The Ghana U-23 is tipped as one of the favourites to win the 2023 U-23 Africa Youth Championship.
The team is filled with familiar and highly rated talents who are expected to turn up in Ghana’s opening game against Congo on Sunday, June 25, 2023.
Ghana are aiming to better their fourth-place finish during their debut appearance in the tournament in 2019, which will also secure the nation a desired qualification to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The West African side has gone almost two decades without qualifying for the Olympics as the responsibility rests on the current group to break the jinx.
Therefore, a win against Congo will be a huge boost in the players’ confidence in their attempt to achieve the feat.
Here are five players to watch in the game against Congo
Danlad Ibrahim
The Asante Kotoko goalie has played for Ghana at all levels bar the Senior National team where he is yet to make his debut.
He burst onto the scene after his exceptional performance for Ghana U-17 in the AFCON and the U-17 World Cup in 2017.
Ernest Nuamah
Ernest Nuamah is currently one of the best U-23 players in Africa. The Nordsjaelland forward is on the radar of several top European clubs after his astonishing campaign in the Denmark top flight.
He has been nominated for the 2023 Golden Boy Award, ranked 26th with a 74.6 rating.
Emmanuel Essiam
The FC Basel midfielder was a member of the Ghana U-20 team that won the AFCON in 2021.
He is tipped to become one of Ghana’s greatest holding midfielders. During his first season for FC Basel, he played 15 games in all competitions including Europa Conference League.
Fatawu Issahaku
Sporting CP winger, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku is one of the most exciting players in the Black Meteors squad.
He won the best player award at the 2017 U-20 AFCON, which led to his lucrative transfer to Sporting CP.
At age 20, he has already made 14 appearances for the Black Stars, scoring one goal.
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh
FC Zurich forward, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh is the skipper of the side. He captained the U-20 side to win the AFCON in 2021, in which he scored a brace in the final.
He already has 7 titles to his credit in his early career including two national team trophies.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially closed nominations for its presidential primaries.
Speaking to JoyNews’ Samuel Mbura, the Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, revealed that 10 people have successfully filed their nomination forms.
He added that one person who picked nomination forms, Nana Oppong Odeneho, in a letter to the elections committee, communicated his decision to withdraw from the race before the close of the exercise.
“Eleven people picked nomination forms, as we peak 10 of them have filed. So far for the 10 people, per the party’s timelines, the vetting committee, chaired by former Speaker of Parliament Mike Ocquaye, will begin their vetting from 3rd to 6th of July,” Mr Nimako noted.
He added that when the vetting process ends, the party will get to know whether there will be a special electoral college or otherwise.
“In the party’s arrangement if we happen to have five of them being recommended (by the vetting committee) then there will be no special electoral college,” he explained.
His comment comes after 10 candidates filed their nomination to participate in the NPP’s presidential primaries in November.
The candidates are, Dr Mahmudu Bawumia, Joe Ghartey, Alan Kyerematen, Boakye Agyarko, Dr Konadu Apraku, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Kwadwo Poku, Kennedy Agyapong, Kwabena Agyapong and former MP Francis Addai Nimo.
Apostle General of the Royalhouse Chapel International, Reverend Sam Korankye Ankrah has warned that Ghana’s democracy is in danger of implosion because of the loss of interest in our democratic practice by many despondent citizens.
Rev. Ankrah argued that due to the failure of the political class to use the country’s resources for everyone’s benefit and the unacceptable actions of politicians such as greed, corruption and extreme politicking, many have lost hope in the country’s democracy.
“Our politicians, I want you to know that people are hurting, people are suffering to the extent that we’ve come to the place where people are losing faith in our democratic practice to go the polls to even vote because at the end of the day when we elect our officers and officials and we entrust the leadership of this nation and the resources into their hands, at the end of the day, we don’t see the resources being turned into everybody’s benefit. We see greed, corruption, fighting, politicking from the beginning to the next election,” he lamented.
Rev, Korankye Ankrah does not shy away from criticising the political class when he deems fit. He has regularly chastised them for failing to deliver on their mandate.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei-Owusu has directed the Business Committee of the House to draft the anti-gay bill into next week’s agenda for deliberation.
The deliberation on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill was supposed to have been held this week.
However, upon enquiry from a sponsor of the Bill, Sam Nartey George, there have been two lawsuits filed against it.
One is said to have been filed at the Supreme Court while the other at the High Court.
After presenting the explanatory memorandum on the business statement schedule for next week the First Deputy Speaker and the Member of Parliament for Bekwai constituency declared that there is going to be a debate on the bill on either Tuesday or Thursday.
The Deputy Speaker directed the business committee to ensure that the bill will appear in the order paper.
However, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has been an ardent opponent to the activities of homosexuals in the country.
In his recent tour of the northern region of Ghana to mark 30 years of parliamentary democracy, the former lawmaker told journalists that he will prefer to die than to see activities of gays and lesbians legalized.
Veteran journalist, Kwesi Pratt has raised questions about the bullion van attack at Ablekuma Fanmilk in Accra which resulted in the death of a Police officer.
Four armed robbers shot and killed a Police officer guarding the bullion van which reportedly stopped at a fuel station to refill its tank.
A CCTV camera captured the moment when robbers riding a motorcycle ambushed the van immediately after it parked at the fuel station.
The robbers made away with a sum of money and a gun belonging to the late Police officer.
Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Kwesi Pratt asked some questions worth answering as he found the incident perplexing.
“The robber who got down was wielding a gun, is that the Police officer didn’t see him approaching the vehicle? Also, what was the bullion van doing at a fuel station and if it was going to collect money, what precautionary measures were taken? Why wasn’t the Police officer wearing armored uniform?”, he asked, stressing he cannot fathom the incident.
“If the Police officer was wearing a bulletproof vest, maybe he might not have died”, he added.
Mr. Pratt also expressed concerns over the treatment of Police officers in the country, lamenting about how they are under-resourced and the need for them to be protected.
“What sin have the Police committed against us to deserve all these?”, he further asked and demanded “the Police also need protection…It is about time to take good care of the Police”.
A 1500-Seater multi-purpose auditorium, a three-storey 400-bed capacity students’ hall of residence and a 300-capacity hostel project have been abandoned at St. Monica’s College of Education for lack of funds.
All projects are under GETFund Projects which began between 2012 and 2022.
The construction of the 1500-Seater multi-purpose auditorium and the three-storey 400-bed capacity students hall of residence started in 2012 while the 300-capacity hostel project also began in 2022. But all three projects have been abandoned in 2021, 2018, and 2022 respectively.
The 300-capacity hostel project is still at the foundation level, which currently poses a death trap due to the excavation done.
According to the college’s administration, the absence of these initiatives has an impact on academic work and the accommodation of 1600 students on campus. This is one of the reasons why the college has cut down admission from 510 to 310 students.
During the college’s 14th graduation ceremony, the principal, Dr Okyere Korankye, called on the government to release funds for the completion of the projects.
“We will be grateful if funds could be released for their completion as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Another challenge in the college is the lack of well-equipped science and mathematics laboratories to promote successful teaching, learning, and research.
“Our science laboratory is not spacious enough and currently lacks a lot of teaching and learning resources,” he noted.
According to Dr Korankye, management has submitted a proposal to the Ghana Gas Company to seek funding for the development of a modern science and maths laboratory to encourage STEM education.
The principal is concerned about student safety as he plans to complete the walling of the college grounds to prevent theft and criminal activity by unscrupulous people who use unapproved entrances.
“In order to curb this anomaly, there is an urgent need to complete walling of the college land. The college management has developed a proposal to solicit for assistance from all stakeholders to support the walling project.”
Colonel Festus Aboagye, a renowned security analyst, has expressed concerns about the immediate release of the CCTV footage related to the bullion van attack at Ablekuma.
He believes that the immediate release of the footage could potentially compromise the ongoing investigations.
The brazen robbery occurred in broad daylight at a fuel station in Ablekuma and resulted in the death of a police escort. The incident has raised concerns about public safety and security.
Colonel Aboagye, speaking on the Big Issue on Citi TV on Saturday, June 24, emphasized the need for a thorough and meticulous investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
However, he criticised the owners of the CCTV footage saying it could allow the suspects to modify their appearance or take evasive measures, thereby hindering the efforts of law enforcement to bring them to justice.
He highlighted the significance of allowing the police to have first access to CCTV footage for potential leads.
“I have questioned the release of this video and the usefulness of releasing that video. It is not every piece of evidence that must be put out in the public domain, so why Star Oil or whoever is the owner of this video archive released it to the public, I don’t know.
“We shouldn’t be in a hurry, we should allow the Police to have first access and analyse and see whether they can have some leads from the video footage. They have done a disservice to the bereaved family and compounded their grief. The video footage has helped us to objectively discuss the issue but I don’t think that the video should have been out.”
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has closed nominations for its flagbearership race.
The nominations was closed on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
Mr Joe Ghartey, a former Minister for Railways and Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado-Ketan, was the last to submit his presidential nomination form on Saturday.
Mr Ghartey was given a rousing welcome by his supporters when he arrived at the NPP headquarters at Asylum Down to submit the form.
The five-time lawmaker, speaking to the media after filing his nomination, said he was ready to make a significant impact on the political landscape.
He promised to transform the country, and improve the living standards of all Ghanaians when elected NPP Flagbearer and eventually, President of Ghana.
The NPP opened nomination for its presidential primary on May 26, 2023.
The Party has slated August 26 for its Special Elections and November 4, for the National Conference to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 general election.
Those who have filed nominations are: Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwadwo Poku, an Energy Expert, Mr Alan Kyerematen, a former Trade and Industry Minister, and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The rest are: Mr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Boakye Agyarko, a former Energy Minister, Mr Edward Addai-Nimo, a former MP for Asante Mampong, and Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, an Economist.
Two persons who allegedly conspired to commit a crime by robbing an electrician have been granted GHC100,000.00 bail each with three sureties each.
The accused persons are Evans Kofi Ackah Mensah, an actor and Eric Mensah, a bus conductor.
They were jointly held for conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit robbery and to attempt to commit a crime.
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty.
The Court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah admitted the accused person to GHC100,000.00 bail each with three sureties each.
It directed that two of the sureties should be justified by movable or immovable property.
The prosecution was also directed by the Court to file and serve all witness statements and disclosure before the next adjourned date.
The matter has been adjourned to July 3, 2023.
Police Chief Inspector Clement Takyi, prosecuting, narrated to the Court that the complainant Mr Francis Ameza who resided at Baatsonaa is an electrician, while the accused persons were residents of New York Aviation, Ashaiman.
