Kanye West has said he will countersue his former assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, who filed lawsuits in court accusing him of sexual harassment and breach of contract.
According to Lauren Pisciotta’s lawsuit, the celebrity texted about her obscenity and engaged in sexual acts over the phone. Following Pisciotta’s rejection of her sexual approaches, West’s attorney has now labelled those claims as “baseless” and claimed that the actress was subjected to “blackmail and extortion.”
“In response to these baseless allegations, Ye will be filing a lawsuit against Ms. Pisciotta,” they added, using the rapper’s current preferred name.
Pisciotta is thought to have worked for West from 2021 to 2022, first on his fashion line and then as his $1 million (£780,000) annual personal assistant.
She claims that the celebrity sent her a tonne of sexual texts while she worked for him, some of which included links to explicit movies.
Additionally, Pisciotta stated that he once “trapped” her in a private room on his jet and that he then pledurised in front of her while speaking to her on the phone.
The former OnlyFans model claimed in her lawsuit that she was fired suddenly in 2022 and that she never got the promised severance pay.
West’s lawyer challenged the story, saying that Pisciotta “was terminated for being unqualified” and “demanding unreasonable sums of money,” including an annual salary of $4m (£3.13m).
They also accused Pisciotta of “lascivious, unhinged conduct,” claiming that she “consistently used sexual coercion” to demand money and material items, including designer handbags and a Lamborghini car.
The statement further alleged that, afterWest rejected her advances, Pisciotta attempted to blackmail him for $60m (£47m).
The BBC contacted Ms Pisciotta to request a response, but she did not immediately respond.
On Tuesday, she posted a message to her Instagram story that read: “Your soul becomes aligned with freedom when you allow others the liberty to dislike you, judge you and disagree with you.”
The announcement comes in response to a letter sent by Mr. Kufuor, the former chairman of Asante Kotoko, requesting to take on the role of board chairman for the Academy.
Mr. Kufuor thanked Mr. Kennedy Agyepong (Kenpong), the founder of the Academy, for his visionary efforts in founding the Academy to improve football development in Ghana, in a letter dated June 3, 2024.
“Firstly, I wish to congratulate you on your vision in setting up this football academy to enhance the development of football in the country,” Kufuor stated.
While expressing his gratitude for the invitation to serve as the Board Chairman, Mr Kufuor requested to serve as a patron of the Academy. “It will be a privilege to be associated with the Kenpong Football Academy; however, I wish, rather, to serve as a PATRON of the organisation,” he wrote.
Mr. Kufuor assured Mr. Agyepong and the Academy’s players of his continued support and accessibility. “My doors are always open to you and your boys,” he affirmed.
Kenpong Football Academy, located in Winneba, has recently been in the spotlight for forging partnerships with top European football clubs.
It is anticipated that Mr. Kufuor’s involvement will further enhance the Academy’s reputation and its goal of developing young football talent in Ghana.
Mr. Kufuor is a well-known figure in both football and politics in the country.
Mr. Agyepong conveyed his happiness that Mr. Kufuor had agreed to become a patron, stressing the importance of the former President’s extensive background and clout to the development and prosperity of the Academy.
The decrepit road near Olympia, which is a vital connection betweenLa and Nungua in the Greater Accra Region, is now being repaired.
This comes after a media report on the deteriorating state of the road.
The road, previously in a perilous condition, had been a big issue for commuters.
Urban Roads Engineer Adjei Boateng, who is directing the project, said that major repairs are likely to be done within a week or two.
There will be some minor construction, and in one month, the road should be finished completely.
“We intend to finish the works in a week or two, then we now start with the minor work where the road will be fully finished, so let us give ourselves a month.”
Commuters and motorists have expressed their delight at the repair work, with some acknowledging the relief it will bring to their daily travels.
“We are happy because it is a good thing to see them work and it is such goodness we always seek.”
The Member of Parliament for La-Dadekotopon, Rita Naa Odoley, has also expressed her relief and satisfaction, highlighting her role in advocating for the repairs.
“It’s a great relief to me and the good people of La-Dadekotopon because it’s in our constituency. It is going to bring a great relief because normally in the mornings, because of the potholes, there is a lot of heavy traffic.
But since the road has been widened and they are able to fix it, thetraffic will flow well.”
Although new banknotes with King Charles III’s pictureon them are currently in circulation, it might take some time before they are commonly found in wallets and purses.
When demand rises, fresh Bank of England notes will be printed to gradually replace any damaged ones. Queen Elizabeth II debuted on these notes in 1960, making the King the second monarch to do so.
Customers may still use the current £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes featuring the late Queen’s portrait.
Current polymer Bank of England banknotes still have the same image on the back, which has Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing in increasing order.
Other images can be seen on notes produced in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The first banknotes were printed months ago, ready for the start date
Due to the lengthy lead-in time, automatic currency acceptor equipment was able to be updated to detect the new designs when the first new banknotes were manufactured last year. The image used to create the King’s portrait was shot in 2013.
The BBC was granted unique access to the extremely secure location where the notes were created in April of last year.
Following the custom of the monarch receiving the first issuance of new banknotes, the King received a whole set with the lowest serial numbers a year later.
Banknotes that closely resemble the 00001 serial number are sought after by collectors.
The first of the new notes were presented to the King by the Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and chief cashier Sarah John
Now, fifty of them have banking hubs, which are shared locations frequently managed by the Post Office and offer cash withdrawal and deposit services to customers of all banks.
Community staff from several banks also make weekly visits to these hubs.
One of the most peculiar is located in Cornwall’s port town of Looe, a county with close ties to King Charles.
National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)may cover other chronic diseases in addition to renal disorders, according to a statement made by the CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Dr. Dacosta Aboagye stated on PM Express on JoyNews that kidney disease is not the only chronic sickness that affects the nation.
Accordingly, he informed presenter Evans Mensah, the NHIA is doing actuarial assessments to inform the way forward following the first announced six months of coverage for renal disease.
“So my advice, of the government knows about this, of which we are working together, is that we should look at it in totality. How do we fund chronic diseases, including dialysis?
“So what is happening is that we’ll use this as learning to obviously see what we can do. By that time, the actuarial study would have been ready,” Dr Aboagye said.
Regarding which other chronic diseases might be included, the NHIA CEO said that he cannot prematurely disclose any other details to prevent expectations.
“But what I know is that we are looking at it in totality.
It’s not the case that we are only going to look at kidney diseases. We are going to look at other diseases. Governments do have a comprehensive plan from where I sit to not only focus on kidney diseases but other chronic diseases,” Dr Aboagye added.
This comes after it was revealed that renal patients would receive free six-month dialysis support from June to December of 2024.
The support was provided by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in a statement dated June 1.
The NHIA stated that patients enrolled in the dialysis programme fall into two categories: those who are 60 years of age or older and those who are between the ages of 18 and 59.
According to the scheme, “patients under 18 and above 60 years old will receive all eight free dialysis sessions per month,” with a cumulative cost estimated to be approximately GH₵ 2.3 million.
It added that “patients from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (EFRH), Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), and Tamale Teaching Hospital will receive two dialysis sessions per month at GH₵ 982.00, that is, GH₵ 491 per session.”
“The cost of dialysis for this treatment category [persons aged 18 to 59 years] is projected to be GH₵144,354 per month and by the end of December 2024, the cumulative cost is estimated to be approximately GH₵ 1.01 million.”
Renal patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KATH) would receive GH₵491 per month for two dialysis sessions; however, they will not benefit from the above.
This NHIA clarified that this is because renal patients are the beneficiaries of a charitable donation of GH₵380.00.
Dr. Aboagye stated that preventive healthcare would be made available through the NHIA.
He said that the transition from a curative to a preventive approach is critical to lowering the overall cost of healthcare.
“So the National Health Insurance Scheme, by next month, will be rolling out what we call the preventive healthcare as part of the claims budget.
The reason is that we cannot have a disease under the under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“So far, since its inception, we have been focusing on curative and services. How do we start from the basis by introducing something that will reduce these chronic diseases and the cost burden?”
Celebrated Ghanaian fashionista Nana Akua Addo has called on people to stop taking their phones and car keys to the red carpet, saying that this practice is out of style.
She pushes for a mentality change, especially among celebrities, to accept personal assistants’ help in handling similar things in the future.
“It’s time to leave our phones and car keys behind when stepping onto the Red Carpet; it’s simply outdated. Often, Ghanaians need a reminder to hand over their devices to their personal assistants (PAs).
“Nigerian fashionistas have elevated their game to a whole new level of professionalism. Their PAs ensure that before they make their Red Carpet entrance, all distractions are removed.
The spotlight should be solely on the individual, their personal brand, and their attire,” She stated.
