Kuami Eugene has declared that he will take a few weeks off from all social media-related activities.
He made this announcement on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
According to him, this has become necessary following the death of his grandmother, aged 100.
In a post he made on his social media pages, he revealed that he is heartbroken because this was the first time he is losing someone close and dear to him.
He added that his grandmother made this all the people who came around her were given a lot of love and care.
“This is the first time of losing someone really dear and close to my heart 💔 and it’s not a pretty feeling at all. 100 yrs of Love and care for everyone.
I’m staying off social media for some weeks to mourn Granny 🥺,” he wrote.
In another development, Kuami Eugene has announced that he will be putting together a thanksgiving concert in honor of his late grandmother, Obaapanyin Grace Adomah, on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the Akyem Oda Public Park in the Eastern region.
The National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Stephen Ayesu Ntim has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the chiefs and people of Kumawu in the Ashanti Region for their massive support for the party during the recently held by-election.
The electorate in Kumawu on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 voted massively for the NPP Parliamentary candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim who garnered 15, 264 votes, as against his closest contender the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Akwasi Amankwah who had 3,723 votes.
He was elected as the new Member of Parliament for the area to replace the late MP, Philip Basoah who died in March 2023.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Kumawu, Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua, Chairman Ntim assured the chief and people that the party will continue to bring the needed development to the area beyond the by-election.
He also used the opportunity to introduce the new MP elect of Kumawu to the gathering.
Present with him was the MP elect, Ernest Anim, the Kumawu Constituency Chairman, Nana Agyemang Prempeh, the executives and other national officers.
Chairman Ntim presented drinks and other items to the Chief and elders as show of appreciation for the gesture.
The family of a 17-year-old student at St. Monica’s Senior High School has accused authorities of negligence at the institution following the incidents that led to the sudden death of their relative.
This was sighted in a newspaper report by the Chronicles dated May 29, 2023.
The deceased student, identified as Patience Amanyi or Maame Sakyiwaa, was laid to rest over the weekend in Obuasi, in the Ashanti Region.
According to the newspaper, Maame Sakyiwaa, a General Arts student, had been unwell for some time. Despite her attempts to secure permission to seek medical attention outside the school, her requests were reportedly ignored by the school authorities.
Instead, she was advised to visit the school’s sick bay, which proved insufficient to handle her illness.
The newspaper added that the family received news of her passing only a few hours after she had contacted her mother for her Ghana Card details.
Richard Monnie, a cousin of Maame Sakyiwaa, expressed the family’s confusion surrounding her untimely death.
The newspaper stated that Monnie, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, around 17:00 hours called the mother of the deceased, requesting information related to her Ghana card for a registration exercise.
Shortly after, the family received another call, informing them of the devastating news of Maame Sakyiwaa’s passing.
Monnie suspects that the person who made the call was not his cousin and believes that she had already passed away before the staged conversation took place.
“We are very much sure that our relatives died long before the call came through, and the person who called was not Maame Sakyiwaa. It was someone who spoke on her behalf because we are told she managed and visited the sick bay of the school on Saturday, May 20, 2023, and went to church on Sunday, but on Monday, May 22, 2023, when she went to class, she could not sit upright, putting her head on the table throughout the day.
“Per information available to us, Maame Sakyiwaa was kept at the school sick bay without hospital attention,” Monnie was quoted to have said.
The deceased’s cousin questioned the school’s lack of communication with the family during Maame Sakyiwaa’s failing health condition and raised concerns about the decision-making process.
He recounted an incident from the previous month when she [reference to the deceased] was delayed at home for two days after the school’s reopening and was subsequently denied entry to the dormitory upon her arrival and was made to sleep outdoors for two days.
Monnie further disclosed that the family has been assured by the school authorities of prompt investigations into the case.
The Public Relations officer at the Ashanti Regional Education office is reported to have urged the family of the deceased to remain patient awaiting the outcome of the inquiry.
A search party has begun looking for some 50 persons who went missing when a boat ferrying them on the Black Volta River capsized.
A report by graphic.com.gh said that the incident, which took place at Dorkorchina, an over-bank community in the Bole District, in the Savannah Region, has so far claimed the life of one person.
The report added that the victims were travelling from Dorkorchina to Banda Ahenkro in the Bono East Region on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Only two victims made it ashore after they reportedly swam to safety.
They are presently in their respective homes in Dorkorchina, the report added.
Preliminary investigations, as stated by Kipo Sulemana, the Bole District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), show that the boat was overloaded with passengers and goods.
The boat, the report added, hit a tree stump in the river and capsized, leading to the catastrophe.
The passengers are said to have been without life jackets.
Kipo added that there is a search party already on the lookout for those who are missing.
He, however, stated that they are faced with a challenge because the community where the incident happened is inaccessible.
Security and safety analyst Dr. Adam Bonaa has commended Inspector-General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare and the Ghana Police Service (GPS) for overseeing what he considers the most peaceful by-election in the history of Ghana’s current Republic.
In an interview with GhanaWeb, Dr. Bonaa stated that the recent by-election in the Kumawu Constituency was by far the most peaceful witnessed in Ghana since 1992, and that credit should be given to the current police administration.
“Since 1992, when the Fourth Republican Constitution took effect, we haven’t really had any by-elections that were not characterized by violence. All by-elections from that time until the 2020 general election, including the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election that ushered in the 2020 election, were marred by violence. So, it is good that we are beginning to see some semblance of stability and peace during elections, and I must say kudos to the security agencies, particularly Dampare and his team,” he said.
Dr. Bonaa expressed hope that the success in terms of election security would be sustained through the efforts of the police. He also congratulated political parties, including the NPP and the NDC, as well as other stakeholders, for committing to peace in the Kumawu by-election.
Upcoming Election in Assin North
Following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that declared the election of James Gyekye Quayson as the Member of Parliament for Assin North unconstitutional, a by-election is expected to be held to elect a new MP.
