Author: Chris Kodo

  • Prime Minister of Niger pleads for international assistance in light of military coup

    Prime Minister of Niger pleads for international assistance in light of military coup

    In order to reverse a military coup, Niger‘s first democratically elected president has appealed for international assistance.

    Undoing the coup, said to Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, is essential to protect democracy in West Africa.

    Mr. Mahamadou is currently in France because, when borders closed as a result of the coup, he was abroad for international meetings.

    He claimed that protecting countries further south “against the spread of terrorism” and supporting democracy in the area should be anchored by Niger.

    Because Niger is a vulnerable nation, Mr. Mahamadou called the coup a calamity. Nearly four million individuals already reside in this nation with food insecurity.

    A 300,000-strong number of internally displaced individuals live in this nation.

    Last week, coup leaders announced the removal of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum on live television.

    According to the constitution of Niger, the president has a wide range of authorities, including the choice of the prime minister.

    On Sunday, the ECOWAS regional organisation in West Africa issued travel and economic restrictions against Niger and threatened to use force if the coup leaders did not restore Mr. Bazoum within a week.

    Spain, Italy, and France all declared citizen evacuations on Tuesday.

    Mr. Mahamadou pointed out that since 2020, there have been three comparable instances in Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

    The whole of West Africa’s democracy is in jeopardy if a fourth coup is verified, he continued, adding that there is no reason why a fifth coup shouldn’t occur, followed by a sixth.

    For the ECOWAS nations, survival is at stake. It’s a credibility issue for the entire world community. Niger must continue to be a democratic nation.

    One of the West’s final democratic allies in the fight against Islamic radicals in West Africa was his administration.

    In terms of security, not just for the rest of Africa but also for the rest of the world, Niger is a crucial nation, And Mr. Mahamadou.

    Because “the armed forces are preoccupied with issues other than ensuring the country’s security, you can understand that this will enable the jihadists to move forward on the ground,” he cautioned that Niger’s current instability “could encourage the further development of insecurity linked to jihadists.”

    The president “is definitely a hostage,” according to Mr. Mahamadou, who added that he is in contact with Mr. Bazoum and that the president is “in good spirits” and “ready to face the situation.”

    Because they claim to be “patriots,” he thought the coup leaders would accept the ECOWAS request to reinstate Mr. Bazoum rather than risk military involvement.

  • Gang from Paris steals pricey jewellery worth £13 million after holding staff hostage

    Gang from Paris steals pricey jewellery worth £13 million after holding staff hostage

    Three armed criminals broke into a jeweller store in the centre of Paris and stole luxury items worth approximately £13 million before fleeing the scene.

    The heist happened inside the expensive Piaget watch boutique in the centre of Paris, where the criminals are alleged to have held the staff hostage while barring the clients from leaving.

    The Mail was informed by an investigator that “two men in suits” and “a woman in a dress” were responsible.

    “They calmly entered the Piaget store, then brandished a weapon with a silencer on the barrel to threaten the staff.”

    The robbers forced a staff member to unlock the display windows and a trunk containing some of the most valuable pieces after forcing everyone in the back of the store to the ground.

    Once they acquired enough jewellery, the thieves reportedly left on foot before perhaps boarding nearby two-wheelers.

    A person with direct knowledge of the situation indicated that police were seeking for three suspects as part of the ongoing investigation.

    The heist happened at the business on the Rue de la Paix in the affluent Place Vendome neighbourhood, which is home to a number of jewellers, watchmakers, and luxury brands, around lunchtime.

    In recent years, there have been a lot of armed robberies in the neighbourhood.

    A adjacent Bulgari store next to the Ministry of Justice was broken into in March by criminals who reportedly carried assault guns before fleeing on motorcycles with millions of pounds’ worth of jewellery.

    Jewellery from a Chanel store in the heart of Paris was also stolen by armed attackers last year.

    The four thieves were shown on camera casually leaving the Vendome store with their bag full of high-end products.

    Near the Champs-Elysees in July 2022, burglars stole merchandise worth about £2 million. The same month, a Dinh Van store was also broken into.

    Additionally, in October 2016, a group of masked men held American reality TV star Kim Kardashian at gunpoint during a robbery in her hotel room in Paris, stealing more than £7 million worth of valuables.

  • 5 year old boy drowns in a holiday park in Cornwall

    5 year old boy drowns in a holiday park in Cornwall

    A five-year-old youngster has passed away at a well-known beach vacation spot in Cornwall.

    On Monday, Robin Caliskan perished after having trouble in the pool at Atlantic Reach Newquay.

    His father Cemal, 35, gave a heartfelt remembrance of his “very cute and clever” son and remarked that he “loved hugs.”

    The Plymouth family had just been at the resort for an hour when Robin assisted them in setting up their tent before they all went swimming.

    Before the tragic event when Robin abandoned him to join his mother Ferzane and little brother Renas in the baby pool, Cemal claimed that they had been taking photos together.

    ‘I want every parent to see this tale, this can’t happen again,’ he declared. We are in pain, and we don’t want any other parents to feel the same way.

    “We just wanted to share this with other parents and other kids to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” they said.

    It has been verified by Devon and Cornwall Police that they are looking into the incident and collaborating with Cornwall Council’s health and safety staff.

    According to a spokeswoman, “Police are looking into the circumstances surrounding a child’s death at a Newquay vacation resort.”

    A five-year-old youngster drowned in an Atlantic Reach Holiday Park swimming pool yesterday afternoon, the ambulance service reported to the police.

    The boy is from the Plymouth region, and the coroner will receive a case that has been created. The death is not being investigated as suspiciously.

    “Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police are conducting inquiries in relation to the circumstances surrounding this death,” according to representatives from Cornwall Council Health and Safety.

    ‘We do not feel it is appropriate to speak further at this time, other to say our thoughts are with the family at this time,’ an Atlantic Reach representative said.

    ‘Atlantic Reach is dedicated to helping our visitors, the local community, and the members of our team who provide prompt assistance.

    We humbly request that everyone affected be given time and space at this upsetting period.

  • Prof Bokpin issues caution on declaring Ghana’s economy stabilised 

    Prof Bokpin issues caution on declaring Ghana’s economy stabilised 

    An economist and lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin, has raised objections to the finance minister’s assertion that the economy is gradually stabilizing and showing signs of recovery due to positive progress.

    According to the esteemed economist, the economy is displaying minimal signs of recovery and is struggling to operate normally.

    During his appearance on Joynews’ AM Show on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Professor Bokpin asserted that the funds obtained from the IMF bailout have indicated some level of stability, but he emphasized that it is premature to assume that Ghana has fully emerged from the economic crisis.

    “With the approval of the IMF -supported programme, particularly with the inflow of the $600 million, and then also some of the fiscal consolidation measures that we are implementing, we’ve seen some relative stability, but it’s too early to say that we are out of the woods.

    “It’s too early because the economy actually is not in full gear. You only say you have turned the corner when the economy is in full gear and all the variables are turning in the right direction. For now, the economy is not in full gear because we are not meeting all our commitments, to all our stakeholders optimally,” Prof. Bokpin noted.

    Prof. Bokpin attributed government’s arrears to its contractors including the School Feeding Program and Independent Power Producers signals that the economy has not recovered yet and more work needs to be done.

    “You cannot say the numbers are turning out good because the economy is responding fully. No, your economy is not in full gear. If you have suspended certain key things, for which reason you are seeing some stability, you could not conclude that you have turned the corner.

    “Of course, we can see some relative stability and all of that, but the whole architect of the economy is not in operation. So, you want to be very careful how you interpret that signal,” he remarked.

    His comment comes on the back of the Finance Minister’s assertion that the economy is on course to recovery and gradually stabilizing following Ghana’s Ghana’s successful bail out of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

  • Cynthia Lamptey approved as Deputy Special Prosecutor despite vetting concerns

    Cynthia Lamptey approved as Deputy Special Prosecutor despite vetting concerns

    Parliament has approved the appointment of Cynthia Jane Naa-Koshie Lamptey as the Deputy Special Prosecutor.

    This happened on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, despite concerns raised during her vetting. 

    During the session, the MP for Asawase expressed his disapproval of the confidential vetting, asserting that just because someone is being re-nominated does not justify a closed-door vetting process.

    He pointed out that the standing orders of the appointment committee stipulate that vetting should be public, and he urged against deviating from established procedures.

    While acknowledging that the decision to vet in camera was not necessarily incorrect, the MP voiced apprehensions about the implications it may have for the credibility and transparency of the parliament. He emphasized that this kind of selective approach might weaken the public’s trust in the parliamentary proceedings.

    Mr Muntaka further stressed that even when vettings are conducted openly, doubts and questions from the public are still common. The MP asserted that if the public is informed that approvals were granted in private, it could further erode trust and faith in the parliament’s functioning.

    He said “I’m not saying what we’ve done is wrong but the moment we pick and choose, tomorrow another minister or somebody else will use that and say ‘why am I not been vetted in camera’ and by the time we realise we will further weaken this house”.

    “This house is already weak and we can never run away from that, the public don’t even trust us. Even when we sit before the cameras and vet, they still come with questions and doubts about ‘why didn’t you do this, why didn’t you do that’ and now if all they will hear is that we are approving people and we did it in camera it’s not good,” he added.

    The former Minority leader cautioned that the appointment committee must assert its authority and recognize the importance of public scrutiny. He warned against introducing variations to the established vetting process for specific individuals, as it might raise suspicions and complicate accountability.

  • Davido to perform in Ghana this December

    Davido to perform in Ghana this December

    Nigerian music sensation Davido, amid soaring anticipation from his fans, has delightedly announced his upcoming performance in Ghana this December, stirring a flurry of excitement among his followers in the country. Addressing his followers’ queries about the much-awaited visit, Davido confirmed that the timeless tour bus would finally grace Ghana’s shores, leading to an eager countdown of days until the grand event.

    The announcement has ignited a buzz of excitement among Ghanaian fans, who eagerly await the chance to witness Davido’s electrifying performance. However, some Ghanaians remain skeptical due to a past incident involving Wizkid, who was scheduled to headline a concert in Ghana last year but disappointingly failed to show up, leaving around 5,000 fans waiting for almost 12 hours and feeling disheartened.

    Nonetheless, Davido has sought to reassure his Ghanaian fans of his unwavering commitment to delivering an unforgettable and energetic show. His highly successful world tour has exemplified his dedication to his global fanbase, and he is resolute in making his stop in Ghana a momentous and memorable experience.

    As the countdown to December 2023 commences, the anticipation among Ghanaian fans reaches fever pitch, eagerly awaiting the arrival of this music sensation on their homeland’s stage.

  • What causes morning depression and how to overcome it

    What causes morning depression and how to overcome it

    Morning depression, also known as diurnal variation of depressive symptoms, is a phenomenon where individuals experience a worsening of depression symptoms during the morning hours. The exact cause of morning depression is not fully understood, but there are several factors that may contribute to it:

    1. Circadian Rhythm: The body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, plays a role in regulating mood and energy levels. For some individuals with depression, the circadian rhythm may be disrupted, leading to worsened symptoms in the morning.
    2. Cortisol Levels: Cortisol, the stress hormone, tends to peak in the early morning. In individuals with depression, this increase in cortisol levels may exacerbate depressive symptoms.
    3. Sleep Disturbances: People with depression often experience sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns. Poor sleep can contribute to increased feelings of sadness and fatigue in the morning.
    4. Negative Thoughts: Mornings may be a vulnerable time for individuals with depression, as negative thoughts and feelings may be more prevalent upon waking.

