Ghanaian broadcast journalist and the host of Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere, has suggested that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will sweep majority of the votes in the northern part of the country in the 2024 elections should he be declared flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In his recent documentary on Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidature aired on June 20, Paul Adom-Otchere attributed the Vice President’s victory to the good works of his father, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia.
Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia was a teacher, lawyer and politician, a Mamprugu Royal and Chief of the Kpariga Traditional Area at the time of his death in September, 2002.
He was a founding member of the Northern Peoples’ Party alongside Chief S. D. Dombo, Chief Abeifa Karbo, Yakubu Tali, the Tolon Naa, and J. A. Braimah, Kabachewura.
The Northern Peoples Party, together with the National Liberation Movement and other opposition political parties, later merged into the United Party, the forebearer of the current New Patriotic Party.
Alhaji Bawumia served under various Ghanaian governments including that of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s in various capacities, including member of the Northern Territories Council, the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly, a Member of Parliament of the First Republic, Northern Regional Minister, and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He was the Minister Local Government in the second Parliament of the First Republic.
Alhaji Bawumia also served as chairman of the Council of State under the presidency of Jerry John Rawlings from 1993 to 2000 in the 4th republic.
Per the documentary, due to “Dr Bawumia’s father’s influence during Rawlings’ regime and that of Nkrumah, he is likely to receive support from individuals in the north who held his father in high esteem.”
Paul Adom-Otchere asserted that with the current majority of parliamentary seats in the north held by the NPP, the Vice President has a comparative advantage.
Currently, the NPP holds 16 parliamentary seats in the north while the NDC has 15 seats.
The northern part of Ghana has drawn to itself significant attention as the country prepares for the next polls.
For the first time, the north is likely to have two of its sons lock horns to battle for the highest title of the land – the President.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will be represented by former President John Dramani Mahama, who hails from Bole in the Savannah Region for the 2024 elections.
The ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP) is yet to elect its flagbearer but among those competing is Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, born in Tamale in the Northern Region. He is the only northern among the 10 competing for the flagbearer position.
Already, Speaker Alban Bagbin has informed Overlord of Gonja, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunutu Jewu Soale, at his residence in Damongo of the likelihood of two northerners comepting for the first time.
“This is the time that the two main parties in Ghana are both deciding that the flagbearers will be our sons from the North. What I plead with all of you is for us to accept our differences and see how we can come together to prepare to receive the development that is coming our way.”
Should that be the case, the question of the day becomes – How will the people of the north vote? This has become crucial as the NPP has a marginal advantage over the NDC with regards to the number of Parliamentary seats in the north.
But this has not always been the case.
In a documentary detailing Dr Bawumia’s candidature, Ghanaian broadcast journalist and the host of Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere, revealed that 15 years ago, the NDC dominated the number of northern Parliamentary seats but have now lost majority of the seats to the ruling party.
Findings of the documentary are as follows:
2008 elections
In 2008, the NDC led by late former President John Evans Atta Mills as flagbearer and John Mahama as his running mate secured 21 parliamentary seats in the north out of the total 26 seats.
The NPP led by current President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, his then running mate won 4 seats. The remaining seat was secured by an independent candidate.
2012 elections
The number of seats out for grabs were 31. Out of the total, the NDC secured 20 while the NPP won 10 seats.
The NDC lost one seat while the NPP won 6 more seats. During this period, the NPP were led by the same duo but the NDC was not. The NDC was now led by John Mahama as flagbearer following the demise of John Evans Atta Mills. Mr Mahama picked the late Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as his running mate.
2016 elections
With the same number of seats for grabs, the NDC secured 18 and the NPP increased their seats to 13. Both parties were represented by the same candidates.
2020 elections
In 2020, the NPP managed to take the majority of parliamentary seats in the north by securing 16. The NDC picked up the remaining 15. Following the demise of Vice President Amissah-Arthur, Mr Mahama picked former Education Minister, Nana Jane Opoku Agyemang as his running mate.
Rationale
The NPP’s growth and NDC’s regression can be attributed to several factors such as government performance, performance of respective Member of Parliament with regards to development. However, the influence of whoever leads the party cannot be ruled out as a contributing factor.
Who takes it all?
Flagbearer hopeful, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has touted his optimism in widening the number of seats in the north for the NPP.
“They know John Mahama cannot take me on in the North. I will beat him in the North. This is why they don’t want me be to flagbearer,” he said to some NPP supporters over the weekend.
Zanu Mandela, a well-known motorcyclist in the Akatsi South Municipality, was tragically killed by unidentified gunmen near Holy Childhood Academy in Akatsi.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, June 20, around 7:00 PM when Zanu Mandela, a native of Akuave in Akatsi South, was on his way home.
He was shot multiple times by the assailants, who emerged suddenly from their hiding place.
The attackers also stole his motorbike, which had the registration number M-4-36-VR 23, along with an undisclosed amount of cash. Zanu Mandela also owned a mobile money shop called ‘Nezu Yayra’.
According to eyewitnesses interviewed by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the gunmen ambushed Zanu Mandela as he was approaching his house. The assailants shot him on the spot and swiftly fled the scene.
Neyram Satsi, another eyewitness, shared with the GNA that the victim, who was in his thirties, was returning from work when the suspected gunmen emerged from a nearby hideout and fired at him from close range.
“This is one humble guy that we all love to engage his services always. We don not know what should have necessitated this bad act,” he told the GNA.
Police sources has since confirmed the incident to the GNA and opened investigations into the heinous crime.
The Police have recovered the body of deceased and deposited it at the St Paul’s Hospital Morgue awaiting autopsy.
Some residents within Akatsi South, the GNA observed, have been calling on the Akatsi South Municipal Security Council and the traditional authorities to bring the town to order, saying “criminal activities are becoming too rampant.”
An ex-convict has been sentenced to eight years of imprisonment with hard labor by the Tarkwa Circuit Court in the Western Region.
The sentence was handed down due to the individual’s unlawful entry and stealing offenses.
The accused, Abraham Ayigra, a 23-year-old unemployed individual, pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently convicted by the court.
According to Chief Inspector Joseph Lartey, the prosecutor in the case, Ayigra had previously been sent to prison by the Tarkwa District Magistrate Court in 2022 for committing a similar offense.
During the court proceedings presided over by Mrs. Hathie Ama Manu, it was revealed that the complainant, Grace Boateng, was a food vendor and resident of Benso Wassa in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality. Ayigra also resided in the same community.
On April 26, 2023, at approximately 6:30 PM, the complainant left her house unlocked to fetch water. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage captured the accused approaching the complainant’s house, discovering the open door, and realizing she was not present.
Ayigra then approached a friend, informing him that he had a job for him, but the friend declined and left. Subsequently, Ayigra returned to the complainant’s house, ransacked her room, and stole an amount of GH￠25,000.00, which was concealed in a small container inside an empty margarine container. Additionally, he took an unspecified amount of money, medication, and a red and black purse.
The prosecution stated that the margarine container without the money was later found behind the palace of the Chief of Benson, while the purse and medication were discovered in a ghetto.
Following the incident, the complainant filed a report against Ayigra, leading to his arrest by the Police on May 2, 2023.
According to the prosecution, during investigations the ex-convict admitted the offence in his cautioned statement and confessed to the court that “l have spent all the money l had from the operation”.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, intends to protect loans received from the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) from the current debt restructuring efforts.
As Ghana faces a severe economic crisis and seeks to renegotiate $20 billion in external debt to improve terms and recover from financial challenges, loans from Afreximbank are expected to be exempted.
To qualify for the next tranches of the $3 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ghana aims to reduce its external debt repayments by $10.5 billion over the next three years.
Despite the challenges, Ofori-Atta expressed determination to exempt Afreximbank as a lending partner, stating, “I have to find a way to do it. It’s difficult, but we will strive and find a solution.” He acknowledged Afreximbank’s invaluable support during Ghana’s most difficult times.
In July 2022, when Ghana faced limited access to global capital markets due to high yields on its international bonds, credit rating downgrades, and currency depreciation, the country secured a $750 million loan from Afreximbank.
Afreximbank argues that its loans should be exempt from debt restructuring since it is classified as a multilateral development lender. The bank refers to the treaty signed by Ghana, which prohibits subjecting its loans to moratoriums and restructuring.
The treatment of Afreximbank loans has yet to be addressed by the creditor committee, which includes the Paris Club and oversees negotiations with developed creditor nations.
Ghana’s debt restructuring involves approximately $5.4 billion owed to China and Paris Club members out of the total external debt of $20 billion as of the end of 2022. The country’s overall external debt stood at $30.5 billion.
In the coming weeks, Ghana aims to reach agreements with its bilateral creditors, as stated by Ofori-Atta during a recent press conference.
The loan obtained by Ghana from Afreximbank last year amounted to up to $750 million, with a seven-year tranche split into €100 million ($109.3 million) at an interest rate of 6.49%, including fees, and $101 million at 9.55%. Another tranche of $350 million was for a duration of 10 years with an interest rate of 9.33%, as approved by Parliament.
On Thursday, the Bank of England is anticipated to increase interest rates from 4.5% to 4.75% as part of its efforts to curb inflation.
UK’s inflation to drop in May and was stuck at 8.7%.
However, there are speculations among economists that the Bank may opt for a more significant increase of 0.5%.
Should the rates rise, it is expected that mortgage rates will also go up for individuals seeking to re-mortgage or those with variable-rate mortgages. Approximately 800,000 individuals are projected to re-mortgage next year.
As of today, a typical two-year fixed mortgage deal carries an interest rate of 6.15%. Meanwhile, the standard variable rate, effective from 1 June 2023, stands at 7.52%, as reported by financial data firm Moneyfacts.
In recent weeks, mortgage lenders have been withdrawing mortgage deals and swiftly raising rates.
