The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) aims to generate an additional GH¢455 million in revenue by the year’s end through the taxation of recently introduced excisable goods, including electronic cigarettes, electronic liquids (shisha), and other tobacco-related items.
The list of taxable products also encompasses a range of items such as beverages, fruit juices, spirits, and wines.
Shisha, commonly referred to as a waterpipe or hookah, is a smoking apparatus. The World Health Organisation has stated that the smoke inhaled during a typical shisha session, lasting about an hour, is equivalent to smoking between 100 and 200 cigarettes.
The GRA has clarified that the imposed levy on the production, sale, and utilization of these goods aligns with the ECOWAS protocol on health taxes, which Ghana is a signatory to.
Edward Gyambrah, the Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division at GRA, informed the B&FT publication that the execution of this initiative, which is anticipated to influence revenue streams and consumer behavior, adheres to the new Excise Duty (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1093).
He emphasized that a key facet of the ECOWAS directive mandates that excise duty on tobacco products should incorporate both ad valorem and specific duties.
Timeline:
Starting from September 1 of this year, manufacturers and importers of the affected products must begin adhering to the tax directive. Enforcement at entry points will commence on October 1, 2023. Full implementation of enforcement at the point of sale to consumers, however, is scheduled to commence on January 2, 2024.
Commissioner Gyambrah clarified, “This policy, along with the 10 percent tax on lottery winnings and the implementation of textile tax stamps, holds significant importance for the country’s revenue performance.”
Other tax handles:
The GRA is actively rolling out several tax policy initiatives to enhance domestic revenue mobilization. These initiatives encompass Electronic VAT, Electronic Tax Clearance Certificates, upfront payments for imported goods, excise tax stamps, and the reinstatement of vehicle income tax payments, among others.
Further strategies to bolster and refine revenue mobilization efforts include the ongoing e-VAT invigilation exercise, as well as test purchase and mystery shopping operations conducted by the authority.
Target for the year:
For the year 2023, the GRA has established a revenue goal of GH¢106 billion, with the Customs Division anticipated to contribute approximately GH¢28.5 billion.
Furthermore, the GRA has identified around 93 businesses located within the capital as focal points for enforcement and compliance efforts throughout this year.
The Menzgold scandal, which has put thousands of clients in financial trouble, is the fault of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led administration, according to attorney Maurice Ampaw.
He contends that the government as a whole, as well as other organizations, like the Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ought to bear responsibility for their incompetence in permitting Menzgold to function and then failing to track the revenues of its operations.
On August 21, 2023, he made the case in an interview with Neat FM that the government officials who permitted Menzgold to operate illegally should instead be under pressure rather than only Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM1), the CEO of Menzgold.
“Menzgold lost it because they didn’t listen to my advice. I am scared and worried that Menzgold customers are still hoping to get their money back from NAM1, but the focus should not have been on NAM1, but on the government of the day, which allowed Menzgold to allegedly operate illegally.
“Additionally, many regulatory bodies, including the finance minister and the Bank of Ghana, and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) failed to do due diligence.
“For some of us, the processes in the NAM1 saga are nonsense…and the government of the day led by Nana Akufo-Addo should be held responsible.”
Over the weekend, NAM1 faced significant backlash following his proposal that disgruntled customers should pay a verification fee of 650 cedis in order to gain access to their frozen funds.
In an interview with Serwah Amihere on the X space, NAM1 initially put forward the verification fee, but he later retracted this suggestion. He asserted that more than 5000 individuals had already received payments over a period of time.
In 2018, Menzgold was directed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to halt its public gold trading activities. The SEC’s directive was based on Menzgold’s involvement in the acquisition and acceptance of gold collectibles from the general public.
Menzgold was also found to be issuing contracts with guaranteed returns to its clients without holding a valid license from the Commission.
This was in contravention of “section 109 of Act 929 with consequences under section 2016 (I) of the same Act,” according to the SEC.
The new Bank of Ghana headquarters is approximately 41% complete, according to information provided by the bank.
After the Minority expressed dissatisfaction with the building’s timeline, issues relating to the construction of the new head office proliferated.
The governor, at a press briefing on August 21, 2023, said: “After a series of pre-contract meetings on contract agreements, the Bank signed a contract with the Contractor on 26th November 2020 for the Construction of a Corporate Headquarters for the Bank via Turnkey in 30months (6 months for design, 24 months for construction).”
He continued by saying that the project site was formally turned over to the contractor in March 2021 to allow for the beginning of site preparations and designs.
The state of the project is summarized as follows:
. Tower Block Up to 13th Floor slab casting completed. ▪ Urban Block Upper Roof Slab casting completed. ▪ Amenities (Auditorium) Block Upper Ground slab Casting completed. ▪ Other works Internal blockwork ongoing at various levels in both Tower and Urban blocks. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) first fixes ongoing at various levels
He also noted the project is expected to be completed in September 2024.
President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has reaffirmed that his nation will not be pulled into international power dynamics.
Prior to Tuesday’s gathering of the Brics countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — in Johannesburg, Mr. Ramaphosa gave a broadcast speech.
“We will not be drawn into a contest between global powers. Instead, our country strives to work with all countries for global peace and development,” he said.
He noted, however, that this “does not mean that we are neutral on matters of principle and national interest”.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, will take part virtually after agreeing with Mr. Ramaphosa not to go.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an arrest order for him has been issued by the International Criminal Court. If he enters the nation, South Africa must detain him in accordance with the legislation there.
A fifth of the world economy is made up of the Brics nations, and this year has seen a significant increase in interest in joining the organization.
Ten significant dates in Zimbabwe’s history since gaining independence in 1980 are listed below.
1980: independence
After 90 years of British colonization and a seven-year conflict between black nationalists and white supremacists that claimed more than 27,000 lives, Southern Rhodesia attained independence on April 18, 1980, and changed its name to Zimbabwe.
Robert Mugabe, the head of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and one of the heroes of independence, served as prime minister from 1980 to 1987 and promoted a policy of amity with the white majority.
1983-84: Massacres in Matabeleland
Robert Mugabe, who wants to create a single party, cracks down violently on Joshua Nkomo’s supporters soon after he takes office in an effort to unify the country.
In the Matabeleland region (southwest), during this period of repression known as “Gukurahundi” (“separating the wheat from the chaff” in the dominant Shona language), some 20,000 civilians, mostly Ndebele speakers, were slain.
1987: Mugabe President
In 1987, the party of Robert Mugabe and that of Joshua Nkomo merged, forming the Zanu-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). Robert Mugabe becomes President after a constitutional reform .
1999: birth of the opposition
Trade unionist Morgan Tsvangirai founded the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party in 1999.
He campaigned for the rejection, in a referendum the following year, of a draft new Constitution aimed at authorizing the expropriation of white farmers without compensation.
2000: land reform
In February 2000, despite the “no” victory in the referendum, Mugabe launched a violent occupation and then the expropriation of 90% of the farms belonging to white owners, to redistribute them to black Zimbabweans.
This policy causes the bankruptcy of agriculture and plunges the economy, strangled by sanctions from Western countries, into two decades of crisis.
2002: electoral violence
In March 2002, Robert Mugabe was re-elected in a disputed election marked by violence.
Five years later, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested before a banned rally against the regime, and beaten by the police while in detention.
Images showing him with his swollen face and partially shaved head, revealing a gash on his head, go around the world.
2009: unity government
In March 2008, when the devastated economy was compounded by vertiginous hyperinflation, the MDC (opposition) took control of Parliament.
Tsvangirai is ahead of Mugabe in the first round of the presidential election but gives up contesting the second in the face of repression. Alone in the running, Mugabe was re-elected in June.
Under pressure from the West and his neighbors in southern Africa, Mugabe accepts the formation of a government of national unity. Morgan Tsvangirai became Prime Minister in February 2009.
2017: Mnangagwa succeeds Mugabe
After 37 years in power, Mugabe was forced to resign in 2017 under pressure from the army. He will die two years later in Singapore.
The generals who took power nominate ex-vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, nicknamed the “crocodile”, as their successor.
The following year, Mnangagwa narrowly won the elections (50.8% of the vote). The opposition contests the results, the army kills six people during demonstrations.
2019: demonstrations violently repressed
From October 2018, the country experienced several months of protests against the high cost of living, which turned into a riot in January 2019 after a sharp rise in fuel prices. At least 17 civilians are killed. The opposition accuses the new regime of surpassing Mugabe in brutality.
2022: launch of the CCC, opposition coalition
Following splits in the opposition, Nelson Chamisa, loser of the presidential election in 2018, launched a new party, the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), in January in view of the August elections.
His campaign was marked by strong repression by the power, considered more brutal than under Mugabe, between prohibited meetings and the imprisonment of opponents.
The problems with the construction of a new head office have been described by Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
According to him, the contract’s current value is $121,078,517.94 after going through several steps of examination and submission of the contract’s specifics.
He stated at a news conference on August 21, 2023, that the project’s first cost was estimated to be $100 million in 2020.
He said: “The PPA by a letter dated 29th January 2020 conveyed the Board’s approval to the Bank of Ghana. This approval to use the shortlisted contractors for the Restricted Tender also revised downward the estimated cost of the project from USD100,857,942.48 to USD81,882,640.00 without any justification.”
The Governor also mentioned that following the reception of tender evaluations, the Entity Tender Committee (ETC) of the Bank convened on August 6, 2020. During this meeting, they carefully considered the recommendations put forth by the Tender Evaluation Panel and subsequently sanctioned the contract for the project to Messrs. Goldkey Properties Limited. This contract, valued at $121,078,517.94, was awarded as it represented the lowest evaluated bid cost, adhering to the Turnkey (Design and Build) contract framework.
In addition, the ETC instructed that concurrent approval be sought from the Central Tender Review Committee (CTRC) within the Ministry of Finance.
Governor Addison pointed out that in response to the Bank’s communication dated August 31, 2020, the PPA (Presidential Procurement Authority) reviewed the originally approved estimated amount from USD 81,882,640.00 to USD 121,078,517.94.
“The CTRC on 4th September 2020 granted concurrent approval to the Bank to engage the recommended Tenderer, Messrs. Goldkey Properties Limited at a contract price of USD121,078,517.94 under Turnkey (Design and Build) contract arrangements, which was the least evaluated bid,” he said.
Starting from August 2022, the Somali military has been actively involved in an offensive operation against the Shebab, a group with affiliations to al-Qaeda. This operation is being conducted in collaboration with local clan militias, and it’s receiving support from African Union forces as well as American airstrikes.
Although Shebab militants were expelled from Mogadishu in 2011, they have entrenched themselves deeply in expansive rural regions. From these areas, they persistently launch attacks targeting both security forces and civilians.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud is committed to eradicating Islamist militias from the nation. It is anticipated that he might imminently unveil the second stage of the military campaign aimed at countering the Shebab in the southern parts of the country.
“This decline is expected for all main components: Core, energy and fresh food inflation. We don’t see this rate increasing further, and we remain optimistic that inflation further reduces to our benchmark by next year…” Rwangombwa said announcing the rate-setting – committee’s decision.
Anticipated by the Central Bank, headline inflation is projected to fall within the specified range (below 8 percent), with an estimated average of 7.6 percent during the fourth quarter by year-end, followed by a decline to approximately 5 percent in the coming year.
Rwanda’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), the primary measure of inflation, displayed an 11.9 percent year-on-year increase in July 2023, a decrease from the 13.7 percent recorded in June 2023. The headline inflation rate saw a reduction to 15.2 percent in the second quarter, down from 20.2 percent in the preceding quarter.
Initially, analysts in Uganda were predicting a consistent Central Bank Rate (CBR) of 10 percent, a rate that had been upheld by the Bank of Uganda for nearly a year. However, a strong impetus to stimulate economic recovery, despite the challenges faced by the currency, is believed to have instigated this new decision.
Benoni Okwenje, the General Manager for Financial Markets Operations at Centenary Bank, expressed surprise at the rate cut. He foresees that the 0.5 percent reduction will likely lead to lower lending rates in the near future, although yields on specific treasury bonds experienced an increase the previous week.
