Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who was removed from office in 2018 due to corruption allegations and faced multiple legal cases, is presently in Moscow for medical treatment, according to his spokesperson. This revelation comes just a day after a court ruling that upheld his imprisonment.
Mr. Zuma, 81, “went to Russia last week for health reasons and he will return to the country when his doctors have completed his treatment,” Mzwanele Manyi said in a statement.
This trip, aboard a commercial flight, “is private, but not secret” , defends the spokesperson, in the wake of leaks in the local press on this trip by Mr Zuma, who was still on the 7 July in Zimbabwe , where he represented a group from Belarus at a conference on carbon credits.
On Thursday, South Africa’s highest court reiterated that Mr Zuma should return to prison to finish serving a 15-month sentence for contempt, rejecting an appeal asking that he be spared.
This decision should not have immediate effect: the penitentiary services affirmed that they were going to study this judgment and seek a legal opinion before expressing themselves on this file.
Mr. Zuma was sentenced in June 2021 for stubbornly refusing to respond to a commission investigating corruption under his presidency (2009-2018). His imprisonment a few days later sparked several days of riots, killing more than 350 people.
He had been released on parole after two months for medical reasons, without further details on his state of health.
Mr. Zuma, when he was president, had close ties with Moscow. More generally, relations between South Africa and Russia date back to the apartheid era, with the Kremlin providing support to the ANC in the fight against the racist regime.
Mr. Zuma, feared intelligence chief at the time of the ANC in exile, whose middle name Gedleyihlekisa means in Zulu “he who laughs while crushing his enemies”, spent ten years in Robben Island penitentiary alongside Nelson Mandela.
Entertainment pundit, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, has voiced his disappointment regarding Ghanaian singer Efya’s apparent lack of presence on the global stage.
Arnold suggests that her limited international exposure is a result of her perceived lack of drive to seize opportunities and expand her horizons within the music industry.
He explained that Efya’s success is not at its peak because she is not putting much effort into her craft despite having a great voice and being a good stage performer.
In a write up titled, “Efya & drug-use tag: Take action”, and published in the recent edition of Graphic Showbiz, Arnold expressed frustrations at Efya’s inability to hit the global stage at a time when the likes of Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage and TEMS are breaking barriers.
He wrote: “Efya has been in this industry for close to 13 years, commanding such incredible talent but she is yet to sign any lucrative record deal or endorsement deal. One of Efya’s major problems has nothing to do with drug use or its abuse. It is an issue many have not paid attention to; her lack of activity, zeal and urgency. Many have over the years argued that, with such talent and swagger, Efya should have been bigger than the likes of Tiwa Savage and TEMS and they are right! Unfortunately, she seems overly comfortable, lazy, not hungry enough and lacks drive”.
Arnold further noted that even though the Best in Me singer started commercial music in 2008 after placing second in Stars of the Future music reality show and has been in the spotlight ever since, Efya appears unenthused at becoming one of the most renowned female artistes in the last decade and beyond.
She equally seems uninterested for international exploits when she has huge potentials.
“Quite incredulously, in such a competitive industry, Efya has only one, just one album to her credit plus one mixtape. How do you compete with such? Unless you are a Lauryn Hill in a well-structured industry where she can drop one classic solo album and go to sleep, knowing very well you can survive on shows, royalties and licensing deals. Unfortunately, Efya is no damn Lauryn Hill and is stuck in a higgledy-piggledy industry. Step up!
Kingdom Equip Network (K.E.N.), in collaboration with the Ghana Institute of Architects, Ghana Institution of Engineering, and Ghana Institution of Surveyors, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated 6th Ekklesia Roundtable Series (ERS) 2023. This year’s event, themed “Efficient Development and Management of Church Property in Ghana” aims to explore the best practices and strategies for maximizing the potential of church properties in the country.
Scheduled to take place on July 20th, 2023, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, the ERS 2023 will be held at Cedar Mountain Chapel Assemblies of God, located in East Legon, Accra. Attendees can look forward to engaging with distinguished speakers who are leaders in their respective fields. The lineup includes Lawyer Morgan Asiedu, Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam, Lawyer Yaw Adjei Afriyie Nketiah, Rev. George Amoako-Nimako, Rev. Mrs. Betty Angela Donkor, Architect Kofi Essel-Appiah, and other industry experts.
Designed for church leaders, property managers, architects, engineers, and individuals interested in efficient church property development and management, ERS 2023 will delve into various aspects, including architectural considerations, legal realities of land acquisition, engineering essentials, effective financing strategies tailored to the Ghanaian context, and the challenges churches currently face with land acquisition.
In addition to the insightful sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to explore an exhibition featuring relevant products and services. The exhibition will provide a platform for networking, discovering innovative solutions, and gaining valuable insights into the latest trends in church property development and management.
To secure your place at ERS 2023 or for sponsorship opportunities and inquiries, please contact 055 803 2376 or register via this link: https://forms.gle/2px74jQDyznCbeDWA.
Kingdom Equip Network extends heartfelt gratitude to its esteemed sponsors and partners, including Broll Ghana Limited, Margins ID Group, and Hollard Insurance, Donewell Insurance, GLICO Group Limited, Cleaning Solutions Limited for their generous support, which has made ERS 2023 possible.
About Kingdom Equip Network and ERS: Kingdom Equip Network (K.E.N.) is a coalition dedicated to promoting good governance within Churches, Para-Church Institutions, and society as a whole.
The Ekklesia Roundtable Series (ERS) is an annual initiative organized by K.E.N. It brings together stakeholders, experts, clergy, academia, media, and the general public to foster consensus on policy and strategic initiatives that enhance the governance of Churches and the nation at large.
Since its inception in 2017, ERS has explored diverse themes, including the legal status of the Church in Ghana, transitions and succession in the Ghanaian Church, ministerial accountability, implications of the Companies Act 2019 and the Charities Bill for religious organizations, and the representation of the Church. The 5th Anniversary Lecture of K.E.N. featured a special edition of ERS titled “Who Speaks for the Church?”
A spectacular lineup of Ghanaian Gospel music stars has been announced for the highly anticipated ‘Tehillah Experience’ taking place at the Oil Dome of Royalhouse Chapel International in Accra on Sunday, August 13, 2023. The event promises to be a remarkable gathering of renowned Gospel artists, offering a memorable and uplifting musical experience.
Headlined by Ohemaa Mercy and themed ‘Fire and Fragrance, this year’s edition which marks the 10th anniversary of the event features Diana Hamilton, Ceccy Twum, Uncle Ato, Pastor Joe Beechem and Kofi Owusu Peprah who will lead Gospel music enthusiasts in a charged atmosphere of praise of worship.
Others on the bill include Efe Grace, Mr. M & Revelation, Rama Antwi, Michael Manhendere among others.
Touted as one of the popular events on the annual Gospel music calendar, ‘Tehillah Experience’ has grown over the years not to only serve devotees of Gospel music good songs but has also been an avenue for people to have divine encounters that have positively changed their lives.
Speaking at the press launch held at Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra, last week, Ohemaa Mercy explained that she chose the theme Fire and Fragance to show appreciation to God for His blessings and support throughout her life and career.
“I want to invite everyone to join us at this year’s Tehillah Experience, marking our10th anniversary. It’s going to be a grand and impactful event,” Ohemaa Mercy stated.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, the 2022 VGMA Gospel Song of the Year winner said she was very confident this year’s concert will record the highest stories of people being touched.
“My DM is full with stories of people whose lives have changed just because they attended Tehillah Experience and this has been my biggest inspiration,” the Ote Me Mu singer disclosed.
Last year’s ‘Tehillah Experience’ themed, ‘Clouds of Glory’ featured performances from renowned Gospel musicians including South Africa’s Benjamin Dube and Lebo Sekgobela and Ghana’s Joe Mettle, MOG, Efe Grace, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Ceccy Twum, Pastor Isaiah and Rama Antwi.
Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has announced on Thursday, July 14, 2023, the initiation of a fresh investigation into suspected war crimes in Sudan.
Karim Khan made the announcement in a report to the UN Security Council, after three months of war between feuding generals that have plunged the northeast African country back into chaos.
The ICC has been investigating crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region since 2005 after a referral by the UN Security Council, and the Hague-based court has charged former leader Omar al-Bashir with offenses including genocide.
“The simple truth is that we are… in peril of allowing history to repeat itself — the same miserable history,” Khan told the UNSC.
“The current security situation in Sudan and the escalation of violence during the current hostilities are matters of great concern,” he said as he announced the fresh probe.
Khan said there had been a “wide range of communications” about alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan since the fighting broke out in April.
Alleged sexual and gender based crimes were a “focus” of the new investigation, he added.
Around 3,000 people have been killed and three million displaced since violence erupted between Sudan army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
The pair were key figures in a 2021 military coup that derailed the country’s transition to civilian rule, following the ousting and detention of Bashir in 2019.
– Mass grave –
Allegations of atrocities have mounted during the fighting, with the top UN official in Sudan calling Wednesday for the warring sides to face “accountability.”
The UN has also warned of fresh crimes in Darfur, saying Thursday that the bodies of at least 87 people allegedly killed last month by the RSF and their allies had been buried in a mass grave in Darfur.
Khan said the risk of further war crimes was “deepened by the clear and long-standing disregard demonstrated by relevant actors, including the government of Sudan, for their obligations.”
The lack of justice for crimes in Darfur in the early 2000s, when Bashir set his Janjaweed militia upon non-Arab minorities, had “sown the seeds for this latest cycle of violence and suffering,” he added.
Bashir was charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape and torture and the court has been demanding his extradition to The Hague ever since, without success.
After Bashir was toppled in 2019, Khartoum announced it would hand him over to the court for prosecution, but this never happened.
Even before the recent fighting there was a “further deterioration in cooperation from Sudanese authorities,” Khan said.
Bashir, 79, as well as Ahmad Harun and Abdel Raheem Hussein, two leading figures in the former dictator’s government who are also wanted by the ICC, are still at large.
So far the only suspect to face trial for violence committed in Sudan is senior Janjaweed militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd al-Rahman, also known by the nom de guerre Ali Kushayb.
Rahman’s defense lawyers are expected to open their case next month, and Khan said the latest Sudan fighting “cannot be permitted to jeopardize” the trial.
The United Nations says 300,000 people were killed and 2.5 million people displaced in the 2003-4 Darfur conflict.
A summit of leaders from Sudan’s neighbors met in Cairo on Thursday, urging an end to the fighting, but gun battles, explosions and the roar of fighter jets again shook the capital Khartoum, residents told AFP.
Ghanaian-American comedian Michael Blackson has urged club owners in Ghana to provide him with free drinks when he visits.
In support of a free school in his hometown of Agona Nsabaa, he mentioned that he donates money to education.
In a tweet on Thursday, July 13, Blackson wrote, “If I’m in Ghana and I walk in your club be prepared to comp me a section with as much bottles as I want, I don’t spend my Money on alcohol I spend it on teachers so they can teach your kids Modasuckas. Get that bill out of here or imma start teaching the kids at my school myself.”
The comedian was referencing the Michael Blackson Academy, a free school he funded and opened in Agona Nsaba, in Ghana’s Central region.
The three-story school complex features classrooms, laboratories and other facilities to support quality education.
Blackson cut the sod for construction of the school in early 2020.
In December 2022, he announced on Twitter that the school was ready and the commissioning date.
The school began admitting its first students this year.
Blackson, 49, now wants recognition from club owners for his philanthropic efforts.
He argues that while he enjoys drinking at clubs, he spends his money supporting the school, not on alcohol.
Africa, with its vast coastline spanning 18,950 miles across 54 countries, is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches.
Offering diverse landscapes and a range of activities, these coastal gems cater to romantic getaways, family vacations, and thrilling adventures. Let’s explore ten must-visit beaches in Africa that showcase the continent’s awe-inspiring natural wonders.