Additionally, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced yesterday that there will not be a major scheme implemented to provide assistance to homeowners facing financial difficulties.
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has signed three loan agreements with a total value of $30 million and €20 million.
The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, inked separate finance agreements with Baraka, Societe Niangadou Distribution (NDC), and Access Bank Plc.
Under the first agreement, Baraka will receive a facility extension of €10 million. This funding aims to enhance Baraka’s capacity to supply petroleum products to marketers and mining companies in the Republic of Mali.
It builds upon a previous agreement made in 2022, where EBID granted a €7 million facility to Baraka SBP for the acquisition of 47 tanker trucks, expanding the company’s fleet to meet the growing demands of Mali’s economy.
The second agreement focuses on enabling SOCIETE NDC SAU to expand its involvement in Mali’s energy sector as a petroleum product supplier. It provides a revolving facility of €10 million to support the importation and marketing of petroleum products.
Together, these two agreements demonstrate EBID’s commitment to supporting projects in both the private and public sectors in Mali, with a cumulative commitment of 275 billion FCFA.
The third agreement involves a credit line of $30 million to Access Bank Plc in Ghana, dedicated to on-lending to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural business and related sectors, including processing, infrastructure, transport, and women-owned businesses.
Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President of EBID, emphasized that the signing of these agreements aligns with the bank’s strategic orientation to invest in the growth poles of ECOWAS Member States.
He highlighted Mali as a landlocked, non-oil-producing country heavily dependent on fuel transported by tankers from neighboring countries.
Dr Donkor stressed the importance of ensuring a consistent supply of petroleum products to support key economic activities, particularly in sectors such as industry and mining.
He urged all stakeholders to utilise these facilities effectively to foster the transformation of ECOWAS communities.
Representatives from each company, including Sadio Bathily, Managing Director of Baraka; Mamadou Niangadou, Chief Executive Officer of SOCIETE NDC SAU of Mali, and Olumide Olatunji, Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, expressed their appreciation and commitment to utilizing the financing to drive growth, enhance operations, and contribute to the development of their respective sectors.
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development remains dedicated to its mandate of promoting economic and social development in the ECOWAS region through strategic investments and partnerships. These agreements signify EBID’s ongoing efforts to provide financial solutions that spur private sector development and contribute to the sustainable growth of the region.
EBID is a leading regional investment and development bank, owned by the 15 ECOWAS Member States, namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Based in Lomé, Togo, the bank is committed to financing developmental projects and programmes covering diverse initiatives from infrastructure and basic amenities, rural development and environment, industry, and social services sectors, through its private and public sector windows.
In May, the inflation rate in the UK remained steady at 8.7%, the same as in April.
This halts the previous trend of declining inflation figures, which had been decreasing from a peak of 11.1% last year.
The Office for National Statistics attributes the high inflation to increasing prices in sectors such as air travel, recreational activities, and cultural goods.
On the other hand, the largest downward contribution to inflation came from falling motor fuel prices.
While prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks did rise in May, the increase was lower compared to May 2022. Additionally, “core” inflation, which excludes energy and food costs, reached its highest rate since 1992.
Furthermore, separate data reveals that UK debt now exceeds the annual GDP, a situation not seen since 1961.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made a commitment to reducing inflation by half this year.
During a fundraising event in California, US President Joe Biden made comments referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping as an authoritarian leader. T
hese remarks followed a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Xi in Beijing, which aimed to alleviate tensions between the United States and China.
Additionally, President Biden mentioned that President Xi appeared to be embarrassed following an incident where an alleged Chinese spy balloon was reportedly shot down by the US.
China said it “firmly opposes” Mr Biden’s comments.
“The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset, in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it, was he didn’t know it was there,” Mr Biden said at the event on Tuesday.
“That’s a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn’t know what happened,” he added.
The balloon, which China says was monitoring weather, drifted across the continental US before being destroyed by American military aircraft in February.
Washington later said it was part of a sprawling Chinese intelligence collection programme. Mr Blinken, who was meant to visit Beijing at the time, postponed the trip in the wake of the incident.
China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called Mr Biden’s remarks “extremely absurd and irresponsible”. Speaking at a regularly scheduled press conference on Wednesday, she said that the comments were “an open political provocation” that violated diplomatic etiquette.
Mr Blinken’s visit over the weekend, the first by a US secretary of state in almost five years, restarted high-level communications between the two countries.
Mr Xi said some progress had been made in Beijing, while Mr Blinken indicated both sides were open to more talks. Major differences, however, remain between the two countries.
Relations have plummeted in the wake of a Trump-era trade war, Beijing’s assertive claims over Taiwan and the shooting down of the alleged spy balloon.
The Ministry of Interior under the leadership of Mr Ambrose Dery has announced that Wednesday, 28th June, 2023 which marks Eid-ul-Adha, is a statutory public holiday.
As such, the general public have been advised to observe the day as such throughout the country.
The date may vary according to moon sightings in different parts of the world, but Eid-al Adha 2023 is predicted to begin at sunset on Wednesday 28th June 2023. The three-day celebration is set to end on Saturday 1st July 2023.
Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha to commemorate this profound act of faith and submission to God.
The religious celebration serves as a reminder of Ibrahim’s devotion and his willingness to sacrifice something dear to him for the sake of God. It signifies the importance of surrendering to God’s commands and trusting in His wisdom and guidance.
During Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims worldwide perform several rituals. The main ritual is the sacrifice of an animal, typically a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, symbolizing Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son.
The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one-third is retained by the family, one-third is distributed among relatives and friends, and the remaining one-third is given to the less fortunate and those in need.
This act of sharing and giving highlights the values of generosity, compassion, and community solidarity.
In addition to the sacrificial ritual, Muslims gather for congregational prayers at mosques or open prayer grounds. They also engage in acts of charity, visit family and friends, exchange gifts, and partake in festive meals.
Violent confrontations have erupted across the capital of Sudan as a three-day ceasefire, which expired in the early morning, neared its end.
Eyewitnesses have reported clashes between the Sudanese army and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum.
Furthermore, there have been accounts of anti-aircraft fire during a military aircraft operation in Omdurman.
The most recent cessation of hostilities was facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the United States. However, similar to previous ceasefires, there have been reports of violations from both sides involved in the conflict.
The armed conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary RSF initially commenced in April and has continued to escalate.
The prolific striker holds the record as Ghana’s all-time leading scorer, having found the net 51 times in 109 appearances for the national team.
His club career commenced in 2003 with Ghana’s premier team, Liberty Professionals. He subsequently ventured to Europe, where he showcased his skills in prominent leagues such as Italy’s Serie A with Udinese, France’s Ligue 1 with Rennes, and England’s Premier League with Sunderland, where he broke the club’s transfer record.
An interlude in the United Arab Emirates saw him don the jersey of Al Ain, contributing to the team’s triumph in securing the UAE Pro-League title while claiming the accolade of the league’s top scorer with an impressive tally of 28 goals in 32 matches. He also made appearances for Shanghai SIPG, Kayserispor, and North East United.
On the international stage, he was a prominent figure for Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, representing them in three FIFA World Cups held in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Remarkably, he holds the distinction of being Africa’s leading goal-scorer in World Cup history, having found the back of the net six times in total.
Additionally, he graced the field in seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, contributing to Ghana’s third-place finish in 2008 and their runner-up positions in 2010 and 2015.
In the twilight of his football career, Gyan returned to his homeland, Ghana, and played for Legon Cities FC. He also shared his remarkable journey and life experiences in a memoir titled “LeGYANdry.”
Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has revealed that the Government has designated the Tamale Aboabo Timber Market land for redevelopment.
The announcement came in response to a question posed by Mr Suhuyini Alhassan Sayibu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Tamale North in Parliament.
The MP inquired about the status of the Tamale Aboabo Timber Market, questioning whether it had been sold to a private developer and if there were plans for demolition. Minister Jinapor provided clarification by confirming the government’s intention to redevelop the land.
“Mr Speaker, the Tamale Aboabo Timber Market, measuring approximately seven acres, falls with(in) a public land situates and lying along the Tamale – Daboya main road,” the Minister said.
“This public land has been earmarked for redevelopment, in accordance with Government’s Urban Redevelopment Scheme, to redevelop underutilized public lands to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and give a facelift to our cities.”
Mr Jinapor noted that as part of the re-development scheme, by a lease dated 15th December 2020, but taking effect from 29th August 2020, a portion of the land, measuring approximately one point three eight acres (1.38 acres) had been granted to Fatuh-Kareeban Company, for a term of 50 years.
He said the lessee was expected to develop the land for commercial purposes only, for the benefit of the people of Tamale and its environs.
He said to be able to commence with the redevelopment, the lessee must be granted vacant possession of the portion of the land granted; declaring that “this will require the removal of some structures within the area”.
“Mr Speaker, it is, however, important to add that this is not a demolishing exercise, as there are no permanent structures on the land.”
Adding that there were a number of kiosks or containers that might be affected by this exercise.
He said the Lands Commission and the lessee would work with those affected to ensure the exercise was undertaken smoothly.
He reiterated that the redevelopment was necessary to ensure efficient use of public lands for the benefit of the people of Ghana, while at the same time beautifying the nation’s cities.
Mr Jinapor said similar exercises were being undertaken in Accra, at the Aviation City, as well as Kumasi, Cape Coast and Takoradi.
“I want to call on the House, particularly the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, to support Government’s efforts at putting public lands to judicious and efficient use.
Ghana is set to transition to an e-passport, which features a chip embedded in the passport, in line with international standards.
According to Alhaji Mohammed Habib Idris, the Director of Passport, this move will align Ghana with approximately 150 other countries that already utilize e-passports.