During the first half of 2023, Uganda exhibited indications of an economic slowdown, coupled with decreased credit flows in the private sector. The Bank of Uganda cited these circumstances as influencing its decision to lower the policy rate. Notably, Uganda’s inflation had been subdued due to declining food prices.
Despite certain sectors reporting negative growth in the initial six months, headline inflation decreased from 4.9 percent in June to 3.9 percent the following month. This was attributed to declining prices of food crops, reduced fuel costs, and subdued consumer demand trends.
However, the recent suspension of development funding support by the World Bank, prompted by Uganda’s enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023, triggered concern among foreign investors. This led to a sell-off in the foreign exchange market, causing the Ugandan shilling to dip to record lows against the US dollar, reaching Ush3,770 per dollar. The currency slightly recovered following the Bank of Uganda’s latest announcement, indicating a stabilization of investor sentiments.
Furthermore, the unpredictability of climate change-related events could potentially impact agricultural production in the region.
Super delegates of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) would not be permitted to vote at the upcoming conference if they fail to pay their dues.
This is according to the National Treasurer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Charles Dwamena who backs his statement with Article (34)b of the party’s constitution.
In an engagement with the media, Dr. Charles, indicated that there are preparations underway to ensure the upcoming Super Delegates Conference set to take place on Saturday, August 26, 2023 is peacefully.
However, he sends a reminder to members who have not redeemed payment of their monthly pledge to clear all their arears, so they can be allowed to exercise their franchise.
“There are some super delegates who have not yet paid their dues. If you have not paid your dues, I am reminding you through this platform because it is a requirement by law. I am sure they have forgotten, hence, this comes as a reminder,” he expressed.
The NPP treasurer clarified that all delegates own the right to vote according to the party’s constitution, but the same constitution according to article 34b qualifies a member in good standing to vote when they pay their dues.
“If you don’t pay your dues, there are are several roles you cannot play in the party including exercising your franchise,” Mr. Dwamena added.
He also appealed to all those preparing to vote in the upcoming primaries in November to pay attention and adhere to same directive.
NPP will on August 26, 2023, hold a special delegates conference to select five candidates out of the Ten (10) to contest the November 4, 2023 presidential primary.
The elections would be held in all 16 regions across the country after the National Council of the Party (NPP) unanimously dismissed a petition by nine aspirants asking for the party’s Special Delegates Conference to be at a centralized venue.
On Sunday, the Somali government issued a directive to prohibit the use of TikTok, Telegram, and an online betting website, asserting that these platforms were being exploited by “terrorist” entities for the dissemination of propaganda.
This decision has been made in anticipation of the forthcoming second phase of the military operation against the radical Islamist group Shebab. This group has been engaged in a violent uprising against the central government in Mogadishu for over 15 years.
In an official announcement, the Ministry of Communication and Technology declared that it had instructed internet service providers to terminate access to the aforementioned three platforms by August 24th. Failure to comply would result in legal measures being taken, the specifics of which were not detailed.
As per the ministry’s statement, TikTok, Telegram, and the 1XBET website are utilized by “terrorist” entities and “entities promoting immorality” to distribute graphic images and videos that propagate violence and manipulate public perception.
According to the ministry, banning them will “speed up the war (…) against the terrorists who have spilled the blood of the people of Somalia”.
Starting from August 2022, the Somali military has been actively involved in an offensive operation against the Shebab, a group with affiliations to al-Qaeda. This operation is being conducted in collaboration with local clan militias, and it’s receiving support from African Union forces as well as American airstrikes.
Although Shebab militants were expelled from Mogadishu in 2011, they have entrenched themselves deeply in expansive rural regions. From these areas, they persistently launch attacks targeting both security forces and civilians.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud is committed to eradicating Islamist militias from the nation. It is anticipated that he might imminently unveil the second stage of the military campaign aimed at countering the Shebab in the southern parts of the country.
Asawase’s member of parliament, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has referred to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a “Kejetia pickpocket” who seeks to plunder the national coffers.
He charged Nana Addo with encouraging corruption to the point of moving forward with investigations to clear his appointees in cases involving alleged corruption.
He claimed that the government has been hit by controversies in light of some of the storms that have beset the dominant New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Muntaka criticized the government officials for participating in corruption, which he claimed has hurt the economy, in an interview with Kumasi-based Otec FM.
The outspoken NDC MP said “President Akufo-Addo must be up and doing and carefully probe into issues of corruption which continue to be a bane to our economic emancipation as a people.
“Talking about the public purse, President Akufo-Addo has done nothing to protect the public purse, he’s rather acting like a Kejetia Pickpocket, who wouldn’t mind breaking the purse while stealing from it.”
“It was our time in office as the NDC government when my colleague Deputy Minister, Victoria Hammar dreamed of getting one million dollars, but she was sacked immediately when this issue of her dreaming came to public, but we have government appointees accused of stealing huge sums of monies from the state yet nothing has been done about it,” he added.
The nation’s president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has earlier reaffirmed his commitment to battling and eradicating corruption.
He claims that his administration has improved openness in governance, public finance protection, and anti-corruption organizations.
In a speech on the eve of Constitution Day to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, Nana Addo said his administration should receive credit for some of the significant actions taken to combat the problem.
Two alleged robbers, identified by Mamponteng Police in the Ashanti Region as 28-year-old Philip Awuah, also known as ‘Opanka,’ and 23-year-old Kwaku Yeboah Stephen, are currently in critical condition after being apprehended during a theft attempt.
As reported by the Daily Guide Newspaper, police sources indicate that the suspects entered the Tewobaabi community near Mamponteng early in the morning with the intent to commit theft and were caught in the act.
The incident transpired on August 13, 2023, when a mob reportedly subjected the suspects to severe beatings, with some employing sharp machetes to publicly assault them.
This ordeal resulted in the two thieves sustaining significant injuries, leaving them weak shortly after the mob dispersed.
Moments later, the Mamponteng Day police patrol team discovered Yeboah Stephen and Philip Awuah lying in a bush, covered in blood, and bearing multiple cutlass wounds.
Subsequently, the police swiftly transported both suspects to the Methodist Healing Faith Hospital in Ankaase, where they were admitted and treated, according to the Daily Guide newspaper.
Preliminary investigations by the police unveiled that the suspects had ventured into Madina, a neighborhood within Tewobaabi, Ashanti Region, with the intention to commit theft. Their plans were thwarted as they were chased down.
In the meantime, the Mamponteng Police are actively investigating the case, aiming to establish the accurate sequence of events and address the situation appropriately, including potential charges against the two suspects if proven to be involved in robbery.
The country’s economy has consistently been poor under the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) rule, according to Richard Ahiagbah, national communications director of the government’s New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He noted that the NDC took over a rising economy in 2009, but failed to manage it well, which resulted in a slowdown in the country’s development.
On Sunday, August 20, 2023, Ahiagbah brought up this subject in Ho while speaking with the media over breakfast.
Richard said, “In 2009 when they (NDC) came to office they inherited a growing economy what were they able to do with that? They will tell you in 2011 they’ve achieved 14 percent GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth yes that was on the back of the oil discovery that started production in 2010”.
The communications director further explained that “2012,2013,2014 and 2015 the economy of 14 percent deteriorated to 13.6 percent, no other point after 2011 was the NDC able to grow past 40 percent which was on the back of oil”.
Richard Ahiagbah, however, pronounced that “Any time the NDC is in power Ghana’s economy does worse and anytime NPP is in power the economy grows”.
He made references to the economy before the 2016 elections, saying “From 2011 to 2016 they (NDC) never grew the economy above what they’ve achieved but then immediately the management of the economy changed in 2017 this economy grew 8.2 percent from 3.4, just by merely changing those who are in charge from 2016 to 2017, we had almost about 5 percent growth”.
While women’s role in the agricultural sector remains indispensable, a study conducted by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) reveals that only 20.13 percent of them actively engaged in the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative.
Presenting the study’s findings titled ‘Assessment of women’s participation in the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme’ at a stakeholder workshop in Accra that focused on women’s contributions to the new Planting for Food and Jobs Programme, Bismark Owusu Nortey, Head of Programmes at PFAG, highlighted that the Eastern, Central, and Ashanti Regions reported the lowest levels of women’s participation within the program.
Conversely, the Greater Accra and Upper East Regions exhibited the highest levels of involvement.
Nortey linked this reduced engagement to the lack of a strategic mechanism to provide sufficient capital to women in agriculture.
This challenge was compounded by delayed delivery of agricultural inputs and inadequate distribution to specific regions.
Additionally, the cultivation of crops receiving minimal fertilizer application further contributed to the disparity in participation.
“There was no indication of any empowerment initiatives directed toward women farmer-based organisations (FBOs) in terms of leadership training, nor were there any regional gender teams in evidence. Both women and men were required to compete equally for access to inputs within the programme. No safety nets were in place to facilitate women’s access to credit and other resources necessary for purchasing the desired quantity of inputs. Consequently, women generally procured smaller quantities compared to men,” he remarked.
He further noted that efforts to target and prioritise women were left to the discretion of retailers. Additionally, aggregators and marketers – a sector predominantly populated by women, encountered challenges such as post-harvest losses, an inadequate transportation system, poor road conditions and encounters with security officials, among other issues.
Mr. Nortey emphasised that value chains primarily led by women were not given precedence in the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative.
Expectations for the new PFJ
During his presentation of the 2023 mid-year budget review, finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed that government is in the concluding stages of Phase II of the PFJ programme – aiming to enhance precise and effective assistance to the agricultural sector.
The upcoming Phase II comprises essential components including an inputs credit system, establishment of storage and distribution infrastructure, facilitation of commodity trading and implementation of a digitised platform
Touching on the announcement, Mr. Nortey emphasised that the PFAG envisions a purposeful engagement, active participation and deliberate focus on women’s inclusion in Phase II of the programme.
Beyond the need to empower more women to assume the role of aggregators, he expressed PFAG’s further expectation for Phase II of PFJ to establish a financing scheme that ensures comprehensive resourcing for women aggregators.
“We therefore call for transparency of aggregator selection criteria and reserving a quota about 30 percent for women aggregators; or selected aggregators should work with FBOs with at least 40 percent of women as members,” he said.
Stella Chibelitu, a representative of PFAG’s women’s wing, bemoaned the lack of deliberate efforts to address challenges that women face in the agricultural sector – noting the yet-to-be-reviewed PFJ “did not offer any benefit for us, especially after 2017”.
“We all know that it is mostly women who lead the buying and selling of agricultural goods. Government must not leave us behind in the new PFJ,” she said.
In the events of May 29, 2020, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) apprehended certain officials of Payboy Company Limited, a payment firm designated by Menzgold Ghana Limited to mediate with its unpaid clients for a settlement.
Initial inquiries exposed that the company operated without the necessary licenses from either the Bank of Ghana (BoG) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In a press statement issued on Friday, May 29, 2020, EOCO, through its Head of Public Affairs, Jacqueline Avotri, cautioned the public to exercise prudence when engaging with entities or individuals involving financial obligations.
Moving forward, Nana Appiah Mensah, or NAM1, the Chief Executive Officer, instructed all customers who still wished to recover their funds to engage with Payboy.
Initially, customers were required to pay a sum of GH¢650 to validate their transactions before receiving their rightful dues.
Menzgold urged customers with legitimate outstanding transaction claims to obtain the Menzgold digital verification access card from Payboy Agents.
These verification cards, priced at GH¢650 each, would permit customers to verify the validation status of their transactions between August 10, 2023, and September 14, 2023.
“To request an Access Card for verification, we require customers to satisfy proof of transaction with Menzgold by providing the following documents via Email at; mailto:info@payboy.com. A copy of the customer’s Gold Trading Agreement and a copy of any National ID card, with both documents bearing the same name,” part of the release read.
“We urge Customers to contact any of the authorized Payboy Agents introduced in our release on the 16th August, 2023, for courier arrangements to receive the Verification Access Cards,” it added.
In April 2020, articles sourced from Dailyguidenetwork and thepublisheronline characterized Payboy as a digital payment service provider. The reports indicated that Payboy engaged in promoting various digital payment solutions for both individual and corporate clients globally. Notably, the company had facilitated debt settlement agreements between Menzgold and numerous clients as part of its endeavors.