She added, “Yet, here, it’s as if everyone must flaunt their car key, which I find quite improper. It doesn’t matter what car you drive; the Red Carpet is a stage to flaunt your fashion, not your possessions.
The moment a car key is visible, it detracts from the overall impression. Therefore, let’s do away with phones and, frankly, any other unrelated items on the red carpet.”
Former striker and captain of the Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan, has disclosed that Baby Jet Airlines Limited is set to start operations in Ghana shortly.
President Akufo-Addo declared in 2017 that Gyan has obtained a licence to run an airline in Ghana.
This happened during the Kotoka International Airport’s (KIA) African Airshow.
The airline’s business hasn’t materialised, though.
But, Gyan said that COVID-19 was the reason behind the airline’s operations’ delay during his appearance on Tuesday, June 4, on Asempa FM’s “Ekosii Sen” show.
Gyan has promised that the airline will launch operations shortly, notwithstanding the difficulty.
“Baby Jet Airlines Limited is still in existence,” the former Sunderland and Liberty Professionals striker said.
“We launched the airline and acquired the needed licences but Covid-19 has delayed everything but we will start operations very soon,” he added.
Ghana will be the operating base for Baby Jet Airlines Limited.
Asamoah Gyan is still the highest goalscorer in Africa and the country’s all-time record holder at theFIFA World Cup.
Locked-up Investment Holders’ Forum havedeclared that it will resume its picketing today, Wednesday, June 5, following the Finance Ministry’s failure to meet its demands.
Members of the forum are dissatisfied because, despite assurances from Deputy Finance Minister Dr Stephen Amoah, the ministry has not responded to their concerns.
After Dr. Amoah’s intervention, the organisation had earlier decided to suspend their protest; nevertheless, their decision has been reevaluated in light of the lack of participation.
The members are insisting that guarantees be given by the Finance Ministry so that the Bank of Ghana can release money held in bankrupt financing companies.
According to Dr Adu Anane Antwi, the Convenor of the Locked-up Investment Holders’ Forum, the group has been left with no choice but to resume picketing due to the ministry’s inaction.
The forum is determined to continue its protest until its grievances are addressed and its members receive the funds they are owed.
“We will be resuming our picketing this Wednesday, June 5, 2024, as the meeting that was promised by the Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr Stephen Amoah, with us after he returned from his trip on May 27, 2024, has still not come on.
“I sent the Deputy Minister a text message and a WhatsApp message last Thursday reminding him that we are still waiting for him to call us for the meeting.
We still have not received any response whatsoever from theMinistry of Finance, and therefore, this coming Wednesday, June 5, we are resuming the picketing,” he said.
Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)has issued a warning to the public about the appropriate use of items containing naphthalene, citing its registration as an insecticide.
The FDA stressed in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 4, that these drugs should only be used as directed by the manufacturer and in accordance with label instructions.
According to the FDA, labels on legally registered Naphthalene items in Ghana include warnings and cautions about their flammability and should be kept away from children, food, water, and fire.
It has mandated particular labelling specifications, such as usage instructions and storage guidelines, for products containing naphthalene.
The Authority emphasised that using the product improperly could have negative effects, therefore, carefully follow the usage directions.
To protect their health and safety, the FDA has asked the public to follow the labelling instructions for all items that contain naphthalene as well as for all other chemicals.
It has said that it will work with pertinent organisations to guarantee Ghana’s safe and ongoing use of naphthalene products.
“In Ghana, the FDA has registeredNaphthalene-containing products for use as insecticides.
The FDA wishes to inform the public that labels on registered Naphthalene products in Ghana contain sufficient information on their proper use, warnings, and cautions.
“These products should not come into contact with children or food, including water, and as a flammable material, should be kept away from fire.”
Electoral Commission (EC) has rescinded its previous order barring agents of political parties from witnessing the voter transfer exercise.
Party agent access to transfer centres was banned in the first memo, which was sent to district officials on June 2. The document cited violent instances as justification for the prohibition.
Political parties and civil society organisations swiftly condemned the action, calling it a betrayal of democratic ideals and a possible reason for disparities in vote distribution.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, expressed his worries on Facebook, claiming that the EC’s directive was evidence of cooperation with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the upcoming general elections on December 7.
But in an unexpected change of events, the EC overturned the contentious judgement in a press statement on June 4.
The Electoral Commission’s Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, said the decision to reverse was made after careful deliberation and evaluation of the many issues brought out.
“Following internal discussions and in consideration of the concerns of some stakeholders, the Commission has decided to revert to its decision made at IPAC.
“The Commission has directed its Officers at the Districts to allow Agents ofPolitical Parties to observe the Transfer of Votes Exercise with effect from tomorrow Wednesday, 5th June, 2024,” portions of the release said.
BBC World Service reported on the tragic incident involving comedian and film producer Kwadwo Nkansah, also known as Lil Win.
The article, “Boy’s family seeks justice after crash with Ghana actor,” described what happened after the three-year-old was killed in a crash in Kumasi on May 25.
It made use of LilWin’s court case and the warning from the deceased’s family that they would take the case all the way to court and would not consider settling outside of it.
On Monday, LilWin was given 50,000 cedi bail with two sureties who had to provide proof of their worth.
Read the full BBC story below:
Boy’s family seek justice after crash with Ghana actor
The family of a three-year-old boy killed in a car crash involving popular Ghanaian actor and musician Lil Win have said they are “determined to seek justice”.
The child died in a hospital in the city of Kumasi after the crash on 25 May, local media reports.
Lil Win, real name Kwadwo Nkansah, was also taken to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital – and arrested on Monday after being discharged.
In a statement issued before his arrest, the actor’s production company had called the crash a “tragic accident”.
Lil Win was charged with dangerous driving and causing harm through negligence at Kumasi’s Asokore Mampong District Court on Monday.
He was not asked to enter a plea and was granted bail for 50,000 Ghanaian cedis (£2,630; £3,355). The court adjourned the case until 27 June.
Afterwards, two relatives of the three-year-old boy, Nana Yaw, told local radio station Angel FM that they were counting on the police to investigate the matter thoroughly.
One of the men said: “We are determined to seek justice for our child.”
The family members accused Lil Win of failing to contact the family after the crash—until he heard that a young child had died. The actor has not commented on the allegation.
The boy’s father, Jacob Kofi Amponsah, remains in the hospital.
The premiere of Lil Win’s new film, A Country Called Ghana, was cancelled in the wake of the collision.
It was scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 1, in Sunyani, a city around 123 km (76 miles) away from Kumasi, but Lil Win’s production company, Wezzy Empire, called it off.
“This difficult decision was made in respect of the memory of three-year-old boy Nana Yaw, who unfortunately lost his life in a tragic accident involving our Chief Executive Officer, Kwadko Nkansah ‘Lil Win’ last Saturday and to join the family in mourning their loss,” a statement posted to Lil Win’s social media accounts last Thursday said.
“The CEO extends their sincere condolences to the bereaved family and wishes a speedy recovery to the father, Mr. Jacob Kofi Amponsah.”
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has released additional documents to support his argument that the proposed sale of four state-owned hotels to a cabinet minister in office was a terrible bargain.
In a recent commentary on the matter, Ablakwa shared an internal memo between the agri-minister Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City Hotels Limited and the state-owned pensions company, SSNIT.
The “SSNIT-ROCK CITY GROUP SALE OF STAKE IN SSNIT HOTELS NEGOTIATION” paper provided a predetermined selling position for each of the hotels in question, including Elmina Beach Resort, La Palm Royal, Ridge Royal, and Labadi Beach Hotel.
According to SSNIT’s appraisal, the combined value of all four hotels was more than US$121 million, although Rock City’s offer was just US$61.2 million.
“The SSNIT memos in my possession reveal that SSNIT’s objective expectations based on valuation reports of 60% stake in the 4 hotels (Labadi, La Palm, Ridge Royal & Elmina) range from a minimum value of US$80,406,630.00 to a maximum of US$121,315,643.00.
“From the intercepted memos, Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City offer fell far below the minimum value of the 4 hotels. Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s below par bid was US$61,200,000.00,” he added.
He noted the significant losses that SSNIT stood to make if they pushed ahead with accepting the Rock City offer.
Ablakwa was the first to report on the planned sale of SSNIT’s stake in the said hotels and has since adduced evidence to prove the deal was against the interest of the state and pensioners in particular.
He has also filed a petition at CHRAJ to probe possible conflict of interest over the minister’s role in Rock City and his political position as minister and Member of Parliament.
Read Ablakwa’s full post below:
Intercepted memos from SSNIT on Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City offer for the purchase of SSNIT’s hotels confirm that but for my timely intervention in exposing the deal, Ghanaian workers would have been terribly shortchanged as the transaction does not guarantee value for money.