Alhaji Idris, who will soon assume the position of Ambassador-designate of Ghana to the State of Kuwait, confirmed that the migration to e-passports is expected to be completed and launched by the last quarter of this year. He also mentioned that work on the new system will commence prior to his assuming the new role.
The introduction of e-passports will enhance the security and efficiency of passport issuance and travel documentation processes in Ghana, bringing the country in line with global trends and technological advancements in passport technology.
Alhaji Idris further explained that the “nation’s decision to switch from the current biometric system to the chip-embedded passport is also to comply with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) member countries”.
Alhaji Mohammed Habib Idris (right), Director of Passport, sharing a point with Daily Graphic’s Zakaria Alhassan
“It is also to enhance the security and integrity of the nation’s passport,” he added.
The e-passport project, which is under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, is being implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
On the timely issuance of passports, the Director said there had been some improvement over the years and as a result, people no longer trooped to Accra to access their passports following the establishment of centres across the country.
The centres were set up upon assumption of office of the current government in 2017, and at the moment there are 13 passport centres in the country where applicants can access their passports.
“All what you have to do is to apply through an online portal we have introduced to allow us facilitate the process for you to have your passport.
“We have come a long way in the processing and delivering of passports; evolving from the issuance of high return passports to machine readable passport and now doing biometric passport.
All these are aimed at improving the integrity and security of our passport,” Alhaji Idris added.
He further explained that the online application portal was established to address delays in the system.
He, however, acknowledged that his outfit still experienced challenges sometimes following temporary breakdowns of the system due to the fact that over 100 passports were processed a day.
Except in emergency and peculiar cases, Alhaji Idris said the standard time for processing a passport is between 15 and 21 days, but “due to technical problems we are sometimes not able to meet this deadline.”
In her revealing memoir titled “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson,” acclaimed Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson provides an intimate account of her past relationship with Nigerian Afropop singer Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk.
In the pages of her memoir, Yvonne candidly discusses the reasons behind the dissolution of their bond, alluding to allegations of Iyanya’s infidelity involving Nigerian actress Tonto Dikeh.
Many including Iyanya, since the launch of the memoir last Sunday, have anticipated a fierce response from the Nigerian actress as she is known to be a vociferous woman.
After 48 hours, Tonto Dike has seemingly provided a response – and it is not what people expected. She neither confirmed not refuted the claims.
Rather, she reposted a post from Ghanaian socialite, Afia Schwarznegger. The post contains the image of what appears to be a book with a title that draws inspiration from Yvonne’s recent memoir.
“I am not Afia Schwarznegger”, the title of the book read.
Meanwhile, upon finding an entire chapter dedicated to him in former lover’s latest memoir ‘I am not Yvonne’, all Nigerian singer, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, could utter was one word – “Omo”.
The singer also wants the identity of the individual who disclosed to Yvonne that he had an affair with another woman.
What’s the name of the person who called her from my house ? After that question we will answer if her accusations are true or false and what really transpired. “LOVE & TRUST” https://t.co/TTFlfBiO9x
Authorities in France are conducting searches at the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games organizers as part of two initial investigations into potential corruption.
The raids are related to the awarding of contracts for construction projects associated with the upcoming summer games. The inquiries aim to scrutinize the process by which these contracts were granted.
A spokesperson for the Paris 2024 organising committee told the BBC the body is “co-operating fully with the investigators”.
On Tuesday, anti-corruption investigators arrived unannounced at the headquarters of the Olympics organising committee in Saint-Denis, a Paris suburb, as well as at the offices of Solideo, the public body in charge of building projects for the games, the BBC’s Hugh Schofield in Paris reports.
The French judicial organisation responsible for tracking down financial crime, the PNF, later confirmed to the BBC that their searches were being carried out across several locations involving the two organisations.
The 2024 Olympics take place from 26 July to 11 August, with the Paralympics running in September.
Tuesday’s police raids are the latest episode affecting France’s Olympic movement and sports in general in recent months.
In May, France’s National Olympic Committee President Brigitte Henriques resigned in a move that surprised many sports experts.
No reason was given for Ms Henriques’ decision, but it came amid reports of intense infighting in the organisation.
Earlier in the year, the bosses of France’s football and rugby federations stood down amid high-profile scandals.
The Ghana Hajj Board has indicated that 68-year-old Ghanaian, Zulfawu Ishaku, reported dead while on pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia was not a member of the team it took for the holy pilgrimage.
“The Ghana Hajj Board wishes to state that the reported death of a Ghanaian lady Zulfawu Isahaku is something the board like others, read from a section of the media.
“The deceased is not part of our registered Ghanaian pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj,” the statement said.
The first batch of 433 Ghanaian pilgrims were airlifted from Tamale to Saudi Arabia on Friday June 9.
It is unclear what caused Zulfawu’s death but sources say she went through difficult times during her stay which led to a worsening medical situation, resulting in her demise.
The deceased believed to have hailed from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region is said to have been on a visiting visa, which is not allowed by Saudi authorities for pilgrimage.
This year, the Ghana Hajj Board warned would-be pilgrims not to attempt to travel to Saudi Arabia with such visas as they would be arrested and handed over to the authorities. Over the weekend, three of such persons were arrested.
Meanwhile, the Hajj Board has noted that although it appears the woman is Ghanaian, the matter is one that the authorities in Saudi Arabia have to handle.
“The subject as it is falls within the remit of the Ghana High Commission in Saudi Arabia. We are unable therefore to comment on the subject,” Board said in a statement.
Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, the Registrar of the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE), has disclosed that out of the 7,728 prospective teachers who participated in the national teacher licensure exams this year, 6,481 individuals failed.
This means that only 1,277 candidates, representing 16.1 percent of the total, were successful in the examination.
Dr. Addai-Poku also mentioned that all the candidates had previously attempted the examination, with some individuals making up to nine attempts.
He highlighted that those who did not pass still have an opportunity to retake the exam later in the year before any changes are made to the format and content.
He said candidates who would fail at their last chance and would want to continue to resit the exam, would be those with first degree.
He stated that “those with a diploma will be required to upgrade themselves to acquire a first degree before they can resit the exam.”
“We are reforming and restructuring the examination and we will start it this year with those who have qualified to write it for the first time,” he added.
He said unlike the current examination where the candidates were examined in numeracy, literacy, and professional skills, this time around, they would have to be examined in a specific area of specialty.
Dr. Addai-Poku further explained that a candidate who aspired to teach geography must, in addition to the three areas, be examined in geography.
The Teachers Licensure Exams was introduced by the government in 2019 to improve the professional standing and status of teachers in the country.
The National Teaching Council is mandated by the Education Act 2008 (Act 778), section 9 to improve professional standing and status of teachers and to license and register teachers in Ghana.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is providing mechanized boreholes for at least 100 villages in his constituency.
Deve, Avilordzogbe, Nyagblorkpor & Ayiram are among the communities that have seen work begin. Drilling and constructing pillars are currently ongoing, the MP said in a Facebook post.
According to Mr Ablakwa, he is pleased by the fact that his dream to provide mechanished boreholes for communities deprived of safe drinking water is “taking shape”.
Ghana has been facing significant challenges regarding water availability and access, leading to a water crisis in certain regions of the country.
The water crisis in Ghana can be attributed to various factors, including illegal mining, population growth, urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, climate change, and inefficient water management practices.
The Ghanaian government has taken steps to address the water crisis, including the implementation of water management policies, investment in infrastructure development, and promoting sustainable water practices.
Efforts have been made to end illegal mining practices, expand access to potable water, improve sanitation facilities, and enhance water resource management.
However, despite these initiatives, challenges persist, and more comprehensive and sustainable solutions are required to address the water crisis in Ghana effectively.
Nana Prah Agyensiam VI, the Paramount Chief of the Owirenkyi Traditional Area in Assin Kushea, within the Assin North Constituency, has urged political leaders to exercise restraint in their language during political campaigns.
The Chief emphasized the significance of politicians’ conduct, as they are looked upon for guidance and leadership, which directly impacts the peace and stability of the nation.
These remarks were made during a courtesy visit by the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama. The visit was part of their campaign activities leading up to the Assin North by-election.
Mr. Mahama introduced the NDC’s candidate for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, to the Chief and requested prayers for his success in the election.
Speaking after the introduction, Nana Prah Agyensiam VI said “It is only God that can make one a King.”
He said he will invite the Assin North Council of Chiefs to pray for the candidate on Akwasidae but asked for peace because “without peace, you cannot develop.”
He said some candidates and politicians are arrogant but Ghana needs “managers to manage this country properly so that all of us will be beneficiaries, that’s what we are looking for, and we are looking for people who have humility and respect”.
He added that positions that create arrogance should not be in Ghana’s politics today.
I’m excited today, that former President has come to visit me. Quarrels are unnecessary.
To the politicians, reduce the intemperate language because a lot of people look up to you for leadership.
Andrew Tate, a controversial influencer, along with his brother Tristan and two associates, has been charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking, and the formation of an organized crime group for the purpose of sexually exploiting women.
The allegations have been denied by all of the accused.
The Tate brothers were initially arrested at their residence in Bucharest in December. However, in March, they were granted house arrest after a decision by a Romanian judge.
Andrew Tate attending a hearing in Bucharest, Romania earlier this year. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images)
The indictment deposited with the Bucharest court says that the four defendants formed an organised criminal group in 2021 to commit human trafficking in Romania, but also in other countries including the US and the UK.
It names seven alleged victims who it says were recruited by the Tate brothers through false promises of love and marriage.
Andrew Tate has been charged with raping one of the victims, while his brother has been charged with instigating others into violence.
The trial will not start immediately and is expected to take several years.
A Romanian judge now has 60 days to inspect the case files before it can be sent to trial.
Ugandan police have announced the arrest of 20 individuals suspected of collaborating with Islamist militants who were involved in an attack on a school last Friday.