Given the prevalence of illnesses and even deaths among some of the affected individuals, there is a question about whether Menzgold’s clients are inclined to make payments to either Payboy or Menzgold in their pursuit to recover their locked funds. This dilemma has caused varying sentiments among Ghanaians.
Some view it as a potential scheme to ensnare already disheartened customers and extract whatever little they possess, while others hold onto a glimmer of optimism that NAM1 will eventually fulfill his promise of reimbursing them, even after a span of five years and adherence to the stipulated procedures.
For Menzgold customers, the choice remains whether or not to participate in the fresh protocol outlined by Nana Appiah Mensah.
It’s crucial to highlight that an investigation by GhanaWeb Business has revealed that PayBoy Ghana lacks registration with the Bank of Ghana to conduct any form of fintech or payment-related transactions.
The Egyptian authorities arrested then released a journalist who published articles accusing officials of involvement in smuggling cash, weapons and gold to Zambia.
The allegations by Karim Asaad followed the seizure by Zambian officials of a chartered aircraft at Lusaka airport.
It was said to be carrying more than $5m (£3.9m) in cash as well as pistols, ammunition and over 100kg of suspected gold.
Documents – purportedly from a Zambian investigation – had allegedly named several Egyptian army and police officers as suspects.
Egypt’s national press union says Mr Asaad was the 24th journalist to be detained in the country.
Mr Asaad works for the news site Matsda2sh. Colleagues of Mr Asaad have accused security forces of assaulting his wife and child during his arrest on Saturday.
The Foundation for Security Development in Africa (FOSDA) has cautioned that the economic consequences of an ECOWAS intervention in Niger to reinstate constitutional governance could be severe.
This concern arises as ECOWAS member nations contemplate the possibility of military action against the junta in Niger.
Ambassador Abdul Musah, the Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security at ECOWAS, has clarified that while the organization is presently prioritizing diplomatic engagement with Niger’s military leadership, any further defiance from the junta could prompt a response aimed at safeguarding the principles of the regional bloc.
In response to these developments, Theodora W. Anti, the Executive Director of FOSDA, has urged ECOWAS to remain steadfast in its pursuit of diplomatic solutions to the Niger crisis.
“When you look at the economic implications and the current economic situation we find ourselves in now, it’s dire. You look at the economic implication and even the military implication you will definitely record some casualties, bloodshed and we don’t want an ECOWAS that does such things against its own people.
“Whether it be military or civilian, I think ECOWAS should listen to the people and pursue diplomacy to the end. Diplomacy should be consistently persisted with this Niger issue,” madam Anti stated in an interview with Starrfm.com.gh.
She continued: “The junta has indicated that they are ready to talk and as the ECOWAS Commissioner has said all cards are on the table. And from my internal sources in ECOWAS they are actually pushing diplomacy more. It is just that somehow the media amplifies the military option more. So they should continue to intensify diplomatic intervention more. So that we come to a win solution to this.
In the meantime, on Saturday, August 19, 2023, a multitude of individuals formed queues outside the primary stadium in Niamey, Niger, in response to the appeal for civilian volunteers to back the armed forces.
The organizer of the event emphasized that the junta had no direct association with this effort, despite being informed about its occurrence.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has released fresh records concerning the presently disputed new headquarters of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
These documents pertain to exchanges between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank, addressing topics including modifications to the project’s expenses.
The most recent of the four disclosed letters, consisting of two from the Ministry and two from the BoG, is dated January 17, 2023. This particular letter originates from the Central Tender Review Committee (CTRC) within the Ministry.
Among others, the committee said issues it had raised in an earlier correspondence remained “unsatisfactorily addressed” by the BoG. It also advised the BoG to stick to all designs at present “to avoid huge variation costs in future procurement.”
The letter further confirmed that a price of US$222,760.55 had been assigned to the amended scope of work.
The congressman made the point that the cost of the project’s land, which he intimated was also problematic, was not included in the present amount.
“It is imperative to point out that the latest variation figure of US$222.79million is without the cost of the land. The cost of land and its dubious acquisition would be the focus of another episode.
“Contrary to claims by some NPP propagandists that the skyrocketing cost of the BoG head office project is due to general inflation and in particular, rising cost of building materials — the Central Tender Review Committee exposes those claims as false,” his post read in part.
NAM1, known in real life as Nana Appiah Mensah, has garnered considerable media attention lately due to the issue of stranded funds belonging to certain clients of the now-defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited.
Previously, clients of the ceased gold trading company took to the streets of Accra to protest and implored the government to assist them in recovering their funds from NAM1, yet these efforts have yielded no results.
This GhanaWeb Business article provides a roster of enterprises associated with the Ghanaian entrepreneur, Nana Appiah Mensah.
Menzgold Ghana Company Limited
Before its closure, the company was into the buying and selling of gold, diamond and other precious stones. It operated as a limited liability company.
Brew Marketing Consult Co. Limited
According to reports, this company sold outsourced products from Menzgold.
Zylofon Media Company Limited
Zylofon Media Company Limited was undoubtedly one of the most talked about media companies after the young CEO signed some top musicians including Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, etc. With its plush office located at East Legon, Zylofon Media had other subsidiaries such as Zylofon FM, Zylofon Music, Zylofon Movies, Zylofon TV, Zylofon Marketing and Copyright Office.
Narosa Hotel It was also reported that NAM1 owned a business in the hospitality industry named Narosa Hotel.
Menzgold Espana S.L
Located in Spain and established on September 2, 2017, Menzold Espana S.L was operating as a construction firm.
Cheetah Security Co. Limited
This company as its name suggests provides professional security services such as man guard, executive protection, event protection, among other security services.
A new report by Human Rights Watch accuses Saudi border guards of engaging in a large-scale killing of migrants along the Yemeni border. According to the report, numerous individuals, a significant portion of them being Ethiopians who traverse war-ravaged Yemen en route to Saudi Arabia, have been fatally shot.
BBC interviews with migrants reveal horrific accounts of limbs severed due to gunfire and the sight of bodies abandoned along the trails. Despite these allegations, Saudi Arabia has previously dismissed claims of organized killings.
The Human Rights Watch’s publication titled “They Fired On Us Like Rain” presents harrowing firsthand testimonies from migrants. These individuals recount instances of being fired upon, and in some cases, subjected to explosive weaponry by Saudi police and soldiers at Yemen’s rough northern border adjoining Saudi Arabia.
Migrants interviewed independently by the BBC recount distressing nighttime journeys where substantial clusters of Ethiopians, including women and children, faced gunfire while attempting to cross the border in pursuit of employment opportunities in the oil-abundant kingdom.
“The shooting went on and on,” 21-year-old Mustafa Soufia Mohammed told the BBC.
He said some in his group of 45 migrants were killed when they came under fire as they tried to sneak across the border in July last year.
“I didn’t even notice I was shot,” he said, “but when I tried to get up and walk, part of my leg was not with me.”
Image caption,Mustafa Soufia Mohammed says he came under fire at the Saudi-Yemeni border
It was a brutal, chaotic end to a three-month journey fraught with danger, starvation and violence at the hands of Yemeni and Ethiopian smugglers.
A video filmed hours later shows his left foot almost completely severed. Mustafa’s leg was amputated below the knee and now, back with his parents in Ethiopia, he walks with crutches and an ill-fitting prosthetic limb.
“I went to Saudi Arabia because I wanted to improve my family’s life,” the father-of-two said, “but what I hoped for didn’t materialise. Now my parents do everything for me.”
Another Ethiopian migrant, who we are calling Ibsaa to protect his identity, said he was shot at the border by men wearing Saudi military uniforms.
“They beat us, killed some and took those who survived to the hospital. The bodies of those killed were left scattered on the ground,” he told the BBC.
“I was shot between my thighs near my groin, and my legs are paralyzed now. I can’t even walk. I thought I would die.”
‘Killing fields’
Some survivors show signs of deep trauma.
In the Yemeni capital, Zahra can barely bring herself to speak about what happened.
She says she is 18, but looks younger. We are not using her real name to protect her identity.
Her journey, which had already cost around $2,500 (£1,950) in ransoms and bribes, ended in a hail of bullets at the border.
One bullet took all the fingers of one hand. Asked about her injury, she looks away and cannot answer.
According to the UN’s International Organization for Migration, more than 200,000 people a year attempt a perilous journey, crossing by sea from the Horn of Africa to Yemen and then travelling on to Saudi Arabia.
Human rights organisations say many experience imprisonment and beatings along the way.
The sea crossing is dangerous enough. More than 24 migrants were reported missing last week after a shipwreck off the coast of Djibouti.
In Yemen, the main migrant routes are littered with the graves of people who have died along the way.
Dozens of migrants were killed two years ago when fire tore through a detention centre in the capital, Sanaa, run by the country’s Houthi rebels who control most of northern Yemen.
But the abuses outlined in the latest HRW report are different in scale and nature.
“What we documented are essentially mass killings,” the report’s lead author, Nadia Hardman, told the BBC.
“People described sites that sound like killing fields – bodies strewn all over the hillside,” she said.
The report, which covers the period from March 2022 to June this year, details 28 separate incidents involving explosive weapons and 14 of shootings at close range.
“I have seen hundreds of graphic images and videos sent to me by survivors. They depict pretty terrifying injuries and blast wounds.”
Image caption,The report says it is impossible estimate how many migrants have been killed along the border
The remoteness of the border crossings and the difficulty of tracking down survivors make it impossible to know precisely how many people have been killed, say the authors.
“We say a minimum of 655, but it’s likely to be thousands,” Hardman said. “We have factually demonstrated that the abuses are widespread and systematic and may amount to a crime against humanity,” she said.
Reports of widespread killings perpetrated by Saudi security forces along the northern border first surfaced last October in a letter by UN experts to the government in Riyadh.
They highlighted “what appears to be a systematic pattern of large-scale, indiscriminate cross-border killings, using artillery shelling and small arms fired by Saudi security forces against migrants.”
Despite the horrific nature of the allegations, the letter went largely unreported.
Saudi denials
The Saudi government said it took the allegations seriously but strongly rejected the UN’s characterisation that the killings were systematic or large-scale.
“Based on the limited information provided,” the government replied, “authorities within the Kingdom have discovered no information or evidence to confirm or substantiate the allegations.”
But last month, the Mixed Migration Centre, a global research network, published further allegations of killings along the border, based on its own interviews with survivors.
Its report contains graphic descriptions of rotting corpses scattered throughout the border area, captured migrants being asked by Saudi border guards which leg they want to be shot through, and machine guns and mortars being used to attack large groups of terrified people.
The report from Human Rights Watch is the most detailed yet, with multiple eyewitness reports and satellite imagery of the crossing points where many of the killings are said to have taken place, as well as makeshift burial sites.
Image caption,Migrant routes in Yemen are littered with graves
The report also identifies a detention centre at Monabbih, just inside Yemen, where migrants are held before being escorted to the border by armed smugglers.
According to one migrant interviewed by HRW, Yemen’s Houthi rebels are in charge of security at Monabbih and work alongside the smugglers.
A satellite photo shows bright orange tents packed closely together inside a fenced-off compound.
Fresh burials
While the HRW report covers events up to June this year, the BBC has uncovered evidence that the killings are continuing.
In the northern city of Saada, footage seen by the BBC shows migrants injured at the border arriving in a hospital as late as Friday. In a nearby cemetery, burials were taking place.
The BBC has approached the Saudi government for comment about the allegations made by UN rapporteurs, the Mixed Migration Centre and Human Rights Watch, but has not received a response.
The Bank of Ghana’s Interbankforex ratesfor August 21, 2023, reveal that the trading values of the Ghana Cedi are as follows:
Against the US Dollar, the Cedi has a buying price of 10.9996 and a selling price of 11.0106. At a Forex bureau in Accra, you can buy the US Dollar at a rate of 11.20 Cedi and sell it at a rate of 11.50 Cedi.