The SSNIT memos in my possession reveal that SSNIT’s objective expectations based on valuation reports of 60% stake in the 4 hotels (Labadi, La Palm, Ridge Royal & Elmina) ranges from a minimum value of US$80,406,630.00 to a maximum of US$121,315,643.00.
From the intercepted memos, Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City offer fell far below the minimum value of the 4 hotels. Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s below par bid was US$61,200,000.00.
Considering that SSNIT’s own minimum value based on expert advice was pegged at US$80,406,630.00, the Hon. Bryan Acheampong/Rock City offer did not meet this minimum threshold by as much as US$19,206,630.00.
When compared to the upper limit, Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s offer fell short by a staggering US$60,115,643.00
It is instructive to discover that whereas SSNIT’s minimum offer for La Palm Royal Hotel is US$37,897,200.00, Hon. Bryan Acheampong merely offered US$21,000,000.00 (a significant variance of US$16,897,200.00).
In the case of Elmina Beach Resort, SSNIT was advised to go for a minimum of US$4,709,430.00, however, Hon. Bryan Acheampong offered a paltry US$2,400,000.00.
Analysts are fascinated by how the Hon. Bryan Acheampong/Rock City bids for Labadi Beach Hotel and Ridge Royal were exactly the same figures for SSNIT’s minimum expectations, raising suspicions about possible insider dealings and a rigged process.
These intercepted memos once again expose the deceptive and bogus claims by unpatriotic NPP propagandists and their surrogates that Hon. Bryan Acheampong offered a fair price and that his bid is the best for Ghana.
The clearest indication yet that these hotels were just being opaquely packaged for cheap on the blind side of Ghanaians to satisfy an obscene state capture agenda.
Our agitations must continue unabated, ahead of the June 18 demonstration, since President Akufo-Addo contemptuously refuses to instruct his marauding appointees to take their hands off our hotels.
We shall not be silent and lose these strategic national assets like the way we were taken by surprise with Mr. Kwaw Worsemao Blay now claiming to own the Labadi Hotel beachfront.
Due to an increase in chaotic circumstances, Kasoa has been designated as a red zone region by the National Security and Electoral Commission (EC), according to George Ayisi, the director of communications for the National Disaster Management Organisation(NADMO).
Concerned about the recent pandemonium that broke out during the EC voter transfer process, Ayisi emphasised that there was no reason for the situation to get out of control and result in gunshots.
In an interview with GhanaWeb, he stated, “It’s sad. When we are transferring votes, it should not be chaotic because I am living in Accra and I have been transferred to Kasoa.
I need to move my votes there if I cannot travel back to Accra to vote on the day of the election.
Unfortunately, most of us seem to misunderstand the process. This is as simple as that, but there seems to be some misunderstanding.”
Addressing a question about actions taken during a similar incident involving the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Hawa Koomson, in 2020, he said that:
“Hawa Koomson was invited by the police and she admitted she fired the gunshot.
They were saying she wasn’t the one and that it was her bodyguard, but Hawa admitted she indeed did fire the gun, and that was it.”
George Ayisi confirmed that the ongoing violence in the area has compelled the National Security and the EC to classify the area as a red zone, despite his optimism that there won’t be catastrophic situations in Kasoa during the next elections.
And maybe, because we have a lot of settlers in that enclave, that’s also part of the challenges, and the police have created a whole region for that place in terms of security management,” he added.
Former captain of theBlack Stars, Stephen Appiah, believes Jose Mourinho will have a significant influence on Alexander Djiku, a Ghanaian, at Fenerbahçe.
On June 1, 2024, three months after leaving the Italian team AS Roma, Mourinho was named the new coach of the Turkish team.
Former Fenerbahçe player Stephen Appiah said that Mourinho had a talent for developing African players into elite players.
“Jose Mourinho has been very good with African players, and I think everyone he’s worked with proves themselves, including Didier Drogba, Solomon Kalou, Michael Essien, Mikel Obi, and many others,” Appiah told RG.
“We have Djiku, who has been able to win the hearts of the fans with the way he carries himself and approaches the game. I hope that with the arrival of Mourinho, he will be able to take his game to the next level.”
Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (EduWatch), Kofi Asare, has asserted that potential teachers in Ghana should not be permitted to retake the teacher licence examinations.
He believes that applicants who do not pass the licence exams need to be disqualified from teaching because they are most likely not qualified.
He emphasised that literacy abilities are evaluated on the tests in addition to academic prowess and topic matter expertise.
According to him, a prospective teacher is most likely unqualified if they are unable to read and write in English well on their first try at the test.
“Once you demonstrate the incapacity to read and write or demonstrate low proficiency in the English language, that should be it. You cannot learn English in tertiary education, so that should be the end.
“… it is non-negotiable. We shouldn’t allow them to even write it for a second time,” he is quoted as having said during an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show.
However, Kofi Asare pointed out that people who have trouble in school or with a particular topic had to be given another opportunity to take the test.
He appealed on Ghanaians to take the teacher licensure tests, claiming that doing so could improve the quality of teaching in both public and private schools in the country.
Shatta Wale’s involvement was verified by Adebayor in a video that he uploaded to his TikTok.
The self-proclaimed “king of African dancehall” expressed his joy at being included on the bill for the massive event.
The event, known as the Jubilee Concert, is scheduled to happen at Lomé’s Stade de Kegue.
The performance, which is one of several events planned to honour Adebayor’s retirement, is rumoured to feature additional African performers.
The youth marathon and a unique female football competition are among the events scheduled for June 19.
Following his official retirement from football in 2023, Emmanuel Adebayor announced to the globe that a sports festival would be held in June 2024 to honour his retirement
“At this moment, as I am preparing to open a new page in my life, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone, from near or far.
A great way to celebrate this moment would be to invite you all to the jubilee that the SEA Foundation is organising to mark the end,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Join me in June 2024 for this grand event, which will take the form of a sports festival for the promotion of values of peace, stability, and cohesion among the peoples of Africa.
Several activities are on the program for this jubilee, culminating in a gala match which will bring together in Lomé the big names in the world of football.”
@e_adebayor Validate the love of those who understand your value and leave the rest who love to devalue you. It’s levels to this Sh** Where you think you are, We have already been and laid the path for you.⭐️✨⭐️❤️ #SEA#❤️❤️#⭐️⭐️♬ original sound – Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor
Ghanaian-US based public critic, Twene Jonas has been warned by a random elderly man who appears to have walked in on him while he was in a live session.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by @eddie_wrt dated May 14,2024, the man passionately warned him against insulting and making derogatory statements about people the elderly, and generally all people despite their age.
“Twene Jonas I tell you that I can contract someone at just $500 dollars to kill you, but we won’t do that.
The insults you rain on the elderly is too much, learn to respect people” he noted.
A Ghanaian man who encountered Twene Jonas on the streets of America during a livestream thre@tened that he could hire hitmen with just $500 to take him out because of his insults against Ghanaian leaders and some elderly people. pic.twitter.com/gnJDgGhUV0
While advising the critic on having regard for al men, he interjected by defending himself, boasting of his high regard for people and openness to advice.
He went on to urge him to engage people when he notices they have done something wrong instead of resorting to insults on social media.
“If you keep up with this behaviour you wouldn’t live for long. You over do it. If you notice I have done something wrong, just alert me as your father , as a sibling but going on to rain insults example on the Asantehene , calling him a foolish man and stupid man, is just uncalled for.
However, Twene Jonas defended himself saying “I respect people, I have heeded to your advice but sometimes those insults are not always true to be coming from me. Sometimes they edit them; the bloggers they want more clicks”. he mentioned.
Ghana’s national football squad, the Black Stars, are getting ready for their FIFA World Cup Matchday 3qualifying match against Mali.
The group is scheduled to leave Accra on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, for Bamako.
The Black Stars, under the direction of Coach Otto Addo, have been practicing hard in Accra for the last four days in order to be ready for this important game.
The game is scheduled to begin at 19:00 GMT and will be played at the Stade 26 Mars in Bamako.
After a rough start, Ghana’s current objective in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers is to resume their winning ways.
The team beat Madagascar 1-0 at home in Kumasi to start the campaign, but they lost to Comoros 1-0 away in Moroni.
The Black Stars are currently ranked fourth in Group I.
The group is optimistic that winning their next games—especially the one against Mali—will greatly increase their prospects of making it to the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico will host this esteemed competition.
The game is scheduled to begin at 19:00 GMT and will be played at the Stade 26 Mars in Bamako.
After a rough start, Ghana’s current objective in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers is to resume their winning ways.
The team beat Madagascar 1-0 at home in Kumasi to start the campaign, but they lost to Comoros 1-0 away in Moroni.
