Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is mounting spirited defence to his statement that Ghana’s economy has “turned the corner” during the presentation of the 2023 mid-year budget review.
The ‘unpopular’ minister has emphasized the progress and improvements he sees in the country’s economic landscape.
“We have seen progress, and for me it’s marvelous in my own eyes where we are now as a country,” he said.
Mr. Ofori-Atta made the comments on GTV’s current affairs progamme, “Talking Point” on August 6, 2023.
Despite facing criticism from opposition parties and economists who hold the view that challenges persist, Ofori-Atta remains steadfast in his position.
To support his assertion, Ofori-Atta outlined several key points:
Economic Growth: He underscored the substantial growth witnessed in 2023, suggesting a tangible stride forward in the economy’s advancement.
Inflation Management: Ofori-Atta highlighted the government’s success in reducing inflation rates from the preceding year, even though there was a minor increase in May and June 2023.
Currency Stability: Pointing to the stability of the cedi, Ghana’s currency, he portrayed it as a testament to the economy’s robust foundation.
Debt Restructuring Program: The initiation of a Debt Restructuring Program aimed at reorganizing Pension Funds invested in Government Bonds and Securities was mentioned as a move towards bolstering the economy’s resilience.
Notwithstanding calls for his resignation stemming from concerns over his handling of the economy, Ofori-Atta’s response to these calls was measured. He expressed his interest in the diversity of viewpoints within a democratic system and acknowledged that the nation has encountered challenges. Despite potential dissatisfaction among certain quarters, he underscored his unwavering commitment to stabilizing the economy and addressing its issues.
This discourse over the state of Ghana’s economy, marked by controversy and differing opinions, is a familiar feature in political and economic dialogues. It reflects the intricate nature of economic indicators and the multiplicity of interpretations that they can engender.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is displeased with certain contenders in the flagbearer race of his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who have been criticizing his government.
Speaking in a video from a recent gathering, the president expressed his perplexity over why certain individuals aspiring to represent the NPP in the presidential elections on December 7, 2024, would choose to criticize his administration.
He inquired how the contenders, who are openly criticizing his government, plan to persuade the people of Ghana to support the party in the upcoming 2024 elections if they persist in condemning his administration.
“I don’t see what we gain by attacking the record of our own government. When you do that, then you become the party candidate, what are you going to tell the people?
“That oh, it was Akufo-Addo who mislead you and mismanage affairs. I will be different. Even though I am NPP. I’m still under the elephant sign but I’m different.
“The people of Ghana will be that gullible? No, let us this be serious,” the president said.
Akufo-Addo, therefore, urged members of his party to stop speaking ill of his government and propagate gate its good works.
“So, the question is I think that if we’re talking about the record of the government, my understanding is that every NPP person, communicator, whoever you are… it’s your duty to try and defend that record and make sure that the people of Ghana buy it.
“Because at the end of the day, once this presidential primaries is over, that (the record of his government) is going to be the issue before the country,” he added.
10 people would be contesting in the NPP presidential primaries which are slated for August and November 2023.
A super delegate conference would be held on August 26, 2023, to reduce the number of contenders to five while the main primaries would be held on November 4, 2023, to choose the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.
The ten candidates include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; a former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen; Kwadwo Poku, an energy expert; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey; a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; a former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; a former MP for Offinso North, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; and a former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.
Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examination Council (WAEC), John K. Kapi has characterised the initial day of the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as trouble-free, despite receiving notifications of exam irregularities in three regions.
John Kapi disclosed instances of misconduct were detected in the Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Central regions.
For instance, in the Ashanti Region, he mentioned that a student was apprehended while trying to enter the examination hall with unauthorized materials.
He also emphasized that measures have been put in place to deal with persons who flout examination regulations to make sure fairness prevails.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, the Head of Public Affairs for WAEC highlighted the report of malpractices they received on the first day and how they would deal with the culprits.
“I guess we’ve had a good day so far. No reports have come from anywhere, so I guess everything’s okay. We’ve received a few reports from the Ashanti Region where one individual was picked up, but he was trying to approach the examination hall with some foreign material for the candidates. We’ve also picked somebody up from Tema Central, where the lady had some information that she intended to pass on to the candidates. In the Central Region, We picked up two people who were answering the questions in the middle of the paper that intended to send to the candidate writing exam.
“Anybody who breaches any of these rules, what you do is simply report you to the law enforcement agencies. They apply our rules, and then they are charged. They are sent to court. We still have our monitors in the field. We have our own officers who are monitoring the centers. We have the National Investigative Bureau who are working with us. We also have our own locally-recruited personnel who are monitoring these centers. And so, we’ll continue to maintain momentum. We’ll sustain momentum until the exams are over,” he said.
He further commended the soaring female population for dominating this year’s examination and for breaking the jinx of male domination over the past years.
“We know now that we’re having more female candidates going into this examination as compared to the male population. Over the years, we’ve had the males dominating in examinations. So if there are many more females who are coming up, I think it’s a good thing that is worth celebrating for us as a society and as a nation,” he added.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has encouraged Ghanaians to disregard individuals who request money intended to influence judges when they have legal matters before the court.
She noted that judges are often unaware of these alleged bribes due to the prevalence of corruption within their surroundings.
Addressing the audience in a video posted by UTV from a gathering on Monday, August 7, 2023, the chief justice advised Ghanaians to capture individuals who request bribes within the justice delivery system on record and refer to them as thieves.
Sending money to a judge might seem like a victory, but in the long run, you're the loser – Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo#UTVNewspic.twitter.com/ZUAqIK7ANG
“If a court recorder asks for money to be given to a judge ignore him, tell the person that he or she is a thief.
“Even if a lawyer tells you to give them money to take to a judge, tell the lawyer that ‘I’m ashamed of you, you should not be doing this’.
“And even worst is if a judge is asking for money, after giving the money, take a picture and tell the person you are ashamed of him or her,” she said in Twi.
Justice Torkornoo added that Ghanaians hurt themselves when they give money to be sent to judges because their victory in court cases can be turned into losses when the cases are appealed.
“Because if the other side appeals, it is easy for what you thought you have won to become a loss,” she added.
A member of the Communication Unit of WAEC, Mr. John Kapi who confirmed this said on Starr FM that the government has given GHC10 million which is equivalent to 15 percent of the total arrears.
“So far for BECE 2021 and 2022 yes we have received the arrears but for this year 2023 we received about 10.5 million Ghana cedis that is 15 percent of the total payment due. So obviously there are still some arrears that should be settled. They promise off course that they are going to send some money to us so we are waiting,” Mr. Kapi stated.
He further mentioned that in the event the government cannot provide additional funds, it will adversely affect the procedures associated with the examinations.
“So far what we’ve been able to do is the printing for what we are conducting. But for the marking and final processing of the result we will have to get some more money otherwise sections of the process will suffer,” Mr. Kapi stated.
His remarks follow concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament.
Prior to this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), the Minority in Parliament had alerted to the issue that WAEC owed examiners, invigilators, and supervisors for their roles in the 2022 examination.
Speaking to Starr News the ranking member on the Education Committee in Parliament, Peter Nortsu-Kortoe advised the government to pay WAEC as soon as possible.
According to him, the government must attach some level of urgency with the matter since Ghana risked losing the Headquarters status over the huge debts owed to the examination body.
Meanwhile, the BECE commenced Monday, August 7, 2023, across the country, with over 600,000 students taking the exam. They include 300,323 males and 300,391 females from 18,993 schools across the country.
13 Ghanaians have undertaken an extraordinary venture, embarking on a remarkable journey from Ghana to London.
Starting on Saturday, July 22nd, their mission aims to shed light on the issue of digital poverty in rural parts of Ghana.
Choosing a road trip over a seven-hour flight, the group intends to reach London in 16 days, with the primary purpose of raising awareness about this cause.
THE ROUTE
Day 1: Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, starting from the border at Gonokrom near Dormaa Ahenkro Day 2: Bamako, Mali. Day 3: Dakar, Senegal. An additional day has been scheduled for car servicing and maintenance. Day 5: Nouakchott, Mauritania. Day 6: Dakhla, Morocco. Day 7: Guelmim, Morocco. Day 8: Casablanca, Morocco. Day 9: Tangier, Morocco. Day 10: The journey continues from Tangier to Algeciras, Spain, using a ferry. Overnight stay in Valencia. Day 11: Arriving in Monaco. Day 12: Reaching Lake Como. Day 13: Frankfurt. Day 14: Amsterdam. Day 16: Arrival in London via the Calais/Dover route.
This venture marks the first time Ghanaians are undertaking such an adventure.
The organisers said beyond the excitement, they also sought to gain first-hand experience of cross-border travel within the continent, aligning with the ideals of free trade.
Who are the Adventurers?
Wanderlust Ghana is a group of passionate adventure enthusiasts who have an insatiable love for exploration and travel. Their eagerness to discover new horizons knows no bounds | credit: @WanderlustGhana/Twitter
Comprising a team of Ghanaian professionals, the group includes realtors, bankers, software developers, and business leaders.
Their purpose transcends mere travel; Kojo Akoto Boateng, one of the participants, revealed that while these journeys are enjoyable, they are also avenues for building relationships and devising solutions for rural Ghana.
Their trips serve as fundraisers to establish schools, libraries, e-learning resources, and provide mentorship for rural children.
Among the predominantly male group, there is a lone female mechanic, Nana Efua Serwaa Adusei.
Nana Efua Serwaa Adusei, a skilled woman in the field of mechanics embarked on the trip with the men
Driving Towards Digitization
Credit: @wanderlustghana/ Twitter
Outside urban centres in Ghana, numerous communities and schools lack access to essential digital tools. Recognizing this, Kwabena Ayirebi, a leader among the adventurers, underscores the mission of the Wanderlust Ghana group to raise awareness about digital poverty in the country.
Their objective includes collecting funds to establish digital libraries that would link Ghanaian communities to the world of possibilities. The target of USD 100,000 aims to bring technology to the fingertips of young individuals, using these libraries as their gateway to a broader world.
As of August 4th, they have raised USD 6,000, designated as a digital catalyst fund to support digital charities.
Kwabena, a realtor, reflects on the journey’s conception since 2018, with the aspiration of completing it within sixteen days. The group documented every aspect of their voyage on social media, encompassing immigration and border procedures, as well as aspects like food and accommodation.
The Journey’s Genesis
Credit: @WanderlustGhana
Despite planning for the trip in 2018, the endeavour faced delays due to the challenge of assembling participants.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 further hindered their plans. Three years after the pandemic’s emergence, they finally gave themselves the green light, determined to embark on this journey without external sponsorship.
The road trip for digitization comprised a convoy of five Ghanaian-registered cars, crossing through Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania. Kwabena Ayirebi shared on Facebook that they serviced some vehicles in Dakar, Senegal before progressing to Morocco.
By August 4th, another member of the group, Kojo Saka, confirmed that they had driven 7,200 kilometres to reach Spain.
While some members returned to Ghana, others left for South Africa and the Netherlands due to work commitments. Ultimately, by August 6th, nine individuals successfully reached London, completing the entire journey.
#AccratoLondon Creates Social Media Buzz
Credit: @WanderlustGhana
On platforms like Facebook and Twitter, numerous individuals have praised the adventurers for their courage and determination.
Credit: @WanderlustGhana
Messages of encouragement flooded in, including those from media personalities and sports journalists.
Ghanaian sports journalist Saddick Adams expressed his wish to document this thrilling 10,000-kilometre journey.