1. Anse Source D’Argent, La Digue Island, Seychelles:
Located on the tranquil southwest coast of Seychelles’ La Digue Island, Anse Source D’Argent stands out as one of the archipelago’s most mesmerizing beaches. Garnering accolades from prestigious travel publications, it has rightfully earned the title of the world’s most photographed beach. With its crystal-clear waters, ideal swimming conditions, and vibrant marine life, this beach is a haven for snorkeling and sunbathing enthusiasts.
Nestled on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula, Camps Bay is not only a beautiful bay but also an affluent suburb of Cape Town. Its stunning white sand, along with breathtaking views of the ocean and Lion’s Head mountains, creates a picturesque setting. Camps Bay Beach offers an ideal backdrop for group activities and romantic strolls during warm summer evenings. The suburb’s luxury beachfront restaurants and boutique hotels attract celebrities and stylish visitors alike.
Situated on Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja, Nungwi stands as the second-largest settlement after Stone Town. This beach perfectly blends tradition and modernity, offering warm and sunny weather thanks to its equatorial location. Travelers flock to Nungwi for its exquisite beauty, wide range of activities, and accommodation options to suit every budget.
4. Margarida, Príncipe:
Located in the Mé-Zóchi District of São Tomé and Principe, Santa Margarida village boasts a 550-meter-long stretch of golden sand known as Margarida Beach. Its shallow, clear waters make it ideal for swimming and leisurely walks along the shoreline. This popular tourist destination offers a marina, navigable waterways, dining options, shopping, and a vibrant nightlife.
5. Plage d’Agadir, Morocco:
Situated just 2.3 kilometers from Agadir’s city center, Plage d’Agadir is one of the top-rated beaches in the Souss-Massa region. The beach’s length ensures it rarely feels overcrowded, making it a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike. With its calm waters, protection from winds, and pleasant ambiance, Plage d’Agadir is perfect for families with young children.
6. Trou aux Biches, Mauritius:
Nestled along Mauritius’ northern coast in the Pamplemousses district, the small settlement of Trou aux Biches boasts one of the island’s most stunning public beaches. Recognized as the World’s Leading Beach Destination at the 2011 World Travel Awards, Trou aux Biches offers a range of resorts and boutique hotels. Its convenient location, just west of Port Louis, makes it easily accessible for visitors.
7. Lamu Archipelago, Kenya Coast:
The Lamu Archipelago, situated near Kenya’s northern coast in the Indian Ocean, is renowned for its pristine beaches and rich African-Arabic coastal heritage. Lamu Island, the highlight of the archipelago, offers white sandy beaches, delectable cuisine, friendly locals, and various accommodation options. Visitors can also indulge in dhow sailing, dolphin watching, and exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lamu Town.
8. Bazaruto Island, Mozambique:
Bazaruto, meaning the “island of the mist,” is part of the Bazaruto Archipelago, a national park since 1971. These picturesque islands in Mozambique boast untouched beauty and diverse ecologies. Snorkeling enthusiasts can marvel at over 2,000 fish species inhabiting the pristine coral reefs, alongside whales and dolphins. Fishing and surfing opportunities add to the allure of this Southern African destination.
9. Naama Bay, Egypt:
Located in the resort city of Sharm El Sheikh, Naama Bay allures tourists with its vibrant ambiance. Boasting cafes, restaurants, hotels, and bazaars, the bay offers a wide range of activities, including swimming, surfing, kayaking, and diving among exotic coral reefs. With year-round sunshine and pleasant temperatures, Naama Bay guarantees unforgettable vacations.
10. Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar:
Known as a favored tourist destination, Île Sainte-Marie in Madagascar is a tiny island with a rich historical past as a pirate haven. Its idyllic setting features white sandy beaches, natural pools, and vibrant coral reefs. Visitors are captivated by the island’s unique atmosphere and find it difficult to leave.
Africa’s stunning beaches offer an array of natural wonders, making them irresistible to travelers seeking memorable experiences. From the idyllic shores of Seychelles and Zanzibar to the vibrant coasts of Cape Town and Lamu Archipelago, each beach presents its own allure. Whether you crave relaxation, adventure, or cultural exploration, Africa’s beaches are waiting to provide an unforgettable escape.
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak, has described the proposed hostel fees for the University of Ghana as “exorbitant”.
Reacting to the proposed rates, he questioned how many parents can afford it.
“Exorbitant to put it mildly. How many parents can afford to pay these outrageous amounts for hostel accommodation for their wards?
“What happens to the poor? Information is that it’s same in other Universities. We need a national conversation on accommodation for students,” Dr. Apaak wrote in a tweet on Friday, July 14,” he said an thus, called for a national conversation on the matter.
A document detailing high hostel fees at the University of Ghana’s Legon campus for the 2023/2024 academic year has sparked controversy.
The document, purportedly from Ghana Hostels Ltd, dated Thursday, July 13, outlines approved rates per bed ranging from GHS 4,928 for four students sharing a room with shared facilities to GHS 35,320 for an air-conditioned single room with en-suite facilities.
This, many say represents increases of 200-300% compared to current rates.
Students and education stakeholders have expressed outrage at the increases, arguing that many students will be unable to afford a university education.
The said national dialogue will probably look at the need for affordable student housing to ensure access to tertiary education, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Musicians have the ability to profoundly affect people’s lives. Their songs become soundtracks for special moments, and their personas become inspirations.
Fameye, an award-winning singer and songwriter, is one such artist who has won over many fans. He has a devoted following both in Ghana and outside of the country thanks to his distinctive fusion of Afrobeats and highlife music and his relatable lyrics.
One fan in particular stands out for his unwavering loyalty to Fameye among his countless admirers. Mr. Aboagye, also known as Fameye Jr. on social media, is a true admirer of the gifted musician.
Aboagye’s admiration for Fameye’s music and persona has reached extraordinary heights, as he recently bestowed the name Peter Fameye Aboagye upon his newborn son. This heartfelt tribute stands as a testament to the profound impact that Fameye has had on Aboagye’s life and showcases the deep connection forged between artists and their dedicated fans.
Naming a child after an idol is not an uncommon practice, especially among ardent fans. It represents a deep connection and admiration for the artist, as well as a desire to pass on the values and inspiration they embody.
For Mr. Aboagye, choosing to name his son after Fameye is a beautiful expression of his devotion and gratitude towards the artist. It showcases the transformative power of music and the ability of artists to touch the lives of their fans.
Fameye’s rise to fame has been nothing short of extraordinary. From humble beginnings, he has captivated audiences with his soulful voice and authentic storytelling.
His songs often delve into the realities of everyday life, touching on topics such as love, ambition, and the pursuit of success. Through his music, Fameye has become a voice for the people, resonating with listeners from all walks of life.
Beyond his musical talents, Fameye has also shown himself to be a generous and compassionate individual. Taking time off from his busy schedule, he recently surprised his biggest fan, Mr. Aboagye, with some items to support the child’s upbringing.
This act of kindness highlights the genuine connection between artists and their fans. It demonstrates Fameye’s appreciation for the unwavering support he receives and his desire to give back to those who have made his success possible.
Hip-hop enthusiasts and fans of rap music have a reason to celebrate as two prominent figures in the Ghanaian rap scene, Amerado and Strongman, have joined forces for an exceptional collaboration.
Amerado and Strongman, renowned for their exceptional lyrical skills, have merged their talents on the track ‘Rap Is Still Alive’, produced by the acclaimed Atown TSB. This electrifying collaboration serves as a testament to the enduring importance of rap in the ever-evolving music landscape.
‘Rap Is Still Alive’ showcases the unparalleled chemistry between Amerado and Strongman as they effortlessly trade verses filled with exceptional wordplay, thought-provoking metaphors, and captivating storytelling. The powerful production by Atown TSB serves as the perfect backdrop for their hard-hitting lyrics, creating a compelling sonic experience that will resonate with rap enthusiasts worldwide.
Both Amerado and Strongman have built strong reputations as skilled wordsmiths and have amassed loyal followings throughout their careers. Their commitment to preserving and promoting the art of rap is evident in their contributions to the Ghanaian music industry. By collaborating on ‘Rap Is Still Alive’, they aim to inspire and rejuvenate the rap community while showcasing their individual strengths and unique styles.
Amerado, known for his exceptional freestyling ability and insightful lyricism, has consistently delivered hits that have garnered widespread acclaim. His versatility and ability to effortlessly switch flows have made him a force to be reckoned with in the rap game.
Strongman, on the other hand, has solidified his position as one of Ghana’s finest wordsmiths. With his impeccable delivery and powerful storytelling, he has consistently impressed listeners and industry peers alike. His ability to seamlessly blend humor, personal experiences, and social commentary into his music has set him apart as an artist.
Together, Amerado and Strongman embark on a mission to prove that rap is an art form that continues to thrive, despite the ever-changing musical landscape. ‘Rap Is Still Alive’ is a testament to their unwavering dedication to the craft and their relentless pursuit of excellence.
This collaboration is made even more impressive with the inclusion of Atown TSB, an accomplished producer known for his ability to create captivating beats that resonate with listeners. His masterful production on the song perfectly complements Amerado and Strongman’s performances, elevating the overall sonic experience to new heights.
‘Rap Is Still Alive’ is set to captivate rap enthusiasts and music lovers around the world with its infectious energy and undeniable talent.
Don Jazzy has explained why he declined the chance to sign Afrobeats legends Wizkid and Davido to his now-defunct record label, Mo’hits.
The music executive made the disclosure on Fisayo Fosudo’s Leaderboard podcast.
Don Jazzy clarified that he was unable to sign Wizkid because Banky W, the CEO of EME Records, had already seized the chance to do so.
In the case of Davido, Don Jazzy established that he shot down the opportunity to sign him because he believed the artiste could find success on his own.
Don Jazzy was however sad for declining the opportunity to sign talents like Simi and Teni.
Falz, a rapper, was mentioned as a possible signing candidate, but the deal ultimately fell through.
He said: “I like Simi, I didn’t sign her. I wish I did. I like Teni, but I didn’t sign her. I wish I did. I had the opportunity of signing Davido but I didn’t because I kind of figured that he would be fine. Wizkid, obviously, I couldn’t because Banky W got to him first. That would have been amazing. Falz, I love his work. We almost had a deal.”
Thursday, 13 June 2023, marked the beginning of a profound and solemn farewell ceremony for the late Ghanaian author, Ama Ata Aidoo.
Photo credit: Asenso Boakye
A tapestry of red and black enveloped the environment as scores of mourners who had gathered at the forecourt of the State House to honour the memory of the deceased prolific writer were all clad in either of these colours or a blend of both.
Photo credit: Asenso Boakye
Scores of dignitaries from within and outside the country, including President Akufo-Addo, former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Presidential running mate for the 2020 general elections, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, were all present at the sombre occasion.
Phot credit: John Dramani Mahama
Family and friends were also in their numbers to bid their beloved farewell.
Photo credit: John Mahama
Ama Ata Aidoo was a renowned writer, poet and playwright. She was a pioneer in African literature, and her work helped to bring African stories to the world stage.
Photo credit: Asenso Boakye
Ama Ata Aidoo, in addition to being an acclaimed Ghanaian author, was a strong advocate for social justice, delving into the realms of gender equality and the empowerment of women through her literary contributions.
Photo credit: John Mahama
After a brief illness, Ama Ata Aidoo passed away on 31 May 2023. Although her departure is a great loss to the world, her influential legacy will endure. Her literary works will serve as a timeless source of inspiration for readers and writers, transcending generations.
Twitter has announced a new programme that will allow a group of selected content creators to earn a share of the advertising revenue generated from ads displayed in response to their posts.
The social media platform announced the programme on Thursday, 13 July 2023, saying that it was part of its efforts to help people earn a living directly on Twitter.
“Surprise! Today we launched our Creator Ads Revenue Sharing programme. We’re expanding our creator monetisation offering to include ads revenue sharing for creators,” a tweet from Twitter said.
According to Twitter’s ‘Creator Ads Revenue Sharing’ page, creators will be able to earn a share in ad revenue starting from the replies to their posts. The programme will be available in all the countries where Stripe supports payouts.