The prosecution said on May 30, 2023, at about 1930 hours, the complainant who had closed from work was walking along the main Spintex road towards home.
It said upon reaching the Mawako restaurant area, he made a phone call and whiles on it, Evans who was in charge of an unregistered Royal 150 motorbike pulled over beside him.
The prosecution said Eric, who was the pillion rider, held the complainant’s Apple iPhone XR mobile phone and attempted to snatch it in such a manner to put him in fear of harm.
It said the complainant resisted and shouted for help and the accused persons sensing danger sped off.
The prosecution said luck however eluded them as they ran the motorbike into a moving Mercedes Benz Sprinter bus.
It said the accused persons fell to the ground and were apprehended and handed over to Police.
The prosecution said a formal complaint was made the same day and the accused persons were detained to assist in the investigation.
It said the accused persons in their caution statements in the presence of an independent witness admitted to the offences.
Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof Ransford Gyampo has called for the strengthing and prioritisation of the education systems in teacher training colleges instead of a licensure examination.
Speaking on Newsfile, on Saturday, he said he did not understand why the exams have been introduced when there were already existing problems in the training schools that need fixing to improve the quality of education and graduate teachers.
“I have been questioning the rationale for the introduction of the licensure exams, what did it seek to achieve? If for some reason we do not believe in the kind of training that is given at the various teacher centres, why don’t we strengthen these trainings, improve their infrastructure and ensure that they are able to deliver effectively on their mandate,” Prof Gyampo said.
He added that the licensure examination could be added to the exams students take in the training centres ensuring that once a teacher graduates, they already have the certification to be in a classroom.
“I do not see the essence of always being in the rush to create structures when problems that exist can be fixed,” he said.
This comes after the National Teaching Council revealed that about 83.5% of candidates failed the teachers licensure exams held in May 2023.
The NTC noted that out of the 7,728 teachers who participated in the re-sit exams, only 1,277 passed.
The assessment in numeracy, literacy and professional knowledge is to enable qualified teachers to get a professional license, while attracting young graduates with the required professional knowledge and skills to teach.
Following the failure, the Registrar of the National Teaching Council (NTC), Christian Addai-Poku, told JoyNews that the teachers who failed would be given a last chance to re-sit.
Meanwhile, addressing Prof Gyampo’s concern on Newsfile, Dr Addai-Poku indicated that the exams are serving as a check to ensure that unqualified individuals are not allowed in the classroom.
He added that students who failed the exams are distance and sandwich students of the various training colleges.
Dr Addai-Poku stated that he believes the students of these institutions are victims “because the institutions are supposed to train them and bring them out well refined and fit for purpose because you have admitted people for a programme, a professional programme.”
Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ntim, has been convincing them that Charles Opoku will be the best person to well represent them in Parliament and also lobby for the necessary developmental projects to the area.
Chairman Ntim’s campaign has seen him visiting towns including Assin Bereku (District Capital), Assin Praso, Assin Asempaneye, Akenkanse, Akonfudi, Dansami, Assen Mempasem, Assin Kushia, Assin Senkyem, Assin Brofoyedu, Assin Juaso, Assin Breman, and Bediadua to solicit for votes.
The National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ntim is embarking on a vigorous campaign for the party’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Assin North constituency, Charles Opoku.
With the by-election expected to come off in few days’ time, June 27, Chairman Ntim has intensified the campaign moving from town to town to appeal to the electorate to vote massively for the NPP candidate.
The Assin North by-election which comes off on June 27 is a two-horse trace between the NPP’s Charles Opoku and the NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson.
In a remarkable display of unwavering commitment, Vice President Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia and some NPP executives braved through torrential rains to commission an Astro turf in Assin North.
Despite the overflow, they stood their ground, greeting footballers with handshakes and spreading a message of encouragement.
In a video capturing the scene, the vice president, alongside NPP executives including Nana B, walked through the rain to exchange pleasantries with the footballers as part of the commissioning of the pitch. Dr. Bawumia who declined to to take cover under an umbrella, was heard saying, “Give it your best,” instilling a sense of determination in the athletes.
Even the newly-constructed Astro turf itself was not spared as the football pitch turned into a swimming pool, adding an unexpected twist to the event.
The commissioning of the Astro turf holds significant importance as the Assin North constituency prepares for a highly anticipated by-election on June 27.
This electoral event follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared the election of James Gyakye Quayson as Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North unconstitutional.
In response to the court’s decision, both major political parties have swiftly mobilized their forces, embarking on vigorous campaigns to rally voters and secure victory in the upcoming by-election.
An Adentan Circuit Court has sentenced a 23-year-old labourer to 24 months imprisonment for stealing a Sintex tank valued at GHC6,000.
Evan Opoku is said to have emptied the poly tank and rolled same on the ground.
Charged with unlawful entry and stealing, Opoku pleaded guilty.
The court presided over by Mrs Sedinam Awo Balokah convicted Opoku on his plea and sentenced him accordingly.
It sentenced Opoku to 12 months on the charge of unlawful entry and 24 months on the charge of stealing.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
The prosecution led by Inspector Eric Ransford Abban said the complainant was a director of a firm in Accra residing at Borteiman while the accused person, now convict, resided at Aviation, Adenta.
The prosecution said the complainant owned a seedlings farm around Adenta Aviation and had employed a witness in the case as a caretaker.
It said the complainant had a 5,00 litre Sintex water tank for storing water in the farm.
On June 12, 2023, at about 7:00pm, the caretaker locked the gate and went to town to buy food and on his return, he detected that the Sintex water tank valued at GHC6,000 had been stolen.
The prosecution said the caretaker informed the complainant and the matter was reported to the Police.
While the matter was underinvestigation, the prosecution said the complainant had information that on June 12, 2013, at about 7:30 pm, the accused person was seen rolling the said water tank away.
It said the accused person was, therefore, picked up by the Police.
Renowned pollster, Ben Ephson has predicted that Charles Opoku, the New Patriotic Party’s candidate in the Assin North by-election will win the upcoming elections and kill James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress’s dream of retaining his seat.
Ben Ephson, in a Joy News interview, held that the election is quite close but believes that the determining factors favor the New Patriotic Party.
Laying the premise for his prediction of victory for the NPP, Ben Ephson noted that Gyakye Quayson won the 2020 elections largely because of his place of origin is Assin Bereku.
According to him, with Assin Bereku holding the largest number of voters within the constituency, Gyakye Quayson had the advantage of his own people voting massively for him.
The situation is however different as Charles Opoku who is the NPP’s candidate also hails from the town.
Ephson also argued that the ‘sympathy votes’ campaign which was being championed by the NDC has been dealt a blow following the decision of the Accra High Court to allow Gyakye Quayson to campaign whiles his criminal trial is ongoing.
“Both parties want this seat so badly. For Quayson the sympathy votes that he would have gotten have dropped a bit because some NDC people were trying to influence the swing voters that when there is a by-election, roads get done and monies come from both parties so let’s vote for Quayson so that if he loses, then we will have another chance for another by-election but the court asking to go back to the campaign has dimmed his chances.
“For the NPP candidate, the little investigations I’ve done show that he has been preparing himself for politics. For the past few years, he has an NGO which has been doing a number of activities. That gives him an advantage. If you were to gamble with your last 100 cedis, I will advise you to put your money on the NPP candidate even though it’s too close to call.
“Quayson came from Assin Bereku and the lady was from another area. The lady had issues with some of the NPP executives in Assin Bereku which is why this time she was asked to stay aside. With both candidates coming Assin Bereku and the lady who is popular in another town campaigning for the NPP… The NPP candidate has also been doing a lot of philanthropic works in Assin North”, he said.
In what has been termed as a mid-term election to assess the popularity of the two main political parties ahead of the 2024 elections, James Gyakye Quayson of the NDC is battling Charles Opoku of the NPP to retain the seat which he won in 2020.
The by-election was necessitated by a Supreme Court decision to declare the 2020 elections in the constituency as null and void.
The court held that at the time of filing to contest, James Gyakye Quayson had not successfully renounced his Canadian citizenship and thus was a dual citizen of Ghana and Canada.
The Asogli State would this year, mark two decades of the reign of Togbe Afede XIV, its Agbogbomefia.
Togbe Afede was installed in the year 1993, and this year’s Te Za, Yam Festival is being designed to celebrate him, a renowned entrepreneur who is among the nation’s most reputed traditional leaders.
The annual festival has gathered steam in recent years and has become a popular event on summer calendars with visual enchantments deep sated in colourful tradition and culture.
The Agbogbomefia, speaking at a recent coronation of new leaders for the State, made mention of the festival, and said it would continue to be a canvas for the promotion of African traditional culture and wealth.
He noted the growing reputation of Asogli which he said must be enhanced by the chiefs and the people.
“Doors are opening for Asogli because of our growing reputation, and we need to uphold it,” Togbe Afede said.
Steven Tetteh, Secretary to the State, told the GNA preparations were underway and that a media launch within the coming weeks would officially commence the festival.
Highlights of the glamorous event include the hailing of the new yam; a traditional ceremony at sundown that brings out the entire community in a street-clogging procession and is one that natives in the diaspora hardly miss.
The grand durbar has also become a popular event drawing the attendance of many political and non-political leaders, and also corporate organisations far and near.
The State Secretary told the GNA how Togbe Afede’s ascension to the throne had cemented the festival as a platform for unifying Asogli for development, and that the planning committee was on the task of delivering a more impacting event this year.
Last year’s festival, which was a return from a two-year coronavirus induced break, made waves with a series of events including an anti-corruption day celebration, a youth forum, and a conference of traditional leaders of Ewe communities in West Africa.
The GNA has caught wind of the lineup for the 2023 event, among which would be the launch of a foundation, and the usual blend of activities to promote the tourism-endowed Region.
Togbe Afede is expected to officially unveil a “Volta City” project, miniature design of which has been teasing visitors to the Asogli Palace since the last event.
The ambitious project would include hundreds of housing units on a serenading landscape somewhere in the Volta Region.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has expressed concerns over the drying of key ingredients used in the preparation of “Tuo Zaafi” on pavements.
It said as part of its surveillance activities, it noted the unhealthy practice of drying corn and cassava flour used for the preparation of ‘’Tuo Zaafi’’ on some pavements along the Kanda Highway in Accra and described the act as worrying.
The Authority, in a news brief, said the practice exposed the flour to dust and other contaminants.
“ A visit by FDA officers to the location in March 2023 revealed that this unhealthy practice is being used by both market women and millers to remove any form of moisture from the flour for effective storage,” it said in the brief.