Credit: @WanderlustGhana
Gary Al-Smith also conveyed his anticipation for an intriguing twist in the adventure’s conclusion.
Ben Dotsei Malo, former BBC editor and current UN News chief editor, lauded the journey as an amazing, daring, and beautiful adventure.
He extended his respect and admiration to the team for their meticulous planning and preparation.
While some raised concerns about the risks involved, Wanderlust Ghana remains undeterred, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to the #DrivingForDigitization agenda.
A hopeful for a Parliamentary seat under the ruling NPP, Rita Akweley Addotey, on Sunday, August 7, 2023, submitted her nomination documents at the Party’s Constituency Office in Korle Gonno. Her aim is to compete in the NPP Ablekuma South Constituency competition in preparation for the upcoming 2024 General Elections.
As a female aspirant, Rita Akweley Addotey made a payment of GHC17,500.00 for the filing fee through a banker’s draft.
She successfully fulfilled all the requirements and procedures following thorough examination, as stipulated by the party’s headquarters, allowing her eligibility to participate in the primaries.
The nomination documents were accepted by the Parliamentary Primaries Elections Committee and the NPP Ablekuma South Constituency Executives, with Constituency Chairman Collins Kofi Asante at the helm.
Akweley, as she is popularly called, was accompanied by her campaign manager, family members, and a team of cheering fans and supporters who pulled up massive support for her.
Also present was Lawyer Nkrabea Effah Dartey, a friend and lead member of her team amongst other key NPP elders.
Lawyer Nkrabea Effah Dartey in a remark assured that Rita Akweley Addotey’s campaign will be devoid of attacks and insults to ensure a smooth and clean campaign since the NPP is one family.
During an interaction with the media, Rita Akweley Addotey, revealed that she has advanced plans to construct some key access roads in the constituency, tackle unemployment by creating some jobs as well as support traders and women who need capital to do business.
She contended that she is the right candidate for the NPP to win the seat from the NDC.
“Today is a happy day for me, I have gone round to campaign, and through the rounds, I have become familiar and deeply aware of the needs and wants, and aspirations of my people. The youth of Ablekuma South need work, our mothers and women need money to work; children need our support and our roads need to be repaired and I have demonstrated so far that I’m more than ready to deliver,” she said. She added, “I’m currently in touch with some NGOs and we have started doing something that explains why I critically need the mandate of the people as their MP to do more for them.”
Touching on the incumbent MP, Hon. Oko Vanderpuije, she lamented that the NDC MP and former Accra Mayor has been woefully disappointing.
“Oko Vanderpuije has given deaf ears to distressed calls demanding to fix some key roads within the communities. The man is not working so I believe the best thing to do is for him to give way to the NPP. I’m the best person to take up this initiative by lobbying and personally getting involved to ensure that our roads are fixed,” Rita Akweley Addotey posited.
On his part, Constituency Chairman Collins Kofi Asante thanked Rita Akweley Addotey and her campaign management team and reiterated the need to do a clean campaign since the enemy for the 2024 contest is not within the NPP but rather the opposition NDC.
President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Yaw Acheampong Boafo, has rejected claims that the organization holds a negative view of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He clarified that the GBA has not remained inactive during the tenure of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, contrary to what certain segments of the public have implied.
Yaw Acheampong Boafo emphasized that his organization is dedicated to guaranteeing impartial treatment of all parties, without favoring any specific group, including the NDC.
He restated that the Ghanaian judicial system functions independently and does not show bias towards any political party.
Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show, on Monday, August 7, 2023, the GBA president said he believes that the Ghana Bar Association has not been biased toward the NDC.
“Nobody can tell me that the Bar has treated the NDC under President Mills or Mahama bad, than under the current president,” he said.
The president of the GBA urged the general public to have confidence in the legal system as it focuses on delivering fairness and justice.
The Ghanaian Parliament is expected to approve the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, commonly referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, by the conclusion of the year 2023.
According to a report from 3news.com, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, provided an affirmation of this commitment to a delegation representing the Coalition of Muslim Organizations of Ghana.
Led by Hajj Abdul Rahman, the delegation acknowledged and praised the speaker for his significant efforts in upholding and preserving Ghanaian values and traditions in the face of the LGBTQ issue.
In his acceptance statement, Alban Bagbin told the organization that parliament will pass the LGBTQ Bill by the end of 2023.
“Parliament will pass the anti-LGBTQ bill by the end of the year,” he said.
The Coalition conferred on the speaker the title Saifu_llah, which means the Sword of God, at Parliament House.
Alban Bagbin expressed appreciation to the group for the honour of conferring on him such a title.
Parliament debated the report on the bill by the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
The report emphasised the issues brought up by both supporters and opponents of the law.
According to the report, those who are opposed to the bill claim that “LGBTQ+ activities form part of what the Constitution contemplates under Article 33 (5) about recognition of certian rights and freedoms that are inherent in a democracy and which is intended to secure the rights, freedoms, and dignity of the people.
“Consequently, any attempt to prescribe different treatment to different people on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender will be discriminatory and an affront to Articles 17(1) and (2) of the Constitution,” part of the report read.
A man, Joseph Appiah is accused of reportedly shooting Veronica Amoah, aged 50, due to her objection to his desire to marry her daughter.
The daughter involved, Comfort Acquah, detailed that Joseph Appiah, the individual who allegedly shot her mother, had been issuing threats of harm directed towards her. The threats stemmed from her rejection of his proposal for marriage, although she did not take his words seriously.
She additionally mentioned that her decision to decline Joseph’s proposal was influenced by his history of fathering two children with another woman. In light of this, she had suggested that he consider marrying the said woman instead.
Speaking in an interview with onuanaonline.com on Monday, August 7, 2023, the daughter of the victim, Comfort Acquah, narrated how the incident panned out.
“The guy [Joseph Appiah] had threatened to kill my mother if I don’t marry him. One of my sisters has been admitted to the [Abura Dunkwa Government] hospital so my mother visited her and came home late around 11 pm on Saturday. Unknown to my mother, the guy was stalking her. My mother said she met someone wearing a black ‘jalabia’ and covered his whole face so she didn’t recognize him.
“There is some plantain in our backyard so he went to hide there, opened the window lock with a cutlass, and cut through the net. He shot her through the window when she put off the lights and lay on her bed. Someone saw him when he was running but the person is a stranger, so he couldn’t mention his name,” she explained.
Comfort Acquah further indicated that medical doctors at Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital could not attend to her 50-year-old mother, Veronica Amoah, because they do not work on weekends.
She said her mother was only given a drip and painkillers by the nurses as they waited for the doctors to report the following day.
“My mother started screaming and those around took her to the hospital. But doctors don’t come on weekends so she is suffering. Some of the bullets are in the head, neck, and back because they spread across.
“They gave her a drip and the nurses say the doctor will come today[Monday, August 7, 2023] to do a postmortem on her to remove the bullets,” she told Onuaonline.com.
In Aboabo No 2, a district within the Dormaa Central Municipality in the Bono region, local chiefs and elders have conducted a sheep sacrifice ceremony to appease deities in response to reports of alleged homosexual behavior displayed by a young man claimed to be from the area.
As documented in a video recorded by the journalist, the young man is positioned before the town’s palace in the presence of a gathered crowd. A ritual involves pouring libation using schnapps onto the ground, including a moment when it is poured onto his head. Subsequently, the elders proceed to sacrifice a sheep at his feet as an act of appeasement to the deities.
Sources report that Damoah Christian, a young man in his early twenties, admitted to being homosexual after he was apprehended wearing feminine clothing by a group of young individuals in Dormaa Ahenkro.
Subsequently, the assembly of individuals who then opted to transport him to the palace of the Dormaahene received guidance to redirect him to the chiefs of Aboabo No.2 for the appeasement proceedings, as the Dormaa overlord was unavailable at the time.
At the Aboabo palace, it was revealed that this same Damoah Christian was apprehended sometime ago by someone while they were practicing the same act.
Some other eyewitnesses who earlier spoke to GhanaWeb disclosed that Damoah who usually prefers the female portion sometimes travels outside the area to trade in the ‘gay’ business with other men.
Nana Kwaku Yeboah Ababio who is the Kuasehene and chief of Aboabo No 2 disclosed to GhanaWeb that it was taboo for someone to practice such an act in the area.
Confirming the boy as being a native of the community, the chief disclosed that the young man after appearing before the elders at the palace confessed to being a practicing gay, hence the subsequent decision to pacify the gods.
“The Bible hates this act, and in the same manner, our culture frowns on it. We performed this ritual to prevent any future occurrence of such acts in the Kuase area, including the whole Dormaa traditional area. The boy in question is a true native of this land. We don’t want to see him practicing it henceforth. What he did is a taboo and a disgrace to the entire Dormaaman,” he said.
“Why would a white man encourage people to practice these filthy acts under the pretext that it’s a human right? This is rather a human left. Under what conditions should we accept this to defame our rich culture? Or is it because of the money they’re going to give us? What will the money do for us after this thing has destroyed our lives? We are never going to entertain it,” he added.
He, however, advised the rest who want to practice same act within the area to desist from it since the community was never going to condone it.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his administration’s inability to proceed with the Saglemi Housing project.
As reported by citinewsroom.com, the ex-president alleged that President Akufo-Addo’s failure to finalize the Saglemi Housing project stemmed from its initiation by himself.
Mahama further stated that it is incomprehensible for the government to allocate more than GHC500 million towards the construction of the Ghanaian National Cathedral, a project marred by corruption allegations, while neglecting the nearly completed Saglemi Housing Project that was initiated during his tenure.
“It is unacceptable for Akufo-Addo to spend over half a billion cedis on a national cathedral project that has ultimately failed due to corruption and is now abandoned, yet refuses to commit funds to complete a housing project that will benefit thousands of Ghanaian families.
“Knowing the NPP government, they did not want to complete the Saglemi housing project simply because it was initiated by John Mahama and an NDCadministration,” he is quoted to have said.
Mahama, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 elections, also said that the decision by the government to go one with the National Cathedral project shows its lack of prioritisation.
“Leaders must always prioritise the well-being of their citizens and ensure that they benefit from government resources and projects, regardless of who initiated them.
“The misplaced priorities of a government that claim it is unable to raise money to complete the Saglemi housing project and yet is willing to spend half a billion cedis on the largest civil excavation in Africa is a humiliating slap in the face of Ghanaians who entrusted Akufo Addo with their mandate.”
He added that “Just think about the countless number of Ghanaian families who could have had decent living conditions over the past 7 years and the individuals who could have had a place to truly call home in Saglemi”.
Just hours after the military junta in charge of the country rejected an important regional bloc’s deadline to surrender control, a military source informed CNN that Niger’s armed forces have started deploying reinforcements to the capital in preparation for a potential military intervention.
Around 40 pick-up trucks came in a convoy at dusk on Sunday night, carrying troops from other regions of the nation to comfort a worried populace and be ready for a possible conflict.
Since late last month, when the presidential guard overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup d’état, Niger has been mired in political upheaval. Days thereafter, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reacted by imposing sanctions and giving the military junta in power a week to abdicate or risk military intervention.
Sunday came and went without any political shift as a result of that deadline. Bazoum is still in exile, and nobody knows for sure where he is. The junta’s official name, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, continues to effectively rule Niger. According to a junta leader, Niger’s armed forces would close the nation’s airspace owing to the possibility of military involvement.