Among those detained are the head teacher and the school’s director.
The attack took place at Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe, located in western Uganda, resulting in the tragic death of 42 people, mostly students.
The victims were predominantly burnt to death in their dormitory.
The Ugandan army continues its pursuit of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants, who are believed to have crossed the border back into the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where they maintain their base.
The Police have arrested suspect Napari Suheru, a football coach, for attacking a referee during a Division 1B football match on a pitch near the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale on 17th June 2023.
The injured referee was rushed to the hospital for medical assistance following the attack.
The suspect who is currently in police custody will be put before the court to face justice.
Meanwhile, as Police investigation into the attack continues, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has engaged the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr. Kurt Okraku and the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Peter Twumasi on the matter.
They have been urged them to notify the Police ahead of all football matches in the lower leagues as is being done for the Premier League in order for the Police to put in place adequate measures that will ensure security, law and order during these matches.
Professor Godfred Bokpin, an economist and lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has called for the resignation of President Akufo-Addo, citing the inability to effectively govern with a maximum of 40 ministers.
Bokpin argues that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program secured by the country is not a definitive solution to the ongoing economic crisis. He stresses the importance of the government implementing additional measures alongside those recommended by the IMF.
The academic suggests that the government should reduce the number of ministers and consider dissolving unnecessary agencies during these challenging times.
Additionally, merging certain ministries could help curtail government expenditure.
“Why can’t we do that? If any president comes and says that he can’t do that, he should resign.
“We are not looking for perfect people to govern this country because we can’t get that here. If the president cannot govern this country with less than 40 ministers, he should step down.
“We said that government with this number of people because we don’t have the budget to sustain all of that. Collapse that, sell the V-8s,” he said.
Professor Bokpin was speaking at the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Business Meeting. The theme was “The Current Economic Situation and You.”
The economist also explained that the IMF is not an entity that embarks on recovering economies by itself.
According to him, the international body does not have a single case study of a country that it has transformed economically.
He explained that Ghana use to shine under the body but the country presently shows otherwise.
“This is how the IMF works. If any of us is thinking that the IMF certainly will come and transform our economy, IMF doesn’t do that.
In fact, IMF doesn’t have a single case study of a country they have transformed economically. In the time past, Ghana use to be a shining example of IMF interventions but this is where we are now.
The lecturer, therefore, indicated that the country needs to decide on specific interventions or strategies to achieve the “broad fiscal policy framework” prescribed by the IMF.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has hinted that 53 per cent of males between the ages of 15 to 65 are engaging in drug abuse.
The world commemorate International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on June 26, annually. Theme for this year’s celebration is ‘’People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”.
But Acting Director-Public Affairs and International Relations at Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Francis Opoku Amoah explained that the percentage of women also now abusing drugs is staggering.
He mentioned that, they visited some rehabilitation centers and figures from the centers showed that, 47% of female are into drug abuse.
“Previously, when we talk about drug abuse, you will think about men but now figures from the rehabilitation centers we visited revealed that, fifty 53% of male between the ages of 15-65 are engaging in drug abuse while the remaining 47% are female .But so far, male are still dominating drug abuse in the country.”
Mr. Amoah said peer pressure, adventurous as factors that drag the men into such act whereas relationships, peer pressure and exploratory among the things leading the woman into it.
He was speaking with Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom on Adom FM’s programme, Burning Issues.
Acting Director – Public Affairs and International Relations at Narcotics Control Commission was asked how the state can curb this menace, he answered by saying most of those abusing the drugs are ignorant about the effects on them so there is the need for massive education to sensitize the youth about the dangers of drug abuse on their lives and the need for them to desist from it.
He also urged women whose partners are luring them into such dangerous behaviors to quit the relationship.
Francis Opoku Amoah stated again that, the rehabilitation centers in the Country are not enough to help treat some of these people who have become drug addict which is also a major problem in helping victims.
Again, he added that the law that changed their name from Narcotics Control Board to Narcotics Control Commission has also reviewed punishment given to those who are arrested for engaging in hard drug
“At first when one is arrested for engaging in hard drugs is arraigned before court and when found guilty, he or she is given at five years imprisonment but now with the new law, people who are arrested for engaging in hard drug, they are taken to court and the judges together with doctors will have to examine the fellow and they will recommend if she or she should be taken to a rehabilitation center.”
He concluded that, the new law allows persons arrested on drugs to be sent to rehabs rather than imprisonment.
Prominent investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has revealed his plans to unveil a documentary that will have a profound impact on Ghana.
Anas stated that the documentary, focused on certain politicians in the country, will be released before the 2024 elections. He emphasized that significant effort has gone into its production, which is why he hasn’t released any work on Ghana in recent months.
During an interview with DW Africa, the renowned journalist expressed his determination to shake the foundation of Ghana with this upcoming investigative piece.
“The work that I am doing now might be the last before we get into the elections. But already the signs are very clear and I can tell you that the foundation would be shaken once again.
“There are a couple of international ones that are about to be released. But this one talking to you as a Ghanaian, I mean the foundation of Ghana would be shaken,” he said.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas acknowledged that he is taking thorough measures with the upcoming documentary to ensure its impact is similar to his previous work, which resulted in the removal of former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Ade Boahen.
However, it is worth noting that Anas has faced criticism from a segment of the public recently, particularly following his unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
In the defamation case, the Accra High Court judge criticized Anas, accusing him of engaging in “investigative terrorism” rather than investigative journalism.
Furthermore, Anas faced backlash for his documentary titled ‘Galamsey Economy,’ which implicated Charles Adu Boahen and allegedly led to his dismissal. Some critics accused Anas of entrapping the former minister.
In a comprehensive overhaul, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria took decisive action on Monday by removing the country’s security chiefs and the head of police from their positions.
The defence chief, as well as the heads of the army, navy, and air force, were retired from their roles, making way for the appointment of new officers to assume these important positions.
An official statement said Mr Tinubu had “approved the immediate retirement of all service chiefs and the inspector-general of police, advisers, comptroller-general of customs from service … with immediate effect”.
In addition, Mr. Tinubu has taken the decision to dissolve the boards of all federal government institutions, although certain bodies such as the judicial council, electoral body, and police service commission have been exempted from this action.
These security changes come after Mr. Tinubu’s meeting with the security chiefs two weeks ago, during which he directed them to collaborate in addressing the various challenges posed by terrorism, insurgency, banditry, oil theft, and piracy.
Nigeria has been grappling with an alarming surge in attacks attributed to jihadist groups and other criminal organizations, particularly bandits who primarily engage in kidnapping for ransom.
During the previous administration, there were persistent demands from civil society groups for the replacement of the security chiefs due to their perceived inability to effectively address the situation.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Russian missiles targeted the capital city of Kyiv and several other cities, causing significant damage to critical infrastructure in Lviv, located in the west of Ukraine.
The attacks on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia in the south were reported as massive in scale.
Ukraine’s air force reported that they successfully intercepted and shot down all but three of the 35 drones that were launched during the attack.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in Lviv, although there were explosions heard in the city during the early morning hours. However, the head of the regional authority, Maksym Kozytskyi, stated that an important target was struck three times by Iranian Shaheed drones, resulting in a fire outbreak.
According to the Ukrainian air force, more than 20 drones were launched in waves from Russian territory in the north and from the coastal region of the Sea of Azov in the southeast, targeting the capital city. Kyiv authorities stated that this was the first such incident in 18 days.
In addition to the drone attacks, Zaporizhzhia was struck by a number of Iskander-M ballistic missiles, but thankfully no injuries were reported. Furthermore, three drones were shot down over the southern region of Mykolaiv, as confirmed by the governor.
It is worth noting that the Zaporizhzhia region has been a focal point of the Ukrainian military’s ongoing offensive to reclaim territory that was captured by Russia during its full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.
Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said hours earlier that Ukrainian forces had recaptured the village of Piatykhatky as they try to break through Russia’s front line in the southern region. She said it was the eighth Ukrainian village to be recaptured in the past week. There has been no independent confirmation of the latest developments.
In his nightly TV address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that in some areas the military was moving forward while in others they were holding positions against Russian attack.
The defence minister said Ukraine’s push had advanced some 7km (4.3 miles) in two directions in Zaporizhzhia, towards the occupied southern cities of Melitopol and Berdyansk.
The exiled mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, said residents had seen Russian forces leave the Kherson region further west for the front line in Zaporizhzhia.
Melitopol and Berdyansk lie on a coastal route from Russia to Crimea seen as critical to the Russian military because the bridge over the Kerch Strait from Russia to occupied Crimea is largely avoided by supply lorries. A Russian MP said earlier this month that the bridge was not considered secure but the “land corridor” was operating normally.
Western intelligence officials say Russian troops have moved away from the front line in Kherson since areas around the Dnipro river were flooded after the Kakhovka dam was destroyed on 6 June.
Upon finding an entire chapter dedicated to him in former lover’s latest memoir ‘I am not Yvonne’, all Nigerian singer, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, could utter was one word – “Omo”.
In her revealing memoir titled “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson,” acclaimed Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson provides an intimate account of her past relationship with Nigerian Afropop singer Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk.
Their union initially appeared to be a picture-perfect couple, capturing the imagination of many who believed in their happily ever after. However, as time went on, the once-promising love story took an unexpected turn.
Yvonne Nelson’s memoir delves into the details of their romantic journey, which began in July 2012 and garnered significant public attention as they attended various events together. But alas, by 2015, their relationship had come to an end.
In the pages of her memoir, Yvonne candidly discusses the reasons behind the dissolution of their bond, alluding to allegations of Iyanya’s infidelity involving Nigerian actress Tonto Dikeh.