The Black Stars are currently ranked fourth in Group I.
The group is optimistic that winning their next games—especially the one against Mali—will greatly increase their prospects of making it to the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
According to Dr. Bawumia, Ghana is not an exception to the current global economic problems.
As part of his campaign visit, Dr. Bawumia gave an assurance to the clergy in the Central Region that the government is doing everything in its power to lessen the challenges that Ghanaians confront.
“It is very clear that the cost of living has gone up across the world. Even when I was in Canada just a few weeks ago, there were similar complaints.
“There has been a major increase in the cost of living, and global inflation has increased fivefold, so there is a problem.”
Dutch internationals of Ghanaian descent, Brian Brobbey and Jeremie Frimpong, have shown worthy of their spots in the final Netherlands squad for the forthcoming2024 European Championshipin Germany.
Their outstanding season-long efforts with their respective teams have earned them well-earned spots on the final squad of the much-anticipated competition.
Brobbey is set to make his Oranje debut after showcasing his skills at the Dutch powerhouse Ajax.
In the meantime, Bayer Leverkusen player Frimpong has already made two appearances for the national squad.
After finishing their European club seasons, both players reported to national team training last weekend.
At the end of his incredible Dutch Eredivisie season, Brobbey scored an astounding 18 goals in 30 games for Ajax.
On the other hand, Frimpong—a right-back—made a substantial contribution to Bayer Leverkusen’s triumph, helping the team win the DFB-Pokal and the Bundesliga title, completing a domestic double.
Notably, he contributed 12 assists and 14 goals from his defensive position.
Due to recent modifications to FIFA’s nationality switch regulations, both players are still able to switch allegiance to the Black Stars even if they are officially committed to representing the Netherlands.
The Ayew family has refuted rumours that Jordan and Andre Dede Ayew have left the Black Stars suddenly.
The family’s spokeswoman, Fiifi Tackie, declared the allegation to be untrue in a statement on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
He clarified that while his brother Jordan is practicing with the team ahead of the 2024 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, Andre Ayew is now on vacation following his exclusion from the Black Stars squad.
‘Please be advised that recent reports of the Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan, resigning from the national team are entirely false.
Andre has had a remarkable season, scoring 6 goals in all competitions, and is currently enjoying a well-deserved holiday.’
‘Jordan is currently in the camp of the national team, and he is proud and honoured to be part of the team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.
They remain dedicated to their careers and committed to the national team.
We urge fans and supporters to disregard the misinformation and continue to support the Ayew brothers and the Black Stars,’ stated Fiifi Tackie on behalf of Andre and Jordan.
According to earlier media reports, the brothers had made the decision to leave the national team.
According to the article, the family felt it was unjust that Andre Ayew was left off of the most recent Black Stars roster, which led to the purported decision.
Andre’s removal from the Black Stars squad was a move that the family accepted with good intentions, according to Solar Ayew, the boys’ uncle.
‘We’ve taken Andre Ayew’s omission from the Black Stars squad normally. He was earning invites when he was unattached, so his omission will surprise not only me but everyone because he is at the top of his game now. This is normal for the Ayew family,’ he told Asempa FM.”
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers,Ghana is slated to play Mali on Thursday, June 6, 2024, and then host the Central African Republic on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Sports journalist from Ghana, Collins Atta Poku, has recounted how Black Stars head coach Otto Addopersonally told Andre Dede Ayew that he was cut from the team.
Atta Poku claims that the manager left out the former Olympique Marseille player due to Ayew’s longevity in the team and his desire to advance the Black Stars.
Speaking on Africa614 Multimedia, he stated that because the players believe Otto Addo still has much to offer, Ayew did not accept Otto Addo’s choice.
“He sat down with him and told him that he had transcended two generations at the Black Stars. Dede has outlived Appiah; Dede has outlived Essien and John Mensah…If you look closely at things, he is the only surviving member of the 2010 World Cup squad. So the Black Stars would have to evolve away from you. Dede did not agree because he still wanted to play.”
On Wed, May 29, 2024, Otto Addo held a news conference to reveal his World Cup qualifying team.
Otto Addo said he had conversations with Dede Ayew but kept quiet about what he told the Black Stars captain when questioned about why the player was left out.
“I had a long talk with André and gave him the reasons why he is not in the squad. I talk to players directly and don’t like to disclose information about our discussions. This is the decision we took, and it’s not like he necessarily agreed, but I still have great respect for him,” he told the media.
Solar Ayew, Andre Ayew’s uncle, responded to the manager’s decision, saying the family accepted it in good faith despite being shocked.
“We’ve taken Andre Ayew’s omission from the Black Stars squad normally. He was earning invites when he was unattached, so his omission will surprise not only me but everyone because he is at the top of his game now.
Former Ghanaian football player Nii Odartey Lamptey has revealed how, upon discovering the paternal status of his alleged children with his ex-wife, a moment of reflection kept him from acting in a way that could have altered the trajectory of his life.
In an interview, Odartey Lamptey disclosed to Dan Kwaku Yeboah that he picked up a rifle and took severe action as soon as he learned the results of the DNA tests.
But in the heat of the moment, he soberly considered his options and decided that using the rifle, whatever he meant, was not the best course of action.
“When the issue happened, I wanted to use my gun. It was in my Tundra, but I decided I would not do anything to jeopardise my life, so I did not use it. I was broken, but I was very patient about it, and that has led me to where I am today.
I believe it was God who spoke to me, and so I decided not to use my gun. It used to be in my Tundra, but I decided not to touch the gun again,” he said.
Providing further details on how he handled the whole situation, Odartey Lamptey said that he dedicated himself to his work, which allowed him to get his mind off the saga.
“I strongly believe that, as a man, you need to marry your job. When the issue happened to me, when I came here, I listened to some of the recordings I made on my phone. If you don’t get close to your job, you’ll lose your job and also lose the other things that you focused on,” he said.
About Odartey Lamptey’s divorce saga
Odartey Lamptey and Gloria Appiah’s marriage collapsed in 2013 after it was discovered through a DNA test that the three children he had reared for years were not his biological offspring.
Odartey Lamptey recalled that after obtaining numerous recordings of his ex-wife’s activities, close friends encouraged him to do a DNA test on the children.
As a result, he took the DNA test, which he later referred to as a turning point that led to his divorce.
After their divorce, the football player was ordered to give up his five-bedroom Dome house and pay GHC400,000 in alimony to his former spouse.
Gloria, his ex-wife, was adamant about being the owner of the seven-bedroom East Legon Mansion and eventually prevailed in a lawsuit that forced the football player to leave the property within an hour, allowing her to move in.
But in March 2022, Gloria Appiah was mandated by a High Court decision to provide the former Ghanaian football player the keys to the East Legon house within a month.
Currently, he is wed to Ruweida Yakubu. 2014 was the beginning of their union.Odartey and Ruweida are parents to three children: a boy and two daughters.
Real Madrid players were delighted after Kylian Mbappe’s signing to Real Madrid was announced.
Reacting on social media, current and past players expressed their excitement about the deal.
The French sensation was greeted by former Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, and legendary player and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo said he was looking forward to seeing the former Paris Saint-Germain winger at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On Monday, June 3, 2024, Real Madrid announced that Kylian Mbappe will be joining them, just two days after winning their 15th Champions League championship.
Football players' reactions to "Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid" signing.
Bank of Ghana (BoG) provided its 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statement, which shows that the bank’s currency printing expenses in 2023 totaled GH¢675.4 million.
According to the study, the sum is a 107.4% rise over the GH¢325.64 million that was reported in 2022.
The report additionally indicated that, in contrast to GH¢6.54 million in 2022, the Central Bank spent GH¢7.32 million in 2023 on other currency management operations.
In 2023, agency fees hit GH¢6.136 million, a GH¢4.75 million increase from the year before.
According to the study, this resulted in a total currency issue expense of GH¢688.87 million in 2023. Additionally, the research stated that in 2023 there were GH¢44.55 billion in circulation.
In 2023, there was an overall GH¢44.55 billion in circulation, as opposed to roughly GH¢36.07 billion in 2022.
There were GH¢29.7 billion in cedis, GH¢16.9 billion in dollars, GH¢988 million in pounds, and GH¢4.68 billion in euros among the various currency deposits. The total in other currencies was GH¢25.45 million.
In 2023, there were GH¢12.32 billion of the GH¢200 note in circulation, as opposed to GH¢9.87 billion the year before.
In 2023, there were GH¢14.57 billion of the GH¢100 note in circulation, compared to GH¢8.69 billion in 2022.
In 2023, there were GH¢8.06 billion, GH¢5.06 billion, and GH¢2.46 billion worth of GH¢50, GH¢20, and GH¢10 notes in circulation.