It’s not obvious what happens next. Although the leaders of ECOWAS have stated that they prefer a peaceful resolution to the issue, they have also stated that they are willing to use force as a last resort to restore the democratically elected government of Niger. On Thursday, the group will meet once more to discuss the situation.
The capital, Niamey, has been shaken by the uncertainty. While others tried to evacuate, other individuals flocked to supermarkets to stock up on essentials like rice and cooking oil. Most lines out of the capital, according to local bus company employees, were fully packed.
On Monday, many customers purchasing food and supplies at the crowded Wadata market, located east of the capital’s core, expressed concern about what might happen.
Mariama Sabo, a 31-year-old cleaner, said, “Our country is on the verge of descending into a crisis that we have never encountered. We’re genuinely terrified.
Fruit vendor Salifou, 27, was concerned for his company’s future. Even though the border between the two countries is currently blocked, he imports his produce from Benin.
Salifou stated, “My stock is completely depleted and that really worries me.”
Concerns about the rising price of food were voiced by others.
A woman by the name of Salamatou remarked, “The authorities should show some sense of responsibility towards us or else it will be difficult.” “They need to bring peace and lower prices at the same time.”
Meanwhile, pro-junta protesters gathered on Sunday in a 30,000-seat stadium in Niamey to declare their allegiance to the military regime and opposition to ECOWAS sanctions.
Niger is still one of the world’s poorest nations despite having a plethora of natural resources. Many Nigerians, especially the younger generation, continue to blame France, an imperial power, for the country’s persistent poverty. Those who support the new military government see it as a chance to break diplomatic ties with French influence.
A bricklayer named Ali Maikano who resides in the nation’s capital declared he was prepared to fight alongside the army to oppose French interests there.
At the Wadata market, Maikano told CNN, “Enough is enough, we’ve suffered a lot under this regime that’s given everything to France, and we’re not afraid of ECOWAS or anyone else.”
The democratic neighbours and Western allies of Niger are particularly interested in the future of the country’s elected administration. On the grounds that Niger was a reasonably stable democracy in a region rife with political unrest, terrorism, and Islamist insurgencies, the United States and France stationed hundreds of troops, many of whom support counterterrorism activities.
Russia has tried to use the geopolitical crisis in West Africa in recent years to increase its power and influence, particularly through the mercenary company Wagner. Wagner has operations in a number of nations, including the neighbouring Mali, where a military coup in 2021 resulted in the establishment of a military government. Wagner soldiers have been hired to repress resistance and support local defence forces in their fight against uprisings and insurrections.
Wagner made contact with the coup leaders in Niger, according to the French Foreign Ministry, but it was not apparent if the two parties were working towards a cooperation.
According to a ministry spokesperson, “We can see that Wagner is in an opportunistic and predatory logic, so they may be tempted to take advantage of the whole situation.”
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner, appeared to pitch the private military business to the new government of Niger shortly after the coup was carried out.
Given the vulnerability of West African democracies like those in Mali and Burkina Faso, where a coup occurred in 2022, Niger’s democratic neighbours are concerned that the coup could have a cascading effect.
Currently, both nations are supporting the junta in Niger. They said last week that any military action in Niger would be viewed as “an act of war” against all three nations.
According to the Malian Armed Forces, both nations are sending delegations to the Nigerian capital Niamey “in solidarity with the people of Niger.”
Regarding sending delegations to Niger, Burkina Faso has not yet made any public statements, and the country’s ministry of foreign affairs has not yet acknowledged CNN’s request for confirmation of their attendance.
Member of Parliament representing Tamale North, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, has advocated for a collective approach in combating the escalating issue of substance and drug abuse among the youth in the nation.
The MP disclosed that a recent study highlighted that 60 percent of Junior High School students were engaged in the misuse of painkillers, marijuana, or tobacco. He stressed the urgency of addressing this situation through prompt intervention.
“It’s a very serious problem in Ghana. Today, drug use is destroying the young ones. In fact, there’s a report I’ve seen that shows that 6 out of 10 JHS students are either using painkillers, drugs or marijuana or tobacco. That is just unacceptable,” he said.
The MP representing Tamale North emphasized that the battle against the increasing challenge of drug and substance abuse should commence by closing down the sources of illegal drug distribution in the nation. Concurrently, he urged for intensified endeavors in providing guidance and counseling sessions to educate young individuals about the perils associated with drug abuse.
During an exclusive interview in Tamale, Alhaji Suhuyini informed the journalist that a crucial step in combating drug abuse would involve the essential action of halting the illicit distribution network of these drugs and substances.
He noted, “It is quite disheartening that you have so-called responsible people profiting from this canker that is destroying the future of our youth and so we need to as much as possible give our young ones the needed counselling and the needed guidance away from the use of these drugs and most importantly, we need to also shut down the supply points because these are illegal supply points and they must be shut down at all cost using every legitimate means.”
Already, the king and overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya-Na Abukari II has commissioned a task force to clamp down on drug peddlers in the Northern Region, especially in the Tamale Metropolis, the Sagnarigu and Yendi Municipalities where drug usage among young people has reached unprecedented levels.
The task force, made up of volunteer young people in these areas and led by youth chiefs in the region has been working with the police to arrest and prosecute such offenders.
Several quantities of drugs such as the dangerous Rohypnol, a drug which functions as a central nervous system depressant and is illegal in many countries including the United States, tramadol, and codeine among other drugs and substances have also been seized and destroyed by the task force.
At least, five persons have either been convicted or are currently standing trial for various offences after their arrest by the volunteers.
A member of the task force who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity disclosed that most of the drug peddlers arrested were senior health workers working in the various hospitals, especially the Tamale Metropolis.
These peddlers, he added include nurses, midwives and drug store operators, a situation he noted was disappointing, considering that they know the health implications of their illegal businesses on the future of young people.
Some of the drugs seized by the taskforce
“Can you imagine most of these drug dealers we’ve arrested are respectable health workers in the region? You have nurses, midwives and drug store operators engaging in this business. They know the effects these drugs have on our brothers and sisters yet, because of the cheap monies they are making, they don’t just care. This is so disappointing and worrying,” he said.
The Tamale North MP commended the chiefs and people of Dagbon for taking up the initiative and urged other regions to emulate the example set by Dagbon, which he stressed would go a long way to help in controlling drug sales and usage nationwide.
Dormaahene, Oseadeyo Agyeman Badu II, has stated that he remains undisturbed by the derogatory comments aimed at him due to his statements on national affairs.
Addressing the inhabitants of Drobo within the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono Region on August 4, 2023, the chief conveyed his commitment to persistently criticize the government until proactive measures are implemented to guarantee that the people of Ghana reap the advantages of the nation’s abundant natural resources.
The chief expressed his bewilderment at the government’s decision to enter agreements facilitating the exploitation of Ghana’s resources, resulting in minimal benefits for the nation, while private individuals amass substantial profits.
“We explore gold at Adansi, Tarkwa, Prestea, the Okyenhene’s town, and even now at the northern parts of the country but we only get 7 percent of the proceeds from these explorations and the remaining 93 percent is taken away.
“I would continue talking till this changes… I would continue talking. It is important that Ghanaians are benefiting from all these resources. The livelihood of Ghanaians must improve. If this does not change, I, Agyeman Badu II, would continue talking till we see change,” he said in Twi.
The chief, who is known in private life as Justice Daniel Mensah, a High Court judge, also cited the example of Ghana getting only 17 percent of the proceeds from its oil resources while Nigeria gets over 50 percent of revenue from its oil.
The Ellembelle District Assembly has initiated the distribution of funds to individuals who are part of the prominent educational initiative known as the “Ellembelle District Scholarship Scheme”.
On Saturday, August 5, 2023, Kwasi Bonzoh, the District Chief Executive of Ellembelle, handed out checks to the initial group of recipients, who are enrolled as students in diverse higher education institutions within the Western and Central Regions.
Speaking to the students during the ceremony, Kwasi Bonzoh emphasized the importance of diligence and self-discipline in their respective educational institutions.
He prompted them to recall that the scholarship is merit-driven, and the continuation of their benefits depends on the academic achievements they attain in their individual institutions.
Kwasi Bonzoh encouraged the students to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn around the fortunes of their respective families.
He also expressed gratitude to Ghana Gas for supporting the project and encouraged other companies in the district to come on board.
“Don’t take it for granted that because you’ve received it this year, you will receive it again next year. If you don’t perform academically, we will draw. We want to make sure that next year we will pay your full tuition fee because that is the essence of the scholarship. Our part is the tuition fee and your parents will take care of the rest”, he said.
Kwasi Bonzoh used the opportunity to disabuse the minds of the beneficiary students and the good people of Ellembelle that the scholarship scheme was introduced for political expediency.
He emphasized that the objective of the scheme is to aid brilliant but needy children in the district to enjoy tertiary education and ensure availability of teachers for schools in deprived communities which will have an overarching impact on the state of education in the Ellembele district.
The first-round disbursement saw 160 tertiary students from various communities in Ellembelle receiving tuition fees from the assembly. It is expected that beneficiaries of institutions in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions will receive their package this week.
Overall, 420 students are expected to benefit from the GHC1.1million fund generated for the first phase of the project.
The students are drawn from tertiary institutions such University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology, University of Cape Coast, University for Development Studies, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Takoradi Technical University, among others.
The ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) of 2023 has been marred by allegations of financial mismanagement by a headteacher and heartrending consequences for some final year students in the Gomoa East district.
The headteacher of the Gomoa Budu Atta DA Junior High School stands accused of misappropriating registration fees, leaving distraught students unable to sit for their exams.
As of the start of the exam on August 7, 2023, the school principal was nowhere to be found.
Some final year students were seen in tears after not being able to participate in the exam due to the situation that left them devastated.
Meanwhile, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for 2023 commenced on August 7, 2023, and will be written by over 600,000 candidates from 18,993 schools across the country; they consist of 300,323 boys and 300,391 girls.
These candidates will be the final group of students to take the BECE.
Following the implementation of the new curriculum in 2019, a new exam will be given in 2024.
In 2024, students will write their Junior High School leaving examination, which will be based on the new Standard-based curriculum.
What this means is 2024 will see the introduction of a new BECE and a new era in examining students.
However, it must be noted that BECE has been in existence for over 30 years.
When the ship was attacked on the critical bridge between Russia to Crimea, the Kerch Strait, it suffered significant damage.
There were 11 crew members on board when the drone struck overnight, causing damage to the engine room.
The incident, according to reports, did not result in any injuries, but the bridge was closed and ferry service was halted for a while.
The vessel was identified by Russia’s marine transport organisation as a SIG tanker, and its location was given as being 17 miles south of the Crimean Bridge.
Russia’s Federal Marine and River Transport Bureau announced on Telegram that “the SIG tanker… received a hole in the engine room near the waterline on the starboard side, preliminarily as a result of a sea drone attack.”
According to Russian media, the tanker was struck as it approached the Kerch Strait, which separates Russia’s Taman Peninsula from Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow invaded in 2014 and connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov.
According to an anonymous source with the Ukrainian security services, the strike was carried out in Ukrainian territorial waters by the country’s security and navy forces using 450kg of TNT explosives and sea drones.
Small, unmanned boats called sea drones travel above or below the water’s surface.
It occurs barely one day after an attack on a military base in the Black Sea resulted in the destruction of a Russian battleship.
Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has responded to his father, Pete Edochie’s recent statements regarding Yul’s second marriage to actress Judy Austin.
In a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, Chief Pete Edochie expressed his surprise upon learning about Yul’s second marriage.