Looking ahead to the anticipated by-election in Assin North, Dr. Bonaa stated that the police must replicate their security measures from Kumawu to ensure a peaceful election in the constituency and in other upcoming elections, including the New Patriotic Party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries, as well as the 2024 general elections.
“I expect the police to prove to Ghanaians that what happened in Kumawu was not just an isolated incident. Their tactics worked, and if everything goes well, Assin North will also witness one of the most peaceful by-elections. I also expect the same level of security in the NPP flagbearership contest, which won’t be an easy task for any security agency. However, we anticipate that they will navigate their way into the 2024 elections,” Dr. Bonaa stated.
No Need for Military
The security and safety analyst emphasized the importance of keeping the military away from election monitoring activities in the country.
“I must also add that some of us have advocated for the use of the military in elections to be a thing of the past. The military should be the last resort when things go terribly wrong. Placing them at the forefront does not help us and has never helped us. So, some of us continue to advocate for keeping them on standby so that if the police need them, they can be called upon. National Security caused mayhem in Ayawaso West Wuogon, and it took the police to exert their authority and restore order,” Dr. Bonaa added.
He concluded by stating that if all security agencies adhere to the protocols laid out by the Ghana Police Service, Ghana can rewrite history when it comes to the democratic process of voting.
A man has recounted how he received an additional two-year jail term for reacting to guilty verdict in the Adidome Circuit Court.
The man, accused of stealing by the Adidome Circuit Court was given an additional two-year jail term in addition to his initial five-year sentence due to his reaction to the verdict.
Bawa Yussif, who operates fast food joints in Adidome and Aveyime, claimed that he purchased some bags of rice from customers who turned out to be selling stolen items.
According to Bawa, a group of drug addicts approached him and offered to sell 20 bags of rice, originally priced at GHC170, at a discounted rate of GHC100 each. He agreed to the deal and paid a total of GHC2,000 for the rice.
In an interview with Crime Check Foundation, Bawa explained that he later heard an announcement through an information center about a woman who had her bags of rice stolen.
Concerned, he contacted his business friend through an intermediary to inform her about the rice he had purchased. Initially, she was grateful for his honesty and agreed to take back 10 of the bags.
However, to Bawa’s surprise, she returned to his house accompanied by her husband and a police officer who arrested him for theft. Despite several court appearances, Bawa said that during one hearing, his friend requested the judge to drop the case since the stolen items had been recovered. Unfortunately, the judge refused her plea.
“My friend asked the Adidome Circuit Court judge to dismiss the case and forgive me since she had retrieved the items. She confessed that she was pressured by her husband to pursue the matter in court. The judge silenced her, stating that she couldn’t come and waste the court’s time,” Bawa recounted.
“The judge then sentenced me to five years, and I broke down in tears,” he added.
The additional two years were added to Bawa’s sentence due to an outburst he launched at the judge. Feeling shocked and upset, he blurted out, “I told the judge that God will punish you if you insist on sending me to jail after my own close friend asked you not to. I had never known about prison; all I knew was the police station. Everyone in the courtroom was in tears because they knew I wasn’t a bad person. The judge then retaliated, saying that he had the power to add extra years to my sentence,” Bawa explained.
The judge, according to Bawa, has since been dismissed from the judicial service.
Reflecting on his prison experience, Bawa acknowledged its difficulties but expressed hope in returning to his passion for cooking and selling food once he is released.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, on Friday picked the nomination form to contest the Flagbearer position of the NPP.
The former General Secretary of the NPP said his picking of the nomination form marked the beginning of great things to come.
He promised to usher in “A New Dawn” on Ghana’s political landscape anchored on the restoration of cherished values of service, sacrifice and selflessness, which he called the “Triple S Doctrine”.
Mr Agyepong expressed a passion to see to the transformation of the country, promising to cut waste by leading a lean, effective and efficient government machinery primed to deliver meaningful development to the underserved population.
He advised NPP delegates to choose wisely, looking out for “thinking leaders”, those with innovative ideas and a clear understanding of where they wanted to take the country to.
He implored the delegates to trust his capacity and fortitude to take difficult and uncomfortable measures needed to reverse Ghana’s economic decline.
Mr Agyepong urged them not to mortgage their future for a pittance and denounce any monetary and material overtures and inducements.
He called on other flagbearer aspirants to accept his call for an open debate, adding that, Ghanaians were entitled and deserved to examine and know what each of the aspirants stood for.
“Our ideas, policy priorities and preferences, our temperament and character all matter. If you want to lead the people of Ghana, then you should be humble enough to submit yourself for scrutiny by the people,” he added.
He expressed confidence in the Party’s National Executives and Elders to ensure that the upcoming Presidential Primaries were conducted in a spirit of fairness and equity devoid of manipulation, coercion, favouritism and utmost respect for the Party’s Code of Conduct regarding same.
The Koforidua District Magistrate Court A has issued an arrest warrant for one Isaac Appiah, who is wanted by the Police for alleged fraud.
The 41-year-old Appiah, whose photograph appears above and below, has been charged with two counts of stealing contrary to Section 124(1) of Act 29.
He is dark in complexion and about 5ft 5 inches in height.
The police say he was last seen in the Koforidua environs and that anybody with information on his whereabouts should inform the Ghana Police or call 0308 249 090.
It has been reported that the Pru East constituency’s allocation of ambulance under the ‘One Constituency, One Ambulance’ initiative is seemingly missing. This revelation has raised significant questions and concerns about the whereabouts and management of the crucial emergency vehicle intended to serve the constituency.
This came to light when the Assemblyman for the Yeji Traditional Council Electoral Area, Godwin Awudi, raised the issue on the floor of their 25th ordinary meeting held on Thursday, May 25, 2023.
According to Godwin Awudi, his constituents raised the concern when he met them in his electoral area.