The Authority said initial engagements with market women and millers on site showed that they were oblivious to the potential health hazards associated with the practice.
It said while on site, it sensitised the market women and millers on the harmful effects of such practices.
The Authority said it had also engaged Assembly members and other stakeholders to help stop the practice.
“This, like many other food safety measures, requires collective efforts and we all ought to join in the fight to end this menace and avoid any future outbreak of food-borne diseases,” it said.
Vice-President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia on Friday, commissioned the $50 million Assin-Fosu to Assin-Praso N8 highway in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
The 31.2 km road project funded with the grant from the Japanese government, was executed by Shimizu Dai Nippon Joint Ventures, a construction firm, under the supervision of the Ghana Highways Authority.
The project was completed six months before schedule.
It started on Monday, January 13, 2020, and was expected to be completed on Sunday, December 31, 2023.
The road would significantly facilitate the movement of goods, ensure easy access to markets and services, guarantee reductions in road accidents and road user costs, and improve travel time to enhance the social and economic lives of the people in the Assin area and beyond.
More than 18 kilometres of the road is through the Assin North Constituency and the project scope includes a 1.2-kilometre dual stretch within the Assin-Fosu township and new drainage systems.
Others are the construction of concrete pavements, and reconstruction of the railway underpass bridge with a reinforced box culvert among other ancillaries and dualization of a four-lane carriageway with a 1.2 km street lighting in Assin-Fosu.
The stretch formed part of the 176 km N8 starting from Yamoransa near Cape Coast through major towns such as Abura-Dunkwa, Assin-Fosu and Assin-Praso, which ends at Anwiankwanta in the Ashanti Region and connects the N1 to the northern part of Ghana.
The rehabilitation of the road being done in phases commenced with the first phase from Bekwai to Assin-Praso, which was completed in December 2013.
The N8 was originally constructed between 1990 and 1994 with funding from the government of Japan.
Commissioning the road, Vice-President Dr. Bawumia commended the Government of Japan for the gesture to better the lots of the people.
He was grateful to the contractor for working hard to complete the project on schedule despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that stalled construction works for months.
The Vice President said as part of measures to ensure safety on the road, the Government would construct a disability friendly footbridge in Assin-Fosu to ensure pedestrian safety with a strong maintenance culture.
The construction of the road is a great step in the development of road infrastructure in Ghana to reduce travel and freight from the Western, Central, Ashanti to the Northern Regions and neighbouring countries.
“It is so beautiful to see this road so beautifully done. I’m so impressed with the work done, so this road is not a “green book” road but a “feeli-feeli,” Dr Bawumia stated.
The Vice-President promised subsequent completion of the remaining 67 km of road from Assin-Fosu to Yamoransa.
He mentioned some projects including the completion of a 70-meter span steel bridge at Kushea and the construction of a bridge over the river Pra at Twifo-Praso to separate vehicular traffic from rail over river Pra.
Others are the rehabilitation of 32 km Mankessim-Abura Dunkwa road, which is 80 percent complete, the upgrading of 15 km Assin-Asampanaye-Kushea that is 70 percent complete, and the upgrading of Akonfodi town road which is 50 percent complete.
He advised road users to adhere to basic road safety signs to reduce the occurrence of road accidents.
Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta, Roads Minister, commended the contractor for using modern technology, which made good use of the old road material and urged other road contractors to emulate.
“The technology used is environmentally friendly,” he said, and commended them for the timely completion of the project to ease commuting challenges.
Ms Hisanobu Mochizuki, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, said Japan as a nation was aware of the value of creating a solid infrastructure base and the role it could play in boosting and stimulating economies.
That she said, had strengthened their resolve to help countries in Africa develop their infrastructure to transform their economies.
That reinforced the recent visit by the Japanese Prime Minister Kishida to Ghana and had a wonderful bilateral meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
She said the Japanese government attached great importance to the promotion of business and investment in Ghana, considered one of the leading economic centers in West Africa.
“Transportation infrastructure is crucial for promoting economic growth as well as business and investment in Ghana because without it, products and services will become less valuable.
“Enhancing transportation connectivity with good roads opens up underserved communities to economic opportunity and promotes inclusive economic growth,” she said.
In efforts to eliminate school absenteeism and other challenges associated with girls not being able to afford sanitary pads during menstruation, the Women’s Wing of Socialist Forum Ghana has presented a petition to Parliament to expedite actions on scrapping 20 per cent import tax on sanitary pads.
“This is to eliminate school absenteeism associated with the inability to afford sanitary pads among schoolgirls…’’
It also demanded “the allocation of funding for public education and information on the nature of menstruation and its role in female health and fertility and the reproduction of humanity.”
The petition was presented to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Algban Babgin, after a closed-door meeting with him.
Ms Loretta Naa Dei Ashi, the Women’s Organizer, Socialist Movement Ghana, speaking to the media, said they expected the abolishment of the tax to reflect in the 2024 budget and financial statement.
“The outcome we are looking for is that taxes should be scrapped, all taxes on sanitary pads should be removed, we are close to November and we expect the Finance Mnister to include it in the budget, ‘’ she stated.
Mrs Mildred Asante, a member of the group, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that she was compelled to spend 10 per cent of her monthly income on sanitary pads.
The situation, she complained, was a major constraint on her and her three daughters.
Ms. Nyarkoa Annobell, a student at the University of Education Winneba, lamented how she had to sacrifice her money for feeding on campus to buy sanitary pads.
She said some of her colleagues had resorted to the use of rugs and textiles due to their inability to afford sanitary pads.
The Speaker of Parliament assured the Group that plans were far advanced to address the situation.
He indicated that he had already engaged the relevant committees, particularly the committee of Finance and Gender on the subject.
The Group, before presenting the petition to Parliament, marched from the Ridge Roundabout with placards calling for the scrapping of the tax.
Mason Greenwood has reportedly put his luxury mansion up for rent, suggesting that he could soon be leaving Manchester United.
Greenwood has not played for United since January 2022, when he was suspended amid allegations of attempted rape, assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour, though those charges have since been dropped.
United are continuing to conduct their own internal investigation, although he was included on their retained squad list for the 2023-24 season.
The Sun reports that he has put his Manchester house up for rent, suggesting that he could well be on the move soon as United potentially look to cut ties with the one-time England international.
The report adds that the six-bedroom home is being circulated between high-end lettings agents, and would cost more than £15,000-per-month ($19,000).
United are reported to have been contacted by three Serie A clubs, with Juventus, Inter, and AC Milan all said to be interested in securing Greenwood’s signature on a short-term basis.
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He is not said to be considered as transfer listed, and is more likely to leave on loan than on a permanent deal.
Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, is reportedly willing to bring Greenwood back into the fold, as are a number of his team-mates, but there is an understanding among the executives at the club that it may lead to a significant backlash.
Greenwood, who has made a total of 129 appearances for United, scoring 35 goals, reportedly wants the situation resolved as soon as possible as he’s becoming frustrated at the lack of a decision. It has also been suggested that United’s takeover process will not have any bearing on the 21-year-old’s future.
The United forward has been training alone, with images circulating on social media showing him working with a private coach.
Some six (6) churches have been fined by the Ga Traditional Council for flouting the ban on drumming and noise-making observed by the Ga State.
They have up to one week (June 26) each to pay a fine of GHC3,000, one sheep and one box of Castle Bridge Gin.
Failure to do so would attract further punitive measures.
The Churches are Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church, SSNIT Flat; Faith Independent Baptist Church; Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Abeka-Lapaz; Winners Chapel International, Head Office; the Church of Pentecost, Kaneshie Branch and Pure Fire Miracle Ministries International, Kisseman.
The one-month ban on all forms of noise-making and drumming in Accra commenced from May 15, 2023, to June 15, 2023, as part of preparations for the celebration of the Homowo festival by the Ga people.
The ban affects any form of noise-making, including the use of loudspeakers, drums, tambourines, funeral rites, and roadside evangelism.
Numoo Nikoi Amasah II, Ga Wulomo in charge of the Task Force, told the Ghana News Agency that two of the six churches – the Church of Pentecost, Kaneshie Branch and Pure Fire Miracle Ministries International, Kisseman, who failed to show up before the Council are still bound by the fine.
He urged citizens to take a cue from the case and observe the traditions and rules that governed the Ga State.
“Anyone who visits another country or state should endeavour to obey and observe their laws and traditions so that he or she won’t get into trouble. We are all one people so, let’s endeavour to always observe the ban to foster peace and unity amongst us all,” he said.
Warnings over the safety of OceanGate’s Titan submersible were repeatedly dismissed by the CEO of the company, email exchanges with a leading deep sea exploration specialist show.
In messages seen by the BBC, Rob McCallum told OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush that he was potentially putting his clients at risk and urged him to stop using the sub until it had been certified by an independent agency.
Mr Rush responded that he was “tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation”.
The tense exchange ended after OceanGate’s lawyers threatened legal action, Mr McCallum said.
“I think you are potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic,” he wrote to the OceanGate boss in March 2018. “In your race to Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: ‘She is unsinkable’”.
In the messages, Mr Rush, who was among five passengers who died when the Titan experienced what officials believe was a “catastrophic implosion” on Sunday, expresses frustration with the criticism of Titan’s safety measures.
“We have heard the baseless cries of ‘you are going to kill someone’ way too often,” he wrote. “I take this as a serious personal insult.”
Mr McCallum told the BBC that he repeatedly urged the company to seek certification for the Titan before using it for commercial tours. The vessel was never certified or classed.
“Until a sub is classed, tested and proven it should not be used for commercial deep dive operations,” he wrote in one email.
“I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative,” he added. “As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk.”
In his response a few days later, Mr Rush defended his business and his credentials.
He said OceanGate’s “engineering focused, innovative approach… flies in the face of the submersible orthodoxy, but that is the nature of innovation”.
Throughout the exchange, Mr Rush defended his qualifications and questioned the existing framework around deep sea expeditions.
He said “industry players” were trying to stop “new entrants from entering their small existing market”.
“I am well qualified to understand the risks and issues associated with subsea exploration in a new vehicle,” he wrote.
Mr McCallum then responded in stark terms, writing: “It will be sea trials that determine whether the vehicle can handle what you intend to do with it so again; take care and keep safe.”
“There is a lot more riding on this than Titan and the Titanic,” he said.
Mr Rush founded OceanGate in 2009 and the company offered customers a chance to experience deep sea travel, including to the wreck of the Titanic, on board Titan for a price of $250,000 (£195,600).
The company has not commented on the email exchange.
