Former Chief of General Staff (CGS) and Lt. General Oladipo Donaldson Oyeyinka Diya, who also served as Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) in 1994, has away at age 78.
One of Diya’s children, Oyesinmilola Diya, posted a message on social media announcing his passing on behalf of the family. According to the message, Diya passed away early on March 26—yesterday.
“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please, keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. “Further announcements will be made public in due course.
“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”
There has been an outpouring of tributes from Nigerians, paying homage to Diya, who served as second-in-command to the late dictator, General Sanni Abacha. Born on April 3, 1944 at Odogbolu, Ogun State, Diya was educated at the Methodist Primary School, Lagos, and Odogbolu Grammar School. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and fought during the Nigerian Civil War. He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981), and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.
While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to Bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The deceased officer was Commander 31, Airborne Brigade, and was appointed Military Governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985. He became General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army, in 1985, and later, Commandant, National War College (1991–1993) and, subsequently, appointed Chief of Defence Staff.
He was appointed Chief of General Staff in 1993 and Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994. As Chief of the General Staff, he was the de facto Vice President of Nigeria during the Sani Abacha military junta from 1994 until he was arrested for treason in 1997. In 1997, Diya and some dissident soldiers had allegedly planned to overthrow the regime ofAbacha. The alleged coup was uncovered by forces loyal to Abacha, and Diya and his cohorts were jailed.
Diya was tried in a military tribunal and was given the death penalty. But following the untimely death of Abacha in 1998, Diya was pardoned by the successor to Abacha, Abdusalami Abubakar.
Buhari: He Was Brilliant, Possessed Exceptional Skills
President Muhammadu Buhari mourned the demise of Diya and described him as a brilliant officer with exceptional skills. Buhari, in a release yesterday by Femi Adesina, paid tribute to Diya’s bold and courageous career in the Nigerian military and dedicated service to the country as General Officer Commanding, 82 Division; Commandant, National War College (1991–1993); Chief of Defence Staff; and Military Governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985.
Buhari recalled that Diya was known for his brilliance, exceptional organisational skills and discipline, and that he displayed those virtues in the important roles he held in office as a military officer.
He praised Diya for his love, belief and loyalty to the country he cherished so much and fought gallantly on the frontlines to defend her unity. On behalf of the federal government, the president extended heartfelt condolences to Diya’s family, friends and colleagues, and prayed that his soul finds rest with his Creator, saying may his contributions to the country never be forgotten.
Obasanjo: Diya’s Feats Will Be Remembered After Him
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, described the life of the late Diya as a great success and one of accomplishments, which would long be remembered after him.
Obasanjo, in a release by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, stated that with Diya’s passing, there was no doubt that the ranks of the country’s leadership had depleted “by the loss of a dedicated and resourceful patriot, who served the nation in various capacities as an army officer, community leader, and a legal practitioner.
“It is noteworthy that in the course of his military service, which straddled more than three decades, he acquitted himself as a dedicated officer and a real patriot. From the thick of the Nigerian Civil War to the post-war re-organisation of the army, he distinguished himself as a seasoned soldier.
“The rare diligence, loyalty and resourcefulness with which he carried out his duties and responsibilities, culminated in his appointment as Commander, 31 Airborne Brigade; Military Governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985; and General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army in 1985.” That, Obasanjo said, was also responsible for his appointment as “Commandant, National War College, 1991–1993; Chief of Defence Staff in 1993 and soon after, Chief of General Staff also in 1993; Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994 and later functioned as Nigeria’s Number Two man under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1994 to 1997.
“I recall as a Military Governor of Ogun State, he made tremendous mark through dedication to duty, loyalty to his fatherland and an impeccable example of incorruptible leadership. He was courageous and quite a disciplinarian and a no-nonsense officer.
“In retirement, Diya contributed to national development as a private businessman, legal practitioner and a provider of employment for many of our people. He is being mourned, therefore, beyond his immediate family and community. I believe the entire nation also shares the pain and grief for the irreparable loss of a distinguished son of Nigeria, indeed.”
Jonathan, Atiku Mourn, Say Diya Was Kind, Loved Education
Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, expressed sadness over the death of Diya, describing him as a committed patriot and courageous soldier.
Media assistant to Jonathan, Ikechukwu Eze, in a condolence message to the family, noted that Diya served the country diligently and fought for the unity of Nigeria, showing bravery and brilliance as a military leader.
He said he was as a kind-hearted and disciplined officer, well known for his loyalty to the country and love of fellow citizens. The message added, “Diya devoted so much of his energy towards uniting Nigeria and showed exceptional brilliance while holding different command positions in the nation’s military leadership
“He will be remembered for his efforts towards promoting peace and commitment to the progress and development of our nation.” On his part, the PDP presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential election, Atiku, in his condolence message, said, “My profound condolences to the family of Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya on the passing of the illustrious son of Odogbolu, where he was born and from where he rose to be a remarkable part of Nigeria’s history.
“His love for education saw him return to the university for his law degree, and his call to Bar at the time was an inspiration to many soldiers who came after him. I pray that God grants him rest and gives his family and friends the strength to go through this period.”
Tinubu: He Played Stabilising Role in June 12 Crisis
President-elect Bola Tinubu commiserated with the family of Diya, saying the deceased officer lived a remarkable life and played a stabilising role in the June 12 crisis.
Tinubu, in a statement by Tunde Rahman, said, “The news of the death of General Oladipo Diya early this morning came to me as a shock. I send my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his immediate family, especially his wives and children.
“General Diya lived a remarkable life of a soldier and made his mark in the military, where he served our country diligently. As military governor of Ogun State, in the various military positions he held till he rose to the enviable position of Chief of General Staff and second-in-command to the Head of State, he served meritoriously.
“As much as he could, he played a stabilising role during one of the most turbulent periods in our nation’s life in the aftermath of June 12, 1993 presidential election. He will be remembered for his patriotism and service to the nation.”
He Was a Seasoned, Admirable Officer, FEC Mourns
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, on behalf of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), yesterday, mourned Diya, describing him as a seasoned and admirable officer of the Nigerian Army.
In a statement by Director, Information, Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, Mustapha said Diya was an experienced officer who showed excellent administrative capabilities in his various functions as Military Governor of Ogun State (1984 – 1985), Chief of Defence Staff, and Chief of General Staff (1993 – 1997); as well as a notable statesman who made invaluable contributions to nation-building.
The FEC condoled with the government and people of Ogun State, his family and friends, and prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.
Gbajabiamila Mourns, Recalls Diya’s Commitment to Nation
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed sadness over the passing of Diya, even as he recalled his commitment and service to the country.
Gbajabiamila, in a condolence message, recalled Diya’s commitment and service to Nigeria during his term in office as Chief of General Staff and in other capacities.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of Diya and that God should give his family, the people and government of Ogun State the fortitude to bear the loss.
Sanwo-Olu, George: It’s a Huge Loss, He Ran Good Race
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Chief Olabode George, mourned the passage of Diya.
Sanwo-Olu described Diya’s demise as a great loss to the country, and George said he ran a worthy race.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the late Diya, as a gallant soldier and elder statesman, who served the country meritoriously as a military officer, Governor of Ogun State, and Chief of General Staff.
Sanwo-Olu also commiserated with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the entire people of the state, especially indigenes of Odogbolu, on the demise of their illustrious son.
The governor stated, “The death of Lt.-General Oladipo Diya is a colossal loss to the country. He made lots of positive impact and contribution during his lifetime to the growth and development of Nigeria, especially in the Nigeria Army.
“He fought, along with several other patriots tirelessly for a united Nigeria during his days in the Nigerian Army, especially during the civil war. He also held positions in the armed forces and rose to the position of Chief of General Staff, (de facto Vice President of Nigeria) under the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.”
George stated in his message, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. May God give him eternal rest and may his memory be a blessing to his family and friends.
“He ran his race to the best of his calling and we must leave the rest for the pages of history. Good night, sir, till the resurrection morning, when we shall meet to part no more. May the Angels sing you to your resting place. My deepest condolences to his family, especially Simi.”
Uzodimma: Nigeria Just Lost Another Professional Soldier
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma described the passing of Diya as shocking and regrettable, saying the country just lost another professional soldier, whose experience garnered over many years, services and advice, are badly needed in the country today.
A statement by Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, stated that the governor commiserated, not just with the Diya family and his Odogbolu community in Ogun State, where he impacted lives so much, but also the government and people of Ogun State, the Nigerian military and the federal government, over the loss.
Abiodun: His Contributions to Nigeria’s Security Indelible
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun commiserated with the government and people of Nigeria, as well as the military, friends and associates of Diya, saying his contributions to the country’s security architecture are indelible.
In a statement by his spokesman, Kunle Somorin, Abiodun described the departed army general as a seasoned administrator and gentleman whose role in the history of Ogun State will never be forgotten.
The governor stated regarding Diya, “He was courageous and daring, quick-witted and patriotic. Gen. Diya played frontline roles in the evolution and development of the state and his activities in the military, in part, led to the eventual return and enthronement of democracy in the country In 1999.”
Olarenwaju: A Fine Soldier Has Passed On
Former Minister of Communication and military commander, Major General Tajudeen Adeniyi Olarenwaju, described the passing of Diya as national loss of a patriot, statesman, courageous officer and a fine gentleman.
Olanrenwaju, who was jailed together with Diya by their estranged boss, Abacha, following a phantom coup trial, but escaped death after the death of Abacha in 1998, extolled the virtues of Diya as a principled military officer with high intellectual disposition.
“His legal knowledge coupled with vast military experience, made him to excel on many fronts as a no-nonsense field officer or office administrator,” said Olarenwaju.
He expressed heartfelt condolences to Diya’s nuclear and extended families, colleagues and friends.
Okowa: Nigeria Still in Dire Need of His Wise Counsel
Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, commiserated with Ogun State Government, the Diya family of Odogbolu and the people of the state on the passing of Diya, saying he passed at a time the country still needed his wise counsel.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Okowa stated that the news of Diya’s death was saddening, especially as the country was currently in dire need of the wise counsels of well-meaning Nigerians, including the deceased.
Okowa, however, stated that the memories of the departed general would remain immortal, and urged Nigerians and the Yoruba race in particular, to remember him for his illustrious contributions to the unity of Nigeria and sanctity of its sovereignty.
The governor stated, “As Deltans, we are extremely proud of the outstanding contributions of Gen. Diya to the Nigerian Army, where he served in different capacities from 1964 to 1997, including as Vice Chairman, Provincial Ruling Council in 1994.
“He was also Military Governor of Ogun State from January, 1984 to August, 1985. Gen. Diya had an illustrious military career and served the nation with full dedication and commitment to duty. On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I send my deepest condolences to the Diya family, the Yoruba nation and the people of Odogbolu where he hails from.”
More than merely skin deep, tattoos In Africa and body marks are visible. But, when we imagine tattoos, we typically see them on people with white complexion or caramel (African American) skin.
We have recently started accepting exquisite handprints and wonderful body artworks created for African black skin.
Tattoos In Africa are a crucial component of African makeup, just as the tribal hair on the continent. Several African tattoo designs have profound symbolic implications and are of great importance to our diverse culture.
For millennia, African tribes have decorated their bodies with various body tattoos and artworks. Often, they included body painting, shaving, and piercing.