He said the people of Yeji have had to rely on the ambulance from Kwame Danso to transport emergency cases to either the Techiman Holy Family Hospital or the Okomfo Anokyi Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
In an interview with Adom News Reporter Daniel Tachie, the Assemblyman asked the District Chief Executive and the Mathias Hospital administration to locate the vehicle or risk the wrath of the assembly.
Meanwhile, the Pru East DCE, Adams Abdulai, said he has not seen the ambulance for some time now, and his checks show that it has developed a fault and is currently at a workshop for maintenance.
Speaking to Adom News’ Daniel Tachie, he used the opportunity to plead with the National Ambulance Service to expedite the maintenance of the car to help it serve its purpose for the constituents.
Some of the residents also expressed their worries about the absence of the ambulance car and how it affects healthcare delivery in the area.
In a groundbreaking move, Gertrude Torkornoo, the nominee for Chief Justice, has put forth a compelling argument for a comprehensive examination of capital punishment within the constitutional framework of the country.
Speaking in Parliament during her vetting on Friday, she said that for her as an individual, the death penalty sentence handed to convicts seems too definitive.
Justice Torkornoo thus called on parliament to take a review of the death penalty.
“As a justice of the Supreme Court, I am mindful of the fact if cases come to court. It will be my duty to preside over it. But on a personal level, I do think the death penalty is too final and I would be grateful if the legislative body would begin to look at it,” Justice Torkornoo said.
When asked if as a judge she should not be firm in handing down death sentences, especially to convicted murderers, she noted “sentencing is always guided by law, so long as the law says it I can’t dispute it.
For years, some civil society organisations have called for the abolition of the death penalty. In Ghana, capital punishment is a mandatory sentence for certain offenses including murder, treason and genocide.
However, Ghana last executed convicts on death row in 1993, the year of Ghana’s return to civilian rule. Twelve people convicted of armed robbery or murder were executed by firing squad.
According to a report by Amnesty International, as of the end of 2020, 160 people – 155 men and five women – were under sentence of death. These included six foreign nationals, one from Benin, two from Burkina Faso and three from Nigeria.
Amnesty International cited a lack of effective legal representation among others for the plight of some convicts on death row.
“The death penalty in Ghana has been frequently used in violation of international law and standard, affecting predominantly those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, as shown by research carried out by Amnesty International. It is high time the authorities of Ghana acted to fully abolish it.”
“Conditions for men and women on death row do not meet international standards. Both men and women reported overcrowding, poor sanitary facilities, isolation, and lack of adequate access to medical care and to recreational or educational opportunities available to other people in detention. Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception,” parts of the research read.
Among other things, they are calling for an express abolishment of death penalty for all crimes, commuting the death sentences of all death row prisoners to terms of imprisonment; reviewing the cases of all death row prisoners to identify any potential miscarriages of justice and providing all death row prisoners, regardless of means, with adequate and effective legal aid to pursue any appeals against their convictions and death sentences.
Meanwhile, In June 2021, Francis Xavier Sosu, a member of Parliament for Madina Constituency in Ghana, initiated a proposal for the introduction of a bill to remove the death penalty from the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The proposal seeks to abolish the death penalty for most capital offences under national legislation.
The move is seen as a unique opportunity for Ghana to make significant steps towards the abolition of the death penalty for all crimes. You can support abolition in Ghana in three simple steps.
The Sekondi Commercial High Court found Nhyiraba Kojo, a well-known musician and businessman who owns NK City Nightclub, guilty of contempt of court a few weeks ago.
The musician was found guilty of contempt by the court. He was ordered to serve the full 30-day sentence unless he can purge himself of the contempt.
Fast forward, instead of spending 30 days in prison as it was widely reported, the musician spent only two weeks.
According to him, the court made an order for his release after they found out that he heeded their call to resolve the noise pollution.
Speaking in an interview with Sammy Kay on the Go online show, Nhyiraba indicated, despite the fact that his prison sentence was a blessing to the inmates, there were also some horrible experiences.
He said the food given to the prisoners is bad, but, was quick to acknowledge that it was no fault of the prison cooks or prisoners.
Nhyiraba Kojo explained that the money allocated to a prisoner by the government is just GHC1.80p; a woefully inadequate money therefore prisoners had to survive on what they have been given.
The NK City Nightclub boss said the soup given to prisoners had no salt, no Maggi, and no pepper. Yet prisoners had no choice but to eat and stay fit to survive, an experience he witnessed and tasted himself.
He also added that the banku served with the tasteless soup to prisoners is as hard as a rock hence, the need to bite and chew before swallowing.
Chief Justice appointee, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has admonished young girls to be confident in themselves.
Speaking during her vetting, she challenged girls to eschew self-doubt and dare to sit at the table of men.
The Chief Justice nominee was vetted on May 26, 2023, by the appointments committee of Parliament.
Responding to a question posed by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on what advise she has for women who are in self doubt about their prospects she said: “I would ask them to be confident in themselves, to work on themselves, to work in areas that create the self doubt, to choose not to look down on themselves.
To work on the areas that create the self doubt, to choose not to look down on themselves, choose to appreciate that they are valued, they are persons of value and that they are entitled to sit at the table. Every girl is entitled to sit with her brother at the table,” she stated.
If approved by the House, she would be the 15th Chief Justice appointed since Ghana’s Independence and the third female Chief Justice since the history of Ghana.
Ark Erico, the gospel singer, has recently shared his reasons for considering a transition to Highlife music at a certain juncture in his career. He candidly discussed his personal encounters, highlighting the slow response and lack of support from individuals within his circle when it comes to assisting fellow artists in times of need.
At the onset of his career, Mark Okraku Mantey admonished Erico, the Season 3 winner of Mentor reality show to concentrate on Highlig music due to his exceptional voice and talent.
According to Erico, he paid no heed to Mark’s words adding that the likes of Kuami Eugene and Akwaboah who worked in the church have recorded massive success as Highlife musicians.