Furthermore, in 2023, there were GH¢1.09 billion, GH¢31.6 million,and GH¢11.27 million of the GH¢5, GH¢2, and GH¢1 notes in circulation.
The depreciation of the cedi, according to independent presidential candidate Alan John Kwadwo Kyeremanten, is the result of systemic failure and a loss of confidence in the economy.
The former Minister of Trade and Industry warned that if the nation doesn’t boost exports and cut imports, the Cedi would keep losing ground to major international currencies.
Speaking on Monday while on a trip of the Eastern Region, Mr. Kyeremanten expressed optimism that laws pertaining to the forex bureau and an increase in exports will also help stabilise the Cedi.
“The strength of the Cedi is dependent on the demand and supply of foreign exchange. There is no other way unless you produce and export.
Because if you don’t produce and use that to export abroad, you won’t get dollars into the system… But have you heard a head of state talk about this before? So, it is a systemic failure for a long time.”
“So, between Alan, ex-president Mahama, and Dr. Bawumia, if it’s production and exports that would revive the Cedi, who amongst the three of us can do that? If we have made that mistake all these years and we now need someone who can do this, then it is Alan who can do that,” he stated.
Additionally, Mr. Kyeremanten advised Ghanaians to consider a national development strategy rather than unmet campaign pledges.
Significant constitutional reform would be given first priority by a government led by the Movement for Change.
“When you listen to the majority, they say that when the NDC and NPP are in government, it is a winner-takes-all situation. If one party assumes office for eight years and you are not part of the party, then you are not part of the government. So, the intelligence of many Ghanaians is disregarded in the governance of the country because it is winner-takes-all.
“If these two parties are in government, they work on projects, either good or bad, even if the other has already started the same… If there is no continuity, how do we move forward? Ghanaians are tired; they want a plan, not promises.”
“So, we want to move Ghana beyond the manifest promises; we want a national plan where Ghanaians are informed about where the country is headed.For the next 30 to 50 years, every party that assumes office will continue with whatever they meet,” he stated.
The body of a Ghanaian man named Mr. Andrews, who had apparently just returned from Switzerland, was found hanging in a leased room in Two Streams, a neighbourhood of Koforidua,the capital of the Eastern Region.
Andrews, who was thought to be in his late sixties, was discovered hanging from a rope fastened to the door frame.
He was cleanly clothed in a suit and shoes, and he had glasses on his face.
His legs were touching the floor strangely.
According to locals, Mr. Andrews, who was born in Ghana but claimed Swiss residence, had been residing in the region for roughly six months.
He had a reputation for drinking and hanging out with some of the local kids.
He mentioned having a family in Switzerland while stating that his extended relatives resided in the Central region and that he had built a house in Accra.
Just days before his demise, Mr. Andrews had told some residents that he would travel back to Switzerland during the weekend.
He is alleged to have arranged for his belongings to be transported to his family home in the Central region by a relative a few days ago.
The sudden and unexpected nature of his death has left the community reeling with shock and speculation.
Vice President Bawumia has been challenged by Professor Kobby Mensah of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) to use his power to persuade President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to axe a contentious tax item.
The University of Ghana lecturer was responding to Bawumia’s recent declaration that he played a major role in persuading President Akufo-Addo to grant particular exemptions for dialysis treatment.
On June 3, during his Central Regional presidential campaign tour, Bawumia made an announcement to a group of clergymen about the free dialysis treatment that would be available to people under the age of 18 and those over 60 starting this month through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“If you managed to speak to the President to agree on free dialysis while you are still a Veep, then you can also speak to him to agree on the Tax cuts you mentioned you would make when you come to power. “Please convince the President to agree to abolishing E-levy,” Prof. Mensah posted on X.
With the exception of transactions that are legally excluded, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) defines the E-Levy as a levy on all electronic money transfers.
One percent is the fixed rate.
The government made the decision to impose electronic transfers in order to increase domestic revenue collection, broaden the tax base, and give everyone a chance to support the advancement of the country.
If you managed to speak to the President to agree on free dialysis whilst you are still a Veep, then you can also speak to him to agree on the Tax cuts you mentioned you would when you come to power. Pls convince the President to agree to abolishing E-levy 🤷♀️ https://t.co/aEcPcqoa5s
Free dialysis is being offered to certain kidney patients by the NHIS.
National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) states that from June 1, 2024, until December 20, 2024, those with kidney disorders who are over 60 and under 18 years old will be entitled to eight free dialysis sessions per month.
National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) announced this project to commemorate the program’s 20 years of existence.
This endeavour is an essential part of the anniversary celebrations, as confirmed by a statement from Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, the acting chief executive officer of NHIA.
According to the NHIA’s 2024 Allocation Formula, GH¢2,000,000.00 has been authorised by the parliament and sanctioned by the Ghanaian government.
The objective is to support underprivileged and financially struggling people who require dialysis treatments.
Furthermore, the NHIA has allocated an additional GH2,400,000.00 from its approved Corporate Social Responsibility budget to assist this noteworthy health intervention.
“As part of NHIA’s 20th Anniversary, the NHIA,through administrative arrangements, has allocated an additional GH¢2,400,000.00, under the Corporate Social Responsibility approved budget of the scheme to support this initiative,” the statement said.
The report also stated that, following the verification of patients currently undergoing dialysis, the monthly cost for those within the specified categories is estimated at GH¢329,952.
By the conclusion of December 2024, the total expenditure is anticipated to reach approximately GH¢2.3 million.
After Real Madrid captured their 15th Champions League championship, the announcement was made.
Kylian Mbappé has signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid, the club said.
In 2022, Real Madrid started chasing Mbappé.
Just as Real Madrid was getting ready to welcome Mbappé, he was forced to extend his contract with PSG by intense pressure from Paris, France, and Qatar.
Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons,revealed that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent announcement to launch an e-gate project at Ghana’s main airport would amount to blatant misappropriation of donor cash.
He claims that the project has twice received funding from the World Bank and has been declared “complete & successful.”
Dr. Bawumia announced the remark while outlining planned technical developments meant to expedite immigration procedures during a speech to clergy in Cape Coast at the beginning of his regional trip.
“In fact, before the end of this year, if you arrive in Ghana at Kotoka Airport, you don’t even need to go to an immigration officer. We are putting together the e-gates.
“You put your Ghana Card; it will open for you, and you’ll pass and enter. The e-gates will come into service in Ghana before the end of this year. In Ghana, before the end of this year,” Dr. Bawumia stressed.
In a post on X (June 3) addressing the development, Simons wrote: “If this new e-gate project uses a single pesewa of Ghanaian money, then it will be the most brazen abuse of @WorldBank money ever in the history of the world.
The truth is that the World Bank has paid TWICE for this same project. And recorded the project as complete & successful.”
He posted a link to an article he wrote in April 2024 under the heading, ‘Is the World Bank saving or harming Ghana?’ to back his claims.
A portion under e-immigration read as follows: “Of the different e-Transform modules, the e-Immigration system presents the most bewildering account.
It was envisaged to deliver automated immigration clearance at the airport (using biometrically-enabled e-gates), digital visa processing, and the phasing out of paper-based procedures across all borders (including land and sea).
“In short, a big deal. The e-gates submodule alone was budgeted at nearly $20 million.
Central to all this was a Secure Border Management System (SBMS) meant to replace a US-donated platform on the grounds of enhanced data security.
“6 years after SBMS was expected to launch, the web version of the US-donated system continues to be the primary immigration clearance solution in use at Ghana’s sole international airport.
“Despite claims to the contrary in the official World Bank recordsabout the project, the fact on the ground is that no SBMS was rolled out.
The $16.3 million e-gates that the official records claim were already functional and just needed to be transferred from terminal 2 to terminal 3 of the international airport, at the cost of an extra $2.9 million, have not been deployed to automate immigration clearance five years on.
“The multi-million-dollar electronic visa management system launched, according to World Bank records, in February 2019, failed to deploy to most of Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.
The individual missions have had to engage service providers to build and manage separate systems at their own cost,” he added.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) outcast and former secretary of the party,Koku Anyidohohas reacted to a video of New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer and Vice President of Ghana, Dr Bawumia at a gathering with a supposed group of students who were captured chanting the vice president’s name during a ‘jama’ session.
In a tweet, the former head of Communications under the Presidency of John Atta Mills expressed surprise at how Dr. Bawumia was gradually connecting with the people while he embarks on his campaign tour.
The video captures the Majoriy leader, Afenyo-Markin dancing to the instruments and chants of the ecstatic group of boys while the Vice president convinced another gentleman to partake in the session.
