt exchange programme announced by Mr Ofori-Atta has suffered rejection from Ghanaians.
For instance, Convener of the Individual Bondholders Forum (IBF) Senyo Hosi, said regarding the programme that in an unfortunate oppressive fashion, the government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.
In the process, the IBF said, Ghanaians have been presented with painfully stark, impoverishing and unsustainable choices – a situation deeply troubling and wholly untenable.
This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission,” a statement issued by Hosi said.
The Government of Ghana (GoG) announced that under its Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme, individual bondholders were to submit to a “voluntary” arrangement to exchange their domestic bonds for new benchmark bonds.
This arrangement, according to IBF, irreversibly takes away the wealth and livelihoods of direct and indirect individual bondholders whose only crime has been to trust their government.
Tied to this is a mandatory deadline which compels holders to either accept the government’s offer or risk the threat of prohibitive losses, the Forum added.
It stressed “In an unfortunate oppressive fashion, government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.
“In the process, we have been presented with painfully stark, impoverishing and unsustainable choices – a situation deeply troubling and wholly untenable. This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission.”
The Individual Bondholders’ Forum (IBF) is a voluntary group of individual bondholders established with defined governance structures to coordinate and defend the interests of individual bondholders in respect of the DDE program and to engage the GoG.
Johannesburg – The unprecedented R490 million lawsuit by top businessman Dr Andile Ngcaba against information technology services company Dimension Data for paying its white executives significantly more than him looks set to finally go ahead this year.
Ngcaba launched his claim against Dimension Data, of which he was chairman, in 2016.
He stated that he had been given an oral undertaking by the company’s former chief executive officer, Brett Dawson, that he would always be compensated in the manner that was either equal or better than other senior executives including, white employees.
Ngcaba is currently the controlling shareholder, founding partner and non-executive chairman of investment management firm Convergence Partners, which has an asset base of over US$400m (about R6.8 billion).
He has accused the company of discriminating against him by underpaying him compared to Dimension Data’s white employees.
The former director-general of the Department of Communications accuses Dimension Data Middle East and Africa of breaching their agreement by paying white employees on a salary scale that was higher than his for 12 years.
As a result, he claims damages of R490 230 605, which is the shortfall he suffered in his remuneration.
South Gauteng High Court Judge Edwin Molahlehi last month granted Dimension Data Middle East and Africa, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), which bought it in 2010, and its founder and former executive chairman Jeremy Ord, leave to amend their plea within 10 days.
In their application, they attacked what they described as Ngcaba’s legally incompetent reliance on an oral agreement allegedly concluded after the conclusion of his employment contract in support of a claim which falls within the purview of the employment contract.
“The plaintiff’s (Ngcaba’s) legally incompetent claim in delict, advanced in circumstances where the dispute is contractual, and the plaintiff has contractual remedies available to him.
“The plaintiff’s unjustified avoidance of the arbitration and other dispute resolution clauses in the employment contract regulating the resolution of disputes arising thereunder,” reads Dimension Data, NTT and Ord’s special plea.
In addition, they argued that Ngcaba attempted to bypass procedures set out in the Employment Equity Act and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act in respect of his claims, which require that he institute his claims in the manner and forums set out in those statutes.
Another issue both firms and Ord raised is jurisdictional and that NTT is a Japanese telecommunications company and therefore, a peregrinus (a foreign litigant not domiciled within the jurisdiction of local courts) of South Africa.
Ngcaba opposed the application to amend the special plea because it was mala fide (in bad faith) as its institution was delayed and prejudicial to him.
He argued that the jurisdictional issue of NTT being a peregrinus was settled when it accepted the service of his summons in South Africa.
“… The proposed amendments amount to a mala fide attempt incurably and prejudicially to impede the proper and due ventilation of the real issues between the parties and to delay the finalisation of the dispute,” Ngcaba explained.
However, Judge Molahlehi was not convinced.
“I find that the defendants (Dimension Data, NTT and Ord) deserve leave to amend their plea, which is necessary for the proper ventilation of the real issues in dispute between the parties. The proposed amendments are made in good faith, and I do not believe that they will cause any undue prejudice or injustice to the plaintiff (Ngcaba),” he found.
The matter has been ready for hearing since November 2020 after the pre-trial conference was held in September of the same year and Ngcaba questioned why Dimension Data, NTT and Ord delayed bringing their proposed amendments.