To be eligible for the programme, creators must:
• Be subscribed to Twitter Blue or Verified Organisations
• Have at least 5 million impressions on their posts in each of the last three months
• Pass human review for Creator Monetisation Standards
They will also need a Stripe account, which is a payment platform that Twitter works with for payouts. They will also have to adhere to Twitter’s Creator Subscriptions policies.
Twitter said it would soon launch an application process for the programme and that all eligible creators would be able to apply by accessing Monetisation in their settings.
The programme comes a few days after Twitter’s ‘rival’ Threads was launched, which is also intended to attract more content creators to the platform.
Earlier this year, Twitter introduced a feature that enabled users to provide paid subscriptions for their content on the platform.
Elon Musk, the billionaire who acquired Twitter in October last year, has previously stated that for the first year, the company would transfer the entirety of subscription revenue to creators, excluding charges related to payment gateways.
Stephanie Benson, the UK-based Ghanaian international singer and jazz performer, is set to grace the Platinum Leadership Awards ceremony scheduled to take place at the United Nations Headquarters on Thursday, July 20, 2023, showcasing her exceptional talent.
The High-Level Presidential Award, supported by The Humanitarian Foundation, aims to recognize extraordinary individuals who are actively contributing to positive transformation and inspiring a more inclusive and improved world for everyone.
Taking place at the prestigious Delegates’ dining room at the United Nations, the ceremony will not only serve as a venue for the presentation of awards but will also provide a valuable platform for you to exchange experiences and perspectives with other like-minded individuals who share a deep passion for fostering positive change and making a difference in the world.
Described as the Queen of Jazz, Stephanie Benson will mesmerize the patrons with her dexterity laced with her angelic voice on stage.
She is expected to thrill the audience with some awesome songs from her repertoire.
The songstress will meet Ghanaians and her fans living in the United States of America after the programme to engage them on various subjects.
Stephanie Benson over the years has performed at high-profile events throughout the world and has always left indelible memories with her awe-inspiring displays.
President Akufo-Addo has appointed Lawyer Abdulai Bashiru Dapilah has as the Deputy Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
His appointment, which, takes effect from July 20, 2023, in a letter signed by Nana Bediatuo Asante, Secretary to the President, revealed that it is pursuant to Section 13(1) and (2) of the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act 2010(act 804).
Lawyer Abdulai Bashiru Dapilah succeeds Charles Nana Antwi who attained the mandatory retirement age earlier this month after working with EOCO since 2017.
The new appointee until his elevation was the head of the Organised Crime Unit of EOCO since 2018.
Profile
Lawyer Abdulai Bashiru Dapilah joined EOCO in August 1998 as Assistant Controller/Assistant Staff Officer and rose through the ranks until his current position.
He is a product of the Ghana Law School, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Ghana, Legon, T.I. Ahmaddiyya Secondary School in Kumasi and the Wa Secondary School.
Research experience
Presentation on Setting up an Intelligence Unit for a Small/Medium Size Organisation, FBI National Academy, June 2018.
Presentation on Prevention and Control of Economic Crime in Ghana, FBI Re-trainer Program, Zambia, September 2019
Presentation on Response of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to the government’s Anti-Corruption Policies under the Fourth Republic of Ghana. Institute of Distance Learning (IDL), KNUST, August 2011.
Presentation on Purview of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) Act 2010, Act 804, KNUST, 2012.
Career development
Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nigeria in the Fight Against Cyber Crime and Serious Crimes – Abuja, Nigeria, June 2023.
4th Global Conference on Transnational Vehicle Organised Crime, Lyon, France, May – June, 2023
The 13th Regional Conference and AGM of Heads of Anti- Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, Seychelles, May 2023
FBI National Academy Re-trainer Program, Zambia, September 2019
FBI National Academy March to June 2018, United States of America.
International Law Enforcement Academy, April 2017, Botswana.
Financial Crime Scenes and Electronic Evidence, U.S. Embassy, Accra, December 2011, Accra.
Course on Banking and Finance for Financial Crime Investigation, Accra, 2010
Accounting and Finance for Non-Finance Managers, Accra, November, 2007
Training in Assets Recovery, Serious Fraud Investigation and Prosecution, (SFO, UK) London, December, 2006
Advanced Course in Financial Crime Investigation, by CID, Ghana Police Service Training School, July 2006, Accra.
Investigative Interviewing and Investigation Management by Crown Agents – GIMPA / Accra, March 2001 etc.
Committees served on
Committee on Law Enforcement Agencies and Banking Communities (COCLAP), Bank of Ghana.
Revenue Assurance Compliance Enforcement (RACE), Ministry of Finance.
Import Declaration Forms Audit Committee (IDF), Ghana Revenue Authority.
Inter-Agency Committee on Illicit Financial Flows Committee, Ministry of Finance.
Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA.
United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
Unidentified men have attacked a final year science student from the Ofori Panin Senior High School (OPASS) located in the Eastern region.
The incident has raised alarm and highlights the need for increased security measures to ensure the safety of students within the community.
The 19-year-old student identified as Kelvin Bonzy alias Paa Kwasi was found by a passerby in a pool of blood battling for his life near Koforidua Technical University (KTU) with multiple knife wounds Wednesday evening.
He was rushed to St. Joseph Hospital but died Thursday dawn.
The victim who was preparing to write West Africa Secondary Schools Certificate Examination(WASSCE) next month has been described as a brilliant student by his former teacher.
According to his parents, they were hopeful he would have become a Medical Doctor.
A visit to the family house observed many residents and family friends troop to the house to sympathize with the family.
The family has rejected attempt to tag him a criminal.
They say Kelvin came home on exeat to attend sister’s wedding during the weekend.
Meanwhile, police have commenced investigation into the incident.
Ghanaian actor Adjetey Anang has responded to the criticisms he has faced since the release of his memoir titled ‘Adjetey Anang: A Story of Faith, Imperfection, and Resilience.’
Following the publication of his memoir, Adjetey Anang has faced severe backlash, particularly regarding allegations of infidelity mentioned in a chapter of his book, which has drawn significant criticism.
However, during a recent interview on TV3’s ‘Midday Live,’ the veteran actor openly acknowledged that he was prepared for negative feedback and expressed his lack of surprise at encountering such comments.
He wondered why people of the same race will focus on tearing each other down.
“It was expected, I knew that people will go the way they were going. I find it as such an irony because I’ve heard so many people criticize the West for painting Africa in all those negativity and now we are doing a bit worse,” he shared.
He emphasized that rather than sustaining and focusing on negativity, we should concentrate on the positives and learn from these experiences.
“If you keep on harping on the negatives, what do you expect, it’ll be repeated but what are the lessons to learn out of these things,” he advised.
While it is true that both men and women can fall victim to scams, it is often observed that women are targeted more frequently in certain types of scams. This is primarily due to the fact that men make up the majority of scammers in various fraudulent activities.
Romance scams, in particular, tend to target women more commonly. The desire for companionship and a sense of connection can make women more vulnerable to such scams. Loneliness and the pursuit of love or relationships can be exploited by scammers who create fake personas and engage in emotional manipulation. However, it is important to note that anyone can be at risk of falling victim to scams, regardless of their gender. Vigilance, awareness, and caution should be exercised by all individuals to protect themselves from scams and fraudulent activities.
Furthermore, a significant number of people who fall victim to scams choose not to come forward due to the overwhelming sense of shame they feel. This is particularly true for men, who are often less inclined to report cases of romance fraud.
How romance scams work:
1. It begins with trust
Most of these scams happen online, or at least begin online. The scammer establishes a close relationship with his victim based on trust and love.
2. You love attention and admiration and he feeds on it
Even intelligent people tend to start feeling strongly for new admirers. Regular contact naturally strengthens relationships, and the attention is flattering.
When you first meet a fraudster online, he will love bomb you and shower you with so much love and affection. He would act like the ideal man, say all the right things, take you out on dates, and maybe even buy you expensive gifts. It’s all a ruse to make you trusting of him and to make you believe he loves you.
3. He catfishes you on a dating site
It’s so much easier to lie and build a false persona online. Online scammers target dating sites, where they may communicate through instant messaging. Beware, as they may deceive you with fabricated images and videos.
4. It starts from simple favours
After a close relationship has been formed, and there is trust, the con artist starts requesting favours from the victim. It could be as easy as providing them with a phone to enhance their communication or taking actions that allow both of them to remain together, such as covering the costs of their airline tickets.
5. He tells a touching story
He tells a story that’s so compelling you have to prove your love for him. Sometimes, con artists will introduce a third party to aid in the fraud. He might provide you with his debtor’s contact number (a debt he incurred through no fault of his own but while doing business), and the debtor could send intimidating messages that would raise concerns about your partner’s well-being and compel you to send money.
Why is it so easy to fall for romance scams?
Romantic ideals
Studies reveal that people who idealize their partners are more vulnerable to fraud. Some women tend to idealize their romantic partners. Romance novels, K-Drama, and romantic movies have the power to awaken a deep longing for ideal love within women, and these men skillfully tap into their fantasies.
For example, the Tinder Swindler deceived women by presenting them with a fabricated life of wealth and luxury. However, sometimes all he has to do is overwhelm them with love and attention. Their brains will believe that he is true and that he loves them.
Loneliness
Loneliness is common these days and can make people go to extraordinary lengths to keep their lovers. Some internet users prefer expressing themselves online to doing so in person. So they use dating websites to meet people and prefer text and video calls to physical meetings. They can fall in love with someone merely by talking to them constantly on the phone because they are so lonely.
How to avoid romance scams
Use Google Images to perform a reverse image search on their images to determine whether they are using stolen images to fabricate a persona.
Additionally, you want to conduct as much social media due diligence and background checks as possible. You can do so by checking Google and all their social media. If they have no social media presence, that’s a red flag.
Finally, do not send money to someone you just met or are dating, no matter the emergency, or promise of repayment.
In today’s era, social media has inundated us with the notion that having a flat stomach is the ultimate definition of beauty and health, exerting significant pressure on women to conform to these standards.
As a result, many women feel compelled to resort to surgical procedures to achieve their desired appearance. However, several factors make it challenging to naturally attain a flat tummy. Here are some reasons why you may struggle to achieve those coveted toned abs:
Inconsistent workout routine
Consistency is the secret ingredient when it comes to achieving a flat tummy. It’s like nurturing a plant—you need to water it regularly for it to grow and thrive. In the realm of fitness, targeted exercises are a must for toning the abdominal muscles and eventually attaining that desired flat tummy.
You see, inconsistency with your workout routine or the absence of one altogether can stamp on your progress. Imagine doing a few sit-ups here and there and then forgetting about them for weeks. It’s like taking one step forward and two steps back.
To truly get results, you must commit to regular, focused workouts. This will help burn calories, shed excess fat, and strengthen your core muscles, paving the way for a flatter tummy.
Genetics
When it comes to achieving a flat tummy, genetics can either be your best friend or your worst enemy.
Each of us has a unique genetic makeup that influences our body’s tendencies. Some individuals naturally carry more fat in the abdominal area which is not due to excessive eating.
While you can’t change your genetic makeup, you can still make progress by starting a fitness journey as mentioned above.
Combine that with a healthy lifestyle and each small step you take would bring you closer to your goal.
Poor eating diet
What you put into your body plays a significant role in achieving that flat tummy.
You could be doing a thousand ab exercises daily, but if you’re consuming fufu and eba by 2 am, that flat tummy might remain a distant dream.
Focus more on your diet. Eat as less carbs as possible. Fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods, including proteins, healthy fats, and a lot of veggies.
Once you start nourishing your body with the right foods, the excess fat will slowly melt away, and your stomach will likely become flatter than it has been in years.
Alcohol
You can never have a flat tummy if you binge on alcohol.
Here’s the deal: when you consume alcohol, it releases oestrogen into your bloodstream. Excess oestrogen can lead to weight retention.
Ever noticed some men have beer bellies? Well, it’s the excess oestrogen wreaking havoc, causing fat accumulation and hindering muscle growth.
If you’re looking to take a step closer to achieving that flat tummy, it’s time to reconsider your relationship with alcohol. Now, we’re not saying you have to give it up completely, but moderation is key.