In terms of the Pound Sterling, the Ghana Cedi’s buying price stands at 14.0113, while its selling price is 14.0264. Alternatively, at a Forex bureau in Accra, you can purchase the Pound Sterling at a rate of 14.30 Cedi and sell it at a rate of 14.90 Cedi.
Compared to the Euro, the Ghana Cedi is valued at 11.9601 for buying and 11.9710 for selling. Similarly, at a Forex bureau in Accra, you can buy the Euro at a rate of 12.20 Cedi and sell it at a rate of 12.70 Cedi.
Concerning the South African Rand, the Ghana Cedi has a buying price of 0.5807 and a selling price of 0.5808. Moreover, at a Forex bureau in Accra, the South African Rand can be purchased at a rate of 0.35 Cedi and sold at a rate of 0.95 Cedi.
The Nigerian Naira can be acquired with a buying price of 69.5132 Cedi and sold at a rate of 69.9676 Cedi. Alternatively, at a Forex bureau in Accra, you can buy 11.00 Nigerian Naira for every 1 Cedi and sell it at a rate of 16.00 Nigerian Naira.
Lastly, the CFA Franc can be obtained with a buying price of 54.7955 Cedi and sold at a rate of 54.8454 Cedi. At a Forex bureau in Accra, you have the option to buy 16.50 CFA Franc for every 1 Cedi and sell 20.50 CFA Franc for every 1 Cedi
Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.
Note that these rates may be different at a forex bureau near you. Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.
National Food Suppliers Association has revealed that the government has not yet paid its members for the food they provided to senior high schools across the nation, which amounts to just around GH300 million.
On Friday, August 18, irate association members surrounded the National Food Buffer Stock Company’s (NAFCo) offices and demanded payment of the 200 million Ghanaian cedis in arrears owed to the suppliers for the year 2022.
After months of pleading with the government to pay their arrears so they could continue their businesses, the suppliers started days of picketing at the Buffer Stock offices in July.
They then expressed dissatisfaction when they only received a portion of the money due to them.
The besieging of NAFCo’s facilities, according to Kwaku Amedume, a spokesperson for the food suppliers group, was done to collect debts that have been owing for two years but had depreciated in value.
“When we picketed the last time, the government was able to raise GH¢100 million to be disbursed to members with the promise that they were going to get us the balance on August 17. So what happened was that some of our members approached the buffer stock to enquire about how far they were preparing to settle us. We went into a meeting with them [on August 18] and the information was that the Ministry of Education has released GH¢80 million to be disbursed to the suppliers and that will bring up the total payment for 2022 to GH¢180 million representing about 85 percent of the total arrears owed suppliers,” Mr. Amedume explained.
But unfortunately, Mr Amedume is arguing that government has still failed to clear arears amounting to GH₵300million
“We still have 2023 arrears that range a little around 300 million Ghanaian cedis that they have promised to do something about it in two weeks’ time, and so we actually went to the Buffer Stock to find out when we were going to be paid.”
Officials, have reported that, Russia’s unmanned Luna-25 spacecraft has met with an unfortunate end, crashing into the Moon after losing control. This marked Russia’s inaugural lunar mission in nearly five decades.
Originally intended to make history as the first craft to touch down on the Moon’s southern pole, the mission encountered complications as it transitioned into its final approach, ultimately leading to its failure.
The objective of the mission was to investigate a Moon region speculated by scientists to harbor frozen water and valuable elements.
In a statement released on Sunday morning, Roscosmos, Russia’s state space agency, disclosed the loss of communication with Luna-25 shortly after 14:57 pm (11:57 GMT) on the previous Saturday. Early assessments indicated that the 800kg lander had collided with the Moon’s surface, resulting in its dissolution.
The agency outlined its intention to establish a specialized committee to delve into the causes behind the mission’s downfall.
The setback of Luna-25 is a significant setback for Roscosmos, as Russia’s non-military space initiatives have faced decline due to a redirection of state finances towards military endeavors over recent years.
Russia had been in a race with India to reach the Moon’s southern pole, with India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft slated to make a landing and dispatch a rover for the purpose of exploring the lunar landscape, gathering vital data and images for transmission back to Earth.
The perpetual shadow cast over portions of the Moon’s southern pole has piqued interest due to its potential to house water.
A spokesperson for the Indian space agency Isro described the Luna-25 crash as “unfortunate”.
“Every space mission is very risky and highly technical. It’s unfortunate that Luna-25 has crashed,” they told the BBC.
Roscosmos had acknowledged that the Luna-25 mission was risky and could fail. The craft launched from Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far eastern Amur region of Russia on 11 August, and then successfully entered the moon’s orbit on Wednesday of this week.
It was expected to make history by making a soft landing on Monday or Tuesday, just days before the Indian touchdown.
No country has ever landed on the Moon’s south pole before, although both the US and China have landed softly on the Moon’s surface.
Luna-25 was Russia’s first Moon mission since 1976, when it was part of the Soviet Union. That mission, Luna-24, landed successfully.
In La Liga action on Saturday evening, Ghana’s Inaki Williams found the net for Athletic Bilbao, contributing to their 2-0 victory against Osasuna.
Starting the game at Estadio El Sadar, Inaki Williams remained on the field for 84 minutes, while his brother Nico Williams also commenced the match and played for 65 minutes.
In the 11th minute, Iñaki showcased his prowess by netting a right-footed shot from close range into the upper part of the goal, granting the visiting team the lead. This pivotal goal was facilitated by Nico Williams, who delivered a precise cross to set up the scoring opportunity.
Bilbao further solidified their advantage in the 20th minute, stretching the scoreline to 2-0. Gorka Guruzeta’s well-placed right-footed shot from a similar close range landed squarely in the center of the goal. The goal was skillfully assisted by Nico Williams.
The match witnessed a shift in dynamics as Athletic Bilbao was reduced to 10 players when Oihan Sancet received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle.
Towards the conclusion of the match, the home team also experienced a similar setback. Chimy Avila was shown a straight red card for a foul, bringing them down to 10 players as well.
In their upcoming league fixture, Bilbao is scheduled to face Real Betis.
In a heartfelt demonstration of sportsmanship, Ghanaian legend Asamoah Gyan conveyed his warm and sincere congratulations to Emmanuel Yeboah in light of his transition to Brondby IF.
Emmanuel Yeboah recently finalized his transfer to Danish top-tier club Brondby IF on August 19, 2023.
The 20-year-old talent has officially joined Brondby IF on a four-year contract after moving from Romanian club CFR Cluj.
Having initially been assigned to the reserve team, Yeboah eventually made his debut for CFR Cluj during a 1–0 victory over Rapid București in Liga I on July 16, 2022.
Under the management of Dan Petrescu, Yeboah swiftly established himself as a core member of the first team, contributing three goals in 16 league appearances by the conclusion of the same year.
Although Yeboah had come close to joining Slavia Prague in January 2023, the deal fell through due to reported findings of a meniscus issue during his medical assessment.
Asamoah Gyan utilized his official Twitter account to share his message of support: “Congratulations @yeboah99ideas15 on your new challenge. It’s just the beginning.”
Emmanuel Yeboah had also been a crucial part of the Ghana U-23 squad that participated in the U-23 AFCON held in Morocco, where the team exited the tournament during the group phase.
On her recent birthday of Kumawood actress Maame Serwaa, she received an unexpected gift from her boyfriend, marking the occasion with a surprise gesture.
A video clip captures the moment as the actress, accompanied by her boyfriend, enters a room adorned with flowers beautifully arranged on the bed.
As she steps into the room, Maame Serwaa is presented with a bouquet of roses, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.
Inside the room, her presumed boyfriend and a group of friends initiated a cheerful act: they began to shower Maame Serwaa with money. She sat on the bed, wearing a radiant smile while money was playfully sprayed over her, a display of joy and festivity.
Later, Maame Serwaa was given a cake packed with Ghc 50 notes. At this point, Maame Serwaa was screaming since the amount of money in the cake was “too much” for her.
To brighten the space, she had a trumpeter playing along with some well-known songs.
Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a triumphant victory in the cup on Saturday night, cementing his status as the most decorated player in the history of the sport.
With a career spanning nearly two decades, Messi now boasts an official count of 44 titles. His initial taste of victory dates back to 2004.
Claiming the Leagues Cup, this achievement marks his inaugural success on American soil, a mere month following his arrival in South Florida.
In the previous year, Messi’s illustrious career reached new heights as he secured the World Cup after multiple attempts, guiding his team to victory over France in a gripping final.
Among his extensive collection of trophies are remarkable achievements: 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League triumphs, seven Copa Del Rey victories, eight Spanish Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, the FIFA World Cup, the Finalissima, the Copa America, an Olympic Gold, a U20 World Cup, two Ligue 1 titles, and a Trophée de Champions.
Inter Miami’s victorious finale has been reported by Goal.com.
With this recent win, Inter Miami has engraved the first chapter of success into their trophy archives. Mere weeks prior, this accomplishment might have seemed beyond reach, given their position as one of the less successful teams in MLS. The idea of them prevailing over every competitor en route to a championship? It appeared implausible.
But in a matter of weeks, a game-changing factor emerged: Lionel Messi.
True to form, Messi once again seized the spotlight as Inter Miami clashed with Nashville SC at Geodis Park. His stunning goal ignited the match, which eventually concluded 1-1 after regular play. The goal was a classic Messi maneuver: maneuvering within tight space, he unleashed a curling shot that left the opposing goalkeeper with no chance.
Although a scrappy goal allowed Nashville to stay in the contest, even as the match extended to a penalty shootout, Messi and his teammates held the upper hand. The shootout proved historic, with all 22 players taking turns at the spot. Messi, serving as Miami’s first shooter, naturally converted his shot. However, it wasn’t until Nashville SC goalkeeper Elliot Panicco’s shot was blocked by Drake Callendar that Miami could officially bask in their victory.
While various players contributed to the outcome, Messi remained the linchpin. Although the match had few defining moments, and Callendar emerged as the match’s hero, Messi once again played the decisive role. A new team, but a familiar outcome: Messi clutching a trophy in his hands.
Leo Messi called over Yedlin to lift the trophy with him- the team’s original captain before he signed
Reports from Ghanasoccernet suggest that French powerhouse Lyon has successfully secured a deal to acquire the services of Ghana’s rising young talent, Ernest Nuamah, from Danish club Nordsjaelland.
The 19-year-old sensation is expected to travel to France today to undergo his medical examination, with the completion of the process and his official inclusion in Lyon’s roster anticipated by Tuesday.
Despite attracting interest from prominent names such as PSG, Tottenham, and Dortmund, among other English clubs, Nuamah has ultimately chosen Lyon as his next destination.
The terms of the transfer fee have been agreed upon, and Nuamah has also come to an agreement regarding his personal contract.
Nordsjaelland will also be entitled to a percentage of any future sale involving Nuamah from Lyon, as part of the deal.
Following in the footsteps of his legendary compatriot Michael Essien, who once played for Lyon before making a record move to Chelsea, Nuamah’s journey is highly anticipated.
During the previous season, the highly-rated youngster showcased his prowess by contributing 15 goals and 4 assists across 34 matches in various competitions.
The teenager’s remarkable performance in the 2022-23 season earned him three distinguished accolades: Young Player of the Year, Best Player for Spring (voted by coaches), and Player of the Season (voted by players).
Starting the 2023-24 season on a strong note, Nuamah already secured a hat-trick in the opening league match and was subsequently named the best player and best young player for the month of July.
Nuamah made his debut on the senior stage recently, emerging as a substitute during Ghana’s encounter with Madagascar in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers held in Antananarivo.
Furthermore, he was an essential part of the Ghanaian team during the U23 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, where he contributed one goal in three matches.
Ayisha Modi has made a claim suggesting that Afia Schwarzenegger is currently in possession of significant undisclosed information about Tracey Boakye, information that has the potential to lead to legal consequences should it be revealed.
In a fresh wave of confrontations, Ayisha, who has revived her ongoing feud with the so-called ‘mafia gang,’ has asserted that Tracey Boakye has been involved in certain highly questionable actions that only Afia Schwarzenegger is privy to.
According to Ayisha, over the past few years, Afia has launched both public and private attacks against Tracey on numerous occasions.