Judge Molahlehi said the overall delay in the proceedings couldn’t be blamed on Dimension Data, NTT and Ord only. The postponement of the matter was also due to Ngcaba’s failure to timeously file expert reports, as well as his earlier application to amend his particulars of claim.
The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) has directed commercial banks not to sign onto the amended debt exchange offer over uncertainty surrounding the impact of the debt restructuring on the banking industry.
The association wants its concerns addressed before accepting the debt exchange offer, according to a letter sent to managing directors of banks and seen by 3Business. GAB told member banks that may want to consider the debt exchange in its current form to formally inform the association first before doing so.
“…From the uncertainty surrounding the programme, GAB recommends that all banks must stay any further movement on the exchange until our demands have been met. However, in the event that a bank may have to move forward to exchange, the MD/CEO must inform the CEO of GAB directly of the decision,” according to the letter sent to the banks.
The decision was made after a high-level multi-stakeholder meeting involving GABS, the Vice President, the Minister for Finance, debt management advisors, and financial sector regulators including the Bank of Ghana.
The intercepted document suggests that the leadership of the banking group at the meeting put forward several demands to mitigate the impact of the domestic debt exchange programme on the banking sector.
Africa’s second top gold prouder has signed a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion bailout package. However, the board appro is hinged on a successful debt restructuring that will reduce the country’s debt servicing obligations.
3Business reported last Friday that banks were hesitant to sign onto the programme, adding to the list of rebellions fighting the domestic debt exchange.
“If the debt exchange programme is implemented in its current form, the banking sector would lose about GHS 5.9 billion in revenue alone, incur a loss before tax of about GHS 14.5 billion and a liquidity gap in excess of GHS 20 billion,” the document stated.
The banks warned that the debt exchange would lead to massive job losses as they will have to scale back on their operations.
The association wants the January 16 deadline for bond holders to sign up for the debt exchange programme extended to allow for more engagement. The government has already postponed the deadline on two occasions.
.
While many stakeholders at the high-level meeting appeared aligned with the suggestion to extend the deadline for the third time, the Finance Minister and the French company advising the government, Lazard, opposed the request.
They argue that any further postponement of the deadline will affect the credibility of the debt exchange programme. By Sani Abdul-Rahman, 3Business
Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho has said that the eight students who were sacked for insulting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should thank the President for having a kind heart to forgive them.
He said the girls would have been flogged openly in other jurisdictions for insulting the president.
“Honestly, these girls are damn lucky. In other jurisdictions, they would have been flogged publicly. What nonsense!! You joke with insulting the President & making it public? Ah! Ah! Ah! I guess we must thank President Akufo-Addo for having a kind heart to forgive them. Thanks Prez,” Mr Anyidoho tweeted.
Honestly, these girls are damn lucky. In other jurisdictions, they wld have been flogged publicly. What nonsense!! U joke with insulting the President & making it public? Ah! Ah! Ah! I guess we must thank President Akufo-Addo for having a kind heart to forgive them.Thanks Prez🙏 pic.twitter.com/OrRsm7lc3c
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Barcelona would be willing to sell Raphinha but only if Arsenal make an offer of around €88.7 million and €100 million. Arsenal will be looking forward to making a bid after missing out on Mudryk.
(Source: Fabrizio Romano).
West Ham in for Moffi
West Ham have reportedly made a £25m bid for Lorient striker Terem Moffi.
Foot Mercato claim that the Hammers have offered £20m up front with a further £5m in add-ons, as they look to strengthen in forward areas.
Despite a summer of big spending, West Ham are in the relegation zone and have scored just 15 goals in 19 Premier League matches this season.
Spurs set for Porro talks
Tottenham will meet with Sporting Lisbon this week to try and strike a deal for Pedro Porro.
The Portuguese club continue to insist they will only sell if the €45m releause clause is paid in full, but Ben Jacobs reports that Spurs still want to see if they can get the full-back for a cheaper price.
It’s claimed that Porro is keen on the move, and Tottenham remain hopeful they will not have to pay the full amount.
Done deal
Official: Confirmed, Arsenal third GK Arthur Okonkwo leaves Crewe to join Austrian Bundesliga side Sturm Graz on loan until the end of the season. Deal has been completed today after medical tests.
Content created and supplied by: Sportyvibes (via Opera News )
Award-winning dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale is appealing to his baby mama, Michy to grant him access to their son, Majesty.
