Media figure Nana Aba Anamoah has shared her perspective on the upcoming NPP Super Delegate run-off elections scheduled for September 2, 2023.
She conveyed that it might not be worthwhile for media outlets to extensively cover the event.
Through her social media platform, Nana Aba implied that a runoff contest between former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh and former energy minister Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko may not generate sufficient media interest to justify comprehensive coverage.
She advised the candidates to gracefully acknowledge their defeats and channel their efforts into other pursuits.
“No media house will spend resources to cover a run-off between Nimo and Agyarko. They should both go and sit somewhere and carry their L,” she posted.
Her comments come after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced a runoff election on Saturday, September 2, between the two politicians.
Both candidates received an equal number of nine ballots at the recentSuper Delegates Conference held on Saturday, August 26.
The conference aimed to elect five candidates out of a total of ten for the November 4 presidential primaries. The tie-breaking runoff is necessary to determine which candidate will proceed to the primaries and join Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Afriyie Akoto and Alan Kyeremanten in the flagbearer race.
Reigning champions of theGhana Premier League, Medeama SC, have successfully finalised the transfer of striker Daniel Lomotey from ES Setif.
The former Ghana U-23 striker has officially agreed to a two-year contract, marking his anticipated comeback to the Ghana Premier League following a challenging period spent in Algeria.
Medeama SC took to social media to announce the addition of the striker to their roster, releasing an official statement confirming his signing on a two-year agreement.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of former Ghana Under-20 striker Daniel Adzigodi Lomotey Agbloe on a permanent contract. Lomotey has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal after leaving Algerian giants ES Setif” a statement from the club reads.
The former WAFA man spent two seasons with the Algerian top-tier side but struggled for game time and thus failed to hit the form that landed him the transfer in 2021.
Lomotey, before his departure, netted four goals against WAFA’s 5-4 win over Medeama in January. He led the top scorer’s chart but could not finish the 2020/2021 season as Setif poached him.
In the realm of football transfers, the roster of female agents remains relatively short. However, French agent Jennifer Mendelewitsch is defying norms and revolutionising the field, positioning herself as one of the few women thriving in this lucrative profession.
For those who may not be familiar, Jennifer Mendelewitsch is a French football agent who represents a range of players, including Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
Due to her close professional relationship and business dealings with Kudus, there have been instances where she is mistakenly perceived as the Ghanaian player’s romantic partner.
Jennifer Mendelewitsch has solidified her place in history by becoming the first French agent to engineer a deal with the esteemed Dutch football powerhouse, Ajax Amsterdam. Her pivotal role was evident as she facilitated Kudus’ transition from FC Nordsjaelland to Ajax Amsterdam for a sum of €9.00 million.
Recounting how she managed to seal that move, Jennifer Mendelewitsch told Oh My Goal, “The negotiations were with Marc Overmars and when I was younger, I would have never thought that this kind of deal would be possible.”
Although Kudus was one of the most sought-after players even at FC Nordsjaelland, Jennifer Mendelewitsch wanted a club where the Ghanaian could get more exposure and nurture his talent.
“Kudus was a young player who was very sought after during the transfer window in 2020. He wanted to play in the Champions League and we knew Ajax were close to being the best for developing young players. So it was natural to make that choice,” she told Oh My Goal in an interview.
In her most recent accomplishment, Jennifer Mendelewitsch successfully negotiated the transfer ofMohammed Kudus to the Premier League team West Ham, securing a significant €45 million deal that brought him over from Ajax.
Jennifer Mendelewitsch, who serves as a representative for numerous esteemed agents, initiated her professional journey at the age of 20, immediately after completing her qualifications.
Similar to how certain players are born into families with a strong football legacy, Jennifer Mendelewitsch was born into a family deeply rooted in the realm of football representation. Her father served as the agent for formerPSG player Jeremy Menez, who came close to joining Manchester United.
Despite benefiting from learning under her father’s guidance, it was a pivotal meeting with the renowned former Manchester United coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, that marked the turning point in her career.
“Being a supporter of the club since I was little, I was able to attend one of the meetings and it’s definitely something that had a big impact on me and had a small part to play in my career,” she said.
Beyond Mohammed Kudus, Mendelewitsch’s Supernova Management agency also manages Ivorian player Ismaël Diallo, who plays for Croatian side Hajduk Split, and former NAC Breda striker Thierry Ambrose, among others.
She also previously worked with Ghanaian player, Aminu Mohammed, who signed for Manchester City but whose career took a nose dive after he was released by the Premier League side.
Mendelewitsch currently also manages Ghanaian centre back, Emmanuel Ntim who plays for SM Caen in the French Ligue 2.
Manchester United icon Gary Neville has expressed his view that Arsenal should return to the fundamental strategy of deploying their key players in their preferred positions, which contributed to the team’s success in the 2022–2023 season.
Neville’s viewpoint stems from Arsenal’s recent inability to secure a victory against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on August 26, 2023.
He highlighted an evident “element of the experiment,” pointing out that Thomas Partey is currently being utilised both as a defender and a midfielder, depending on the specific phase of the match.
“I would say that for me, looking at Arsenal, there is this element of experimentation. Thomas Partey is playing half-and-half in a game. Sometimes you need to go back to basics,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
He advised that Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta move Partey back to midfield to form a trio with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
“I’d expect next week [vs. Manchester United] that Mikel Arteta is going to end that experiment and go with a solid back four. Move Partey into midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.”
Thomas Partey, a Ghanaian international who was formerly a defensive midfielder, has been moved to right back in the current Arsenal lineup.
With Martin Odgaard, the team’s captain, and record-signing Declan Rice, he formed a solid midfield triangle at the beginning of the season, receiving plaudits from many.
The standard 4-3-3 has now been changed to a 3-5-2, but without any preseason practise, many have questioned if it will be successful in producing the desired outcomes.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee established to investigate the alleged plot against the IGP, Bugri Naabu substantiated that he engaged in a significant conversation with two high-ranking police officers. He identified these officers as Commander Asare and COP Mensah.
Naabu disclosed that the conversation transpired within the confines of his office near the Osu Police Station in Osu. The two senior officers approached him with an agenda to advocate for the IGP’s removal.
Their motivation, as conveyed to him, was based on their perception that Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare’s actions were favoring the interests of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), potentially undermining the NPP’s chances of winning the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Earlier, Naabu had denied being present during the meeting discussing the removal of Dampare in an interview on Kumasi-based Oyereba FM.
In July of this year, an incendiary audio clip surfaced, purportedly featuring a conversation between a supposed senior police officer and individuals suspected to be affiliated with the NPP. The conversation revolved around the intention to replace Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as IGP.
The leaked audio, shared by GHone TV on its Twitter page, features a Police Commissioner identifying himself as Mensa and a politician who describes himself as a former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP.
They discuss plans to oust Dampare due to his unwavering stance, which they believe would hinder any attempt to manipulate the 2024 elections.
In the leaked audio, Commissioner Mensa asserts that the NPP’s chances of victory in the upcoming general elections would be compromised if the current IGP remained in office.
Rapper Amerado, born is Derrick Sarfo Kantanka, has opened up about his struggles to secure shows in Ghana, emphasizing that he shouldn’t be pressed by fans toperform at the O2 Arena.
Recently, there has been a growing debate among music enthusiasts in Ghana about the contrasting success of Nigerian and Ghanaian musicians. Nigerian young artists are reportedly filling stadiums internationally, while similar achievements are not as evident among even prominent Ghanaian artists.
Addressing this matter on United Television in Accra, Amerado asserted that Ghanaian artists could indeed gather a large audience at venues like the O2 Arena. However, he pointed out that the lack of comparable support for Ghanaian artists, unlike their Nigerian counterparts, renders the comparison moot.
According to Amerado, if the necessary backing and support were provided, Ghanaian artists would have the potential to attract significant crowds wherever they perform.
“In Ghana, we are thinking of pushing one artiste out and promoting a new one. You’ll produce a hit song, and it will last for one week. The music lovers here have a problem with every artiste. They say Fameye produces funeral songs, and when Black Sherif came, they said he shouts too much. How will the artiste be motivated?
“We need support to be able to do some of these things. Have you checked the numbers when we organize shows in the country? A Ghanaian will rather go to a wedding or funeral than come to a show because they will give them food at the wedding and funeral.”
“We as artists are struggling, so we can’t also carry the burden of filling the O2 arena. We are not even getting shows to perform at in Ghana let alone International gigs. How many shows did I perform on in December to think of filling the O2 arena?” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s newfound prominence in the global football transfer market is impacting Australia’s ability to attract foreign talent to the A-League Men.