    To overcome morning depression, consider the following strategies:

    1. Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. This can help regulate your circadian rhythm and improve sleep quality.
    2. Engage in Morning Routine: Create a calming and positive morning routine that includes activities you enjoy, such as meditation, exercise, or spending time in nature. This can set a positive tone for the day.
    3. Seek Support: Talk to a mental health professional about your morning depression symptoms. Therapy and counseling can help identify triggers and provide coping strategies.
    4. Light Therapy: Exposure to natural sunlight or using a light therapy box in the morning may help regulate the circadian rhythm and improve mood.
    5. Medication: In some cases, medication prescribed by a healthcare professional may be necessary to manage depressive symptoms, including morning depression.
    6. Avoid Caffeine and Stimulants: Limit the intake of caffeine and stimulants, especially in the afternoon and evening, to improve sleep quality and reduce morning anxiety.
    7. Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing exercises or yoga, to reduce stress and negative thinking.

    Remember, everyone’s experience with morning depression is unique, so finding the right approach may require some trial and error. It is essential to seek professional guidance and support to develop a personalized plan for managing morning depression effectively.

  • Wizkid’s baby mama Jada Pollock celebrates their 2nd child’s birthday

    Wizkid’s baby mama Jada Pollock celebrates their 2nd child’s birthday

    Jada Pollock, Wizkid’s baby mama, and manager expressed her joy on Instagram as she celebrated their second son’s first birthday.

    In a heartwarming post, she shared beautiful photographs, finally revealing his name, which was previously kept private.

    The post included a precious snapshot of AJ as an infant, lovingly held by his parents, along with more recent pictures from his recent photoshoot, capturing the happiness of the now one-year-old child, including one with his older brother Zion.

    The celebration was filled with love and gratitude for their growing family.

    The happy mother penned a beautiful note saying, “Happiest 1st birthday AJ …. You have taught me how precious time is. May God continue to watch over you.”

    Amidst longstanding speculations about their relationship, Jada Pollock and Wizkid welcomed their second child together, a boy named Zion, in 2017, who is their first child. Unlike some of Wizkid’s other baby mamas, there were no disputes about paternity surrounding Zion’s birth. In July 2022, they joyously welcomed their second son, making him the fifth child of the renowned singer. Their growing family continues to be a source of happiness and love for both Jada and Wizkid.

    Jada has been an active brand manager in the music industry for years. She is highly regarded as one of the top image consultants in the entertainment industry.

    Before meeting Wizkid, she had managed other stars like Akon, Chris Brown, Pia Mia, and so on. She was seen as a vital part of Mia Pia’s success and is highly recognised as a big name in the music industry.

  • How to balance life and work as a working mother

    How to balance life and work as a working mother

    Balancing life and work as a working mother requires thoughtful planning and effective strategies. Here are some tips to help achieve a harmonious balance:

    Balancing life and work as a working mother requires thoughtful planning and effective strategies. Here are some tips to help achieve a harmonious balance:

    1. Prioritize: Identify the most important tasks and responsibilities both at home and work. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first, and be flexible with less urgent ones.

    2. Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and family time. Avoid taking work-related calls or responding to emails during family time, and vice versa.

    3. Create a Schedule: Develop a daily or weekly schedule that includes dedicated time for work, family activities, self-care, and relaxation. Stick to the schedule as much as possible to maintain consistency.

    4. Delegate and Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks both at home and work. Enlist the help of family members, friends, or childcare services to share the workload.

    5. Communicate with Employers: Discuss flexible work options or remote work arrangements with your employer if feasible. Open communication about your needs and challenges can lead to understanding and support.

    6. Practice Self-Care: Make time for self-care activities that rejuvenate and relax you. Engage in activities like exercise, hobbies, or meditation to reduce stress and enhance well-being.

    7. Embrace Technology: Utilize technology to streamline tasks, such as using productivity apps, online calendars, and communication tools to stay organized and efficient.

    8. Set Realistic Expectations: Accept that you may not be able to do everything perfectly all the time. Embrace imperfections and focus on progress rather than perfection.

    9. Be Present: When you are with your family, be fully present and engaged. Quality time with loved ones is essential for building strong connections.

    10. Learn to Say No: Prioritize your commitments and learn to say no to additional responsibilities or engagements that may overwhelm you.

    11. Stay Positive: Cultivate a positive mindset and practice gratitude for the blessings in your life. Maintaining a positive outlook can help you navigate challenges with resilience.

    Remember, achieving a work-life balance is an ongoing process. Be patient with yourself and be willing to adjust your strategies as needed to create a fulfilling and balanced life as a working mother.

  • Van Vicker celebrates 46th birthday with stunning photo

    Van Vicker celebrates 46th birthday with stunning photo


    Celebrated Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker, celebrated his birthday on August 1, 2023, as he reached the age of 46. To mark this significant milestone in his life, the beloved actor shared heartfelt photos and a special message with his fans and well-wishers on his Instagram account.

    The actor’s Instagram post garnered immense love and warm wishes from his followers, who flooded the comments section with messages of admiration and congratulations. Van Vicker’s enduring popularity and talent have endeared him to audiences both in Ghana and beyond, making his birthday a joyous occasion celebrated by many.

    As a versatile and accomplished actor, Van Vicker’s contributions to the Ghanaian entertainment industry have left an indelible mark, and his fans eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this beloved star.

    In a touching and heartfelt post, Van Vicker extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty for reaching this significant milestone in his life. Reflecting on his journey of success thus far, he expressed profound appreciation for the multitude of experiences and opportunities that have enriched his life over the years.

    He wrote: 46 years. I am grateful. The time has come. I am still inspired to achieve more

  • Economist defends BoG; says bank is not entirely to blame for GHC60bn losses 

    Economist defends BoG; says bank is not entirely to blame for GHC60bn losses 

    An economist at the University of Ghana, Dr Adu Sarkodie, has come forward to support the Bank of Ghana’s management in the face of the GHC60.81 billion loss incurred by the apex bank during the 2022 fiscal year.

    In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show, Dr Sarkodie emphasised that during the period under scrutiny, the Bank fulfilled its constitutional mandate effectively and should not be criticized harshly.

    “The central bank is mandated to regulate the financial sector and influence GDP and employment, and they have done well on that level but the losses they made came from the fiscal side and were not the same as in the process of undertaking their core mandate and I don’t think we should entirely blame the BoG for undertaking their mandate.”

    Dr. Sarkodie also expressed concern over the independence of the Bank of Ghana which he said can also be blamed for the lax provisions by management which made it possible for the government to borrow beyond 5 percent of its revenue in the year preceding 2022.

    “Let’s take a look at the 5 percent financing balancing…their [BoG] independence is not there and that is something that will be worrying to any governor of the Bank of Ghana.”

    “Part of the blame should be placed on foreign investors in selling government bonds and also independence of the Bank is key because it is baffling how the Bank suspended the 5 percent finance balancing that allowed the government to over-borrow,” Dr. Sarkodie added.

  • Uche Maduagwu criticizes Stella Damasus over failed marriage

    Uche Maduagwu criticizes Stella Damasus over failed marriage

    Controversial Nollywood actor Uche Maduagwu has criticized Stella Damasus’ for speaking out about her failed marriage.

    Stella Damasus opened up about the breakdown of her marriage to her ex-husband, Daniel Ademinokan, during the interview. She disclosed that she learned about the end of her marriage through YouTube, a fact that Uche Maduagwu took issue with.

    The actor slammed Stella for discussing her failed marriage publicly, suggesting that such matters should be kept private. He expressed his disapproval of her decision to share personal details about her past relationship and implied that it was unnecessary to discuss it in the media.

    Uche Maduagwu’s criticism has sparked a debate among fans and followers, with some supporting Stella’s decision to speak her truth, while others agree with Maduagwu’s stance on keeping personal matters private. The controversy surrounding the topic continues to unfold as both sides express their opinions on the matter.

    She said: “The thing is that I am not here to apportion blame. To say he did this or that, I will not say that.

    “I pride myself in being a respectful person. A lot of things were said about me on YouTube because that is how I found out that my marriage had ended, on YouTube. I did not know that my marriage had ended.”

    People implied that the actress snatched Ademinokan from her colleague because he left Doris Simeon, who already had a child for him, to marry Damasus.

    Maduagwu commented on the news on a well-known site, saying that the actress had received what she had sown.

    He said: “WETIN you Sow Na WETIN you Dey Reap”.

  • ‘Jesus is the only juju I know’ – Kanayo O. Kanayo

    ‘Jesus is the only juju I know’ – Kanayo O. Kanayo

    Addressing the recent surge in popularity of videos from his old movies, veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has finally broken his silence.

    TikTok users have been curating and sharing various excerpts from Kanayo’s past films, particularly focusing on his roles involving rituals.

    In response to the circulating clips, the seasoned actor clarified during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwa that he personally had no connection to the ritualistic content in those videos.

    Kanayo emphasized that his portrayal of such roles was merely a part of his profession as an actor, and he had no personal involvement in any ritual practices depicted in the films.

    The actor’s statement aims to dispel any misconceptions or misunderstandings surrounding the nature of his roles and to affirm that his work in those movies should not be taken as an endorsement of the depicted rituals.

    The seasoned actor continued by saying that Jesus is the only “juju” he is aware of and believes in.

    Kanayo declared that he would take on any role offered to him as long as money was involved.

    He said: “For me the only juju I know is Jesus all this night sacrifice and so on call me as long as you are paying my cheque.”

    Check out some comments

    glambymimi1: “You go explain tire No evidence”

    eli.odion: “this man don suffer for Nigerians and nollywod hand”

    saveandslaythriftstore: “Sorry Sir you can’t tell me what believe! All my childhood movies with you in it says otherwis. Shop quality bags at affordable rates from me today. Thanks”

    mercy_lambo_1: “Gud morning team mercy,it’s voting 0’clock ooo,don’t assume she is safe ooo..keep voting…..please follow this page for more updates”

    akodsgram: “Where’s your evidence?”

  • $114m needed to complete ‘expensive’ Saglemi Housing project – Akufo-Addo

    $114m needed to complete ‘expensive’ Saglemi Housing project – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has stated that a whooping $114million funding is needed to revamp the Saglemi Housing Project, which for many years have been left abandoned.

    According to him, this additional amount is on top of the $198 million already invested in the project.

    During the sod-cutting ceremony for the Pokuase Housing Project today, August 1, 2023, the President stated that the Ministry of Works and Housing has been working in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General’s office, and Cabinet to revive the Saglemi Housing Project.

    According to him, the additional money required will be used to take care of some off-site essentials such as water, electricity, and storm drains to mitigate flooding.

    “However, in the meantime, to fore store the project from deteriorating, the minister for works and housing, has actively engaged the cabinet, the ministry of finance and the office of the attorney general on the completion of the project.

    “It has been established that in addition to the $198million already spent on the project, government has to raise additional financing to the tune of $46million to complete the off-site frustration work that is water, electricity and storm drains to mitigate flooding,” he said.

    “Further, $68million is required to complete the buildings and other essential onsite infrastructure works like the waste holding bay, sewage treatment plants and the development of socioeconomic and civic infrastructure such as basic school, clinic and shops,” he stated.

    Acknowledging delays and setbacks encountered during its execution, President Akufo-Addo emphasised that the government is committed to preventing further deterioration of the Saglemi Project while the investigation proceeds.

    “It is important also to address the challenges faced by the Saglemi Housing Project which the minister for housing alluded to.

    “We are aware of the delays and setbacks encountered during the execution of this project. The issues about the scope of work and the monies spent on the Saglemi Project have been taken to the criminal investigations division of the Ghana Police Service for investigation. Which has resulted in a criminal judicial proceeding,” he said.

    The Saglemi Housing Project has been a significant undertaking for the previous government. It aimed at providing affordable housing and reducing the housing deficit in Ghana.

    However, the project has faced a lot of scandals and procurement breaches. As a result, even though the project has been completed, it has been left to deteriorate.

    The Nana Addo-led government claims that it is investigating these scandals before the project can be utitlised.

    Ghana’s housing crisis is a well-known problem that has persisted for decades. Despite the government’s efforts to tackle the issue, many Ghanaians still struggle to find affordable and quality housing. One of the reasons for this is the exorbitant prices charged by developers for their houses.