Reacting to an interview in which Michy disclosed her carefulness not to fall into the hands of the enemies of Shatta Wale after their break up, the Dancehall king artiste applauded her for her frankness but also appealed to her to make him see their son.
In a post on Snapchat yesterday, January 14, Shatta Wale said, “Michy being frank with her experience out there but someone should tell her I have not seen Majesty for years and that’s not cool. I also want to buy my son some toys and trainers”.
This is not the first time the 2014 VGMA Artiste of the Year has lamented about the situation of not having a good father/son relationship with Majesty.
His appeal is a follow-up to Michy’s interview with Kwaku Manu recently where Michy explained that although she and Shatta Wale were not together anymore, she was careful not to dent his image with her actions.
“I don’t want people having anything to say about my ex. He has a lot of enemies so I’m very careful with my dealings. Of course, he has a reputation to protect. I’ve been with him from the start so I respect the hustle, where we came from,” Michy stated in the interview.
Source: graphic.com.gh
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At least 10 people have died in an accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The accident involving a Mack truck and a Toyota Hiace bus occurred in the Oniworo area.
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps in Ogun State, Mr Ahmed Umar, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta.
Umar explained that the accident occurred at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14.
Umar added that the accident was caused by road obstruction on the part of the trailer and also excessive speed and loss of control on the part of the driver of the bus
He explained that the Toyota bus marked KLD 539 XA lost control and ran into the truck with no registration number at the rear.
He said: “A total of 19 people were involved in the crash which comprised 13 male adults and six female adults.
“Two male adults sustained injuries while seven male adults, two female adults and one female child died in the accident.”
Umar stated that the injured victims were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere for medical attention while the deceased were deposited at the Ipara morgue.
10 die in road accident on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The sector commander urged motorists to always put on the headlamp when the weather is poor. He cautioned motorists, especially truck drivers, to always display caution signs whenever there is a breakdown on the road.
Kibanja, the Banjizzle Cosmetics founder has today clarified that she has never been a lesbian.
The voluptuous queen who also happens to be the ex-girlfriend of renowned comedian Chipukeezy, revealed this in a session that she recently had with her fans on Instagram account.
Photo: Kibanja
On Sunday night Kibanja took to her Instagram stories, and opened up a session where her followers were free to ask her any question.
When one fan asked her if she had ever dated a girl in her life, her answer was No.
In another post, Kibanja claimed that the unfounded claims of her being a lesbian were just spread by the ‘tea master’ Edgar Obare, and unfortunately many believed them to be true as shown below.
In the same session Kibanja also made it clear that she is now in a relationship, and that she is infact dating a man.
She however made it clear that she will not post him publicly anytime soon, and this is due to reasons best known by her.
Talking about her man however, Kibanja gushed over him and said that he is someone whom she would go to when in need of something.
Kibanja a lesbian?
As mentioned above, before Kibanja made her sexuality clear in the session, many of her followers used to think that she was a lesbian.
This is because of how she used to be sometimes spotted openly getting cozy with her fellow women.
About a year ago in January 2022, the sassy Banjizzle Cosmetics founder was spotted getting cozy with some lady in pool while on a vacation in Mombasa.
It was infact Kibanja who shared the photo on her insta stories, and what was clear is that the two were passionately cuddling in the pool.
Kibanja also accompanied the post with love emojis as shown below.
Before that, the sassy queen was also once exposed by blogger Edgar Obare for allegedly being a lesbian.
This happened in September 2021, and at the time Kibanja was again spotted getting cozy in a pool with a lady called Chipmurnk.
Content created and supplied by: Liwiwriter (via Opera News )
President William Ruto is reported to face a tough test in his proposal to change the Constitution through a Parliamentary initiative. Experts have sounded a warning that Ruto’s proposal might encounter the same fate as the Building Bridge Initiative (BBI).
Constitutional Laywer and High Court Advocate Mr. Martin Oloo stated that President Ruto is within his right to make suggestions to Parliament concerning the Constitutional changes, adding that, Ruto will, however, get trapped like his former Boss, Uhuru Kenyatta.
“In the face of the BBI, and in the face of the ruling and conversations that were issued during BBI, the President is not in his right to suggest to Parliament and National Assembly what they should do about the Constitutional changes because in so doing, he seems to be walking in the shoes of his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta,”
“However, Parliament itself can originate Constitutional amendment and I believe that what he was trying to do is to appeal to them to initiate that not necessarily saying he is the one initiating it,” said Mr. Oloo.