The head coach of the Western Sydney Wanderers, Marko Rudan, expressed that the league is currently facing one of its most challenging recruitment periods in his memory.
This shift comes in the wake of Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment, estimated at AU$1.41 billion in transfer fees alone, which has disrupted the transfer market dynamics.
It’s worth noting that these substantial figures do not even encompass player salaries, further diminishing the A-League Men’s appeal.
During the current off-season, Rudan has only managed to secure the addition of one overseas recruit, former Leeds United forward Marcus Antonsson, to complement his Brazilian defender and captain, Marcelo.
A-League men’s clubs are allowed a maximum of five foreign players in their squad. Rudan emphasised that this issue is prevalent throughout the league, impacting recruitment efforts across the board.
Rudan, whose side faces Adelaide United in the last 16 of the Australia Cup on Tuesday, said the issue was endemic across the competition.
“It’s not just Saudi Arabia too; there are a lot of countries that can offer a lot more money than ours,” Rudan said.
“Have a look at the imports that have been signed [in the A-League Men] this year, across the board; it’s not like there’s been any real headline [grabbers] out there. That tells you what the market is [doing]. We’re struggling. “Twelve months ago, there were a lot of players at my disposal but it’s so difficult this year.
“Saudi Arabia’s got a second division, as well, that is paying astronomical amounts of money.
“This year has been the toughest for me personally in the last five years in the A-League that I’ve had to encounter. Take Melbourne City away and no other team has gone and made a lot of noise.”
The Wanderers were unable to retain Tunisian international Amor Layouni, whom Rudan claimed was asking for a salary in line with that of Melbourne City and Socceroos star Matthew Leckie.
Adding to the pain for A-League Men clubs is the increase in young players heading overseas. The Wanderers, for example, have sold Kusini Yengi to England’s Portsmouth and Calem Nieuwenhof to Scotland’s Hearts.
“We’re not finished. It takes a bit of time. We’re three foreigners short,” Rudan said. “We’ve been talking for the last four to five weeks with a few players, so we certainly want to improve the current squad that we have got.”
Inter Miami superstar, Lionel Messi could suffer punishment for violating the Major League Soccer (MLS) rules after he declined to face the press following his debut.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner did not show up for the post-match press conference after his debut against New York Red Bull on Saturday.
Messi, who started the game from the bench, climbed off the bench to wrap up a 2-0 win for Inter Miami with a well-worked, phenomenal goal.
According to Goal, Miami spokeswoman Molly Dreska informed the press that the Argentine would not face the press, hence, Messi could be sanctioned for not showing up.
At the moment, a decision on whether or not Messi will be punished has not been made as he continues his stunning start in Miami.
Lionel Messi’s goal takes his tally for Miami to 11 goals and 3 assists in 9 matches.
Talent manager and entertainment commentator, Mr. Logic, has expressed his frustration regarding the prevailing lack of authentic backing and financial support within the music industry. He asserts that this deficiency stands as the primary impediment to the industry’s advancement.
He strongly refutes the claim that artist Shatta Wale is to blame for hindering progress within the industry, deeming such allegations as baseless.
Speaking on UTV’s Showbiz Night, Mr. Logic elaborated on the issue, highlighting how continuous negative comparisons and criticisms discourage potential investors from channeling resources into artists who possess the potential to achieve accomplishments akin to those attained by Nigerian artists.
He underlined that the remarkable global success of Nigerian artists is largely attributed to substantial investments and robust industry support, an approach that could also greatly benefit Ghanaian artists.
Mr. Logic challenged the notion that artists like Shatta Wale, who boast extensive experience in the industry, are incapable of filling prestigious venues such as the O2 Arena.
He pointed out that the prevailing negative discourse surrounding the industry has eroded investor confidence, subsequently affecting both artists and their overall prominence.
“Who says Shatta Wale who has been in the industry for the longest running can’t fill up the O2 arena, It’s because investors have lost confidence due to the constant negative conversations that surround the artistry and it affects the artists and their prominence”
He emphasized that the achievements of artists like Asake are not unattainable for Ghanaian artists, provided they are given the necessary resources and support.
“It is nothing too extraordinary that Asake and his colleagues are doing that the Ghanaian artists can’t do, we are equally capable of doing the same, let’s not belittle our creatives for trying their best”
He criticized the approach of Ghanaian artists, noting that they often rely on personal contacts rather than allocating budgets for self-promotion, unlike their Nigerian counterparts.
Mr. Logic emphasized that Shatta Wale should not be blamed for the industry’s challenges, as pushing each other’s careers is not a responsibility that falls on any individual artist.
“Ghanaian artists don’t go all out in pushing their music and craft unlike the Nigerians, they don’t have any budget in promoting themselves or whatsoever rather they seek to ride on personal contacts for their gain rather than putting in the necessary resources for greater results, Ghanaian artist lacks the understanding of the business of music
“Don’t blame Shatta Wale for the industry woes, It’s not his responsibility to push anyone, each of the artists is doing their work and no one is obliged to push the other. However, the prompt rescue for success in the industry is if these artists get the major support and funding”
He stressed that the real solution lies in granting these artists the essential support and funding they need to thrive in the industry.
This was in reaction to the directive released on August 18 informing its clients to pay a mandatory 650 cedis verification fee or risk losing their locked-up funds.
This didn’t go down well with many, as NAM1 was accused of trying to swindle his customers again. The payment was later cancelled.
Addressing the issue on United Showbiz on UTV on August 26, Arnold warned NAM1 to put more thought into how he handles communications. He explained that Ghanaians are more cautious of attempts to swindle them and advised him to be circumspect in how he handles the company in the future.
“I think Nana Appiah should have the realisation that the Ghanaians of 2016–2017 are not the same as today,” said Arnold. “They are wiser now. That’s why you have the pushback, the protest, and the angst that followed the release he brought out.”
“If he had brought out that release in 2015/2016, there would have been less opposition to a release like that. But in 2023, if you actually come up with a lousy and flippant release like that, the results are what we are seeing,” he added.
“So my advice to him is that moving forward, he should be careful, because Ghanaians are smarter now. So before he releases any announcement, he has to be super sure and must go through multiple reviewsbecause the Menzgold matter is not something to joke about, many people have lost their money, lives, and properties.
“So if he sits in his bedroom and writes anything and thinks Ghanaians will swallow it, he is making a mistake, and that’s what he realised. Ghanaians are smarter now,” Arnold remarked.
He also expressed his disappointment in authorities for their lackadaisical approach to dealing with the issue. He wondered why the case had dragged on in the courts for such a long time and called for a quick round-up of the case.
“How can the man have been in court since 2019? He has been in court 36 times. Let’s accord the matter some level of seriousness. Unless the authorities are not taking the case seriously, they should just discard the case and let the aggrieved customers move on.
“But if they want to find a solution to the situation, they either prosecute him or let the matter be a dead matter,” he said.
The ‘All Black Party’ held in Kumasi over the weekend saw the attendance of notable figures, including Henry Nana Boakye, the national organiser of theNew Patriotic Party (NPP); Christian Kwasi Agyeman, the CEO of Taabea Bitters and a member of the East Legon Executive Club; as well as Rev. Isaac Obofour.
In widely circulated videos from the event, these individuals were captured alongside their bouncers, who escorted them to the venue, and their presence was acknowledged by the MC.
Dressed to fit the occasion, these individuals were seen in a pair of black trousers and a shirt.
They accessorised with a pair of sunglasses, pouches and sleek watches.
Netizens who were shocked to see such personalities, particularly,Nana B and Rev. Obofour at such a wild gathering, have shared interesting comments beneath the viral posts on social media.
Lyon’s manager, Laurent Blanc, has revealed that the club is set to introduce Ghanaian youngster Ernest Nuamah as a new signing by the end of this week.
The 19-year-old is on the verge of finalizing a transfer from Danish giants FC Nordjselland to the French Ligue 1. Reports suggest that his medical examinations were conducted last week, marking a significant step towards his move.
Due to his impending transfer, Nuamah has been absent from three consecutive matches for FC Nordsjaelland. While there has been no official confirmation from the parties involved in the agreement, Blanc has affirmed the deal’s completion. He mentioned that the player is already integrated into the team, awaiting the official announcement.
“He’s already in Lyon. I think [this] week he’ll officially be a Lyon player,” the French manager said when asked about the 19-year-old after the league game against OGC Nice on Sunday evening.