    Presently, Ghana has a staggering housing deficit of about 1.8 million according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). This is partly due to higher rental rates, mortgages, building materials, etc.

  • Yvonne Nelson brings back “Heels & Sneakers “TV series on YouTube

    Yvonne Nelson brings back “Heels & Sneakers “TV series on YouTube

    After a seven-year break since its initial television debut, Yvonne Nelson‘s YN Productions has brought back the highly acclaimed drama series, “Heels and Sneakers,” with a captivating twist on YouTube.

    Previously aired on major TV stations in Ghana and Nigeria, the series was revived in July 2023 on YouTube with a fresh dose of suspense and thrilling cliffhangers that are sure to captivate the audience, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next episode.

    “Heels and Sneakers” revolves around the lives of students both on and off-campus, delving into their relationships, fears, challenges, peer pressure, and adding a touch of comedy, making it highly relatable to the youth audience. The show offers the convenience of on-demand viewing, allowing viewers to enjoy the series from the comfort of their homes. The relaunch promises to reignite the excitement and enthusiasm that the series garnered during its previous run on TV and is set to keep fans glued to their screens once again.

    “Heels & Sneakers is YN Productions’ first series and I couldn’t be more proud of it, considering the efforts we put into the production. For us, it is to create a long-lasting platform to unearth new talents for our movie industry,” said Yvonne Nelson.

    “I am extremely happy the fans once again have the opportunity to watch it every weekend on my YouTube channel. I will encourage everyone to subscribe to the Yvonne Nelson (@yvonnenelsongh) channel on YouTube and get to see it,” she added.

    The talented cast of the drama series “Heels and Sneakers” features a stellar lineup, with Andrea Owusu, Regina Van-Helvert, Belinda Dzattah, Matilda Owusu, and Yvonne Nelson portraying the strong women in heels, while Cyril Sackeyfio, Ian Wordi, Fritz Johnson, Sultan Robert, Jason El-Agha, and Joshua Menson portray the dynamic men in sneakers.

  • 5 conversations to have with your partner before marriage

    5 conversations to have with your partner before marriage

    Before embarking on the journey of marriage, it’s essential to have open and honest conversations with your partner to ensure a strong foundation for your future together. Here are five important conversations to have before tying the knot:

    1. Goals and Aspirations: Discuss your individual life goals and aspirations as well as your shared goals as a couple. Explore your career ambitions, family plans, financial objectives, and personal growth aspirations, ensuring that you are aligned and supportive of each other’s dreams.

    2. Finances and Money Management: Be transparent about your financial situations, including debts, savings, and spending habits. Talk about how you plan to manage finances as a couple, such as budgeting, saving, and making financial decisions together.

    3. Communication and Conflict Resolution: Address how you both communicate and handle conflicts. Discuss healthy ways to express emotions and resolve disagreements constructively, promoting open and respectful dialogue.

    4. Family and Children: Explore your expectations regarding starting a family, including the number of children you desire, parenting styles, and involvement of extended family members in your lives.

    5. Values and Beliefs: Discuss your core values, beliefs, and religious or spiritual views. Understand each other’s perspectives and find common ground to support and respect one another’s beliefs.

    These conversations will help build trust, deepen emotional intimacy, and foster a solid understanding of each other’s needs and expectations, ultimately laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling marriage.

  • Individual cigarettes in Canada will now carry warnings such as “poison in every puff”

    Individual cigarettes in Canada will now carry warnings such as “poison in every puff”

    Canada is implementing new regulations that require individual cigarettes to bear warnings like “poison in every puff” and “cigarettes cause impotence.” The government aims to make it challenging for consumers to avoid health warnings entirely.

    The world’s first measure of its kind, a part of extensive new tobacco regulations, will be implemented on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. These regulations will introduce strict controls gradually over the next two years.

    “Tobacco use continues to kill 48,000 Canadians each year. We are taking action by being the first country in the world to label individual cigarettes with health warning messages,” said Carolyn Bennett, who was minister of mental health and addictions when the rules were first announced. (Bennett was shuffled out of cabinet last week after announcing her departure from federal politics.)

    The move is the latest in a long series of measures to curb smoking from the Canadian government.

    About 13% of Canadians use tobacco, costing the public healthcare system more than $6bn annually, the government says. In 1965, about half of Canadians smoked.

    The smoking rate in Canada has steadily declined as public awareness of smoking’s dangers has grown. Federal and provincial regulations on tobacco sales, use, taxation and advertising have also led to declining rates in all age groups.

    Canada was the first country in the world to require cigarette makers put pictorial warnings on cigarette packages, in 2001. Bans on indoor smoking followed later that decade.

    Research suggests that periodically refreshing warnings with new images and text is an effective way to raise awareness of health effects among smokers.

    The new rules taking effect this week – known as Tobacco Products Appearance, Packaging and Labelling Regulations (TPAPLR) – mean that the warning messages will change every two to three years, depending on the product.

    Canadian Lung Association CEO Terry Dean welcomed the new measures, calling the individual cigarette warnings “quite unique and novel”.

    TPAPLR also attempts to standardise the sizes of package health warnings which must now take up at least 75% of cigarette packs’ display areas.

    Annie Papageorgiou, executive director of the Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health, said it had been more than 10 years since the images were last changed.

    Papageorgiou and Dean said they would like to see more regulations on vaping and a tobacco tax hike moving forward, as well as a cost recovery fee levied on tobacco companies.

    “We still have too many smokers in Quebec – too many people who are dying from tobacco use. We’ll gladly take anything we can do to protect occasional smokers, new smokers and youth,” she said.

    The government says these new regulations bring the country into line with the World Health Organisation’s framework convention on tobacco control.

  • 7 Couples therapy exercises to try with your spouse

    7 Couples therapy exercises to try with your spouse

    For numerous couples, the thought of attending couples therapy triggers fears of engaging in heated arguments and conflicts while a therapist acts as a referee, determining who is right and who is wrong. Unfortunately, this might have been the actual experience for some couples if the therapist lacked the skills to introduce new communication tools and conflict resolution techniques.

    A competent couples therapist goes beyond merely encouraging positive relationship behaviors at home. They should actively instruct and demonstrate exercises to enable effective communication, especially during conflicts.

    These exercises are designed to disrupt any unhealthy communication patterns and conflicts that may have developed in the marriage. Here are seven couples therapy exercises that you can try with your spouse to enhance your communication and foster a healthier relationship dynamic.

    1. Daily Appreciation: Take a few minutes each day to express gratitude and appreciation for each other. Share what you love and value about your partner, fostering a positive atmosphere.

    2. Active Listening: Practice active listening during your conversations. Pay full attention to your partner’s words without interrupting, and try to understand their perspective before responding.

    3. Conflict Resolution: When conflicts arise, use the “I” statements technique to express your feelings and needs without blaming your partner. Work together to find solutions and compromises.

    4. Love Maps: Create love maps by asking each other open-ended questions about your dreams, fears, and aspirations. This exercise fosters deeper emotional connection and understanding.

    5. Weekly Date Nights: Schedule regular date nights to reconnect and have fun together. These moments allow you to strengthen your emotional intimacy and create lasting memories.

    6. Apology and Forgiveness: Practice apologizing sincerely when you make mistakes, and be open to forgiving your partner when they do the same. This exercise helps build trust and emotional safety.

    7. Vision for the Future: Discuss your individual and shared goals for the future. This exercise helps align your aspirations and deepen your commitment to each other.

    Remember, these exercises are meant to enhance communication and emotional connection, but if you encounter significant challenges, seeking professional couples therapy can be beneficial.

  • RESIGN! – Prof Bokpin calls out BoG governor over GHC60bn loss

    RESIGN! – Prof Bokpin calls out BoG governor over GHC60bn loss

    Renowned economist professor, Prof Godfred Alufar Bokpin has called for the resignation of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in the wake of revelations of alleged GH¢60 billion losses incurred under his watch. 

    The Professor in an interview pulled no punches in expressing his concern over the dire financial situation. He accused the BoG Governor of failing in his duties, leading to staggering financial losses that have sent ripples of panic and uncertainty across the nation.

    “Perhaps I have not studied and gathered situations enough, but to the best of my knowledge, what is happening is legendary. In any serious society, I don’t think the governor will need somebody to advise him to resign. This (GHC60 billion losses) is not something you would want to be on your CV,” he noted. 

    The disclosure of the massive losses recorded at the Bank of Ghana has left citizens bewildered.

    In its audited financial statement for 2022 which was released on July 28, 2023, the bank indicated that as at December 31, 2022, the total liabilities of the central bank and its subsidiaries exceeded its total assets by GHC54.52 billion.

    The losses were attributed to the government’s domestic debt restructuring activities and the depreciation of the local currency, among other factors.

    Nonetheless, the bank recorded a profit of GH¢1.23 billion in the 2021 financial year.

  • Highlife will never die – Pat Thomas

    Highlife will never die – Pat Thomas

    Renowned Ghanaian vocalist and songwriter Nana Kwabena Amo Mensah, better known as Pat Thomas, has passionately asserted that Highlife, the iconic music genre, will never fade away.

    During his appearance on the New Day show on August 1, 2023, the veteran musician was posed with the intriguing question, “Is Highlife dying?” In response, Pat Thomas exuded confidence and humor as he emphatically stated, “Never.”

    Pat Thomas further elaborated that Highlife is not experiencing a decline but, on the contrary, is being integrated and fused with other subgenres, ensuring its continued relevance and enduring presence in the music scene.

    “Even the young guys are also doing High Life, but just that they’re trying to differentiate it in a way to sell themselves. Like Afro-Pop. Afro this, Afro that. It’s all high life,” he said.

    Speaking on the difference between music making in the past and music making nowadays, Pat Thomas explained that Highlife is evolving and being incorporated into other sub-genres. And that the younger generation is creating music in the Highlife style, but adding their own unique touches to it.

    He said: “Our time is different, though. But this is their time and they say whatever they think is okay for them.

    “There are generations, so every generation has this sort of way, has its way. You can complain. They are doing what they feel is good for them to do and nobody can stop them. Nobody’s supposed to stop them anyways because it’s what they like to do and they are doing it”.

  • Stella Damasus’ ex-husband Daniel Ademinokan marries for the third time

    Stella Damasus’ ex-husband Daniel Ademinokan marries for the third time

    Nollywood actor, Daniel Ademinokan, has tied the knot for the third time, marking a new chapter in his love life.

    Previously, he was married to two of his colleagues, Doris Simeon and Stella Damasus. Ademinokan’s first marriage to Simeon began in 2008, after their meeting on a movie set sparked a romance that led to the birth of their son, David Ademinokan, in 2008. Sadly, their union came to an end after three years in 2011.

    In 2012, the actor married Stella Damasus, a widow and mother of two. However, their marriage came to an end in 2020 without any children being born during their time together.

    Now, in 2023, Ademinokan has taken another leap of faith in matrimony, marrying for the third time to a lady known as Tope in Houston, Texas. Videos of their wedding ceremony surfaced online, capturing the couple sharing a deep kiss after their union was solemnized in the church, marking a fresh start in the actor’s love life.

  • Bridget Otoo responds to Akufo-Addo’s lawyer, correcting and questioning him

    Bridget Otoo responds to Akufo-Addo’s lawyer, correcting and questioning him


    Broadcast Journalist Bridget Otoo has raised a question about the government’s alleged plan to sue Al Jazeera over a ‘defamatory’ gold mafia exposé in a tweet,

    Her tweet came as a response to Kow Essuman’s claim that he was blocked by a Twitter user. The tweet suggests that Bridget Otoo is seeking clarification on the government’s position regarding the exposé by Al Jazeera and the potential legal action against the media outlet.

    On July 31, 2023, Kow Essuman, President Akufo-Addo’s legal counsel, used Twitter to criticize a user with the handle @receiptsguy. Mr. Essuman pointed out the irony in @receiptsguy’s actions of blocking him while at the same time requesting others to tag him (Essuman) in their tweets.