However, Tracey has refrained from retaliating, likely due to her apprehension about being exposed.
Ayisha’s recent expressions of anger and revelations stem from Tracey’s repeated habit of adding laughing emojis to Afia Schwarzenegger’s Instagram posts.
This behavior, which is often intended to mock Ayisha, has been a source of contention.
“If Afia Schwarzenegger writes her foolish statements about me and you comment under the post, you won’t like what I’ll do to you. Why can’t you speak or retaliate when Afia insults you on social media? Because she has evidence against you and you’re likely to go to jail. I am not a murderer, neither am I prostitute,” Ayisha stated in a viral video.
She went ahead to spill more damning allegations about Tracey.
“You slept with a president for money and you milked out his secret. You shared those secrets backed with evidences with Afia Schwarzenegger. Tracey Boakye has slept with a lot of men including her mother’s husband. When last did you see her mother at any of her events. She had to storm the U.S to appease her mother with the filthy money she got from the president. You’ll show me the father of your first born, second and third born. You’ll show me the kind of job you did to acquire 7million dollars and where you got the money to marry your husband,” Ayisha added.
Ayisha made a series of accusations earlier, alleging that one of Afia Schwarzenegger’s friends murdered a man in Kumasi and then escaped to Accra while others demanded money from a man named Mahama.
“You think you can talk ill about everyone and get away with it. People owe allegiance to you, and people are scared to criticize you because you are holding their secrets. You have friends that stole Mahama’s money. You have a friend that killed someone in Kumasi and fled to Accra. You don’t have any grip on me and I am not one of those people.
“You have the nerve to insult my family. Unlike you, I come from a well-to-do family. Unlike you, I have rich parents. If your mother had trained you well, you wouldn’t be sleeping with anyone or anything for money. Before you insult anyone, take a critical look at your family,” she stated on a TikTok live.
How Afia and Ayisha’s recent fight was resurrected
Ayisha Modi was hosted by popular AngelFM presenter, Ohemaa Woyeje, where the former made some disparaging comments about Afia Schwarzenegger.
Ayisha tackled issues pertaining to her relationship with Abass Sarki, as well as her countless feuds with the likes of Afia Schwarzenegger, Diamond Appiah, and Tracey Boakye, among others.
She resuscitated her feud with these three socialites while labelling them as prostitutes and ‘dragged them in the mud’ once again.
Ayisha stressed claims that these individuals live a fake lifestyle, adding that Afia Schwarzenegger, in particular, is a beneficiary of her benevolence.
Ayisha Modi recalled an instance when she even bought a mobile phone for Afia Schwarzenegger and even fed her at a point.
“I don’t engage in unnecessary feuds with someone I have once fed. I bought a phone for her some time ago, I called you to tell you about it, do you remember? A lot of these women engage in sexual bouts before they are able to feed themselves. They make money off men. A lot of them, including the likes of Afia Schwarzenegger, Tracey Boakye, and Diamond Appiah. Ask Tracey Boakye where she got her money from. I won’t delve into that issue now. They are all fake,” Ayisha stated on Ohemaa Woyeje’s show.
Kuwait Airways (KA.UL) has unveiled plans to lease a total of eight Airbus passenger jets over a span of ten years, as disclosed by Chairman Ali Aldokhan on Sunday.
The government-owned airline is currently evaluating offers from leasing companies. According to Aldokhan’s statements during a press briefing, the lease duration for these aircraft, all of which are Airbus 321 neo models, will range between eight and ten years.
This prospective leasing initiative is in addition to Kuwait Airways’ significant deal with Airbus in 2022, which involved the purchase of 31 planes. Of this total, 18 aircraft have already been received by the airline.
Despite the substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on airlines globally, several Gulf carriers have witnessed a rapid rebound in demand. They play a pivotal role in their respective governments’ endeavors to diversify their economies, focusing on sectors like tourism.
Aldokhan noted that Kuwait Airways has encountered a year-on-year increase of 38% in jet fuel costs since the commencement of 2023.
Concurrently, Kuwait Airways is engaged in discussions with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation to establish a discount mechanism aimed at reducing the airline’s expenditure on jet fuel. CEO Maen Razouqi conveyed this during the same press conference.
Reporting was conducted by Ahmed Hagagy, with writing contributions by Adam Makary and Tala Ramadan. The editing process involved David Goodman and Susan Fenton.
Ghanaian socialite, Afia Schwarzenegger, has responded to the recent announcement made by Nana Appiah Mensah, the CEO of Menzgold, regarding a new approach to address the concerns of the company’s disgruntled customers.
In this new development, Menzgold Ghana has introduced a fresh customer validation process aimed at expediting the resolution of payment issues for customers who have had their funds locked up. The company is urging customers to acquire a Digital Verification Access Card valued at GHC650 to facilitate transaction verification.
This move, however, has triggered a wave of discontent among online users, particularly those affected customers who are frustrated with the situation.
Taking to social media to share her perspective on the trending matter, Afia Schwarzenegger has characterized the unfolding scenario as “the resurgence of an impoverished swindler.”
Describing the state of affairs as disheartening, Afia expressed concerns that individuals might fall victim to this predicament.
“The title of the movie is ‘When a thief is broke’ and the sad ending of the story is, still some Ghanaians will fall for this!!!!! Eiiiiiiii Mo bi nom adwene ne mu emr3 oooo,” she said.
NAM1 Introduces Menzgold Digital Verification Access Card for customers
In a letter dated August 18, 2023, the company stated that customers seeking to access their locked-up funds would need to participate in the Menzgold Digital Verification Access Card process, designed to verify transactions and validate claims.
The company informed its clients that this validation is necessary following the initial assessments, which according to them revealed that a significant number of claims contained unacceptable infractions that rendered them invalid.
The Digital Verification Access Card, per the statement, will be available for purchase at a cost of GH¢650 each from authorized Payboy Agents between August 10, 2023, and September 14, 2023.
“As indicated in our August 8th release: Menzgold has successfully and finally completed the validations of the transaction supporting documents Customers presented for vetting. Unfortunately, it was determined that over sixty percent (60%) of the claims were fraught with unacceptable infractions which invalidate the claims in question.
“To the above end and as part of the final phase of our due diligence processes, we urge all Customers who believe they have genuine indebted transactions claims, to check their transactions status by acquiring the Menzgold Digital Verification Access Card at GH¢650 each. from any authorized Payboy Agent to verify their transactions validation status from the 10th August 2023 to 14th September 2023 and, to upload original coloured soft copies of their transactions supporting documents,” parts of the statement read.
A well-known presenter on Angel FM, Ohemaa Woyeje, has responded to Afia Schwarzenegger’s decision to unfollow her on Instagram, a social media platform.
Her reaction follows Afia Schwarzenegger’s accusations that Ohemaa Woyeje granted an interview to Ayisha Modi, which led to the socialite disrespecting her. Afia also expressed her disappointment that Ohemaa didn’t take into account the nature of their existing relationship.
During an interview with ZionFelix, Ohemaa Woyeje addressed the situation by clarifying that Afia Schwarzenegger’s decision to unfollow her doesn’t mean that she intends to engage in any kind of feud with her.
Ohemaa Woyeje further explained that she holds no animosity towards Afia Schwarzenegger. She expressed her belief that, in due time, Afia Schwarzenegger might mend their friendship at her own pace.
Adding to her stance, Ohemaa Woyeje emphasized that even if Afia Schwarzenegger were to sever their ties completely, it wouldn’t cause any discord from her side.
“As she vex, on a friendly note, I wrote that ‘I still love you the same’. So regardless of how you are going to react to the 10 mins interview, I still love you the same. I had a call from Fifi Pratt and he told me that he has heard Afia has unfollowed me, I went to check and I said yes but seriously, I won’t beef Afia. What will I get from beefing with her? And this is no issue. If she has gone to unfollow, anytime she is ready, she will come back. For me, I have nothing against her”.
Ohemaa Wojeje said to the interviewer that ever since the incident, she has received messages from some bloggers and netizens urging her to take action, but she views this as drama and has no desire to get involved.
“A lot of people and bloggers have tagged me, I read some of the comments and I laugh. They have even come to my page to insight me, saying that I am afraid of Afia but it is drama. When they do that and you behave like a child, you would want to prove that you ain’t afraid of Afia and you will come and do drama. So, you can’t insight me with words”, the presenter explained.
The assertion by the government that there is not enough money to continue the building of the Saglemi housing project has been refuted, according to Nana Otu Darko, the convener of the organization Saglemi Not 4sale.
The Saglemi housing project will reportedly be transferred to a private company in its current form at no additional expense to the government, according to the administration.
The government cannot claim that it cannot afford to resuscitate the project since plans are already in place to construct a new Bank of Ghana headquarters worth at $250 million, according to Nana Otu Darko.
“The Bank of Ghana is using a tune of not less than $250 million to build a new edifice. What is wrong with the current edifice? Are they telling us that we don’t have some 46 million dollars for the offsite work and some 68 million dollars for the property itself, amounting to some 112 million dollars, while we are expending about 250 million dollars to build an edifice that will be of no use to the people of Ghana,” he said in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Stella Dziedzorm Sogli.
Under the previous Mahama administration, the Saglemi Housing project was launched in 2012 with a goal of delivering 5,000 housing units for $200 million as part of an Engineering-Procurement-Contracting (EPC) Agreement with Messrs Constructora OAS Ghana Limited.
Only 1506 of the 5000 dwelling units that were originally intended had begun construction by the conclusion of the project execution period, according to the government, and around US$196 million, or 98% of the entire project expenditures, had been spent.
GhanaWeb Business’ visit to Saglemi revealed that the project had been left to the whims of nature.
The Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC) has stated that the district’s security condition is to blame for the closure of the MASLOC officer in Bawku.
In a statement issued in response to what it calls false information spreading on various social media platforms and websites, MASLOC denied any attempt was being made to deprive the public of its services by temporarily closing the Bawku District office.
The institution claims that the issues in circulation have certain errors and do not accurately reflect all the information.
“The institution would like to inform the general public and its stakeholders that the primary reason for its decision to temporally close its zonal offices in Bawku was due to the insecurities at Bawku which made the office non-functional,” MASLOC explained.
Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, has disclosed that the Trust has successfully recovered GH¢154 million through the legal pursuit of employers who neglected to fulfill their obligations of paying their employees’ contributions during the initial half of 2023.
Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang indicated that based on available data and projections, the Trust is making steady progress towards achieving its objectives for the entirety of the year.
Speaking during a session with the media on the sidelines of the 2023 SSNIT Employers Breakfast Meeting held in Koforidua, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang highlighted that SSNIT is in the process of broadening its scope to encompass individuals within the informal sector.
“Our goal and objective is to ensure that we do not miss any pension payments to people who rely on us as their only source of income for their livelihood. We want to expand, and that is why we are going out there to do the tough work and convince the self-employed to join SSNIT” he stated.
“The highest-paid SSNIT pensioner was a self-employed person who was not an employee of anyone and used to earn GH¢100,000 a month” he revealed.
He advised businesses to make SSNIT contributions on time in order to avoid prosecution, which he claimed was frequently the Trust’s last resort.
“The SSNIT law states that it is the employer’s obligation to ensure that SSNIT payments are remitted to SSNIT. If employers do this diligently, then we would not have to send compliance officers after them. However, due to some misunderstanding or sheer devilishness, some employers fail to remit their contributions to SSNIT.”
He concluded that if after repeated reminders, reluctant employers still do not make contributions, then they would have no choice but to take them to court.
“Some of these prosecutions have led us to retrieve GH¢154 million in the first half of the year” he added.
Meteorologists from the United States have issued a warning regarding Hurricane Hilary, which has undergone a weakening process as it advances towards the Pacific coast of Mexico and California.
Although its strength has diminished, the potential for causing “life-threatening” flooding remains a concern.
With sustained winds now reaching 85 mph (140 km/h), the storm has been reclassified as a Category 1 hurricane. During the previous night, substantial rainfall affected regions of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and the southwestern United States.
Tragically, in Baja California, an individual lost their life when they were carried away while attempting to cross a stream.