We’ll talk about the origins and significance of African tribal insignia in this post.
The Origins of African Tattoos/Tattoos In Africa
Amazingly, traditional African tattoos have existed for thousands of years and have a broad range of symbolic meanings, including wearing of them to ward off evil spirits, display accomplishments, and express allegiance to certain tribes or organizations.
There are a few significant exceptions to the general lack of comprehensive research on African tattoo culture and history.
First discovered as simple ink drawings on mummified female corpses from about the year 2000 BCE, historical tattoos In Africa were first discovered by anthropologists.
Anthropologists hypothesized that these ladies employed their tattoo marks to promote fertility and youth. This happened as a result of the tattoos’ designs and locations on the bodies.
These patterns were found on the abdomen and pelvis of the women who had them. The oldest tattoos found on men date only as far back as 1300 BCE.
The ancient goddess of battle and weaving Neith was considered to be represented by them.
In addition to Egypt, mummies from other African nations have also been discovered to contain tattoos, many of which are believed to have been made to express dedication to sun worship.
On the face, arms, legs, and navel area, they typically discovered extremely straightforward tattoos with straight lines or circular designs.
In the past, many people in North Africa, particularly in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Morocco, had African body marks.
Yet, in more recent times, Islamic civilizations in North Africa have started to see the act of getting a tattoo or another type of engravement as disrespectful and impure.
So, some tribes in these areas create temporary tattoos using henna designs. In actuality, Muslim women are encouraged to use henna to color their nails as a sign of their femininity. Some ladies also use it to tell a man’s hands from a woman’s.
This custom is also gaining popularity right now and has unquestionably established itself as a key component of Islamic brides’ bridal makeup.
Yet, henna decorations have also been used to decorate women’s bodies as part of social and holiday festivities going back as far as 9000 BCE in ancient Egypt, particularly in the context of fertility and marriage ceremonies.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that henna art is not a genuine tattoo. Tattoos last a lifetime. Henna, on the other hand, just rests momentarily on the skin’s surface.
Henna may also be used to color hair, nails, silk, leather, and wool.
The usage of traditional African tattoos is still widespread in North African communities, including those in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, according to literature from the 20th century.
Sub-Saharan Africa: `Tattoos In Africa
Scarification is the most typical form of tribal body modification in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this instance, sharp objects are used to produce cuts into the skin that are deep enough to leave a lasting mark.
They would cut off patterns and forms from pieces of skin so that when the skin recovered and scarred, it would leave a permanent shape or pattern.
The primary goal of scarification varied depending on the location. Yet, the majority of people think that scarification—especially when it was applied to the face—made the wearer less appealing to the spirit of death.
The procedure of skin scarification, however, is terrifying. It can also be risky since people often die if they don’t receive prompt treatment for infections they get from puncture wounds due to a lack of aftercare.
Yet, the Sahel area, which extends from Senegal to the Red Sea, is where scarification is most noticeable.
The Fulani are one of the Sahel’s tribes with the most tattoos. They are the largest tribe there by a similar margin.
The usage of these tribal tattoos is thought to have expanded during the Atlantic Slave Trade, despite the lack of information on the number of tribes, historical eras, and genuine importance of African body markings.
It was rumored that tribal members who were transported as slaves had markings on them to help rescuers or freedmen recognize them.
These tribal tattoos were also created so that, when a person relocated to a distant country, their identities, ethnicity, religious connections, social rank, life events, and accomplishments would not be lost.
Soon, slave traffickers and masters caught on and started classifying their slaves according to their African body marks.
They could command high wages for slaves who wore these markings designating them as brave. Also, the African body tattoos aided in the arrest of runaway slaves and the need that slaveowners to pay taxes.
More recently, the cicatrization procedure—which involves scarification and tattooing—has been the focal point of these traditional African tattooing techniques.
Hence, the cicatrization technique would entail both skin-cutting to form the scar tissue and tattooing to provide a very black look using ash or soot as the color pigments.
These wounds are frequently reopened in order to put pearls and stones beneath the skin for a more pronounced and elevated look.
The process of cicatrization is employed as a ceremonial rite of passage in many cultures.
As boys reach puberty, they would receive those markings, and a few years later, as they near adulthood, the wounds would be reopened to add the pearls and stones.
Traditional African tattoos with additional symbolic meanings
As was previously stated, tattoos In Africa are also used in many African communities to establish social rank and hierarchies.
Within their social groupings or tribes, those with very simple tattoos (simple lines and forms) or those without tattoos are seen as low-ranking.
High-ranking officials, such as Chiefs, on the other hand, would demonstrate their status as prominent figures by donning extensive and complex African body marks.
Naturally, a person’s fundamental tattoos will be altered as they rise in rank to become more intricate and elaborate.
It’s crucial to understand that not all tattoos are ceremonial, tribal, or religious. Many people today just get tattoos for aesthetic reasons.
Tattoos In Africa, however, may undoubtedly be regarded as one of the tattoo culture’s richest beginnings.
Due to the fact that we no longer produce plain markings but rather artworks that depict African history and culture, African tattoos are becoming increasingly popular nowadays.
Investigate the meaning of the tattoo the next time you meet someone with one. Perhaps there’s an interesting tale behind that stunning design.
In any case, Africa is a sizable continent with a totally distinct culture. Be aware that a single African tattoo design may represent something quite different in one place than it does in another.
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DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Ramadan is never complete in the absence of Sudanese beverage “helo-murr” translating into bittersweet made with dried corn and spices.
Women laboriously make the beverage that will be placed on practically every table in the nation in the suburbs of the nation’s capital, Khartoum.
“It’s a tradition we inherited from our grandmothers and mothers. The “helo-murr” is a must-have drink. Without it, our table feels empty. So, we must have it in any possible way. Those who can’t make it buy it ready-made, because its preparation is complicated. We call our friends, our neighbours, our sisters, the day one of us wants to prepare it, she calls her friends and sisters and they all make themselves available for the whole day to help her. They all get together, like us today, and each one leaves with her share. Even those who don’t know how to make it, they help with the preparation or the iftar [fast breaking meal at dusk during Ramadan, ed]”, said Sudanese homemaker, Wissal Abdel Ghany.
The corn is harvested and left to dry in the sun before being ground and mixed with spices such as fenugreek, cumin or even hibiscus — Sudan’s other essential Ramadan beverage.
This mixture is then soaked in sugar and water for several days.
The resulting crepe-like layer is then peeled away and stored, ready to be soaked in the final step to create the beloved drink.
“I don’t think the original recipe included all these ingredients. Surely, a lot of ingredients were added over the years until it reached the actual recipe and maybe the next generations will add other ingredients to it. But the “helo-murr” will always be the same, with its taste, its smell. All it takes is a whiff of the scent coming out of a home to know that Ramadan is here. Ramadan brings a special atmosphere, especially with the “helo-murr”, concluded the Sudanese homemaker.
Served as cold as possible, the drink is one of many ways that fasting Sudanese cool off, a significant challenge in one of the world’s hottest countries.
The interior ministry of Kenya is recommending amendments to security regulations that will make it harder for people to stage rallies.
Kenyans are granted the freedom to congregate, protest, and picket under the constitution, but all participants must do so peacefully and without weapons.
One university student was killed during protests last week in areas where the opposition is strong after police used tear gas and live bullets to disperse crowds.
The changes proposed by the ministry seeks to limit the number of people holding protests at any particular occasion, and makes protesters pay the costs of cleaning up.
Protesters must also seek consent from the people affected by the protests. The demonstrators will also be liable for paying damages to those harmed by their activities.
In the proposed changes, the interior ministry also seeks the demarcation of areas where people can assemble and hold protests.
“It is not feasible for security organs to allow masses of people to roam streets and neighbourhoods of their choice carrying stones and other offensive weapons while chanting political slogans and disrupting the daily activities of others,” the ministry said in a statement.
The proposed changes have been criticised by some as “an affront to the foundations of an open and democratic society” and as a “law that contravenes the constitution”.
It comes as a defiant opposition vows to continue with protests over the high cost of living and alleged electoral malpractices.
Authorities in Uganda have shut down the boarding portion of a primary school in the central Mubende district after seven students claimed that the school’s caretaker had sexually assaulted them.
According to local media, the caregiver entered a guilty plea to the allegations last week in court and is awaiting sentencing.
Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the state’s minister of primary education, claimed on Sunday that the overcrowding in the classroom had created “fertile ground” for student abuse.
According to the Daily Monitor website, the school’s 350 boarders slept in five cramped rooms on triple-deck beds.
“I want you [school management] to tell the parents that you have been operating an illegal boarding section and no guidelines were being followed,” the minister said when she visited the school.
She also faulted local education officials for not inspecting schools.
Schools in Uganda require a government licence to operate boarding sections.
An interview with the chief of the North African branch of the al-Qaeda militant organisation, Aqim, has lead Burkina Faso authorities to order for France 24 broadcasts to be taken off air.
“France 24 is not only acting as a mouthpiece for these terrorists, but worse, it is providing a space for the legitimisation of terrorist actions and hate speech,” Burkina Faso’s minister of communication, Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo, said in a statement.
He said the government had therefore decided “in all responsibility, and in the name of the superior interest of the nation, to suspend sine die the diffusion of France 24 programmes on national territory”.
France 24 aired the interview with Aqim’s leader Yezid Mebarek earlier this month, after France killed his predecessor in an air raid.
The relationship between Burkina Faso and France has soured since the coup in October last year.
Burkina Faso expelled French troops who had been unsuccessfully fighting the Islamists, inviting Russian mercenaries in their stead.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey-Korley Constituency, Dr. Zenator Agyemang-Rawlings has admitted that on Friday, March 24, 2023, while voting to confirm several ministerial nominees, she recorded a picture or video of her secret vote.
The MP claims that she did so even though she knew it was wrong in order to save her honor and have proof that she dissented from the National Democratic Congress leadership’s directive to approve the nominations (NDC).
In a Facebook post, Dr. Agyemang-Rawlings described what happened in Parliament on Friday before the secret vote. She recounted that “In the Chamber, when the back and forth was done, the voting began midst threats to cancel your vote if you were discovered revealing your ballot paper.”
“My sister MP, Angela Alorwu-Tay and I, began a discussion on how to ensure that we had evidence of our votes. The last time there was a secret ballot, the women in our caucus were falsely accused en bloc of having betrayed the NDC. Some unscrupulous person even used my picture and that of a number of colleagues as part of that ludicrous headline at the time. We had no intention of allowing our integrity to be attacked again!
“The idea of taking a photo of my vote was so alien to me but given the high level of suspicion and finger pointing already in the public domain, I realised it was imperative to take such a drastic measure to protect my integrity, ‘in the interest of probity and accountability (in the words of the late President JJ Rawlings).’”
She continued “As the time drew closer for me to vote and I felt the increasing tension in the room, and I decided to put my camera on video mode.
“I knew it was risky taking my phone into the booth, because there was a chance that the Speaker might chastise me openly. I told my colleagues sitting in my section what I was going to do and why. I got to the voting booth and nervously lifted my phone to record my hand ticking the ‘No’ column, feeling so annoyed that I was having to subject myself to this! When I got to my seat, I checked the video to make sure it had captured my vote, and then informed my colleagues that it had worked! I then suggested that they do same, for their own protection.