    “So @receiptsguy has blocked me on Twitter/X and yet posts my content and asks people to tag me. Coward! Be courageous and unblock me, and then tag me yourself in your posts,” Essuman tweeted.

    In response to Kow Essuman’s tweet about @receiptsguy, Bridget Otoo joined the conversation by mentioning that Essuman was actually the first one to block @receiptsguy. However, her main interest in the matter was not about the Twitter block but rather seeking an update on the issue with Al Jazeera and the government’s potential lawsuit over the ‘defamatory’ gold mafia exposé.

    “You blocked him first. But that’s not the most important issue here. Lawyer, Aljazeera suit, how far?” Bridget Otoo’s tweet read.

    Akufo-Addo demands retraction, apology from Al Jazeera over defamatory gold mafia exposé

    On April 25, 2023, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo demanded an immediate retraction and apology from Al Jazeera Media Network over one of its recent documentaries that named him as having been involved, in a way or another, in some illegal activities.

    The documentary, Gold Mafia, which was serialised in four different episodes, had one of the main characters in it, Alistair Mathias, mention in one of them that the president of Ghana was his lawyer.

    Alistair had also claimed that he had very close relations with the president, plus other African Heads of State, a claim the presidency has denied.

    “The documentary in question made baseless claims that the President acted as lawyer for one Mr. Alistair Mathias and implied that the President personally benefitted unlawfully from an alleged $100m state infrastructure contract purportedly awarded to Mr. Mathias.

    “In his letter dated 11th April, 2023, responding to AL Jazeera’s letter of 2nd April, 2023, which was received on 6th April, 2023, containing these vague and defamatory allegations, the Legal Counsel to the President, Mr. Kow Abaka Essuman, acting on the instructions of the President, informed Al Jazeera that the President had not been in private practice since the year 2000 and that the President had no recollection of acting as a lawyer, either personally or through his law firm, Messrs. Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co, for a Mr. Alistair Mathias or his company, Guldrest Resources,” the statement said.

    We don’t owe Akufo-Addo an apology – Al Jazeera suggests

    In a response shared on the May 4 edition of the New Day programme, TV3 published an email response from Al Jazeera which suggested that the channel had taken care of all concerns raised by Akufo-Addo before the said documentary aired.

    “We have responded to the letter from the president of the Republic of Ghana, correcting some parts of its content and clarifying various points.

    “Prior to the publication of Gold Mafia, we wrote to the president outlining the claims made by Alistair Mathias. The president’s response appears near the end of the documentary,” their response noted.

  • Assailants shoot farmer dead in his room

    Assailants shoot farmer dead in his room

    Oborpah, a farming community in the Eastern Region, is engulfed in fear and grief after the tragic murder of Emmanuel Dapaah, a farmer and resident.

    A middle-aged man, believed to be in his forties, was reportedly shot and killed while sleeping on Monday night by unknown assailants, with his four-month-old daughter allegedly involved in the tragic incident.

    As per accounts from locals, the deceased, identified only as Nyengor, was sharing a room with his baby mama and their four-month-old daughter when the tragic incident occurred. Around 11 pm, two men reportedly entered their room and fatally shot Nyengor twice, leaving him dead on the spot. He is survived by his young daughter and partner.

    According to Moses Tetteh Agbertey, the Dadematse (community leader) of Oborpah, the woman recounted that around 11 pm, she heard an unusual noise outside where her older children were staying for the night.

    To investigate the source of the disturbance, she decided to open the door. However, as she did so, two armed men forcefully pushed her aside, entered the room, and proceeded to open fire on her sleeping partner.

    The assailants fired shots at him, hitting him in the left side of his chest and abdomen, causing his intestines to spill out during the horrifying incident.

    According to the community leader, the woman rushed to his house late Monday night with the news that their house was under attack.

    “When the woman came, she said the husband had been shot, that they fired into the room and so she suspected that the husband had been killed. Truly, when we went, the husband was dead. As I speak with you, the police have responded to the scene and conveyed the body to the hospital,” he narrated.

    A ram in the house was also killed and the blood sprinkled on the victim with the carcass of the animal being dragged and abandoned by the roadside. The motive behind this move, however, remains a mystery.

    A source in the community, however, disclosed to GhanaWeb that the deceased about four months ago engaged in a fight with two young men in the community resulting in the siblings inflicting cutlass wounds on him.

    The two men were called upon in the night to join the search party for the killers, but they refused to join the team.

    Mr. Agbertey suspecting that the assailants were contract killers, however, added that they could not be from the community as the woman did not identify any of them as such.

    Some youth from Oborpah and surrounding communities led by the Dadematse following the incident armed themselves with locally manufactured guns, machetes and clubs and ventured into the night in search of the killers. Though the search lasted the entire night until about 10 am Tuesday, they could not be traced despite reported occasional sightings of the assailants by members of the community, said Mr. Agbertey.

    The late Emmanuel Dapaah hailed from the nearby Asitey area but had been putting up with the woman for the past two years as a couple and had a baby between them.

    An uncle of the deceased, early this year was also murdered at Asitey with the suspect in that case appearing before the Somanya High Court.

    The remains of the victim have since been deposited at the mortuary of the Atua Government Hospital for preservation and autopsy.

  • I didn’t know my marriage had ended until I checked Youtube  – Stella Damasus

    I didn’t know my marriage had ended until I checked Youtube – Stella Damasus

    After years of silence, Nigerian actress Stella Damasus has finally addressed her divorce from ex-husband Daniel Ademinokan,

    In a podcast interview with Teju Baby Face; she candidly revealed that she was completely unaware of the dissolution of her marriage until she stumbled upon the news on YouTube

    According to her, as she disclosed it was only after concerned friends called her attention to the viral reports about the end of her marriage with Daniel Ademinokan that she decided to investigate further, and to her surprise, she found hurtful and derogatory comments describing her broken marriage.

    Despite her initial disbelief, Stella Damasus said that she made a phone call to her husband, who confirmed that he would not be returning from his trip, solidifying the reality of their separation.

    This marks the first time the mother of two has publicly spoken about the end of her marriage, and she took the opportunity to offer advice to other women on navigating love and marriage.

    Stella noted that she thought the man she married was her soulmate because they had similar mindsets and could do everything together, but alas, she was served breakfast.

    Stella advised ladies to pay attention to red flags and avoid rushing into marriage.

    She said, “Darling, I have heard experiences with dreams, and with visions that I choose how I want to interpret it to suit what I want.

    “To give me the answers that I want. It happened to me, I thought this person was my soulmate.

    “Las las e don cast everybody will still chop breakfast. So my dear, let’s be eating lunch and dinner. When you see red flags don’t ignore it.”

    Stella Damasus and Daniel Ademinokan, who got married in 2014, went their separate ways in 2020 after celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary.

  • Judiciary commences vacation today

    Chief Justice (CJ), Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has selected 12 out of the 42 High Courts situated at the Law Court Complex in Accra to function throughout the legal vacation.

    Starting today, August 1, 2023, the Judiciary commences a two-month legal vacation, concluding on September 30, 2023.

    During this period, the superior courts, including the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Courts, will be on a recess.

    To prevent any vacuum, the Chief Justice has assigned 12 High Courts, along with certain lower courts, to conduct proceedings during the legal vacation.

    During the legal vacation, the following 12 High Courts will be in session: Commercial Court 2, Commercial Court 10, Criminal Court 1, Criminal Court 3, General Jurisdiction Court 12, General Jurisdiction Court 9, General Jurisdiction Court 6, General Jurisdiction Court 3, Financial Court 2, Land Court 10, Land Court 3, and Probate Court 3.

    Below are the presiding judges of those courts sitting during the vacation

    1. His Lordship Justice Francis Obiri (Commercial Court)

    2. Her Ladyship Justice Adelaide Abui Keddey (Commercial Court 10),

    3. Her Ladyship Justice Ruby Aryeetey (Criminal Court 1),

    4. Her Ladyship Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh (Criminal Court)

    5. His Lordship Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah (General Jurisdiction 12)

    6. Her Ladyship Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay (General Jurisdiction 9)

    7. Her Ladyship Justice Abena Amponsah Buansi (General Jurisdiction 6)

    8. Her Ladyship Justice Marian Affoh (General Jurisdiction 3)

    9. His Lordship Justice Edward Twum (Financial Court 2)

    10. His Lordship Justice Kwame Gyamfi Osei (Land Court 10)

    11. Her Ladyship Justice Jennifer Anne Myers Ahmed, (Land Court 3)

    12. Her Ladyship Justice Sarah Aryee (Probate Court 3)

  • Family of murdered 30-year-old man in Asawase urges calm, puts faith in police assurance

    Family of murdered 30-year-old man in Asawase urges calm, puts faith in police assurance

    Relatives of Sarawudeen Shila, a 30-year-old man allegedly beaten to death by the police in Asawase, Kumasi, have made statements.

    Speaking in an interview, the family expressed their composure as they rely on the Ghana Police Service to ensure justice for them, having been reassured by the police leadership in the Ashanti Region.

    Abdulai Aziz, the elder brother of the deceased and spokesperson for the family, disclosed in the interview that the Ashanti regional police commander and other district commanders visited the family in Asawase. They provided assurance that comprehensive investigations would be conducted to hold anyone, including police officers, accountable if found guilty in the case.

    Their statement follows the recent death of a 30 year old man that occurred at Asawase following an alleged brutality by the police on him. This, according to the report occurerd after the police had allegedly gone for an operation to manhunt for some stubborn guys at ‘Goro area’ which is a suburb of Asawase.

    According to the report, upon sensing danger, many of the targeted vagabonds fled the scene. Unfortunately, luck did not favor Sarawudeen, who was allegedly passing by and was unable to escape the situation.

    The report further revealed that most of these targeted vagabonds after sensing danger, took to their heels. Luck however eluded the Late Sarawudeen who was allegedly passing by.

    “He was not part and in fact, he had no idea of what was going on. But the police wrongly accused him of being part”, an eyewitness earlier told GhanaWeb.

    According to the reports, the boy subsequently collapsed after the police had allegedly brutalised him. “hey left him on the ground after observing that he had been unconscious.

    According the source, he was subsequently taken to the Manhyia hospital where he was pronounced dead.

    Though the police are yet to comment on the issue, some eyewitnesses who spoke to this reporter described the incident as very unfortunate.

    Angered by the incident, a mob of youth from Asawase allegedly went to the Asawase police station to report the issue where the police told them they should go to the airport roundabout since that’s the place the alleged police operatives came from.

    “The police advised them to go to the Airport Roundabout police station to report the issue since that is the place where the men came from. The boys however insisted and this led to the vandalism of the police car, metre board, windows, some chairs and tables at the reception”, one of the angry youth said.

    Aziz, who commented on the developing incidents said it was very unfortunate that all these have happened, but the Asawase youth took the action out of anger. Describing his brother as an innocent person who was rather mistaken for other people’s offence by the police, Aziz said the family was of much conviction that the truth will surely come out.

  • ‘First English slave fort in Africa’ in Ghana uncovered by Archaeologists

    ‘First English slave fort in Africa’ in Ghana uncovered by Archaeologists

    Ghana has once again taken the center stage in the global spotlight following the revelation that the story of slavery in Africa traces back to this specific country.

    Under the guidance of archaeologist Prof. Christopher DeCorse from Syracuse University in the United States, a team of archaeologists has successfully located the presumed site of the first English slave fort in Africa. This significant discovery is concealed beneath the ruins of Fort Amsterdam.

    With meticulous expertise, the team has been diligently unearthing the remains of an older fort known as Kormantine, buried deep within the earth. Their dedicated efforts involve methodically sifting through distinct layers of soil as they unravel the long-lost history of this ancient structure, as reported by the BBC.

    Amidst the ruins, the dedicated team of archaeologists is unearthing a treasure trove of historical artifacts, including gunflints utilized in old-fashioned guns, tobacco pipes, fragments of pottery, and even the jawbone of a goat. All these discoveries collectively attest to the existence of what is believed to be “the first English outpost established anywhere in Africa.”