“He is a player that will bring what he’s capable of bringing. He is a player with a lot of power. He is a young player, a very young player, but he also brings us a bit of competition. Bringing competition to every position is a good thing for everyone. The more competition, the better things will be.”
Nuamah’s exceptional performance for his club has garnered him individual accolades, and he has also earned a spot on the 100-player shortlist for the 2023 Golden Boy Award.
His international displays have also left a positive impression, as he represented the Black Meteors in the qualifiers for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and participated in the main tournament held in Morocco earlier this year.
His remarkable showings have made him a highly sought-after young talent. Notably, clubs such as Paris Saint Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, and Ajax have all expressed interest in securing his services.
Premier League teams have splurged a historic £1.95 billion ($2.45 billion) on player acquisitions during the current summer transfer window.
According to analysis from Deloitte, this spending is projected to surpass £2 billion, with a week remaining until the September 1 deadline.
The transfer window, commencing on June 14, has already surpassed last year’s record-breaking figure of £1.92 billion, as reported by Deloitte’s Sports Business Group.
This window has witnessed two transfers surpassing £100 million each: Chelsea’s acquisition of midfielder Moisés Caicedo and Arsenal’s signing of Declan Rice.
This stands in contrast to the previous summer, which saw no such transfers.
Chelsea, which has secured the services of nine players thus far, has spent over $1 billion in transfer fees.
This surge in spending coincides with the new ownership led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, following their takeover of the club in May 2022.
Manchester United is on the verge of finalising a deal to acquire goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, a move that will likely pave the way for Dean Henderson’s transfer to Crystal Palace, as per information from ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
United is preparing to secure the services of Bayindir from Fenerbahce for a sum of approximately €4.9 million, while concurrently, Henderson is in the process of sealing a permanent switch to Palace for a fee of £20 million.
The medical examination for Bayindir has already been concluded, and he is set to sign with United after the formalisation of Henderson’s move.
Henderson, who was included on the bench during United’s 3-2 triumph against Nottingham Forest, subsequently journeyed to London post-match to undergo a medical assessment and hash out personal terms. Dougie Freedman, the sporting director of Palace, was spotted in the stands at Old Trafford during the match.
Altay Bayindir, boasting five international caps with Turkey, is poised to join the ranks as the backup goalkeeper to first-choice André Onana, who had previously transferred fromInter Milan earlier in the summer.
The reported arrangement entails a straightforward loan for the season at a fee of €5 million, with no provisions for Roma to secure a permanent transfer.
The 30-year-old player is said to have consented to an annual salary of €7.5 million, marking his return to Italy’s top football league after his tenure at Internazionale.
Although Inter initially expressed interest in reacquiring Lukaku, they withdrew their pursuit when he was linked with a potential move to their rivals, Juventus. However, Lukaku’s prospect of joining Juventus fell apart due to his frustration with the protracted negotiations between the club and Chelsea, as reported by sources to ESPN last week.
Speaking to Belgian newspaper HLN on Saturday while at his son’s first youth game for Anderlecht, Lukaku said: “Tomorrow, I will fly to Rome to sign.”
Lukaku’s impressive record in the Serie A has seen him contribute to 76 goals in 97 appearances for Inter, where he played in three seasons across two spells.
Real Sociedad has officially secured the services of Kieran Tierney (26), the left-back from Arsenal, through a season-long loan, as confirmed by both clubs on Sunday.
The Scottish international originally joined Arsenal from Celtic in 2019, amassing over 120 appearances for the club. In the previous season, he participated in 27 Premier League matches, but was in the starting lineup only six times, as Arsenal finished as runners-up to Manchester City.
Tierney did make a substitute appearance in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory against Manchester City earlier this month. However, he was omitted from the squad for the first three league games of the season.
Real Sociedad, currently holding three points from three LaLiga matches, is scheduled to host Granada on the upcoming Saturday.
Although the SAFF didn’t provide additional information, reports from Italian media suggested that Mancini is set to depart for Riyadh on Monday for a presentation event and the signing of a contract until 2027, offering a net annual salary of 25 million euros.
He is scheduled to make his coaching debut on September 8th in a match against Costa Rica.
“I made history in Europe, now is time to make history with Saudi Arabia,” Mancini said in a video posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Luciano Spalletti (64), the former coach of Napoli, succeeded Mancini as the head coach of the Italian national team. Mancini’s tenure came to an end on August 13th, concluding a five-year period during which he led the national team to victory in the European Championship but failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Herve Renard (54), a Frenchman, resigned from his role as Saudi Arabia’s coach in March. The team is set to compete for its fourth Asian Cup title in the upcoming continental championship scheduled to take place in Qatar early next year.
The country is making substantial investments in its premier soccer league.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has unveiled a Sports Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project that involves league champions such asAl Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Hilal.
Additionally, the league is attracting a number of prominent players due to these developments.
Rudi Garcia’s inaugural match leading Napoli from the home dugout at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona culminated in triumph, as theysecured a 2-0 victory over Sassuolo in Serie A, extending their unbeaten head-to-head streak to six matches.
In their previous eight Serie A home games, Gli Azzurri had not managed to find the net during the first half. However, their intentions were evident right from the start against I Neroverdi. Giacomo Raspadori seized upon Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cross, rattling the post with a shot in the opening minute.
This determination paid off as debutant Daniel Boloca fouled Matteo Politano in the box, leading to Victor Osimhen converting a penalty with authority. This goal marked Osimhen’s 100th club career goal.
Sassuolo exhibited a solid response, yet struggled at times to advance out of their own half, making the cooling break likely appreciated by both sides.
Upon resumption, Alessio Dionisi’s side exerted a more noticeable influence on the game, orchestrating ball movement. Both goalkeepers faced challenges before halftime: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Ruan Tressoldi narrowly missed headers from well-struck corners.
However, the visitors’ progress was hampered shortly after halftime when Maxime Lopez was dismissed due to dissent.
Sassuolo received a brief reprieve when Raspadori missed a penalty, firing over the bar after Jeremy Toljan was penalised for handling Amir Rrahmani’s header. Yet, their relief was short-lived.
Just three minutes after entering as a substitute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia played a through ball to Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who executed a precise finish.
AlthoughVictor Osimhen seemed slightly frustrated by not securing another brace, Napoli comfortably clinched three points as they aimed to defend the Scudetto earned in the previous season.
On the other hand, Sassuolo suffered their second Serie A defeat of the season and extended their winless league streak to eight matches, dating back to April.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold narrowly evaded a red card during the match against Newcastle United on Sunday, despite committing a significant blunder earlier.
In the early stages, within just six minutes, Alexander-Arnold had a stroke of luck as he managed to avoid a direct red card. However, his mistake was capitalised upon by Anthony Gordon, allowing Newcastle to take the lead.
Adding to the eventful first half, Virgil van Dijk was sent off within the initial half-hour for a foul on Alexander Isak. The Liverpool team made a robust comeback, securing a victory with two goals from substitute Darwin Nunez to claim all three points.
When asked if he expected referee John Brooks to dismiss him, Alexander-Arnold answered: “It’s always difficult. Especially when you’re away from home, decisions can go against you. It was a bit of a mistake from me and it didn’t help with the crowd on top of me and the team.
“Me and the team are experienced in these things, we have played in difficult environments and have been able to pull through. To leave here with three points is a very good thing.”
The England international also spoke about the win and how proud he was of his team for staging a comeback despite having only 10 men on the pitch.
“It’s unbelievable. It was something very special out there today. You come here with a game plan, you want to dictate possession and control the game. That wasn’t the case and we’ve had to do it the hard way. We dug deep and it’s something for the ages.
“It’s one of our best performances since the manager has come in and we’ve had some outstanding performances as a team. I think we will look back on this game as something very special,” he added.
“Going down to ten men almost brings the team closer together. You have to do the extra yards and you can’t switch off. The lads that came on for us were outstanding.”
Nunez has struggled to live up to his club record fee since signing from Benfica a little more than a year ago. The Uruguayan has yet to start a game this season, but he showed his ability to sneak behind the Newcastle defence and score with two powerful finishes.
Liverpool will next face off against Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday, September 3. They will be without Van Dijk and could even lose Mohammed Salah before the game as he has been linked with a move away from the Reds.
Entertainment journalist and analyst Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo has expressed disapproval of Shatta Wale’s assertion that Ghanaians would reap the greatest rewards from his performance at the O2 Arena.
Arnold argued that participating in events is a lucrative venture for artists, playing a vital role in boosting their financial earnings.