Looking back at the turn of events, Erico believes that he would have recorded a major breakthrough should he have become a secular musician.
In an interview with Kwaku Manu on the ‘Aggressive Show’ Erico explained why he almost switched to Highlife music.
“I went through financial difficulties, that was the number one reason. Secondly, there was something happening, following God doesn’t come easy. Things do not always turn out how you want them to be. I started to wonder, maybe I should have taken Okraku Mantey’s advice to do Highlife music. I could have made it big.
“The likes of Kuami Eugene and Akwaboah have been accepted and doing well. As a gospel singer who is in God’s house, I received zero support from the people I know are blessed with the means to help. They will not mind you…also, when you become successful in the gospel industry, they will associate it with blood money,” he said.
Erico who named the gospel fraternity as hypocrites exposed some rots adding that there is love and support among secular musicians.
“God instructed us to love one another but people in the church are quick to rejoice over the downfall of others…these worldly or contemporary singers love to support their colleagues that can not be said about those in my fraternity,” Erico posited.
Joeboy, the well-known Nigerian singer, has disclosed that he has invested approximately 50 million Naira in his romantic relationship over the past two years.
The ‘Baby’ crooner disclosed this in a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos.
He said he is not sure about the figure, adding that it could be far more than that.
Joeboy said, “That was a rough estimate. I said at least N50m. I don’t know for sure. It’s not like I’m counting [it could be more].
“She [my girlfriend] has to enjoy. I’m enjoying too.”
The singer recently released his sophomore album ‘Body & Soul’ which featured guest appearances from American superstars, Ludacris, BNXN, Odumodublvck.
The album is currently topping music charts across the continent.
In a Graphic Showbiz report, Akosua argued that GHAMRO’s interim management committee, led by Rex Omar as Chairman, is operating illegally without any legal mandate.
In her statement, Akosua Agyapong stated, “The good office of the Attorney General hasn’t renewed GHAMRO’s license due to court issues. Some of our people actually took the interim management committee to court, and the judge asked them to step down for new elections to be held.”
She also added that a Mediation Board led by Madam Esi Sutherland-Addy was formed and members were asked to do three things, however, no elections have happened yet, and Rex Omar and his team are still in charge without any legal authority.
“But before that, a Mediation Board led by Madam Esi Sutherland-Addy was instituted, and they asked us to do three things – amend our constitution, conduct an audit of our accounts, and hold elections.
“However, as of this time, no elections have been held, and we have Rex Omar and his team still manning affairs without any legal mandate. My argument is that the interim management or board’s license was not renewed because we didn’t fulfill all the three requirements by the Mediation Board,” she shared.
Akosua Agyapong also highlighted some concerns regarding GHAMRO’s financial management.
Referring to GHAMRO’s 2021 annual report, she said, “When I talk, people think that I’m just making empty claims and unfounded allegations, but they don’t know that I’m taking my information from GHAMRO’s 2021 annual report sent to members.”
She pointed out that GHAMRO is required to use 10 percent of the royalties received for the welfare of musicians.
However, she claimed, “From the 2021 report, those who are managing the fund are paid GH₵72,000 annually; yet, members in dire need don’t get assistance.”
Akosua Agyapong further expressed her concerns by stating, “That is not all. The same report mentioned that the interim management committee used GH₵132,000 for refreshment and sitting allowances. The committee sits four times a year.”
She also questioned the allocation of funds, saying, “The report also showed that they buy new cars and computers every year. But what really intrigues me the most is that those who collect the royalties (spinners) are paid a whopping GH₵433,000 yearly. How much is the musician who is the creator of the content even paid?”
Akosua Agyapong said that though GHAMRO’s membership was estimated at 4000, there was no official list, so it was difficult to determine whether legitimate members received their royalties.
“They claim that musicians are 4000 and I’ve asked them to get an official list of members so that we know who is receiving royalties. I’m bringing this out because I met Ambolley at a programme recently and he mentioned that he didn’t receive the last payment that came in December last year.
“Also, per the Legislative Instrument (LI), whatever money is collected, members need to know, as well as what is due us. Part of the LI says that musicians need to be paid every six months but since 2015 till date, GHAMRO does what it wants. Honestly, we don’t know the money that they share,” she added.
In response to Rex Omar’s demands for accountability from previous administrations, Akosua Agyapong continued asking the relevant questions and called for actions to be taken.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh has disclosed that she has a ‘bad heart.’
She made this known in a post on her Instagram page on Thursday, May 25, 2023.
The actress made this statement while crying out that she wants to live long and be there for her son.
She added that despite her ‘bad heart’, her primary purpose in life is to witness her son’s growth and milestones.
She wrote: “As part of my birthday gift to myself, I have decided to live a long life by gifting me a membership to a gym.
“I am a 38 years old woman with a bad heart. This is not fun, nor do I like it here, but it’s my third day, and I can only say I breathe better, my pulse is open, my blood is pumping, and I am overall in pain. But I have a goal.”
“If you are looking for motivation today, let me be yours. I am the laziest woman on earth when it comes to fitness, but what I have is extreme strength. I love being lazy. It’s my comfort zone. But I am here today,” she added.
Merqury Quaye and Kojo Manuel have been complaining about how the event organisers treat MCs in terms of compensation for the past few days.
Merqury Quaye called on event organizers to provide fairer compensation for MCs, while Kojo Manuel questioned why these organizers tend to undervalue the work of MCs, considering it as merely supplementary to the event.
Kojo Manuel revealed instances where some event MCs were compensated with drinks and even women.
“This is strictly a business unless you are telling me that you are giving me something that I value in return for it. No two ways,” he noted.
Kojo further highlighted that even media houses engage in business transactions with clients but are remunerated with airtime, which is a mutually agreed upon arrangement.
“It’s an agreement but you don’t call me and tell me that I have ten bottles for you,” ” he pointed out.
According to Kojo, this type of compensation is often encountered by MCs who primarily work in the party-oriented segment of the industry.