“I must admit that I was still shocked by the results. I was crestfallen! But even the knowledge of my evidence of how I voted, did not bring me the relief I had hoped for. People were looking up to us, and we had let the side down.”
She also expressed disappointment in her colleague Minority MPs who voted against the party’s decision and supported the majority side to approve the President’s nominees.
Read details of the full statement below:
The I in the Collective!
The NDC took a decision to vote against the President’s nominations on principle. We needed President Akufo-Addo to avert his mind to the bloated size of his government/cabinet to show the commitment of the Executive to reduce its expenditure as the government struggles with unsustainable debt.
If you disagree with a position the party and leadership have taken, have the courage of your convictions and speak up! It is cowardice and treachery to hide within the collective to pursue your individual parochial agenda!!! For the first time, I was forced to keep evidence of my votes to protect my integrity and my name!
I’m still reeling from the outcome of the secret ballot in the House on Friday. I’ve sat with the sad realisation that the unfortunate side of being part of a collective is the collective shame that comes with the actions of a few unknown faces whose actions affect everyone.
In the Chamber, when the back and forth was done, the voting began amidst threats to annul your vote if you were caught displaying your ballot paper.
My sister MP, Angela Alorwu-Tay and I, began a discussion on how to ensure that we had evidence of our votes. The last time there was a secret ballot, the women in our caucus were falsely accused en bloc of having betrayed the NDC. Some unscrupulous person even used my picture and that of a number of colleagues as part of that ludicrous headline at the time. We had no intention of allowing our integrity to be attacked again!
The idea of taking a photo of my vote was so alien to me but given the high level of suspicion and finger pointing already in the public domain, I realised it was imperative to take such a drastic measure to protect my integrity, “in the interest of probity and accountability (in the words of the late President JJ Rawlings).”
As the time drew closer for me to vote and I felt the increasing tension in the room, and I decided to put my camera on video mode.
I knew it was risky taking my phone into the booth, because there was a chance that the Speaker might chastise me openly. I told my colleagues sitting in my section what I was going to do and why. I got to the voting booth and nervously lifted my phone to record my hand ticking the ‘No’ column, feeling so annoyed that I was having to subject myself to this! When I got to my seat, I checked the video to make sure it had captured my vote, and then informed my colleagues that it had worked! I then suggested that they do same, for their own protection.
I must admit that I was still shocked by the results. I was crestfallen! But even the knowledge of my evidence of how I voted, did not bring me the relief I had hoped for. People were looking up to us, and we had let the side down.
As I’ve enquired about the possible reasons for what happened, I’ve concluded that we are looking at a situation of different interests converging in a single outcome. So, what is the solution to this wicked problem?
As a party, we have been drifting from our principles and values not-so-slowly, and I guess this is a wakeup call that this drift can no longer be ignored or brushed under the carpet. It took a handful of people and a single iceberg to sink the titanic and with it, many innocent persons drowned or froze to death.
As I type and share this, I’m cognisant of the usual abuse that some people are happy to hurl at anyone who dares, however I know that my reticence on this matter will be even more damaging!
My father continued to advise and chastise the party in the face of sometimes outright abuse from his own, but he remained true to his convictions. I still remember vividly when from his hospital bed, he asked me how the people in my constituency were doing in the lead up to the 2020 General Elections. Even when he was a few days away from his own death, he was still worried about Ghana! On Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!
Alas! Our Founder is no longer with us, but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately! We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana!!
A Ghanaian of British ancestry who served as the previous Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, Kwasi Kwarteng, has made headlines in recent days due to information that he agreed to work for a Korean corporation for a fee of £10,000 per day.
He was ignorant of the fact that the company was involved in fraudulent activities.
Actually, it was a fabrication of a political organization called Leading by Donkeys.
Moreover, Kwasi Kwarteng was not the only British Member of Parliament (MP) who was a victim of Led by Donkeys’ alleged duping scheme; there were about four other Conservative Party MPs who were also implicated in this.
Real reason behind this fake exercise by Led by Donkeys:
Details on parliament.uk indicate that a generation ago, the expectation of most MPs was for them to have another job, at least on part-time terms.
This was because until the reform of sitting hours in the 1990s, the Commons began work each day at 2.30pm, a schedule enabling many to continue with their profession at the Bar, or as a solicitor or journalist or doctor, the report added.
And then from the 1980s, another employment opportunity became widespread: MPs being able to act as consultants to lobbying companies or PR firms, and in explaining parliamentary procedure and investigating the likelihood of legislation being passed to them.
It is premised on such a conversation in the UK that the lead investigative journalist for the exposé, Anthony Barnett, set out to investigate this.
He indicated that the document was an experiment to find out whether MPs will find time to take another job, “furthering the interest of foreign companies” during the UK’s cost of living crisis.
He also stated that MPs in the UK are allowed to take as many jobs as possible and charge the amount of money they want but a lot of citizens have been protesting against this freedom.
What the investigators wanted to offer the former UK Chancellor:
According to a news report by theguardian.com, Kwasi Kwarteng and the other Tory MPs agreed to work for £10,000 a day to further the interests of a fake South Korean firm.
The former UK chancellor met investigators acting as staff of the fake Korean company at his parliamentary office and agreed in principle to be paid the daily rate of £10,000.
A video of the said meeting, which was more of a job interview, shared by Led by Donkeys showed Kwarteng touting his competencies and connections to prove that he is the right man for the job.
After initially stating that he will charge £10,000 per month, the former chancellor increased his rate to £10,000 per day after the investigator told him they are willing to pay him between £8,000 to £12,000 per day for his role.
“I have been an energy minister for three years, I was chancellor. You know, I have got a lot of experience in the UK,” he said.
He added that his work as an MP will not be an impediment to his duties in his new role with the South Korean company.
Kwasi Kwarteng even went on to say that he can bring on board the former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, whom he described as “a great campaigner”.
Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the member of parliament for Akatsi North, has denied being one of the NDC lawmakers who disobeyed the party’s leadership’s directives not to support president Akufo-ministry Addo’s candidates.
The lawmaker claimed in a statement that his attention has been drawn to a list of NDC MPs whose names were circulating on social media on Saturday, March 25, 2023, and who were suspected of disobeying party directives by voting to approve the president’s various ministerial nominees on Friday, March 24, 2023. His name just so happened to be the 14th and last on the list, despite being misspelled.
Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe noted that he is responding to “this wrongful accusation” because ever since he joined the NDC from its inception and on his entry to Parliament in 2013, he has never defied any instructions or directives from the Party. This, therefore, comes to him as a shock and an attempt to tarnish his image.
He disclosed that he has informed the General Secretary of his innocence and declared his readiness to subject himself to any internal investigation to clear his name.
Mr Nortsu-Kotoe further assured his supporters, rank and file of members of the NDC and the Branch and Constituency Executives of the Akatsi North Constituency not to be disturbed by “this calculated attempt to malign me.”
He prayed that in this period of Lent, God should fight “this battle for me as He has always done.”
“My tears and bitterness shall be a bath of generational curse on them that are behind this as it was on traitors and liars and wrongful accusers,” he cursed.
In preparation for the anti-government demonstrations that opposition leader Raila Odinga has called for on Monday, the Kenya Railways Corporation has halted all commuter train service in the nation’s capital, Nairobi.
In a statement on Sunday, the Kenya Railways management attributed the decision to “unavoidable circumstances.”
“We do sincerely apologise to all our esteemed customers for any inconvenience caused,” it said.
However, the train operator said all its commuter trains between the old railway station in the city centre (Nairobi Central Station) to the Nairobi-Mombasa railway station (Nairobi Terminus) – would run as scheduled.
The opposition coalition is holding protests in Nairobi and other parts of the country to push for electoral reforms and reduction of prices of basic commodities.
On Sunday, the police chief banned the protests, but the opposition has maintained that the protests will be held within the law.
Former deputy general secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has poked Mahama for not receiving any US Presidential visit during his tenure in office as President.
He claims that while four of the presidents during their time had visits from the vice president or the president of the United States who was in office at the time, the same could not be said of John Mahama.
He went on to list the four as former presidents Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and John Evans Atta Mills as well as current President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“Clinton came to Ghana during JJ’s time, Bush came during Kufuor’s time, Obama came during Atta-Mills’ time, Kamala Harris is coming during the time of Nana Addo. Is it not striking that someone is missing in the equation of the 4th Republic Presidents of Ghana? Na who cause am?” Mr Anyidoho questioned.
His list excluded former President John Dramani Mahama whom he has been critical of in terms of his governance and bid to return to office.
US Vice President, Kamala Harris on Sunday, March 26, 2023, arrived in Ghana for a three-day visit as part an ongoing tour of Africa.
The first female vice president of the world’s largest economy was received at the Kotoka International Airport by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
She is expected to hold talks with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on US-Ghana relations later today.
Clinton came to Ghana during JJ’s time, Bush came during Kufuor’s time, Obama came during Atta-Mills’ time, Kamala Harris is coming during the time of Nana Addo. Is it not striking that someone is missing in the equation of the 4th Republic Presidents of Ghana? Na who cause am?— Samuel Koku Anyidoho???????? (@KokuAnyidoho) March 26, 2023
It is a wonderful honor for her to be in Ghana and on the African continent, according to US vice president Kamala Harris.
During her arrival in Accra on Sunday, schoolchildren, dancers, and drummers greeted the delighted second most important person in America.
As she starts her three-day official visit to Ghana and a nine-day visit to Africa, she was beaming with smiles on a journey intended to deepen U.S. relationships as China extends its capture of the continent.
An excited Kamala Harris could not hide her joy as she was welcomed by vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and other government officials.
With a hand placed on her heart, she smiled as she passed by the hard-hitting drummers and the graceful dancers.
On her left-hand side were children cheering and waving both the Ghanaian and American flags.
“What an honour it is to be here in Ghana and on the continent of Africa,” Harris said.
“I’m very excited about the future of Africa.”
She said she wanted to promote economic growth and food security and welcomed the chance to “witness firsthand the extraordinary innovation and creativity that is occurring on this continent.”
“We are looking forward to this trip as a further statement of the long and enduring very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on this continent,” Kamala Harris said.
The Vice President of the United States of America has started her much anticipated diplomatic visit of Africa.
On Sunday, March 26, 2023, Kamala Harris landed to Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport.
The Vice President expressed her desire to strengthen ties between the United States and Ghana and the continent while present with her husband, Douglas Emhoff, and other top US officials.
Kamala Harris arrived in Ghana on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Photo Credit: Ministry of Information via Facebook
Madam Harris is embarking on a one-week tour which will see her visit Ghana and two other African countries – Tanzania and Zambia.
US Vice President, Kamala Harris in the company of her husband and other top US officials. Photo Credit: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia via Facebook
Delivering her first address, Madam Harris highlighted the significant role of Africa in the world .
She, therefore, hoped that her engagements while on the continent will foster investment in Africa.
These are some of the forever-frozen moments of Madam Harris’ memorable visit to Ghana.