In reaction to this, “This Bawumia man is really connecting paaa ooo!!! Look at how he got his guy to join the Jama. Reminds me of my student politics days on Legon Campus“
This Bawumia man is really connecting paaa ooo!!! Look at how he got his guy to join the Jama💪💪💪. Reminds me of my student politics days on Legon Campus 🔥🔥🔥👍👍👍 pic.twitter.com/NQkf2eLxUA
— Samuel Koku Anyidoho🇬🇭 (@KokuAnyidoho) June 3, 2024
A street vendor has risen to the defence of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led government amid the blame of the country’s woes and economic hardship on the former.
In a tweet by @eddie_wrt, a street vendor, in an interview on the harsh economic conditions faced by the Ghanaian populace and how it will alter their choice of candidates ahead of the 2024 polls, the young man has taken a strong stance to vote for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, Dr. Bwumia, in December.
The policies of the vice president, who doubles as the flagbearer of the NPP, have benefited him, hence his decision to vote for him in the forthcoming elections.
He believes the state of the economy induced by many factors, such as increase in the price of goods and services, is the doing of traders and not that of the government.
“This year, Bawumia, all the way. This year, my household’s vote belongs to Bawumia. When he came, I enjoyed the benefits of his policies so he has my vote this year despite the economic hardships.
You blame Akufo-Addo for the increase in goods, but our own doing is our fault, we the sellers. You are blaming Akufo-Addo; does Akufo-Addo run your shop for you?
Isn’t it you doing that. Cut that talk. It’s our own doing. Akufo-Addo hasn’t been spotted selling diesel at a fuel station,” he said.
A street hustler asserts that, while he understands there are currently many hardships in the country, he believes President Akufo-Addo should not be blamed for the increasing prices of items on the market because he is not the one selling them in shops.
Preliminary results released by Mexico’s official electoral authority indicate that the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City secured between 58% and 60% of the vote in Sunday’s election, giving her a significant lead of approximately 30 percentage points over her primary rival, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez.
Sheinbaum is set to succeed her mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on October 1st. Her election marks an emotional milestone for many.
As a former energy scientist, Sheinbaum has pledged to maintain continuity by building upon the “advances” initiated by López Obrador, particularly emphasising the expansion of welfare programmes that contributed to his popularity.
However, in her victory speech, she also underscored the unique aspects of this Mexican election compared to previous ones.
She told cheering voters: “For the first time in the 200 years of the [Mexican] Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico.”
She said it was an achievement not just for her but for all women. “I’ve said it from the start: this is not just about me getting [to the top office], it’s about all of us getting here.” She added: “I won’t fail you.”
Xóchitl Gálvez, Ms. Sheinbaum’s rival, graciously conceded victory, a gesture acknowledged by the president-elect. Prior to her presidential bid, Sheinbaum held the esteemed position of mayor of Mexico City, widely regarded as a stepping stone to the presidency.
Sheinbaum, whose maternal grandparents sought refuge in Mexico from Bulgaria during World War II, boasts an impressive scientific background before entering politics.
Raised by parents immersed in science, Sheinbaum pursued physics before earning a doctorate in energy engineering.
Her expertise in climate change, cultivated during years spent at a prestigious research lab in California, propelled her into the role of secretary of the environment for Mexico City under Mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s leadership.
Sheinbaum made history in 2018 as Mexico City’s first female mayor, a position she held until 2023, when she resigned to pursue the presidency.
Addressing Mexico’s pressing issue of cartel violence will be among her foremost challenges.
She advocates addressing the underlying causes of violence and vows to invest in welfare programmes to dissuade impoverished youth from joining criminal organisations.
On the diplomatic front, Sheinbaum pledges to foster a relationship of friendship, mutual respect, and equality with the United States, while vowing to staunchly defendMexican interests across the border.
Relations with the US strained during López Obrador’s tenure, but his endorsement significantly bolstered Sheinbaum’s campaign, drawing support from voters who favour Morena’s anti-poverty agenda.
Suspected landguards reportedly demolished a construction project belonging to Blackstars player Richard Boateng.
The former defender for Liberty Professionals and TP Mazembe alleged that he had purchased land in Kasoa Millennium City adjacent to a mosque. Boateng claimed he temporarily allowed some community members to use a portion of his land for Eid celebrations.
However, upon noticing individuals asserting ownership of the land, Boateng erected a wall around his property.
Despite reporting the incident to the police, Boateng stated that the alleged landguards destroyed the wall and threatened to rebuild it.
“My project is close to a mosque, but I moved to the area and completed the project before they built the mosque. When they first moved there, they needed a place to celebrate Salah (Eid festivities), and I offered my place,” the footballer said.
“That continued for some time and they used to have prayer sessions there until they started claiming ownership of the land. Due to the way things were progressing, I decided to build a fence wall around it, but whenever I went there, I was confronted by one Illiasu, who claimed that they were now the owners of the land.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyLNzNLQ8JU
“I took the issue to the Kasoa Millennium Police, and we have been litigating it for over eight months.
The police conducted a search at the Lands Commission and discovered that the land was registered in the name of 21st Century Real Estate, and they were the only ones who could prevent me from developing the land.
I received permission from the 21st century to develop the land, so I built the fence wall.”
“In the early hours the following day, they sent young men to destroy the new fence wall we had constructed, but we managed to apprehend one of the boys, who identified Illiasu as the one who sent them.
The police were in the process of prosecuting the case until Ndego also appeared at the station, making some claims.
“Upon seeing me at the station, Ndego warned me against reconstructing the wall, threatening that if I did, they would demolish it again.
President Joe Biden is poised toissue a comprehensive new executive order from the White House targeting the influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border, possibly as soon as Tuesday.
According to CBS, the order aims to expedite the deportation process for individuals entering the US unlawfully, bypassing asylum procedures once a daily threshold is reached.
This measure is intended to enable border officials to manage and restrict migrant arrivals more effectively, as outlined by three unnamed sources familiar with the forthcoming order.
Despite a significant decline in migrant arrivals this year, which some experts believe may not be sustainable, more than 6.4 million migrants have been intercepted crossing into the US illegally during Biden’s tenure—a historic high that has rendered him politically vulnerable as he seeks reelection.
Reports from CBS and other US media outlets suggest that Biden is considering leveraging a 1952 law to limit access to the American asylum system.
The law, known as 212(f), allows the US president to “suspend the entry” of foreigners if their arrival is “detrimental to the interests” of the country.
The Trump administration previously employed the same regulation to implement immigration and travel bans from several predominantly Muslim nations and to deny asylum to migrants apprehended crossing into the US unlawfully, prompting allegations of racism.
However, asylum processing at official ports of entry is anticipated to remain unaffected by the forthcoming order.
Approximately 1,500 asylum seekers utilise the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app, CBP One, to schedule appointments and undergo processing daily at these ports.
Ahead of the president’s announcement, mayors from various border towns, such as Brownsville and Edinburg in Texas, were slated to attend the event in Washington.
Democratic lawmakers have reportedly been briefed on the plan, though the proposal is expected to face legal challenges, either from immigration advocates or Republican-led states.
A White House official informed the BBC on Friday that no definitive decisions had been reached regarding potential executive actions. Additionally, a White House spokesperson highlighted the failure of a bipartisan border security agreement earlier this year, citing opposition from Republicans in Congress.
“While Congressional Republicans chose to stand in the way of additional border enforcement, President Biden will not stop fighting to deliver the resources that border and immigrational personnel need to secure our border,” the spokesperson said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t00HS85TcU
“As we have said before, the administration continues to explore a series of policy options and we remain committed to taking action to address our broken immigration system,” the spokesperson added.
Republicans have criticizedPresident Biden’s border plan as a political tactic for the upcoming election year, arguing that existing US laws already address illegal immigration but are not adequately enforced by the Democratic administration.
This critique emerges amid decreasing numbers of migrant detentions at the US-Mexico border. According to recent CBP statistics, approximately 179,000 migrant “encounters” were documented in April, a notable decrease compared to the historic high of 302,000 recorded in December.
Both US and Mexican officials attribute this decline largely to increased enforcement efforts by Mexican authorities, although experts caution that these reductions may not be sustainable in the long term.
The decline in migrant crossings at the US border coincides with a politically sensitive period for President Biden, as immigration emerges as a key electoral concern for many voters in the upcoming November presidential election.
A Gallup poll conducted at the end of April revealed that 27% of Americans consider immigration the most pressing issue facing the country, surpassing concerns about the economy and inflation.
The Italian, who guided Leicester to the Championship title, takes over from Mauricio Pochettino, who mutually parted ways with the club after one season.
Maresca’s arrival is part of Chelsea’s strategic restructuring, marking the sixth managerial change under the ownership of Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, and Jose Feliciano.
Maresca brings with him an experienced six-strong backroom staff, including former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero as his assistant.