On the other hand, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Erick Theuri stated that Ruto controls the majority in both houses and that, Ruto’s proposal according to the ruling made by the Supreme Court, might follow suit as BBI. Theuri, further added that, they will seat and watch how both houses will respond to Constitutional changes.
“If we are to go with what Supreme Court ruled, then chances are that his proposals will suffer a similar fate like that of BBI. He controls the majority in both houses of Parliament. We will be watching to see what happens,”
“We as LSK might go to court ourselves. The proposed amendments are unconstitutional. The amendments are being initiated by the President contrary to the decision in the BBI case, and so, they should not see tha light of day in Parliament,” said Theuri.
Content created and supplied by: Emmanuel-Wamalwa (via Opera News )
“He said, ‘For the first time on television we will be seen as we should be seen every day, as intelligent, quality, beautiful people… who can go into space,’” Nichols recalled. “I just stood there realising every word he was saying was the truth. At that moment, the world tilted for me.” She would continue in the role for years.
The weight of sanctions and international isolation imposed in the wake of the coup has not stopped Myanmar’s rulers from manufacturing a litany of weapons, including sniper rifles, anti-aircraft guns, missile launchers, grenades, bombs and landmines.
One of the OBIDATTI Presidential campaign Spokespersons, Ogbeide Ifaluyi Isibor has explained why the majority of youths are following the labor party presidential aspirant Peter Gregory Obi
Isibor, while speaking on AIT on Sunday, said that Peter Obi’s records and his integrity are the things making the youths follow him
He asked ” Have we ever heard any governor or any person aspiring for government office and said while I served for 8yrs, I didn’t misappropriate one Kobo of the public money? Please tell us, Have we ever heard any governor say go to my state, there is no acre of land that I allocated to myself while serving as governor? Please tell us, Have we ever heard one governor says I have not received one Kobo from my state in Pension and gratuity more than ten years after leaving office? Have we ever heard any governor apart from the late Yaradua leave an inheritance for his people in billions of naira”
“You get so much more oil per hectare [from oil palms] than any other oil crop,” says Chris Chuck, professor of bioprocess engineering at the University of Bath. “Oil palms produce about 5,000 kg [of oil] per hectare per year, rapeseed about 1,000 kg per hectare per year, and soybean 400 kg per hectare per year.”
Aisha Yesufu has said the longevity of marriage should not be the prize, rather the happiness of the couple should be the focus.
She said this while reacting to reports that actors Patrick and Iretiola Doyle’s marriage is over.
She tweeted:
“We should learn to be comfortable with divorce. The longevity of a marriage should not be the prize. The prize should be happiness, fulfillment and mental well being of the couple involved. Where it is no longer optimal, people can decide to go their separate ways and be happy.”
In an Instagram post she shared, Grace told those sending her “‘DMs concerning the very disrespectful assumption and the indirect rumours” to stop.
Grace stated that while the Western fashion world is engulfed with such traits, it is not enough “to tag him what he is not even planning to become or be in another world”. She added that it is not a crime for a guy to look good, represent his brand and pay quality attention to himself.
I want to address those of you tagging and sending me DMs concerning a very disrespectful assumption and the indirect rumours, orchestrated against my husband’s personality and my Household to PLEASE STOP.
Even if most of you enjoy seeing others go down, i think it is too early in the year to subscribe to all these ‘super stories’ designed to work on your minds,and create unnecessary trends and engagement. With the permission of my husband, I am daring the so-called blogger and anyone of you who insinuate to know too much to bring out proofs that confirm Yomi “gay” as speculated without fact by your devilish camps within 24 hours.
We all know that the Western fashion world is engulfed with such traits and it’s stigmatizing but it is not enough to tag him what he is not even planning to become or be in another world. It is also not a crime for a guy to look good , represent his brand and pay quality attention to himself. It shouldn’t be translated to being gay simply because the majority of men out there pay less attention to their looks and suddenly his appearance and amiable characteristics represents name callings ? STOP WITH THE DEFAMATION ALREADY .
Having said that, our family is intact without any form of chaos or a single reason for my husband and i to drag ourselves anywhere over a NON EXISTING issue. STOP tagging me & go ask your favourite blogger to save you all the stress and suspense by unleashing his or her show of shame within 24 hours or die for making you all waste your hard earn money on data for no reason . More so, to those of you who love gossip, you can continue to spread your drama and lies as fans of negativity until being a victim of it would lead you into knowing how much it hurts and destroy people’s peace and joy .