Kamala Harris descended from the plane after touching down at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport. Photo Credit: David AndohA young Ghanaian presents a bouquet of flowers to the US Vice President. Photo Credit: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia via FacebookVice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, welcomes US Vice President, Kamala Harris. Photo Credit: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia via FacebookKamala Harris exchanges pleasantries with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister. Photo Credit: David AndohCulture on full display as Ghana welcome US Vice President, Kamala Harris. Photo Credit: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia via FacebookKamala Harris walks to the podium to deliver the first speech of her three-nation African tour. Photo Credit: Ministry of Information via FacebookSome Ghanaian students wave flags to welcome US Vice President. Photo credit: Ministry of Information via FacebookUS Vice President Kamala Harris touched by the warm welcome. Photo Credit: Ministry of Information via FacebookKamala Harris delivers the first speech of her one week diplomatic tour of Africa. Photo Credit: Ministry of Information via FacebookAmong other things, Madam Harris hoped her engagements during the tour would increase investments in Africa. Photo credit: Ministry of Information via FacebookKamala Harris radiantly smiles at the students who gathered at the Airport to welcome her. Photo Credit: Ministry of Information via FacebookUS Vice President walks towards students gathered on the grounds. Photo Credit: Ministry of Information via FacebookKamala Harris interacts with students who cheered on her arrival. Photo Credit: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia via FacebookKamala Harris escorted to the Jubilee Lounge after her address. Photo Credit: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia via FacebookGhana’s Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia interacts with US Vice President Kamala Harris at the Jubilee Lounge. Photo Credit: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia via Facebook
After the tornadoes that claimed 26 lives in the US state of Mississippi, the governor has issued a warning that more severe weather may be approaching.
Significant threats, according to Governor Tate Reeves, still exist in several areas of the state.
Hundreds of people have been displaced in the wake of the tornadoes which tore through Mississippi and Alabama on Friday night.
The mayor of one of the worst affected towns said he had lost personal friends in the disaster.
Friday’s tornado was the deadliest in the state of Mississippi in more than a decade. At least 25 people have died in the state, with one person confirmed dead in neighbouring Alabama.
Trees have been uprooted, trucks have overturned into houses and power lines have been brought down by the tornado – classified as “violent” and given the second-highest rating possible.
On Saturday, survivors of the disaster could be seen walking around, dazed and in shock. Sunday, on the other hand, has been a hive of activity.
Volunteers, some coming from neighbouring Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee, have been helping with the clean-up operation.
President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency and deployed federal resources to help with the rescue and response in some of the worst-hit towns.
The devastation is so great, it must be difficult to know where to begin. Crews are working to remove broken trees that are pinning down power lines, with thousands of people losing power during Friday’s storm.
Stations have been set up outside some of the few buildings still partially standing where people can collect water and sandwiches.
But while local communities are grappling with the response, there are warnings of further severe storms to come.
Watch: Governor Tate Reeves told reporters he was “damn proud to be a Mississippian”
Speaking at a news conference convened in the western town of Rolling Fork, Governor Reeves said: “What we’ve seen, much like the storm that occurred Friday night, is in the 24-36 hours that are leading up to this afternoon, it appears that the risks seem to be getting worse and worse, not better.
“And when you stand here and see this, what feels like a beautiful weather day in Mississippi, please be aware and please know: if you are south of I-55 in Mississippi today there are significant risks. We are prepared.”
The governor said it had been “heartbreaking” to see the loss and devastation caused by the twister, but said he was “damn proud to be a Mississippian” after seeing how locals had responded.
“Because Mississippians have done what Mississippians do,” he said. “In times of tragedy, in times of crisis, they stand up and they show up, and they’re here to help themselves, help their neighbours.”
In the town of Rolling Fork, the extent of the devastation is still difficult to comprehend.
As you approach the town from the south, you can clearly see the tornado’s path. A straight line of trees have been stripped of their branches and uprooted, while others to either side are untouched.
Image caption,A map showing the impact of tornadoes along Mississippi and Alabama
Debris is strewn across the acres of farmland that surround the town, where parts of buildings and vehicles were deposited.
Mayor Eldridge Walker, also speaking at Sunday’s news conference, said the town would come back “bigger and better than ever before” to rounds of applause from those who gathered.
“I’m not only just the mayor of this community, but I’ve lost personal friends,” he said.
“I’m also the local funeral director – now I’m having to meet those who have lost loved ones and help them make it through.”
US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas visited Rolling Fork, where he pledged to help rebuild stronger buildings.
Mr Mayorkas said the stronger buildings would prevent the same tragedy happening again as severe weather events increase in frequency and gravity.
He earlier pledged to help the people of Mississippi, “not just today but for the long haul”.
“It is inspiring to see the people of Mississippi come together… and the people of this country come together to assist those in dire need,” he said.
Soon after he spoke a lightening storm put a pause on the recovery operation.
The impact of climate change on the frequency of storms is still unclear, but we know that increased sea surface temperatures warm the air above and make more energy available to drive hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons.
As a result, they are likely to be more intense with more extreme rainfall.
A former hotel manager who was portrayed as a hero in the Hollywood movie Hotel Rwanda, Paul Rusesabagina, may soon be freed from a Kigali prison.
In what his supporters referred to as a sham trial, he was given a 25-year prison term for terrorism by a Rwandan court two years ago.
The sentence of Mr. Rusesabagina had been “commuted by presidential decree,” according to a government official.
Some 1,200 people are said to have been saved by Mr. Rusesabagina, 68, during the 1994 genocide.
In a statement his family told the BBC: “We are pleased to hear the news about Paul’s release. The family is hopeful to reunite with him soon.”
There have been international calls for Mr Rusesabagina’s release, especially from the United States, where he had lived since 2009. The Biden administration has said he was “wrongfully detained”.
His family say the Rwandan government lured him fromTexas, where he had permanent residency, back to Rwanda in 2020.
Mr Rusesabagina left Rwanda in 1996. His story remained largely unknown for a decade, while he worked as a taxi driver in the Belgian capital, Brussels.
It was featured in a section of journalist Philip Gourevitch’s 1998 book about the genocide, but it was the 2004 Hollywood movie, where he was played by Don Cheadle, that brought him global attention.
Rwanda’s 100 days of slaughter
The Hollywood hero convicted of terrorism
The Rwandan genocide lasted 100 days from April 1994, when 800,000 people, mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group, were slaughtered by extremists from the Hutu community.
Mr Rusesabagina – a hotel manager at the time – protected some 1,200 people from the violence, after they sought shelter in the building.
The following year he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-US President George W Bush for his efforts. But he became a fierce critic of Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame.
In a 2018 video message, Mr Rusesabagina called for a regime change, saying that “the time has come for us to use any means possible to bring about change in Rwanda”.
He was arrested in 2020, when, according to his supporters, a private jet he believed would take him to Burundi, instead landed in the Rwandan capital Kigali.
In September 2021 he was found guilty of backing a rebel group behind deadly attacks in 2018 and 2019 in Rwanda.
Mr Rusesabagina was freed alongside Callixte Nsabimana, spokesman of the Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change – an opposition political party.
A spokesperson for the Rwandan government said: “No-one should be under any illusion about what this means, as there is consensus that serious crimes were committed, for which they were convicted.
“Under Rwandan law, commutation of sentence does not extinguish the underlying conviction.
“Rwanda notes the constructive role of the US government in creating conditions for dialogue on this issue, as well as the facilitation provided by the state of Qatar.”
In recent years, there has been an increase in conversation about choking during sex.
While it is not a practice that everyone finds enjoyable, others find it to be a very sensual and erotic experience. Choking should only be done with the full and informed consent of both partners, it is crucial to remember that safety and consent are key in any sexual experience.
One reason that some people find choking to be an enjoyable addition to their sexual activities is the sense of vulnerability and surrender that it can create. The physical sensation of restriction that choking can provide can increase blood flow to the brain, intensifying the sensations of pleasure during sex.
This can be especially enjoyable for those seeking a more powerful and intense sexual experience. Another reason that some people may enjoy choking is the power dynamic it can create between partners.
Choking can be a way for one partner to give up control and become submissive, or alternatively, it can be a way for one partner to exert dominance and control over the other.
The power dynamic created by choking can be an exciting and arousing experience for those who enjoy it. It is important to note that choking during sex can carry risks if not done properly.
These include the risk of choking, suffocation, or injury to the throat or neck. Therefore, it is crucial to educate oneself on proper techniques and safety measures, such as using safe words and establishing clear boundaries before engaging in any sexual activity involving choking.
It is also worth noting that choking during sex doesn’t necessarily involve cutting off the air supply completely. In fact, many people who enjoy choking prefer a gentler form of choking, such as applying pressure to the sides of the neck or chest.
How to choke safely during sex
1. Communicate with your partner before engaging in choking. Discuss boundaries and establish a safe word to indicate when it’s time to stop.
2. Use proper technique. Avoid putting pressure on the front of the neck and instead place pressure on the sides of the neck or chest.
3. Be mindful of your partner’s breathing. Check-in frequently during the experience and stop immediately if your partner is gasping or struggling to breathe.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Despite an arrest warrant being issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a small opposition party in South Africa, has announced Putin is welcome to visit Pretoria.
South Africa is a signatory to the ICC, which has charged Mr. Putin with war crimes, including the kidnapping of Ukrainian children as part of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Putin is scheduled to travel to South Africa for the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in August.
EFF leader Julius Malema on Thursday said no-one was going to arrest Mr Putin while in South Africa, a country where Russia “played a huge role to support the struggle for freedom”.
Mr Malema said that the South African government should not give in to pressure from the ICC, which he accused of “hypocrisy”.
“Putin is welcomed here. No one is going to arrest Putin. If need be, we will go and fetch Putin from the airport to his meetings. He will address, finish all his meetings, and we will take him back to the airport,” Mr Malema said.
“We know our friends. We know the people who liberated us. We know the people who supported us,” he added.
South Africa has close diplomatic relations with Moscow in spite of Western condemnations. Last month, its navy held joint exercises with Russian forces off the coast of South Africa. It has also abstained during UN votes condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In 2015, the South African government was criticised for letting then-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir leave the country despite an ICC arrest warrant.
Leader of the largest opposition party in Zambia, Patriotic Front (PF), Given Lubinda, has expressed concern over attempts by the westerners to impose acceptance of LGBTQ activities in the southern African country.
PF leader Given Lubinda, referenced a presidential memorandum and an executive order issued by US President Joseph Biden on promoting equality for LGBT persons on Wednesday March 22, 2023.
“As Patriotic Front, we beseech Zambians not to allow the US to impose its values in Zambia. We must defend ourselves,” Mr Lubinda said.
“Since both bilateral relations and foreign assistance of the US are tied to LGBTQ rights, Zambia might have to review its relationship with the US,” he added.
He urged Zambians not to “abandon our norms, national values, religious and cultural standing to please the Americans”.
The party’s remarks come days ahead of the planned visit by US Vice-President Kamala Harris to the country next week.
On 14 March, President Hakainde Hichilema pledged to uphold Zambia’s laws that criminalise homosexuality and termed as falsehoods claims that his government supported gay rights.
During her nine-day tour of Africa that starts on 26 March, Ms Harris is also due to visit Ghana and Tanzania, where same-sex relations are illegal.
In Uganda, lawmakers on Tuesday approved an anti-gay bill which imposes harsh penalties for anyone who engages in same-sex activity.
Muslims have been warned by Islamic police in Nigeria’s northern Kano state not to transgress religious laws during the holy month of Ramadan, including “eating in public.”