Stay tuned for the official unveiling later this week as Maresca gears up to lead the Blues into the future.
In a statement, he said: “To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach. It is why I am so excited by this opportunity.
I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud.”
Chelsea’s ownership group added: “We are thrilled to welcome Enzo into the Chelsea family. We look forward to supporting him and the rest of the sporting team in fulfilling their potential and our expectations over the years to come.
Highly regarded for his coaching prowess and leadership abilities, Maresca’s track record speaks volumes.
Previously managing Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, he clinched the Premier League 2 title with promising talents like Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia.
However, his senior management debut with Parma in Italy was short-lived, marred by a string of unfavorable results.
Despite this setback, he returned to Manchester City as one of Pep Guardiola’s trusted assistants.
Last summer, Maresca took on the challenge of leading Leicester City following their Premier League relegation.
Despite facing late-season challenges amidst financial distractions, he steered the Foxes back to the top flight, securing promotion with an impressive record of 31 wins out of 46 matches.
A Leicester statement read: “Given the promising foundations established during his single season in charge, the club is disappointed that Enzo has decided at thisstage that he no longer wants to be part of our vision.
Cameras caught Kylian Mbappe in conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, discussing the timing of his anticipated transfer to Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old forward, currently with the French national team preparing for the 2024 European Championship, was captured in a candid moment at the team’s camp.
Shared by French media outlet RMC Sport, the footage hinted that the announcement of Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid might occur as early as Monday evening, June 3rd.
Macron said: “Kylian, how are you? Are you in good shape?”
Mbappe replied: “I’m good.”
Macron then asked: “Is it today that it’s going to be announced?”
Mbappe responded: “Tonight, tonight.”
Following widespread anticipation, reports indicated that Real Madrid would finalise Kylian Mbappe’s signing at the start of this week. With the player himself hinting at an announcement on Monday, it appears the speculation will soon become reality.
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Mbappe is viewed as a strategic manoeuvre to fortify their squad, bolstering their competitiveness in both La Liga and the Champions League.
This acquisition aligns with the club’s tradition of securing top-tier talent and is expected to significantly enhance their attacking capabilities.
The unveiling of Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu remains a point of curiosity, pendingofficial confirmation.
Over the past three days, more than50 people have died in Indiaas an intense heatwave continues to affect parts of the country.
In Uttar Pradesh alone, approximately 33 people, including polling officials and security personnel involved in the general election, succumbed to the extreme heat over the weekend.
Odisha (Orissa) state reported around 20 deaths attributed to heat stroke.
The general election, which takes place every five years during the hot months of April and May, coincided with record-breaking temperatures this year.
India has been experiencing more frequent, severe, and prolonged heatwaves. Hospitals across the country have established special units to handle heat-related illnesses.
From March 1 to May 30, the federal health ministry confirmed at least 56 deaths due to heat stroke and reported about 24,849 heatstroke cases.
However, state figures suggest the actual number of deaths might be higher.
In Odisha, district authorities noted 99 suspected heat stroke deaths in the past 72 hours, with 20 cases confirmed by the state’s Special Relief Commissioner.
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa announced that the families of deceased election workers would receive monetary compensation of 1.5 million rupees ($18,000; £14,000).
Rinwa also mentioned that a man fainted while standing in line to vote due to the heat.
“The voter was transported to a health facility, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” he said. Suspected heat-related deaths have also been reported from the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
India’s National Centre for Disease Control calls heat strokes a “life-threatening” condition with a mortality rate of 40–64%.
The heat in northern and central India and parts of the west has been unrelenting for the past two weeks, with maximum temperatures hovering around 45–46 °C for days at a stretch and even climbing up to 50 °C in some areas.
However, India’s weather department says that temperatures are likely to fall in the coming days due to the onset on the monsoon.
Several regions are experiencing severe water and electricity shortages due to a rise in power consumption.
Jack Grealish might not make it to Euro 2024 with the Three Lions,as Gareth Southgate provided a concerning update on the Manchester City star.
Despite cutting his holidays short to join the England squad early, Grealish has faced a tough season with Manchester City.
His struggles were highlighted by his limited playtime, including being benched during the FA Cup final and starting only one of the last seven Premier League matches.
This inconsistency has cast doubt on his place in the England squad.
Speaking to reporters, Southgate said: “We think we know who the best have been across the season, but what we don’t totally know is how many we need to take or how many we can allow ourselves to take because of the cover we might need in other positions as well.
“It’s obvious this season he[Grealish]has not played as much as last season. I’m sure he would have liked that to be different but we know the qualities he can bring and the qualities he has.
He is a player we enjoy working with and a character we enjoy having within the group.
We know where we’re likely to be. It’s hard to be quite so specific because we keep sitting down and saying: ‘Okay, if it’s this or this’. Then somebody else in the room says, ‘What if we lose that player?’”
Gareth Southgate will be without several key players for the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park, as injuries have sidelined Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, and Bukayo Saka. Additionally, John Stones will be absent as he joined the squad late following the FA Cup final.
When questioned about Maguire’s availability for the Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, Southgate’s response was cautious: “We don’t know that at the moment”.
Southgate’s approach to injury assessments is pragmatic and rooted in experience.
He candidly expressed his scepticism about players’ self-reports on their fitness and assured that his final decision will be driven by medical reports and will rely minimally on the player’s account.
“They’re lying buggers, really!” he said. “If you’re in a relegation battle, the treatment room is absolutely full. If you’re in a cup final, it’s empty. I’ve learned that from being here [at Middlesbrough] and playing cup finals as well.
“They have great intentions and are super positive, but equally, they want to be on the plane so they have got to have a more in-depth view than that. I’ll consult the players as little as possible,” said Gareth Southgate.
The urgency of Southgate’s task is heightened by the impending deadline to finalise his squad of 26 players by Saturday, meaning seven players will face the disappointment of missing out on the trip of Germany.
This critical selection process highlights the intense pressure on Southgate and his team as they aim to strike a balance between experience, fitness, and form in their selections.
While Grealish’s talent and flair are evident, his recent performance and fitness levels have raised concerns.
Jadon Sancho is reportedly hesitant to give up on Man Utdand is open to returning from Borussia Dortmund under one condition.
During his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, Sancho has impressed, prompting interest from the German club in securing him permanently.
However, financial hurdles, particularly Manchester United’s steep asking price of over £50 million ($64m), pose a challenge for Dortmund.
According to The Mirror, Sancho is willing to consider a return to United but only if Erik ten Hag leaves Old Trafford.
Sancho’s relationship with the manager soured after Ten Hag’s “scapegoat” comments on social media, leading to Sancho’s exclusion from the senior team.
Despite speculation surrounding Ten Hag’s future, the club has yet to make a decision, leaving room for potential replacements such as Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank, and Mauricio Pochettino.
Alternatively, Sancho could remain at Dortmund ifanother loan deal is arranged between the two clubs.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the club’s direction, with managerial decisions significantly influencing Sancho’s next move.
Jude Bellinghamdelightedly informed Jose Mourinho that his mother has been a long-time admirer and humorously requested a photo opportunity with her.
Following his triumphant debut Champions League victory with Los Blancos, Bellingham ensured his family, including his parents and younger brother Jobe, were part of the celebratory moment on the pitch.
Amidst the jubilation, Bellingham spotted Mourinho, who was present as a pundit for TNT Sports, and seized the opportunity for a playful interaction.
Mourinho, known for his affable nature, happily obliged, posing for a photo with Bellingham’s mother as part of the joyful celebration.
Bellingham quipped, “Sorry about that; my mom’s fancied you (Mourinho) for years!”
"Sorry about that, my mum's fancied you for years!" 🤣🥰
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 1, 2024
Never one to miss an opportunity for a witty remark, Mourinho joked about Bellingham potentially joining him at Fenerbahce, his new club.
“Now you come to Fenerbahce!” Mourinho exclaimed.
He went on to add: “If next season you play Fenerbahce, calm down….”Bellingham’s inaugural season at Real Madrid has surpassed all expectations, marking a remarkable journey for the 20-year-old midfielder.
His pivotal contributions were key to the team’s success, securing victories in the La Liga, Champions League, and Spanish Super Cup.
With an exceptional record of 23 goals scored in 42 matches across different competitions, his impact on the field speaks volumes.
Looking ahead, he prepares to represent the Three Lions in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament held in Germany.
Officials from the Saudi Pro League are reportedly considering bids for Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Joe Gomez in the upcoming transfer window.
Following the loss of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia last year, Liverpool anticipates further interest, with Mohamed Salah also being targeted by league authorities.
According to reports, Saudi officials plan to alter their transfer strategy, focusing on younger talents rather than older players.
Both Diaz and Gomez, aged 27, are viewed as potential acquisitions amid uncertainty at Anfield following Jurgen Klopp’s departure as manager.