This person had been traveling in a vehicle with their three children (aged 7, 15, and 22) and another woman. Fortunately, the other occupants of the vehicle survived the incident, according to reports from local media.
The current trajectory predicts that Hilary will further weaken into a tropical storm before making its way to southern California. This occurrence would mark the first time a tropical storm has made landfall in the state in over eight decades.
As of the most recent update provided at 06:00 GMT on Sunday, the US National Hurricane Center’s report indicates that the hurricane is situated approximately 90 miles (145 km) to the south of Punta Eugenia, which is the westernmost point of Baja California.
Hilary’s centre will “move close to the west-central coast of the Baja California Peninsula” on Sunday morning and will then move across southern California on Sunday afternoon, the NHC said.
“Hilary appears to be weakening quickly,” John Cangialosi, a senior hurricane specialist at the NHC, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency on Saturday.
“The eye is filling and the cloud tops in the eyewall and rainbands have been warming during the past several hours,” he adds.
Hilary was earlier a powerful Category 3 storm with winds up to 130mph.
Rainfall could reach 10in (25cm) in some areas of southern California and southern Nevada, the NHC says. “Dangerous to catastrophic flooding is expected,” it adds.
Image caption,Heavy rain and winds hit Cabo San Lucas in Baja California, Mexico, on Saturday
In San Diego, the National Weather Service (NWS) earlier issued a warning for the “high potential” of flash flooding. Nearly 26 million people in the south-western US were under flood watch.
On Friday, US President Joe Biden said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) had “pre-positioned personnel and supplies in the region”.
“I urge everyone in the path of the storm to take precautions and listen to the guidance from state and local officials,” he said.
Parts of Mexico are under a tropical storm watch and its government has placed 18,000 soldiers on standby to assist in rescue efforts.
As the storm bears down, Major League Baseball has rescheduled three games in southern California, while SpaceX has delayed the launch of a rocket from its base on the central California coast until at least Monday.
The National Park Service also closed Joshua Tree National Park and Mojave National Preserve, both in California, to prevent visitors from being stranded in the event of flooding.
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Local officials in cities across the region, including in Arizona, are offering sandbags to residents seeking to safeguard their properties against potential floodwaters.
Hurricanes and tropical storms are somewhat common in Mexico. But the last time a tropical storm made landfall in southern California was in Long Beach in 1939.
Experts say the abnormal weather events plaguing the US – and several areas across the globe – are being influenced by human-caused climate change.
In the wake of the hottest month on record, July 2023, according to Nasa, the deadliest wildfire in modern US history spread across Hawaii on 8 August, killing at least 111 people.
The damage was escalated by hurricane winds passing through the area.
On Friday, a U.S. government agency reported that Category 4 Hurricane Hilary was barreling towards Mexico’s Baja California peninsula as it issued its first-ever tropical storm watch for California and warned of potentially fatal and catastrophic flooding.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that the strong storm will pass over Mexico’s well-known vacation city of Cabo San Lucas by late on Friday. It should then diminish before making landfall on the U.S. West Coast this weekend, but it will still bring severe rains.
“Life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flooding are likely over much of Baja California and Southern California this weekend and early next week,” the Miami-based agency said in its latest advisory.
Spanning two states, Mexico’s Baja California peninsula is divided into a northernmost region where non-essential public activities were suspended from Friday to Monday, including school classes. In Mexico’s second-largest city, Tijuana, officials advised residents in high-risk areas to seek refuge in temporary shelters.
Meanwhile, in the southern state of the peninsula, local authorities postponed a baseball match and announced the closure of ports until late Friday. The state’s governor emphasized the importance of preparedness, urging residents to secure water and essential supplies at home, while discouraging panic buying.
Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director of the NHC, issued warnings about the potential for flooding from San Diego to Los Angeles and even extending to Las Vegas, with notably elevated risks centered around the Palm Springs area.
[1/8]As Hurricane Hilary, a Category 4 storm, approached Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, waves crashed on the shore in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Monserrat Zavala Acquire Licensing Rights
Spanning two states, Mexico’s Baja California peninsula is divided into a northernmost region where non-essential public activities were suspended from Friday to Monday, including school classes. In Mexico’s second-largest city, Tijuana, officials advised residents in high-risk areas to seek refuge in temporary shelters.
Meanwhile, in the southern state of the peninsula, local authorities postponed a baseball match and announced the closure of ports until late Friday. The state’s governor emphasized the importance of preparedness, urging residents to secure water and essential supplies at home, while discouraging panic buying.
Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director of the NHC, issued warnings about the potential for flooding from San Diego to Los Angeles and even extending to Las Vegas, with notably elevated risks centered around the Palm Springs area.
[1/8]As Hurricane Hilary, a Category 4 storm, approached Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, waves crashed on the shore in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Monserrat Zavala Acquire Licensing Rights
Zimbabweans are gearing up for an upcoming election scheduled for next week, with high hopes that it might finally bring an end to the country’s prolonged economic crisis. However, these aspirations are met with reservations due to concerns that the electoral competition might be biased in favor of a political party that has maintained its dominance for over four decades.
Once endowed with abundant mineral resources, Zimbabwe was formerly acknowledged as one of Africa’s thriving economies. However, its economic stability took a downturn in 2000 when former leader Robert Mugabe orchestrated the forceful appropriation of white-owned farms, resulting in the resettlement of land-deprived Black citizens.
In 2017, after 37 years in power, Mugabe was deposed through a military coup and succeeded by his longstanding ally, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Despite optimistic expectations for an economic revival during that period, the desired turnaround has remained elusive.
The imminent election features a roster of 11 presidential candidates, yet the true competition materializes between 80-year-old Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa, a 45-year-old attorney and pastor who spearheads the opposition under the banner of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC). It’s noteworthy that this election encompasses not only the presidential race but also the selection of legislators and local council leaders.
The outcome of Mnangagwa’s triumph in the 2018 election faced unsuccessful challenges from the opposition. Analysts versed in political dynamics predict a potential recurrence of such disputes. While the ruling ZANU-PF party dismisses allegations from the opposition about an uneven playing field, doubts about the fairness of the election process linger.
“Of course, we are headed for another disputed election,” said political analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya, referring to a dispute over the voters roll as one contentious issue.
The Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) has initiated legal action against the electoral commission, seeking access to electronic versions of the voters’ roll to facilitate thorough searching and analysis.
The electoral commission’s response has been that printed versions of the roll have been furnished to all participating parties. The decision regarding the CCC’s request is still pending in court. This legal pursuit is among a series of court challenges undertaken by the opposition in anticipation of the upcoming election.
Furthermore, concerns about voter intimidation, particularly in the rural regions of the nation with a population of 15 million, have been raised by the Electoral Resource Centre (ERC), an organization monitoring the voting process.
“General public sentiment, as noted in several surveys, reveals that people have very little confidence in the electoral process as well as the election management body in the country,” ERC said in a statement on Monday.
Despite claims that they have primarily targeted opposition campaigns, police have halted some of the opposition’s gatherings and claim that they have done so for the sake of public safety.
The opposition also claims that ZANU-PF supporters have physically intimidated some of its activists and that its followers are frequently detained under Zimbabwe’s strict public order laws.
“The odds are many. We’ve also seen a number of our supporters being intimidated and harassed, but citizens remain defiant. People are ready and mobilised for change,” CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere told reporters on Wednesday.
ZANU-PF says it is not favoured by the courts, police or public media. At a news conference on Thursday, ZANU-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa denied allegations of voter intimidation and unfair electoral processes.
He accused the opposition of being “obsessed with criticising the electoral process so that they have something to say after losing”.
‘BAD’ HUMAN RIGHTS
Wilbert Mandinde, an official at the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, said the human rights situation “has been bad” during the campaign.
“We believe that it is not proper for members of the opposition to have to struggle to gather, to have to struggle to campaign,” said Mandinde.
Mnangagwa narrowly defeated Chamisa in the 2018 election, which the opposition disputed over alleged irregularities. The president’s victory was upheld by the Constitutional Court.
The opposition is hoping it can defy the odds and win this time, riding on frustrations over the longrunning economic crisis.
Political analysts say young voters who have never known a prosperous Zimbabwe could play a significant role in the election. One-sixth of the registered electorate are first-time voters.
The previously optimistic indicators that pointed towards an upward trajectory for U.S. stocks in the current year have undergone a shift towards a more neutral stance, potentially exposing equities to instability arising from recent surges in bond yields and concerns surrounding China’s economic situation, according to assessments from investors.
Certain investors pay attention to contrarian indicators, which help gauge the prevailing sentiment in the market. In this context, extreme pessimism is often viewed as a signal to buy, and conversely, extreme optimism as a signal to sell.
At the beginning of the year, various metrics such as stock positioning and cash allocations demonstrated significant bearish sentiment, reflecting investors’ bleak expectations due to a severe market downturn in 2022 and anticipated economic contraction in the latter half of the ongoing year.
However, as the year progressed, signs of a resilient economy and a moderation in inflation prompted investors to become more active and willing to take on risk.
This momentum led to an almost 14% increase in the S&P 500 index throughout the year.
Consequently, some experts contend that the outcome of this shift is a reduction in the amount of idle cash available to propel further market gains and a decrease in the number of skeptical investors who can be won over to a more positive stance.
While bearish positioning was a “strong tailwind” for risk assets in the first half of 2023, that’s “not the case” in the second half, strategists at BofA Global Research wrote in a report earlier this week.
The bank’s survey of fund managers showed cash allocations dropped to 4.8% in August, the lowest level in 21 months. That shifted its “cash rule” indicator – which stands at “buy” when allocations are above 5%, to “neutral.” The survey also showed fund managers the least bearish since February 2022.
Bearishness among retail investors, meanwhile, is at half the levels seen in September 2022, according to the AAII Sentiment Survey.
“There was plenty of pessimism in the market earlier this year and that shift from pessimism to optimism was fuel for a rally,” said Willie Delwiche, strategist at Hi Mount Research. “We saw it quickly go from too much pessimism to excessive optimism, and now we are starting to see that roll over.”
On Saturday, the interior ministry reported that a Russian missile hit the central square of Chernihiv, a historic city in northern Ukraine, resulting in the tragic loss of seven lives, including a 6-year-old child, and leaving 90 individuals injured.
The incident occurred as people were en route to a church to commemorate a religious holiday. Among the wounded, 12 were children and 10 were police officers.
“A Russian missile hit right in the centre of the city, in our Chernihiv. A square, the polytechnic university, a theatre,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was on a working visit to Sweden, posted on Telegram.
“An ordinary Saturday, which Russia turned into a day of pain and loss,” he added.
Amid Russia’s ongoing attack on Ukraine, a scene depicts the aftermath of a Russian missile strike in Chernihiv, Ukraine, on August 19, 2023. The photograph is credited to the National Police/Handout via REUTERS, with licensing rights acquired.
A brief video shared alongside Zelenskiy’s statement showcases the aftermath of the strike. Debris is strewn across a square in front of the regional drama theatre, where parked vehicles bear heavy damage. The footage briefly captures the distressing sight of an individual slouched inside one of the affected cars.
Chernihiv, located approximately 145 km (90 miles) north of the capital Kyiv, is characterized by its verdant boulevards and ancient churches.
Regrettably, the interior ministry reported that the strike led to the destruction of the drama theatre’s roof.
Russia’s invasion, initiated in February of the previous year, has seen missile and drone attacks reach Ukrainian cities distant from the conflict’s frontline.
In the early hours of Saturday, Kyiv’s air force disclosed that Ukrainian military forces had successfully taken down 15 out of 17 Shahed drones of Iranian origin launched by Moscow in an overnight offensive.
Chernihiv, situated in northern Ukraine, lies approximately 50km (31 miles) from the Belarusian border.
Serving as the administrative hub of the broader Chernihiv region, the city endured a harrowing two-month-long siege by Russian forces in the initial phases of the conflict.
After Russia’s unsuccessful bid to capture Kyiv, positioned 125km northeast of Chernihiv, the Russian military withdrew from the city.
With the departure of Moscow’s troops, concerns arose regarding whether the Russian assaults on civilian sites within the city qualified as war crimes. Russia has consistently refuted such allegations.