Shatta Wale is reported to have said, “You people call me a drug addict. Why should I risk my life to fill a place for Ghanaians or the music industry?”
In his analysis of UTV’s United Showbiz monitored by GhanaWeb, Arnold found it bewildering why Shatta Wale would utter these remarks. He argued that Shatta Wale does himself good for performing at events since he smiles at his account at the end of the day.
Posing a rhetorical question, Arnold asked how it could possibly make sense for an artist to consider performing at the O2 Arena a risk to their life. He emphasized that it’s an essential aspect of an artist’s role and responsibility to perform and connect with their audience.
“How does this make sense?” Arnold asked. “An artiste going to fill O2 Arena; how is that a risk to your life? It is part of your functions, your mandate as an artiste to actually go out there and perform. Unless of course you’re not an artiste or you don’t believe you’re a musician.”
He continued: “A musician has revenue generation points – royalties, endorsement deals, album sales which are now streaming and most importantly, touring, playing gigs, performances. So as an artiste, to say you’re risking your life for doing a part of your job, then what’s the point?
“How are you filling it for Ghanaians? The biggest beneficiary is you Shatta Wale,” Arnold argued.
These remarks come on the back of commentaries overAsake’s performance at the O2 Arena. Some have wondered why Ghanaian acts have not been able to achieve this feat as a section of the public mocks Ghanaian artistes.
Although some say the comparison is necessary, others have different opinions. Some have called for an end to it while others have maintained that it is healthy for the industry.
In a recent interview with Complex, the Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy found himself in a moment of astonishment during a jollof-tasting segment.
He was presented with a diverse selection of jollof rice dishes, each hailing from different African countries. Burna Boy’s task was to taste each dish and correctly guess the country of origin.
The singer appeared to be navigating the challenge successfully until he encountered what he described as “low-quality jollof”.
“I don’t think anywhere makes jollof like this. I think this may be a mistake. If Kenya made jollof, this would be their jollof,” he laughed and exclaimed while taking a jab at Kenya to emphasise the poor taste of the jollof.
The host then broke the news to him that what he had just tasted was Ghana jollof.
Still in shock, Burna Boy asked how anyone could not get Ghana jollof right.
A video viewed by GhanaWeb showcased MzBel expressing her concerns about various issues. She voiced her frustrations about poor network connectivity, the distant location of her shop, and the absence of piped water, among other factors.
Furthermore, she disclosed that the primary reason behind relocating her restaurant from Adjei Kojo, a suburb of Ashaiman, to Gbawe was due to an unsettling occurrence. She claimed that someone had placed a form of traditional medicine, often referred to as “juju,” near her shop.
MzBel asserted that this act resulted in her falling ill, as well as some of her employees.
“One time, we went to work and saw three white eggs in a corner outside the bar. But when I saw it and because I don’t have bad intentions, I just thought it was a stray fowl that laid these eggs there so we took the eggs and buried them.”
“Another time too, I saw a tortoise, in the same corner. Again, I did not have bad intentions so I thought it was someone’s pet that went missing so I made a cage for it and fed it well, a few days later, it died.
…Then another time, when we got to work early in the morning and opened the door, a huge cat ran out at full speed and bypassed us. There is no way a cat that big could get into the shop because the ceilings are, doors are burglar proof. I didn’t understand, today I get sick, tomorrow it’s something else, It was a whole lot,” she expressed.
MzBel alsoadded that when she decided to relocate the shop, someone told her the reason she kept falling sick was because someone had been planting “medicines” in and around her shop.
Sarkodie and his wife Tracy paid their respects at the funeral and thanksgiving service held for his lawyer, who passed away in June this year.
During the past week, Sarkodie was observed at a funeral service, dressed in all black, accompanied by his wife. Tracy was visibly wiping away tears during the sombre event.
In other video clips, the couple is captured outside a church, dressed in white attire, presumably at the thanksgiving service that followed the funeral on August 27.
Cynthia Quarcoo was a highly regarded lawyer and a prominent figure in the legal domain. She notably represented several renowned Ghanaian musicians, including Sarkodie, Samini, Shatta Wale, and Reggie Rockstone.
Her legal expertise and guidance played a significant role in shaping the growth and accomplishments of these artists.
Sarkodie, in an interview, expressed his sorrow over her passing, particularly highlighting her role as a source of comfort and stability during moments of uncertainty in his life.
With his usual fervour, Joan Laporta employed his customary enthusiasm to energise the supporters ahead of Barcelona’s upcoming match against Villarreal.
He pledged the prospect of additional signings, aiming to bolster the team’s spirits.
Despite facing ongoing Financial Fair Play challenges throughout the summer, Laporta maintains his assurance that Barcelona is now in a position to secure further player acquisitions before the transfer window concludes.
Notably, there has been significant speculation connecting Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix to the Catalan club in recent weeks. Moreover, the potential departures of Ansu Fati and Marcos Alonso from Barcelona have also been subjects of discussion.
Then, asked about Felix, Laporta told Movistar: “You have to ask Deco. We have a salary margin for last-minute operations, more than one, and we are working on it”.
When asked about Fati’s continuance, he said, “Ansu is extraordinary; we are all in love. It was Xavi’s decision to bring him in and he is just another member of the squad who we want to improve. We are very happy that he is still with us.”
Laporta’s adeptness at boosting fan morale and his unwavering confidence have been instrumental in guiding him through his tenure, even in the face of the club’s persistent financial challenges. It’s anticipated that Cancelo will become a part of the team through a season-long loan arrangement. Additionally, there are reports indicating that Barcelona is open to including Fati as part of a potential agreement to secure Felix’s services.
The transfer window closes in less than four days, therefore, Laporta and Co. are facing a race against team to add to the squad.
Selorm Galley-Fiawoo, widely recognised as Selly Galley in the media realm, along with her spouse Praye Tietia, have officially confirmed the joyful news of her recent childbirth.
This announcement was shared on her verified Instagram account on August 27, 2023, where she conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to God.
The esteemed television presenter and her husband have been united in marriage for a span of 8 years, during which they faced challenges regarding not having a child and openly discussed her miscarriages.
Now, the couple’s faces are illuminated with happiness as they have ultimately received the blessing of parenthood.
In a related context, a follower had previously commented on Selly’s social media post, attempting to shame her by questioning the absence of children in her life.
However, Selly swiftly stood up for herself with the unwavering support of her fanbase, affectionately known as the ‘Sellybrators.’
In her latest posts on Instagram, Selly Galley was all smiles as she posed with her baby bump in a video, wearing an ethereal purple gown in one photo, and a black dress in another photo with “Aseda” by Nacee playing.
In her caption, she was very appreciative to God and her fans, “My deepest appreciation, THANK YOU!and you and you and you…
“Your prayers, your well-wishes, your good thoughts, your genuine concern… God heard your prayers for me. It was loud enough. It was! HE HEARD IT and HE doubled it.”
She didn’t, however, confirm if she had a set of twins as earlier reported but that hasn’t stopped Sellybrators from having a field day in her comment sections as congratulatory messages keep pouring in.
Despite stiff competition from top European clubs, the Hammers successfully secured the services of the talented Ghanaian attacker, who was previously with Dutch powerhouse Ajax.
At 23 years old, Kudus has inked a five-year contract with West Ham, marking the club’s third significant acquisition of the summer. This follows the signings of his former Ajax teammate and Mexican international Edson Álvarez, as well as English midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
Amidst the images shared by the club, a particular family photo has garnered attention across social media platforms. The snapshot portrays Kudus, his mother, and two of his brothers, taken at the home grounds of his new team. This display of family togetherness during pivotal moments in Kudus’s career is being celebrated online.
Known for his versatile skills on the field and his adeptness in both creating and scoring goals, Kudus has risen as one of Europe’s most coveted young talents in football. Now, he is ready to showcase his abilities at West Ham’s London Stadium.
In an interview with West Ham’s media, Kudus expressed his excitement about wearing the No. 14 shirt for the club. He mentioned, “Playing in a league like this has been a dream of mine since childhood.”
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment and I’m so happy to be here. But it doesn’t stop here, I want to keep going.”
He added, “I try my best to entertain the fans, as I think that’s what football is all about. I’m just here to do my best and help the team. I’m really happy to be here. I will fight for the badge. I can’t wait to get started.”