“When I was coming up some of the things that I was offered to be paid with was my name being on the artwork alone. That was somebody’s way of trying to pay me.
“Because nobody knew me and they were putting my name on the artwork. They would say ‘oh when you come in you will get free drinks. When you come in, I will introduce you to girls’,” he stated.
The remarks made by Merqury Quaye and Kojo Manuel have reignited the ongoing conversation surrounding fair compensation for event MCs and have prompted reflections on the appropriate recognition of their contributions within the industry.
Chief Justice nominee Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has dispelled the notion that the judicial uses contempt summons to intimidate its critics.
Rather she said contempt summons are a tool the court uses to protect the sanctity of the judicial system.
According to her, this is to prevent the bastardisation of the judiciary.
“The issuing of contempt summons has always been a tool that has been used by courts to ensure that the dignity of the court is not scandalized.
The [Supreme] Court is one out of 400 courts, and it is the ultimate voice, so whenever the court acts, whether it is the High Court, Court of Appeal, or Supreme Court, it is to ensure that the Justice system is not scandalized,” Justice Torkornoo said on Friday, May 26, when she appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued competent summons to a failed parliamentary candidate aspirant of the National Democratic Congress, Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte.
He has been asked to explain why he should not be held in contempt of the court.
In a Twitter post, Dr. Kpessa-Whyte referred to the Supreme Court as a “Stupid Court”.
In the said tweet, the lecturer also criticised the current state of Ghana’s judiciary, accusing it of partisanship and lacking common sense.
Dr. Kpessa-Whyte’s tweets came shortly after the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to remove the name of NDC MP James Gyakye Quayson from its records due to procedural breaches during his nomination and election in 2020.
However, Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte has apologised for his comments.
According to the lecturer, he did not intend to “insult” the apex court when he wrote on social media that the court was being turned into a stupid court.
In a press statement he issued on Thursday, May 25, Dr. Kpessa-Whyte thus issued an unqualified apology to the judiciary.
In yet another instance, the outspoken entertainment commentator, Sally Mann, has once again expressed her strong opinions about Nana Ama McBrown, generating controversy. However, this time, Sally’s criticism stems from the fact that Nana Ama chooses not to respond to her critiques.
Mann, a constant critic of McBrown, took a dig at the Onua Showtime hostess for what she describes as her pretentious attitude towards people who chastise her.
In an interview with Zionfelix, Sally Mann said she finds such an attitude disgusting adding that McBrown by her posturing exudes hypocrisy.
Sally made these comments after Zionfelix questioned whether she has an issue with McBrown.
Sally: “Nana Ama McBrown? Why, has she sent you to come and ask me or what? I don’t. Do I have an issue with you? No. (Speaks pidgin) But I dey talk your matter now? So, you know me that I don’t have an iota of problem with her. What’s there? She is not my friend, she is not my family member, she is an industry person just like you are. You’ve known me over the years and you know I am a very passionate person. When I speak and I am very convinced of my conviction, I am very passionate about it. It has nothing to do with hatred, problem or whatever.
“I think most of the things she does are hypocritical. Most of the things that she does, and I’ll leave it at that. Zion, when I said something about you sometime ago, you came out to speak about it and I liked that. When I talk about some people, they will never express their opinion about it. They will act like they are cool even when they see you and that’s hypocritical. Nana Ama is one of such people. She is a hypocrite. I met her after my earlier comments about her. I met her somewhere and she said she doesn’t have any problem with me and I told her that’s exactly what I don’t like about her. Whatever I said, she should have an opinion about it.”
Sally Mann further claimed that McBrown once held a meeting with bloggers to discuss her.
“I heard that she called all of you bloggers into a meeting and was telling you she doesn’t know what she has done to me. You were there. The people that were in your midst came to tell me,” she confronted Zionfelix.
Sally Mann had on several occasions lambasted Nana Ama Mcbrown such that people wondered if they had some unresolved personal issues.
It can be recalled that when news of McBrown’s exit from UTV hit social media, Sally Mann lambasted the actress, claiming that it was Despite Media’s Managing Director, Fadda Dickson who resurrected her career at a time the movie industry took a nosedive.
“Nana Ama was the face of several products but the core was acting which had collapsed. It took the special intervention of Fadda Dickson and the Despite Group to raise your image again as a person. We can’t dispute the fact that the platform brought a boost…in my opinion, the person who benefitted more was Nana Ama McBrown because, at the time, her acting career had collapsed, Kumawood had collapsed!” she exclaimed on Power FM.
Also, prior to Nana Ama McBrown admitting that she went through liposuction, Sally Mann had already established that the actress enhanced her butt and did a tummy tuck surgery.
“You all complain and say it secretly but I’ve got the balls to let people know thatNana Ama McBrown has enhanced her butt, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. She knows I don’t hate her, but if she feels I’ve said something about her and she’s offended, I don’t care. You see her pictures, and all of you know very well that she’s done tummy tuck. If she’s not done anything and I’m accusing her, she has every cause to complain or have issues with me. In this case, she’s done it. And it’s an open secret. I just substantiate it,” she earlier stated on OnuaFM.
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who has been nominated by President Akufo-Addo to be the next Chief Justice of Ghana, has rejected the notion that judges are influenced by those who appoint them.
Addressing the issue during her vetting on May 26, 2023, she asserted that such a perception is incorrect and does not align with the reality of their work.
“I think if there’s such a perception, it is a wrong perception, because the load of our work with respect to the ordinary Ghanaian hardly has anything to do with appointing authorities, on a daily basis we are adjudicating tens and hundreds of cases involving the “ordinary joe”,” she said.
Justice Torkornoo expressed that most of the cases that judges handle on a daily basis have nothing to do with the appointing authority, but rather with the ordinary Ghanaian.
Highlighting the importance of independence in the judiciary, Justice Torkornoo underlined that their decisions are based on the law and by any external pressure or interference.