    The excitement among the researchers is palpable, as Prof. Christopher DeCorse passionately emphasizes that any archaeologist who claims not to be thrilled by such discoveries may not be entirely truthful. With this profound excitement, he announces this pivotal moment in history, shedding light on the involvement of Europeans in Africa during the era of the transatlantic slave trade. This groundbreaking revelation marks a significant step forward in our understanding of the past and the complex historical narratives shaping the African continent’s connection with the rest of the world.

    The discovery by the team of archaeologists may shed some light on the lives of those early traders and what they were doing, as well as those who were sold and the impact on the community around them.

    According to the report, the slave trade began in this location (Fort Kormantine) in 1663 when King Charles II granted a charter to the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading into Africa (later the Royal African Company). He gave it monopoly rights over the trade in human beings.

    Twi years after, however, the Dutch seized the fort, but that has not taken away the fact that Fort Kormantine played a key role in the initial stages of the slave trade.

    “We don’t have that many details on exactly what these early outposts of the slave trade looked like, which is one of the things that make uncovering the foundations of Fort Kormantine interesting,” Prof DeCorse added.

  • Euphoria actor Angus Cloud dies aged 25

    Euphoria actor Angus Cloud dies aged 25

    Angus Cloud, the talented actor known for his role as drug dealer Fezco “Fez” O’Neill on HBO’s popular series Euphoria, has passed away at the age of 25.

    He died on Monday at his family home in Oakland, California, as confirmed by his publicist. The news of his untimely death has deeply saddened fans and the entertainment industry, mourning the loss of a young and promising talent.

    “It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today,” said the Cloud family.

    Cloud attended his father’s funeral in Ireland last week and, according to his family, “intensely struggled with this loss”.

    There was some comfort in knowing he was now “reunited with his dad, who was his best friend”, they said in a statement.

    “Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence,” it said.

    “We hope the world remembers him for his humour, laughter and love for everyone.”

    His cause of death has not been given.

    “We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family,” HBO said in a statement.

    “We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”

    Two weeks ago, Cloud posted a photo of his father on Instagram and wrote: “miss u breh.”

    Cloud had minor acting credits in two films, North Hollywood and The Line. He had also appeared in music videos for artists including Becky G, Karol G and Juice WRLD.

    But his career really took off after he won the part of Fez, a high school drug dealer in Euphoria.

    The role turned Cloud into a breakout star, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and his character was expanded in the second season.

    According to a 2019 interview with GQ, Cloud had no real aspirations to become a star, or even an actor.

    He used to work at a chicken and waffle joint, according to the magazine, and one day was unexpectedly stopped in the street by an agent from a casting company.

    “I was confused and I didn’t want to give her my phone number,” Cloud told GQ. “I thought it was a scam.”

    After first airing in June 2019, Euphoria quickly became a hit and by 2022 was the most tweeted-about TV show of the decade in the US.

    The main character, played by Zendaya, is a 17-year-old who struggles with drug abuse, seen on screen taking the deadly opioid fentanyl and injecting morphine.

    In 2022, Cloud defended accusations during an interview with TMZ that the show glorified drug use.

    Euphoria creator Sam Levinson said: “There was no one quite like Angus. He was too special, too talented and way too young to leave us so soon.”

    Sydney Martin, the model who was rumoured to be in an on-off relationship with Cloud, shared broken heart emojis on Instagram after his death was announced.

    Cloud’s co-star Javon “Wanna” Walton, known in the show as Cloud’s adoptive brother, Ashtray, wrote on Instagram: “Rest easy brother.”

    California congresswoman Barbara Lee lamented the loss of “Oakland’s own”, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter,

    “His immense talent touched the lives of countless people. His work & legacy will forever live on and make Oakland proud,” she wrote.

    Actress Kerry Washington also posted on the platform: “You will be deeply missed. Rest in power.”

  • Myrtle Beach in US witnesses a plane crash into the sea

    Myrtle Beach in US witnesses a plane crash into the sea

    Hundreds of beachgoers in Myrtle Beach watched as a banner plane crashed into the water.

    At the South Carolina beach, a yellow jet crashed into the surf at 11:35 a.m. on Monday near 40th Avenue North.

    According to Cpl. Chris Starling of the Myrtle Beach police, the pilot was taken to a local hospital.

    From the shore, onlookers could be seen staring as the plane continued to float in the water around 20 yards away.

    South Carolina‘s Myrtle Beach is the scene of an aeroplane disaster.

    According to Starling, authorities were waiting for the US Coast Guard and maybe the Federal Aviation Administration to handle retrieving the jet from the water safely.

    The pilot’s status wasn’t known right away.

    The pilot was apparently able to escape with the assistance of about a dozen individuals who had reportedly already entered the water.

    Valerie Randolph, a witness, stated to The Mirror that “this happened right in front of us.” The first male to board the plane was the boyfriend of my daughter.

    Ten to fifteen men were supporting the plane while lifeguards freed the man. With the aid of some very heroic spectators, those four to five guards were able to save his life.

    There was supposedly no one else in the aircraft but the pilot.

    According to WPDE, his aircraft is a 1947-built Piper PA-12 Fixed Wing Single-Engine Aircraft with the registration number N3036M from Barnstormers Aerial Advertising.

    Only two days prior, a banner plane near Hampton Beach in New Hampshire attempted to make a water landing but overturned in the air as soon as its nose touched the sea. The aircraft performed a somersault and landed upright in the water.

    The pilot was pulled out of the water by state lifeguards even though he was unharmed. There was nobody else in the aircraft. What precipitated the collision was not immediately clear.

    Liane McNamara, a witness, reported that the plane crashed not far from where beachgoers were swimming.

    Some others questioned whether this was a joke. Is it a prank? McNamara spoke with WMUR. It was quite bizarre. Even now, it seems absurd.

    One person was hurt in a shooting in the city the night before the jet crash in Myrtle Beach.

  • Ama Governor reacts to Chief Justice’s reason for failing to call her to the bar

    Ama Governor reacts to Chief Justice’s reason for failing to call her to the bar

    Elorm Ababio, also known as Ama Govenor, the law student who was denied admission to the bar in 2022, has responded to Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo regarding her recent defence of the General Legal Council’s decision to deny admission to certain individuals for a variety of reasons.

    Despite passing all necessary exams, Ama Governor had her call to the bar suspended.

    At that time, the General Legal Council (GLC) decided to suspend Ms. Ababio’s call to the bar in light of a petition Hajia Siduri had filed against her actions.

    Speaking to the issue at an event in Accra (July 31), the CJ said she was surprised at the outrage that greeted the decision of the GLC in a video that has gone viral on twitter.

    Ama retweeted a video of the CJ making the justification and posted an elaborate reply which described the continued citing of her case as “cruel.”

    She also asserted that she was a victim of character assassination and spread of false information.

    “Respectfully, I am still waiting to be told what my improper conduct was from 6th Nov, 2022 till date. I cannot handle this tarnishing of image and spread of false information about the true facts of the events that took place for much longer. This is cruel,” her first tweet read.

    What the CJ said in Accra

    “When somebody has behaved in a certain way and we say we cannot call the person to the bar, I was surprised at the furore that rose up concerning the call to the bar of certain people and I thought, like seriously?

    “This is proper conduct for the legal sector? That is interesting. So, for you to come into the space of the legal sector, your conduct cannot be obscene and offensive and you expect to be admitted, it doesn’t work like that. Your comments on social media, your ex parte communication for judge is extremely critical,” she cautioned.

    Ama Govenor’s full response:

    Imagine this: 5th November I get the final result in- my bar exam result, and I’m index numbers 1 so number was first, I had passed. I was rejoicing and thinking about preparations towards my call on the 11th of Nov, 6 days away.

    Only to be hit out of nowhere on 6th November with a letter from the regulators of the legal profession in Ghana, General Legal Council, that a concerned citizen of the Republic of Ghana has petitioned them on 3rd November that only me, Elorm Ama Governor-Ababio, I am not fit to be called to the bar and so on that basis ALONE, my Call to the bar has been suspended and that they’ll get back to me about further details (no date given).

    Was it fair to use section 3 like this? All the time they thought I was not fit, they waited till my bar results came out and I had only 6 days to my call. Tell me.

    Now, this powerful yet vexatious petition will upset you for various reasons. TW. 1. The petitioner stated three grounds upon which they believed that I was not fit to be a lawyer.

    Two of them were complete fabrications which interestingly enough were rebutted by the very videos the petitioner attached to a pen drive on which they relied. Can you imagine? The two fallacious grounds were that, I can be seen in a widely circulated video with other GSL students tarnishing the schools reputation. Ei. They were referencing this video:

    A video my classmates and I made for all persons outside the legal so where who want to become a part of us. You can go watch the video and read the comments for better understanding. This petitioner lied that because we were sharing that even us law students sleep in class when we’re tired sometimes, that we were damaging the schools reputation.

    Can you imagine?! Secondly they lied that I can be seen in multiple videos consistently wearing my nose rings to school. First of all, contrary to this lie, even the videos they attached on the pen drive shows that my law school videos cover videos where I show how I comply with the ‘what is expected of law students in the GSL’, not that there even were express school rules against it, but just to be on the safe side; taking my nose ring out and inverting my septum, wearing those ugly shoes and loose black and white for 2 years. Never a conflict with any one in school. Only for someone who doesn’t know me to challenge my moral compass and singer-handedly and maliciously change the trajectory of my life. How did we get here?

    The third ground which was not challenged as a lie was that I am queer and that I sleep with women. We argued that while that was blissful fact, it was not a ground on which I should be deemed unfit to be called to the bar. Simple. And guess what?!

    This obviously frivolous petition that should not have passed the prima facie test, but which managed to stop my life, was thrown out in the very first hearing within 15 minutes.

    They just said they have read our written submission and agree with us whole heartedly and so they do not wish to address me on anything in the petition. And yet since 6th November,2022, my name continues to be dragged in the most undignified ways. I hear in law classes, I am used as a bad example of people unworthy of the Ghana Bar.

    When people like the Honourable CJ also talks about you like this,… I’m sorry but I do not recognize the person you are attempting to describe me as. Me? Immoral? Unfit?

    Misconducting myself how? There’s not a single content I have put out on this internet that I will not boldly account for, not one, & still I think I am very fit to be called.

  • Couple accused of killing their adopted 5-year-old son by assaulting him

    Couple accused of killing their adopted 5-year-old son by assaulting him

    A fundraiser was organised by two adoptive parents accused of killing their five-year-old son in order to pay for their legal representation.

    Jacob Maloberti, a prison guard, and his wife Lauren are charged with killing 5-year-old Landon by assaulting him.

    Police in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, accused the pair after they took the kid to the hospital on January 30 and said he had been “wobbly from Covid”; however, the boy actually suffered three brain bleeds.

    Lauren created a GoFundMe page two days later, requesting donations to cover their legal expenses.

    “Tragy struck our family when our precious baby boy went unresponsive,” she stated. He was intubated after I took him to the ER, and ever since then, he has been unresponsive. The result does not appear promising.

    CPS removed our parental rights while we were in the hospital while an investigation was being conducted.

    “I’m heartbroken.” We are heartbroken. We both require competent lawyers. I live for my children. As we negotiate life right now with our new uncertainty, any little amount helps.

    “Support our fight Without our kids, I couldn’t survive. Already, I’m losing my boy.

    In a later update, she wrote that her heart was “breaking in a million pieces” and that the parents needed to be prepared for the “most unimaginable outcome.”

    Due to head and neck injuries from severe force trauma, Landon passed away on February 7.

    The page had raised $5,350 before it was deleted when the mother later begged for more money to pay for burial expenses.

    Landon had a “very tough” life, Westmoreland district attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli said at a press conference.

    According to her, Landon suffered blunt force injuries to his head, neck, body, and extremities.