The 2022–23 season saw Kudus take his game to a new level, with goals against Liverpool, Napoli, and Rangers in the Champions League, eleven more in the Dutch Eredivisie and one each in theUEFA Europa League, Dutch Cup, and Johan Cruyff Shield, taking his total to 19 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
According to Mr Botwe, MP, Okere, there must be accountability in the implementation of the project and the same must be well targeted to the benefit of the people.
“The engineers, planners and other technical staff at the assemblies should be able to give accurate progress reports on the projects, and the MMDCEs must insist that this is done.
“People should be able to see, feel and experience the impact of the projects when they are completed.
“Let it not just be another project that offers an opportunity for people to make money while the people suffer,” he stressed at the launch of the project in Accra on Wednesday.
The IRDP seeks to provide critical infrastructure and economic empowerment in 23 deprived districts across the country.
The four components of the project are the provision of socio-economic infrastructure; the provision of credit to small and medium enterprises (SMEs); outreach, sensitisation and capacity building, and management and coordination.
The US$24-million initiative, which would span 2022 to 2027, is partly being funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), US$20 million, beneficiary districts, US$3.2 million; and the government, US$800,000.
The beneficiary districts are Tema West in the Greater Accra Region; Afigya Kwabre North, Sekyere Central, Offinso North and Sekyere Afram Plains, all in the Ashanti Region; and Okere, Akuapim South and Ayensuano in the Eastern Region.
Others are Assin North and Awutu Senya in the Central Region; Essikado-Ketan in the Western Region; Adaklu in the Volta Region; Karaga in the Northern Region; Binduri in the Upper East Region, and Sunyani West and Wenchi in the Bono Region.
The rest are Techiman in the Bono East; Lambussie in the Upper West; Akotombra in the Western North; Krachi West in Oti; Asunafo South in Ahafo; East Gonja in Savannah, and Chereponi in the North East Region.
A former Vice-Chancellor of theKwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, urged the implementers to put the plight of the people at the centre of the interventions.
“The voices of the beneficiaries are important, so let us keep that in focus when the projects are implemented,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Fund, Justice Mensah Amankwah, on his part accounted that the first phase had been used to improve socio-economic infrastructure and services due to improved provision of 256 projects including 34 classroom blocks, 24 teachers’ quarters, two rural clinics, 22 maternity centres, 23 nurses’ quarters, 11 mechanised boreholes, three markets amongst others.
Independent filmmaker, events producer, and on-air personality Michael Kwaku Ola has shared his counsel with Kumawood actor and comedian Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin, regarding his entry into politics.
Ola Michael stressed the significance of engaging in politics, highlighting that it demands a level of seriousness and commitment that contrasts with the more laid-back nature of a concert.
He advised Lilwin to reconsider his decision to venture into politics and instead concentrate on nurturing his creative career.
During his appearance on UTV’s Showbiz Night, Ola Michael voiced concerns about the advice Lilwin is receiving from those close to him. He suggested that the encouragement to pursue a political path could potentially have adverse outcomes in the long run.
Ola Michael proposed that Lilwin would be better off channelling his resources into his existing ventures or other worthy pursuits rather than diverting them into the realm of politics.
“The truth might be uncomfortable, but being a member of parliament is a serious undertaking, not a mere concert. I believe it’s too early for him to be contemplating politics. He should concentrate on managing his school and nurturing his creative talents,” Ola Michael commented.
He further advised against Lilwin’s potential venture into politics and recommended that the actor take to heart the guidance provided by individuals such as former President Mahama, who cautioned against pursuing a political path.
“Even former President Mahama advised him not to go into politics; he should pay heed to that advice. I think he should not try venturing into politics; he should throw his resources into something worth spending on”.
Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has reconfirmed the government’s dedication to securing the necessary funds to fulfil upcoming obligations as part of theDomestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
This affirmation follows the successful completion of the initial coupon payment within the DDEP framework, totaling a substantial amount of GH2,369,667,190.18, or roughly 2.4 billion Ghana Cedis. This payment is noted as the largest coupon settlement in a single day, as per records in the country’s history.
During an appearance on Joy News’ PM Express on Thursday, August 24, 2023, the Deputy Minister emphasised that the settlement of the initial coupons underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the success of the DDEP.
“Government is working to reduce its over-reliance on T-bills by aggressively pursuing revenue mobilisation and expenditure controls. To the extent that we’ve had a successful DDEP, our financing needs will reduce, which gives the government enough room to settle future debt obligations,” he said.
Introduced in 2022 as a strategic policy to alleviate Ghana’s unsustainable debt burden, the DDEP aimed to reshape the nation’s debt profile. Under this programme, eligible bondholders were provided with the choice to exchange their existing bonds for new ones, characterised by lower interest rates and extended maturities.
The Ministry of Finance, in an official statement released on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, highlighted that per the terms of the DDEP, launched on December 5, 2022, to complement the government’s fiscal programme, the initial coupon payments for the tendered bonds were due on August 22, 2023.
In fulfilment of this commitment, the government fully settled the first coupon payment linked to the DDEP, totaling GH2,369,667,190.18 (GHC 2.4 billion).
The Minister of State additionally remarked that the new bonds issued under the DDEP now take centre stage as the most prominent instruments within the domestic bond market. This positive development lays a strong foundation for a strengthened domestic securities market, and a swift economic recovery.
Dr Amin Adam also re-iterated the government’s unwavering determination to honour all upcoming payment commitments, in adherence to the new arrangements and terms.
The Minister of State also expressed heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders, particularly the bondholders who participated in the DDEP. He pledged that as the government forged ahead on the path of economic recovery, it would do everything within its mandate to make sure future debt obligations under the DDEP were settled per the published timelines.
The festival will present a diverse selection of films from across theglobe that exemplify innovative technology application in filmmaking. It will also feature workshops and panel discussions on the latest trends in film technology.
Additionally, BSIFF has planned various other activities, including a music concert, a film museum, and an esports tournament.
The climax of the festival will be an awards gala, aimed at recognizing the most outstanding films showcased.
During the event on August 23, 2023, Philippa Bentuma Arthur, the festival director, underscored that the chosen theme underscores BSIFF’s commitment to celebrating the advancements in African cinema and promoting an industry that consistently pushes its creative limits.
Ms. Juliet Asante, the CEO of the National Film Authority and the Founder of BSIFF, emphasized in her speech the importance of embracing technology to ensure that filmmakers remain aligned with the trajectory of the future.
The event saw attendees including the Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaaly, who emphasized the EU’s continued support for the filmmaking sector and creative industries in Ghana, aiming to create more opportunities for the youth.
The festival welcomes filmmakers, producers, distributors, and other industry stakeholders to participate.
The official festival program and ticket information can be accessed on the BSIFF website at www.bsiff.org.
Numerous organizations, such as the European Union, Mann Robinson Distribution, WiFlix, Indie Rights, Tecno Ghana, Silverbird Cinemas, Spanish Embassy, NAFTI, University of Ghana School of Performing Arts, Infocus BCW, CompuGhana, the National Film Authority, Black Market Records, Hype.Flix, Ghana Cinema Week, Goethe Institut, GHMovieFreak, and Elewa TV, are providing support for the 8th BSIFF.
Government’s flagship initiative, the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme (PFJ), is undergoing a review process in preparation for its second phase, which will involve collaboration with the private sector.
Consequently, government subsidies on fertiliser and other agricultural inputs have been temporarily suspended until the review is concluded. This announcement was made by Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister.
Despite this suspension, significant quantities of fertiliser and other farming supplies have been brought into the region and are readily accessible in the open market for farmers this year.
Dr Bin Salih explained that in the second phase of the PFJ programme, the government’s role will be to shift its focus towards the private sector, which will be responsible for delivering subsidised farm inputs.
The Regional Minister shared this information during a meeting at the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council in Wa. The meeting brought together municipal and district chief executives, district coordinators, presiding members, heads of departments, institutions, and agencies.
The primary discussion topics included government interventions and their impact on the well-being of the population.
Dr Bin Salih also noted that information from the Regional Directorate of the Department of Food and Agriculture indicated that many farmers who cultivated extensive plots of land were unable to complete their planting due to the unpredictable rainfall pattern.
This erratic weather pattern has shortened the planting timeframe for the current year.
“As a result, the land size cultivated this year had reduced. However, from close observation of the performance of the crops, food security would be assured”, he said.
He said for the past four years, many agriculture extension officers had been recruited to help improve the staffing situation of the department, and they had been deployed to the fields for every farmer to access advisory services.
The Regional Coordinating Council, per Article 255 of the 1992Constitution of Ghana, mandates the House to meet at least twice a year to share ideas, advise on issues and take the right and appropriate decisions that would benefit the people.