Experts have questioned the safety of Titan and how private sector deep-sea expeditions are regulated. Concerns have been raised over the Titan’s experimental design and the carbon fibre material used to build it.
Mr McCallum was among more than three dozen industry leaders and experts who signed a 2018 letter to Mr Rush that warned OceanGate’s approach could lead to “catastrophic” problems.
“The industry has been trying for several years to get Stockton Rush to halt his programme for two reasons,” Mr McCallum, a specialist who runs his own ocean expedition company, told the BBC on Friday.
“One is that carbon fibre is not an acceptable material,” he said. “The other is that this was the only submersible in the world doing commercial work that was unclassed. It was not certified by an independent agency.”
Subs can be certified or “classed” by marine organisations – for example by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) or DNV (a global accreditation organisation based in Norway) or Lloyd’s Register.
This essentially means that the vehicle must meet certain standards on aspects including stability, strength, safety and performance. But this process is not mandatory.
In a blog post in 2019, the company said the way it had been designed fell outside of the accepted system – but it “does not mean that OceanGate does not meet standards where they apply.”
“Stockton fancied himself as somewhat of a maverick entrepreneur,” Mr McCallum said. “He liked to think outside the box, didn’t like to be penned in by rules. But there are rules – and then there are sound engineering principles and the laws of physics.”
Mr McCallum maintains that nobody should have travelled in the Titan sub.
“If you steer away from sound engineering principles, which are all based on hard won experience, there is a price to pay, and it’s a terrible price,” he said. “So it should never be allowed to happen again. It shouldn’t have been allowed to happen this time.”
Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya South, Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere, has clarified that he was not chased away by angry constituents after the death of a resident. He, however, admitted to being hooted at by the constituents.
This is after a video that has gone viral shows the MPbeing whisked away by the police from being attacked by an angry mob during a visit to his constituency.
The angry mob slammed the MP after the body of a 57-year-old man, John Kwame Asumang, who drowned following Wednesday’s downpour was recovered.
The deceased is said to have drowned after crossing a bridge during the rains.
Residents attributed his death to the poor state of roads and a broken bridge in the area.
Rejecting claims of being mobbed during an interview on the Eyewitness News, Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere, clarified that he was rather hooted at by his constituents and not chased away as reported in media circles describing such claims as misleading.
He appreciated the concerns of his angry constituents and expressed sympathies to the bereaved family.
The legislator admitted the bridge has become unmotorable.
“The story is misleading, I wasn’t chased away, I didn’t go there to commiserate with the family, even though I had planned to do that at another time. The Divisional Police Commander ACP Joe Owusu called me on my phone and informed me that there had been some agitations at the bridge as a result of the death of a motor rider, who intended crossing to go and do his business, so they won’t allow anyone to cross, so I should go over”.
He further recounted, “When I went there, policemen were there, the Commander and his officers were 10 in number, just to have a discussion as to how best we can solve the issue. When it rains, the place gets flooded, they can’t use it, the bridge is not passable, and the unfortunate happened. I wasn’t chased away, though when I went there, the residents started massing up. They hooted at me. I do appreciate their concerns, in view of the fact that it involves the loss of life. I wasn’t chased away or pelted with stones. The police escorted me to my car and I drove away”.
He admitted that there was a splash of water but denied the stone was pelted at him.
“I saw a splash of water, I saw an object fall into the water, but I cannot say it was targeted at me or not,” he further clarified.
He said all efforts to get the bridge fixed proved futile.
Effective July 1, 2023, commercial banks operating in the country will commence the use of armoured bullion vans or vehicles for Cash in Transit (CIT).
This is according to the Association of Bullion Operators Ghana whose President, Alhaji Iddi Sumaila has disclosed that some banks, however are yet to finalize their respective agreements with the Association.
“By 1st of July we will see banks using armoured vehicles/bullion vans. However, other banks have not finalized the agreement with us,” he told Accra-based 3FM in an interview.
“We have about 150 bullion vans in the country. Most banks have signed contracts with us to deploy to them. It goes through a process for the banks to get it and that takes time,” Iddi Sumaila added.
Following a spate of robbery incidents on CIT vehicles in 2021, the Bank of Ghana issued a directive for financial institutions to procure armoured bullion vans.
Meanwhile, the recent disclosure by ABOG comes after a robbery attack on a CIT vehicle took place at a filling station in Ablekuma on June 22, resulting in the shooting and death of a police officer on duty.
In the wake of a tragic bullion van robbery resulting in the loss of a policeman’s life at Ablekuma Fanmilk, Kwadwo Safo Kantanka Jnr, CEO of the Kantanka Group, has expressed his belief that the incident could have been avoided if Kantanka bullion vans were in use. The CEO took to Twitter to convey his condolences and criticize an alleged seizure of their bullion vans by the Interior Ministry.
Kwadwo Safo Kantanka Jnr expressed his deep sadness over the incident and emphasized the potential role that Kantanka bullion vans could have played in preventing such incidents. In his tweet, he lamented the loss of a father, son, and husband, while highlighting the fact that Kantanka’s bullion vans remain in the possession of the Interior Ministry.
The CEO’s tweet read, “This bullion van robbery could have been prevented. So sad to see this. A father/son/husband losing his life while @KantankaAuto bullion vans have been seized by the Interior Ministry.”
The deceased officer, identified as Callistus Amoah, was attacked by a gunman and fired at multiple times while he was in the passenger seat of a bullion van that had gone to a popular fuel station at Ablekuma to collect money.
In CCTV footage that has since gone viral, some four men on two motorbikes, went directly for the policeman in the front seat of the white van, firing at him until he succumbed to death.
The European Union unveiled a plan on Tuesday to safeguard the economy of the union from risks posed by unreliable suppliers in nations that do not uphold its ideals, such as China, after the conflict in the Ukraine exposed Europe’s reliance on Russia for oil and gas.
The EU’s executive body, the European Commission, is working to create regulations to safeguard commerce and investments, notably in the digital and communication sectors, which adversaries might try to use for security or military objectives.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU commission, made the announcement of the idea, which needs to be approved by members of the union. She said: “The globe has become more contested and geopolitical, and there is a restricted collection of important technologies that can be exploited in a different and aggressive way.
“Given the changing nature of the risks, we now need a strategic vision for how we are going to handle these risks.”
Von der Leyen added that the EU needed to be “more assertive” in using its existing tools to tackle the problem and develop new ones.
‘Country agnostic’
The plans are being promoted as “country agnostic” because no target nations are mentioned by name, but they dovetail with the commission’s new drive to “de-risk” its relations with China without completely “decoupling”, given it relies on the Asian giant to tackle global challenges such as climate change.
Von der Leyen said the capital, expertise and research of European companies must not be “abused by countries of concern for military applications”. She raised, in particular, concerns about the security of 5G and 6G telecoms networks.
The commission considers Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE to be high-risk suppliers. In recent days it endorsed moves by some of the 27 EU member countries to exclude the two companies from their 5G networks.
In the 2019 EU-China Strategic Outlook, Brussels for the first time called Beijing a “systemic rival.” Since then, things have gone downhill with both sides hitting each other with sanctions following increasing European criticism over China’s human rights situation, resulting in the EU cancelling a major investment deal in early 2021.
The aim of the new plan is to make European economies and supply chains more resilient to threats and to resist energy or inflation hikes produced by the war while keeping trade flowing.
Under the scheme, the EU would work with countries that share its economic security concerns.
“We cannot treat a supply dependency on a systemic rival the same as we would treat that dependency on an ally,” commission executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager said.
Other risks to be countered include those posed to cyber-security or to critical infrastructure such as pipelines, undersea cables, power generators and transport networks. The threats posed by countries using trade or investment to change EU policies would also be addressed.
The challenge will be to unite EU member states – each of which have their own national policies toward countries like China and Russia – around the plans.
EU leaders are expected to discuss the scheme at their June 29-30 summit in Brussels.
A loving wife who started her day in high spirits, with her husband in good health and shape, ended the day with the devastating news of him being murdered. That is the sad story of the grieving widow of the police officer who was murdered at Ablekuma while escorting a bullion van on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Sharing her harrowing experience of receiving the devastating news of her husband’s tragic demise, she recounted that she had spoken to her husband, Callistus Amoah, a few hours before the incident happened on Thursday afternoon.
Narrating this, she said she had called him to request for money to complete a biometric registration process, although she did not disclose what the registration was about. Her husband agreed to send the money, however, he indicated network challenges.
“So about 10 minutes later, he called me and said he had sent the money. And because I was in a hurry, I just said thank you and went to withdraw the money and proceeded to do the biometrics.
“At about 1:40pm, I was done and I decided to call him back to update him on the process but he did not answer his call. I assumed he was with the bullion van so he couldn’t answer his phone. Sometimes, he doesn’t answer his phone when he is with the bullion van because he always says his work is very risky,” she said, later proceeding to her mum’s house at Pig Farm in Accra to pick up her son, oblivious of what had happened.
There, she told her mum “I haven’t eaten since morning because of the exercise and so we decided to prepare something,” but just as they were about to prepare the food, she received a phone call from her husband’s colleague at work asking about her well being and that of her husband.
Her response was positive since she didn’t have the slightest idea what had happened.
The man on the other side of the phone asked about “where my husband was and I said he probably would be in our house since he often closes at 2pm and it was past 2pm. But he later told me to take heart and that was when it started dawning on me that something may have happened.”
“My heart started racing instantly and I called his phone severally but he didn’t respond,” she said.
Desperately seeking answers to what could possibly have happened, a lot of options run through her mind but death was never one. “I was thinking maybe there had been a robbery or maybe or maybe the money had been stolen and he was being investigated as a result.”
Her fears, however, worsened when she received a call from an unknown number through her mum, which later was found out to be from the police administration.
Hoping to get answers from the officer who called, she kept asking what had happened but she did not get the response she was expecting. All she was told was that “we are coming to your house,” and that “everything was under control.”
Her dad later broke the news to her and her mum that an officer had been shot dead at Ablekuma and that’s when she realised her husband was no more.
The officer, identified as Callistus Amoah, was killed in a daylight robbery attack on a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk in Accra on Thursday.
Videos of the incident show members of the public rescuing the fatally shot policeman from the van. Reports indicate the truck with registration number GT 1254-10 was attacked shortly after stopping at the fuel station. It is currently unclear why the vehicle stopped at the fuel station.
The driver of the truck, however, escaped unhurt during the attack.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service says it is on a manhunt for the gang of robbers who attacked the bullion van and killed its officer.