By reducing your alcohol consumption, you’ll be able to control oestrogen levels and create a more favourable environment for weight loss and muscle development.
Baby steps.
Final Note: Having some extra fat on your stomach doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy. It’s advisable to have a consistent workout routine, stay active, eat well, and love the body you’re in.
Addressing the rumors about her relationship with both Stonebwoy and Dr. Louisa, Ghanaian socialite Ayisha Modi clarified that her bond with the musician remains strong. While acknowledging that she no longer spends as much time with him, she emphasized that their relationship remains intact and unaffected by the speculations.
Ayisha Modi went on to elaborate that her relationship with Dr. Louisa, Stonebwoy’s wife, is akin to that of sisters-in-law, owing to their close connection with Stonebwoy.
In a phone interview with her goddaughter, Ayisha Modi shed light on the dynamics between herself, Stonebwoy, and the dancehall artiste.
She clarified that there was never anything untoward between her and Stonebwoy, and the rumors circulating had become excessive.
Moreover, Ayisha Modi emphasized that Dr. Louisa has never displayed any signs of jealousy and has always been supportive of their closeness. She described Stonebwoy as a brother figure, while considering his wife as a best friend. Ayisha Modi’s relationship with Dr. Louisa is even stronger than her connection with Stonebwoy.
“Stonebwoy is a brother, whiles his wife is like a best friend. That is how my relationship with them was. Nothing really happened between Stonebwoy and I.
The things people were saying were getting too much. His wife has never been the jealous type because I’m very close to Lousia. We are even closer than how I relate to Stonebwoy.”
Setting the record straight, Ayisha Modi aims to dispel the speculations and affirm the harmonious nature of her relationships with both Stonebwoy and Dr. Louisa.
Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, also known as Aki, has taken to social media to request that individuals who frequently send him messages asking for money refrain from doing so.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, comedic actor Chinedu Ikedieze expressed his frustration, highlighting the numerous messages he receives from individuals pleading for both substantial and meager amounts of money.
He claimed that one of his outrageous beggars had asked him for $35,000, while the other requested $12,000 to open a shop.
He said that he cannot continue to give in to demands from the public, because doing so would cause his financial situation to collapse given how bad the nation’s economy is currently doing.
He said,” Guys I’m not happy this thing is getting out of hand, how can you people turn my DM to a bank? If I open my dm every time is bros please, it’s too much.
“The way you guys are asking us for money is like we don’t have responsibility, if I start to share the money like that, it will finish.
“Anytime I open my message is either I see bros I need 40 thousand, bros my mother is sick. Imagine someone was begging me for $35,000 is like 27 million another one was asking me for $12,000 dollars that he wants to open a shop.”
Mr Drew and Lasmid, former signees of the Highly Spiritual record label, have made it known that they will not be taking part in the upcoming Ghana Party in the Park event.
The much-anticipated Ghana Party in the Park event is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 15 at Trent Park in London, UK.
Expressing regret and disappointment, both Mr Drew and Lasmid conveyed their inability to attend the event, citing circumstances beyond their control as the reason for their unfortunate absence.
While the specific reasons were not disclosed, fingers are being pointed at Kawya, their former label boss who initially secured them the deal for the event in previous years.
The withdrawal of Mr Drew and Lasmid from Ghana Party in the Park is a disappointment for their fans and the organisers of the event.
Ghana Party in the Park is an event that celebrates Ghanaian culture, music, and entertainment, and it will undoubtedly continue to showcase a lineup of talented artistes and provide an enjoyable experience for attendees.
As fans eagerly anticipate the event, they will have the opportunity to enjoy performances from other artistes who are scheduled to perform at Ghana Party in the Park.
Among them are R2Bees, VIP, Samini, Medikal, Cina Soul, OV, Kofi Mole, Quamina MP, Article Wan, Larruso and Gyakie.
In a splendid event, Adom TV presenter Cynthia Tima Yeboah has officially tied the knot with her beloved partner, Dominic Duodu. The exuberant ceremony took place on Thursday, July 13 at a private venue in Oda, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
The ever-fashionable Tima showed up in all her glory much to the admiration of all who were fortunate to be invited to the beautiful ceremony.
Tima Kumkum, as she is popularly called, warranted gazes as she majestically danced her way to her groom, looking ravishing in a corseted gown that was coutured with the perfect blend of green and orange colours.
She was ushered in by a train of beautiful and energetic bridesmaids who radiated glory and beamed with contiguous smiles.
The showers of blessings that poured during the event pointed to God’s mighty hands in their union and a blissful journey ahead.
Now Mrs Duodu, Tima’s white wedding which is expected to come off on Saturday, July 15 promises to be a situation.
Ghanaian actor cum farmer John Dumelo now plans to cultivate cannabis as part of his agricultural portfolio.
Mr. Dumelo expressed the hope that growing cannabis is the most reliable course of action after engaging in the cultivation of ginger, tubers, grains, and poultry farming.
His decision comes at the back of the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) Bill, 2023 into law in parliament on July 12.
The passing will grant the Interior Ministry authority to issue license for the cultivation of cannabis which has not more than 0.3% utility content on dry weight spaces for industrial or medicinal purposes.
Welcoming the move, Mr Dumelo said he is excited to witness the defining moment in Ghana’s history.
“I’m very excited Parliament has passed the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, which seeks to decriminalize the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes. This is a defining moment in Ghana’s history. As a farmer, adding the cultivation of cannabis to my portfolio for medicinal/ industrial purposes is definitely something I’m looking forward to. God bless Ghana.” He wrote on Twitter.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has commemorated the 30th anniversary of the passing of his former wife in accordance with customary practices, paying tribute to her memory.
Madam Eleanor Akosua Akufo-Addo, formerly known as Saa Nkansah-Gyamenah, sadly departed on July 13, 1993, under undisclosed circumstances.
Her marriage to Mr Akufo-Addo lasted for years and they had a daughter together.
In addition to being a lawyer, late Eleanor Akufo-Addo served as DHL’s first Ashanti Regional Manager.
She was a member of the Asante Mampong Botase Royal Family and is known for her beauty, elegance, gentility, and politeness.
Her 30th anniversary was held at Asante Mampong which is her final resting place.
The ceremony included a wreath laying at her gravesite followed by a short anniversary service.
The highlight of the event is the commissioning of Eleanor Akufo-Addo Memorial Social Centre, in her honour.
Ghanaian actor Harold Amenyah has shared his utmost pride and admiration for his wife, Irene Amenyah, who recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully passing her exams and officially becoming a certified and registered midwife in Ghana.
To express his appreciation, Harold embarked on a heartfelt mission to find the perfect gift for his wife Irene, mirroring the surprise she had given him with her impressive exam results. The journey was documented in a video, capturing Harold’s quest to find a special present that would convey his love and admiration for Irene.
Harold commenced his search at the mall, driven by the desire to find a gift that would match Irene’s remarkable achievement. Contemplating Irene’s surprising revelation of becoming a certified midwife, Harold shared his intention to reciprocate the gesture and pay tribute to Irene’s newfound status as a registered midwife.
Unable to find the ideal gift at the mall, Harold decided to explore other options. He reached out to a renowned bakery in Accra and was fortunate to learn that they had just the right cake for the occasion.
Even better, the bakery could deliver it within a short time frame of 30 minutes. Excited by the prospect of surprising his wife, Harold eagerly made the arrangements.
The video then transitioned to the heartwarming moment when Harold presented the surprise gift to Irene at their home.
As she opened the door, Irene’s face lit up with joy and astonishment upon seeing her husband’s thoughtful gesture.
The happiness and surprise evident in her expression were truly priceless, showcasing the deep bond and appreciation shared between the couple.
To watch Irene Amenyah’s heartfelt reaction to her husband’s delightful surprise, watch the video below:
Mr. Kwame Ampofo, who holds an engineering background, has disclosed that he is under investigation by the Auto Theft Unit of the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the alleged theft of the car in question.
According to Mr. Kwame Ampofo, the Chevrolet Tahoe was originally used by Mrs. Adelaide Heward-Mills, the wife of the church’s founder, from 2013 to 2016. Subsequently, the Healing Jesus denomination within the church gifted him the vehicle in 2022 following his dismissal, which occurred due to a disagreement between him and the church’s leadership.
The church said while it was yet to transfer the ownership of the car to Bishop Ampofo, he had begun to attack the church, hence, the decision to revoke the gift.
“However, before we could actually effect the transfer of the ownership of the car to you legally, you began to attack and insult the church which has been so benevolent to you. This was both a surprise and a shock to the Lighthouse Chapel International in the light of the long history of kindness and honour shown to you,” the church said in a July 4, 2023, letter signed by the Convener of the Bishop’s Council, Bishop Dr. Kofi Hene Asare.
The church said even though it had early on communicated the gift to the bishop, it was at liberty to change its mind.
“… The church is entitled to change its mind on decisions about its intentions on any subject. The church no longer wishes to give you the car because we have had a change of mind and because we never actually transferred ownership to you. We WILL NOT transfer the ownership of this car to you,” it said.
Mr Kwame Yirenkyi Ampofo_return (2) of Car 03.07n Scribd
The church dismissed Mr. Ampofo in December 2022, following what it says “are based on multiple church’s documents, meetings and the values of our organization.”
Until his dismissal, Kwame Ampofo, 52, was a bishop in charge of the Nsawam area of the church he had joined in 1995.
He said he was appointed a lay pastor in 1999 and resigned from his job to work full-time for the church in 2006. He was ordained a reverend minister in 1997 and consecrated a bishop in 2017.
Since his dismissal in December 2022, Mr. Kwame Ampofo has renounced the bishop title the church ordained him and has taken to social media to correct what he calls lies against him by some top bishops of the church.
As part of his protests against what he calls unbiblical practices of Lighthouse Chapel is the burning of books written by the founder of Lighthouse Chapel, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, live on social media.
A lawyer for Lighthouse Chapel, Kweku Y. Pantsil, first wrote to Mr. Ampofo in January 2023 to revoke the car gift from the church. The grievance of the church was that Mr. Ampofo had said the vehicle was a compensation package instead of a gift.
Lawyer Paintsil’s letter said, “By your decision to take the car as compensation, instead of a gift, you have expressly repudiated the offer of gift to you, compelling our client to accept your repudiation and, thus, nullifying the offer of a gift.”
In another letter, also dated January 11, 2023, Mr. Paintsil mentioned Mr. Ampofo’s attacks on the church after what he called “badmouthing” of the church.
“However, notwithstanding the foregoing, it has come to our client’s notice that your initial euphoria about the generous gift of GH¢300,000.00 has dissipated and the same replaced with your good self going around and unburdening yourself of gratuitous insults to the church and its leadership.”
The church says it expected the bishop to reject the gifts and take any action he deems appropriate since he claimed he was wrongfully dismissed.
“However, since it appears that you intend to pocket the gift and also maintain a right to go about badmouthing our client, we are under our client’s instructions to request that you do forthwith refund the said “gift” to our client without prejudice to your unfettered right to maintain any cause of action you consider appropriate,” one of the letters signed by Kweku Paintsil stated.
The church said despite several attempts to get the car returned, Mr. Ampofo has refused to give it back to the church. This, it says, prompted it to report the case to the police to determine the rightful owner of the car.
“The decision to report the matter to the police is very simple: since you refuse to hand over our bonafide property we have referred the matter to the Police who we believe are better suited at determining the true ownership of the car at this time.”
LCI- Response to Ing Kwame Yirenkyi Ampofo on Dismissal and Gift (1)A by Evans Aziamor-Mensah on Scribd
The car is a gift, Bishop Ampofo insists
Mr. Ampofo said he had no intention to return the car since it was a gift, alongside a GH¢300,000.00 offered him following his dismissal.
This is not the first time the church has reported a former employee for theft to the police.
Bishop Emmanuel Oko Mensah, also a former Lighthouse employee, who served for 16 years was hauled before the police for “dishonestly” keeping the church’s old Hyundai Elantra. The police discontinued the prosecution over lack of evidence to support the charge that he stole his official car.