Furthermore, Pete Edochie attributed the success of Yul’s initial marriage to his first wife, May. These remarks intensified the criticism directed at Yul’s second marriage to Judy, particularly in light of the passing of Yul’s first son with May, Kambilichukwu.
However, reacting via his Facebook account, Yul said the “real story” will be out soon, insisting that many don’t know the real story.
He wrote, “Many people don’t know the real story. The real story will come out soon. Chief Pete Edochie, Judy Austin, Yul Edochie.
Pope Francis recently paid a famed Catholic monument in Portugal a visit. The shrine is known for ominous prophecies about damnation, world peace, and Soviet communism that have gained fresh significance in light of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
The 86-year-old prayed the rosary in Fatima, where the Church claims the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in 1917, among some 200,000 other pilgrims.
Francis was supposed to travel to Ukraine to pray for peace, according to the Vatican, but instead he skipped a speech that was supposed to be the highlight of the event.
Since the tour began on Wednesday, he has cut down on many addresses or deviated from the script, with one speech being attributed to difficulty with his glasses.
Pope Francis, according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, “always addresses first and foremost the people he meets, as a shepherd, and speaks accordingly.”
When speaking in his native Spanish, the Argentine pontiff veers much further from his planned statements.
We join Your Holiness’ prayer for peace, which is strongly associated with this sanctuary, he continued, “thinking in particular of the war in Ukraine and so many other conflicts in the world.”
Later, as a helper carefully pushed his wheelchair through the crowd, Francis addressed scores of individuals one by one, frequently pausing to console infants and the sick.
He then proceeded to return to the helicopter that would take him to the following event on his five-day visit to Portugal, where he was serving as the chief celebrant of World Youth Day.
Since the children’s first claimed vision of the Virgin Mary on May 13, 1917, Fatima has fascinated Catholics.
Tradition has it that the Virgin Mary visited Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia Marto, three Portuguese cousins, six times, and revealed three secrets to them.
The first two foresaw the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II, as well as the rise and fall of Soviet communism. They also painted an apocalyptic picture of hell.
The third was kept a secret by everyone save Lucia and the popes for more than three and a half centuries, creating literature and cults that believed it to be the timing of the end of the world.
On May 13, the same day as the first alleged apparition in 1917, the Vatican claimed in 2000 that it was a prophecy of the 1981 attempt on the life of Pope John Paul II.
At the time, the kids ranged in age from seven to ten. A few years after they passed away, Francisco and Jacinta were canonised in 2017.
At the age of 97, Lucia became as a nun and passed away in 2005. She is also being attempted to become a saint.
Head of Ghana Association of Songwriters, Mr. Logic has encouraged Ewes not to avoid the ‘voodoo’ label that has been attached to them.
Throughout time, Ewes have been linked to certain stereotypes related to the ‘voodoo culture’.
The ethnic group from the Volta region has often been associated with fear, prejudice, or negative perceptions due to their connection to idolatry. However, Mr. Logic suggested that they should embrace and take pride in it instead.
In a discussion on United Showbiz, Mr. Logic shared his sentiments,
“Ewes shouldn’t be shy to admit that they possess charm. What is wrong with that? It is what makes them powerful. They have to be proud to be a Voltarian. What will make me marry a Voltarian is the fact that she might have juju. I’ll be proud of it because they’ll say she is powerful. You should be proud of yourselves because you come from a powerful traditional background. We are flesh and blood and what happens in flesh and blood doesn’t even move Jesus.
Touching on Perez Chapel founder, Bishop Charles Agyinasare’s act of rejoicing and calling bluff the powers of the Nogokpo shrine after surviving their ultimatum, Mr. Logic said he wouldn’t have escaped judgment if a more cruel case had been brought before them.
“Such deities usually conduct research when you bring issues before him. They don’t just go ahead and issue judgment. He hasn’t wronged the diety that’s why he has been set free. He should attempt doing wrong. For instance, he should try and sleep with someone’s wife and see,” he established.
The bombing of a Russian tanker in the Black Sea, according to Putin’s spokesperson, “will not go unanswered.”
Late on Friday, 450 kg of TNT-filled Ukrainian drones fired on the ship near the Crimean peninsula.
It came after similar attacks on Novorossiysk, the first time a Russian port has been hit throughout the conflict’s 18-month duration.
The ‘terrorist attack’ on a supposedly civilian vessel in the Kerch Strait was termed as such by Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The author and perpetrators of such horrific acts will undoubtedly face punishment, she stated on Telegram, and there can be no justification for them.
According to Vladimir Rogov, a Russian officer stationed in the occupied Ukrainian province of Zaporizhzhia, numerous crew members on the tanker had suffered glass injuries.
The attack on the ship, which is believed to have been carrying fuel for Russian forces, has been informally confirmed by a member of the Ukrainian Security Service, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not licenced to make public statements.
Following the drone attacks in the Black Sea, a multi-wave offensive against Ukraine was launched on Saturday night, with over 70 air-assault weapons being used against Ukrainian sites.
According to Kiev’s Air Force, all 27 of the Iranian Shahed drones that were launched overnight and 30 of the 40 cruise missiles were destroyed by Ukrainian air defence. Currently, there is no information available regarding the 10 missiles that were not destroyed.
In recent weeks, the battle between Ukraine and Russia has moved closer to the Black Sea.
The Kremlin pulled out of an agreement for Ukraine to ship millions of tonnes of grain for sale on the world market earlier in July, and since then Ukrainian ports have been repeatedly attacked.
Dmitry Medvedev, a former leader of Russia and the country’s deputy chair of the Security Council, wrote on Telegram on Saturday that Moscow would keep attacking these targets in retribution for the recent tanker attack.
He said: ‘Apparently, the strikes on Odesa, Izmail, and other places were not enough for them.’
A two-day summit to discuss potential terms for peace between the warring states has begun in Saudi Arabia in the meanwhile.
Senior government officials from over 40 nations will discuss fundamental ideas for resolving the conflict, but Russia has not sent any representatives.
At the beginning of the negotiations, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated: “It is very important because the fate of millions of people in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world directly depends on how quickly the world will implement the Peace Formula.”
Ms. Zakahorva has recently stated to Russian state media that it is ‘absurd’ to consider resolutions to the conflict without Moscow’s involvement.
As reported by Ukrainian officials, missile strikes overnight that are believed to have been carried out in response for drone attacks against a Russian tanker in the Black Sea resulted in the deaths of six individuals.
On Saturday night, more than 70 air assault weapons were deployed by the Kremlin against sites in western Ukraine in a volley of missile attacks as retaliation.
In spite of Kyiv’s Air Force initially claiming to have destroyed 30 of 40 missiles and 27 of the Iranian-made Shahed drones, the air force has subsequently revealed that at least six people have died as a result of the ten missiles that managed to escape.
Just hours after similar attacks against the Russian port of Novorssiysk, Ukrainian drones flying over the Black Sea on Friday hit a Russian fuel ship with more than 450 kilogrammes of explosives.
Following the attacks, Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, declared: “There can be no justification for such barbaric actions, they will not go unanswered, and they will inevitably be punished.”
The retaliatory attacks, according to Serhiy Tyurin, deputy commander of the Khmelnytsky region military administration in Western Ukraine, arrived in three waves, damaging many structures and starting a warehouse fire.
They may have had Starokostyantyniv’s airstrip as their intended destination, he continued.
Four more people were injured in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, where two of the fatalities happened, while two more people died in Donetsk.
According to reports, a guided bomb also struck a blood transfusion facility in Kharkiv earlier in the day, and shelling in the village of Podoly resulted in the deaths of one 58-year-old lady and one 66-year-old male.
A woman in her eighties was allegedly killed by Ukrainian shelling, and the main building of a nearby university was set on fire and collapsed without any known injuries, according to Donetsk officials nominated by the Kremlin.
A drone was shot down from the nearby airspace on Sunday morning, briefly halting flights from Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, located about nine miles southwest of the city.
Despite failing, it was the fourth attack on the Russian capital in the past month; on July 30, two drones crashed into Moscow’s financial sector after being disabled by local air defences.
One of the alleged domestic workers of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resource Cecilia Dapaah has spoken for the very first time.
In July 2023, news of some domestic workers of the then minister allegedly stealing sums of US$1million, €300,000 and GH¢350,000 broke.
The former minister and her husband are also said to have suffered material losses including GH¢95,000 worth of clothes, US$35,000 handbags, US$1,400 assorted perfumes, US$95k assorted jewelries and GH¢95,000 worth of assorted Kente.
But a recorded voice seem to have different narration about the whole escapade.
The recorded audio tape purported to be voice of Sarah–one of the two domestic workers of former Sanitation minister Cecilia Dapaah–has surfaced for the first since stories of the hefty sum looted from the former Minister’s house broke.
In the recorded audio uploaded on video streaming social media platform, YouTube, Sarah is heard making some scandalous revelation about the former Minister.
According to the voice alleged to be Sarah’, she returned a total of $1.8 million toCecilia Dapaah as well the house she bought with the looted cash.
This amount mentioned is far bigger than total sum of dollars reportedly stolen room the former Minister’s house casting further doubt on how much exactly was the former MP and Minister hoarding in her house.
Full transcript of the leaked tape;
On Tuesday, the woman(Cecilia Dapaah) called me and my guy to come to her house. So when we went to the house, as for me, I know that we are going to beg her, because, you said that your money and I have come to put your money down.
So Why? So we are going to beg her. When we went there, the woman poured hot water, pepper and used that wooden spoon they use to cook (banku ta) to beat me. And later on she took me to the police station, and they arrested me again.
And I was in the cells for about 2 weeks, and they took me to court. When they took me to court and court also gave me remand two weeks. I was in remand [for] about one month, before the court discharged the case, and they took me to another court.
I took some of the money and went to Tamale, so when I was in Tamale, she called me back again to come. When I came, she gave me $1.8m, that I should take. After my guy asked me where did I get the money, but I did not answer him. I said one of the people I am working with gave me the money.
And he said okay, he wanted to buy a car in Accra here, so I should give the money to him to buy a car. And okay, I gave the money to him to go and buy the car. When he went to buy the car, about 3 weeks [later], they came to arrest me in Tamale. When they came to arrest me, I was pregnant. It was one week.
All the money, the lady gave me, I have given all to them. Including the house. And the house too, I gave the money to a girl to buy for me, and then it is not my name on the papers, I don’t know why, and I am not seeing the lady too. I don’t know where she is now.
Approximately 100 kilometres from Istanbul, a massive explosion that injured at least 10 people rocked a Turkish port.
The explosion at a grain storage facility in Kocaeli’s Derince neighbourhood is captured on video and posted online.
As the building on the seaside was consumed by fire, two employees could be seen hastily leaving.
From miles away, thick black smoke plumes could be seen rising into the sky.
Moment of the massive explosion and its aftermath at Derince Port in Kocaeli, Turkey
According to Derince mayor Zeki Aygün, four individuals were sent to the hospital after an incident that occurred just after 2.30 p.m. local time, close to the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) silos.
He was cited as stating, “We heard an explosion noise and we saw the explosion hit TMO’s silos.”
Later, Kocaeli Governor Seddar Yavuz reported that there were now 10 injured, with two of them critically so.
In a statement to TRT Haber, he claimed that the explosion was caused by “dust jamming” in the TMO silos as the wheat was being transferred from the ships.
Firefighters were sent out right away to the location to attempt and put out the blazing blaze.