According to local media, individuals who participate in social vices during the holy month will face punishment.
“Some of the youths who eat in public during the fasting period will not be spared either,” the commander-general of the board, Harun Ibn-Sina, was quoted as saying.
Mr. Ibn-Sina indicated that the board has sent officers to mosques to protect public safety during the Thursday-starting fast.
In the predominantly Muslim state of Kano, the Hisbah Board upholds Islamic law.
Reports that former president John Dramani Mahama was recently hooted at in Damongo when he attended the enskinment of the new Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jawu Soale, on Monday, March 20, 2023, have been refuted by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Savannah Regional branch.
This comes after a video went viral showing a section of the audience allegedly cheering as Mahama and other dignitaries, such as Vice President Dr. Bawumia and the Jinapor brothers, descended from the stage they were on to address the crowd.
The persons who were hooting, even though were a small section of the crowd, could be seen clapping and screaming “away, away, away”.
A statement from the NDC stating the facts of the incident alleged that the booing party were NPP supporters bussed from parts of the northern region for the specific purpose.
Adding that despite their unruly behaviour, Mahama “was welcomed with cheers and a loud applause as his brilliant speech touched the hearts and minds of his tribesmen, chiefs, and elders at the ceremony.
“There was absolutely no reason or cause for anyone whatsoever to hoot at President Mahama. The false narrative of being booed must be treated with contempt,” the statement read in part.
Explaining the source of the unruly crowd, the statement continued: “It was observed that a small group of people who were part of an unruly and uncouth supporters of the NPP were on the blind side of President Mahama and his delegation, shouting and recording themselves. In the process, the detachment of police and military personnel ensured that they remained where they were, without the people at the durbar hearing whatever they were saying.
View Koku Anyidoho’s tweet plus the booing incident below:
Please watch this clip in detail: JJ was never hooted at in Volta; Kufuor was never hooted at in Ashanti; Atta-Mills was never hooted at in Central; Nana Addo has never been hooted at in Eastern; Someone has been hooted at in his own Gonjaland – Damango. Hmm! pic.twitter.com/m86LpN38kf— Samuel Koku Anyidoho???????? (@KokuAnyidoho) March 22, 2023
The Ghana Armed Forces’ (GAF) Director General of Public Affairs, Brigadier General Eric Aggrey Quarshie, has discussed how some of the popular footage of the raid on Ashaiman on March 7 ended up on social media.
He said it was troubling that the military was having a difficult time due to the massive public outcry that was met with their intelligence-led operation because of the actions and inactions of personnel.
“The funny thing is that some of the pictures you saw were taken by soldiers and posted on their Facebook and WhatsApp pages,” General Quarshie stated.
“But for that, some of the issues may not have come out. But I just want you to know that there are a lot of people who are happy that we entered those areas in Ashaiman. Maybe if you live around that place, you will appreciate,” he added.
The military officer made these comments when he participated in the IPR AGM held at Kwahu-Nkwatia in the Eastern Region under the theme ‘Staying Credible Through Rough Patches’.
The March 7 military swoop
Dozens of military officers stormed Ashaiman in the operation that saw some soldiers entering the town in trucks, with an armoured car plus a helicopter hovering over the town.
The exercise is said to be in response to the gruesome murder of a young soldier, Trooper Sherrif Imoro, by some unidentified persons on Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Videos of the invasion shared across social media show various forms of assault being meted on residents by the rampaging officers who subjected some of the residents to severe beatings.
In a statement released in the early hours of March 8, the Ghana Armed Forces admitted authorizing the swoop which led to the arrest of 184 persons, as well as the seizure of suspected illegal drugs.
In the said statement, they also acknowledged excesses may have resulted in the swoop but failed to apologize for or commit to conduct a probe on same.
All suspects have since been released without charge whiles the police have arrested six people for their alleged roles in the death of Sherrif Imoro.
The government of Uganda has responded to the government of the United States after a threat of economic repercussion over a recently passed law that discriminates against same-sex relationships and the LGBTQ+ community.
President Yoweri Museveni was quoted in the statement that was shared on the social media site Twitter as strongly opposing same-sex relationships in Uganda.
The response posted on social media platform, Twitter, comprised quotes by president Yoweri Museveni stating the country’s strict opposition to same-sex relations.
The government’s official Twitter handle posted a quote from Museveni’s recent response on the issue when he appeared before Parliament to deliver an address.
“The western countries should stop wasting the time of humanity by trying to impose their practices on other peoples. Europeans and other groups marry cousins and near relatives.
“Here, to marry within the clan, is taboo (Omuziro). Should we impose sanctions on them for marrying relatives?” a follow-up tweet read.
In another response, the handle specifically quoted a tweet by Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State with a quotation by Museveni in a 2014 interview with CNN.
The quote read: “If the West doesn’t want to work with us because of homosexuals, then we have enough space here to live by ourselves and do business with other people.” (CNN, 2014).
QUOTE
“If the West doesn’t want to work with us because of homosexuals, then we have enough space here to live by ourselves and do business with other people” (CNN, 2014).-@KagutaMusevenihttps://t.co/VOxRE5UPg3
White House warns of potential ‘repercussions’ if LGBTQ law takes effect
The United States on Wednesday, March 22, warned of sanctions if Uganda’s anti-Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer legislation is signed into law.
“We would have a look at whether or not there might be repercussions that we would have to take, perhaps in an economic way, should this law actually get passed,” John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council said in a media briefing at the White House.
Lawmakers in the East African country had by a majority voted to pass the legislation a day earlier to much uproar by activists and rights groups.
Elements of the bill include:
– A person who is convicted of grooming or trafficking children to engage them in homosexual activities faces life in prison.
– Individuals and institutions which support or fund LGBT rights activities also face prosecution.
Local news channels also reported a proposed 20-year jail term for ‘any entity that funds or promotes any form of homosexuality’.
Uganda is a deeply traditional and religiously conservative country. The president is known to have harsh words for homosexuals and LGBTQ persons have routinely been raided.
The final leg of making the bill into law is the signature of president Yoweri Museveni.
Three accomplished Ghanaian women have been named among the 50 Most Important Women in Africa by Forbes Afrique. According to a recent article, the list recognizes female leaders who help their organizations expand, inspire young women, and have the economic, political, and cultural clout to have an impact on decisions made throughout the continent and in their home nations.
The annual 2023 list features these three remarkable women from Ghana, who have made significant strides in banking, mining, and technology and achieved international success in their respective fields. These women are Dr. Victoria Kwakwa, Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa at the World Bank, Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh, Africa Strategic Partnerships Manager at Microsoft, and Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo, founder of Georgette Barnes Limited (GBL) and President of the Association of Women in Mining Africa.
At the World Bank, Dr. Victoria Kwakwa is the current Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa (26 countries) where she oversees an active portfolio of 313 operations totalling $58 billion and an extensive program of cutting-edge analytic work, technical assistance, and policy advice. Since joining the bank in 1989, she has worked in various capacities as the Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific from 2016 to 2021.
Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo is a well-known figure in the mining industry, having founded Georgette Barnes Limited (GBL) and serving as the President of the Association of Women in Mining Africa. GBL is a renowned supplier of drilling, exploration, and extraction materials, as well as mining equipment. Georgette is also a co-founder of the Accra Mining Network and served as its president from 2015 to 2020. Georgette was recognized by Women in Mining UK as one of 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining. She was also awarded the Female Entrepreneur of the Year by Invest in Africa (IIA), a non-profit organization that supports African-owned SMEs across the continent, in 2018.
Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh is a renowned business leader who has worked for Global and African blue-chip companies such as UBS Investment Bank, ABN AMRO, GT Bank, UBA and IBM where she spent a decade of her career life. She ended her tenor with IBM as the Regional Director for North East and West Africa responsible for managing 35 countries in this region. She is well known for scaling IBM’s business in Africa. She is currently the Strategic Partnership Lead for Africa at Microsoft. Angela has lived and worked in many cities such as New York, London, Brussels, Lagos, and Nairobi and is currently in Casablanca, Morocco. Besides her professional accomplishments, Angela is also a philanthropist who has adopted Siti, a village in the Eastern Region, where she has provided them with solar-powered electricity and clean water. She has served on many boards and currently sits on Ghana’s central bank, the Bank of Ghana. Angela is an Alumna of Harvard Business School.
Ghana takes pride in these women who are making waves on a prestigious list in Africa as the world celebrates women. Their accomplishments have been a great source of inspiration to many young women, reminding them that with hard work and determination, anything is attainable. Their success in male-dominated industries like mining, banking, and technology is especially inspiring to young girls who aspire to follow in their footsteps. These women are exceptional role models who prove that perseverance and dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements.
China would like to enhance communications with Ghana to seek proper resolution of Ghana’s debt issue, its foreign ministry said on Thursday,
Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remark in response to a question on Ghana’s finance minister visiting Beijing for a proposed restructuring of Ghana’s debt.
The dollar remained near seven-week lows as the U.S. Federal Reserve hinted that its rate hike program might be coming to an end, but the rand rose against the dollar in early trade on Thursday March 23 2023.
The Fed on Wednesday raised interest rates by a widely expected 25 basis points (bps) and indicated it might pause further increases after the recent collapse of two U.S. banks.
At 0630 GMT, the rand traded at 18.1475 against the dollar, 0.89% stronger than its previous close.
The dollar index , which measures the currency against six rivals, was last trading down 0.44% at 101.99.
Headline inflation in South Africa rose slightly in February to 7% from 6.9% in January, data showed on Wednesday, fuelling bets that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) would hike interest rates by 25 bps at its meeting next week.
“The latest headline CPI print corroborates the case for the SARB to remain hawkish next week in an effort to curb inflation,” ETM Analytics said in a research note.
The government’s benchmark 2030 bond was stronger in early deals, with the yield down 14.5 bps to 9.850%.
An Indian woman who is passionate about Nigeria has revealed her reasons for yearning to travel there.
During a conversation with media personality Melody Fidel on Instagram Live, the woman expressed her desire to move.
The Indian woman claimed that she had always loved Nigeria and had been planning to move there, but that she wouldn’t be moving this year because of several obstacles.
She said she has devoted Nigerian friends in India who have taught her how to prepare different Nigerian dishes.
The Nigerian aficionado mentioned some of the national dishes she is capable of preparing and noted that she has some Igbo language skills.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has said on Wednesday that the US is “actively” working to resume diplomatic relations with Libya, but he would not specify a timeline for when the embassy would reopen.
After Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in a NATO-backed rebellion in 2011, Libya has had little peace. The country divided in 2014 into opposing eastern and western factions, and the last significant fighting was finally resolved in 2020 with a ceasefire.
Washington shut its embassy in Tripoli in 2014 and moved to its mission to neighboring Tunis following intensifying violence between rival factions. U.S. Special Envoy for Libya, Richard Norland, has operated out of the Tunisian capital, and took occasional trips into Libya.
A September 2012 assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, since closed, killed four Americans including the then U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens.
“I can’t give you a timetable other than to say that this is something we’re very actively working on. I want to see us be able to re-establish an ongoing presence in Libya,” Blinken said at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing.
Blinken did not provide any details on the active work he referred to.
Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf, top diplomat for the Middle East and North Africa, is currently touring the region, traveling to Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, and Tunisia March 15-25.