“There is nothing in the docket to show that the suspect refused to surrender the vehicle to LCI when they requested the suspect to return the vehicle,” a legal opinion signed by Assistant State Attorney, Akosua Agyapoma Agyeman, stated.
“It is therefore our opinion that the charges of stealing cannot be sustained against the suspect. From the foregoing, we dis-recommend the prosecution of Emmanuel Oko Mensah,” the November 3, 2022, letter ended.
The letter from the Attorney-General was written in response to a petition filed by Oko Mensah’s lawyer, Kofi Bentil, who condemned the prosecution as malicious.
He said the church was only doing this because his client and five other former pastors had sued it for trauma and economic exploitation.
You presumably already know that US Vice President Joe Biden has been in Europe for the past several days, unless you’ve been living on a different planet.
Although a vital NATO summit in Lithuania was the major objective of the trip, the president began the week with a quick stop in London to strengthen the US-UK “special relationship.”
It was a high-stakes diplomatic visit that took place days after the contentious decision to deliver cluster munitions to Ukraine by the American commander in chief, a move that the UK vehemently opposes as a signatory to a prohibition on the weapon.
First, he met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before climbing aboard Marine One for a short flight to Windsor to meet King Charles III. It was their first in-person chat since Charles was crowned in May. But there appeared to be no hurt feelings over Biden’s non-attendance at the coronation, with the King warmly welcoming his guest with a guard of honor.
This wasn’t a full-on formal state visit, which usually lasts several days and is full of pageantry, diplomatic sit-downs and a glittering Buckingham Palace banquet. Instead, the catch-up was billed as a ceremonial state welcome.
The display of military personnel – formed of the Prince of Wales’ Company of the Welsh Guards on this occasion – was “designed to show the ultimate respect to the United States, our greatest ally, and used troops with some of the closest links to the King who are also preparing to deploy to the US to train alongside US forces in a matter of weeks,” according to the British Army.
National anthems were performed, followed by the two heads of state inspecting the troops. At several points, Biden placed his hand on the King’s back, in a tactile display of their close rapport. The gesture was later described to us by a royal source as being a “wonderful symbol of warmth and affection.”
As is often the case when a president comes to town, some observers scrutinized Biden’s moves for a potential breach of regal etiquette. But the royal source told CNN that the King is “entirely comfortable with that kind of contact” and that “contrary to some reports that is in fact the correct protocol.”
Afterward, the two had tea together before they viewed a Royal Collection exhibition of items relating to the US. On the face of it, the encounter seemed entirely similar to those conducted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. However, there was some deviation you may have missed.
Ahead of the meeting, it was revealed what the monarch and president would be discussing on Monday: climate change – a subject important to both men. It was a move that Charles’ late mother never allowed. The Queen, always regimented and steadfast in her duties, never revealed what she discussed with the 12 presidents she met during her reign. The few insights we’ve had have come from former presidents and tended to reveal how she made them feel welcomed or their impressions of her given her lengthy reign, rather than the specifics of their meetings.
Another departure from the Queen’s approach to presidential meetings was that a concurrent event took place at Windsor Castle, which the pair later joined in the castle’s Green Drawing Room. High-profile private sector stakeholders had been brought together for a Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum aimed at bolstering “commitments to climate action within emerging markets and developing economies.”
UK Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps heralded the King’s “many decades” of sounding the alarm around climate change and told Biden he was “enormously pleased” by the climate provisions in the US Inflation Reduction Act passed last August. He noted there would be “a couple of billion dollars’ worth of pledges” coming out of the meeting, adding that the group planned to turn their discussion into “real, tangible outcomes.”
Neither the King nor Biden spoke on camera while media were allowed in the room. Among the group of top financiers and philanthropists was Biden’s special presidential envoy for climate, John Kerry. He spoke to us for a few minutes afterward and called Monday’s engagement “time well spent” and praised the King’s “convening power” on a critical issue.
The attendees “agreed that we need to accelerate the deployment of capital, money, investment in the new energy economy.” The president, Kerry said, was particularly interested in a part of the discussion focused on “what could be done in the insurance industry to be able to provide insurance for certain types of investments.”
Some critics had questioned whether the King had overstepped by wading into policy. Kerry wouldn’t be drawn on the subject but said there had been a “great discussion” and characterized it as more of a “briefing” for the King, who, he said, “didn’t take part in the meeting” itself.
The British sovereign, Kerry said, “does have extraordinary convening power.”
“He obviously has great respect for people that are pushing an issue he’s cared about for all of his life,” said Kerry.
Global Media Alliance (GMA), in collaboration with Africa’s top music streaming service, Boomplay, has released a specially curated playlist in honour of this year’s World Public Relations Festival. The playlist honours the top ten Ghanaian musicians who will be using public relations to promote their music in 2023.
This partnership aims to honour public relations specialists’ invaluable contributions to Ghana’s thriving music industry and promote the rich diversity of the country’s musical offerings.
This partnership aims to honour public relations specialists’ invaluable contributions to Ghana’s thriving music industry and promote the rich diversity of the country’s musical offerings.
World PR Day (WPRD), observed globally on 16th July is an annual event dedicated to recognising the vital role of public relations in shaping perceptions, fostering positive relationships, and facilitating effective communication between organizations and their audiences.
Aligned with this year’s WPRD theme of “Harnessing the Power of Public Relations”, the music playlist, titled “WPRD Festival Jams”, highlights the power of music and public relations.
The 2023 top ten artistes in Ghana using public relations to promote their music, grow their brand value and shape their career are King Promise, Black Sherif, Amaarae, Nacee, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Camidoh, Djay, Gyakie and EL.
As part of the partnership, Boomplay will utilise its extensive music assets and cutting-edge activation to amplify the playlist to its millions of users both within Ghana and beyond.
The collaboration between GMA and Boomplay holds immense significance, as it brings together two key entities dedicated to promoting and uplifting music coming from Ghana.
“We are excited to partner with Boomplay for the celebration of World PR Day in Ghana. This collaboration allows us to create curated playlists that not only promote Ghanaian music but also recognize the crucial work being carried out by PR professionals in shaping the narrative of our artistes. Together, we can bring Ghana music to even greater heights,” said Ekow Quandzie, Lead, World PR Day Festival and Assistant Head of PR at Global Media Alliance.
Commenting on the partnership, Paul Azumah-Ayitey, Public Relations Manager at Boomplay expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are honoured to collaborate with Global Media Alliance to curate a playlist that celebrates World Public Relations Day and the role the profession plays in the lives of music creatives and talents in promoting their music globally.”
“Boomplay is committed to showcasing the diverse and extraordinary musical talent from Ghana, and this partnership allows us to highlight the crucial role of PR in promoting Ghanaian music.”
The partnership is expected to inspire music enthusiasts, celebrate artistes in Ghana, recognize the dedicated PR professionals and agencies behind the scenes in the creative community and generate conversations about the importance of PR campaigns as part of music rollout strategy and music marketing.
The playlist is available for free on the Boomplay app (iOs and Android) and web (www.boomplay.com) and can be accessed by music lovers in Ghana and beyond.
The children have joined Prince William and Kate for an action-packed day at an aviation show featuring jets, helicopters, and vintage aircraft.
At RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, Prince George and his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, attended the International Air Tattoo.
As usual, Louis didn’t back down and waved to the audience members who were enjoying the spectacle.
The royal children were dressed for the summer day in light casual clothing.
George and Charlotte looked around at the rain-soaked concrete near the huge plane when they stepped out from their car.
They shook hands with senior members of the RAF before they were ushered up the huge ramp of the transport plane with their parents.
George was given the task of partially raising the ramp and could be seen pressing the button as William watched on.
William and Kate were all smiles when they arrived with their children at the air show.
While the family were greeted by grey skies that brought heavy rain, the family seemed to enjoy the day out.
The event was a return visit for George who was taken to the show by his parents in 2016, aged three, and was pictured wearing ear defenders at the time.
The family’s first stop was a huge C-17 transporter aircraft, which was used to transport the late Queen’s coffin in the days ahead of her funeral last September.
The ongoing strike action by Hollywood actors is anticipated to have a notable impact on major film projects, including highly anticipated sequels such as Avatar and Gladiator.
The disruptions caused by the strike are expected to extend beyond film productions, affecting various promotional events like red-carpet premieres, with the upcoming release of Disney’s Haunted Mansion among those likely to be affected, given its scheduled release later this month.
Events including the Emmys and Comic-Con may be rescheduled or scaled back.
In the industry’s biggest shutdown for over 60 years, some 160,000 performers stopped work at midnight in LA.
The announcement followed similar strike action from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and brought most US film and TV productions to a halt.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) wants streaming giants to agree to a fairer split of profits and better working conditions.
It also wants to protect actors from being usurped by digital replicas.
The union is seeking guarantees that artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-generated faces and voices will not be used to replace actors.
While the strike lasts, actors cannot appear in films or even promote movies that they have already made.
Actors Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt left the premiere of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in London on Thursday night as the strike was declared.
The film’s director, Christopher Nolan, told the cinema audience that they were “off to write their picket signs”, adding that he supported them in their struggle.
For films in production, the strike means a large portion of work will become impossible. Even in cases in which filming has already been completed, actors will be unavailable for re-shoots and other essential elements of the filmmaking process.
TV shows that are still being filmed will also largely have to stop, although in some cases side deals could be struck between performers and producers to allow work to continue.
Several actors took to Instagram to voice their support for the strike, including Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk, Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon and Hollywood veteran Jamie Lee Curtis.
Picketing will begin on Friday morning outside the California headquarters of Netflix, before moving on to Paramount, Warner Bros and Disney.
To address concerns about the use of AI, the big studios have offered what they call a “ground-breaking proposal” that would protect the digital likeness of actors and require their consent when digital replicas are used in performances, or alterations are made.
But the union rejected the offer, made by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The SAG’s national executive director and chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, said it was unacceptable.
“They propose that our background performers should be able to be scanned, get paid for one day’s pay, and their company should own that scan of their image, their likeness, and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity,” he said. “If you think that’s a ground-breaking proposal, I suggest you think again.”
The AMPTP said the strike was “certainly not the outcome we hoped for as studios cannot operate without the performers that bring our TV shows and films to life”.
“The union has regrettably chosen a path that will lead to financial hardship for countless thousands of people who depend on the industry,” its statement added.
The union is officially known as the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.
Another of its demands of the streaming services is that actors should receive greater base pay and residuals – meaning payments made to actors from repeats of films and programmes they’ve starred in.
The strike includes tens of thousands of actors who receive significantly less pay for minor parts than their A-list colleagues.
“In the old model, they get residuals based on success,” Kim Masters, the editor-in-chief of the Hollywood Reporter, told the BBC. “In the new model, they don’t get to find out what’s going on behind the scenes, because the streamers don’t share.”
Fran Drescher, SAG’s president, said the strike came at a “very seminal moment” for actors in the industry.
“What’s happening to us is happening across all fields of labour,” she said, “when employers make Wall Street and greed their priority, and they forget about the essential contributors that make the machine run.”
A separate strike by the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America demanding better pay and working conditions has been going on since May 2.
Some writers have turned to projects that are not covered by the contract between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The “double strike” by both unions is the first since 1960 when the SAG was led by actor Ronald Reagan, long before he entered politics and became US president. The last strike by actors took place in 1980.
(Reuters) The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May
Speaking during a gathering of industry leaders at an Idaho resort ahead of the SAG’s announcement on Thursday, Disney chief executive Bob Iger said the demands of both actors and writers were impractical and damaging to an industry still recovering from the pandemic.
“It’s very disturbing to me,” Mr Iger said. “This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption.”
A third union, the Directors Guild of America, successfully negotiated a contract in June and will not participate.
There has been the biggest shutdown in the film industry for more than 60 years as Hollywood actors join screenwriters on strike.
A large number of US film and television productions were halted at midnight in Los Angeles when about 160,000 performers stopped working.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) wants streaming giants to agree to a fairer split of profits and better working conditions.
It also wants to protect actors from being usurped by digital replicas.
The union is seeking guarantees that artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-generated faces and voices will not be used to replace actors.