“Independence is always linked with law and as long as our decisions are premised on law, they must be presumed to have been arrived at independently,” she mentioned.
As the prospective leader of the judicial branch, Justice Torkornoo pledged to ensure that the public understands and respects the judicial process and the independence of judges through engagements with judges and judicial staff and the media.
“Consistent engagement with the community of Ghana, through the media regarding how the adjudication process functions and consistent engagement with judges themselves and with judicial service staff,” she explained.
Justice Torkornoo was nominated by President Akufo-Addo in April to succeed Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, who retired in May.
Parliament today, Friday, May 26, vetted. Justice Gertrude Torkornoo for the post of Chief Justice.
If approved, she will be the third woman to hold the position of Chief Justice in Ghana, after Justices Georgina Theodora Wood and Sophia Akuffo.
The appointment of Justice Torkornoo represents a significant milestone in Ghana’s judicial system, underscoring the country’s commitment to upholding an independent and impartial judiciary for all.
Get ready to groove to the heavenly melodies of gospel artist Manuel Agorsor as he breaks into the music industry with his electrifying new single, “Zoe Chant.”
Despite having dabbled in underground projects, Manuel Agorsor has now set his sights on the limelight, captivating audiences with his unique sound and dynamic stage presence. Sharing stages with renowned gospel artists like Joe Mettle, Ps Isaiah, and MOG, Manuel Agorsor is poised to make a lasting impact on the gospel music scene.
“Zoe Chant” is more than just a song; it’s an uplifting experience that transcends boundaries and resonates with the soul.
Manuel Agorsor brings a whole new tone to the gospel music industry, infusing his music with vibrant rhythms, soul-stirring harmonies, and an infectious energy that is impossible to resist. His fresh approach and unwavering passion for his craft make him a force to be reckoned with.
Embracing his divine gift, Manuel Agorsor takes listeners on a musical journey, immersing them in an atmosphere of praise, worship, and spiritual renewal. With “Zoe Chant” now available on all major music streaming platforms, gospel enthusiasts can easily access this powerful anthem and experience the transformative power of Agorsor’s music.
From the opening chords to the exhilarating crescendos, “Zoe Chant” is a testament to Manuel Agorsor’s exceptional artistry and commitment to spreading the message of faith and hope. The song’s compelling lyrics and captivating melodies will leave you uplifted, inspired, and hungry for more.
As you listen to “The Zoe Chant,” be prepared to be moved by Manuel Agorsor’s rich vocals, accompanied by a seamless blend of contemporary and traditional gospel sounds. His heartfelt delivery and undeniable charisma create an immersive and unforgettable musical experience that will undoubtedly leave you craving more of his soul-stirring compositions.
Manuel Agorsor has truly arrived on the gospel music scene, bringing a refreshing perspective that is guaranteed to captivate audiences worldwide. His dedication to his craft and ability to connect with listeners on a spiritual level set him apart as a rising star in the industry. With “Zoe Chant” making waves on music streaming platforms, it’s clear that Manuel Agorsor is on a mission to touch hearts and souls through his divine gift of music.
Don’t miss out on this incredible musical journey. Tune in to “Zoe Chant” and let Manuel Agorsor’s extraordinary talent and passion for gospel music uplift and inspire you. Brace yourself for an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting more. Manuel Agorsor is a name you’ll want to remember, as he takes the gospel music industry by storm, spreading love, joy, and the power of faith through his exceptional musical creations.
Dr Joyce Aryee, a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, has denied assertions that the government has sponsored the cathedral project with over $100 million.
According to her, the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has, till date, supported the construction of the cathedral with only GH¢339 million and this amount was approved by the Parliament of Ghana.
Speaking in an interview on Neat FM, on Thursday, May 25, 2023, Dr Joyce Aryee added that the amount the government has supported the cathedral project with from part of the seed money it promised.
“The government said it will help the board with a secretarial because we had nothing. And it also pledged to support us with seed money but didn’t state the quantum of money it will be giving us.
“So far, the money we have received as seed money from the government is GH¢339 million and this money was channelled through parliament,” she said in Twi.
Master Frank Atta, a student at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UNER) did the unexpected on Monday, when he returned an amount of GHC10,000 missing money he found to the rightful owner.
Atta and his friend, Reindolf Boakye picked a diary which contained the GhC20 cedi notes sealed in a brown envelope around the premises of the Bank of Ghana, Sunyani, but later delivered the money to Sompa FM, a Sunyani-based radio station for announcement to direct the owner to contact the station for it.
The FM station, thus, made an announcement, and a Reverend Minister, the owner of the money, who pleaded anonymity, came to the station to identify himself to collect his money.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Master Atta said though he owed the university tuition fees, that was not a reason for him to take the money, because that would have been ungodly.
“I am a Christian and a Methodist, and our teachings discourage us from taking something which doesn’t belong to us. In fact, God frowns on such behaviour, and I don’t want to do anything stupid to break my relationship with God,” he said.
The Rev Minister, a Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church told the GNA that he was “extremely shocked” about the godly attitude of the two young men and inspired them to continue to remain faithful and live in accordance with the biblical teachings.
Nigerian singer 2face Idibia has come under criticism from fans for saying men are ‘wired’ to cheat. 2baba made this statement in the second season of the Young, Famous and African reality show which also features his wife, Annie Idibia.
The statement seems not to go down well with fans, who have continued to drag the ‘African Queen’ star for his assertion while also maintaining that he has no respect for his wife.
In his words, 2baba said; “Like it or not, men are wired like that. A man will love a woman to hell. But maybe he is somewhere, so he decides to have sex.”
Idibia however became a topic on social media after his comment as the users on different platforms especially Twitter, gave their diverse opinions.
Many Twitter users blamed 2Baba for disrespecting his wife and promoting the cheating culture.
Rising in defence of her husband, Annie pleaded with the public to let her marriage be.