Rich countries promise to provide hundreds of billions to address climate change. At the The leaders claimed that their ideas would win billions of dollars in matching investment from the private sector during the New Global Financial Pact summit held in Paris to discuss funding for the climate transition and the post-Covid debt problems of poor countries.
They added that a long-overdue pledge of $100 billion in climate finance for developing countries was now within reach.
Many in attendance, however, said over the two-day summit that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were increasingly ill-suited for tackling the most pressing challenges and needed a broad revamp.
“We … expect an overall increase of $200 billion of MDBs’ lending capacity over the next ten years by optimizing their balance sheets and taking more risks,” the summit’s final statement obtained by Reuters said.
“If these reforms are implemented, MDBs may need more capital,” it added, recognising in a final summit document for the first time that wealthy nations may have to inject more cash.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, whose country is the largest shareholder of the IMF and World Bank, had said ahead of the summit that development banks had to first squeeze out more lending themselves before the possibility of capital increases was considered.
The final summit document called for each dollar of lending by development banks to be matched by at least one dollar of private finance, which analysts said should help international institutions to leverage an additional $100 billion of private money in developing and emerging economies.
The announcements mark a scaling up of action from the development banks in the fight against climate change and set a direction for further change ahead of their annual meetings later in the year.
However, some climate activists were critical of the results.
“While the roadmap from the Paris Summit acknowledges the urgency for substantial financial resources to bolster climate action, it leans too heavily on private investments and ascribes an outsized role to multilateral development banks,” said Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network International.
Debt relief
At the summit, the United States and China – long at odds on how to tackle debt restructurings for poor countries – sought to strike a more conciliatory tone after a landmark deal was reached on Thursday to restructure $6.3 billion in debt owed by Zambia, most of it to China.
“As the world’s two largest economies, we have a responsibility to work together on global issues,” Yellen said on a summit panel shared with Chinese Premier Li Qiang among other leaders.
However, differences remain. China – the world’s largest bilateral creditor – has been pushing for lenders like the World Bank or the IMF to absorb some of the losses, which the institutions and Western countries oppose.
“China is ready to be engaged in debt relief efforts in an effective, realistic and comprehensive manner in keeping with the principle of fair burden sharing,” Li said.
Climate pledge
The summit statement said there was a “good likelihood” of finalising this year a $100-billion climate finance pledge to developing countries.
Many of the topics discussed in Paris took up suggestions from a group of developing countries, led by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, dubbed the ‘Bridgetown Initiative’.
“There is the political consensus that this issue is bigger than each of us and we have to work together and multilateral development banks will have to change how they do business and that is accepted,” Mottley said at the summit’s closing panel.
“We leave Paris not with speeches simply, but a commitment to get down into the granular details to make sure that what we agree here can be executed.”
The $100 billion pledge falls far short of poor nations’ actual needs, but has become symbolic of wealthy countries’ failure to deliver promised climate funds. This has fuelled mistrust in wider climate negotiations between countries attempting to boost CO2-cutting measures.
“If we can’t shape the rules in this time like others before, then we will be accountable for what potentially can be the worst reality of mankind,” Mottley said.
It’s understandable why Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) isn’t in the best of moods after almost killing Elaine Jones (Paula Wilcox) in Coronation Street.
Recently, Stephen drugged Elaine with the knowledge that if she passed away, he would be entitled to a sizable inheritance as her next of kin.
In addition to Stephen’s usual financial plight, he was in need of money to attempt to purchase Carla’s (Alison King) stock in the plant after Owen (Ben Hull) forewarned him that he would be fired as soon as he became the sole owner.
Stephen’s murderous plan backfired because well…he didn’t actually kill Elaine…she just passed out and after a few days in hospital, she was sent back home.
As Stephen stresses and Elaine is still none the wiser, she feels concerned when he snaps at her while she’s practicing Tai-Chi.
Worried about Stephen’s low mood, Elaine is curious when Michael (Ryan Russell) says that it’s probably because he’s missing Canada.
At the end of the week, when Stephen reveals that it’s Canada Day, Elaine forms an idea and prepares to cheer him up.
Just as Stephen tries to argue with Owen about his feelings for Jenny (Sally Ann Matthews) and stealing money from Underworld, Elaine, Audrey (Sue Nicholls), Sarah (Tina O’Brien) and Michael burst in waving Canadian flags.
Stephen paints on a smile, but he’s taken aback to clock Elaine scowling at him, but why?
What does Elaine know?
‘The last thing he needs is Owen moving in on Jenny, they could end up being together for years and he only sees Elaine as a short-term thing before he gets together with Jenny’, Todd Boyce said, explaining Stephen’s feelings for Jenny.
‘He is with Elaine for the money and what he can get from that relationship. He sees Jenny as the end goal, he has been insane about her from the moment they kissed.’
At Devon, a toddler passed away under mysterious circumstances.
On Friday evening, emergency personnel flocked to the area close to the village of Lifton, but the two-year-old daughter was beyond saving.
Six days later, her death is still being regarded as “unexplained,” and investigations are still proceeding.
According to a Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman, officers were called to farms in the Lifton region of west Devon around 7 o’clock on Friday, June 16.
At the scene, a two-year-old daughter was declared dead. Her heirs have been notified.
‘The death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries remain ongoing on behalf of HM Coroner.’
The Health and Safety Executive has been notified, the spokesperson added.
Based on reports, a tourist in Texas shot her Uber driver because she believed he was trying to kidnap her and take her to Mexico. She then snapped a photo of the wounded driver before phoning the police.
On US 54 in El Paso last Friday, Phoebe Copas, 48, is charged with shooting Uber driver Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, in the head.
According to court records obtained by KTSM, Copas, of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, requested an Uber to transport her to the Speaking Rock Casino where she intended to meet her boyfriend after he finished work.
While in the Uber, Copas saw traffic signs that read ‘Juarez, Mexico’, and wrongly thought that Piedra Garcia was trying to abduct and take her there, the documents state.
Copas then pulled a ‘silver and brown handgun from her purse’ and shot the driver, according to the documents.
The vehicle struck road barriers and came to a halt near Loop 375.
Copas did not call police or emergency responders to report that she was in danger before allegedly opening fire on Piedra Garcia, the documents say. She also allegedly took a picture of him after she shot him and texted it to her boyfriend before proceeding to call 911.
Police officers who responded to the scene said Copas’ boyfriend assisted her out of the crashed vehicle. They observed her ‘drop everything she was holding in her hands on the ground’ including the handgun’, documents state.
Investigators said they did not find evidence that Copas was being kidnapped or that Piedra Garcia went off track from her desired destination.
Copas has been charged with felony aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.
Meanwhile, Piedra Garcia remained in the ICU. A family member told KTSM on Wednesday that he was taken off life support.
His wife Ana Piedra wrote in a GoFundMe page that he ‘was working for Uber when his passenger shot him in the head because she believed he was kidnapping her and taking her to Juarez, which was not the case. Daniel was simply following the route from the Uber app’.
She added that he just recovered from knee surgery and ‘was so excited to finally be able to provide some income for his family just for this tragedy to occur’.
Uber stated that it was ‘horrified by the rider’s actions’.
‘Violence is not tolerated on the Uber platform and we banned the rider as soon as we were made aware of what occurred,’ the company stated to KFOX 14. ‘Our thoughts are with Mr. Garcia and his loved ones, and have been in touch with his family.’
The GoFundMe page had garnered more than $16,000 as of Wednesday evening.
Yvonne Nelson has been at the front-burner of media discussions following the successful launch of her autobiography.
I Am Not Yvonne Nelson” is an explosive and riveting account of a young woman who sets out to discover herself but finds out that she has been living with a false identity.
The drama and the twists and turns of this moving story have all the markings of a spellbinding movie script, except that the protagonist, who is an actor, is contending with a reality that intermittently soaks her pillow with tears.
Uncharacteristic of an autobiography, the author comes to her audience stark naked. The book opens the door widely into the life of the author and exposes the good, the bad, and the ugly sides, not only of her life but also of the make-believe world of celebrities.
The launch was graced by many industry stalwarts, businessmen, and politicians, including John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and Becca. Also present were media personalities, including Manasseh Azure Awuni, Sammy Forson, and GhanaWeb Entertainment Editor Benefo Buabeng popularly known as Abrantepa.
Mizzy, a notorious TikTok prankster, posted a video in which he seems to break into yet another house, and has since utterly disregarded his court order.
The troublemaker, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, uploaded video of himself and some companions apparently breaking into a flat after discovering the door unlocked.
He laughs as he enters, assuring the audience that he might “go to prison.”
Two individuals on the balcony notice the group after they have peered into a few bedrooms, and a huge dog—possibly an Alsatian—then chases them away.
Mizzy, from Hackney, east London, was handed a criminal behaviour order last month which stated he must not directly or indirectly post videos on social media without the documented consent of those featured in the content.
A teenager who was fined and issued with a criminal behaviour order (CBO) after entering a stranger’s home in a TikTok video has been re-arrested two days after appearing in court.
Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, 18, known as Mizzy, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he admitted one count of failing to comply with a community protection notice issued on May 11, 2022.
Latest London news
Mizzy talking to his followers before going into the flat (Picture: Twitter/@mizzythemenace)He says he could go to prison as a result of the prank (Picture: Twitter/@mizzythemenace)
It’s not clear whether the latest prank is staged or real, but the Met Police confirmed it’s looking into the incident, reports MailOnline.
The video starts with Mizzy standing in the hallway of a block of flats with two friends.
Speaking to the camera he says: ‘I am standing in the block with the guys, and I saw door that’s open and I know I could go to prison, and I know it’s stupid and I know this guy is going to say no.’
He manages to persuade his mates, including the person behind the camera, to join him, saying: ‘It’s for the memes, it’s for the bants, it’s for the guys.’
Mizzy is then seen looking into two bedrooms, including one with a cot in it, before walking into the living room.
Two adults, who are on a balcony, appear to spot the group and a their dog chases the group out of the flat.
In a second video, Mizzy is seen sprinting out of the door and down the corridor with the animal in pursuit. It’s captioned ‘my leg is mash’.
Two people with a dog on the balcony soon spot the group (Picture: Twitter/@mizzythemenace)The dog chases Mizzy out (Picture: Twitter/@mizzythemenace)
He has gained notoriety over the past few months for sharing a number of videos of himself trespassing into people’s homes, stealing a pensioner’s dog, jumping out on a passer-by and trashing a Primark store, among other pranks.
One film shows him apparently barging into a home where there are young children present.
His antics have gained him lots of followers but also sparked outrage, with many appalled by what he and his friends are doing.
He’s controversially been invited onto TV shows, including BBC’s Newsnight and TalkTV.