While the strike lasts, actors cannot appear in films or even promote movies that they have already made.
As a result, stars Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt left the premiere of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in London on Thursday night as the strike was declared.
The film’s director, Christopher Nolan, told the cinema audience that they were “off to write their picket signs”, adding that he supported them in their struggle.
Several actors took to Instagram to voice their support for the strike, including Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk, Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon and Hollywood veteran Jamie Lee Curtis.
Picketing will begin on Friday morning outside the California headquarters of Netflix, before moving on to Paramount, Warner Bros and Disney.
To address concerns about the use of AI, the big studios have offered what they call a “ground-breaking proposal” that would protect the digital likeness of actors and require their consent when digital replicas are used in performances, or alterations are made.
But the union rejected the offer, made by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The SAG’s national executive director and chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, said it was unacceptable.
“They propose that our background performers should be able to be scanned, get paid for one day’s pay, and their company should own that scan of their image, their likeness, and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity,” he said. “If you think that’s a ground-breaking proposal, I suggest you think again.”
Actors Emily Blunt (L), Cillian Murphy (centre) and Florence Pugh (R) at the premiere of Oppenheimer
For films in production, the strike means a large portion of work will become impossible. Even in cases in which filming has already been completed, actors will be unavailable for re-shoots and other essential elements of the filmmaking process.
TV shows that are still being filmed will also largely have to stop, although in some cases side deals could be struck between performers and producers to allow work to continue.
Top Hollywood stars will not be able to attend events to promote new and upcoming releases. Events including the Emmys and Comic-Con may be rescheduled or scaled back.
The AMPTP said the strike was “certainly not the outcome we hoped for as studios cannot operate without the performers that bring our TV shows and films to life”.
“The union has regrettably chosen a path that will lead to financial hardship for countless thousands of people who depend on the industry,” its statement added.
The union is officially known as the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.
Another of its demands of the streaming services is that actors should receive greater base pay and residuals – meaning payments made to actors from repeats of films and programmes they’ve starred in.
The strike includes tens of thousands of actors who receive significantly less pay for minor parts than their A-list colleagues.
“In the old model, they get residuals based on success,” Kim Masters, the editor-in-chief of the Hollywood Reporter, told the BBC. “In the new model, they don’t get to find out what’s going on behind the scenes, because the streamers don’t share.”
Fran Drescher, SAG’s president, said the strike came at a “very seminal moment” for actors in the industry.
“What’s happening to us is happening across all fields of labour,” she said, “when employers make Wall Street and greed their priority, and they forget about the essential contributors that make the machine run.”
A separate strike by the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America demanding better pay and working conditions has been going since 2 May.
Some writers have turned to projects that are not covered by the contract between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The “double strike” by both unions is the first since 1960, when the SAG was led by actor Ronald Reagan, long before he entered politics and became US president. The last strike by actors took place in 1980.
Speaking during a gathering of industry leaders at an Idaho resort ahead of the SAG’s announcement on Thursday, Disney chief executive Bob Iger said the demands of both actors and writers were impractical and damaging to an industry still recovering from the pandemic.
“It’s very disturbing to me,” Mr Iger said. “This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption.”
A third union, the Directors Guild of America, successfully negotiated a contract in June and will not participate.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings because this weekend’s weather will be disrupted by ‘unseasonal’ strong gusts and heavy rain.
‘Disruption’ is anticipated to occur throughout Friday in South Wales and southwest England due to winds that could reach 50 mph.
The other alert has been issued for the eastern region of England, where Saturday is expected to be a “unseasonably windy day.”
Driving conditions and public transport could be affected.
The Met Office said: ‘Two yellow National Severe Weather Warnings or wind have been issued highlighting the potential for impacts such as travel disruption to South Wales and southwest England on Friday and the south and east of England on Saturday.’
Heavy rain will also sweep northeastwards on Friday morning.
Thunder is also possible, particularly in the west of the UK.
Paul Gunderson, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘Strong winds will develop across the South West early on Friday, pushing further north across parts of Wales through the day.
‘Gusts of 35 to 45mph are likely quite widely for a time, with gusts over 50mph affecting some coasts and hills, mainly across Cornwall and west Wales.’
Temperatures will remain on the cooler side, with highs of 20C on Friday and 21 on Saturday.
Mr Gunderson said: ‘This is an unusual time of year for such strong winds and, with many people on holiday or planning outdoor activities, they are likely to cause some disruption.
‘In addition, heavy rain could lead to standing water and spray on roads and consequently difficult driving conditions. Winds are expected to ease through the evening.’
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office has disclosed that Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of the iconic rock ‘n’ roll figure Elvis Presley, passed away as a result of a bowel obstruction.
The obstruction was a result of adhesions caused by weight-loss surgery she underwent several years ago.
Presley, also a singer, died after being rushed to a California hospital on 12 January. She was 54.
Her last public appearance was two days before her death, at the Golden Globes.
At the time of Presley’s death, local officials said first responders had been dispatched to her home in Calabasas, where they found her in cardiac arrest.
Elvis and Priscilla Presley with Lisa Marie at just four days old in 1968
On Thursday, the medical examiner’s office ruled that she died of natural causes and said that the cardiac arrest was caused by a “small bowel obstruction”.
This occurs when the small intestine is blocked, sometimes as a result of colon cancer, medication or adhesions (scar tissue) that form after surgeries. Some conditions that inflame intestines can also lead to small bowel obstructions.
In Presley’s case, the report found that the adhesions were caused by weight-loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery, that she underwent several years ago.
“This is a known long-term complication of this type of surgery,” the medical examiner’s report noted.
Dr Angelique Campen, an emergency room physician at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, told the BBC’s US partner, CBS, that deaths from small bowel obstructions are rare.
In many cases, patients in such cases experience significant pain and would probably be admitted to hospital.
Presley, a singer and songwriter, was ultimately buried next to her son Benjamin Keough, who killed himself in 2020.
After her death, her mother, Priscilla Presley, filed a legal challenge to the will’s validity, arguing that she was unaware of a 2016 amendment that had ousted her as a trustee overseeing Lisa Marie’s estate.
Lisa Marie was married to Michael Jackson in the 1990s
Instead, the amendment named Benjamin Keough and a daughter, Riley, as co-trustees. Both were the children of Lisa Marie’s first-husband, Danny Keough.
The legal dispute was settled in May. The details were never made public.
Born in 1968, Lisa Marie Presley followed in her father’s footsteps as a musician and released three albums over the course of her career.
She was also well-known for four high-profile marriages, to Keough, pop star Michael Jackson, actor Nicolas Cage and musician Michael Lockwood.
Michael Collins Ajereh, the renowned Nigerian artiste and music executive better known as Don Jazzy, has expressed his unwavering commitment to aiding the growth and development of aspiring young artistes.
During an interview with Fisayo Fosudo, Don Jazzy opened up about his own journey in the music industry, revealing that he and his colleagues faced significant challenges in the early stages of their careers due to the lack of guidance. Drawing from their personal experiences, they strongly believe that emerging artistes can greatly benefit from the lessons they have learned along the way.
“My priorities have changed over the years. I basically started as a musician but along the line, I started doing different things. Finding, growing young artists into global superstars and things like that. I feel like it’s my calling to help people grow. I have a strong conviction that I know how to work with people.” he said.
While emphasizing that his sole focus isn’t solely on building the Nigerian ecosystem and nurturing new artistes, Don Jazzy emphasized the importance of ensuring that aspiring musicians are equipped with the necessary knowledge to navigate the industry successfully. He acknowledged the significance of guiding them towards making informed choices and following the right paths in their musical journeys.
The Mavin Records CEO stated that he is “leveraging on the huge brand that I had built to just impact people’s lives.”
He added that just as he is helping other other artiste who have the knowledge on how to succeed in the industry must also provide guidance to artistes who look up to them.
“If I see young artists now, I’m like, ‘if this person doesn’t have like guidance before they get to a certain level, they might just be lost.’ It would be nice if we could speed up the process.
“It would be nice if somebody that has been down the road before…You know where the potholes are, you can just tell the person, ‘I don pass this road before. Avoid this road, follow here.”
Don Jazzy also advised young artiste to seek the counsel of experts who are willing to share with them their story.
“If the person that has gone there before and knows the road, does not want to show somebody the road, you can not be following for no reason. So, I feel like anybody that has any update about how to survive, should share the update.”
The Accra High Court has dismissed a report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) concerning Adjenim Boateng Adjei, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).
The court, presided over by Judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, ruled that CHRAJ breached the fair hearing rule by replacing portions of the complaint made by antigraft campaigners; Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), with the former’s own allegations.
Additionally, the Accra High Court stated that Adjenim Boateng Adjei was not given the chance, by CHRAJ, to cross-examine the witnesses called during their investigations before they arrived at their conclusions.
Also, the court said that CHRAJ focused on matters that were not part of the submission of GII, failing to rather investigate the substantive complaints in the case.
The case of the former CEO of the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) was prompted by an investigative exposé by celebrated anti-corruption investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, in 2019.
The exposé was titled; “Contract for Sale.”
Thereafter, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the PPA boss, as well as other Members of the Board of the PPA on issues of corruption, conflict of interest, collusion and inappropriate conduct in violation of the constitution.
Artist manager Bullgod has once again expressed his displeasure with Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo and his administration.
He claims that he has never witnessed a candidate in Ghana’s history pleading with voters for their support.
He went ahead to say that Akufo-Addo and his government are arrogant, adding that they think they are wiser than God.
Bullgod has had an issue with the sitting government thus, it is not the first time the artist manager is expressing his disappointment in them.
In a video, Bullgod narrated how the president of Ghana in the past elections begged Ghanaians to vote for him so he can bring the change the country is yearning for, but has rather taken the country from bad to worst.
He said: “Akufo-Addo and his whole squad are arrogant. They feel they know than God and clearly, we see what is happening. This is the man who came begging the whole of Ghana. I have never seen candidates in the world or Ghana’s history begging for votes. Moving from Tamale to Accra and after begging, look at what you are doing. It is sad”.
He suggested that anyone who has a video of the president begging for votes during the 2016 and 2020 elections, should bring it out for people to know he’s speaking the truth concerning Akufo-Addo’s approach to winning the elections.
“And I am sure if you guys will do justice, you should be playing the begging clip so people would know and it wouldn’t be like I am saying it on top of mind. He was begging everybody”, he added.
Contrary to popular belief, not all starch diets are detrimental to our health: Many may be curious about how a cancer-fighting effect is associated with a starch-rich diet, as starchy foods are often considered unhealthy.
But studies have proven that green Bananas and plantain diets may offer more than just a good source of fiber, Vitamin C, potassium, and other vitamins and minerals.
They are less sweet and contain less sugar than riper yellow ones. They also have more resistant starch, which may benefit blood sugar management and your overall health.
I know that when it comes to the health benefits of resistant starch – it is undeniably one of the most underrated, unknown, and yet-to-be-discovered functional foods in the world. However, not all resistant starches are made equal.
While only a handful of foods contain Resistant Starch many of them are in low quantities, can be destroyed through cooking, or come from genetically modified sources.
Resistant starch is simply starch that resists digestion in the small intestine. It reaches the large intestine and feeds the good bacteria that live in our guts. It turns out that this gut fermentation is really important to our metabolism.
Scientific studies are showing that we need to return to the historically consumed slow-to-digest resistant starch and eat far less easy-to-digest, soft, highly refined carbohydrates.
Resistant starch diet and cancers
A recent study by Matters et al.(2022) published in the journal Cancer Prevention found that starch found in green bananas (as opposed to ripe ones) and some other foods such as green plantain etc may potentially help reduce the risk of some cancers.
The 20-year trial conducted among 900 patients with Lynch Syndrome (LS), the most common cause of hereditary colorectal (colon) cancer, found that a daily dose of 30 grams of resistant starch for up to four years produced a “protective effect against non–colorectal cancer LS cancers.”
Professor John Mathers from Newcastle University, the leader of the study explained: “The dose used in the trial is equivalent to eating a daily banana: before they become too ripe and soft, the starch in bananas resists breakdown and reaches the bowel where it can change the type of bacteria that live there.”