While Diaz’s future has been the subject of speculation, Liverpool may be inclined to sell him given his contract situation and a reported valuation of £75m.
Gomez, on the other hand, was targeted by Saudi Arabia last summer but remained at Liverpool due to Klopp’s preference.
With three years remaining on his contract,Liverpool retains control overGomez’s future, though player preferences may influence decisions in the upcoming window.
Opoku Ware Senior High School (OWASS) in Kumasi is set to become Ghana’s first SMART School, under the government’s SMART School project, which aims to revolutionize education in 30 Senior High Schools across the country.
This was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, during a surprise visit to the school on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
According to Dr. Adutwum, the project will commence in two weeks’ time, with the Vice President and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, handing over tablets to the students.
Additionally, SMART boards will be installed in ten classes, marking the beginning of the SMART Project.
Dr. Adutwum explained that the SMART School initiative is a significant step by the President Nana Akufo Addo-led government towards advancing e-learning and digitalization within the country’s education space.
Under this project, comprehensive teaching and learning management systems, along with digital educational content, will be provided to senior high and technical vocational education and training (TVET) institutions nationwide.
“So very soon, when this school is fully converted into a SMART School, your home assignments, class tests, exams, marking, grading will be done online, and you will get your results instantaneously,” Dr. Adutwum said.
Other schools are going to be working with you.Some schools will log into your system and take advantage of your system to learn. They can log into your chemistry class and take part in it’’.
The Minister also revealed that “the government plans to build more virtual learning High Schools in the country, where students can register and pursue online courses.
He highlighted the progress made in the education sector since the implementation of the Free SHS policy, which has led to a remarkable increase in student intake in Senior High Schools, including a significant increment in the number of girls at the secondary level.
“National student population at the Senior High School, before the introduction of Free SHS policy, stood a little above eight hundred thousand (800,000), but the figure currently stands at one million, four hundred thousand (1.4 million), Dr. Adutwum said.
He added “First year student’s intake at the SHS is currently at Five Hundred and Five Thousand students (505,000).” Dr. Adutwum also provided regional breakdowns on intake at the SHS, revealing that the Northern Region has a 95% entry rate, followed by the North East and Savanna Regions at 94%, Upper East at 92%, Upper West at 89%, and Volta Region at 76%.
He assured that measures have been put in place to ensure an upsurge in the number of JHS leavers entering SHS.
“The Free SHS policy has also had a positive impact on girl-child education, as recently, more girls are in Senior High Schools than boys,”
Dr. Adutwum said, “Before the introduction of Free SHS, if you had 100 boys in a school, you would find only 68 girls in that school. But now, if you have 100 boys in a school, you would get 106 girls in the schools.
That is, the boy-girl ratio in school currently stands at 100 boys: 106 girls, a huge improvement in student-girl’s population in Senior High Schools. This is one of the good things Free SHS has brought to us.”
He is leading the Ghanaian delegation to the Korea-Africa Summit, scheduled for June 4th to 5th, 2024, in Seoul, Korea.
Accompanying President Akufo-Addo are the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, as well as officials from the Foreign Ministry, Trade Ministry, and the Presidency.
The President is expected to return to Ghana on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
During his absence,Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiawill assume the responsibilities of the presidency as outlined in Article 60(8) of the constitution.
Press Aide to Energy MinisterDr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), Kofi Abrefa Afena, has dismissed the accusation made by Kevin Taylor on Sunday night, June 2, 2024, labeling it as laughable and portraying Taylor as nothing more than a joke.
Afena stated that the allegation was merely an attempt to tarnish and undermine the reputation of the Energy Minister, who has been a formidable opponent to the NDC.
“The oil and gas space is highly technical, so if you want to allege wrongdoing without any basis, you will definitely be exposed, and this is exactly what has happened to Kevin Taylor, who has thrown proper journalism to the dogs in satisfaction of his paymasters,” he said.
“If you follow his rendition closely, you will see that it clearly lacks depth, is full of inconsistencies, and has questionable logic.”
“If you recall, Kevin Taylor in his initial outburst said the contract was estimated at $204m, but now says it is estimated at $450m.
In his latest outburst, he admits that Tullow is awarding contracts, not NAPO, which is contrary to the earlier impression he created that NAPO had cooked, signed, and approved a certain contract,” Abrefa added.
According to the press aide of the minister, Kevin Taylor now mentions a certain Stephen Kermah as being involved in the deal, not a company owned by Bumpty as he erroneously painted initially.
“The writing on his Facebook wall of the name Qassim Shittu and asking if NAPO knows him and had met him to create an impression of a looming bombshell were all nothing short of theatrics.”
“Kevin Taylor is only exciting the base of the NDC, creating a perception of corruption and some mirage of wrongdoing, just as the NDC did in the 2008 elections for electoral gains, but this time around, the people of Ghana are more discerning and can see through these old tactics,” Afena stated.
In a press release issued last week as a response to Kevin Taylor’s initial allegations, the Ministry of Energy clarified that it does not hold responsibility for signing and approving contracts within Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
Thus, contracts involving Tullow and its Partners mentioned do not require the Ministry’s approval.
The statement emphasized that contracting in the upstream sector undergoes a rigorous technical and commercial evaluation process by the operator, followed by independent assessments and evaluations by other partners.
This process, it asserted, is not under government control.
Regarding the ongoing attacks on Dr. Prempeh’s reputation by Kevin Taylor,particularly accusations of criminality, the Minister’s legal team intends to pursue appropriate legal action in due course.
Ghana Police Service has apprehended three individuals for possessing firearms unlawfully in Ofaakor, near Kasoa, in the Central Region, today, Sunday, June 2, 2024.
The arrested suspects are Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunnor, Mustapha Mohammed, and Abdul Aziz Musah.
They were traveling in a Honda CRV saloon car with registration number GX-2044-19 when they were apprehended near the EC Office in Ofaakor.
According to a Police statement “a pump-action gun with four rounds of ammunition were retrieved from the vehicle.” The suspects are currently assistingPolice investigations.
Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has offered his viewpoint on LGBT+ activities, condemning them as a contradiction to his beliefs as both a Christian and a traditionalist.
Expressing skepticism towards the Western perspective on same-sex relationships, the Ga leader proposed that advocating for polygamy would align more closely with his values.
“I believe the West should promote polygamy.
Why do they promote same-sex relationships and think polygamy is bad?” citinewsroom.com quoted him to have said in an interview.
When questioned about his stance on the pending anti-LGBT+ bill awaiting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s approval, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II dismissed it as inconsequential to his attention.
He expressed his belief that individuals’ rights and preferences should not be the central focus of public discourse.
In the midst of this, the Ghanaian Parliament passed the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBT+ bill.
This bill, currently awaiting presidential endorsement, prohibits activities related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals and criminalizes their advocacy, promotion, and financial support.
Violators of these provisions could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while those promoting or sponsoring such activities may receive sentences of three to five years.
However, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has declined to sign the bill into law, citing legal concerns.
In the Suhum Municipality, fresh posters featuring Oboafo Kwadjo Asante, the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Suhum Constituency, have emerged.
Despite his loss in the last primaries, these posters suggest Asante’s intention to contest as an independent parliamentary candidate in the upcoming general election.
Emblazoned with the slogan “Maintain – Hon Oboafo Kwadjo Asante as MP. The King of Development,” the posters indicate Asante’s defiance against his party’s decision.
The appearance of these posters has generated considerable interest in the constituency, with branded materials like flyers and banners carrying messages such as “The Development King” and “Oboafo Toaso” circulating widely.
Moreover, vehicles showcasing his images suggest a well-organized campaign strategy.
Although Asante has yet to officially declare his intentions, sources close to him indicate that encouragement from market women and other community stakeholders has prompted him to consider this move.
His recent community development projects, including the construction of a new football pitch and bridge, have further enhanced his reputation as a committed public servant.
Meanwhile, the political atmosphere in Suhum remains tense, with Asante and the NPP’s new parliamentary candidate, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, engaging in separate activities within the constituency.
This has prompted calls from concerned party members for leadership intervention to prevent further escalation.
Following a heavy downpour in Accra on Sunday, the Darkuman Quarters Roadbecame inaccessible to traffic due to two massive trees collapsing onto it.
Videos obtained by GhanaWeb showed the fallen trees obstructing different sections of the road, rendering it impassable for commuters and drivers.
Although the footage did not indicate any casualties, one of the trees crushed a Toyota Camry parked nearby, causing significant damage to the vehicle.
In the video, residents armed with machetes were observed attempting to clear the fallen trees to facilitate traffic flow.
However, there was no presence of state security agencies at the scene to assist in resolving thesituation at the time ofreporting.