    His injuries resulted in significant pain at the moment they were sustained, as well as functional impairments like the inability to stand, eat, or drink, as well as unconsciousness.

    Tragically, Landon endured pain and abuse throughout his brief life. With the respect and regard due Landon, we aim to pursue this lawsuit.

    “Landon also had numerous bruises in various stages of healing prior to his death and prolonged and intensive medical interventions.”

    Police questioned the couple’s other five children, who claimed that Landon received a spanking because “he does not learn his lesson.”

    They claimed that while Lauren chastised Landon, they would hear him sob as she sent the kids upstairs, and that this made Lauren’more upset’ with him.

    Kathie Sheffler, Landon’s biological grandmother, told police that she had been forbidden from seeing her grandson since April of last year.

    T.J. Klobucar, the police chief in Delmont, claimed in a statement that he had “never faced an incident like this.”

    Jacob, a guard at the Fayette State Correctional Facility, is accused of one crime of criminal homicide, two charges of aggravated child abuse, endangering the welfare of children, criminal conspiracy, and endangering the life of a child.

    The same charges as well as one further count of first-degree murder are brought against Lauren.

    On August 8, the pair is scheduled to return to court.

  • Trump’s campaign employee who ‘helped hide secret materials’ appears in court

    Trump’s campaign employee who ‘helped hide secret materials’ appears in court

    The Mar-a-Lago property manager for Donald Trump made his first court appearance to answer to allegations that he assisted the former president in hiding secret information.

    Carlos De Oliveira did not enter a plea at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building in Miami on Monday afternoon because he has not yet hired a lawyer. He was dressed in a blue suit and tie.

    De Oliveira is charged with conspiring with Trump to try to erase surveillance footage that federal investigators had requested in order to look into the secret materials that Trump had taken from the White House to his Florida home. There are four counts against De Oliveira, including obstructing the administration of justice.

    De Olivera’s arraignment was set for August 10 by US Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres, who also commanded him not to communicate with any of the other defendants in the case, including Trump’s valet Walt Nauta.

    De Oliveira was informed of his legal rights during the 10-minute hearing and freed on a $100,000 bail.

    “The Justice Department has regrettably decided to bring these charges, and now it’s time for them to put their money where their mouth is,” De Oliveira’s attorney said following the hearing.

    Four days after the prosecution published a revised indictment in the case involving the secret documents, which included new accusations of obstruction and deliberate retention of national defence information, De Oliveira showed up in court. De Oliveira was listed as a third defendant.

    When asked if he assisted Nauta in moving boxes of secret information about Mar-a-Lago during a voluntary interview, the prosecution claims that De Oliveira lied to FBI investigators.

    According to the superseding indictment released on Thursday, De Oliveira led another Mar-a-Lago employee to a “audio closet” in June 2022 and inquired about the amount of security footage the server could store.

    The boss, most likely referring to Trump, wanted the server data wiped, according to De Oliveira. De Oliveira is accused of saying the “boss” demanded it be done and questioned, “What are we going to do?” when the employee replied he didn’t think he could delete the server.

    Trump and Nauta have both pleaded not-guilty to all allegations.

    On Monday, Trump addressed a second federal indictment that he previously stated he anticipates from special counsel Jack Smith, who is in charge of the investigation into leaked classified information.

    Regarding an investigation into the rioting on January 6 at the Capitol and efforts by Trump and his friends to rig the 2020 election, Trump’s attorneys met with Smith’s prosecutors last week.

    Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, “I presume that an Indictment from Deranged Jack Smith and his extremely political gang of Thugs, referring to my “PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY Speech, will be coming out any day now.”

  • Assemblyman in ‘hot waters’ as MP files defamation suit against him; demands GHS1m in damages

    Assemblyman for the Obuasi Electoral Area, Enoch Sarfo Asiedu, is facing a high-stakes legal battle, following a defamation suit filed against him by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akim North constituency, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi.

    The MP is demanding an eye-popping GHS1million in damages as he accuses the assemblyman of spreading malicious lies that has tarnished his reputation and threatened his political standing.

    In a statement of claim filed at a Kumasi High Court, the MP is requesting a declaration that specific statements made by the defendant on a local radio station are defamatory and have harmed his reputation and standing.

    In the 17-point statement of claim filed by Kwasi Asokwa-Boateng of Appiah-Kubi & Associates of Nhyira Chambers, it is alleged that the defendant used offensive Twi language against the MP during a program on Salt FM radio on April 12, 2023. The MP contends that these statements have significantly impacted his political pursuits and resulted in a loss of support.

    Additionally, the MP asserts that the defendant’s statements were motivated by malice, prompting him to request the court to issue an order compelling the defendant to retract the statements and issue an apology.

    This, he said is the basis for the GHS1 million compensation he is demanding. 

    Nevertheless, during a court hearing on July 28, 2023, the MP was not present, resulting in the court imposing a penalty of GHS1,000 for his failure to attend. The case has been postponed to October 19, 2023.

  • Chief Justice gives reason Ama Governor was denied call to the bar

    Chief Justice gives reason Ama Governor was denied call to the bar


    Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has provided an explanation for the denial of popular Ghanaian YouTuber, Ama Governor, in her call to the Bar.

    Ama Governor was denied a call to the bar, despite completing the Ghana School of Law and passing her interview .

    The Ghanaian YouTuber, whose real name is Elorm Ababio, was not called to the Bar in November 2022.

    Subsequently, it came to light that the General Legal Council had decided to withhold Ama Governor’s call to the Bar until a committee could thoroughly assess her suitability for admission as a qualified barrister. The committee was specifically appointed to determine whether she met the necessary requirements and demonstrated the qualifications essential for becoming a legal practitioner. As a result, her call to the Bar was temporarily suspended pending the committee’s evaluation.

    The General Legal Council through its secretary informed Ama Governor about a concerned citizen’s petition to the council alleging that she lacks good character befitting someone who aspires to be a lawyer.

    The anonymous concerned citizen raised an issue with one of the YouTube content of Ama Governor and described it as a “conduct unbecoming of an application to be called to the Bar”. This has sparked an unending controversy on social media.

    According to reports, the General Legal Council has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the complaint, and the outcome will determine the fate of the popular YouTuber.

    However, Ama Governor missed the call to the Ghana Bar again in May 2023 as the Ghana Legal Council in a Mini Call called new lawyers to the Ghana Bar after her initial denial.

    During a programme held yesterday, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornor addressed the issues surrounding Ama Governor’s call to the Bar. In her remarks, she expressed surprise at the apparent lack of understanding among some people regarding the position taken by the Ghana Legal Council in this matter.

    She said “when somebody has behaved in a certain way we say and we say we cannot call the person to the Bar, I was surprised at the furriery that rose up concerning the call to the bar of certain people, like seriously?

    “This is proper conduct for the legal sector. That’s interesting. Anyway, so for you to come into our space and to come into the space of the legal sector, your conduct cannot be obscene and offensive and you expect that you’ll be admitted. It doesn’t work like that.

    Your comments on social media, your ex parte communications for Judges is extremely critical,” she emphasized in the video below which is going viral.

  • Zelensky claims to know just how Putin will pass away

    Zelensky claims to know just how Putin will pass away

    Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has sworn that Vladimir Putin will pass away battered.

    He mocked the notion that the struggle might last for decades like some of the Kremlin’s earlier wars, saying Russian forces know “deep down in their hearts” they cannot win in Ukraine.

    Zelensky told Brazil’s TV Globo, “It can’t.” Putin won’t survive for that long. At the rate he is battling us, he did not fight in Syria. He will not last for 30 years because of this.

    He will pass away and cease to exist. This is unquestionably absolute.

    Putin “won’t survive even 10 years,” said Zelensky, adding, “He is not that figure.”

    He claimed that Russia’s military operations demonstrate that they are “unable to completely occupy Ukraine and destroy us.”

    The president said, “They were capable at the beginning of it.” “They believed they would.” And we took action both from within the state and from without, which allowed us to surpass them in strength.

    He vowed to thwart any attempt by Russia to reorganise and conquer his nation, saying, “As long as we are alive, we will not let them become as strong as they were.”

    During the time when Zelensky made his remarks, Russian missiles struck his community in central Ukraine once more, killing six people, including a 10-year-old girl and her mother.

    The attack took place the day after the president of Ukraine issued a warning that war will soon return to Russia.

    After a drone strike on Moscow, he claimed that attacks on “symbolic centres and military bases” were a “inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair process.”

    Last week, the current Ukrainian counteroffensive—which is using weapons provided by Western allies and aims to drive Russian forces out of occupied territory—got more intense.

    At the same time, Kiev reportedly used drones to attack sites as far away as the Russian capital in an effort to extend the war into that country.

    A few kilometres from the Kremlin, two office buildings were destroyed in the most recent strike on Sunday. The attack was not acknowledged by Ukrainian government.

    Following that incident, Russia strengthened security, according to Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, who called the assault a “act of desperation.”

    The counteroffensive is not going as anticipated, thus the Kyiv regime is in a very, very bad situation, Peskov added.

    It is clear that the numerous billions of dollars in resources that NATO nations have given the Kyiv regime are being used inefficiently.

    “This raises important questions in Western capitals and significant unease among Western taxpayers.”

    According to analysts, Putin is banking that as the war drags on and costs rise, Western support for Ukraine will decline.

  • There is likelihood of another heatwave before summer is over – UK Met Office

    There is likelihood of another heatwave before summer is over – UK Met Office

    It’s great to look forward to anything when you’re sitting in your house watching the rain pelt your window.

    However, the UK Met Office is here to deflate your hopes if what you’re hoping for is some nice shorts and ice cream summer weather.

    The national weather office does not anticipate any significant temperature increases until the season is done, despite some cautious optimism.

    In actuality, the rain is likely to keep pelting your window for several days or perhaps weeks.

    The unsettled regime appears most likely to continue to dominate, at least for the first half of the month, according to a statement from the Met Office: “Looking ahead to the rest of August there are currently no strong signals for any warmer or more settled weather.”

    Overall, later in August would likely have the best potential of bringing about any brief, drier, and slightly warmer interludes.

    The likelihood of heatwaves in the UK is lower than in previous recent Augusts, therefore it appears unlikely that we will experience any extended or extreme heat.

    Tomorrow will see the issuance of two yellow weather alerts: one for the south coast of England and the other for a portion of the UK between London and Manchester that will see thunderstorms and “unseasonably windy” conditions.

    On Wednesday, there is a possibility of consequences from both rains and severe winds, according to Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Ramsdale.

    There is a chance of some surface water flooding in particular in the eastern section of northern England due to persistent rain.

    The nation is set to see colder weather, but the meteorological agency had projected a lengthy ten-day rainstorm in London between July 29 and August 7.

    Those who are in need of more heat may want to be careful what they wish for, though, as summertime temperatures of more than 40C, which were first observed in the UK during the disastrous July heatwave last year, may become the norm in a few decades.

    According to UK climate projections, even in the case of a medium emissions scenario, the year 2022, which is currently the warmest year on record, could become the norm by the middle of the century and relatively cool by the end.

    Remembering that climate change is still a problem does not imply that the UK has been spared the extreme heat that was experienced there last summer and in southern Europe in recent weeks, scientists are asking the public to do.

    According to Professor John Marsham of the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, “pollution from fossil fuels has warmed our planet, and this increases extreme rainfall and floods as well as the likelihood and intensity of heatwaves.”

    “The extreme weather has already resulted in crop losses, skyrocketing food prices, and fatalities.” If we don’t quickly move from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and clean power, this will only become worse and eventually wipe out entire ecosystems.

    If we don’t take action soon, future news headlines will likely focus more on food costs and water shortages than on holidays.

  • Majority of Britons feel their country is getting worse to live in – Study

    Majority of Britons feel their country is getting worse to live in – Study

    More than 75% of respondents claim that longer wait times for the NHS, higher taxes, and inflation make Britain a worse place to live.