He further noted that: “The protective effect of the resistant starch was “particularly evident” for upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, namely:
Stomach/gastric cancer (cancer in the lining of the stomach);
Bile tract cancer (cancer in the organs that make and store bile, a fluid made by the liver that helps digest fat);
Pancreatic cancer (cancer in the pancreas); and
Duodenal cancer (cancer in the first part of your small intestine)
Mathers stated: “This is important as cancers of the upper GI tract are difficult to diagnose and often are not caught early on.
“We think that resistant starch may reduce cancer development by changing the bacterial metabolism of bile acids and reduce those types of bile acids that can damage our DNA and eventually cause cancer. However, this needs further research,” he added.
Green banana and plantain
Green bananas naturally have a huge amount of resistant starch. Rhonda Witwer helped create a company to sell green banana powder as a supplement here in the United States. It can deliver up to 65% resistant starch when consumed raw, as the vast majority of the pulp in green plantains and green bananas are starch.
As it ripens, the starch turns to sugar and the resistant starch content is lost. I have not seen good data analyzing how resistant starch is in cooked green plantains and cooked green bananas, but it might be more than in other foods because there is less concentration of other components (proteins and fats) that physically interfere with the starch retrogradation.
We also need a lot of education on resistant starch as a health-promoting starch. Most people also believe that all starches are bad for you. I compare it to the historical perspective that people initially thought that all fats were bad until we figured out that there were good fats (i.e., omega-3 fatty acids). We are rapidly progressing to the same distinctions in carbohydrates – and resistant starch is one of the good carbs.
I think much of the benefit comes from the processing effects. Here’s a clinical study that was recently published that focused more on the levels of processing of foods. Resistant starch was a marker within the minimally processed food group (called the Microbiome Enhancer Diet).
In this clinical trial design, Corbin et al.(2020) describe as follows: Microbiome Enhancer Diet consisted of whole foods and four key drivers – dietary fiber, large food particle size, resistant starch, and minimal processing.
Microbiome Enhancer diet provided average 25.8 g fiber/1000 kcals and 10.3 g of RS/1000 kcals. Western Diet provided 6.5 g fiber/1000 kcal and 1.2 g RS/1000 kcals. They included resistant starch in their explanations of this study.
This study focused on the impact of less processed foods (not just resistant starch) on major health and weight biomarkers. This is going to be a big topic as a lot of people believe that ultra-processed foods are bad-for-you.
I’d rather focus on the positive aspects of the study and emphasize the inclusion and retention of resistant starch in the diet as a way to maintain healthy eating.
People who have had poor diets for a long time may have poor intestinal barrier integrity (commonly called a leaky gut). Dr. Martin Kriegel is doing good work showing that probiotic bacteria triggered inflammation and problems in an animal autoimmune model. He also showed that resistant starch fermentation helped heal the leaky gut and stopped the translocation of toxins across the gut barrier.
An animal study by Zegarra-Ruiz et al. (2019)also explained that resistant starch’s fermentation produces a lot of butyrates, which is believed to be one of the key factors in healing a leaky gut as butyrate is the preferred food for colon cells. I believe that most people have bacteria that can ferment resistant starch.
There are exceptions of course – people who have had repeated antibiotic treatments, who have intestinal diseases and dysbiosis that reflect imbalances, etc. Even if people have low levels of bacteria in their gut, the bacteria will rebound when they start feeding them again.
It only takes a few days for the bacterial composition to change when the diet changes. This also is consistent with several published meta-analyses showing that resistant starch lowers systemic inflammation in people – it probably does so by lowering the translocation of chyme components that leak across the intestinal barrier.
I usually recommend that people try resistant starch and other fermentable fibers before they supplement with probiotics. If they are not seeing benefits or believe that it is not fermenting (a complete lack of flatulence), then there is reason to suggest probiotics.
Yellow green and plantain
As they ripen, their carb composition changes. For instance, one study by Zhang et al.(2005) found that green or unripe bananas contain mostly starch, which makes up 70–80% of their dry weight. Most of that starch in green or unripe bananas is resistant starch, which is not digested in the small intestine. For that reason, it’s often classified as dietary fiber.
However, bananas and plantain lose their starch as they ripen. In the course of ripening, the starch is converted into simple sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose). Interestingly, ripe bananas contain only 1% starch, leaving the 99 percent in simple sugars.
Green bananas and plantain are also good sources of pectin. This type of dietary fiber is found in fruits and helps them keep their structural form.Duan et al.(2008) study explained that Pectin breaks down when a banana becomes overripe, which causes the fruit to become soft and mushy.
Two studies, (Wikiera et al. 2014;Birt et al. 2013) explained that the resistant starch and pectin in green bananas can provide several health benefits, including improved blood sugar control and better digestive health.
Resistant starch mechanism of action
One review by Falcomer et al.(2019) explained that when you eat a resistant starch diet in green plantain and Banana, they act like “fiber,” reducing glycemia (blood sugar levels that are too low or too high) and helping to prevent or treat type 2 diabetes as well as decreasing the risk of developing chronic diseases.
The starches are naturally broken down into glucose (blood sugar) when they’re digested. But since resistant starch is not digested, it does not raise your blood sugar levels.
Because they are also undigested “Gut health is improved as fermentation in the large intestine makes more good bacteria and less bad bacteria in the gut. Healthy gut bacteria can improve glycemic control.
Take home
Studies have proven eating resistant diets are good for our health. Apart from green Bananas and Plantain others such as fruits, non-starchy vegetables (carrots, broccoli, spinach) and beans also contain resistant starch.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has instructed the formation of a special committee comprising seven members to conduct an inquiry into the leaked audio discussing plans to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
The Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah presenting the request in Parliament said “Mr. Speaker that I submit this statement for your kind attention seeking to invoke the appropriate Standing Orders of the House and other relevant legislation, for a bi-partisan investigation either by a special committee of the House, or the Committee on Defence and Interior, into this all-important matter.”
The terms of reference of this investigation will be to establish the following:
1. The authenticity of the leaked audio recording
2. Investigate the conspiracy to remove the current Inspector-General of Police
3. Investigate any other matter contained in the audio recording
4. Recommend sanctions to persons found culpable where appropriate
5. Make recommendations for reforms where necessary
6. Make such other recommendations and consequential orders as the committee may deem appropriate.
“Right Honourable Speaker, I hereby submit for your kind consideration,” lawmaker concluded.
In response the Speaker asked if there are any comments from member of the house since they had response “I don’t know if you still have further comments if not I concede and direct that a special committee be established to investigate this matter.”
Mr. Bagbin said the Committee must go beyond defense and interior.
“We need some of you who are good in IT and other areas to submit your talents and skills to the Committee for this work to be done,” he added.
A scene of chaos unfolded at the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Assembly on Friday, July 14, 2023, when members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made attempts to forcefully remove Edward Owusu, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the municipality.
According to a news report by UTV, the NPP members who were going to chase out the MCE were met with stiff opposition by his supporters.
This, the report indicated, resulted in a serious fight among the NPP supporters.
A video of the incident, shared by UTV, showed at least 10 men landing blows at each other in front of the assembly.
Edward Owusu was appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to be the MCE of the Atebubu-Amantin Municipality in 2017.
Reports indicate that in 2021, the resident of the municipality called on the president not to reappoint because they were not happy with some of his actions.
A brave father who was trying to keep his three-year-old son’s head above water drowned.
According to the BBC, on June 11, David Cole and his kid became caught in a rip tide near West Mersea.
Sadly, Mr. Cole, 30, never came to, despite his best efforts to keep his child’s head above water.
Ms. McDonald was on the beach at the time of the event with the couple’s other son, who was one.
She said: ‘Not being able to do anything, feeling helpless, was so hard – it was horrible.
‘The lifeboat crew were just really good at splitting themselves between being with my partner and trying to resuscitate him and then looking after my three-year-old
‘It could have been my three-year-old son who drowned as well if it weren’t for them.’
A paddleboarder and two lifeguards were the first to try and help the dad and son before the RNLI crew arrived just minutes later.
Katie McDonald described Mr Cole as ‘the best dad ever’ (Picture: Katie McDonald/Facebook)
Paying tribute to Mr Cole, Ms McDonald described him as ‘the best dad ever’ who ‘only wanted to have fun with the kids’.
She said: ‘He is just a hero. A hero in the sense he put his son before himself and saved his son’s life.’
Ms McDonald is now raising money for Colchester Hospital and the RNLI , which has received more £3,500 since it was set up six days ago.
Rick Boreham, a volunteer lifeboat operations manager at West Mersea RNLI, said: ‘The station’s volunteer crew is really touched that she has set up the fundraising page.
‘Katie is cordially invited to visit the station anytime and will receive a warm welcome.’
Michael Owusu Addo, widely recognized as Sarkodie, has achieved a momentous feat by becoming the inaugural Ghanaian artiste to surpass the remarkable milestone of one million subscribers on the renowned platform, YouTube.
Since his debut on December 2, 2012, Sarkodie has consistently captivated his audience by sharing a remarkable collection of 266 videos on YouTube. Over the years, his engaging content has garnered an impressive total of 300,443,844 views as of July 14, 2023.
Among Sarkodie’s collection of videos, his most-watched on YouTube is the remix of ‘Adonai,’ featuring the late Castro, which has garnered 93 million views with a notable hit, ‘Pain Killer’ featuring Runtown, which has earned him 24 million views.
The closest competitor on the platform is Shatta Wale, having 964,000 subscribers and 272,229,350 total views since joining the platform on November 19, 2012. Shatta Wale’s most viewed video, ‘Taking Over’ featuring Joint 77, Addi Self & Captan, has grossed 19 million views.
Stonebwoy, currently holds 653,000 subscribers on YouTube, with a total of 283 videos to his credit.
The initial name and image of a young man who died during a late-night street brawl have been released.
On Tuesday, Emiliano Hasanpapaj was fatally stabbed following a fight in Enfield, north London.
The 22-year-old was able to reach a local hospital, but despite their best attempts, medical personnel were unable to save him before he passed away.
Specially trained officers are helping his family.
Police were called to reports of a group of people fighting in Berkshire Gardens, N13 at 11.50pm.
Officers say a man went to hospital having suffered a stab wound at around the same time.
Detectives launched a murder investigation following the incident and enquiries by the Met’s specialist crime command are ongoing to establish the circumstances.
Latest London news
Police are investigating the suspected murder of the 22-year-old (Picture: Met Police)
A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail until a date in October.
After Mr Hasanpapaj suffered the fatal injury, detective chief superintendent Caroline Haines, local policing commander in north London, issued a statement.
Det ch supt Haines said: ‘Every death on the streets of London is a tragedy and a dedicated team of officers are working to piece together how this man lost his life.
‘We are at an early stage of the investigation and police will remain in the area throughout the day as these enquiries are carried out.
‘I recognise this incident will cause concern among the community in Palmers Green, however I would like to reassure you that there is nothing to suggest there is a wider risk to the public as a result of this incident.’
Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has expressed concern over the leaked audio that discusses plans to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, emphasizing the potential risks it poses for the 2024 elections.
In a statement utilizing the Appropriate Standing Orders of the House, the Deputy Minority Leader called upon the Speaker of Parliament to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate the leaked audio. During the statement, the deputy Minority leader provided an overview of the audio’s content.
“Mr. Speaker, the contents of this audio recording portend grave danger for the upcoming 2024 General Elections if not thoroughly investigated and dealt with to ascertain its authenticity or otherwise.
“The unnamed Commissioner of Police on the tape, contrary to the professional code of ethics of the Ghana Police Service to maintain “Service with Integrity”, rather contemplates doing everything humanly possible to help the Government and the New Patriotic Party to win the election, saying: “there is mafia work in every election” (to wit, elections are not won fairly). In his view, the current IGP will not help the New Patriotic Party – the party that appointed him, to carry out such “mafia works” as was demonstrated by his fair conduct in the recent Assin North by-election, and hence he must be changed,” Mr. Kofi Buah stated.