The various assemblies presented reports on infrastructural development, security and the government’s social and economic interventions on the living conditions of the people in the communities.
A well-known rapper from Ghana, Amerado Burner, has shared his perspective on the recent discussions revolving around the ability of Ghanaian artists to organise and successfully pack large venues for international concerts.
His comments were sparked by the recent performance of Nigerian music sensation Asake at the renowned O2 Arena in the United States.
Amerado firmly holds the belief that Ghanaian artists have the potential to attain similar accomplishments and draw crowds at such significant events, just like artists from other countries.
However, he notes that this potential often appears distant due to the absence of internal support that propels gifted artists to the forefront.
He contends that the Ghanaian music industry lacks the vital structures and necessary backing that empower artists to shine. Rather than providing meaningful encouragement, he observes that Ghanaians tend to engage in destructive comparisons and undermine those who are making progress.
He underscores that while Asake’s performance is commendable, it shouldn’t be misconstrued as evidence that Ghanaian artists are incapable of achieving the same level of success.
Amerado emphasises that the Ghanaian audience falls short in terms of supporting its own artists.
He highlights that engaging in comparisons is counterproductive and diminishes the hard work put in by local artists.
“Asake’s performance was great but that does not mean artists in Ghana can’t do it; the honest truth is the Ghanaian audience doesn’t support their own enough; they ride on baseless comparisons and rubbish the hard work of their very own arts.”
“King Promise has the number one song on Boomplay but no one is talking about it or hyping it; these are big strides that can be hyped to empower artists to do more and move forward.
“Stonebowy, Sarkodie, et al. can all fill up theO2 arena, but we need the structures, the right support, and investors willing to fund the artistry.”
He urges the audience to refrain from constant comparisons and instead offer strong support to Ghanaian artists. Amerado contends that such comparisons hinder growth and the overall development of artists and the industry as a whole.
He encourages a shift in focus towards building a supportive ecosystem that nurtures local talents and enables them to achieve remarkable success on the global stage.
“It is not far from Ghanaian artists replicating what the Nigerians are doing, the audience should stop the comparison and throw much support behind their people to push them. such comparisons are a killjoy and don’t help the growth of artists and the industry at large.”
During the early stages of civilization, castles and forts served as centres of rule and authority for many monarchs and their subjects, including Kings and Queens.
In Ghana, there are numerous significant castles, forts, and palaces that were constructed for various Kings, Queens, and their descendants.
While some of these structures have evolved into historical landmarks and others have fallen into disrepair, the construction of the Assin Kushea Palace is generating considerable attention on social media.
Situated in Ghana’s Central Region, this grand palace occupies an expansive piece of land spanning 7.4 acres.
The land is purportedly owned by the paramount chief of the Owirenkyi Traditional Area in the region, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI.
A video shared on YouTube by Efya Kimora showcases the Assin Kushea Palace.
The palace boasts a botanical garden, a zoo, a vast courtyard, and numerous rooms adorned with royal artefacts.
Particularly noteworthy in the viral footage is the placement of various dog sculptures throughout the courtyard. These sculptures symbolise the Chief’s Aduana Clan, whose totem is a dog.
Reportedly, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI is constructing this palace to bolster tourism in the region and the town, as he intends not to personally reside in the completed palace.
Ghanaian music duo, DopeNation ,has unveiled their groundbreaking music genre called ‘Ghanapiano’ to a global audience. The cover artwork of their EP was prominently displayed on a large billboard in the renowned Times Square of New York City.
In a video, the cover art of the album could be visibly seen in the heart of Times Square as it captured the attention of passersby.
DopeNation’s decision to unveil the cover in this renowned location reflects their commitment to projecting Ghana’s rich musical heritage onto the global stage.
“The ‘Ghanapiano’ movement is all about innovation and celebrating our musical roots,” they shared in an interview recently.
The pair clarified that their intentions go beyond merely inventing a new music genre. Their objective is to redefine Ghana’s musical identity and spotlight its multifaceted nature on an international scale.
With the ‘Ghanapiano’ EP cover gracing the billboard at Times Square, the visual aspect served as a tangible representation of the artistic vision held by the duo. Opting for one of the world’s most iconic locations, DopeNation effectively positioned ‘Ghanapiano’ as a genre with broad global appeal.
DopeNation unveiled their ‘Ghanapiano’ EP on August 18, inviting listeners to delve into the amalgamation of Ghanaian melodies and South African Amapiano rhythms. This move is part of their commitment to breaking creative boundaries.
Hajia Bintu stole the spotlight at a Kumasi event on August 25, 2023, where Ghanaian bloggers gathered. Wearing body-hugging hot pants, Bintu mingled with attendees like Zionfelix, Nkonkonsa, and GHHyper, exuding confidence with her curves.
Hajia Bintu, also known as Naomi Asiamah, showcased her stunning hourglass figure as she joined the event at Ridge Condos in the Ashanti region.
She was among the special guests, and popular bloggers like Sammykaymedia and more were flown in to cover the occasion. During their stay, they crossed paths with Bintu, who had already settled in.
Videos circulating online captured the electric atmosphere as Bintu engaged with the other guests.
Bintu confidently displayed her thick thighs and iconic backside, eliciting excitement from the onlookers.
The videos, however, have left mixed reactions on social media, with many users calling out what they term indecent exposure, while others have expressed excitement.
Ghana’s renowned music sensation, Kuami Eugene, found himself embroiled in controversy following his attire selection for his father’s funeral, which triggered a flurry of responses on social media.
During the solemn event on August 26th, Kuami Eugene’s choice of clothing raised eyebrows. He appeared in an unconventional ensemble comprising a black long-sleeve shirt, trousers, platform boots, and even earrings.
Videos circulating on social media depicted him walking with his entourage, displaying a relaxed demeanour and even chewing gum as he headed to the venue of the service.
However, this seemingly indifferent attitude did not sit well with many Ghanaians.
Critics promptly utilised various social media platforms to express their disapproval.
They contended that his chosen attire was inappropriate for a funeral service, particularly one that honoured his own father. The outfit was characterised as untidy and lacking the reverence and respect typically associated with such occasions.
Amid the surge of criticism, some individuals proposed an alternative course of action. They suggested that Kuami Eugene could have opted for traditional clothing instead.
Traditional garments carry profound cultural significance during funerals, representing honour for the departed and the event itself.
Kuami Eugene’s contemporary and somewhat flashy outfit appeared to clash with the customary tone of funerals in Ghana, leading to disappointment among many due to his unorthodox selection.
This is not the first instance where Kuami Eugene’s fashion sense has come under scrutiny. His outfits at various events over the years have been a subject of conversation, with many attributing the perceived lack of creativity to him and his stylist.
Radio host Ola Michael has suggested that there are indications pointing to the possibility that dancehall artist Shatta Wale might be grappling with a mental health condition.
Ola Michael reached this deduction by enumerating an extensive array of personality characteristics that he claims Shatta Wale has demonstrated and continues to display.
During the August 26th episode of the United Showbiz program on UTV, he labelled the medical terminology for the alleged disorder Shatta Wale might be experiencing as ‘Narcissistic Personality Disorder.’
“Let’s be careful with the way we deal with issues. Where I sit and with what I have heard, read, listened to and seen of our brother, I am tempted to believe he may have an NPD disorder.
“He may have a mental disorder that you are not paying attention to,” he said, to heavy protestation from two panel members, A Plus and Mr. Logic, who are staunch supporters of Shatta Wale.
Following a strong performance in the foreign exchange (FX) market the previous week, the Nigerian naira has experienced a significant decline due to reduced inflows of the United States (US) dollar into both official and parallel markets.
The devaluation of the naira has led to fewer goods being accessible to individuals and businesses, and the outlook for the local currency remains grim. At the close of recent trading sessions, the naira exhibited depreciation against the US dollar across both the official market for importers and exporters’ window as well as the black market.
Data from the FDMQ OTC FX board indicated that the exchange rate settled at N778.42 at the Investors and Exporters window, reflecting a 0.87 percent decrease compared to the N771.69 it had been valued at on Thursday.
The US dollar, which holds a dominant position globally, gained strength due to ongoing de-dollarization efforts. Interestingly, the Nigerian government has not displayed interest in this trend despite facing challenges with dwindling FX reserves. As more nations align with the BRICS countries in pursuing an alternative economic order that reduces reliance on the US dollar, Nigeria has yet to follow suit.