As emergency personnel remove individuals, a video captures the path of wreckage left in the wake of the silos’ massive explosion.
The daughter of the Russian defense minister and her ‘anti-war’ husband have separated, sparking rumors that Vladimir Putin was involved.
The daughter of defense minister Sergei Shoigu, Ksenia Shoigu, 32, has long seemed content in her marriage to fitness expert Alexey Stolyarov, 33.
However, the couple startled their hundreds of millions of fans by announcing their breakup to the Russian news channel 360° last Saturday.
“It’s been a while since we were a couple.” However, we are also extremely close friends and partners,’ Shoigu remarked.
Stolyarov continued, “We have been friends for a very long time,” adding that their relationship ended “several months ago.”
They are planning to spend more time with their daughter, he said. “We’re headed to her right away!” We still work as a team, and we also have sporting projects in the works,’ Stolyarov said.
They were conversing at the 2019 Race of Heroes obstacle course race in Alabino, a city near Moscow.
Before welcoming their daughter in 2021, Shoigu and Stolyarov spent years hiding their marriage.
The couple told 360° that over time, their competing and demanding work schedules drove a gap between them and caused their breakup.
Nevertheless, considering Stolyarov’s history of conflicts with Putin’s pro-war authorities and sympathizers, Russian social media users were unpersuaded.
‘Everyone in the Kremlin knew that Shoigu’s opponents took samples of Stolyarov’s [online posts] into Putin’s office multiple times,’ a Russian user of social media claimed.
The Russian president allegedly “twice asked” Shoigu to “shut [Stolyarov] up,” according to the Narrarivy Telegram channel.
According to the source, Ksenia recently discussed getting a divorce and decided to openly disavow Stolyarov.
Formerly the son-in-law of Putin’s devoted defence minister, Stolyarov declined to enlist in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
When he liked an anti-war Instagram post by Yuri Dud, a Russian journalist the government had labelled a “foreign agent” for his posts criticising Putin’s war machine, he came under fire in February.
According to the article, according to the Russian news outlet Meduza, “Putin and his entourage unleashed bloody and pointless war exactly a year ago.”
Stolyarov swiftly deleted the like while denying having ever expressed an interest in it.
Poligon.media claimed he had conducted interviews with two other Dud figures, including the film filmmaker Alexander Molochnikov, who had left Russia after criticising Putin.
Stolyarov did this while posting pictures of himself on the Russian social media site VK driving a luxurious car and vacationing in Dubai when other men his age were dying or being hurt in battle.
This did not impress his followers who questioned why he was not already on the “frontlines” and labelled him as “unpatriotic.”
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the short mutinous mercenary organisation Wagner, stoked the flames in February when he asked that Stolyarov be drafted.
Progozhin posted on Telegram that “it is necessary to catch Stolyarov and bring him to me,” even urging that Ukrainian military “rape” Stolyarov.
While Stolyarov’s opinions on the war are still hazy, his opinions of Shoigu have been a little bit more lucid.
He is the sweetest and most upbeat guy I know. In 2021, he declared to the online Russian entertainment programme Night Contact, “I have never met a person like this.”
Deputy Member of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson found a common ground over a friendly meal following recent spirited parliamentary debates.
This memorable occasion was to mark the birthday of Dr Ato Forson.
This instance of friendly interaction followed a vigorous exchange between Afenyo-Markin, the deputy majority leader, and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the minority leader, during the deliberations on the 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review. The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, had presented the review on July 31, 2023.
While participating in the parliamentary debate, the Deputy Majority leader revived the familiar chant ‘eeiii Ato’ as he presented his argument countering the assertions put forth by the minority leader.
Brotherly gestures;
Afenyo-Markin and Ato Forson dine together at Ato’s birthday celebration Ei Ato 😁😁pic.twitter.com/1o25XBM4WF
However, rather than extending their disagreements outside the parliamentary chamber, the two politicians were observed seated at a table, enjoying a pleasant time together.
The deputy Majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin teased that he had more physically appeal than his colleague, Ato Forson.
“I am saying to the birthday boy [reference to Ato Forson], I am more handsome than him. He should debate it,” he said to the amusement of everyone.
Dr Ato Forson on the other hand advised that, despite the political differences, they are one.
“We are brothers, regardless of the political differences.”
The deputy minority leader wished his colleague a happy birthday and they shared laugher together.
Eyewitnesses joined in to share the moment with both individuals putting their political differences aside and having a good time.
Following nearly four years of legal actions, delays, and internal conflicts, the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) is set to conduct its national and regional elections on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
With oversight from the Electoral Commission, approximately 500 delegates from different regions are anticipated to participate in the voting process. In the Greater Accra Region, the elections are scheduled to occur at the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC).
The election register was accessible for review between March 20 and April 3, 2023, allowing members to verify their eligibility. Subsequently, the creation of the new voter register for the election took place from April 4 to April 18, 2023. This was succeeded by the exhibition of the new voter register, held from April 20 to April 23, 2023.
Contenders had until Tuesday, August 8, 2023, to conduct their campaigns before the nationwide elections.
Contesting for Presidency are Bessa Simons (Acting MUSIGA President) and Ras Caleb Appiah Levi (Greater Accra Regional Chairman for MUSIGA).
Gospel musician Thomas Yawson, will be contesting the 1st Vice President position unopposed.
Stella Ganyo and gospel artiste Abena Ruthy are vying for the 2nd Vice President slot.
Contesting the General Secretary position are Samuel Kofi Agyemang and Francis Derman Dogbatse.
Chizzy Wailer, Gifty Oppong Ghansah, Edward Edusa Eyison are also running unopposed for the National Organiser, Welfare Officer and Treasurer positions respectively.
Background
MUSIGA has had its elections postponed umpteenth times since 2019 when Bice ‘Obour’ Osei Kuffour finished with his tenure in office as the President of the union.
The elections which were earlier scheduled for June 26, 2019, were later rescheduled by the National Elections Committee to July 10, 2019.
According to the chairman of the committee at the time, Smart Nkansah, the decision was based on the feedback the committee received from the initial release of the voters register for the elections.
There had been concerns that the voters’ register had not been updated and there were some irregularities in the names of the voters.
The Chairman indicated that the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) which would supervise the elections was also engaged with the limited voter registration exercise.
Ras Caleb Appiah, the Chairman for the Greater Accra MUSIGA, actually took the Union to court in 2019 for running an election that had anomalies in the voter’s register and operated under rules in contravention of their constitution.
In the wake of the protracted misunderstanding, Bessa Simons who was the 1st Vice-President was made to act as the President until a new election was held.
The elections was later scheduled for January 13, 2022 but got postponed again to February 23, 2022 to enable enough preparations for the elections of new executives to lead the association for the next four years.
Later in the year, Bessa Simons said that the voter’s register was ready and that they were just waiting for the National Elections Committee to set a date for the elections.
“We have the monies to do it. We’ve gone to the Electoral Commission, they have given us the budget, we are ready to pay them. The only thing left now is for the Election Committee to set a date. They are meeting on Tuesday and I am hopeful that they will come up with a date. MUSIGA will have its elections and whoever wins MUSIGA will move forward,” he said.
American superstar Beyoncé arranges for her own toilet seats to be transported to every destination on her world tour, ensuring that she never uses a seat previously used by anyone else. Exclusive backstage images reveal a labeled container among her extensive luggage, reading “Beyoncé… toilet seats.”
According to a source, Beyoncé’s elevated status as a performer allows her to make specific requests, and her team goes to great lengths to provide her with personalized comforts, including her preference for a personal toilet seat.
“Her tour roadies have seen everything so it’s not a great deal for them, but it does raise a smile from people who happen to catch a glimpse of the branded container.”
Beyoncé, 41, also uses a customised golf buggy, which is covered in black sheets to hide her identity when she is transported around backstage.
And she has a VIP zone for her and her entourage featuring a huge dining area — but tour crew are not allowed within 50 metres of it and do not get any leftover grub.
Queen Bey has form for diva demands.
In 2013, she demanded all tour crew wore 100 per cent cotton clothing.
She also wanted her water chilled to -6C exactly and £700 titanium straws to drink it — plus hand-carved ice balls to cool her throat.
Her Renaissance tour is now back in the US after eight gigs here, including at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — which rival fans have claimed looks like a giant toilet seat.
As the political arena heats up in Ghana, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, who has a history of contentious statements and actions, has stepped into the spotlight as he embarks on his flagbearership campaign, in preparation for the upcoming Presidential primaries.
Despite the enthusiasm and confidence in becoming the next flagbearer and subsequently assuming the role of the President of the nation, the weight of his past actions, often labeled as ‘sins,’ threatens to overshadow his aspirations.
The MP has gained notoriety for his provocative statements. He has consistently been at the center of various controversies, stirring up debates and attracting both support and criticism for his outspoken views. In this piece, The Independent Ghana highlights ‘7 past ‘sins’ of Kennedy Agyapong’ which is likely to haunt his political career.
Firstly, ‘Kill Ewes statement’: Mr Agyapong is reported to have fueled tribalism by declaring war on all Ewes living in the Ashanti region by inciting NPP activists in the region to attack Ewes with machetes and cutlasses. Despite his attempts at providing clarifications, this incident appears to be one that Ghanaians may find difficult to forgive him for.
Ahmed Suale’s death: Ahmed Hussein Suale was an investigative journalist who died on Wednesday, 16 January 2019. He was killed by unidentified men on motorbikes who shot him three times, twice in the chest and once in his neck in his vehicle. Prior to his demise, Mr Agyapong had publicly attacked Mr Suale on his media platforms.
The legislator had shown a photo of the undercover journalist on TV, disclosed his place of residence and made comments that suggested that Ahmed was a ‘bad boy’ and anyone who sees him could be aggressive towards him. When Ahmed was eventually murdered by unknown gunmen months later, Mr Agyapong became one of the first to be accused of complicity in the incident.
Leaking Afia Schwarzenegger: The MP in 2016 threatened to leak the nude photos of Ghanaian socialite Afia Schwarzenegger. Speaking on Oman FM’s Boiling Point, he said that he was going to release Afia Schwarzenegger’s naked pictures the following week.
Death of Former MP J. B Dankwah: Hon. JB Danquah was murdered in his home on 9th February 2016 at Shiashie in Accra. He was the MP for Abuakwa North on the ticket of NPP. Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Don Don, the main suspect in the murder of the former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu later confessed to the crime.
Daniel in his confession mentioned the names of those who hired him to end the life of the late JB Danquah. Hon Kennedy Agyapong was mentioned as having a hand in the contract killing of the former MP by the suspect Sexy Don Don. The MP has since been fighting for his reputation by denying the claims.
Attacks on Anas: Ken Agyapong has never seen eye-to-eye with Anas Aremeyaw Anas arguing repeatedly that the modus operandi of the journalist was unethical and dangerous. A number of Anas’ projects notably ‘In The Eyes of God’ – about judicial corruption, ‘Number 12’ – about corruption in Ghana football and particularly Galamsey Fraud expose, only upped the ante relative to attacks from the lawmaker.
It was with the galamsey piece that Agyapong dragged Anas’ boss Kweku Baako Jnr, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading GUIDE into the picture, relative to attacks and accusations of corruption and complicity in galamsey. Baako eventually won a defamation suit against Agyapong when an Accra High Court awarded him GHC130,000 in damages, way below the GHC25 million he had sought.
However, in a recent development, Anas also dragged Mr Agyapong to court in a defamation suit, which the investigative journalist lost.