The caller said anytime I left Iyanya’s place, another actress came over to him and sometimes slept over. The person felt strongly that there was something going on between them and thought I should know. That actress turned out to be Tonto Dikeh of Nigeria, one of the female celebrities Iyanya named in his “Ur Waist” song”
“When I was convinced about the authenticity of the information I reccived, I was heartbroken. I took to Twitter to rant and vent. Tonto Dike responded on Twitter, saying people changed and so did feelings, sol should move on”.
“I later heard more stories about what Iyanya did with some of his female crew members. It convinced me that what happened between him and Tonto Dike wasn’t an isolated incident. It was a pattern, his way of life. I knew I eventually would have left even if Tonto Dikeh hadn’t come into the picture. I did not see the need to keep fighting her for a man I had lost, especially when I knew her fate was not going to be different from mine.”
The singer also wants the identity of the individual who disclosed to Yvonne that he had an affair with another woman.
What’s the name of the person who called her from my house ? After that question we will answer if her accusations are true or false and what really transpired. “LOVE & TRUST” https://t.co/TTFlfBiO9x
Management of Maso Quarry Limited has called on a number of government institutions to address the ongoing illegal activities of encroachers on their lands and buffer zones.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minerals Commission, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly are being entreated to address the matter.
Per report, theft is being perpetrated by certain residents of Okobeyeyie, the community where Maso Quarry is located.
Approximately 60 indigenous workers of Maso Quarry Limited express deep concern about the potential collapse of the company due to unlawful encroachments on their lands by residents of the Okobeyeyie community.
Despite the EPA and Minerals Commission designating these areas as buffer zones after granting a permit to Maso Quarry Limited in 2007, when the entire area was a dense forest without any structures, encroachment continues.
The quarry company obtained permits from the EPA and Minerals Commission to operate on 140-acre land, which included a buffer zone specifically aimed at preventing any adverse effects of their activities on the community, particularly regarding stone blasting.
However, individuals who have forcibly and unlawfully encroached on the buffer zones and lands belonging to the company are falsely accusing Maso Quarry of negatively impacting their buildings, demanding the closure of the company.
These encroachers have failed to produce any permits, instead, claiming that the lands were sold to them by certain traditional leaders in the community, including the Chief of Okobeyeyie, Nana Opare Odei, and one Nana Asaase, Micheal Akrofi of UTV reported.
The constant threats and attacks on the company have instilled fear among its indigenous workers, who worry about losing their jobs if the company collapses. They call upon the EPA, the Minerals Commission, and the government to intervene and protect their livelihoods.
Responding to the allegations, Kingsley Agyemang, the Safety Officer of Maso Quarry Limited, refutes such claims. He states that after obtaining the quarry permit, the company duly compensated all farmers whose farmlands were affected, providing a total sum of GHC 2,254.25 each. Until recently, there had been no encroachment on the buffer zones.
Agyemang emphasizes that the company has renewed all permits since its operations began and fulfilled over 50 of its corporate social responsibilities within the first six months of this year alone. The company is committed to responding to proposals from outside the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality, prioritizing the development of the Okobeyeyie community and the entire municipality.
Furthermore, Agyemang highlights that the company has met all tax obligations to the Assembly and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), maintaining a clean record of compliance.
He clarifies, “The company has been in existence since 2007 and has employed about 60 indigenous people directly. Before conducting any blasts, we announce it in the community a day prior. The blasting process is always supervised by officers from the Minerals Commission, who use their machines to detect sound and vibration, ensuring we adhere to their prescribed standards.”
He adds, “They have encroached on our lands to engage in farming activities because some members of their community rent the land to them. We did not give them permission to occupy the lands.”
Ghanaian actor cum farmer, John Dumelo has revealed to Ghanaians that he has been in the known with regards to government’s request for actress Yvonne Nelson to contest in the 2020 Parliamentary elections in Ayawaso West Wuogon
According to Dumelo, he had a call from Yvonne prior to the elections where she informed him of turning down the offer.
According to him, Yvonne said “John, I can’t do that to you, I told them no, I can’t throw away our many years friendship because of politics”.
I remember @yvonnenelsongh called me sometime back before the 2020 elections to tell me someone extremely close to the current president had asked her to contest in Ayawaso West on the ticket of NPP. These were her words to me “John, I can’t do that to you, I told them no, I…
In her memoir launched last Sunday, Yvonne noted that she had been requested by an influential man in the Akufo-Addo led government to contest the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP.
“The NPP had lost its MP for the area and one of the “wives” of the late MP won the byelection in 2019. The byelection was characterised by violence and resulted in the formation of a commission of enquiry to investigate it.
“She was lacing her boots to contest the seat in 2020. When I drew the attention of the emissary to the fact that the party already had a candidate, he said the fact that he was contacting me meant that they had concluded their plans and would do everything within their power to pave the way for me to contest if only I was interested,” part of the memoir read.
According to the actress, “I asked him to give me a couple of days to think about it, but I had made up my mind the moment he broached the subject.”
She said she was not interested in the offer as she was not ready to represent the NPP.
“And was I going to allow myself to be someone’s political puppet? Once you accept to be sponsored by them, you lose your independence and they expect unalloyed loyalty from you. This was something I wouldn’t do even if I was interested. This person was the president’s family member. And from the modus operandi of the Akufo-Addo “family and friends” government, I wasn’t going to be their conduit, even if I was interested in going to parliament.”
She also revealed that since her colleague John Dumelo was contesting, she was not going to jeopardise their friendship any further.
“My colleague actor and friend, John Dumelo, was contesting that constituency on the ticket of the opposition NDC and they feared he could unseat the NPP candidate with his celebrity status.
Already, John Dumelo’s political affiliation had strained our friendship. We had had open exchanges on Twitter in the past and I wasn’t going to make things worse by openly contesting him. I wouldn’t betray our friendship to satisfy some people’s political calculations,” the memoir added.
NPP President hopeful, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, who was refused audience by the party’s Elections Committee for not completing his nomination forms has managed to successfully submit his forms.
Scrutiny by the elections committee earlier revealed that the forms had not been filled completely.
The acceptance comes barely 10 hours after he was turned away by the committee today
Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku was expected to be the first aspirant to submit his forms but that has not been the case.
He now joins the likes of former Trade Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who submitted their forms last week.
Also, former Agric Minister, Dr Afriyie Akoto has also submitted his nomination forms.
President Akufo-Addo has emphasized the risks and drawbacks associated with African nations relying on foreign capital markets.
He highlighted the need for Africans to establish and strengthen their own financial institutions in order to achieve economic growth through domestic resource mobilization and private sector development.
President Akufo-Addo drew attention to the negative consequences of depending on foreign capital, including financial leakages, high borrowing rates, and interest payments during his keynote address at the 30th AGM of the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank).
He stressed that such reliance undermines the growth of domestic financial institutions and hampers the overall development of African economies.
He urged his fellow African leaders to prioritize the establishment of strong financial institutions to foster prosperity across the continent.
“Unless we have strong financial institutions we are not going to develop, we have learnt over the decades that relying on foreign capital is both risky and costly. It has resulted in huge financial leakages to a high cost of default-driven borrowing rates and interest payments and undermine the growth of our financial institution’s domestic resource mobilization and private sector development,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Mr Akufo-Addo outlined some interventions that African leaders should embrace to overcome the current economic challenges. He emphasized the importance of capitalization and effective coordination with the African Union.
“There is capital and effective coordination with the African Union. Despite constant efforts made by many African governments during an extremely economic global operating environment, our economic financing institutions remain highly under-capitalised,” the President noted.
Afreximbank, a key player in facilitating trade and economic development in Africa, has taken a significant step by providing $10 billion in funding for the establishment of an adjustment fund.
This fund aims to support countries under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a landmark agreement aimed at boosting intra-African trade and economic integration.
Diana Danielle Edochie, the only known daughter of renowned Nollywood actor Yul Edochie, has been making remarkable progress in the online sphere following her parents’ highly publicized separation.
Embracing social media, the 17-year-old has garnered a substantial following on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, captivating audiences with her vibrant and fascinating lifestyle updates.
Her parents’ highly public and tumultuous separation, which has dominated headlines for months, stemmed from her father’s marriage to actress Judy Austin, who he also has a son with.
News of her father’s extramarital engagements was seemingly a shock to her Danielle’s mother Mary Edochie, who expressed her disappoint about the situation under an Instagram post her now estranged husband made about Judy Austin and her son.
This not only furthered tensions between the couple and the well known Edochie family, but also between fans of the couple who quickly took sides and fostered online debates about was at fault.
Diana also lost one of her younger brothers, 16-year-old Kambi Edochie, in March this year. Kambi was reportedly rushed to the hospital after falling unconscious after he developed a seizure in school while playing the game. The young and promising football enthusiast reportedly died soon after.
In recent times, Diana attracted attention when she decided to modify her Instagram bio, omitting her father’s surname and incorporating her middle name, thus becoming Diana Danielle Dubem.
Speculations arose regarding this change, suggesting possible estrangement or rebellion against her famous father, who happens to be the son of veteran actor Pete Edochie.
However, Diana has not provided any explanation for her name change, and it appears that she maintains a good relationship with her father.
Yul Edochie surprised his daughter by flying in from Lagos to attend her matriculation ceremony in February 2023. Sharing photos of the special day, he expressed his pride in her academic achievement.
“Congratulations to my daughter @danielleyuledochie on your matriculation. Mummy @mayyuledochie and Daddy are super proud of you. The sky will be your starting point. You shall be 10 times greater than your father and your grandfather. We love you.”
While Diana maintains a low profile on her timeline, she diligently keeps curious onlookers informed through her Instagram stories, sharing glimpses of her day-to-day experiences.
Diana seems to be enjoying her university life, as she chronicles her school activities and time with her friends on her YouTube channel.
She has uploaded videos of herself attending lectures, doing assignments, going out for lunch, shopping, and having fun with her mates. She also shares some of her personal interests, such as music, fashion, and beauty.