Conservative Party member Chris Rose criticised the BBC for allowing him on the late night news show.
Mizzy appeared on TalkTV but was kicked off set by the presenter (Picture: TalkTV)The teenager at Thames Magistrates’ Court where he appeared last month charged with failing to comply with a community protection notice (Picture: PA)
Writing on Twitter Mr Rose said: ‘Why is Mizzy on Newsnight? We should not reward or incentivise his illegal, anti-social behaviour. Idiotic decision by the BBC.’
TalkTV presenter Andrew Walker, meanwhile, threw Mizzy out while on air, angrily accusing the teenager of giving fellow guest, Reem Ibrahim, a ‘threatening look’.
Mizzy, however, denies any wrongdoing, telling MailOnline: ‘The whole time Reem Ibrahim was smiling, and I didn’t even do anything but give her eye contact while I was thinking about her question.’
Mizzy was handed the CBO at Thames Magistrates Court on May 24 after failing to comply with a community protection notice that he’d received days earlier.
Conditions of the notice included not trespassing on private property.
One of his friends in the latest video is Harle Jordean, 19, who hit headlines in 2011 for starting his own successful marble selling business while at primary school, turning over thousands of pounds.
In a significant achievement, Audiomack has declared Burna Boy, the award-winning Nigerian singer, as the first African artist to reach one billion streams on its platform. This milestone not only highlights Burna Boy’s tremendous popularity as a globally recognized musician but also showcases the extensive reach and influence of Audiomack in connecting artists with a worldwide audience.
Burna Boy expressed his gratitude to his fans and Audiomack, commenting on his achievement, saying, “I am incredibly grateful and humbled; much love to everyone who has streamed my music and continues to support me; you all are the true MVPs.”
Burna Boy is a central figure in the worldwide ascent of African music over the last half-decade. His two most recent albums, 2020’s Twice As Tall and 2022’s Love, Damini, have both garnered over 300 million streams on Audiomack, with the latter also winning a GRAMMY Award for Best World Music Album, making him the first Nigerian artist to receive the recognition.
“We have been avid supporters of Burna Boy since the early stages of his career,” commented Jason Johnson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy at Audiomack. “We are incredibly proud to be a part of his journey not just in amplifying his music but in supporting his growth as an artist.”
In August 2019, Burna Boy reworked a trio of his biggest hits alongside an orchestra for Audiomack’s Trap Symphony performance series. In October 2021, Audiomack awarded Burna Boy a plaque for reaching over 300 million streams on the platform. Less than two years later, the African Giant has emerged as the first African artist to surpass a billion streams on Audiomack.
With over 25 million monthly users globally, Audiomack continues reinforcing its commitment to enhancing access for African music artists and fans and promoting the Afrobeats genre extensively.
Gifty Adorye, popularly known as Empress Gifty, has voiced her concerns about the growing fascination among Ghanaians regarding the personal lives of gospel musicians. She finds this trend to be challenging and worrisome.
According to the Gospel musician, society has developed the habit of defining who a gospel artiste should be, which she says is wrong.
In an interview with Nana Romeo, she stated that lately, a gospel artiste is told what to wear, what to eat, and the type of events he or she is allowed to attend.
“If you are a gospel artiste, they want to define you, and it is very wrong. Sometimes they want to tell you what to wear; they want to tell you places you can go, and I still don’t get it,” she stated.
As part of the conversation, she urged Ghanaians to embrace the new era in the music industry.
In her words, the act of people complaining when they see some gospel musicians perform on platforms of musicians who are into secular music should come to a stop.
Empress Gifty, a few years ago performed at Stonebwoy’s Ashaiman to the World concert. After the show, she was criticised by several Ghanaians for performing at such an event when she is a gospel musician.
She stated that there’s nothing wrong with it because, whether it’s secular music or gospel music, they all believe in God and know what is right and wrong.
“Why is it that you see somebody ministering on Stonebwoy’s stage or Shatta’s stage, or Sarkodie, and you start to tag a gospel artiste? That is what I mean when I say that they should understand the system for us. The CD and cassette systems are no more. We are now in the era of pen drives and streaming. You listen to music on the internet, so the person gets revenue.
“So, they need to understand that we are humans and our feelings are working as well as our conscience. We know what is right and wrong, and the judgmental attitude toward gospel artistes is so weird. If they can limit it a little bit, they will see the best of us,” she explained.
Since the recent release of Yvonne Nelson‘s autobiography titled ‘I am Not Yvonne Nelson,’ actress and entrepreneur Victoria Lebene has engaged in a series of criticisms directed at Yvonne Nelson.
Victoria openly chastised Yvonne for certain chapters in the book that delves into her previous relationships and sexual experiences, deeming it sensitive information that should not have been made public.
Lebene’s remarks have fueled speculation that she harboured a long-held grudge against Yvonne and was using the book’s contents to launch personal attacks.
However, in a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, Lebene clarified that she holds no animosity towards Nelson but believes that her colleague should have exercised more caution when discussing such delicate subjects in her book.
The mother of two argued that it was highly inappropriate and insensitive for Yvonne to disclose such intimate details to the public, particularly considering the potential damage it could inflict on the reputation of those involved and the negative impact it could have on their families.
Lebene stated, “I do not hate Yvonne, not at all. I just feel she went overboard with some of the intimate details she shared. I am not saying Yvonne shouldn’t express her feelings, but she should have been more sensitive in her approach.”
She further expressed that it would have been more appropriate for Yvonne to tone down certain admissions made in the book without divulging explicit details.
Victoria emphasized the importance of considering the healing process for all parties involved, as what may be cathartic for one person could potentially cause pain and require healing for others.
Referring to one of the individuals mentioned in the book, Sarkodie, she highlighted the significance of considering a person’s reputation, particularly in the case of a married man with children.
She acknowledged that not everyone possesses the emotional strength to handle such revelations, further emphasizing the potential consequences on spouses and children.
Lebene clarified her stance by stating, “I don’t believe in the past. I only believe that whatever happened then should be able to make me strong and put me on the right path to becoming a better version of myself. If I were to write a book, it would be one that empowers and advises people.
“I don’t think I would want to give a memoir detailing my sexual experiences or the number of times I have had an abortion. It simply doesn’t make sense. However, this doesn’t mean I hate Yvonne; it’s just my opinion. It’s okay if it’s a strategy to sell the book, but we should always consider the sensitivity of our words and actions.”
Following a Facebook post, a pastor “shoots his wife then himself.”After writing on Facebook that he “may not be a perfect man,” but was a “family man,” the pastor allegedly shot his wife before killing himself.
According to McComb Police Chief Juan Cloy, Louisiana pastor Danny Prenell Jr., 25, is suspected of shooting his wife Gabrielle Prenell, 27, in front of their kids at a Hampton Inn motel. He then turned the weapon on himself.
According to Cloy, the shooting took place on Wednesday at around 3 o’clock.
Two days earlier, Danny posted on a Facebook page he appeared to share with his wife, a photo of the two of them along with their three young children. He tagged the location as Hampton Inn & Suites McComb in Mississippi, where the shooting occurred.
‘I may not be a perfect man, but I’ll always be a family man,’ stated the post, along with the hashtags #HusbandFatherPastor and #FlawedYetFavored.
Danny and his wife were transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, WLBT reported. Their conditions have not been disclosed.
The pastor faces an aggravated assault charge, according to WAPT.
Their children are under the custody of Child Protective Services.
A photograph published by The Enterprise-Journal showed police tape blocking off a hallway at the hotel. Beyond the tape, blood splatters, a pillow and towels were strew across the floor.
The motive of the shooting was not immediately known.
Danny, a pastor at Bright Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, posted often on Facebook about self-growth.
‘At the age of 25, I often hear that I’m far beyond my years. However, I never get satisfied with where I am….I’m constantly looking for more,’ he wrote on April 16.
‘People with small minds will keep you locked up into what can fit into their heads. The God I serve doesn’t have a limit, and I’m staying faithful because I know my cup shall run over.’
And the week prior to that, Danny posted on his wife’s birthday calling her ‘my queen’ and ‘the woman that I love and owe my life to’.
A man was guilty of murder for using an old pistol he had stowed beneath his armpit to kill Met Police Sergeant Matt Ratana in a detention facility.
The jury at Northampton Crown Court dismissed Louis De Zoysa’s argument that he mistakenly fired the gun during an autistic breakdown, despite his claim of diminished responsibility.
They were shown upsetting video of Sgt. Ratana, a New Zealander, receiving a chest wound from the first of De Zoysa’s three rounds fired in less than three seconds.
Despite the efforts of the medical personnel, he passed away in the hospital from his injuries.
A second bullet struck the 54-year-old in the thigh, before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers as a third round hit the cell wall at Croydon’s Windmill Road custody centre.
De Zoysa, who was living in Banstead, Surrey, discharged a fourth shot while on the cell floor 16 seconds later, hitting an artery in his own neck and causing brain damage.
An Accra Circuit Court has granted a GHC 50,000.00 bail to a 20-year-old commercial motor rider, who allegedly sold Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) prepaid credit illegally.
Issah Akuffo, who was charged with possession of stolen property and intentionally interfering with ECG’s distribution system meter, pleaded not guilty.
The Court presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, admitted the accused person to bail in the sum ofGH¢50,000.00 with two sureties.
The case has been adjourned to June 30, 2023.
Paul Assibi Abariga told the Court that the complainant was Mr Gideon Asare Ampofo, a Drywall Installer and resident of Amasaman whilst the accused person was a commercial motor rider, also residing at Amasaman.
The prosecution said in 2020, the complainant needed an Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) meter for his house at Amasaman.
He, therefore, contacted one Amos kwaku Duah, an electrician (now at large), who took GH¢2,400.00 and installed a meter for him.
The prosecution said when the power credit got finished and the complainant went to an ECG vendor to purchase, he was told that the meter recharge card was invalid.
It said Duah told the complainant that the card was valid and that he was unable to purchase power due to ECG network failure.
The prosecution said Duah allegedly sent someone, who used a different ECG prepaid card to recharge the meter for the complainant at a cost of GH¢ 100.00, adding that, that became the practice.
It said the complainant reported the matter to ECG Project Office and Akuffo was arrested when he came to the complainant’s house to recharge the meter for him on June 14, 2023.
The prosecution said the case was referred to ECG investigation Unit for investigation.
It said Akuffo stated in his investigation caution statement that he was a commercial motor rider at Amasaman Lorry Station and that Amos Kwaku Duah gave him the ECG smart card to be recharging power for the complainant.
The prosecution said the accused person, however, could not lead the police to Duah.