NPP is useless comment: The MP has been actively involved in critiquing his own party, occasionally resorting to hurling insults at some party members. Mr Agyapong who has put a tag on himself as chief financier of the NPP, therefore, does whatever pleases him, has previously (in 2015) described the party as “useless” and members as “stupid, fools and idiots.” This statement incurred the wrath of many in the party and appears to be one of the ‘unforgivable sins’ committed by the now aspiring Presidential candidate.
Attack on Churches: Like most Ghanaians, he believes in the existence of a supreme being who created heaven and earth, however, what he abhors is the manner in which some people practice their faith. He is convinced that while some genuine pastors exist, there are charlatans who parade as men of God and have majored in fleecing unsuspecting people of their monies. He has thus taken it upon himself to campaign against such persons.
Mr Agyapong in recent past years waged a strong campaign against some popular pastors in the country of which Head Pastor of the International God’s Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim, fell victim. Kennedy Agyapong who said he was on a mission to expose fake pastors who have taken advantage of innocent Ghanaians and are living lavishly off their sweat, ensured the arrest of Mr Obinim.
Mr Obinim was charged with the offences of publication of false news and forgery of documents contrary to sections 208 and 159 of the Criminal and other offences Act, (1960) (ACT 29) respectively. The MP who says he is still not happy with developments in the religious space, has vowed to renew his attack on the so-called men of God.
Despite these ‘sins’ Mr Agyapong remains resolute in his quest to become the next leader of the party. Will he be forgiven by the party or will he face potential repercussions for his actions? Well, time will tell.
A new lawsuit has been filed against Bill Cosby by a singer who claims that the comedian drugged and assaulted her in the late 1980s.
According to court papers filed under the Adult Survivors Act and obtained by PEOPLE, the plaintiff, Morganne Picard, claims that Cosby invited her, a wannabe musician, to the set of The Cosby Show in 1987. She alleges that on “multiple occasions” between 1987 and 1990, Cosby “insisted and encouraged” her to consume drinks that made her feel “extremely intoxicated.”
Picard further asserted that, after consuming a drink provided by Cosby at his residence, she experienced a blackout and was sexually assaulted. She recounted regaining consciousness in a hotel room, unclothed, with discomfort in her vaginal area.
“Upon information and belief, when Ms. Picard was physically incapacitated by the unknown intoxicant, Cosby undressed and raped her, without her consent and when she did not have the capacity to consent,” the lawsuit alleged.
The document also named Kaufman Astoria Studios, Astoria Studios LP II, the Carsey-Warner Company and NBCUniversal as defendants, as they did “not investigate, reprimand, supervise nor in any way try to stop Cosby from sexually abusing, assaulting and/or battering women.”
Kaufman Astoria Studios, the Carsey-Warner Company and NBCUniversal did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday.
Astoria Studios LP II, meanwhile, could not be reached for comment.
Picard is specifically suing Bill Cosby for battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She’s suing the other defendants for negligent hiring and negligence.
“It is disappointing to see that these alleged distractors are able to monetize false allegations against Mr. Cosby,” Andrew Wyatt, a rep for the comedian, said in a statement to PEOPLE.
Wyatt added: “Mr. Cosby continues to invoke his Constitutional Rights by saying, ‘Not Guilty’ and vehemently denying all of these alleged allegations waged against him.”
The Adult Survivors Act gives adult victims a window of a year to sue alleged abusers over older sexual crime regardless of the Statute of Limitations. The one-year window for new claims ends on Thanksgiving 2024.
Amidst the controversies surrounding Yul Edochie‘s second marriage, Nollywood veteran Pete Edochie has clarified his stance on not openly opposing the decision.
During an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Pete was asked about his choice to not marry a second wife. He explained that since his wife had already given birth to five sons, he saw no reason to pursue another marriage.
The actor said he wouldn’t oppose polygamy because people who take second wives do it for a variety of reasons.
He went on to give the example of a man whose wife forbade him from having sex, forcing him to wed a second one.
Pete Edochie stated that because he never saw his father treat his mother poorly, he was raised to respect and love women.
He said: “The people who take second wives know best why they take second wives. I don’t have any need for a second wife. For me, I mean I have a wife who has given me five sons, what am I going to look for a second wife for? No it’s not necessary. I will not condemn polygamy, no, because people have their reasons for what they do, right. I know a man who has one wife and she is a very proud woman and she just keeps denying him sex you know, and so he went out, saw a pretty girl who sells petrol, fell in love with her or confessed love to her and went to her father, paid the bride price. Rented an apartment for her and she was making babies for him and then the wife kept preventing him from getting intimate with her and all that.
“One day, the man just left the house, came back with this woman and 3 sons, ‘This is my second wife o, so you have to cope with it.’ My wife just came in now, she’s a lawyer. I have lived with this woman for the past 53 years. Nobody has ever come in here to say ‘oh please Pete stop beating her, you will kill her’. No, why? I never saw my father beat my mother so I cannot say I learnt from my father how to beat mama, No, I did not. I love women a great deal and I respect them. If I see any young man beating up a woman, oh my God . You know, I just think you don’t qualify to be a man.”
Jada Pinkett Smith is the wife of the multi-talented entertainer Will Smith. Their family members are all prominent figures in the entertainment industry, each contributing at different levels of success.
Despite being married to one of the wealthiest individuals in the entertainment world, Jada has amassed a significant personal fortune during her acting career. Notable roles in films like The Matrix series, The Nutty Professor, Madagascar movies, Bad Moms, and Girls Trip have bolstered her earnings.
Though estimations can vary, Jada’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million, with a portion of her wealth attributed to her marriage to Will Smith, who has consistently been among Hollywood’s highest-earning actors.
Early life
Jada was born to Adrienne Bandfield-Jones, a nurse, and Rosbol Pinkett Jr, who ran a construction company. Her mother had her when she was still in high school. Jada was raised with the assistance of her grandmother, who noticed her talent in performing. She enrolled her in piano and dance lessons and eventually, Jada ended up at the Baltimore School for the Arts where she majored in dance and theater. She also became friends with rap star Tupac Shakur, who was her classmate.
Early career
Her career in acting started when she landed small roles in television shows like “True Colors”, “Doogie Howser MD” and “21 Jump Street”. She also starred in many episodes of the sitcom “A Different World.”
In 1993, she got the opportunity to act in the movie, “Menace II Society.” She also acted in “A Low Down Dirty Shame” where her performance gained her a lot of attention and positive reviews. She went on to star in several movies, including being the lead character in some of the movies.
However, Jada’s breakthrough came in 1996 when she was brought on board to remake “The Nutty Professor”, in which she portrayed Eddie Murphy’s love interest. The movie reportedly became a complete success, recording $25 million in its first weekend and bringing in more than $274 million worldwide. The success of “The Nutty Professor” saw her being offered big roles, starring in movies like “Kingdom Come” and being in two installments of “The Matrix” series.
Aside from acting, Jada is also a singer, songwriter, and businesswoman, with a music production company, 100% Women, and a clothing line, Maja. In 2015, she became one of the founding investors of an energy storage company. She and her husband are also into real estate, owning about 10 properties.
Judy Austin,Yul Edochie’s second wife, has allegedly removed a photo of her father-in-law from her social media timeline.
This action reportedly follows Pete Edochie’s critical comments in response to the lawsuit and divorce filed by Yul’s first wife.
During the interview, Pete stated that he was unaware of Judy and Yul’s marriage. He then proceeded to share an Igbo proverb, illustrating his point.
“He who goes to the farm and gets ants-infested firewoods (amongst all the good firewoods in the farm) shouldn’t be surprised when Lizards start paying him a visit (like lizards disturbing nah)”.
Pete described Yul Edochie’s first wife, May, as one of his favourite daughters-in-law, adding that she is a wonderful woman but was receiving advice from people who do not have good homes.
However, reacting to this development, Judy, has pulled down Pete Edochie’s picture from her wall on Instagram.
Reacting to the recent development, some fans took to social media to share their thoughts.
anezi:
“See how he spoke about May….. the success of That home was to May’s credit. See how this father in law spoke so beautifully about his Daughter in law.”
pauloo2104: “Hmmm !!!!! Deep.”
ogamaestro: “He said Mary is being wrongly advised and absolved his son of any blame.”
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Indian opposition, has attended parliament once more following his conviction in a criminal defamation case.
The Congress party leader was stripped of his title as a legislator in March after receiving a two-year prison term.
On Monday, two days after the Supreme Court postponed his sentence, he was re-elected as a member of parliament.
Outside of parliament, Congress leaders chanted slogans and handed out candy to mark his return.
Other opposition party leaders also expressed their happiness about Mr. Gandhi’s return to the legislature.
Mr. Gandhi represents Wayanad in the southern state of Kerala as a member of the Congress party.
Political analysts claim that Mr. Gandhi’s reinstatement as a congressman is a win for INDIA, an alliance made up of 26 opposition parties, as it allows him to run in the upcoming presidential election. In the election, the coalition intends to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The allegations against Mr. Gandhi stem from remarks he made at an election rally in 2019 regarding Mr. Modi’s last name.
Opposition parties have protested his conviction and disqualification, claiming that the BJP in power had targeted him. The BJP has refuted this, claiming that the case had been handled according to the law.
“Why do all these thieves have Modi as their last name?” Mr. Gandhi had questioned during a rally in the state of Karnataka in 2019. Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Narendra Modi.
Lalit Modi is the former president of the Indian Premier League and is currently on the run from the country’s cricket board, while Nirav Modi is an Indian diamond mogul who is still at large.
Purnesh Modi, a politician for the BJP, accused Mr. Gandhi of defaming the entire Modi community in a defamation lawsuit he brought against him. Mr. Gandhi had contended that he made the remark to draw attention to corruption and that it wasn’t intended to disparage any particular community.
In March, a Gujarati court found him guilty and handed out a two-year prison term. A 2013 Supreme Court ruling that states a legislator guilty of a felony and sentenced to two or more years in prison stands disqualified from parliament with immediate effect caused him to lose his MP designation the day after his conviction.
The Gujarat High Court denied Mr. Gandhi’s appeal in July after the court granted him bail to appeal his conviction.
The trial court judge’s justifications for handing down the maximum sentence of two years to Mr. Gandhi, however, were deemed “without sufficient reasons and grounds” by the Supreme Court, who therefore on Friday postponed his conviction.
Additionally, it stated that the Congress leader ought to have exercised greater caution when making the remarks.
Ghanaian journalist and blogger Attractive Mustapha has emphasized the significance of the 13 individuals who undertook a journey from Accra, Ghana to London. He asserted that their achievement reflects positively on the country and merits national recognition and celebration.
During an interview with Obed Brixton on Afeema FM in Koforidua, Attractive Mustapha underscored that these individuals have effectively demonstrated the potential of tourism for Ghana, particularly in the realm of travel tourism, aligning with discussions within the Arts and Tourism industry.
“Personally I have not seen any tourism-oriented activities bigger than the Accra-London road trip apart from the year of return, and the renovation of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.
“I am happy that gradually after so many years of hammering on the opportunities and prospective advantages in the tourism industry, it’s good news that some private people have taken an adventurous lead to market Ghana intentionally as the Center of the world.”
He added that the tourism industry is big and if people are educated about the sector it can reduce the high percentage of unemployment in Ghana.
These men and woman identified as Wonderlust Ghana, consist of philanthropists and passionate tourism enthusiasts united by a single noble purpose to generate funds for rural school development.