Market data reveals that the open indicative rate concluded at N773.29 to the dollar on Friday, with the highest exchange rate of the day reaching N799.90 before settling at N778.42.
During the day’s trading, the naira’s value dipped to as low as N700 per dollar. An overall trading volume of $73.80 million occurred at the investors and exporters window on Friday. In the parallel market, the exchange rate worsened, reaching N905 per US dollar.
Market sentiment is increasingly sceptical about the central bank’s decision to reintegrate bureau de change operators into the FX management system. With a backlog of unmet demand for US dollars from foreign investors, experts believe that theCentral Bank of Nigeria may encounter challenges in supplying forex to bureau de change operators.
Consequently, speculators are intensifying their activities as the gap or spread between the official and parallel markets widens. The naira’s purchasing power has significantly declined over the years due to a shortage of foreign currency, and the Central Bank of Nigeria appears to lack a viable solution to counter this trend.
Recent viral reports have circulated over the past 48 hours, suggesting that well-known American comedian Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie might be encountering challenges in their marital relationship.
These reports claim that Marjorie Harvey is contemplating divorce due to allegations of her involvement in extramarital affairs with individuals who are closely connected to the couple.
As of now, the Harveys have refrained from making any public statements in response to these speculations. However, Senator Ned Nwoko, a prominent Nigerian politician with a personal connection to the Harveys, has taken to his Instagram page to dismiss these rumours as unfounded.
Senator Ned Nwoko, recognised both as a billionaire business magnate and as the representative of Delta North in Delta State, has shared his perspective, affirming that the circulating rumours lack credibility.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that it used WhatsApp, a widely-used messaging app, to receive and organize the results of the NPP Super Delegates Congress on August 26, 2023.
The event was intended to pick five presidential hopefuls out of ten candidates who want to compete for the NPP flagbearership in 2024.
Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, explained that the Commission got the results through WhatsApp from 17 voting locations across the country.
The EC projected these results on a screen for candidates’ representatives to check and confirm. Once everyone agreed, the results were written down and combined.
Dr. Quaicoe said this method was quicker and more efficient than doing the process twice, which would have taken more time and effort. He also noted that there were no complaints from the field or the representatives; everyone accepted and signed off on the results.
“We didn’t do double collation. We were receiving the results through WhatsApp. So what we were doing is that when the results comes through the WhatsApp, we projected the results that had come through our notice for them to compare with what they have, so once they all agree, then we transfer them to the collation sheet, and we collate it. So we were showing them the results we were getting from the field and how the collation was also going so that nobody can complain that we didn’t have this, we did not have that, ” he said.
He mentioned that only five representatives out of ten showed up at the EC headquarters for the result collection. Dr. Quaicoe thanked security personnel for keeping everything safe and praised everyone involved for their good behaviour.
“For the commission,. we didn’t receive any complaints from the field. The results were sent to us. We have five of the agents here. We did the collation with them. They have accepted the results. They have countersigned the collated results, taken their copies and they are gone, so it means that they don’t have any issues with the results. So farm I will say that it has been good,” he said.
The NPP Super Delegates Congress results showed that Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia came in first with 629 votes, which is 66.29% of all the votes. In second place was Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a Member of Parliament, with 132 votes, or 13.91%.
Other candidates and their votes included Trade and Industry Minister Mr. Alan John Kyeremanteng with 95 votes (10.01%), Food and Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto with 36 votes (3.79%), former MP for Mampong Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh and former Energy Minister Mr. Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, both with 9 votes each, or 0.95%.
Some candidates who didn’t receive as much votes: former General Secretary of the NPP Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong with 6 votes (0.63%), former Railways Development Minister Mr. Joe Ghartey with 4 votes (0.42%),former NPP Technology Director Mr. Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku with 3 votes (0.32%), and former Minister of State Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku with 0 votes.
Ghanaian singer, Efya, has responded to comments made by artiste manager and entertainment pundit, Bullgod, after he criticised her work ethic.
This refers to a situation where Bullgod took to social media to express his disappointment in some Ghanaian musicians, specifically mentioning R2Bees and Efya. He pointed out their interactions with Nigerian superstar Wizkid during his visits to Ghana, suggesting that they were more interested in partying with him than showcasing their talents on international platforms.
In an upcoming episode of “Atuu with Abeiku Santana,” Efya discussed her feelings regarding this issue. She expressed her disappointment in Bullgod’s approach, suggesting that he should have approached her directly instead of discussing it on social media, which led to her feeling embarrassed.
“I know Bulldog; he could have chosen to call me but he decided to sit on social media and say that to embarrass me. How does that help me as an artiste mentally?” she stated.
This is the second time the singer has aired her opinions on the show. Earlier, in a series of tweets in July 2023, she explained her inability to perform with Wizkid on his international tours.
She cited practical challenges like scheduling conflicts and prior commitments that sometimes prevent her from joining Wizkid at every international performance.
She expressed her own aspirations and commitments, which are different from those of Wizkid and asked for respect from the public in her affairs.
Mr. Kyeremanten garnered 95 votes, accounting for 10.82% of the overall votes cast. His nearest rival, Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, received 132 votes, making up 15.03% of the votes.
Across all 16 regions in the country, the NPP’s flagbearer hopeful did not secure a victory in any region.
Even in his own home region, the Ashanti region, he garnered only 10 votes. In contrast,Dr. Bawumia achieved a sweeping victory with 97 votes, while Mr. Kennedy Agyapong came in third with 6 votes.
He, however, qualifies to participate in the NPP’s Presidential Primaries on November 4.
The Super Delegates Congress is being held to elect five presidential aspirants to contest the party’s primaries in November this year.
Profile of Alan Kyerematen
Born on October 3, 1955, Mr. Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen is the son of Dr. Alexander Atta Yaw Kyerematen from Patasse, Kumasi, and Victoria Kyerematen (née Welsing) from Elmina and Ejisu.
At a young age of nine, he attended Adisadel College in Cape Coast, followed by his sixth form education at the prestigious Achimota School.
He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Ghana, Legon. Additionally, he holds a Law degree (LLB) from the Ghana Law School, qualifying him as a Barrister-at-Law.
He was admitted to the bar and practices law in Ghana. He’s a Hubert Humphrey Fellow of the School of Management at the University of Minnesota, USA, where he completed a one-year management studies program through the Fulbright Fellowship.
In 1998, he became the first Regional Director of Enterprise Africa appointed by the UNDP.
Between 1984 and 1990, he engaged in various private and public sector consulting assignments in Ghana, serving as a Principal Consultant and Head of Public Systems Management at the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI).
Currently, Mr. Kyerematen serves as a trade advisor at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, heading the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC).
He became Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S. when the NPP assumed office in 2001.
In 2003, he was appointed Cabinet Minister responsible for Trade, Industry, and the President’s Special Initiatives (PSI) by former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
He vied for the NPP leadership in 2007, securing 32.3% of the votes and finishing as the first runner-up to Nana Akufo-Addo.
In 2010 and 2014, he made subsequent attempts for the NPP flagbearer position but was second to Akufo-Addo, who won the primaries.
He served as Minister for Trade and Industry from 2017 until his resignation in January 2023, when President Akufo-Addo won the 2016 general elections.
During his tenure, he launched a comprehensive Ghana Trade Policy and negotiated a $45 million facility with the World Bank to promote small and medium enterprise development.
He transformed the Trade Ministry into a professional service organisation and played a significant role in the contract negotiation that brought Kosmos Energy to Ghana for oil exploration.
Mr. Kyerematen also commissioned factories under the One District, One Factory policy introduced by the NPP. He is married to Patricia Christabel Kyerematen and has two children.
Former Agriculture Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has successfully secured his position as one of the five candidates who have advanced to the next stage of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential race on November 4, 2023.
Initial results indicate that Dr. Owusu Afriyie is the fourth candidate to secure a place in the competitive Super Delegates Congress. In this congress, 10 Presidential aspirants competed to secure a spot in the top five and proceed to the NPP November Primaries.
The five aspirants who have qualified, as per provisional results, are Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who received strong support from delegates to secure the first place. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong emerged as the second force in the race, securing the second spot.
Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen came in third, while Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto secured the fourth position.
The tie for the final slot is now between Francis Addai-Nimoh and Boakye Agyarko, and a run-off will take place on Saturday, September 2, 2023, to break the tie and determine the final candidate.
The Electoral Commission has announced that the party will have to decide who will fill the final slot. Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, the Chairman of the Election Committee, confirmed the run-off to resolve the tie and make the final selection.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) held its Super Delegates Congress on Saturday, August 26, 2023, to select five presidential aspirants out of 10 candidates who would compete for the NPP flagbearership in 2024.