An Accra Circuit Court has granted a GH¢50,000.00 bail to a 20-year-old commercial motor rider, who allegedly sold Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) prepaid credit illegally.
Issah Akuffo, who was charged with possession of stolen property and intentionally interfering with ECG’s distribution system meter, pleaded not guilty.
The Court presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, admitted the accused person to bail in the sum ofGH¢50,000.00 with two sureties.
The case has been adjourned to June 30, 2023.
Paul Assibi Abariga told the Court that the complainant was Mr Gideon Asare Ampofo, a Drywall Installer and resident of Amasaman whilst the accused person was a commercial motor rider, also residing at Amasaman.
The prosecution said in 2020, the complainant needed an Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) meter for his house at Amasaman.
He, therefore, contacted one Amos kwaku Duah, an electrician (now at large), who took GH¢2,400.00 and installed a meter for him.
The prosecution said when the power credit got finished and the complainant went to an ECG vendor to purchase, he was told that the meter recharge card was invalid.
It said Duah told the complainant that the card was valid and that he was unable to purchase power due to ECG network failure.
The prosecution said Duah allegedly sent someone, who used a different ECG prepaid card to recharge the meter for the complainant at a cost of GH¢ 100.00, adding that, that became the practice.
It said the complainant reported the matter to ECG Project Office and Akuffo was arrested when he came to the complainant’s house to recharge the meter for him on June 14, 2023.
The prosecution said the case was referred to ECG investigation Unit for investigation.
It said Akuffo stated in his investigation caution statement that he was a commercial motor rider at Amasaman Lorry Station and that Amos Kwaku Duah gave him the ECG smart card to be recharging power for the complainant.
The prosecution said the accused person, however, could not lead the police to Duah.
Adane Best, a celebrated Highlife musician, has voiced his concerns about what he perceives as a decline in Kuami Eugene’s career trajectory.
In an adomonline.com report, the veteran musician, who has been in the music industry for over three decades, emphasized the diminishing hype surroundingKuami Eugene and highlighted the need for support to help him regain his prominence.
He also pointed out that Kuami Eugene‘s career appeared to be sinking, primarily because he continued to rely on the same formula he used during his early years.
The music legend further explained that the fading hype around Eugene’s persona was a result of his persistent use of familiar patterns and approaches.
According to Best, to revitalize his career, Kuami Eugene needs to explore new creative avenues, experiment with different musical styles, and adapt to the changing tastes of his audience.
“Kuami Eugene’s hype has gone down. But for him to rise back up, he needs people to support him. He keeps doing what he did when he was young. Doing the same thing means he will have the same results. Though he is talented, the surrounding hype is dying,” he stated.
However, Adane Best clarified that he does not believe Kuami Eugene has completely dropped off the radar.
While there is a noticeable inconsistency compared to his initial breakthrough, Best expressed his confidence in Eugene’s potential to overcome this challenging phase.
He emphasized the importance of providing honest feedback to those we care about, stating, “I am not saying he has dropped completely… but if you compare him to when he came out, it is not the same. I have been in the game for 31 years now, so I know what I am saying. If you love someone, you have to tell them the truth, and I know he can get out of that.”
Sarkodie, the renowned award-winning rapper, is gearing up to deliver an electrifying performance on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at The Forum in Columbus, Ohio. The venue is situated at 144 N Wall Street, where fans can anticipate an unforgettable show.
Excitement is brewing as Ghanaians and Africans in the diaspora eagerly anticipate the opportunity to witness the legendary King Sark’s electrifying live performance.
During an interview promoting the highly anticipated show, AK24 Entertainment CEO, Big Sam, shed light on the meticulous process of selecting artists to headline events abroad. With Sarkodie’s extensive and impressive musical repertoire, it was a no-brainer decision to have him as the star attraction.
AK24 Entertainment CEO Big Sam sharing insights on how artists are selected to headline events abroad during an interview to promote the show confidently said :
“It wasn’t a hard decision to put Sarkodie on our show due to his huge catalogue,”
The ongoing conversations surrounding Yvonne Nelson and the “Adonai” rapper, have significantly contributed to a surge in ticket sales for the show, according to the CEO of AK24 Entertainment.
The CEO of AK24 Entertainment revealed that the controversy has only heightened the anticipation among fans, driving them to secure their spots for what promises to be an unforgettable musical extravaganza.
Renowned for their ability to produce extraordinary and memorable events in Columbus, AK24 Entertainment, under the visionary leadership of Big Sam, is poised to deliver another epic show with “Sarkodie Live In Columbus Ohio.” Their commitment to providing exceptional experiences to the Ghanaian diaspora remains unwavering.
As ticket sales continue to soar, the stage is set for a night of unparalleled music and entertainment. Sarkodie’s performance is expected to captivate and leave a lasting impression on music enthusiasts, cementing his status as an icon in the industry.
Heathrow Airport security officers‘ protracted conflict has been resolved after a vote by the workforce to accept a better salary offer.
This summer, more than 2,000 security personnel at Terminals 3 and 5 as well as Campus Security personnel in charge of inspecting airside personnel and vehicles were scheduled to go on strike for 31 days.
However, after the announcement, their employer Heathrow Airport Limited went back to the negotiation table, and Unite members decided to accept a fresh and improved salary offer.
The union said workers will receive an increase of between 15.5% and 17.5%.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘This was a hard won victory which demonstrates what can be achieved when workers stand together and take action together.
‘The pay deal at Heathrow is a further demonstration of how Unite’s complete focus on jobs, pay and conditions is having direct benefits for its members.’
The dispute started before Easter, with Unite members taking a total of 18 days of industrial action.
Unite regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said: ‘The solidarity and dedication of Unite’s reps and members was fundamental in ensuring Heathrow Airport returned to the negotiating table with an improved offer.’
A Heathrow spokesperson said: ‘We are pleased to confirm Unite members have voted to accept a two-year above-inflation pay deal, ending the current dispute and allowing the strikes to be called off.
‘We can now move forward together and focus on delivering an excellent summer for our passengers.’
A 43-year-old businesswoman who was nabbed with two plastic bottles of alcoholic beverages mixed with cannabis has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.
Gloria Baako was also nabbed with nine table tennis size cannabis with a net weight of 201.42 grammes concealed in her handbag at Mallam Attah Market.
Gloria has been charged with two counts of unlawful control of narcotic drugs.
With her in the dock was her daughter Abigail Lartey Lartiokor, a 21-year-old bartender and a student.
Abigail is being held for abetment of unlawful control of narcotic drugs.
The two accused persons have denied the various charges.
The court presided over by Isaac Addo has admitted them to bail in the sum of GHS50,000 each, with two sureties each.
The matter has been adjourned to July 17.
Prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong said that the complainants are police officers stationed at Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service.
Prosecution said the two accused persons resided at Newtown-Commando, Accra.
It said on February 2, 2023, at about 11:45 am, the complainant acting on intelligence arrested Abigail at a drinking spot at Mallam Atta market, Accra.
According to prosecution, during a search at the drinking spot, two plastic bottles containing alcoholic beverages popularly known as “Laka” and Nine tennis ball size of hard brownish substance, all suspected to be laced with narcotic drugs.
The prosecution said when Abigail was interrogated, she confessed to the crime and mentioned Gloria, her mother as the owner of the exhibit.
It said Abigail, therefore, led the complainants to the residence of Gloria.
According to the prosecution, Gloria mentioned one “Abodam” and Yaw at Mallam Atta Market as her suppliers.
The prosecution said the exhibits were forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analytical examination.
It said on February 28, 2023, the test report confirmed that the exhibits were Cannabis, a narcotic drug
A Circuit Court at Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Dormaa Central Municipality of Bono Region has sentenced Stephen Owusu, a 40-year-old unemployed, 15 years in hard labour (IHL) for defiling a 12-year-old girl.
Owusu pleaded guilty to a charge of defiling a minor.
Detective Chief Inspector (D/C Inspt.) Timothy Ahiaduvor, the prosecutor told the Court presided by Osei Kofi Amoako, Esq. that the complainant, a project officer of Schaefer Child Development Centre, a non-governmental organisation based at Dormaa-Ahenkro, while the victim is vulnerable to the care of the complainant.
He said in the afternoon of Monday, June 12, 2023, when the victim was returning from an errand, the convict met her on the way and sent her to buy a ball of kenkey for him, but the victim returned to inform the convict that there was no kenkey.
D/C Inspt. Ahiaduvor said when the victim wanted to give back the cash of GhC10.00 to buy the kenkey, the convict held her hands, lured her into his room, removed her panties and sexually assaulted her.
The prosecutor said when the convict was satisfied, he asked the victim to go with the GhC10.00 as compensation, adding that later the victim reported the incident to the project officer who brought her to the Police Station and reported the case.
D/C Inspt. Ahiaduvor stated the victim was arrested and during interrogation, he admitted the offence.
Stray Kids, the popular K-pop group, has recently unveiled their highly anticipated album titled “5-STAR” on June 2. The album’s lead single, “S-Class,” has garnered immense attention and captivated audiences not only in South Korea but also in several African countries.
With its undeniable appeal and catchy melodies, the album has achieved remarkable success, topping various charts and gaining recognition in multiple African countries.
Shortly after its release, “S-Class” quickly became a sensation on YouTube, garnering significant attention from African viewers. The music video trended on the platform, reaching the coveted number-one spot in Tunisia, showcasing Stray Kids’ rising popularity in North Africa.
It peaked at #3 in Botswana and Libya, #5 in Algeria and Benin, and seven in Egypt. Additionally, it ranked #12 in Morocco, #26 in South Africa, #28 in Ghana, and #29 in Nigeria. These achievements highlight the group’s ability to captivate audiences across diverse African nations.
Stray Kids’ “5-STAR” album and its title track also gained significant traction on the African iTunes charts. The album soared to number one on the iTunes chart in South Africa and Nigeria, showcasing the group’s fan base in these countries.
Similarly, the single “S-Class” reached number one in Nigeria, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, and Uganda, solidifying Stray Kids’ popularity across multiple African territories. Another track from the album, “GET LIT,” achieved an impressive number-one position on the iTunes chart in Uganda, further highlighting the group’s broad appeal.
Stray Kids’ release of the “5-STAR” album reinvigorated their presence on Spotify’s charts in Africa. The group spent over ten days on the Daily Top Artists chart in Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco. Moreover, on Spotify’s Weekly Top Artists chart, Stray Kids reached #76 in Egypt and #92 in Morocco and South Africa, emphasizing the group’s expanding fan base and increasing streaming numbers.