“Based on their intentions, they can attract donors and non-governmental Organizations for development in the country.
There are several schools under trees and even villages without schools at all. And these individuals have decided to help in the educational sector by raising funds through travel tourism and I think it’s a very patriotic act,” he added.
“They have put Ghana in the global tourism space in a very unique way which will ignite developmental and entertaining stories and perspectives about the country in the global media space and history,” Attractive Mustapha stated.
The Nottingham hospital is relocated to a new location in Ukraine. An ongoing contribution drop-off location for Ukraine that was under danger of closing has found a new location.
In February 2022, City Hub Ukraine opened its doors in a vacant ward at Nottingham City Hospital.
The base was declared “unsuitable” due to excessive rain, and the volunteer-run group was instructed to leave.
But now, a new location at the hospital has been identified, which, according to the volunteers, was crucial to their cause.
The centre is believed to be the sole permanent location in Nottingham where supplies are gathered for war-torn Ukraine.
The hospital initially informed Ann Vickers, who co-runs the hub with her husband Stuart, that their location in the Minster building was no longer viable owing to “continued water ingress” and that they needed to leave with “some urgency.”
The hospital has acquired a new base, and donations can be transferred in this week, Ms. Vickers has now been informed.
Julie Golding, a former nurse who has volunteered at the hub since April 2022, said it was crucial that the hub stay housed at the hospital.
We’re so handy because we’re right there, she said. We would absolutely lose that kind of donation if we moved off-site.
They were scheduled to deliver a 40th truck, carrying 24 tonnes of relief, to the nation in the coming days, Ms. Vickers.
According to the organiser, an ancient sewing machine that could operate without electricity was requested last month so that injured soldiers could use donated bedding to create knickers and pyjamas.
Last month, the organisation also dispatched an ambulance, which Ms. Vickers claimed was now “saving lives.”
The conflict won’t end, thus we must have a place to carry out this work, according to Mr. Vickers. Most likely, it’s growing worse.
He added that hub assists Ukrainians in Nottingham with moving into new residences and that they have met “great friends” who “are like family.”
Volunteering at the hub is Kherson-born Elina Babich, a Ukrainian immigrant who said: “With a family we discovered warmth, comfort, love, amazing care, and tranquilly.
“I bow to you for your kind hearts on behalf of all Ukrainian refugees accepted by the UK. Thank you so much.”
Director of estates and facilities at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Andrew Chatten, stated: “The hub has my full support and we will do all we can to assist their efforts to provide much-needed relief to Ukraine.”
Fresh and rather shocking details surrounding the monies stolen from former Santitation and Water Resources Cecilia Abena Dapaah has emerged.
In July 2023, news of some domestic workers of the then minister allegedly stealing sums of US$1million, €300,000 and GH¢350,000 broke.
The former minister and her husband are also said to have suffered material losses including GH¢95,000 worth of clothes, US$35,000 handbags, US$1,400 assorted perfumes, US$95k assorted jewelries and GH¢95,000 worth of assorted Kente.
But a recorded voice tape seem to have different narration about the whole escapade.
The recorded audio tape purported to be voice of Sarah–one of the two domestic workers of former Sanitation minister Cecilia Dapaah–has surfaced for the first since stories of the hefty sum looted from the former Minister’s house broke.
In the recorded audio uploaded on video streaming social media platform, YouTube, Sarah is heard making some scandalous revelation about the former Minister.
According to the voice alleged to be Sarah’, she returned a total of $1.8 million to Cecilia Dapaah as well the house she bought with the looted cash.
This amount mentioned is far bigger than total sum of dollars reportedly stolen room the former Minister’s house casting further doubt on how much exactly was the former MP and Minister hoarding in her house.
Full transcript of the leaked tape;
On Tuesday, the woman called me and my guy to come to her house. So when we went to the house, as for me, I know that we are going to beg her, because, you said that your money and I have come to put your money down.
So Why? So we are going to beg her. When we went there, the woman poured hot water, pepper and used that wooden spoon they use to cook (banku ta) to beat me. And later on she took me to the police station, and they arrested me again.
And I was in the cells for about 2 weeks, and they took me to court. When they took me to court and court also gave me remand two weeks. I was in remand [for] about one month, before the court discharged the case, and they took me to another court.
I took some of the money and went to Tamale, so when I was in Tamale, she called me back again to come. When I came, she gave me $1.8m, that I should take. After my guy asked me where did I get the money, but I did not answer him. I said one of the people I am working with gave me the money.
And he said okay, he wanted to buy a car in Accra here, so I should give the money to him to buy a car. And okay, I gave the money to him to go and buy the car. When he went to buy the car, about 3 weeks [later], they came to arrest me in Tamale. When they came to arrest me, I was pregnant. It was one week.
All the money, the lady gave me, I have given all to them. Including the house. And the house too, I gave the money to a girl to buy for me, and then it is not my name on the papers, I don’t know why, and I am not seeing the lady too. I don’t know where she is now.
Lasmid, a former artist under Highly Spiritual has expressed surprise at the disappointment he felt upon leaving Kaywa’s record label, not anticipating such a reaction.
This comes after the “Friday Night” hitmaker left the label, during which Kaywa voiced his displeasure with Lasmid’s refusal to sign a contract despite significant investments being made in his artistic advancement.
Kaywa in an earlier interview said, “Someone like Lasmid, after investing and pushing to put him to the next level, he decided to leave. If I talk about the investment, you will know it really went deep. Lasmid is someone I really love a lot, so I personally tried to push him. Someone like Drew will even accuse me of using their money to push this guy, but I still went ahead because I knew the potential he had.”
According to Highly Spiuritual Music boss, after Lasmid’s song “Friday Night” became a hit, he expressed his eagerness to renew their contract.
However, Lasmid had a change of heart and sought legal advice, which eventually led to what Kaywa described as outrageous demands and the termination of their relationship.
Kaywa believes that Lasmid’s decision to leave the label was influenced by his association with other artistes and investors who may have influenced him into that he had become too big for the label.
But responding to this on Kingdom FM in an interview this week, Lasmid revealed that, he has not wronged his former boss in anyway.
“I didn’t know leaving Kaywa’s Highly Spiritual is going to be a disappointment to him. I never knew about that.
“I believe that when you do something wrong that is when people get hurt or feel disappointed. But I have done nothing wrong, but if there is an issue to be discussed, I will do that at the right time. I’m still cool with Papa (Kaywa) and I’m sure about that. I still talk to him” Lasmid told Fiifi Pratt on the show Afro Joint.
Five maritime police officers from Uganda who were sent to Lake Victoria to recover bodies after an accident that occurred last week were saved after their rescue boat crashed on Sunday, according to the police.
At least 20 people died in the accident on last Tuesday involving a boat that was overcrowded and perhaps carrying 34 people. Nine people were saved, while others were classified as missing.
Only five bodies—all women—had been discovered by the police on Saturday, according to sources.
They stated that they were “facing challenges” because of the dry lake and the huge amount of rain.
The event on Sunday, according to the police, “underscores the unpredictable nature of the lake and the difficult circumstances that our dedicated marine officers face while performing their life-saving duties.”
It states that the accident investigation is ongoing and that more information will be supplied as soon as it becomes available.
The report states that the hunt for the drowning victims’ bodies is still ongoing in the meantime.
The foreign ministry of Italy has urged Ecowas, the regional organisation for West Africa, to extend the deadline set for the coup’s organisers in Niger to restore ousted leader Mohamed Bazoum.
“Diplomacy is the only available option. Antonio Tajani, the foreign minister of Italy, said on Monday, “I hope that the Ecowas ultimatum, which expired last night, will be extended today.
After ignoring the deadline, the junta in Niger closed the nation’s airspace late on Sunday. International flights were either forced to make a diversion or return to their home country as a result.
The army asserted that it thinks two African nations have started making plans to invade Niger but provided no proof.
Since the deadline passed, Ecowas has not released any remarks.
Six people perished after three migrant ships capsized in the Mediterranean Sea, including a mother and baby.
A ship capsized on Sunday off the Kerkennah Islands in Tunisia, resulting in at least four fatalities and 51 being reported as missing.
A woman and child perished along with more than 30 people who are believed to be missing after two ships sank off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy, in a separate incident.
Italian coast guards found the bodies of the Ivory Coast woman and her infant child, who was one year old.
All those on board were from sub-Saharan Africa during the incident off the Kerkennah Islands, a judicial official told Reuters.
Officials from Tunisia reportedly reported discovering the bodies of 10 migrants on a beach close to Sfax.
The official told the AFP news agency that the 10 persons were discovered between Friday and Saturday amid a windstorm that might have capsized their boat.
According to Tunisian authorities, the port city is a well-liked entry point for immigrants looking for a better life in Europe.
The migrants were largely from sub-Saharan African nations, according to Sfax officials, who said they were trying to determine their nationalities. Sfax is only about 80 miles (130 kilometres) from Lampedusa.
The occurrences were under investigation, according to Italian authorities.
When the boats sank on Saturday, some 23 nautical miles (46 km) south-west of Lampedusa, the Italian coastguard reported that it had saved 57 people.
More than 30 people had been reported missing earlier, according to the International Organisation for Migration, the UN’s migration agency.
Firefighters and mountain rescue teams were getting ready to save 20 migrants who were stranded on a rocky section of Lampedusa’s coastline on Sunday.
After the boats were forced against the rocks by heavy winds late on Friday, the migrants have been there ever since.
The NGO Open Arms reported that it has begun disembarking 195 rescued migrants in the port of Brindisi in southern Italy after more than two days of sailing in rough weather.
The investigation’s police chief, Emanuele Ricifari, told local media that the traffickers would have been aware of the impending severe seas.
“Whoever allowed them, or forced them, to leave with this sea is an unscrupulous criminal lunatic,” Mr. Ricifari remarked.
Another 2,000 people who have arrived on the island in recent days have been rescued by Italian patrol vessels and humanitarian organisations.
Some of the migrants have received food, water, clothing, and emergency thermal blankets from the Red Cross.
Ghanaian afrobeats singer Fameye captivated the audience during his inaugural headline concert in London, UK, leaving fans in awe.
The concert, held in collaboration with Bizzle Entertainment, occurred on August 5, 2023, at Broadway Barking Theatre, and proved to be a remarkable triumph.
Fameye’s commanding stage presence and impressive vocal abilities immediately entranced the audience from his first note. His knack for establishing a personal connection with his fans was palpable, as the entire crowd enthusiastically sang along to every lyric.
The concert not only showcased Fameye’s musical prowess but also underscored the unifying influence of music. Attendees from various backgrounds and cultures converged, united by their admiration for the artist and his music.
The event was musically supported by the talented Minor Seven Production, Fameye’s songs came to life with captivating instrumentals and arrangements, enhancing the overall experience and leaving the crowd wanting more.
The synergy between Fameye and the band was evident, creating a harmonious blend that elevated the concert to new heights.
Adding to the excitement of the night, Fameye also treated the crowd to a special performance of his new single, titled ‘Not God.’ The song struck a chord with the audience, receiving an enthusiastic response from the patrons.
The uplifting and resonant message of ‘Not GOd’ seemed to have connected deeply with the attendees, further enhancing the overall experience of the concert.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has shocked Ghanaians with his sudden transition from being a critic of West Blue Ghana Limited in 2015 to now advocating for the company’s claim to a GHC187 million payment.
Back in 2015, Mr Otchere-Darko made headlines for his vocal criticism of West Blue Limited. The staunch member of the NPP was imputing criminality in the contract awarded to West Blue Company by the presidency.