However, her other siblings, Karl Edochie (15 years old) and Victory Zane Chukwubuike Edochie (6 years old), are not as active on social media as she is.
Diana however seems determined in living her life to the fullest. She has not allowed the drama to affect her studies or her happiness
She has also received overwhelming support from her fans and friends who continue to send positive messages and prayers.
For the past three weeks, the Bontibor D.A Basic School in the Nkwanta-South Municipality of the Oti Region has remained closed due to a disturbing issue.
Certain individuals within the community have transformed the classrooms into open defecation areas, leading to an unsanitary and unfit learning environment.
As a result of this dire situation, teachers have been compelled to suspend their teaching activities, leaving the students without access to education.
Upon receiving reports of the community members’ inappropriate use of the classrooms, the Nkwanta-South Municipal Directorate of Education (NSMDE) intervened and supported the decision to close down the school.
Mr. Jonathan Korsina, the Nkwanta-South Municipal Director of Education, addressed the media regarding this concerning development in Nkwanta. He emphasized the importance of showing greater respect for teachers in the community and ensuring their protection at all times.
Mr. Korsina expressed disappointment at the community’s disregard for the teachers, emphasizing that such gross disrespect would not be tolerated.
The Municipal Directorate has given the chief and elders of Bontibor an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to providing a conducive teaching and learning environment while safeguarding the teachers. Only then will the teachers be able to return to the classrooms and resume their educational activities.
According to Mr. Korsina, as part of the conditions that would make teachers of Bontibor Basic School return to the classroom, the chief and elders should write and sign a letter to assure the directorate that members of the community would not defecate in the classroom again as well as to ensure the safety of the teachers.
He said teachers at Bontibor Basic School were dedicated to their work over the years and could practice the teaching profession in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, saying teachers like other workers needed support from the community where they work.
Mr. Korsina stressed that teachers of Bontibor Basic School would not return to the classroom until the chief and elders submitted a written document that would serve as evidence to guarantee the safety of teachers, saying the chief and elders would have the choice of ensuring that the teachers returned to the classroom or would turn the classrooms into a public toilet.
A 69-year-old woman, Madam Anita Appoh said defaecating in classrooms in the community was alien to the people because the community shared a toilet facility in the school meant for pupils and students, and the school authorities did not object to them sharing the facility with the school.
She said the negative development tarnished the image of the Bontibor community, and said she did not understand why people would refuse to use the toilet and rather preferred defaecating in the classroom, saying even class one pupils whose property the community shared with them would not defecate in their class.
Mr. Appoh said the condition is given by the Municipal Directorate of Education for the chief and elders to write a letter to the office, promising that there would not be any more defecation in the classrooms, to her it was difficult because if the chief and elders gave such an assurance to the municipal directorate of education and people again defecate in the classrooms, would lead to total closure of the school in future.
The Assemblyman for Bontibor and Salifu Electoral Area, Mr Justice Ameji expressed concern about the development, which he said started affecting the education of the children because the Junior High School (JHS) students missed a national mock examination within the period to prepare them for their final examination.
Mr. Ameji said the Bontibor community had put in place measures to prevent future occurrences of open defecation in classrooms, which included the provision of electricity to the school and would engage security in the school after the school closed until the following day to ensure that people would no longer defecate in the classroom.
However, when the Nkwanta-South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Bright Lenwah was contacted as to whether the assembly has plans to provide a toilet facility for the Bontibor community or plans to fence the school, he declined to speak and asked this reporter to see the Assemblyman for the area and the Municipal Director of Education.
Big Sea Trading LLC, a private company, has reportedly sent a letter to the Attorney General, stating its intention to refund €2 million to the state.
This decision is expected to bring an end to the prosecution of Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson, former director of the Ministry of Health, Sylvester Anemana, and businessman Richard Jakpa.
The trial revolves around their alleged involvement in the purchase of defective ambulances for the state. The Attorney General claims that the purchase resulted in a loss of €2.37 million for the state.
Despite the defendants pleading not guilty, the court has directed them to present their defense, as the minimum requirement for them to respond to the charges has been met.
Big Sea Trading LLC is the company from which the government purchased the ambulances, and Richard Jakpa is said to have acted as an agent for the company.
The company has expressed concerns about the ongoing trial, citing potential risks to its reputation. In light of this, it has made the offer to refund the money and aims to maintain a positive relationship with Ghana to further its business interests.
Section 35 of the Courts Act 1993 (Act 459) allows a person standing trial on charges bothering on economic loss to the state to admit to the offence and offer compensation.
Where such an offer is accepted by the prosecution and deemed satisfactory by the court, a guilty plea is entered for the accused and instead of imposition of custodial sentence, an order is made for the payment to be made.
It is not clear if the offer is being made under this law.
This is because the company wants to pay €500,000 upfront with the remaining €1.5m to be paid within six months. The state is being asked to release the 30 ambulances to the company and discontinue the case against the accused persons.
Per reports sighted on JoyNews and AdomNews, the Attorney General’s Office has rejected the offer by Big Sea but this is yet to be confirmed.
Sources close to the ongoing negotiations explain that this is because the AG holds the view that Big Sea is not one of the accused persons standing trial. It cannot, therefore, make such a request.
Lawyers for the businessman, Richard Jakpa, are, however, said to have written to AG to explain that Big Sea made the offer to him (Mr Jakpa).
The lawyers explain that Mr. Jakpa was, therefore, forwarding the said proposal for the Attorney General’s consideration.
They add that they have fully adopted the said proposal and have also brought it to the attention of the other accused persons asking them to confirm their support for the settlement process.
A man who identified himself as Mr. Atta has contradicted reports claiming that the occupants of a Range Rover involved in a crash at the traffic light near the Lands Commission Headquarters in Accra were intoxicated.
Mr. Atta clarified that the smell of alcohol, which had been reported and circulated on Twitter, actually originated from a broken bottle of alcohol in the vehicle.
According to Mr. Atta, he, his wife, and her sister had attended a party and were on their way home when the accident occurred.
He sought to refute the allegations of drunkenness made against them, emphasizing that the odor of alcohol was solely due to the broken bottle and not their condition.
“We went out Friday night with my wife, my wife’s sister, and my wife’s sister’s friend. So, we went for a program and after the program, we were coming home to drop my wife’s sister’s friend at 37 for her to pick a car to her house. After the program, the drink they gave us from the program, it was hard liquor, and we don’t take hard liquor so what we did was that we took it, that we’d take it home because we paid for it, but if somebody comes to ask that they want it, we can give it to them.
“So, on the way coming, when we go to the El-Wak Traffic Light, there was car in front of us and we were behind that car, moving in the same direction together. And I was the one driving the white Range Rover. Before we knew it, a car, approaching from the Lands area – from the post office area, hit my side of the car and then our car was just spinning around just like that.
“All the airbags came out and we were just praying, and then we went to hit the pavement and it stopped. That’s why the passenger side also got that damage because it hit the pavement and it stopped,” he explained.
Mr Atta continued his narration by saying that after coming out of the car, and with the advice of some other drivers, he was advised that they all go to the hospital immediately to get checked.
At the hospital, he said, they all went through the required processes there, got into an ambulance that took them to Kokomlemle for a scan, before returning to the hospital.
He then insisted that the claims that they were drunk are false because had they been, it wouldn’t have been reeking off them as much as had been reported.
“Nobody arrested us for careless driving… and you can check from the Police Hospital if we came there drunk or if anybody was smelling of alcohol. No! None was drunk in the car.
“The alcohol they gave us, we didn’t drink it. We were taking it home, so it was in the car so when the car got the accident, it got burst into the car. So, if you recall, the reports were that there was alcohol smell in the car, but if somebody is drunk you do not smell it the way it is in the car, so it shows that something got burst in the car,” he added.
Tensions ran high at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra on Friday, June 16, 2023, as the prosecution and defense clashed during the conclusion of the criminal trial of James Gyakye Quayson.
After the proceedings, Justin Pavra Teriwajah, the defense counsel, requested an adjournment until after June 27, 2023, citing the impending by-election and emphasizing the significance of the “national assignment” in which the accused is participating. Teriwajah urged the court to grant his client time to fulfill this crucial duty.
The Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who had been present in court but had thus far allowed his deputy, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, to handle the proceedings, rose to respond to the defense’s submission.
Mr. Dame sharply replied that the submissions by counsel for the accused were misplaced.
In the words of the Attorney-General, “Nobody had given the accused person a national assignment. He gave himself that assignment by deciding to contest. He knew that the Supreme Court had declared his election null and void. He knew that the criminal proceedings in this court were pending against him. He knew that one of the likely consequences was a jail term for him if he is found guilty. It was a voluntary risk he took by deciding to contest.”
Mr Dame further submitted that, since the accused had taken that voluntary risk, he would rather consider it to be in the interest of justice for a day-to-day trial of the matter to be conducted, so that the accused person, Mr Gyakyie-Quayson, would know his fate rather than wasting time and applying for the trial to continue after the 27th June.
Replying, Mr. Teriwajah stated that the Attorney-General was being unfair.
Ruling on the application by the A-G, the trial judge, Justice Mary Yanzuh, held that she considered the application by the A-G to have merits and in the interest of justice.
The judge indicated however, that, she did not have the benefit of using the courtroom on Mondays, and therefore adjourned proceedings to 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd June, 2023 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) at 12 pm on each day. The court will determine the subsequent adjourned dates.
This provoked very concerned reactions from the members of the NDC who were in the courtroom.
Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, the former NEPAD Minister, faced a setback in his bid to file his nomination forms for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Primaries.
On Monday, June 19, when he arrived at the party’s headquarters, he was turned away.