Ghana’s military has been compelled to refute allegations that West African commanders entered a meeting concerning the Niger crisis to the soundtrack of the television series “Game of Thrones.” This denial follows the circulation of a manipulated video clip online.
The fabricated video was initially disseminated by Ghana’s UTV channel on social media, but it was subsequently removed.
Representatives from the Ghanaian armed forces confirm that no such music was played during the guard of honor parade held in Accra on Thursday.
The parade marked the commencement of a two-day Ecowas conference, where regional defense leaders convened to finalize plans for potential military intervention in Niger.
The nation recently witnessed a coup that deposed its democratically elected president. In the event of diplomatic efforts faltering, Ecowas has indicated its readiness to employ force to reinstate constitutional governance in Niger.
There is a concern that any further instability could exacerbate Niger’s already fragile security circumstances.
In the aftermath of Robert Mugabe’s removal as Zimbabwe’s president in 2017, his successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, vowed to usher in a new era for the nation’s populace.
However, as President Mnangagwa vies for re-election in the upcoming polls this month, Zimbabweans continue to grapple with persistent challenges – including soaring inflation, widespread poverty, and an atmosphere of apprehension.
Adorned with a scarf that bears the colors of Zimbabwe’s flag around his neck, the Zanu-PF leader, Mnangagwa, dismisses such criticisms, asserting that if the nation doesn’t rally behind him, it faces a bleak future. His supporters point to a surge in mining activities and foreign investments during his tenure to bolster their defense of his leadership.
Dubbed “the crocodile” due to his strategic political acumen, he ascended to power in the aftermath of a military intervention and widespread protests that compelled the resignation of long-standing leader Mr. Mugabe, who had been Mr. Mnangagwa’s mentor.
The military uprising was ignited by Mr. Mugabe’s decision to dismiss Mr. Mnangagwa from his position as vice-president.
Mr. Mnangagwa, living up to his moniker, demonstrated resilience in response and managed to unseat Zimbabwe’s sole ruler. However, he is also associated with some of the most egregious atrocities committed under the ruling party’s regime since the nation gained independence in 1980.
Former comrades from the liberation struggle once characterized him as a “very cruel man.”
Nevertheless, his offspring perceive him differently, viewing him as principled albeit emotionally reserved. His daughter, Farai Mlotshwa, the eldest of his nine children born from two marriages and a property developer, once portrayed him as a “softie.”
As he endeavored to attract foreign investors and counteract his formidable reputation in 2018, he conveyed to the BBC, “I am as gentle as wool. I embody a gentle demeanor in life.”
And as he sought to woo foreign investors and dispel his ruthless reputation in 2018, he told the BBC: “I am as soft as wool. I am a very soft person in life.”
Image caption,His supporters still bring out a cuddly crocodile toy during Zanu-PF rallies
The exact year of Mr Mnangagwa’s birth is not known – but he is thought to be 80.
Born in the central region of Zvishavane, he is a Karanga – the largest clan of Zimbabwe’s majority Shona community.
Long before he came to power, he was seen as “the architect of the commercial activities of Zanu-PF”, a 2001 United Nations report said.
Despite his money-raising role, Mr Mnangagwa, a lawyer who grew up in Zambia, has a fearsome reputation that was cemented after independence during the civil war that broke out in the 1980s between Mr Mugabe’s Zanu party and the Zapu party of Joshua Nkomo.
As national security minister, he was in charge of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), which worked hand in glove with the army to suppress Zapu.
Thousands of civilians – mainly ethnic Ndebeles, seen as Zapu supporters – were killed in a campaign known as Gukurahundi, before the two parties merged to form Zanu-PF.
Mr Mnangagwa has denied any role in the massacres. As president he has tried to broach reconciliation. Some have felt his comments glib given the deep wounds in Matabeleland, but an initiative to allow exhumations and reburials has been agreed.
Elsewhere, he still enjoys the support of many of the war veterans who led the campaign of violence against white farmers and the opposition from 2000.
They remember him as one of the men who, following his military training in China and Egypt, directed the fight for independence in the 1960s and 1970s.
‘Torture scars’
Mr Mnangagwa’s official profile says he was the victim of state torture after being arrested by the white-minority government in the former Rhodesia in 1965, when the “crocodile gang” he led helped blow up a train near Fort Victoria (now Masvingo). He spent 10 years in prison.
A close friend of Mr Mnangagwa, who did not want to be named, once said: “He has scars from that period… perhaps that explains why he is indifferent. Horrible things happened to him when he was young.”
His ruthlessness resurfaced during the 2000 parliamentary campaign in Kwekwe Central when opposition candidate Blessing Chebundo defeated Mr Mnangagwa.
During a bitter campaign, Mr Chebundo escaped death by a whisker when the Zanu-PF youths who had abducted him and doused him with petrol were unable to light a match.
Eight years later Mr Mnangagwa reportedly masterminded Zanu-PF’s response to Mr Mugabe losing the first round of the presidential election to long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai.
The military and state security organisations unleashed a campaign of violence against opposition supporters, leaving hundreds dead and forcing thousands from their homes.
Mr Tsvangirai then pulled out of the second round and Mr Mugabe was re-elected.
Ice cream plot
Mr Mnangagwa was seen as Mr Mugabe’s right-hand man – that is until the former first lady Grace Mugabe became politically ambitious and tried to edge him out.
Image caption,Emmerson Mnangagwa, pictured here in 2016, was close to Robert Mugabe (C) until the former first lady (L) eyed the presidency
Their rivalry took a bizarre turn when he fell ill in 2017 at a political rally led by Mr Mugabe and had to be airlifted to South Africa.
His supporters suggested that a rival group within Zanu-PF had poisoned him and appeared to blame ice cream from Mrs Mugabe’s dairy firm.
Mr Mnangagwa referenced this plot himself and also blamed a group linked to the former first lady for an explosion at a Zanu-PF rally in Zimbabwe’s second city Bulawayo, in which two people died.
Their rivalry has continued – and when Mr Mugabe died in 2019, President Mnangagwa wanted him interred at the national Heroes Acre burial ground, but Mrs Mugabe refused.
But his overtures on the economic front have been welcomed by some businesses.
In 2017, Zimbabwe’s GDP was $17.5bn (£13.7bn) and has since averaged at $25.31bn.
The government has also attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in investment, mainly in mining. For example, platinum giant Zimplats will invest $1.8bn over the next 10 years, following negotiations with government.
With the largest lithium reserves in Africa, the government also hopes to profit from world demand for the key component in batteries – and last month a Chinese firm opened up a lithium processing plant in Goromonzi.
The president’s supporters are confident about his place in the history books, with the government renaming 10 streets Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Rd in a 2019 project to honour African icons rather than British ones.
But critics say most changes introduced by President Mnangagwa have not benefitted the ordinary Zimbabwean.
Zimbabwe had one of the highest inflation rates in the world last month – prices in July had rocketed by 101.3% since the previous year. Unemployment also remains rife, with only 25% of Zimbabweans holding formal jobs.
His vow to guarantee human rights appears hollow, with little changing in this regard since Mr Mugabe’s departure.
Critics continue to be arrested and taken to court for insulting the president – an offence punishable by one year in jail or a fine or both. A man in Harare was charged in April after allegedly being overheard by a policeman saying that Mr Mnangagwa would lose the next election.
Members of opposition party the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) have also been convicted in the run-up to the vote on what they describe as fabricated charges aimed at weakening the party. The party says the police have banned several of its meetings since July, and nearly 100 gatherings since it was formed in January last year.
This week 40 CCC members, including an parliamentary candidate, were arrested while campaigning in the capital Harare – and remain in custody. The recent killing of a CCC backer, allegedly by Zanu-PF supporters, further raised concerns about rights.
International outlook
Mr Mugabe’s removal raised hopes that Zimbabwe would rebuild its relationship with the West.
Image caption,A coal powered electricity generator, funded by China, was opened this month
Under Mr Mnangagwa, the country has applied to be readmitted to the Commonwealth. Mr Mugabe’s government pulled Zimbabwe out in 2003 after the nation was suspended for human rights violations.
“Zimbabwe had made progress in its journey to re-join the Commonwealth family”, with an encouraging assessment visit last year, a Commonwealth Secretariat spokesperson told the BBC.
A Commonwealth observer group was also in the country to obverse the coming elections, seen as a “significant step in the country’s democratic governance”, they added.
Despite this apparent thawing in relations, Zimbabwe still remains under US economic and travel sanctions and a European Union arms embargo.
Mr Mnangagwa, however, has bolstered ties with China and Russia – and has also hosted Iran’s president for a state visit last month when he said they were both “victims” of Western sanctions.
Civil society groups and the opposition doubt the election on August 23 will be free or fair. They also point out that 43 years in power and access to state media gives Mr Mnangagwa’s Zanu-PF party a huge advantage over its opponents.
A bullish Mr Mnangagwa told supporters at a rally earlier this month: “No-one will stop us from ruling this country.
The compliance and enforcement unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has taken action by shutting down four businesses for their failure to issue Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices as mandated by the Authority.
The GRA requires all providers of taxable items, goods, or services to adhere to the legal obligation of issuing VAT invoices. Simultaneously, customers are obligated by law to obtain VAT invoices from business proprietors for their purchased goods.
During its persistent drive to ensure compliance in the issuance of VAT invoices by companies, the GRA directed these shops to cease their operations.
The closed establishments encompass Eve’s Panties Wholesale Store, Modern Floors Tiles Shop, Cup of Joy Ventures (Grocery Store), and Qingsong Trading Company Limited. These businesses are all situated within the Weija Gbawe Municipal District in the Greater Accra region.
Mr. Joseph Annan, the Area Enforcement Manager of GRA overseeing Accra Central, informed the Ghana News Agency that the closure of these shops was prompted by the owners’ noncompliance with the requirement to issue VAT invoices.
He conveyed that these operations form part of an ongoing nationwide VAT inspection initiative by the Authority, aimed at recovering outstanding taxes owed to the state.
“It is as an offence not to issue VAT invoice and the law would take its own direction”.
He noted that individuals violating the regulations could potentially face charges under sections 78 and 82 of the Revenue Administration Act, 2016 (Act 915), which specifically address noncompliance with tax laws and hindering tax administration, respectively.
Mr. Annan emphasized that the GRA’s scrutiny would extend to all prior offenders starting from September 2022 to the present date, ensuring the continuation of compliance. He further remarked that business owners who failed to sustain compliance would be reported to the police.
Highlighting the significance of timely tax payments, Mr. Annan underlined that it stood as the most effective and efficient means of showcasing one’s commitment to the nation’s development. This action illustrated that the citizens of the countries from which Ghana’s government borrowed funds were fulfilling their obligations.
He called upon the public to fulfill their patriotic duty as citizens of Ghana by proactively issuing VAT invoices. Additionally, he encouraged both the public and taxpayers to promptly report any instances of tax violations to the GRA, thereby enabling necessary measures to be taken.
Menzgold Ghana has announced a fresh round of customer validation to facilitate the processing of payments for its customers whose funds have been locked up.
In a letter dated August 18, 2023, the company informed its clients that this validation is necessary following the initial assessments, which according to them revealed that a significant number of claims contained unacceptable infractions that rendered them invalid.
“As indicated in our August 8th release: Menzgold has successfully and finally completed the validations of the transaction supporting documents Customers presented for vetting. Unfortunately, it was determined that over sixty percent (60%) of the claims were fraught with unacceptable infractions which invalidate the claims in question.”
The statement also communicated that customers aiming to retrieve their funds currently held would be required to engage in the Menzgold Digital Verification Access Card procedure. This process is devised to authenticate transactions and substantiate claims.
As outlined in the announcement, the Menzgold Digital Verification Access Card will be procurable for GH¢650 each through authorized Payboy Agents.
This card will empower customers to assess the validation status of their transactions within the timeframe of August 10, 2023, to September 14, 2023. Additionally, customers will need to submit authentic colored digital copies of the necessary documents corroborating their transactions.