West Blue had been awarded a contract by the then Mahama administration to undertake services including software implementation and also support activities to GRA and related agencies for takeover of functions of DICs on 1 September, 2015.
The government in a leaked letter also directed the Chief of Staff to “take the necessary steps to secure the Public Procurement Approval in order to engage West Blue on Single Source basis.”
This development upset Mr Otchere-Darko who vehemently opposed the awarding of the contract to West Blue.
Fast forward to 2023, and the situation has taken an unexpected turn. Gabby is now at the forefront of advocating for the company’s pursuit of a GHC 187 million payment. This payment is said to be related to services rendered by West Blue in the trade facilitation sector.
This came to light when Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa released a mindblowing piece on Facebook dubbed “The Kitchen Scandal”
In the said post, Mr. Ablakwa expressed his astonishment at how Mr Otchere-Darko allegedly managed to persuade sections of the government, including the Attorney-General’s office and individuals within the Finance Ministry, to approve the massive payment to his new client, West Blue Company Limited.
The North Tongu MP expressed concerns about the colossal liability created for the Ghanaian taxpayer, particularly in the context of the country’s struggling economy and the recent IMF bailout.
He referred to the situation as “insane” and criticised President Akufo-Addo’s “Kitchen Cabinet” for their role in facilitating this enormous financial burden.
In a response to Mr Ablakwa’s claims, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is a Senior Partner at Africa Legal Associates, on Friday, August 4, 2023, maintained that his firm was engaged in a rather legitimate duty on behalf of their client.
According to him, his firm has since April 2021 been engaged by West Blue Ghana Limited to assist the company recover an amount of GH¢187,356,969 being outstanding payments due it from the Government of the Republic of Ghana under a contract dated 04 August 2015, and executed between West Blue, on the one hand, and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF), on the other hand.
“Our client’s claim is founded on clause 13.1 of the NSW Contract, which sets out without equivocation, the fees due to our client under the NSW Contract. It was a contract duly crafted and executed by the John Mahama administration, of which you were a key member.
“Clause 13.1 of the NSW Contract provides that in consideration of its services, our client shall be paid a fee equivalent to 0.35% of the final invoice CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of import consignments entering into Ghana through the seaports, airports and land borders from time to time. Going strictly by the express terms of the NSW Contract, our client calculates the arrears still left outstanding to be in the sum of GH¢187,356,969. Indeed, a demand letter providing details of the sum of GH¢187,356,969 owed, was submitted to the Ministry of Finance on 28 July 2020 by the previous lawyers of our client, Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah,” he wrote in his response.
George Bosompim, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Association of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), has refuted assertions made by some stakeholders that the absence of movie theatres is to blame for the decline of the film industry.
He suggests that alternative spaces are available for movie premieres, eliminating the necessity to construct dedicated cinema halls.
According to him, there were a lot of spaces at university campuses and hotels, among others, that could be used to premiere movies.
“We have not filled all those spaces at the halls of the university campuses and hotels and we are asking for cinemas to be built. We need to go and inspect such places and start using them for our movies.
“If under tents we were able to get people to pay to watch movies, why can’t we do that with halls on our university campuses and hotels? he queried.
He also advised all filmmakers to be tactical and learn all the rudiments that come with the making of movies.
He asked filmmakers not to just wake up and start shooting movies but educate themselves with all the regulations that govern the industry so they were not found wanting.
Mr Bosompim made the call as a panellist at the Graphic Showbiz Forum, on the theme Future of the Ghana Movie Industry: Bright or Bleak, held on Tuesday, July 25 at the offices of MultiChoice Ghana in Accra.
“The movie industry is a very huge area and requires a lot of tactical approaches. For instance, before a filmmaker does a movie, he or she must see a marketer with the script and get to know their target audience.
“You don’t finish shooting a movie and now move out chasing sponsors to help you push it. The marketers will be able to tell you whether the movie will do well or not and which target audience will buy the movie before you start shooting,” he said.
A refugee from Ukraine who had been residing in the UK for nine months announced that she was going back since there was no sign of the war coming to an end.
Since November, Maryna Nesterenko, 38, and her daughter, 3, have resided with a host family in Rendlesham, Suffolk.
She said, however, that she did not wish to remain apart from her husband and family any longer.
No one is certain when the battle will finish, she said.
From Chernihiv, which is about a two-hour drive north of Kyiv, Ms. Nesterenko left.
She admitted that returning to the Ukraine was a “really difficult” decision, but she needed her spouse and her family’s support.
She claimed, “If there was someone close by, I would stay here longer and be able to rent a flat or a house, but I don’t have the support.”
She claimed that it had been “heart-breaking” for her spouse to miss out on watching their kid grow up.
“It’s a really tough decision; I can’t decide whether to stay or leave, but I believe this is the right choice,” the speaker said.
“The entire family will be reunited, my husband will assist me, I’ll go to work, and I’ll have extra hands,” she said.
“It’s obvious that the war won’t end this year, as everyone in the world sees,” she remarked.
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayensuano from the NPP, Samuel Ayeh-Paye, has alleged that a letter written by a potential presidential candidate of the party was leaked.
This letter was sent by one of the party’s candidates, Alan Kyerematen, to the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua (JFK).
The former MP stated that a member from Alan’s campaign team indicated that the letter had been accessed by only three parties, namely Alan’s team, JFK, and potentially the NPP elections committee.
During an interview on Adom TV, Ayeh-Paye clarified that he made these comments on Saturday, asserting that the letter wasn’t leaked by anyone within Alan’s team, implying that the responsibility likely falls on the other parties who had access to the letter.
“We wrote a letter to the general secretary (JFK) over some of the anomalies we saw in the supper delegate register just as he asked us to.
“Before we realise it, the letter we wrote to the general secretary to address the anomalies in the register so we would all accept it had been leaked on social media. And once it was on social media, the traditional media would also pick it for us to discuss which is not the best because we should not be addressing this issue in public,” he said in Twi.
He explained that the general secretary was to simply send the letter to the election committee for the committee to look into the issues raised before it even becomes an issue for public discussion.
In the said letter which was addressed to the chairman of the Presidential Elections Committee, Alan’s team requested that the party address irregularities discovered in the party’s register for the special delegates conference.
The letter which was written by Nana Ohene-Ntow said, “I write for and on behalf of the Alan for President (A4P) Campaign. Aspirants were advised to review the Register for the Special Delegates Conference (SDC) and to return their comments within one week of receipt of the Register,”
“Some comments were made by the campaign team upon review of the register which the team is urging the party to address for transparency purposes.”
Some of the issues raised in the petition include the omission of names and the inclusion of certain persons Alan’s team deemed were to qualified to vote in the supper delegate congress.
A Bolt ride-hailing driver was stabbed by a man wearing a military uniform following a traffic dispute.
Despite suffering from significant blood loss, medical staff at the Deseret Hospital in Santa Maria, Accra, were able to successfully revive the motorist.
It was reported by Citinewsroom.com that the driver warned the soldier about reckless driving before the altercation.
Responding to the driver’s warning, the unidentified soldier reportedly attacked the driver and stabed his head.
Michelle Frimpong, a passenger in the victim’s car, recounted the alleged traffic dispute that led to the stabbing.
“There was this 4×4 that was behind us, and he did a wrongful overtaking and got in the middle of the road. So then it was too obvious, either we skid off the road or we allow him to use his car to scratch our car. Then the bolt driver stretched out his hand and touched the back of his car. And we said that if you wanted a way, show a trafficator and don’t do a wrongful overtaking.
“So just a few minutes, we saw that they had come to park in front of our car. Then this man came down, opened the door of our car, and pulled the bolt driver out of the car. Then the soldier guy came out of the car pulled him back and closed the car.
“So it was the people around who said that he was stabbed so when I got out of the passenger’s side I realized blood oozing out of his head. So we had to rush him to the hospital.” Citinewsroom.com quoted him as having said.
The police service is yet to initiate a probe into the matter to establish the facts and deal with the culprit.
Among them, a 14-year-old student from St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Junior High School in the Tamale Metropolis emerged as the Overall Winner.
Miss Christiana Wehle Awiah, achieving a perfect score of 100 percent in the competition, was awarded a GH¢3,000 cheque, a plaque, a certificate, a laptop, and various mementos for her exceptional performance.
Amanda Daal, aged 13, from the Kpandai District, secured the second position, while Husinatu Mohammed, aged 14, from the Tamale Metropolis, secured the third position. Both Amanda and Husinatu were honored with plaques, laptops, certificates, and cash prizes as part of their recognition for their remarkable accomplishments.
Additionally, ICT laboratories would be established in the respective schools of the top three winners.
In all, 1,000 girls from the 16 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) were trained in basic ICT skills.
They were taken through topics such as coding, cyber security, website development and games, among others.
Also honoured were some girl-child education officers and trainers from various districts in the region for their dedication and commitment.
At the climax of the programme in Tamale, the Minister of MoCD, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, said that as part of the programme, the best 100 girls from each region would be in
Accra to interact and network with women in technology at their respective workplaces to inspire them in their career pursuit.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to building a digital economy and bridging the gender gap in ICT.
The minister further encouraged young girls to embrace programmes in ICT and also take advantage of the opportunities it offered people globally.
Appreciation On behalf of her colleagues, Miss Awiah expressed appreciation to the ministry for the programme and pledged their determination to study hard to achieve their dreams.
She said although she knew how to play around the computer, “this is my first time of learning how to code.
I felt excited knowing I can instruct the computer to create games, animations, stories and websites”.
Background The Girls-in-ICT programme is being implemented by the ministry in collaboration with its agencies to bridge the gender gap in ICT in the country.
It was launched in 2012 by the International Telecommunications Union to empower girls and young women to pursue studies and careers in ICT.
However, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation in 2017, adopted the initiative as a platform to equip girls between the ages of 9 and 15 years (Upper Primary to JHS) with knowledge and skills in basic ICT and coding.
The programme, which exposed participants to coding, cyber security and website development, was implemented by the ministry with support from MTN Ghana, the German Development Cooperation, the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, GIFEC, and the American Towers Corporation (ATC).
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that three Palestinians had been slain at the Jenin Camp in the occupied West Bank.
According to the IDF, they stopped a “terrorist cell” at the camp. Three members of the group were reportedly killed during the operation, according to the IDF.
In a statement outlining the incident, the IDF claimed that Naif Abu Tsuik, the cell’s leader, and two other members had been slain. Additionally, an M-16 rifle was discovered in the cell’s car.
A statement regarding the deaths has not yet been released by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. According to eyewitness accounts, Israeli soldiers took the truck with the dead inside.
The incident was denounced by the Hamas spokesman, Hazem Qassem, as a “new crime” committed by the “Zionist enemy.”
He declared that the Palestinian people would keep up their struggle and that the occupation will face the repercussions of its acts.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said this past weekend that an Israeli settler had shot and murdered a Palestinian man in the West Bank neighbourhood of Burqa, close to Ramallah.
Two Israelis were detained after the event, which was condemned by the US. Israeli settlers rarely face arrest after attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli authorities reported that a Palestinian gunman who was also shot and killed on Saturday night shot and murdered an Israeli patrolman in Tel Aviv.
Long a hotbed of conflict, Jenin witnessed Israeli forces’ largest-scale military offensive in decades last month.
At least 12 Palestinians died as a result of the rioting, which also severely damaged the city’s camp for refugees.