Beyond all the lies, we shall continue to be guided on the path of truth, love, and respect for each other. Any blogger or individual who would not stop spreading fabricated and hurtful news about this man i have known in the last 5 years of marriage and for 13 years of friendship.
I pray for calamity to come upon them all one by one in JESUS NAME. AMEN
Chelsea are now willing to listen to offers for summer acquisition Raheem Sterling, according to popular Italian Journalist and sports expert Fabrizio Romano.
The news comes after the Blues made an astonishing move to hijack Arsenal’s deal for Ukrainian starlet Mykhaylo Mudryk, for whom the club paid £89m ($109m).
West Ham in for Moffi
West Ham have reportedly made a £25m bid for Lorient striker Terem Moffi.
Foot Mercato claim that the Hammers have offered £20m up front with a further £5m in add-ons, as they look to strengthen in forward areas.
Despite a summer of big spending, West Ham are in the relegation zone and have scored just 15 goals in 19 Premier League matches this season.
Man Utd reignite Timber interest
Manchester United are set to renew their interest in Ajax youngster Jurrien Timber as reported by popular sports Journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The versatile 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer and Erik ten Hag is keen to be reunited.
Timber is just one of a reported 12 Dutch players the Red Devils have been heavily scouting this season.
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The police in Kwara state on Saturday, January 14, busted a suspected child-trafficking syndicate run by Musa Ayuba, 44, Jeremiah Muda, 35, and Luka Ayuba, 37, all of Bangi village via Kotongura, Niger State, and rescued 41 young boys and girls (22 boys and 19 girls) with their age ranges between five and fifteen years, while they were waiting for a lorry that was to convey them to their destination in Ilorin.
A statement released by SP Ajayi Okasanmi, spokesperson of the state police command, says the suspects, while undergoing interrogation, claimed to be coming from Niger State to Ilorin to meet a certain pastor to enroll the children in a yet-to-be-determined school. He said the explanation didn’t seem genuine, hence would be discreetly investigated, as it is highly suspected to be a case of child trafficking.
“The children are presently in the custody of the police command, while efforts to contact the state ministry of women’s affairs. Investigation and contact with the children’s parents and guardians are ongoing”, Okasanmi said.
He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Cp Paul Odama, has advised parents and guidance to avoid releasing their children to unknown or deceitful child traffickers, as the children might be used as house helps and other despicable endeavors, which is against the child rights laws.
Okasanmi added that the suspects arrested in this case would be charged in court after a thorough investigation.
German police say they have removed almost all climate activists from a German village that will be destroyed to allow the expansion of a coal mine.
Hundreds of officers cleared around 300 activists from Lützerath in an operation that began on Wednesday.
Police say they removed activists waiting in treehouses, a day after clashes broke out between both sides.
Two people were still holding out in an underground tunnel at the site in western Germany, police added.
“There are no further activists in the village of Lützerath,” police said, adding that the buildings at the site had been cleared by Friday.
Police said that 35 “tree structures” and almost 30 wooden constructions had also been cleared away.
Climate activists said that the village and others nearby should not be demolished and the coal under them, near an open-cast brown coal mine, should be left in the ground.
Reuters
Activists say burning the coal undermines Germany’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The village is owned by energy firm RWE, and the last resident moved out over a year ago.
Germany has promised to phase out coal-fired power by 2030, bringing forward the date from 2038, and Lützerath is expected to be the final village to be swallowed up by the Garzweiler lignite mine.
RWE said the coal under the village would be needed as early as this winter.
Climate protesters dragged from German coal village
Thunberg joins ‘Pinky’ and ‘Brain’ tunnel protest
Tensions between police and climate protesters escalated on Saturday, with officers using water cannon and batons to disperse the activists.
Around 20 protesters were injured and taken to hospital, according to a medic with the activist group.
Reuters
A police spokesman said around 70 officers had been injured since they began removing people from the site on Wednesday, with many of those officers injured during Saturday’s clashes.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined the protest and denounced “police violence” in removing climate activists from the site.
The climate organisers said around 35,000 protesters demonstrated on Saturday, while police officials put the figure at around 15,000.
More on this story
Climate protesters dragged from German coal village
Thunberg joins ‘Pinky’ and ‘Brain’ tunnel protest
Battle looms as Germany sacrifices village for coal