Initially expected to be the first aspirant to submit his forms, Dr. Apraku was informed by the party’s Elections Committee that his forms were incomplete. Consequently, he was asked to return on another day before the deadline, which falls on Saturday, June 24.
Dr. Apraku has expressed his aspiration to lead the NPP, positioning himself as a potential successor to leaders such as John Agyekum Kufuor and President Akufo-Addo.
In an interview on TV3‘s The Keypoints, the former Offinso North Member of Parliament said: “I feel there is time for everything and I sincerely believe this is the time.”
Last week, former Trade Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia submitted the forms they picked at GH¢50,000 each.
Afreximbank, the African Export-Import Bank, has inaugurated its fully-owned subsidiary called AFREXInsure in Accra on June 18.
The newly launched subsidiary aims to serve as a centralized hub for specialty insurance services, assisting in effectively managing associated risks within Africa’s trade and commerce sector.
Established in 2021, AFREXInsure is dedicated to providing tailored specialty insurance solutions for trade and trade-related investments across the African continent.
Leveraging its extensive knowledge and understanding of the African market, AFREXInsure will focus on sectors such as cargo handling, construction, operations, and energy, which play a vital role in fostering intercontinental trade and investment.
The launch event coincided with Afreximbank’s 30th Anniversary Annual Meetings, and during the ceremony, Kanayo Awani, the Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade Bank, spoke on behalf of Prof.
Benedict Oramah, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank.
Awani emphasized that the establishment of AFREXInsure aims to facilitate the insurance of specialty risks and support businesses in Afreximbank member countries, addressing the challenge of Africa’s reliance on external partners for driving the continent’s economic resilience and development.
“By reducing the risk of transactions or investments, insurance can help drive forward business strategy for those engaged in intra-African trade and enable global partners to further their commercial interests and ambitions in Africa,” said Ms Awani.
Insurance penetration is relatively low in Africa compared to other regions, she noted. AFREXInsure will, therefore, strengthen efforts to address this need in Africa and in partner states in the Caribbean.
It will also help retain insurance premiums in Africa and assist in ploughing back Africa’s investments into the continent for the enhancement of trade and economic development for the prosperity of the continent.
The launch also witnessed the unveiling of AFREXInsure’s logo and brand identity under the slogan “Insurance Optimised”.
A tragic incident unfolded in Chicago on June 18, disrupting a Juneteenth celebration in the Willowbrook area.
During the early hours, at approximately 12:30 AM local time, a mass shooting occurred, leaving a devastating impact.
Shockingly, at least 29 individuals, including two children, were wounded in the shooting.
The unfortunate incident marred the festivities of Juneteenth, a significant holiday that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States.
“It was supposed to be like a Juneteenth celebration; we just started hearing shooting, so we dropped down until they stopped. They just kept going. After that, we literally scattered away,” witness Markeshia Avery told ABC7 Chicago. The shooting happened as people were leaving the park.
The victims’ age spanned from 10 to 46 years old. Among them, a 10-year-old boy and a 20-year-old woman were in critical condition, emphasizing the severity of their injuries. The remaining victims received medical treatment for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The injured individuals were swiftly transported to four different hospitals, where they are currently being closely monitored and receiving necessary care.
“We were all just out, and, next thing you know, shots just kept going off; everybody ran, and it was chaos,” witness Craig Lotcie told the local news outlet. “I saw that they had cops laid out at all the entrances like that; I just got back home. Now they got the place all taped up,” another witness said.
The police have not yet released any information about the suspects in the shooting. They are asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
This is the latest in a series of mass shootings in Chicago. In recent months, there have been several shootings in the city that have left multiple people injured or dead. The violence has sparked protests and calls for action from city leaders.
The Chicago Police Department is investigating the shooting, and they are asking anyone with information to come forward. They have also increased patrols in the area where the shooting took place.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has filed his nomination forms at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra today, Monday June 19, 2023.
He was accompanied by some stalwarts of the party, including former national and regional officers of the party, former Members of Parliament, constituency executives, Electoral Area Coordinators and Polling Station Executives.
Dr. Akoto is set to address the media and thousands of party followers where he will throw more light on his vision for the party and the country in general.
The nomination forms were picked on behalf of the former Minister for Food and Agriculture by a group of farmers and friends on May 29, 2023, in support of his presidential ambition.
By filing the nonination forms on Monday, the two-time Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, will be the third aspiring candidate to file his nomination forms after former Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Both Alan and Bawumia submitted their forms last Monday, June 12, 2023, and Friday, June 16, 2023, respectively.
The NPP opened nominations on May 26, 2023, with aspirants given up to June 24 to submit forms.
So far, 10 presidential hopefuls have picked up nomination forms to contest the NPP’s flagbearer slot.
They include: Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the immediate past Minister of Trade and Industry, Kwabena Adjei Agyapong, a former General-Secretary of the Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, and Joe Ghartey, the Member of Parliament for Essikadu-Ketan and former Minister of Railway Development.
The rest are Boakye Agyarko, former Minister of Energy, Prof. Addai Nimoh, former MP for Mampong, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, and Kwadwo Nsafoa Opoku, an expert in energy and related matters.
A Special Delegates Congress will be held on August 26, 2023, to select five of the presidential aspirants.
The top five aspirants will then contest for the flagbearer slot on December 4, 2023, to elect one to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.
The serenity of a typically peaceful suburban road in the vicinity of South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, is being disrupted by the persistent sound of drilling.
However, these drilling activities are not related to prospectors in search of the nation’s mineral riches. Instead, they represent a pursuit of a potentially more valuable resource: water.
In affluent neighborhoods within South Africa’s economic hub, where water supply has become scarce, private boreholes are increasingly appearing. The example of Garsfontein illustrates the trend as workers excavate a borehole to secure access to water.
“I am tired of not knowing when we will have water and when we won’t,” the frustrated homeowner says.
“Having a borehole means we won’t have to depend on the government so much, it’s what’s best for my family.”
Much of the domestic water supply here depends on electricity to pump it from the source to the vast high plain on which the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria sit.
South Africa’s recent electricity woes – with regular lengthy scheduled blackouts – have had a knock-on effect on the supply of water.
“All of our stations, they need electricity, they need power. You have to pump water everywhere where it is needed,” says Sipho Mosai, the head of state-owned Rand Water, one of the country’s main water providers.
“Electricity is really at the heartbeat of what we do and if we don’t have it externally, at least for now, it becomes a problem.”
“Some days I don’t have both water and electricity, and this can be for days at a time. It makes daily life insufferable,” says Zizi Dlanga, a 35-year-old private wealth manager.
She lives in a two-bedroom apartment in an affluent suburb in the north of Johannesburg with her sister who is a trainee doctor. She now stocks up on water when it is available and goes to a gym to take a shower.
“My water bill stays the same even with all the cuts. I feel frustrated, I don’t have access to water alternatives [like a borehole] that would make this bearable for me,” she adds.
Bottled water is being stored in Hammanskraal after there was a cholera outbreak in the water supply
There are, of course, millions of South Africans who have lived without having water piped into their homes for years. But the intermittent domestic supply is just one aspect of a multi-pronged problem facing the water industry.
“We are in a state of systemic failure, the water sector is collapsing,” expert Prof Anthony Turton tells the BBC.
The lack of electricity has exacerbated issues created by poorly maintained infrastructure, which has led to vast leaks as well as sewage problems, and a supply of water that cannot meet demand.
Seventy million litres of treated, clean, drinkable water are lost every single day because of leaks that are endemic in the crumbling water system.
Most of the water wastage identified has been linked to badly run municipalities that are not investing in maintenance, partly because of corruption and theft.
This has also meant that sewage plants are not cleaning the water in the way that they should.
And this has had public health consequences.
Lawrence Malope has been selling bottled water in Hammanskraal after people became nervous about the piped water
In just a few weeks in Hammanskraal, a township outside Pretoria, 29 people were killed by cholera that had been found in the water supply there. The outbreak has been linked to substandard water purification practices.
Lawrence Malope sells bottled water at the roadside in the township. It is a new business born out of desperate times.
“Most people buy from me because they want safe water to drink, because the water that comes out of the taps is dirty,” he says.
At home, he collects rainwater and then boils it before use.
“Many people are getting sick here because of the water coming out of our taps and some just don’t know how to clean it. We have young children in this community, I’m really worried about our safety,” he says.
But not having clean drinking water is not unique to Hammanskraal – a recent report by the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation found that of the 155 treatment systems sampled, 41% came back showing bad microbial water quality compliance.
The problem can be found across the country. In the Eastern Cape’s quaint arts town of Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, residents have for years been forced to contend with unsafe drinking water, with recurring bouts of E.coli contamination.
In the Free State province, government investigations found that the majority of wastewater treatment plants are deemed to be “in critical condition”, putting residents at risk of contaminated water.
For Prof Turton, the combination of problems with water and electricity supplies is creating a perfect storm.
“People living all across the country are becoming increasingly concerned and increasingly angry. Part of it is because people are sitting in darkness sometimes.
“With the interrupted water supply…we now have a situation where people are literally dying from disease.”
On the part of the water suppliers, Mr Mosai from Rand Water agrees that more needs to be done. He says that his company is investing in solar power rather than relying on the national grid.
There has been a borehole boom in some of South Africa’s wealthy suburbs
When it comes to solutions, drilling private boreholes is only an option for the very wealthy, as they come with a price tag of $7,000 (£5,000).
It also serves to highlight the huge inequalities in South Africa.
“What it’s doing is widening the gap between those that have and those that don’t have. It creates social injustice,” argues Dr Ferrial Adam from advocacy group WaterCAN.
There are also questions about the environmental impact of boreholes and whether the groundwater is safe to drink. In some parts of the country, harmful metals and dangerous bacteria can be found in the water.
But experts say there are some things that can be done to benefit everyone and help arrest the deterioration of the water supply.