    According to an Ipsos poll done for the Evening Standard, the cost of living crisis has significantly lowered voter support for the Conservatives.

    Nearly 90% of those polled expressed discontent with the government, and nearly 50% of respondents said they planned to support Labour in the upcoming general election.

    The lowest rate of dissatisfaction for Rishi Sunak as prime minister yet was just over 60%.

    Management of the economy, taxation, and public spending were three areas of concern for people who gave the Conservative government a low rating.

    It was also discussed how to improve the delivery of services by the NHS, the education system, policing, and immigration management while addressing the cost of living crisis.

    Actually, the only area in which Sunak’s administration received high marks was for its handling of the war in Ukraine.

    Just 10% felt a government led by Sir Keir Starmer would perform well, whereas almost 60% think the Tories are managing support for Ukraine and taking a stand against the Putin administration successfully.

    Ipsos UK’s Gideon Skinner stated that although Labour has a distinct advantage when it comes to the cost of living and public services like the NHS, there are still some concerns, notably about general perceptions of economic ability.

    He continued by saying that dissatisfaction with the performance of the Conservatives “is outweighing reservations about the prospects of change at the next election.”

  • CJ Torkornoo advocates punishment for judges who comment on cases in court

    CJ Torkornoo advocates punishment for judges who comment on cases in court

    Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has emphasized the importance of holding judges accountable for contempt when they make comments on cases in court.

    During her speech at the 7th Annual Legal Ethics Training Programme organized by GIMPA Law Faculty, she highlighted that judges should exercise discretion and refrain from discussing ongoing cases publicly.

    The Chief Justice made a comparison between the treatment of ordinary people and judges in such situations, asserting that if the court can penalize ordinary people for contempt when discussing a case publicly, then judges should be subjected to the same treatment, with the process expedited further.

    She cited the Code of Conduct on Propriety, which dictates that judges must refrain from making any public statement that could potentially influence the outcome or compromise the fairness of a case pending in any court.

    Additionally, she advised judges should avoid making public statements that might significantly disrupt the fairness of a trial. By adhering to these guidelines, judges can uphold the integrity of the judicial process and ensure that the administration of justice remains impartial and free from external influences.

    Her comment comes after Dormaahene who doubles as High Court Judge called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to ask the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame Yeboah, to enter a Nolle Prosique on the matter of Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson.

    His comment raised public sentiments amidst backlash and calls for his sack that though the Constitution frowns on chiefs engaging in partisan politics, the Dormaahene does engage in active politics. 

    As a High Court judge, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II has breached the entire Constitution by being a member of the National Democratic Congress.

  • Second drone strike hit Moscow building in two days

    Second drone strike hit Moscow building in two days

    Moscow‘s mayor has reported that a tower has been attacked twice in the past two days.

    One of the drones that was used in the attack on Sunday “flew into the same tower at the Moskva City complex.”

    Air defence systems shot down a number of more drones.

    According to the BBC, the building’s exterior was harmed, but no injuries were recorded.

    It was the fourth strike attempt this week and the fifth this month on the capital region.

    It appears from surveillance video that the drone impacted the structure at that same moment.

    In a video posted early this morning, smoke can also be seen flowing from the skyscraper.

    According to Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, “over 150 square metres of glazing was destroyed.”

    The Russian military ministry has attributed a supposed “terrorist attack” on Ukraine.

    They reported that two further Ukrainian drones had been shot down in other areas of the capital.

    The airport at Vnukovo briefly shut down, according to Russian news media.

    In a tweet, Volodymyr Zelensky’s advisor Mykhailo Podolyak predicted that as the war entered its 18th month, there would be “more unidentified drones, more collapse, more civil conflicts, and more war” in Russia.

    A security officer was hurt in the incident on Sunday after three drones targeted the city.

    Two of the others were jammed and crashed in the Moscow City commercial sector, while one was shot down by air defence systems.

    Concerns about Moscow’s vulnerability to strikes have increased as Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its 18th month.

    Additionally, Ukraine has been charged by Russia with conducting a drone attack on the Kremlin in May.

    None of the incidents had a claim of responsibility from Ukraine.

    Attacks on Russian territory, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, are a “inevitable, natural, and entirely fair process.”

  • Ghanaians deserve an apology – Adomako Baafi tells NPP over Cecilia Dapaah ‘theft’ controversy

    Former Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Adomako Baafi, has urged the party’s communicators to adopt a conciliatory approach when addressing the Cecilia Dapaah matter.

    Adomako Baafi stressed that supporting the embattled former sanitation minister would not serve the party’s interests and might negatively impact the NPP‘s reputation.

    During an interview with Wontumi TV on July 31, 2023, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation and emphasized that the current controversy surrounding the former minister is an unfavorable narrative for the party.

    He mentioned that although there is no definitive evidence of wrongdoing on Cecilia Dapaah’s part, the party communicators should avoid being defensive in their responses to the allegations and instead adopt an apologetic position.

    “The NPP communicators, I will commend them, we should not be on the defensive, we should rather sound apologetic because it is not a good story even though we don’t have any basis that the woman has taken the nation’s money, for that aspect, the law will deal with it.

    “It is painful, she is our mother and sister who has come to serve the nation, for us we had wished this did not happen, but for us as humans we are surrounded by problems, but that doesn’t mean we should betray her and at the same time that, it doesn’t mean we should defend what is indefensible.”

    Cecilia Dapaah has since July 22 resigned her ministerial position and has been arrested and released on bail by the Special Prosecutor after a search was conducted at her residence.

    Meanwhile, police have submitted the docket of the case of theft as reported by the minister and her husband to the Attorney-General for advice.

    However, some relatives of the former minister have also been questioned about the stolen monies from her Abelemkpe residence which led to her resignation from office and the current probe by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

  • Man acknowledges killing wife with rounders bat in London

    Man acknowledges killing wife with rounders bat in London

    A retired man brutally beat his wife to death at their house before immediately confessing to the murder.

    Tarsame Singh approached the Romford police station on May 2 of this year and told the front desk that he had killed his wife Maya Devi.

    The moment the 79-year-old turned himself in, police descended onto the east London home he shared with his partner.

    Police found Ms. Devi, 77, unconscious on the living room floor along with a wooden rounders bat that had been abandoned.

    She was pronounced dead after the cops arrived.

    The bloody crime scene on Cowdray Way in Elm Park also included significant amounts of blood stains on the carpet and walls.

    The day after making his confession, Singh was charged and has since been kept in detention.

    He appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday and admitted to killing his wife there.

    After the terrible event, a post-mortem examination revealed that Ms Devi had died from blunt force head injuries.

    Before retiring, the pair is believed to have managed the post office in neighbouring Rainham for many years.

    Despite being from India originally, they have both lived in Britain for more than 50 years.

    The investigation’s chief detective, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, stated: “This is a tragic case and one that has left the couple’s three children utterly distraught.”

    Nobody should ever lose their mother in such a way, and we will keep them in our thoughts and provide them with support at this trying time.

    Singh has never acknowledged what led to his violent behaviour that evening, so we are happy that he has pleaded guilty and will now be facing a lengthy prison term.

    On Friday, September 29, he will get his punishment in the same court.

    A father who killed his wife and two small children by strangling them was sentenced to 40 years in prison earlier this month.

  • 2 Urban Roads Account Officers interdicted for ‘stealing’ GHS1.9m

    2 Urban Roads Account Officers interdicted for ‘stealing’ GHS1.9m

    The 2022 Auditor General report, contains details which indicate that two account officers working at the Greater Accra Regional Department of Urban Roads have been implicated in a fraudulent scheme, allegedly misappropriating an amount of GHS1.9 million between January 2020 and March 2022.

    The individuals involved in the embezzlement case include a former Greater Accra Regional Accountants Officer and another individual who held a position as an account staff within the department.

    The Regional Accountant is under suspicion for allegedly embezzling around 1.6 million cedis through fraudulent withdrawals on their own.

    Furthermore, both officers were implicated in separate incidents where they collected a combined revenue of over three hundred thousand cedis, but they failed to provide proper records of the amounts collected.

    The Auditor General discovered these revelations by conducting a thorough examination of the public accounts of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

    Based on these findings, the Auditor General has strongly advised the Acting Regional Director of the Department to promptly recover the misappropriated funds from the two staff members involved.

  • Controversy erupts as MCE clashes with anti-galamsey crusader over arrest of Chinese illegal miners

    Controversy erupts as MCE clashes with anti-galamsey crusader over arrest of Chinese illegal miners

    Municipal Chief Executive Officer (MCE), Kwaku Kyei Baffour, is said to have clashed with Kwasi Aboagye, an anti-galamsey activist based in Obuasi, regarding the arrest of illegal miners within the municipality.

    As reported by the Chronicle Newspaper on July 31, 2023, the confrontation took place after the arrest of three Chinese nationals and two Ghanaians who were engaged in illegal mining activities near Bekwai, specifically at Achiase.

    According to the report, Kwesi Aboagye, who also serves as the President of the Adansi Progressive Association (APA), led a team of personnel from Obuasi, including policemen and National Investigation Bureau (NIB) officers, in an operation that resulted in the apprehension of the illegal miners.

    Nevertheless, when confronted by individuals claiming to be elders representing the Omanhene of Bekwai and subsequently a Taskforce from the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, Aboagye declined to release the detained Chinese nationals, citing concerns about the authorities’ dedication to effectively tackling illegal mining.

    The report mentioned that Aboagye pointed out the authorities’ inaction despite the extensive environmental degradation and appeals from local residents, which prompted him to take action and intervene in the situation.

    In response to the said allegations on Angel FM, the MCE Kwaku Kyei Baffour refuted Aboagye’s claims, asserting that his Taskforce was conducting a routine check to drive away the Chinese miners when they encountered him coincidentally.

    The MCE is reported to have accused the anti-galamsey crusader of disrespect, discrimination, and extorting money from illegal miners.

    The confrontation, according to the report, escalated as both parties exchanged harsh words on live radio.

    The MCE threatened to have Aboagye arrested by the police for not seeking permission from authorities before making the arrests of the said illegal miners.

    “Aboagye doesn’t respect; if he really respects, he would have consulted the police administration and my office before making those arrests. You don’t know your job. You wouldn’t have said this if you have brains. I’ll make the police commander invite you, Crazy guy.

    “I am going to the Police Commander; I’ll let him be arrested. Why didn’t you seek permission from authorities before going on with such an activity? Is Aboagye credible? Foolish Aboagye,” the Chronicle quoted the MCE to have said on air.

    In turn, Aboagye is also alleged to have retaliated, calling the MCE “crazy” and urging President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to dismiss him for allegedly condoning illegal mining activities in the area.

    “You are also a crazy MCE. What have been your contributions? President Akufo-Addo must sack you.”

  • August to bring magnificent display of double-supermoons

    August to bring magnificent display of double-supermoons

    August will culminate with two massive, spectacular lunar eclipses as the moon approaches its closest point to Earth. A supermoon occurs when the moon appears full and is at this point in its orbit; this month, there will be two of them.

    According to calculations from retired NASA astronomer Fred Espenak, the first of the supermoons will peak at 2:32 p.m. ET on Tuesday, meaning lunar watchers in Europe, the United Kingdom, Africa, and the Middle East can see the orb glowing at its fullest in the night sky at a distance of about 222,158 miles (357,530 kilometres) from Earth. You may be sure that on August 1st evening, the moon will seem full for watchers in the United States. Due to their proximity, supermoons typically appear brighter and larger than regular full moons, however this difference isn’t always visible to the unaided eye.

    According to The Old Farmer’s Almanack, this week’s full moon is also known as the “sturgeon moon” since it happens around the time of year when indigenous populations discovered in the past that the giant freshwater fish were simple to catch in the Great Lakes. Looking towards the southeast after sunset on Tuesday is the best time to see the sturgeon supermoon from the United States.

    A full moon will then appear on August 30 at a distance of roughly 222,043 miles (357,344 km), making it an elusive super blue moon. This will be the closest full moon to our planet this year.