“And you just want me to tell you that oh “Innocent messed up”. I don’t even know who my friend is in the group. Stop hoping and praying that something is wrong with Annie Idibia’s marriage.”
The Akatsi South Police Command has retrieved some human parts believed to be the remains of a 28-year-old motor rider, Louis Agbogli, who went missing on April 21.
Louis Agbogli, a native of Atidzive who resides at Akatsi, all within the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region reportedly went missing after he was seen picking a female pillion rider on Friday, April 21 from Akatsi to the Kpetoe area.
Chief Superintendent Isaac Baah, the Akatsi South Municipal Police Commander, briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on developments relating to the incident, said on Thursday, April 27, Mr Lumor Agbogli, father of the deceased, made a complaint to the Police about the disappearance of his son.
Mr Baah said the Police in their preliminary investigations, said the suspect, Regina Dagba, an 18-year-old girl from Asafotsi-Dagbakope, a village within Akatsi South on Thursday, April 20, sought the service of a motor rider ostensibly to pick her to Adetsewui, where she was to meet her boyfriend.
He said the charge for transportation of the suspect could not meet her financial status at that time, “so the deceased willingly added Ghc 3.00 to help aid her departure to the village.”
Mr Baah said the suspect, after taking the deceased’s contact, called him the next day to offer gratitude for his assistance and asked him to pick her to Kpetoe, which he obliged, “even though his colleagues riders discouraged him from offering that service.”
“Upon reaching Kpetoe, the suspect appealed to the deceased to take her to a village called Nyatsive, where the deceased had since not returned, causing fear and panic among his relations and friends,” he said.
Mr Baah further disclosed that the suspect, together with Etse Datsomor, her 20-year-old boyfriend from Adetsewui, was lured from his hideout at Nyatsive in the Republic of Togo, and arrested around the Wute stretch of the Akatsi- Ziope road on Monday, May 15, where they both admitted to having murdered the victim after interrogation.
He said his outfit in connection with their Togolese counterpart after a court order was obtained, Etse led a team of both Police officers from Ghana and Togo to a gravel pit site located between Kpetoe and Nyatsive, near Togo, where bones and a skull was retrieved.
“Suspect pointed the scene to the police and after a careful inspection, it was found that the body had decomposed, leaving behind only the bones and skull.”
Police sources revealed that the suspect also led the Police team to a nearby bush to retrieve the deceased’s motorbike, which was close to where he was allegedly murdered.
Mr Baah said efforts were underway to forward the bones to Accra for Forensic Laboratory examination, whilst the suspects would reappear in court on Friday, June 2.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has indicated that it did not approve a controversial textbook which makes various “inaccurate” claims about Christianity and religion.
It has, therefore, called for the withdrawal of the textbook, “History of Ghana for Basic Schools-Learners’ Book Four” whose content is causing an uproar on social media from the market.
In a press release dated May 25, NaCCA indicated that the withdrawal is to allow for further checks and ensure that the issues raised with the content are resolved.
It stated that although the book from Excellence Series underwent the standard approval procedure, the content circulating on social media on ‘disadvantages of Christianity’ was not material they approved during the process.
They stated that the content is, thus, not the true reflection of what NaCCA approved.
NaCCA said the revelation therefore come as as surprise and stated that the material in question was not an approved content material by NaCCA.
The statement was signed by the Director-General, Prof Edward Appiah.
NaCCA added that “management of the Council has requested the publishers of the textbook to withdraw the material from the market until such time that issues with respect to the publication of the book have been resolved.”
This comes after some parents raised concerns about the contents of the history textbook.
In the book entitled History of Ghana for Basic Schools, authored by Francis Benjamin Appiah and Henry David Appiah, a section lists some points as the negative effects of Christian missionary activities.
The points listed including ‘Christianity has led to an increase in poverty in Ghana and also stating that religion is a major cause of physical and doctrinal disputes in Ghana, did not sit well with many parents, igniting a debate on social media.
Meanwhile, NaCCA has urged the general public to continue to bring to its notice, any suspicious material in the market that may be deemed to have been emanated from NaCCA.
They noted that “NaCCA will not hesitate to sanction publishers who publish materials without recourse to the established protocols of the Council. We urge the public not to hesitate to contact our outfit for information on the right content and materials for use in our pre-tertiary schools.”
Deputy Education Minister, John Ntim Fordjour, has backed the decision by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) to recall a texbook published by Excellence Publications for Primary 4 students as well as sanction its publishers.
The book contains content about religion and Christianity which have been described as inaccurate and misleading.
The book, among other things, blames religion for an increase in poverty in Ghana, as well as increased discrimination against women in the country. This has caused an uproar among the citizenry.
Reacting to the book, the Deputy Education Minister who is also the MP for Assin South, said: “I entirely condemn the rather obnoxious content found in a textbook published by ‘Excellence Publications’ and smuggled into the market for unsuspecting learners.
I condemn entirely the rather obnoxious content found in a textbook published by ‘Excellence Publications’ and smuggled into the market for unsuspecting learners. The content is appalling and misconceived. I support NaCCA’s swift action to recall the books and apply sanction.… pic.twitter.com/yG89GA0XUv
— John Ntim Fordjour MP (@NtimFordjour) May 25, 2023
While condemning the book’s appalling nature, he criticized its presence in the market, where unsuspecting learners may encounter misleading material.
“The content is appalling and misconceived. I support NaCCA’s swift action to recall the books and apply sanction,” he said.
He further emphasised on the crucial role of religion in the country, thus, urging writers to deal with the topic cautiously.
“Ghana is most peaceful for a reason, and the important place of religion cannot be undermined,” he said.
Mr. Drew, a talented singer and songwriter from Ghana, proudly proclaims that his latest release, “Tomorrow,” beautifully blends the vibrant essence of Afro music with the infectious rhythms of the popular Amapiano genre.