“There are some very quick fixes,” according to Dr Adam.
“One is fix the leaks, spend actual money on infrastructure and maintenance, and test water regularly, so you monitor what people are being made to drink.”
She adds that the national government needs to be better at keeping municipalities in line.
The government acknowledges the problem and says it has taken some municipalities to court over allegations of negligence.
But Dr Adam feels that is not enough.
“A lot of these are failing. That failure places lives at risk.”
Kenya and the European Union have recently entered into a trade agreement that, upon ratification, will provide Kenya with tariff-free access to the EU market.
This significant development is expected to result in more affordable Kenyan goods for European consumers, potentially leading to an increase in exports and the generation of additional employment opportunities within Kenya.
The deal is expected to enhance Kenya’s economic development, with President William Ruto saying it “will stimulate Kenya’s manufacturing and export of finished, value-added products out of Kenya”.
Kenya’s Trade Minister, Moses Kuria, expressed great pride as he signed the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) alongside EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
Highlights of the Kenya – EU Economic Partnership Agreement signed today: ◉ Kenyan exports to enjoy duty and quota free market access to EU ◉ The EPA secures a market for Kenyan farmers & boosts their income potential ◉ It expands and guarantees continued flower exports to EU pic.twitter.com/VCnAEC3TLm
This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone for the country. The European Union stands as one of Kenya’s largest markets, accounting for approximately one-fifth of its total exports, primarily consisting of agricultural products like vegetables, cut flowers, tea, and coffee.
In addition to gaining tariff-free access to the EU market, Kenya has committed to gradually reducing barriers for EU products.
An EU statement noted that this was a balanced agreement, as it considers “Kenya’s development needs by allowing it a longer period to gradually open its market”.
Tragedy unfolded in Trom, a suburb of Koforidua in the Eastern Region, as a jilted lover allegedly took the life of his girlfriend.
The horrifying incident took place on June 17, 2023, at Junction 5 in the Trom community.
According to reports, the victim had been in the process of ending the relationship with the suspect and had recently moved to her current residence. On the day of the incident, while a naming ceremony was underway in the house, the suspect visited his girlfriend.
Witnesses residing in the same house stated that the victim went outside to meet the suspect and then brought him into her room. Amidst the commotion of the naming ceremony, it is believed that the suspect murdered the victim, drowning out her desperate screams for help.
The suspect, who is in his 30s, allegedly engaged in a struggle with the victim before forcefully gagging her with a piece of cloth and slitting her throat. Later in the evening, the suspect, wearing a red shirt with the words ‘Rest In Peace’ on the back, turned himself in to the police.
Following an examination of the crime scene, the police recovered the victim’s lifeless body and transported it to the morgue. The community was engulfed in anger and tension, as enraged youth gathered at the scene, threatening retaliation against the suspect. To prevent further escalation, the police quickly removed the suspect from the scene in a taxi.
This heinous crime has left the community in shock and mourning, as the loss of a young life unfolds amidst a tragic love affair gone terribly wrong.
Spain clinched their first-ever Nations League title in a hard-fought encounter against Croatia, with Dani Carvajal’s deft chipped penalty proving decisive in a grueling 120 minutes of play and a dramatic penalty shootout.
Having learned from their defeat to France in the 2021 final, La Roja displayed determination as they faced off against a fervently supported Croatian team in Rotterdam.
The match at De Kuip was a nail-biting affair, with the shootout reaching sudden death after Lovro Majer of Croatia and Aymeric Laporte of Spain missed their spot-kicks.
In the end, it was goalkeeper Unai Simon who emerged as the hero, making a crucial save from Bruno Petkovic’s shot. Carvajal stepped up confidently to convert the decisive penalty, securing a 5-4 victory and the coveted trophy for Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish side.
Although clear-cut opportunities were scarce, Spain had the better chances during regular time. Gavi, the midfield maestro, came close with a shot that narrowly missed the target early on, while Marco Asensio headed over the bar in the second half.
Spain came out on top in a close contest against Croatia in Rotterdam
Ansu Fati was also denied on the line by Ivan Perisic in the game’s closing stages.
Croatia could perhaps have taken the lead themselves, only for Laporte to make an outstanding tackle to deny Andrej Kramaric.
However, they created relatively little throughout the match, in a cagey affair that perhaps reflected the high-stakes occasion.
The result is a devastating blow to the Vatreni, who were hoping to secure international silverware for the first time.
Instead, it is Spain who will be celebrating after ending their 11-year trophy drought, following La Roja’s 2012 European Championship triumph.
Hero of the hour Carvajal said: “For us, it was a unique opportunity, we went out early in another tournament [at the World Cup] and today we had to take advantage.
“We had confidence with the penalties and it went well, I knew how I was going to shoot it, and I knew I was going to be sixth. I wanted to take it Panenka style and it went well.”
Vote counting is underway in Mali after a referendum was held to determine the adoption of a new constitution that outlines the path towards restoring democratic civilian governance in the country.
In 2021, military leaders had taken control but pledged to transfer power to an elected government in the coming year.
The revised constitution introduces a second parliamentary chamber aimed at enhancing representation throughout Mali.
However, detractors argue that it grants excessive authority to the president and object to military involvement in the constitution’s redrafting process.
Provisional results are expected to be released on Tuesday, shedding light on the outcome of the referendum and the potential implications for Mali’s future political landscape.
Bella Montoya, a 76-year-old woman from Ecuador, tragically passed away days after a shocking incident at her funeral.
Initially, a doctor at a Babahoyo hospital had pronounced her dead. However, during her wake, mourners were startled to hear knocking sounds coming from inside her coffin, prompting an immediate rush to return her to the hospital for further treatment.
After spending seven days in intensive care, the Ecuadorian health ministry sadly confirmed that Bella Montoya passed away on Friday due to an ischemic stroke. Throughout her hospitalization, she had been under constant observation by medical professionals.
In an interview with a local newspaper, Gilbert Barbera, Bella Montoya’s son, expressed his grief, saying, “This time my mother really did die. My life will never be the same.”
Following her passing on June 16th, Bella Montoya’s body was returned to the same funeral home before being laid to rest in a public cemetery, as reported by local media.
Reports suggest that Bella Montoya suffered from catalepsy, a condition characterized by seizures, loss of consciousness, and rigidity of the body.
In response to this unique case, the Ecuadorian health ministry has formed a commission of experts to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding her situation.
Ms Montoya was placed in a coffin and taken to the funeral parlour in Babahoyo, south-west of capital Quito, after being declared dead on 9 June.
But after almost five hours inside, the woman gasped for air after her relatives opened the coffin to change her clothes for the funeral.
Minutes later, she was stretchered out by fire fighters and transferred back to the same hospital.
Bella Montoya is not the only person to “come alive” after being officially declared dead.
In February, an 82-year-old woman was found to be breathing while lying in a funeral home in New York State. She had been pronounced dead three hours earlier at a nursing home.
A manhunt has been initiated by the police in Tamale to locate the coach of a Division Two football club who reportedly carried out a vicious attack on a female referee named Mohammed Sakina Nasara.
The appalling incident unfolded on Saturday at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium Annex 3 during a match between Tiyumba Ladies and Soccer Missionaries Ladies in the Northern Region Women’s Division Two League.
The coach involved, identified as Iddrisu S. Napari, is currently evading authorities as he is wanted by the police following a formal complaint filed by the referees’ wing of the Northern Regional Football Association, as confirmed by findings from Joy Sports investigations. Efforts are underway to apprehend him and bring him to justice.
“The police visited his residence twice, but they haven’t found him. He is currently on the run. The Northern Regional FA has visited Nasara at the hospital, and she is in stable condition,” Tamale-based sports journalist, Sey Mubarak, told Joy Sports.
Nasara reportedly incurred Napari’s wrath after awarding an indirect free kick against Tiyumba Ladies when a teammate passed the ball to the goalkeeper, and she picked it up.
The coach then instructed his players to leave the field and would only continue the game if the decision was reversed, but the referee stood her ground.
Nasara was subsequently assaulted by Coach Napari – who is said to be known for his involevement in such incidents.
The referee has sustained various injuries of varying degrees and is currently receiving treatment at the Tamale Technical University Medical Hospital.
Two trucks travelling in the same direction to Accra in different lanes on the dual carriage road crashed and burst into flames at Asuboi off the Accra – Kumasi highway in the Eastern Region claiming one life and injuring three others.
The ghastly accident was reported to the Suhum Fire Station via a telephone call last Wednesday at 1654 hours.
The affected DAF Fuel Tanker with registration number GS 768-18 was loaded with dirty oil while the burnt Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number GT 1128-V also had a washing machine, a gas stove and a dispenser in its trailer.
The Crew responded and got to the accident scene within 6 minutes at 1700 hours and found the crashed vehicles heads badly mangled and on fire.
The bulk of the DAF Fuel Tanker had fallen on its offside on the road. Spilled dirty oil found in the mid gutter of the dual carriage road and on the section of the road had also caught fire.
The fierce fire was directly and offensively attacked with foam and water to bring it under control at 1720 hours and finally extinguished at 1755 hours.
The cause of the accident is not readily known as investigation is underway. The driver onboard the Mercedes Benz Truck escaped unhurt.
The entire Mercedes Benz Truck and the head compartment of the DAF Fuel Tanker got severely burnt by the fire. The bulk of the DAF Fuel Tanker only suffered partial fire and crash damages.
It was unfortunately discovered after firefighting that the second driver who was asleep at the time of the crash in the DAF Fuel Tanker got trapped and was badly burnt to death by the ruinous fire.
However, the main driver of the DAF Fuel Tanker and his 2 other mates were taken to the Suhum Government Hospital before the Fire Service Crew got to the twain incident scene.
The charred body of the deceased driver was handed over to the Police at the scene for preservation and further investigation.
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