According to the final results, the current Vice-President and frontrunner, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, emerged as the winner with 629 votes, representing 66.29% of the total votes cast.
He was followed by the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who received 132 votes, representing 13.91% of the total votes cast.
The other candidates who received votes were the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan John Kyeremanteng, who received 95 votes (10.01%), the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who received 36 votes (3.79%), the former Member of Parliament for Mampong, Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh, who received 9 votes (0.95%), and the former Minister of Energy, Mr. Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, who also received 9 votes (0.95%).
The remaining candidates who did not receive any votes were the former General Secretary of the NPP, Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, who received 6 votes (0.63%), the former Minister of Railways Development, Mr. Joe Ghartey, who received 4 votes (0.42%), the former Technology Director of the NPP, Mr. Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku, who received 3 votes (0.32%), and the former Minister of State, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, who received 0 votes (0.00%).
The election was held in 17 polling venues across the country, with a total of949 delegates voting in the election, out of which 947 valid votes were counted and two rejected ballots were recorded.
The party leadership has announced that there will be a run-off for the fifth position between Mr. Addai-Nimoh and Mr. Agyarko on Saturday, September 2, 2023, if neither of them steps down voluntarily.
This is because both candidates have tied with nine regional endorsements each, which is the minimum requirement to qualify for the final round of the primaries.
The run-off will determine who will join Dr. Bawumia, Mr. Agyapong, Mr. Kyeremanteng, and Dr. Akoto as one of the five presidential aspirants who will contest for the NPP flagbearership in November.
Former Trades and Industry Minister and a Flagbearer hopeful,Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has successfully advanced to the next stage of the New Patriotic Party’s Flagbearer contest.
Based on preliminary figures coming from the Electoral Commission’s Office, Alan Kyerematen has secured the third position with 95 votes, which accounts for 10.29% of the total votes counted nationwide.
The Super Delegates Conference is designed to narrow down the number of candidates from ten to five. This election is exclusively open to National Executives, Members of Parliament, and select distinguished members of the New Patriotic Party.
Initial results indicate that Alan is leading over other contenders like Former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Former Energy MinisterBoakye Kyerematen Agyarko.
Federated Commodities Limited (FEDCo),a licenced cocoa buying company, presented a cheque for GH16 million as a premium to certified cocoa farmers for the 2022/2023 crop season at Assin Fosu in the Central Region.
The premium is to encourage the farmers to work hard towards increasing production and also adopt best farming practises. It forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
As part of the disbursement, each farmer from selected cocoa districts would receive GH50 per bag.
However, cocoa farmers from Asankragua and Samreboi, would receive GH64 per bag as premium.
The company paid 30 percent of the amount due to each cocoa farmer through mobile money transactions, while the remaining 70 percent would be paid through cash payments.
Mrs Maria Adamu-Zibo, managing Director of FEDCo, made this known at the official premium announcement at Assin Fosu in the Central Region.
She indicated that the company, together with its partners,had disbursed GH 150 million in a number of communities on projects and cash premium.
“This year alone, we have supplied 20,000 MT of sustainable beans to our clients and trained over 27,000 farmers,” she said.
The company, Mrs Adamu-Zibo indicated, had embarked on several projects, including the supply of shade trees, farm inputs and tricycles to some communities, saying, “We have also piloted farmer trainings in soap making, grass cutter rearing and demonstration plots”.
She also called on the government and stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the growth of the cocoa sector.
“The youth need to see farming as a business opportunity, where they can choose to farm or engage in auxiliary services such as labour support, input supply, alternative cocoa farming methods, organic cocoa, cocoa processing and transformation,” she stated.
She admonished cocoa farmers to adopt good agricultural practises and also protect the soils from degradation.
Nuruddin Essilfie,Head of Sustainability at FEDCo, indicated that the company had embarked on other sustainability programmes such as afforestation, accessible soil and sustainable environment project, child labour monitoring projects, and tricycle projects.
He expressed worry about farmers leasing their land for illegal mining activities, and therefore, called on the government to put in more efforts in the fight against illegal mining as their action was negatively affecting the sector.
Ghanaian lady residing in Germany, Gladys Ametepe, who was previously at the centre of social media discussions due to her explosive allegations against Prophet Kwabena Asiamah, also known as Ajagurajah, has refuted claims of her death.
Earlier this week, there were widespread reports suggesting that Gladys Ametepe had passed away, purportedly due to curses invoked upon her by Ajagurajah.
These rumors gained traction through a German-based Ghanaian blogger, alleging that Gladys Ametepe had fallen ill and died in a manner similar to a prediction made by Prophet Ajagurajah.
However, in a video response, Gladys Ametepe dismissed these reports, asserting their falsehood and affirming her current existence.
As she debunked these claims, Gladys Ametepe once again criticised Prophet Ajagurajah, branding him as a fraud masquerading as a religious figure.
She also directed her criticisms at the blogger, condemning what she perceived as crude and uncivilized behavior on their part.
Gladys Ametepe aimed further remarks at Ajagurajah, cautioning him against any attempts on her life, and emphasising her belief in her spiritual protection.
According to Gladys Ametepe, who maintains that she was allegedly raped by the ‘man of God’, she will continue to lash out at Ajagurajah.
“There are reports circulating that I am dead. A Germany-based Ghanaian blogger is reporting that Ajagurajah has killed me so I’m coming out to dismiss the reports. As I speak now, I’m roaming in Germany so I want all my fans to know that Ajagurajah is not God and he cannot kill me,” Gladys stated.
“I haven’t done him any wrong; he’s the one who did something bad. Whatever he tries to do will backfire. He cannot kill me because my blood and soul are strong. I’m an Ewe and a Krobo so you cannot kill me. Ghanaians, I want you to know that I’m not dead,” she added.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia secured a notable victory over Alan Kyerematen in the Ashanti Region during the NPP’s Super Delegates Conference, which was considered Kyerematen’s stronghold. Dr. Bawumia received 97 votes out of the total of 121 valid votes cast, while Alan Kyerematen garnered only 10 votes.
Kennedy Agyapong came in third place in the region with 6 votes, and the former Agriculture Minister, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, received 5 votes.
None of the other candidates managed to accumulate any votes. Nevertheless, there was one ballot that was rejected.
The Super Delegates Congress is being held to elect five presidential aspirants to contest the party’s primaries in November this year.
The five candidates with the most votes will move forward to the primaries. They will compete to become the NPP’s chosen candidate for the 2024 general election.
A fight ensued between the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Mohammed Bantima Samba, and a former aspirant for the position of Northern Regional Youth Organiser, Alhaji Mumin Salifu, at the ongoingSuper Delegates Conferenceof the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Tamale.
Samba, who strongly supports Vice President Bawumia, got upset and slapped Alhaji Mumin, who is also a strong supporter of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the former Minister of Trades and Industry.
This happened because Alhaji Mumin accused Samba of looking to see how one of the delegates voted during the intense Presidential primaries of the party in the Northern Region.
Even though Samba denied deliberately checking the delegate’s vote, Alhaji Mumin insisted that he did and called Samba names. This made Chairman Samba angry, and he slapped Alhaji Mumin.
This caused confusion among their supporters.
Alhaji Mumin told journalists that he saw the delegate showing his vote to the Regional Chairman, and when he complained, Samba slapped him.
“One of the delegates voted and showed it to the regional chairman, Samba. And when I complained, the chairman slapped me, and I slapped him back,” Alhaji Mumin explained.
The Eastern Region has announced its results for the NPP Super Delegates Conference, which took place on Saturday, August 26, 2023. The election was held to select five presidential aspirants out of 10 candidates who would compete for the NPP flagbearership in 2024.
According to the results, the current Vice-President and frontrunner, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, dominated the region with 59 votes, representing 80.8% of the total votes cast.
He was followed by the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who received 8 votes, representing 11.0% of the total votes cast.
The other candidates who received votes in the Eastern Region were the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan John Kyeremanteng, who received 7 votes (9.6%), the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who received 1 vote (1.4%), and the former Member of Parliament for Mampong, Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh, who also received 1 vote (1.4%).
The remaining candidates who did not receive any votes in the Eastern Region were the former General Secretary of the NPP, Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, the former Minister of Railways Development, Mr. Joe Ghartey, the former Technology Director of the NPP, Mr. Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku, the former Minister of State, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, and the former Minister of Energy, Mr. Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko.