“To the above end and as part of the final phase of our due diligence processes, we urge all Customers who believe they have genuine indebted transactions claims, to check their transactions status by acquiring the Menzgold Digital Verification Access Card at GH¢650 each. from any authorized Payboy Agent to verify their transactions validation status from the 10th August, 2023 to 14th September, 2023 and, to upload original coloured soft copies of their transactions supporting documents.
“Menzgold cannot offer free verification service like we did for the validation exercise, as we are committed to marshal all available resources into paying off our Company’s debt (liability).
“Please be well advised, that this final exercise is the most important due diligence standard. “Customers who fail to undergo this process risk forfeiture of their purported claims, as their right of claim would have been waived by the failure on their part to discharge their obligation,” the statement added.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has given a resolute assurance to farmers nationwide regarding his commitment to collaborate closely with them. The aim is to enhance yields and productivity, simultaneously curtailing the reliance on food crop imports into the country.
He conveyed that the Ministry has initiated strategic measures to ensure that farmers across the nation gain access to essential inputs and other production costs, thereby alleviating their burdens and augmenting their earnings.
The Minister provided this reassurance during a meeting with farmers, traders, and aggregators from the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) at his office in Accra. The discussions encompassed crucial topics influencing the sector’s growth.
Subjects ranged from the ongoing onion crisis leading to the impoundment of over 60 truckloads of imported onions at the borders of Benin and Burkina Faso, the forthcoming implementation of Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) 2.0, to the implications of the newly enacted Tax Exemptions Act on the prices of agricultural inputs.
Addressing the onion crisis, Mr. Acheampong stated that the government’s primary objective is to boost domestic onion production, ultimately reducing and eventually ceasing imports. He stressed that while diplomatic efforts are underway to address the locked-up goods, the Ministry’s immediate focus is to unite onion producers and devise a strategy to surmount the present challenges hampering sufficient local production.
Regarding PFJ 2.0, the Minister highlighted the modalities formulated to address key farmer concerns. With the aggregator system integrated into PFJ 2.0, farmers will access seeds, fertilizers, extension services, mechanization, and post-harvest services, only reimbursing the expenses after the harvest.
Regarding the selection criteria for aggregators, the Minister assured that existing ones would not be marginalized by the program. The Ministry remains dedicated to ensuring that the right aggregators working closely with farmers are chosen.
The Minister underlined that the program embraces inclusivity, encompassing all farmers, including youth, female farmers, and aggregators.
Regarding the Tax Exemptions Act’s impact on agricultural prices, the Minister acknowledged the issue and disclosed that cabinet is considering the inclusion of agricultural inputs for exemptions.
“However, despite the ongoing process, the Ministry continues to approve requests for exemptions for agricultural inputs by importers,” he added.
He bemoaned the fact that these importers had not adjusted their rates to reflect these exemptions and pleaded with them to do so.
He said, “Even though the proposal has been sent for cabinet’s approval, as of August alone, we have approved over 60 exemption requests from importers. The problem is when prices go up, no matter what we do, our business is unwilling to bring prices down and that is the problem. Irrespective, I will do all I can to ensure your request is granted.”
Dr. Charles Nyaaba, the Executive Director of PFAG, expressed admiration for the Minister’s steadfast commitment to collaborating with farmers for the betterment of the sector.
He assured the Minister of the Association’s collaboration and assistance to facilitate the realization of his enduring vision to establish food self-sufficiency within the country.
He appealed to farmers, participants within the value chain, and service providers to collectively contribute towards transforming Ghana into a regional food hub. He encouraged them to also present their ideas, as the Minister is receptive to input from diverse stakeholders.
Chairman of the Board of Directors at Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Paul Adom-Otchere, has emphatically refuted claims of his participation in any plot to oust the Managing Director of the organization, Pamela Djamson-Tettey.
He asserted that these allegations are baseless and may potentially be a component of a larger plot aimed at tarnishing his reputation as the Board Chairman.
The leadership of the staff union of Ghana Airports Company Limited had previously cautioned Paul Adom-Otchere to maintain distance from the Managing Director.
“Somebody may have told them and so we have to get to the grand agenda that is being waged against the board chairman because seriously, I don’t understand. Somebody must have told them something and if nobody told them anything and out of their independent reading, it turns out that their independent reading is a figment of their own imagination as they seem to be suggesting now, then we have some little investigations to do but I can say the story is not true and I have said this many times,” he was quoted by citinewsroom.com.
“I interacted with her today and we talk almost every day. We even had a board meeting last week and all the board members were there. When the matter came out two days ago, she texted me that there was an issue that we need to meet about I asked her to send me the copy and she didn’t send it immediately and we didn’t talk again and that is how it ended but we talked today about normal office issues.
“The board chair doesn’t do anything with appointing or removing the managing director. That authority is at the presidency and should the board chairman make that call, the MD would have been called but nothing of that sort happened,” he added.
Organized Labor has expressed its refusal to accept the government’s proposition to introduce a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in the upcoming salary negotiations for public sector workers next year.
COLA, a temporary measure intended to provide relief when immediate salary revisions are impractical, has been met with skepticism by Organized Labor. They contend that it would not have a favorable influence on pension payments and other related benefits.
Mr. Joshua Ansah, the Deputy General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), underscored their position. He clarified that their focus is on advocating for substantial salary increments instead of settling for a mere COLA.
Addressing reporters in Accra, Mr Ansah conveyed, “Choosing COLA would be ill-advised, as it fails to influence our pensions or overall earnings. Our preference is to secure the rightful compensation we deserve. Furthermore, it’s important to highlight that if the government entertains IMF involvement, it must safeguard our national minimum wage from any detrimental implications.”
In a related incident, Organized Labor turned down a monetary settlement proposal made by Sunon Asogli Power Limited in favor of the reinstatement of local union officials from the Ghana Mineworkers Union of the TUC who had been fired.
Organized Labor is firm in its demand for reinstatement notwithstanding Sunon Asogli’s offer to pay GH1.2 million in compensation.
On that matter, Mr Ansah said: “Our intent is not to monetise our rights; our struggle centres on upholding workers’ fundamental principles.”
Expressing dissatisfaction with Sunon Asogli’s refusal to restore the union leaders, Mr Ansah characterised the company’s decision as “erroneous.”
He asserted, “We hold that the termination of these leaders was unjust, and we firmly advocate for their reinstatement.”
Mr. Ansah reaffirmed that until a fair settlement is reached, Organized Labour will continue to pursue the reinstatement of the union leaders.
In the rankings of African countries with the highest corporate taxes, Ghana secures the 10th position on the continent.
As indicated by a survey conducted by OnDeck, the average corporate tax in Ghana stands at approximately $25,000.
A number of African nations surpass Ghana in terms of corporate tax payments. These countries include South Africa ($28,000), Ethiopia ($30,000), Kenya ($30,000), Nigeria ($30,000), and Cameroon ($30,800).
The survey incorporated corporate tax data from 200 countries.
OnDeck Capital, an online small business lending company based in the United States, highlights that corporate tax rates exhibit significant diversity globally, aligning with each nation’s distinct economic requirements.
For instance, countries endowed with substantial natural resources frequently generate a significant portion of their tax revenue through elevated corporate taxes imposed on oil and natural gas enterprises. This approach enables other industries to function within a relatively low-tax environment.
OnDeck Capital underscores that Africa possesses some of the least competitive tax rates among all continents.
Amid the harrowing aftermath of Russia‘s invasion, cats and dogs in Ukraine have been lending their assistance in various ways, from fundraising initiatives to explosives detection.
Among them is Patron, a mine-sniffing dog employed by Ukraine’s state emergency service. Beyond his expertise in mine-clearance, Patron’s endearing charm has garnered him a substantial online following, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
In addition to Patron, an array of animals—both real and animated—have been providing emotional solace and sharing practical advice through their social media platforms. Their guidance encompasses coping strategies for the emotional toll of war and instructions for handling encounters with explosive devices.
Patron’s endeavors have brought him into contact with a range of dignitaries and celebrities visiting Kyiv, including Orlando Bloom of “Lord of the Rings” fame, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Ukraine’s postal service has even issued stamps showcasing this canine hero. Furthermore, President Volodymyr Zelensky has conferred a medal upon Patron, recognizing his “dedicated service.”
Ukraine’s postal service has printed stamps featuring the canine hero, who has also been awarded a medal for “dedicated service” by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Image caption,Patron, a Jack Russell terrier, has appeared on postal stamps across Ukraine
Patron’s owner and handler, Mykhaylo Ilyev, says his meetings with foreign dignitaries have helped Ukraine’s emergencies services secure donations of crucial mine-clearing equipment.
The Jack Russell terrier has been involved in raising funds for people affected by war, particularly his colleagues injured while clearing mines. He has taken part in charity collections for animals too.
“Our little friends are going through a rough time after being abandoned or injured. We realise that they also want to live and that they need help,” Mr Ilyev tells the BBC.
Image caption,UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Ukraine’s hero mine-hunting dog on a trip to Kyiv last year
Patron’s account on Instagram offers not just pictures of the charismatic dog, but also hope, inspiration and advice for Ukrainians facing the horrors of war.
“Hope matters. We hope that this will be over soon. We hope that victory is near. We hope that people won’t be killed anymore. Sometimes hope is all we’ve got,” reads one of his posts.
“Don’t lose hope, I’m begging you. Now, let me give you a hopeful lick!”
Patron also features in a cartoon series educating children about the dangers posed by unexploded munitions.
Despite his celebrity status, Patron is still doing his mine-sniffing day job, Mr Ilyev says.
The fundraising feline
Image caption,Stepan has helped raise thousands to help animals affected by war
Stepan the cat hails from Saltivka, a district in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv that has been badly damaged by Russian shelling.
Before the war, Stepan was just another incredibly cute cat from the internet. But since Russia’s full-scale invasion, his Instagram account started offering more than just pictures – it started to comment on the war.
It has now switched to Ukrainian, too, even though it previously used Russian, which was widely spoken in parts of the east and south. Many people across Ukraine did the same after Russia invaded.
“We’ve all changed mentally after seeing what sort of thing this ‘Russian world’ really is,” Stepan’s owner Anna tells the BBC, referring to a concept promoted by Russia to justify intervention abroad ostensibly in support of Russian speakers.
“Ukrainian is part of my life and the life of my country and nation,” she says.
Stepan’s account, which has 1.3m followers on Instagram, has used its popularity to help animals who have suffered in the war. Last year, he helped raise almost 15,000 euros (£12,900) which was spent on food, medicine and other care for them.
After the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in southern Ukraine in June, the cat helped collect funds for the evacuation of animals from flooded areas.
His account was also involved in a collection to repair a library damaged by shelling in Kharkiv.
Image caption,Many animals needed rescuing from flood areas after the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed two months ago
But it is not just about the money for Stepan’s account.
“He has been offering support to people, particularly children, so that they can forget the horrors of this war at least for a little while. That’s why there is a bit of humour in his posts,” Anna says.
Stepan also tackles the realities of war in his posts, including this one: “Oh how I want my country to win as soon as possible! So that there is peace for which people on the front line have sacrificed their lives. So that there are no more missiles, so that people and animals stop dying.”
The cartoon cat
Image caption,Olena Pavlova describes her cartoon cat as a “natural anti-depressant”
People are more receptive to advice if it looks as though it is coming from a fluffy pet, says Olena Pavlova, who created a cartoon character called Inzhyr the cat.
“A cat picture travels much further than just words. I’ve seen it many times,” she tells me. “Pictures and memes featuring cats can help deliver a lot of important ideas. They’re easier to absorb. Cat pictures help us cope.”
“Inzhyr the cat is a natural anti-depressant. I created him to make myself and also my readers feel better. He’s positive, cuddly and nice, and he’s helping people find hope and light inside themselves,” Ms Pavlova says.
Inzhyr’s accounts on social media encourage Ukrainians to read more books and offer advice on issues such as fundraising, burnout and why everyone should be like a cat.
“Cats waste no effort, but are determined in achieving their goals,” one of his posts reads.
Sound words of advice for anyone, whether at war or not.
Image caption,Inzhyr, the cartoon cat, says: “Dreams come true if you try”