Stray Kids’ “5-STAR” album also made strides on Spotify’s Weekly Top Albums chart, with impressive placements in Nigeria and South Africa. The album entered the chart at #118 in Nigeria and ranked 30 in South Africa. These rankings showcase the group’s ability to captivate audiences through their music and reflect the enthusiastic response of African fans to the album’s release.
In a testament to Stray Kids’ enduring popularity, the group was ranked as the second most streamed K-pop act in sub-Saharan Africa in 2022 on Spotify.
At a gathering of EU defence ministers, military personnel from the US and NATO, as well as business leaders, Macron stated that the system is “protecting key installations and lives” on Monday.
He continued, “It really is Europe protecting Europe,” alluding to his rejection of a German plan to build an anti-missile defence system for Ukraine using supplies from the US and Israel.
For the French presidency, announcing the deployment of the SAMP/T Mamba shows that there is an alternative.
Ukrainian troops completed training in March on the SAMP/T Mamba medium-range surface-to-air system, which includes radar and eight Aster missile launchers, with a range of about 100 kilometres.
The system is intended to help Ukraine counter Russian drone and plane attacks.
Earlier in May, Ukraine Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said that air defense systems like the SAMP/T or Patriot were needed to protect against large-scale ballistic missile attacks.
A Mamba system is already deployed in Romania to protect the strategic Black Sea port of Constanta.
A teen was convicted guilty of killing her newborn child.
On March 23, 2019, 19-year-old Paris Mayo murdered her infant baby Stanley at her parents’ house in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
After the Worcester Crown Court jury deliberated for eight hours and 38 minutes, the defendant sobbed in the witness box.
The court had previously been informed that Mayo gave birth to Stanley in a living room by herself when she was only 15 years old.
Before going to bed, she assaulted Stanley and shoved cotton wool balls down his neck. She then placed his body in a trash bag and left it on the front step.
Mayo’s mother found the child the next morning when she looked inside the bloodstained bag and immediately called 999, the court was told.
The teenager had earlier denied causing Stanley’s complex skull fractures, thought to have been caused by her foot on his head, and claimed her son was already dead when he was born.
She was charged last year following an investigation by West Mercia Police.
Following the verdict, judge Mr Justice Garnham remanded Mayo, of Ruardean in Gloucestershire, into custody to be sentenced on Monday June 26.
On a motorway close to Moscow, a truckload of fireworks that were “intended for an oligarch party” detonated.
Dramatic video captured the explosion that occurred close to Podolsk after a caravan disconnected and caught fire.
A witness reported seeing “huge fire, fireworks exploding and shooting in all directions.”
The 450-mile-long, major Crimea Highway was totally closed.
It partially links the Russian capital to Crimea, illegally annexed by Vladimir Putin from Ukraine in 2014.
One version is that the fireworks – worth thousands of pounds – were intended for an elite party.
Rich Russians have been criticised for continuing to flaunt their wealth despite the war in Ukraine killing tens of thousands sent to their deaths by dictator Putin.
‘There were no casualties as a result of the incident,’ reported Izvestia.
A truck with fireworks caught fire and exploded at Crimea federal highway near Moscow (Picture: social media/e2w)There were no caualties (Picture: social media/e2w)
Police were probing the cause of the firework explosion which came at midnight.
It comes after a fire ripped through the Russian defence building as Vladimir Putin carried out secret talks with Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko.
As the two leaders met, emergency services swarmed to the blaze at a defence ministry building at 19 Znamenka Street, Moscow.
Around 50 people were evacuated, with the cause of the fire currently unconfirmed.
Highlife musician, Akosua Agyapong, has joined the growing list of creatives criticizing Yvonne Nelson for her revelation about terminating a pregnancy involving rapper Sarkodie.
Agyapong believes that certain secrets should remain hidden and expressed her concerns about the potential harm caused by disclosing such sensitive information.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz, Agyapong emphasized that keeping certain truths private is essential to protect one’s reputation and maintain opportunities with reputable brands. She questioned the purpose behind Nelson’s decision to reveal this information, particularly since both Nelson and Sarkodie are well-established figures in the industry.
Agyapong highlighted the private nature of the matter, stating that everyone has skeletons in their closets that should not be brought into the public domain.
She questioned the need to speak negatively about one’s past and stressed the importance of considering the potential consequences for the individuals involved, including Sarkodie and his wife, Tracy.
Expressing her concern for Sarkodie‘s ability to overcome this revelation and Tracy’s potential reaction, Agyapong urged caution moving forward and advised seeking wise counsel before sharing such sensitive details.
Furthermore, Agyapong encouraged the media not to solely focus on the terminated pregnancy, but rather highlight the positive aspects of Nelson’s book, “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson.” She believed the book contains valuable content worth discussing, and urged a shift in focus towards the constructive messages it offers.
As the controversy surrounding Nelson’s revelation continues, Adjepong’s perspective adds to the ongoing discussion on the boundaries of personal disclosure and the potential impact on one’s public image and relationships.
In just one week, a fourth shark has been seen off the Spanish coast.
The most recent sighting occurred on Wednesday morning at a port on the island of Arousa, which is located in the Galician province of Pontevedra.
Despite infrequently biting humans, the blue shark has been responsible for deadly attacks in the past.
It is estimated to be young and not yet fully grown because it is just about five feet long.
As it drew near a fishing boat, video captures its fin rising above the water.
Local fisherman Rogelio Santos Queiruga said the shark seemed to be injured from a harpoon and faced greater danger from humans.
He said: ‘If we try to touch it, it can hurt us with its teeth or rough skin.’
‘The fact they are seen close to the coast is good news.’
Blue sharks rarely attack humans and are known to eat (Picture: Solarpix)
‘It is a sign that on the high seas, where they usually live, they may be recovering following decades of overfishing.’
A fully grown blue shark measuring seven feet caused panic off the coast of Alicante last Thursday.
Holidaymakers were urged by lifeguards to get out of the sea immediately.
An elderly woman was helped out of the water by good samaritans and suffered a panic attack when she realised the shark was beside her.
A second shark then emerged the same day in the water inside Ciutadella Port in Menorca.
Several Spanish resorts have had shark sightings over the past week (Picture: Solarpix)
And over the weekend a cow shark approached a boat belonging to a group of fishermen off Cap de Formentor near Puerto Pollensa in Majorca.
Russian tourist Vladimir Popov, 23, was filmed being attacked by a tiger shark and dragged underwater off the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada before these shark sightings in Spain.
His body parts were later recovered from inside the predator’s belly after it was clubbed to death by beachgoers.
A blue shark was blamed for an attack on a holidaymaker near Alicante in July 2016.
The 40-year-old victim was rushed to hospital and given stitches to a wound in his hand.
What is a blue shark?
Blue sharks are curious, open-ocean predators that live throughout the global ocean, from the tropics to cold temperate waters.
It has serrated teeth and usually eats fish and cephalopods such as squid – they very rarely attack humans.
Although generally lethargic, they can move very quickly.
First aiders described the bite as ‘large’ and said he came out of the sea with blood streaming from the injury.
Tourists fled the sea in panic after a blue shark appeared off the packed Majorcan beach of Calas de Majorca on the island’s east coast in August 2018.
In April a near seven-foot shark was filmed on the south-east coast of Majorca at a nearby beach called Cala Llombards.
The footage of it in shallow water showed it was disorientated.
While being a celebrity can be enjoyable and fulfilling, navigating highly-publicized separations in the public eye presents a unique set of challenges.
Amidst the glamorous facade of celebrity relationships, the world becomes a spectator to the intricacies of their high-profile breakups. However, amidst the well-known couples whose every move dominates our news feeds, there are also lesser-known celebrity couples whose relationships never reach the stage of marriage, leaving us surprised and curious about what could have been.
Thinking about all the other stars who’ve dated over the years, some kept their relationships on display while others kept them entirely hidden from the public.
Everyone wants to believe in true love but throw in the cheating misconduct, social media shadiness, the crazy work schedules, and things can get the envious relationship you once saw turn sour real quick.
Here is a list of some celebrity couples who, unfortunately, never made it down the aisle.
Grace Omaboe and David Dontoh
David Dontoh and Maame Dokono may have been considered as mere colleagues while at the prime of their acting career but there was more to their relationship.
The two actually dated for 4 years in the past.
Confirming the relationship Grace said “David Dontor held me together and handled me well. At that time I was popular, beautiful and many, different men were all over me when I am on stage, so I needed someone to hold me,” she said
2.Shatta Wale and Shatta Michy
Michy and Shatta Wale were a very fine couple who interested many Ghanaians. They lived together for about 8 years and they ended up with a baby boy named Majesty. Unfortunately, this beautiful relationship collapsed about two years ago. Shatta Wale who appeared to be so much into Michy consistently sent people to go to Michy and plead on his behalf, all to no avail.
3.Nadia Buari and Michael Essien
For the longest time, fans thought Nadia Buari and Ghana football legend, Michael Essien, would be together forever. The couple had been together for ages and were frequently spotted at public events together. It came as a shock when the couple broke up sometime in 2010. An official reason for the breakup was not given.
4.Okyeame Kwame and Nana Ama McBrown
In 2004, Nana Ama McBrown and Okyeame Kwame dated.
The relationship saw the ‘couple’ making headlines on major media platforms for serving hot relationship vibes. To date, it isn’t clear what caused the separation between the two versatile personalities.
5.Nana Aba Anamoah and Osebo
The two dated in their early prime, and also had a son together.
6.Irene Opare and Kwame Sefa
These two love birds at first were the talk of the town. Wherever they flocked together, media men wanted a glimpse of them. Both lived happily until they decided to split apart.
Their break-up announcement sent a shock to many people’s marrow. This was because they were the ideal couple and many looked up to them. They had a beautiful girl called Fafa Kayi together.
7.Julliet Ibrahim and Safo Kantana Jnr
Kwadwo Safo and Juliet Ibrahim married in 2010 and after four years of being together, their marriage came to an end in 2014. The couple gave birth to their first child in 2010 and named him Jayden Safo.
The reason which led to the collapse of their marriage was never disclosed to any media outlet or the public as they kept it between themselves to avoid further publications about their collapsed marriage.
8.Princess Shyngle and Dblack
The two who dated for two years broke up after the Gambian Princess walked away when he cheated on her several times.
9.Yvonne Nelson and Sarkodie
This revelation recently came to life when Yvonne launched her memoir ‘I am not Yvonne Nelson’.
According to the actress they dated for a while and during that period she got pregnant and had to abort because Sarkodie didn’t accept responsibility.
Getty Images
Getty Images