In Libya, the State Department said, Leaf will meet with senior Libyan officials “to underscore U.S. support for UN-facilitated efforts to promote consensus leading to elections in 2023.”
“There’s also an important moment where through the work of the UN envoy, there may be, and I emphasize maybe, a path forward to moving Libya in a better direction including getting election for legitimate government and our diplomats are deeply engaged in that,” Blinken added.
The OPEC member country has been locked in political stalemate since late 2021 when a scheduled election was canceled because of disputes over the rules and the eastern-based parliament, the House of Representatives, withdrew support from the interim government.
Peacemaking efforts have focused on getting the House of Representatives and the High State Council to agree on a constitutional basis for elections and on voting rules.
The United Nations’ special envoy for Libya last month moved to take charge of a stalled political process to enable elections that are seen as the path to resolving years of conflict.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday that there have been eight further confirmed cases of Marburg disease in Equatorial Guinea.
Since the epidemic of the fatal disease comparable to Ebola was identified in February, there have been nine laboratory-confirmed cases and 20 probable cases. There have reportedly been 20 fatalities.
The WHO said in a statement that of the eight new cases, two were reported from the Kie-Ntem province of the Central African nation, four from the Litoral province, and two from the Centre-Sur province.
The areas reporting cases are about 150 kilometres (93 miles) apart, suggesting a wider transmission of the virus, the WHO said.
“The confirmation of these new cases is a critical signal to scale up response efforts to quickly stop the chain of transmission,” WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said in the statement.
Marburg virus disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever that can have a fatality rate of up to 88%, according to the WHO.
Symptoms include fever, fatigue and blood-stained vomit and diarrhoea. There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat it.
Neighbouring Cameroon also detected two suspected cases of Marburg disease last month despite restricting movement along the border to avoid contagion.
In 2022, Shell made claims of a substantial decrease in oil spills caused by sabotage in Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta, which was attributable to the shutdown of activities for six months following attacks.
According to Shell’s annual report, which was obtained by Reuters news, the amount of crude oil spilt as a result of sabotage in the Delta decreased to 600 tonnes from 3,300 tonnes the previous year. Such leaks decreased from 106 to 7
“The decreased number of incidents in 2022 correlates with a shutdown of production for about six months because of an unprecedented increase of crude oil theft from the Trans Niger,” it said.
The primary onshore oil and gas joint venture in Nigeria is operated by Shell and is called SPDC. For years, operational problems, theft, and sabotage have plagued SPDC.
A well-known entrepreneur in the the sale of aphrodisiacs, Hauwa Saidu Mohammed, alias Jaruma, has revealed that she bills N1 million for an in-person appointment and N250,000 for phone call meetings.
She made this known on the 5th episode of Showmax’s ‘The Real Housewives of Abuja’, where she stated that the women were privileged to have her seated with them as she barely attends events when she is not paid.
She said: “Yes it is a privilege. How much is it? Talking to Jaruma on the phone is N250,000. Seeing Jaruma face to face is 1 million naira. Who are these peasants?”
At Tutupie’s lingerie party in the third episode, her remark sparked a fight between the sex therapist and Princess Jecoco, which ultimately resulted in Jaruma abandoning the event and leaving her assistant to conduct the sex therapy session.
Speaking to Jaruma definitely cost her clients a lot of coins! And she expects the Real Housewives to accord her respect based on that.
Did you know it was this expensive to contact her?
The anti-LGBTQ law enacted by Ugandan parliament has been considered deplorable by the UN and the NGO Amnesty International.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda was urged by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to veto the anti-homosexuality law.
The anti-gay legislation that Uganda’s parliament passed imposes severe penalties on same-sex partnerships there.
Despite a hectic session, the House of Representatives conducted its last vote on the bill on Tuesday, and the Speaker of the House determined that the “Ayes have it,” according to AFP news.
Even though homosexuality is already illegal in the country, the anti-gay legislation proposes that anyone in the conservative East African nation who engages in same-sex activity or who identifies publicly as LGBTQ could face up to 10 years in prison.
In a report by Africanews.com, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called on Museveni on Wednesday not to enact the law.
“The passage of this discriminatory text -probably the worst of its kind in the world– is a deeply troubling development,” he said in a statement.
“If signed into law by the president, (this law) will make lesbians, gays and bisexuals criminals in Uganda simply by existing (…). It could give carte blanche to the systematic violation of almost all their human rights,” he added.
Amnesty’s director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, in a statement said “this ambiguous, vaguely worded law criminalizes even those who promote “homosexuality”.
The aim of Congolese engineer Jean-Patrice Kéka while growing up were only to be remarkable and pursue his aspirations. This was evidenced by him as a young child when he constructed a sailplane from raffia, radio transmitters from nails, and later increased his passion in aviation by launching his first rocket with matches.
Kéka was hoping for the motivation he needed to pursue his goals even farther, just like the rockets he hoped to make one day, but was disappointed when his college lecturers told him it was impossible for an African to construct a rocket. Kéka was not deterred by the jeers and slurs, though; instead, he retained his focus on the broader picture and was determined to become the first African to win the race.
His dream has been to enable Congolese people to appreciate the essence of space research. However, in a country where many live on less than $2 a day and war drums often beat in rural communities, bread-and-butter issues are the highest priority to many people. The unifying force of the innovation he is pursuing is the least priority of his people. He is however resolute that if he could get his invention into space someday, it could be the stitch that will bring the people together under one umbrella, even if for a few hours.
In 2007, he launched his first rocket, which he called Troposphere 1. It was 1 meter high and weighed 20 kilograms, according to Le Monde. Though the launch wasn’t successful because the homemade rocket was poorly insulated and rainwater tampered with its engine system, he observed the mistakes of his previous invention and applied them to the next rocket, Troposphere 2.
Troposphere 2 was a success. It flew at 1,500 meters of altitude. Enthused by this streak of breakthrough, he set his objective to launch Troposphere 4, which was much heavier than the earlier two. It weighed 250 kilograms and was able to fly above 1,500 kilometers.
But, his next dream to get a bigger rocket, Troposphere 5, into outer space hit a snag; it was larger and weightier than the rest. He hoped it would reach 36 kilometers, but its combustion chamber caught fire even before it made that mark.
Kéka recalled this vividly in 2009, the rocket skidded off its trajectory and crashed to the ground. He is of the view that the hallmark of science is a double-barreled pole with its successes and failures. Currently, the bigger objective is yet to be attained, he hopes to get his Troposphere out of the earth’s surface at an altitude of about 8 and 15 kilometers.
While working on getting a 15-meter-long rocket expected to reach 200 kilometers off the ground, he got the needed international attention. His resilience and unwavering aspiration were filmed by Swiss documentary makers, Christian Denisart and Daniel Wiss, who helped him raise about €25,000 via a participatory financing scheme in support of his project.
He met with the Swiss first astronaut, Claude Nicollier, who interacted with and inspired him. He hopes his Troposphere 6, which is set to take off this year will be a success. With the help of a Swiss microbiologist, he is hoping to test the possibility of bacteria getting into space. Though there is resistance from animal rights activists against him using rats for this experiment, he remains adamant and wants his homemade rockets to sign his name in the skies.
A member of parliament for the Buem Constituency, Kofi Adams, has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of selecting an electoral commissioner who is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to a 3newsonline story, he asserts that Dr. Peter Appiahene, one of the recently selected members of the EC, is a well-known NPP activist and a part of the party’s Bono Region media team.
“Dr Peter Appiahene is known NPP activist in the Bono Region, he is a member of the NPP communications team in the Bono region…clearly, there is everything wrong with the persons the president has appointed. The President has appointed known activists of the NPP.
“President Akufo-Addo has been appointing persons known to be NPP activists, we saw the Bossman Asares and the Jean Mensas,” he said.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 on March 22, 2023, he further criticized the Council of State members for also giving the president the go-ahead for the said appointment.
“The Council of State who are supposed to be advising the president gave the go-ahead to make such an appointment. I am not just disappointed in the president but also the Council of State, they gave the go-ahead.”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently swore in three new members of the Electoral Commission (EC).
The three are Dr. Peter Appiahene, Madam Salima Ahmed Tijani, and Reverend Akua Ofori Boateng.
They took office at a short Jubilee House ceremony on Monday, March 20, 2023.
The appointments have, however, seen some criticisms by some factions in the public with members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) accusing President Akufo-Addo of packing the commission with members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Akufo-Addo appoints NPP man, two others as EC commissioners
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday (March 20) swore in three new Electoral Commissioners at the Jubilee House in a brief ceremony.
The three were: Dr. Peter Appiahene, Salima Ahmed Tijani and Rev Akua Ofori Boateng.
Out of the three, the appointment of Dr. Appiahene in particular has drawn a lot of political controversy.
This is because of his known role as a patron of the New Patriotic Party’s tertiary institutions wing, TESCON, specifically the University of Energy and Natural Resources branch.
Some Civil Society Organizations including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, have expressed misgivings over the appointment of Dr. Appiahene calling on the president to withdraw his appointment.
In his comments on the appointment, Bright Simons of Imani Ghana tweeted: “Seeing how Ghana’s Electoral Commission is always on the defensive about being totally independent & professional, I expect the top bosses to inform the Prez that they’d rather resign than work with partisan activists as that’ll sully the EC’s reputation!”
Lawyer and host of a radio morning show, Adakabre Frimpong Manso, recently claimed that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia was jeered during a visit to the devastated Kejetia market in Kumasi. Nana Ayew Afriye, Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore in the Ashati Region, has refuted this claim.
The vice president was allegedly abandoned by the MP and his Manhyia North colleague when they vanished while they were being heckled by the irate market ladies over the facility’s shutdown.
His response to the situation drew criticism on social media from pro-government users, including a presidential aide who used profane language to disparage Adakabre.
Explaining his side of events, Ayew Afriye said the vice president was at no point booed by the market women and that Adakabre was forcing himself by his actions to twist reality into an illusion.
“Adakabre this is pathetic!!! So Vice President had an unannounced visit & with all this massive show of love from the traders, all you can do is to twist reality into illusion then aka kakra bro…! Do all u can but remember those women at that point wanted 3 things;
“1. An emergency exit in kejetia …I found ds point sensible. 2. They chanted y3ne abrik))) …as they wanted the market opened. 3. They kept on in anger asking why not code off the burnt shops, and rather asking all of them to have their shops closed,” his post read.
He explained further that after Bawumia had addressed issues to do with the fire and announced that the facility was to be opened 24 hours later, he was rather cheered.
“So where was the hooting ? In any case in a crowd of say 2000 if 3 people decide to hoot at some1 for any reason why should this be news….Moreso it didn’t happen.”
Read his full post below:
Adakabre this is pathetic!!! So Vice President had an unannounced visit & with all this massive show of love from the traders, all you can do is to twist reality into illusion then aka kakra bro…! Do all u can but remember those women at that point wanted 3 things;
1. An emergency exit in kejetia …I found ds point sensible 2. They chanted y3ne abrik))) …as they wanted the market opened 3. They kept on in anger asking why not code off the burnt shops, and rather asking all of them to have their shops closed.
Indeed Vice President briefed them on the reasons for the fire and why they had to close the shop for 3 days. Subsequently VP announced the opening of the market the next day which got all excited.