He continued: “It is instructive, and equally troubling, Mr. Speaker, that Senior Officers of the Ghana Police Service who are seized with the very sensitive matters of election security management, and are expected to demonstrate neutrality, fairness and utmost professionalism in matters of election security, would rather conspire to favour the course of the New Patriotic Party to retain power in 2024.”
Kofi Buah stated that as Parliament their concern must be situated within the context of the 31st January 2019 Ayawaso West-Wuogon by-election violence, and other acts of violence.
The lawmaker also mentioned incidents that were recorded at Techiman South and other parts of the country during the 2020 General Election in which eight (8) Ghanaian citizens lost their lives.
“Mr. Speaker, this audio recording equally unveils serious national security concerns that must be investigated by this August House of Parliament. Several pronouncements by the said officer, reveal the presence of partisan elements within the top hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service, whose loyalty is solely to the New Patriotic Party and its leadership, and not the Republic of Ghana. The said officer whose voice is captured on tape, regrettably identifies as a “Regime Police Officer”, and boldly declares his loyalty and that of other senior Police officers to the New Patriotic Party. He further professes their determination to help the party hold on to power beyond 2024 against the sovereign will of the Ghanaian people.”
Michy provided some insightful advice for women on childbirth.In an interview with Felicia Osei on ONUA FM, she stressed the significance of carefully weighing one’s capacity to provide adequate care and support before having children, advising women to slow down the pace of childbirth and only have as many children as they can adequately care for.
During the interview, Shatta Michy also discussed her personal motivations for delaying childbirth.
She acknowledged that times are tough and highlighted the significance of focusing on working hard to establish a decent living before bringing more children into the world.
“The economy is actually really hard now to have another kid and I feel like rather than giving birth to more children, you should rather work hard and create one or two rich kids in generation instead of giving birth to four, which will bring about a struggle in paying school fees. So, make sure you’re very stable before you have your next mother.”
Even though Michy is interested in having more children, she is much more concerned with choosing financial strategies that will support the kids.
“I would love to but I need money. If only God gives me the money, I am looking then I will have more kids. I just want to make sure that I am able to provide more than necessary for the kids”, she added.
Michy’s perspective is grounded in a sense of responsibility and practicality; she thinks people should put their overall well-being and financial security before growing their families.
By advocating for this approach, she hopes to empower women to make informed choices that align with their personal circumstances and aspirations.
Michy’s words serve as a reminder that thoughtful family planning can contribute to a better future, both for the individuals involved and the society as a whole.
By striking a balance between personal goals and the responsibilities of parenthood, women can pave the way for a more secure and fulfilling life for themselves and their children.
The Clinical Psychologist, during the commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Person (Blue Day), noted that the progress made in fighting transnational crime included the rescuing of victims, training more law enforcement officials and stakeholders on how to deal with cases of Human Trafficking, arrest of perpetrators, convictions, and jail terms.
“There has been significant improvement over the past five years in terms of prosecutions, in 2013 and 2016 we had a total of two convictions each,” she said.
However, from 2017 to date, the number of cases reported is 803 with 797 investigated by the Anti-human trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police and Ghana Immigration Services.
During the same reporting periods, a total of 221 of these cases were prosecuted, 210 individuals have been convicted and sentenced for human trafficking-related offences,” She said.
Madam Ofori-Atta attributed the results to the various legislations, legal instruments, and plan of action that the country had crafted and enacted over the years.
These legislations are the Human Trafficking Act 694 of 2005 and the Human Trafficking Prohibition Regulations of 2015 (LI 2219).
“With regards to legislation, Ghana has enacted the Human Trafficking Act 694 of 2005 and the Human Trafficking Prohibition Regulations of 2015 and the Ministry has also developed the National Plan of Action from 2022-2026. supporting the effective implementation of Act 694,” she added.
Prof Ofori-Atta said despite the successes chalked, some challenges were faced in the fight against human trafficking.
She said to reduce the menace, the Ministry has further trained some 798 law-enforcement officers, 230 Journalists in Accra and beyond, 104 social workers to help deal with the menace.
Mrs Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, lauded the significant rise in the prosecution of cases particularly that of child trafficking.
She said the feat had put Ghana on tier two global ranking, saying this showed the Government’s efforts and commitment to end human trafficking.
“It shows how we have demonstrated commitment to fight against human trafficking, yielding greater results in the number of prosecutions gained and the number of victims rescued,” she said.
In 2022, a total number of 108 cases were reported and investigated by our law enforcement officials, 31 cases were prosecuted involving 57 individuals, 37 convictions cases of human trafficking with 10 cases for child labour and 10 for other related offences.
The Minister advised NGOs and activists to follow standard operating procedures and protocols to fight Human trafficking.
As reported by CNN station N1, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani denounced the altercation that broke out between lawmakers from the opposition and the ruling party on Thursday in the legislature.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti was interrupted by opposition lawmakers during a live video feed of the Kosovan parliament, and water was thrown at him after some pushing and fighting between members of the opposition and the ruling Vetevendosje party.
Kurti was talking about calming down tensions in northern Kosovo, which had been the scene of deadly riots in May when ethnic Serbs objected to the appointment of ethnic Albanian mayors.
There was a scuffle among the MPs who came to Kurti’s defense and those who came to the other side.
Glass was also heard breaking and the President of the Kosovo Assembly, Gljauk Konjufca, was also heard calling the police in the video.
Osmani said in a Facebook such violence had “no place.”
“Using physical violence as a tool to address political discontent, differences or disagreements is the greatest harm that can be done to institutions that were built with so much can sacrifice,” she wrote, adding that “violence has no place in the temple of democracy and cannot become a political tool.”
“We must reaffirm our commitment to democracy, different thinking, as well as mutual respect, based on rule and law-abiding,” she said.
Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama also condemned the brawl.
“Imagine how the irreplaceable allies and friends of Kosovo and the Albanians feel, when they see how Albanians grabbed each other by the throat instead of fighting with ideas and words, not insults and fists,” he said and called the opposition to distance itself from what he said was shameful behavior.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after a war in which Kosovan Albanians attempted to break from what was then the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, made up of today’s Serbia and Montenegro. Serbia views Kosovo as a breakaway state and does not recognize its independence.
The bulk of Kosovo’s population is ethnically Albanian but in the restive north ethnic Serbs are the majority in some areas and have increasingly demanded greater autonomy.
National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Yamin, has rebutted media claims that the Ghana Police Service excelled in their handling of the Assin North by-election.
He stated that numerous mishaps occurred, but the NDC has chosen not to address them as they had no impact on the decision made by the people of Assin North.
In a widely circulated video on Facebook, the NDC national organiser expressed that despite the police prohibiting individuals, including NDC officers, from carrying firearms at polling stations during the by-elections, prominent members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) were seen openly carrying guns.
Furthermore, he mentioned that among the NPP individuals who possessed firearms was Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the party’s Ashanti Regional chairman. Chairman Wontumi even discharged a gunshot that resulted in the damage of a vehicle belonging to an NDC member.
“We are silent on the Assin North, not because the IGP help anyone. If we want to talk about how the police helped the NPP, we may not be going anywhere. That is why we have been quiet because, in the end, we won the elections which every Ghanaian was looking for.
“That is why we have left everything, order than that why has IGP Dampare not arrested Wontumi and Owusu Bempeh for showing weapons, holding weapons and going round with them when police officers didn’t have the chance to hold weapons?
“They held it (the weapons) and they didn’t just hold it, they fired it. The police are aware of this, they (the police) saw it. The cars they fired at were sent to the police station,” he said.
Judy Austin, has taken to social media to extol her beauty despite the numerous trolls she has encountered.
In an Instagram post, the second wife of actor Yul Edochie referred to herself as the most beautiful woman.
Judy Austin credited God for her radiant appearance, adding that when God is one’s guardian, there is a different glow that comes with it.
She wrote: “It’s the beauty for me!! The most beautiful woman!!! That’s how you glow when God is your PROTECTOR!!!! I hope y’all are having a wonderful evening”.
Yul Edochie took to Judy’s comment section to praise her for how she’s loved by God, stating; “IJELE ODOGWU! God’s special daughter.”
Others kept raining insults at Judy Austin while criticizing her for always seeking attention and chasing clout.
See some naetizens comments here
blessed_blessed2: “Stupid thing”
christiionyinye: “How many prominent personalities comment when you post,local fowl with your local clothes and wigs…husband snatcher…..”
cele.stine648: “You’re just pretending to be fine while living in reg*et, beauty without getting ur own husband is beautifulless”
amara.vivian.969: “Anyone who supports this woman is just like her and ready to break someone’s home ,Nna there is nothing good about you .you have a very bad upbringing, your parents should be ashamed of themselves, because they did a very bad job.”
harrytee_10: “I want to ask, is marrying a second wife a crime /sin”
anitageorgette: “Second class woman of a second class husband”
mrsj7575: “Can’t even see any celebrity on your page commenting, chiaaaa you took the bad luck to Yul too but come to Queen May wall I see the real QUEEN with Brian comment of prominent celebrities of timber and calibers”
edochieokoye: “Divorcing isn’t the issue, hope she doesn’t end up as a side chick to a married man or to another man?”
Two teens were sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing a 16-year-old on the street as he was returning from a friend’s house in a case of mistaken identity.
According to testimony given at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Ronan Kanda was attacked in Wolverhampton on June 29, 2022, by Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill, both 17 years old.
After the judge at the court lifted the reporting limitations, the pair can both be named.
Ronan, who was not the intended victim of the attack, but who knew Veadhesa and Shergill, was just yards away from his home which he shared with his parents and sister when the attack happened.
He was walking back from his friend’s house where he had gone to buy a Playstation controller.
In what judge Mr Justice Choudhury called a ‘tragic coincidence’, Veadhesa and Shergill had seen Ronan leaving the house where their intended victim lived and assumed he was the boy they were looking for.
Ronan was followed and stabbed twice with a ‘vicious’ Ninja knife that Veadhesa had bought online.
It left Ronan with with a 20cm deep wound in his back and hip area and a 17cm deep wound in his chest.
The stabbing happened in June 2022 as Veadhesa and Shargill approached Ronan from behind (Picture: PA)Ronan was described by his family as having lots of ‘love and respect’ (Picture: PA)
Both Shergill and Veadhesa fled the scene when they realised they had stabbed the wrong person and disposed of the weapons used and clothing they had been wearing.
Meanwhile Ronan was left to die in the street with his stab wounds.
Veadhesa had previously given the intended victim some money, but he had not paid it back.
Veadhesa and Shergill had gone to find the intended victim and ‘scare’ him into returning the cash.
While Shergill did not inflict any blows to Ronan, he was found to have acted in joint enterprise in the murder and the pair were found guilty by the jury following a five-week trial.
Ronan’s family and friends were in the courtroom wearing black ‘Justice for Ronan’ t-shirts to watch the sentencing.
Sukhman Shergill was jailed for a minimum of 16 years (Picture: West Midlands Police/PA)Prabjeet Veadhesa was jailed for a minimum of 18 years (Picture: West Midlands Police/PA)
Pooja Kanda, Ronan’s mum, gave a tearful tribute to her son. She said she has ‘no desire to live anymore’ since her son was taken from her.
She told the court: ‘I’m proud of the man my son was in the short life he lived.
‘My relationship with my son was so pure. He had so much love and respect. He was my strength, my world, he was the son every mother needs.’
Addressing her son’s killers, Mrs Kanda said: ‘This mother will never forgive you. If there is a God, they will show you the real justice my son deserves.’
Prosecutor David Mason KC said there was a ‘significant degree’ of planning and premeditation.
Defending Veadhesa, Adam Morgan said his client had no previous convictions and was of good character.
Timothy Hannam KC, defending Shergill, said his client should be treated more leniently than his accomplice.
Mr Choudhury jailed Veadhesa for a minimum of 18 years and Shergill for a minimum of 16 years.
He said: ‘The devastation caused by that cowardly attack, by stabbing him from behind, is hard to comprehend for his family.
‘Their loss is incalculable. Nothing I do or say today can relieve their pain.’