    Typically occurring only once every two and a half years, a blue moon is a second full moon that occurs inside the same calendar month. For instance, the most recent blue moon took place in October 2020.

    The almanack predicts that the super blue moon on August 30 will peak at 9:36 p.m. ET. If local weather permits, the celestial orb will also be visible on August 31st.

    However, despite its name, it won’t actually appear blue. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the phrase “blue moon” actually derives from a 16th-century idiom that meant something happened once in a blue moon.

    What exactly are a supermoon, blue moon, and full moon?

    A full moon occurs once a month when the near side of the moon is completely illuminated by the sun in the night sky.

    Supermoons are less frequent.

    The moon does not orbit Earth in a complete circle, which causes several lunar displays. Instead, the moon travels on an elliptical course that resembles an oval, bringing it closer to the Earth at specific times. According to NASA, the precise distance between Earth and the moon can vary by up to 26,222 miles (42,200 km).

    Supermoons happen when the moon is full and near or at its perigee, or closest point to Earth (in scientific jargon).

    According to the National Space Centre of the United Kingdom, this is what astronomers refer to as a “perigean full moon,” which can look up to 30% brighter and 14% larger than full moons that occur at the furthest point from Earth.

    Some claim that the term “supermoon” is overused because it can be used to describe full moons that don’t come at the closest point to Earth and don’t always stand out dramatically from regular full moons to the human eye.

    Supermoon isn’t an official astronomical term, but according to NASA, it “is used to describe a full Moon that comes within at least 90% of perigee.” These lunar occurrences are also frequent: Three or four supermoons normally occur each year.

    According to researcher Adam Block, an operations expert at the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory in Tucson, the moon often appears greatest in the sky when it is close to the horizon, producing an optical illusion. And whether the moon is in supermoon territory has nothing to do with this phenomena.

    The illusion vanishes entirely if you spin around in the opposite direction and are flexible enough to bend over and stare between your legs at the moon upside down, according to Block.

    Although they are not extremely uncommon or physically distinctive, supermoons do have an influence on Earth. According to NASA, the Earth’s oceans may see higher tides as a result of the moon’s proximity.

    However, blue moons are less frequent. The phrase today usually refers to two full moons occurring in the same calendar month, however it originally referred to an additional full moon occurring during the same tropical year, or the time between two equinoxes.

    The August 30 full moon is particularly unique because not all blue moons are supermoons. According to Espenak’s research, the next time two supermoons coincide in the same month will be in January 2037.

    Sometimes, several lunar events coincide on the same night to produce a really unique sky-watching experience, as was the case on January 31, 2018, when the final full moon of the month was also a blood moon, or total lunar eclipse, in addition to being a blue moon and a supermoon. When the full moon acquires a reddish hue from Earth’s shadow, those occurrences take place.

  • Efya clarifies bullgod’s comment on not performing on international stages

    Efya clarifies bullgod’s comment on not performing on international stages

    Amidst the ongoing discussion about Nigerian musician Wizkid’s successful international gigs, Ghanaian songstress Efya has provided insights into her association with the renowned artist. Addressing recent concerns raised by Bullgod, an artist manager, Efya clarified that she and R2bees were not present on stage with Wizkid at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite their close bond with the Nigerian musician.

    While the absence of Efya and R2bees may have sparked curiosity, it is essential to remember that the dynamics of music events can vary, and artists’ appearances are often influenced by scheduling, logistics, and other factors. Despite not sharing the stage on that particular occasion, the friendship and rapport between the Ghanaian acts and Wizkid remain strong, reflecting the camaraderie and collaboration prevalent within the African music industry.

    The owner of Bullhaus Entertainment couldn’t comprehend why these two Ghanaian musicians, who often spend quality time with Wizkid whenever he is in Ghana, were conspicuously absent during his international performances.

    “So @r2beesmusic and @efya_nokturnal will smoke, drink and chill with @wizkidayo anytime he’s in Ghana but can’t join him on international stages and showcase their talents to the world?” a bemused Bullgod asked.

    “Again, Ghana missed out on national duties at the 62,850 capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, yesterday. What is wrong with us?” he added.

    The post garnered more reactions, setting the tone for a discussion on various radio and television entertainment talk shows.

    In response, Efya took to Twitter to set the records straight, shedding light on the complexities that surround musicians’ schedules and commitments.

    She explained that various factors, including scheduling conflicts, prior commitments, and logistical constraints, can make it challenging to accompany Wizkid on every single performance on big stages.

    “When it comes to performing on big stages, there are various factors involved that people may not be aware of. Scheduling conflicts, prior commitments, and logistical constraints sometimes make it challenging to accompany Wizkid on every single performance.

    “It doesn’t diminish my dedication or the fact that I have also played on countless international stages,” Efya emphasized.

  • Europeans forced to flee Niger as nearby West African juntas warned against intervening

    Europeans forced to flee Niger as nearby West African juntas warned against intervening

    After a presidential coup threw the West African nation into a political crisis that polarised its neighbours, France is getting ready to remove its citizens from Niger.

    The “situation in Niamey,” when pro-military supporters gathered in front of the French Embassy in the Nigerien capital to protest against the region’s post-colonial influence, prompted the French Foreign Ministry to announce that it will expel French and European nationals on Tuesday.

    According to a statement from the French embassy to French people in Niger received by CNN, France will plan the air evacuation of its citizens from Niamey in conjunction with Nigerien authorities.

    The operation, which would take advantage of Niamey’s relative calm, will start very soon and end fast, according to the message.

    French nationals who wanted to be evacuated were told to carry food and water with them while they waited before boarding.

    After other West African leaders slapped financial and travel sanctions against the coup plotters, Burkina Faso and Mali declared in a joint statement that any military intervention against Niger would be deemed war on them.

    The two nations stated in a joint statement on Monday that “all military intervention against Niger will be considered equivalent to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.”

    Countries in the Sahel area, where the danger of militant extremism has destabilised local governments and caused turbulence in recent years, reacted differently to the sudden removal of President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday.

    The military junta was given one week to release and reinstall Bazoum after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a stern warning against it on Sunday. They also warned that they did not rule out the “use of force” if their demands were not satisfied.

    For the military officials implicated in the coup attempt, their families, and the citizens who agree to participate in any institutions or governments established by the officials, West African leaders imposed a travel ban and asset freeze.

    Following the coup, financial help to Niger was also halted by France and the European Union.

    Mali and Burkina Faso declared their support for the Nigerien government and stated they would not take part in any ECOWAS sanctions against the country, calling them “illegal, illegitimate, and inhuman.”

    On Monday, Guinea declared its support for Niger and stated it would not join any actions taken against Niger.

    In a statement, the Guinean presidency commended the Nigerien people and warned that “illegitimate and inhumane” sanctions would cause ECOWAS to break up. It continued to express concern that a military invasion would cause a humanitarian catastrophe “that could reach far beyond Niger’s borders.”

  • Stop comparing Ghana to Nigerian music -KiDi

    Stop comparing Ghana to Nigerian music -KiDi


    Ghanaian musician KiDi has expressed his frustration over the constant comparisons made between the Nigerian and Ghanaian music industries. He firmly believes that the tremendous global and local successes achieved by Nigerian musicians should not be interpreted as a sign of Ghanaian music lagging behind.

    KiDi unequivocally emphasized that each country’s music industry holds its distinct strengths, talent, and artistic brilliance, and as such, should be appreciated on their individual merits. He advocates for recognizing and celebrating the unique contributions of both nations’ artists without undermining the achievements of either.

    Speaking with Pulse Ghana, the singer said “As a people, I want us to dead this conversation and comparison spirit, It’s embracing and empathetic. We are always crying on the internet about Ghana and Nigerian, stop it it’s embarrassing”.

    “A lot of you sound bitter, like someone is doing something better and we can not big someone up without bring someone down. It should never be this way”.

    Kidi explained that Ghanaian music possesses a unique and distinct identity that sets it apart and makes it worthy of celebration for its originality and creativity. Instead of comparing it to the success of another country’s music industry, it is crucial to appreciate and promote the individuality of Ghanaian music.

    He passionately urged everyone to recognize and appreciate Ghanaian artists’ contributions to the cultural landscape and global success.

    KiDi’s stance resonates with many in the industry who believe that comparing two distinct music scenes does not do justice to the rich diversity and creativity that each has to offer.

  • Watch Otumfuo’s arrival at Trinidad and Tobago for the Emancipation Day celebration

    Watch Otumfuo’s arrival at Trinidad and Tobago for the Emancipation Day celebration

    Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, left for Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, July 30, 2023, to participate in their Emancipation Day Celebration.

    Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has been designated as the distinguished guest of honor for the Emancipation Day celebration, an annual event held on August 1 to mark the complete eradication of Chattel Slavery in the British colonies on August 1, 1834.

    Opemsuo Radio, based in Kumasi, shared a video displaying the welcoming ceremony of the Ashanti Kingdom’s monarch in Port of Spain, the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago, on Sunday.

    The video captured the arrival of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s plane at Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain.

    Upon disembarking from the plane, the Asantehene was greeted by representatives from the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

    Subsequently, he conducted an inspection of a guard of honor before proceeding to attend a welcome ceremony.

    Trinidad and Tobago’s President, Christine Kangaloo, extended an official invitation to Otumfuo, designating him as the special guest for their 2023 Emancipation Day celebration. The invitation was conveyed through the Prime Minister of the country, Keith Christopher Rowley, and their Honorary Counsel.

    The first country to celebrate the day is Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Wizkid shuts down Tottenham Hotspur stadium with ‘more love less ego’ concert

    Wizkid shuts down Tottenham Hotspur stadium with ‘more love less ego’ concert


    Nigerian Afrobeat star, Wizkid’s entrance at his “More Love Less Ego” concert held at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London on Saturday, July 29, 2023, has left fans in awe and generated significant buzz among fun lovers.

    The Soco crooner’s grand and spectacular entrance became a topic of continuous discussion and fascination among his admirers.

    The historic event marked a milestone for African music, as Wizkid became the first and only African artist to headline and perform at the prestigious Spurs stadium in London. The concert has undoubtedly cemented his status as a trailblazer and an influential figure in the global music industry, leaving a lasting impression on both his fans and the music world as a whole.

    Making a stunning entrance with his hit song Reckless off the unforgettable and Grammy-nominated ‘Made In Lagos’ album, the crowd could not hide their excitement as he graced the stage.

    As expected, multi-platinum-selling Bigwiz – as he calls himself in recent times – who is one of the most celebrated African musicians of all time, effortlessly delivered a sonorous blend of R&B and Hip-hop with Afrobeat, causing the cross-continental blend of the crowd to cheer him on as they roared with satisfaction.

    Meanwhile, mixed reactions have continued to trail the historical concert as Davido and Burnaboy’s fans claim the concert was not a sold-out one as is being reported.

  • Mintah Akando still hospitalised after nearly fatal accident 

    Mintah Akando still hospitalised after nearly fatal accident 

    Member of Parliament for Juaboso, Kwabena Minta Akando, is improving in health after being held in detention at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for three days.

    “He has been admitted for further observation and examination under the instructions of medics who saw to him,” A credible source at the hospital told Ultimate News,’ Ivan Heathcote – Fumador.

    “Accidents might not result in open injuries but there could be internal issues. The medical doctors have recommended that he remains under observation,” he stated.

    According to the hospital, it was unlikely the ranking member on Parliament’s health committee will be discharged on Monday as his medical doctor has not yet given that indication.

    While returning from his constituency, the Member of Parliament was in a car accident on the Kumasi-Nyinahin road.

    According to reports, the driver of the MP’s official vehicle with registration number GN 441-14 experienced a burst tire and subsequently swerved into the path of an oncoming 207 Benz bus while attempting to overtake another vehicle.

    The lawmaker, along with his driver and bodyguard, were taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, while the other individuals who were injured in the minibus were admitted to the Nyinahin Government Hospital.