So where was the hooting ? In any case in a crowd of say 2000 if 3 people decide to hoot at some1 for any reason why should this be news….Moreso it didn’t happen.
FYI the over 80 MPs for addae left same day to Accra on the 19th. This kejetia visit was on Monday the 20th and not the Sunday of Akwasidae wai
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, is once again being urged to resign from his post on the Parliamentary Service Board.
The calls that were made upon his nomination to the board by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on March 29, 2021 have been repeated in light of his recent election as NDC chairman.
Speaking on a recent edition of Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Morning show, former CPP General Secretary, James Kwabena Bomfeh (Kabila) argued that the NDC National Chairman “can’t continue to be a member of the Parliamentary Service Board”, while describing it as inappropriate for party officers to hold state positions.
“Party Chairmen, General Secretaries, party officers who are appointed to state-owned boards should also stop because the same principle applies there,” he said.
“You should resign,” Kabila reiterated as he condemned Mr. Asiedu Nketiah’s decision to remain on the Board.
In the same vein, former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan who was speaking on the same show “Asiedu Nketiah must resign from the Parliamentary Service Board, because how do you sit on a board that is duly informed about the president coming to deliver the State of the Nation Address and then turn around to also read an address contrary to what the president did. That is clearly a conflict of interest.”
Kwamena Duncan was referencing Mr Asiedu Nketiah’s True State of the Nation Address which sought to poke holes in the president’s address on the current state of the Ghanaian economy.
The Parliamentary Service Board is responsible for promoting the welfare of the Members of Parliament and staff of the Service.
In the event that Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is passed into law, the United States has threatened to impose economic sanctions.
Calls for Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to veto the “appalling” anti-gay bill were spearheaded by the United Nations and the United States on Wednesday (March 22).
“We would have a look at whether or not there might be repercussions that we would have to take, perhaps in an economic way, should this law actually get passed,” John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council is quoted to have said.
Lawmakers in the East African country had by a majority voted on March 21 to pass the legislation, elements of which include:
– A person who is convicted of grooming or trafficking children to engage them in homosexual activities faces life in prison.
– Individuals and institutions which support or fund LGBT rights activities also face prosecution.
A local media outfit, @ubctvuganda also reported a proposed 20-year jail term for ‘any entity that funds or promotes any form of homosexuality’.
Uganda is a deeply traditional and religiously conservative country. The president is known to have harsh words for homosexuals and LGBTQ persons have routinely been raided.
The final leg of making the bill into law is the signature of president Yoweri Museveni.
A number of African countries have in the recent past rejected LGBTQ+ orientation. Uganda’s neighbours Kenya have had the president, first lady and deputy president openly speak out against LGBTQ+.
Ghana is also in the process of passing an anti-LGBTQ+ law, a legislation that is believed to ave the backing of majority of lawmakers including the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
In the US state of Virginia, prosecutors have made video evidence of a black patient’s last moments available to the public. The patient passed away while being held in a mental facility.
A sizable number of police officers and medical personnel are seen pinning down Irvo Otieno, who was shackled and wearing leg shackles.
In connection with the killing of the black man, seven sheriff’s deputies and three medical personnel are accused of second-degree murder.
The 10 suspects in the case were indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday.
The prosecutor released video of the incident to the public on Tuesday.
CCTV footage of the struggle between Kenyan immigrant – Irvo Otieno, police and medics before he died pic.twitter.com/5STIcsvA3h
Mr Otieno, who emigrated to the US from Kenya when he was four, was initially arrested on 3 March as the suspect in a possible burglary, a police news release said.
He was placed under an emergency custody order, used when it is believed that a person could harm themselves or others as a result of mental illness.
It may take some time for the majority of wealthy people to fully appreciate the worth of their resources and holdings.
Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, has revealed details about how he once did something incredible: he went to the bank to withdraw a significant amount of money just to gaze at it. You did really hear correctly!
Aliko Dangote, who according to Forbes is today worth $13.5 billion, recalled making his first $100 million and the events that followed in an interview with Mo Ibrahim in 2019.
“When you first start a business, your target is to make your first million and I did that but after the years went on, I realised I had about US$12 to $13 billion and I said okay fine, all these numbers are just written and so one day, I went the bank where at the time, there were fewer restrictions and so I wrote a cheque to cash of $10 million dollars for myself.
“…So, I put the money in the boot of my vehicle and went home to open it just to look at it which made me believe I truly have money,” a hearty Dangote said while the crowd in the audience laughed and cheered him.
He further revealed that he went to the bank all by himself to cash the cheque, stare at the money at home and returned the money to the bank the following day.
Despite recording a drop in fortune of about $400 million, bringing his wealth to $13.5 billion, Nigerian business magnate, Aliko Dangote still emerged as the wealthiest person in Africa for the twelfth consecutive time.
This was captured in the recently released 2023 list of Africa’s billionaires compiled by Forbes Magazine.
Aliko Dangote, who is noted for being a renowned industrialist, is expected to see his net worth increase on the back of commencing production on an oil and petrochemical refinery, which is set to take off later in 2023.
The day Aliko Dangote withdrew $10 million from the bank just to stare at it.
The third-place finisher in Febuary’s presidential election in Nigeria, Peter Obi, has officially petitioned the court to annul the decision in favor of the candidate of the ruling party.
The suit filed on Monday is probably just the beginning of a protracted court struggle over the election scheduled for February 25, as it has with previous presidential contests in the most populous country in Africa.
Obi of the Labour Party was a surprising third candidate who challenged the dominance of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party by appealing to younger people (PDP).
Former Lagos governor and APC stalwart Bola Tinubu won the election with around 37 percent of vote, but opposition parties say delays in electronic uploading of results aided massive ballot rigging.
In the petition filed in an Abuja appeals court, Obi alleges that the Independent National Electoral Commission or INEC broke electoral law.
INEC has denied any illegal activity, though acknowledged technical problems.
Among other claims, the petition says Tinubu was not qualified to be a candidate because of a 1990s drug-related forfeiture of nearly $500,000 from one of his accounts in a US bank. Tinubu denies any wrongdoing.
Nigeria’s ruling APC won most of the states in the local elections, but on the back of a low turnout.
“The election… was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the electoral act,” the petition says.
It claims “based on the valid votes cast”, Obi won the largest number and “ought to be declared and returned the winner of the presidential election”.
The main opposition presidential candidate PDP’s Atiku Abubakar has also said he will challenge the results, calling the election a “rape of democracy”.
Analysts expect those legal challenges to end up the country’s Supreme Court, as they did after the 2019 election.
President Muhammadu Buhari steps down in May after two terms, leaving Nigeria grappling with widespread insecurity, economic woes and growing poverty.
Nigerians had hoped the presidential ballot would give them a chance to be heard, but many were disappointed by the way the election was conducted.
Voters and opposition parties complained last month that technical mishaps with voting machines caused delays and allowed for vote rigging, which the electoral commission has denied.
International observers, including from the European Union, noted major logistical problems, disenfranchised voters and a lack of transparency.
“The process of reclaiming the people´s mandate has started,” Labour spokesman Yunusa Tanko said in a statement on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, president-elect Tinubu appealed for unity, saying “the time for politicking is gone”.
– Violent intimidation –
Nigeria’s ruling party also won the majority of governorships contested in last weekend’s local elections, results showed Tuesday, following a ballot marred by voter suppression and violent intimidation which the US government called deeply troubling.
Elections were held to choose governors in 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states and state assembly lawmakers. Governors in the remaining eight states had earlier been chosen in by-elections.
According to the results from Saturday’s vote declared by INEC, APC won the governorship in 15 states — Lagos, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, Kwara, Niger, Yobe, Nasarawa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun, Benue, Kaduna and Borno.
PDP won seven — Plateau, Bauchi, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Zamfara states.
Governors are powerful figures in Nigeria and some control state budgets that are larger than those of several African nations.
In a major upset in the presidential election, outsider Obi won the most votes in Lagos, considered the fiefdom of president-elect Tinubu.
A big question on Saturday was whether Obi’s popularity, especially among younger voters, would translate into success at the local polls.
But the APC’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu scored a landslide re-election as Lagos governor.
Local and international observers said the latest poll was impacted by disappointments in the presidential election but also by tactics to scare voters, buy ballots and threats of violence.
“The United States is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during the March 18 polls in Lagos, Kano, and other states,” the US embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.
EU mission Chief Observer Barry Andrews on Monday said Nigerians’ expectations for Saturday’s election were not met in many parts of the country.
“Many were disappointed and we witnessed voter apathy that is a clear consequence of failures by political elites and, unfortunately, also by INEC,” he said.
His mission also said polling was disrupted by “thuggery and intimidation of voters, polling officials, observers, and journalists.”
“Unfortunately, there were many casualties and fatalities,” it said. “Vote-buying, also directly observed by EU (election) observers, further detracted from an appropriate conduct of the elections.”
Several people of the economic center of Cameroon get up early every day and stand in line outside a brewery to fill their water bottles.
The municipal water company As Camwater is unreliable, drilling for water is a lucrative industry. For many residents, it is their only choice and a fantastic deal for private contractors.
“Drinking water sources are extremely rare, it is so rare and not very visible and few neighborhoods have them,” Cédric a computer scientist deplores.
“So, when there is a point like this, everyone rushes. You could already see how difficult it is for people to get it from here. It’s a struggle, the struggle is real. it’s not easy at all. Accessing drinking water in the city of Douala is like a treasure.”
If the government says that Camwater supplies most of housewolds, it is clear that many the demand actually exceeds the supply. In addition to a lack of infrastructure, teh city of Douala continues to spread, worsening the problem of the access to drinking water.
Lack of infrastructure and growing population
“We live in peripheral neighbourhoods and the water is not safe for drinking there, Jodelle, a housewife says. “
So we’d rather travel to get drinking water here. Access to drinking water is still a problem in our country.”
Private contractors have launched many project for those who can pay. Indeed, drilling cost over 25 times the minimum wage. In the PK12 district near Douala, technicians are busy drilling in search of groundwater.
“Geophysical studies direct the way we select the sites,” Tindo Kaze says.
“We did geophysical studies here, and we were shown a source, we were told a point where we had to drill, that’s where we positioned the machin. They told us we could find groundwater about 50 to 70 meters deep, so that’s what we’re going for.”
Authorities have however warned: drilling works that are not made at the required depths or that have possible points of contamination around present health risks.
President Paul Biya might have got the measure of the issue: in his New Year’s address, he “asked the government” to launch urgently, “starting from 2023”, a “mega-project of drinking water supply” in Douala and its surroundings.
Tanzania has now acknowledged a Marburg virus disease outbreak.
Following the deaths of at least five people in Kagera and Bukoba, preliminary investigations revealed that some of the samples tested positive for viral hemorrhagic fever.
After a warning from district health officials, Tanzanian health authorities sent samples to the reference laboratory to ascertain the disease’s etiology.
Five fatalities and seven probable cases have been reported thus far, along with symptoms like fever, exhaustion, and vomit and diarrhea stained with blood.
Further investigations are ongoing.
Advance teams have been deployed in the affected districts to trace contacts, isolate and provide medical care to people showing symptoms of the disease.
Efforts are also underway to rapidly mount emergency response, with WHO deploying health emergency experts in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory and risk communication to support the national response efforts and secure community collaboration in the outbreak control.
Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to 88%. It is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease.
Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials.
There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat the virus.
However, supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival.
A range of potential treatments, including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies, as well as candidate vaccines with phase 1 data are being evaluated.
The death of the last king of Chad, Idriss Deby Itno, has led more than 400 rebels to life imprisonment according to the state prosecutor.
They were found guilty in a large-scale trial of “acts of terrorism, mercenarism, recruiting young soldiers, and assaulting the head of state,” according to Mahamat El-Hadj Abba Nana, the prosecutor for the nation’s capital N’Djamena.
While 24 other suspects were found not guilty, he did not provide an exact number of those who were imprisoned, merely stating that “more than 400 were sentenced” to life in prison.
The trial opened last month behind closed doors at Klessoum prison, 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of the capital.
In early 2021, the country’s main rebel group, the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), launched an offensive on the north of the country from bases in Libya.
On April 20, the army announced that Marshal Deby, Chad’s iron-fisted ruler for the previous three decades, had died from wounds sustained in the fighting.
Deby died just after being declared winner of a presidential election that gave him his sixth term.
His death was announced just a day after he had been declared victor of a presidential election that gave him a sixth term in office.
He was immediately succeeded by one of his sons, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who took the helm at the head of a 15-member military junta.
‘A masquerade’ –
Several defendants were also ordered to pay damages of more than $32 million to the state and $1.6 million to the ex-president’s family, said FACT lawyer Francis Lokoulde, who suggested there would be an appeal.
“It’s a masquerade that follows no law, no convention”, said FACT leader Mahamat Mahdi Ali.
“All that comes from a willingness to criminalise our struggle. The verdict is a non-event,” he said.
Defence lawyers had protested at the very short notice after the mass trial had been announced just days before it started on February 13.
Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno had promised to hold free elections within 18 months, but that deadline was extended for another two years.
Protests last October to mark the initially promised end to military rule met with a deadly crackdown.
The Chadian authorities first put the death toll in the capital at around 50, before updating that figure to 73 deaths. Opposition groups say the number is higher.
The Geneva-based World Organization against Torture (OMCT) accused the Chadian authorities of summary executions and torture.
A total of 262 people were then handed terms of between two and three years after a trial in the notorious Koro Toro prison, isolated in the desert 600 kilometres from N’Djamena.
The remote location and proceedings drew condemnation from international human rights groups.
Human Rights Watch not only denounced the mass trial but also the murders, forced disappearances and torture that preceded it.
The main leaders of Chad’s opposition now live in hiding or in exile, even though the junta lifted a suspension of several opposition parties in January.
Despite criticism of his authoritarian rule, the elder Deby was a key ally in the West’s anti-jihadist campaign in the unstable Sahel, particularly due to the relative strength of Chad’s military.
The Ugandan parliament just passed comprehensive anti-gay legislation that would outlaw anyone who identifies as LGBTQ and would impose severe new punishments on same-sex partnerships.
The new law approved on Tuesday appears to be the first to outlaw merely identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), according to Human Rights Watch, even though same-sex relationships are already prohibited in more than 30 African nations, including Uganda.
Parliamentary Speaker Anita Annet Among declared after the last vote that “the ayes have it” and noted that the “law passed in record time.”
Legislators amended significant portions of the original draft law, with all but one speaking against the bill. Supporters of the tough legislation say it is needed to punish a broader array of LGBTQ activities, which they say threaten traditional values in the conservative and religious East African nation.
The legislation will now be sent to President Yoweri Museveni to be signed into law.
Museveni has not commented on the current legislation but has long opposed LGBTQ rights and signed an anti-LGBTQ law in 2013 that Western countries condemned before a domestic court struck it down on procedural grounds. Nevertheless, the 78-year-old leader has consistently signalled he does not view the issue as a priority and would prefer to maintain good relations with Western donors and investors.
Discussion about the bill in parliament was laced with homophobic rhetoric, with politicians conflating child sexual abuse with consensual same-sex activity between adults.
“Our creator God is happy [about] what is happening … I support the bill to protect the future of our children,” legislator David Bahati said during the debate on the bill.
“This is about the sovereignty of our nation, nobody should blackmail us, nobody should intimidate us.”
In the Eastern Region’s Akwamu-Senchi Apaaso neighborhood in the Asuogyaman district, a mother who allegedly threw her infant in a toilet has been recognized.
The infant was plunged into a pit of tissues, pads, and other stuff via the broken base of a toilet pot.
When neighbors overheard a baby wailing for assistance, they forced open a portion of the bathroom structure to save the child.
According to the most recent update received by Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, the mother [name withheld] has been identified.
She was questioned by the police and has since been released on bail.
Rainbowradioonlime.com learned that she was released on bail so she could breastfeed the baby.
It was also revealed that the woman, married to a commercial driver and with three other children, kept the pregnancy a secret from her husband.
It is also said that she never went to an anti-natal clinic.
Reporting from the area, Daakyehene stated that per the information they received, the woman had what was known as a “cryptic pregnancy, so the husband was not aware.
It is also reported that the woman continued sexual relations with her husband while pregnant.
When questioned, she confessed to dumping the baby in the toilet because she did not want her husband to know about it.
She is said to have delivered the baby independently and dumped it in the toilet at dawn.
Meanwhile, the NP for the area, Hon. Thomas Apem Darko, has donated an amount of GHC 1,000 and other baby items to help the mother care for the baby.
Five members of the outlawed separatist Western Togoland Restoration Front (WTRF) were each given five years in prison and hard labor by a court in Ghana’s capital Accra on Tuesday.
They were apprehended in 2020 for breaking into a police station, releasing prisoners, and obstructing highways to keep Ghanaians from traveling to the eastern Volta Region.
The five were accused of acting in a way that was “premeditated, aggravating, and an affront to the national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country,” according to the court.
Also, they received a term for being members of WTRF, an outlawed organization that promoted the secession of Ghana’s Volta and Oti Regions.
In order to help restore the nation’s degraded landscapes, the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will launch the 2023 edition of the government’s aggressive afforestation/reforestation program, Green Ghana Day, next month, according to Benito Owusu-Bio, the deputy minister for lands and natural resources in charge of lands and forestry.
When he spoke on the subject of “Forests and Health” in honor of the International Day of Forests in 2023 on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the Deputy Minister made this announcement.
According to Owusu-Bio, this year’s Green Ghana Day has been set for June 9, 2023, with a goal of planting 10 million seedlings nationwide, 6 million of which will be planted on reservations and 4 million outside of them.
He complimented the Speaker of Parliament and the Parliamentarians for nurturing all trees planted at the occasion and guaranteeing a 100% survival rate while expressing gratitude to them for their active participation in the Green Ghana Day since its beginning.
Owusu-Bio took use of the occasion to make a plea to all Ghanaians and members of the world community to embrace and support the 2023 Edition with the same fervor they had shown in previous years.
The Deputy Minister in his speech mentioned some flagships interventions undertaken by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to address the challenges in the sector, these he mentioned include, the Green Ghana Day, National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), Landscape Restoration and Small Scale Mining Project, Ghana Forest Investment Programme, Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Project and the Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Programme.
He mentioned that to observe the International Day of Forests, the Forestry Commission had a week-long programme for school children, which was aimed at creating awareness and active involvement of children in the celebration while he called on all and sundry to support the vision of the President to restore the country’s degraded landscapes for better nutrition, better environment and a better health for all.
He also noted that the measures being embarked on by Government through the Ministry are yielding some positive results. However, he added that “we still need to do a lot of work in this area as a collective responsibility from all of us to ensure that we leave our children unborn a better and richer forest estate than we inherited”.
Some members of Parliament also took turns to contribute to the matter on the floor, stating the importance of forests while urging parliamentarians and Ghanaians alike to take it up upon themselves to protect Ghana’s forests which will go a long way to contribute to the reduction in Global warming. They also called on all and sundry to take active part in the Green Ghana Day to foster a better environment and health for all.
Among the members who gave comments include Alhassan Ghansah, MP for Brakwa/Asikuma/ Odoben, Gizella Tetteh-Abotui-Awutu Senya West, Alexander Afenya-Markin – Effutu,
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor- North Dayi and the Emmanuel Okyere Darko-Mensah, MP for Tarkoradi.
On November 28, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21st as the International Day of Forests and to be celebrated on the 21st of March each year.
The purpose of the International Day of Forests is to celebrate forests across the world and also create awareness on the role that forests and trees play in the socio-economic and environmental, development of our nations.
The United Nations allows countries to select suitable periods in the year to celebrate this day. Ghana, therefore, over the years has celebrated the occasion in June during which period we have good rains to plant trees across all ecological zones.
On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, former president John Dramani Mahama submitted his nomination to run in the National Democratic Congress’ flagbearer election (NDC).
The campaign team for John Mahama, under the direction of Professor Joshua Alabi, submitted the paperwork on his behalf.
To liberate Ghana from the NPP regime, John Dramani Mahama has urged the delegates to support his bid for the presidency in 2024.
He is pleading with the delegates for a resounding 99 percent vote in his favor.
Others contesting John Dramani Mahama include; Kwabena Duffuor, Ernest Krobeah Asante, and Kojo Bonsu.
The convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Mawusi Barker-Vormawor, has vowed to make the life of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo unpleasant due to the alleged abuse of some people detained by the government in connection with the secession of Western Togoland.
The activist claims to have knowledge that some people suspected of belonging to the successionist group are being held in the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) custody without being charged.
“I heard a story today that several Ghanaians picked up in connection with Western Togoland have been held in BNI/NIB custody over a year without any charges brought against them.,” he wrote in a Facebook post sighted by the media.
The activist also alleged that some of the suspects have died while in custody and the state without recourse to their families have since gone ahead to bury them.
“Some have died and the bodies were not released to their families but buried by the state at its pleasure,” he alleged.
He has thus vowed to make President Akufo-Addo pay for the treatment of the alleged suspects upon the completion of his term of office.
“I am praying to God, that none of these grave allegations of abduction and disappearance against Nana Addo’s Government are true.
“But if they are, I swear on my grandmother’s grave that when this man leaves office, I will make his life a living hell!” the activist said.
Article 57 (4) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana stipulates that “…the President shall not, while in office, be liable to proceedings in any court for the performance of his functions, or for any act done or omitted to be done, or purported to be done, or purported to have been done or purporting to be done in the performance of his functions, under this Constitution or any other law.”
Meanwhile, the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, has sentenced five Western Togoland secessionists to a total of 25-years in prison.
The suspects who were sentenced on Tuesday, March 21, 2022, were arrested by the police in September 2020 after they blocked the Aveyime road from Accra with sand and attacked the Aveyime and Mepe Police, Stations in the Volta Region.
The High Court convicted the five accused persons on 17 March 2023 after finding them guilty of offences contrary to the Prohibited Organisations Act 1976 (Supreme Military Council Decree/SMCD20).
The first two of the four charges under SMCD20 proffered against the accused were:
Attending meetings of a prohibited organization contrary to Section 2(1)(b) of SMCD20, and Making contributions to the funds of a prohibited organisation contrary to Section 2(1)(g) of SMCD 20.
The third and fourth charges were participating in the campaign of a prohibited organization, contrary to Section 2(1)(d) of SMCD20, and being a member of a prohibited organization, contrary to Section 2(1)(i) of SMCD20.