In a recent interview on Y 107.9 FM’s “Myd Morning Radio Show,” believes that the single not only showcases his talent but also introduces a brand-new music genre he describes as “Afro-piano.”
During an interview with Kojo Manuel on Y 107.9 FM’s “Dryve of Your Lyfe”, Mr Drew explained the inspiration behind his new song, describing it as a motivational and inspirational anthem.
He shared: “Tomorrow is a motivational song, an inspirational song I decided to drop because I could relate to it and everyone anywhere could relate to it too. So basically it talks about letting your problems go and you not stressing. Life is too short to stress and I think we all need to actually understand and accept it.”
When asked about the unique sound of the song, Mr Drew revealed that he blended the popular Afro sound with an Amapiano twist, giving birth to a fresh musical fusion. He stated, “It has the Afro sound and Amapiano twist to it so fair to call it Afro-piano.”
The term “Afro-piano” reflects Mr Drew’s intention to infuse elements of both Afrobeats, a genre known for its infectious rhythms and melodies originating from West Africa, and Amapiano, a South African genre characterized by its hypnotic beats and piano-driven compositions. By combining these influences, Mr Drew aims to create a captivating and innovative musical experience.
King Promise acknowledges the significant influence fans have on determining the success of a song, as demonstrated by the current popularity of his track ‘Terminator.’ Despite maintaining his usual approach to promoting his music, he recognizes that it is ultimately the support and enthusiasm of his fans that have contributed to the song’s widespread acclaim.
According to him, he teased the song for a while before releasing it which he never does.
Speaking in an interview with Kojo Manuel on Y107.9FM’s Dryve of Your Lyfe show he said, “Usually I don’t tease a song I’m probably even not doing as much as I’ve done for the other songs but you don’t always determine the hits. It’s up to your fans to do that and I’ve had several hits by God’s grace from when I came so I can feel it when one is getting there and this is like the same feeling I’ve had for like a lot of the other hits”.
He added that an artiste can do his best to produce a song and even go ahead to decide his favourite song but that song might not even be a hit because it’s not what the fans like.
“So we just keep pushing, I don’t stop working I keep promoting because it’s never enough.”
Giving details about the song he emphasized that the song is just a feel-good song, talking about his music journey so far and how far he’s come.
He indicated that a video for the song will be out soon but will drop a visualizer for the song somewhere within the week. He asked fans to stay tuned and anticipate.
Popular Ghanaian gospel group Tagoe Sisters have warned their peers to stop “sharing their shortfalls with the world” by doing so.
Sharing their concerns on the issue of backbiting, division, and lack of support in the gospel industry has been plagued with, the legendary singers said it isn’t the right way to go.
Speaking with Elsie Lamar on Talkertainment, they established that every industry has got its own issues but they do not broadcast it for people to wade into it like the gospel fraternity often does.
“As for competition, we are not competing with anyone but what we hate is that we put our issue out there. We are not supposed to put anything concerning the gospel fraternity out there for people to put their noses into it. We cannot be washing our dirty linens in public. You don’t have to put it out there for people to put their noses in there, commenting and so on. What is it?”
In recent times there have been growing concerns on an alleged disunity among the gospel fraternity.
Emphasizing on the level of competition among gospel singers, they added,
“You can never be me and I can never be you. If you know the one who have called you, you won’t bother about others. Why would you compete with others? Because what you can do, I can’t do, and what I can do, you can’t. why would you compete in the first place?
A Research Fellow with the History and Politics Department of the Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ghana, Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, has apologised to the Supreme Court of Ghana over his statement describing the Supreme Court as stupid.
Kpessa-Whyte, who is an ardent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in a statement sighted by GhanaWeb, said that his comments were not intended at denigrating the image of the Supreme Court of Ghana.
He, however, stated that his choice of words was not the best and retracted the statement he made in a tweet he shared on Friday, May 19, 2023.
“Sincerely, the tweet was not done with the intent to scandalize or denigrate a revered institution such as the Supreme Court of Ghana for which I have tremendous amount of respect and admiration. These are consequences I never intended, although I do accept responsibility that, I could have exercised better judgment in my choice of words.
“Please permit me to state unequivocally that I have no reason to slander our Supreme Court, and I hereby sincerely apologize unreservedly for any pain and discomfort my tweets may have caused the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court and the entire judiciary.
“I hereby retract the tweet in question; accordingly, the tweet has been deleted completely and I pray for forgiveness,” parts of his statement read.
The academic also rejected reports in the media that his statement was a reaction to the ruling of the Court in the case of the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.
A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to expunge the name of James Gyakye Quayson as a Member of Parliament.
Fella Makafui has revealed how dancehall artist Shatta Wale helped her tremendously during a trying time in her career.
This phase involved rumours of a sex tape that not only posed a threat to her professional life but also pushed her to the brink of contemplating self-harm.
In an interview with AJ Sarpong, Fella shared her experience of being entangled in a sex tape controversy that deeply affected her mental well-being.
She expressed, “I went through a breakdown a few years ago, and I even contemplated taking my own life. It bothered me when people made assumptions without understanding the truth. I value clarity and having a clear mind, as it enhances my productivity. So, when such situations arose online and I felt helpless to explain myself, it took a toll on me.”
According to Fella, she was initially devastated when her manager informed her about the existence of a sex tape involving her.
However, Shatta Wale quickly intervened to ascertain the truth and shared a link to the video, which proved that Fella was not the person in the tape.
This gesture she claims helped her regain her confidence and move forward.
Reflecting on the incident, she recalled, “My manager called me and asked, ‘Precious, I know you wouldn’t do this, but there’s a tape out there. Is it you? I was shocked. Although there was no tape to show, the information was already circulating. I reached a point where I couldn’t bear it anymore.”
Fella acknowledged that it was Shatta Wale who saved her from the controversy and explained, “The girl in the video had a striking resemblance to me. When I got home, I was crying, and then Shatta called me around 11 PM.
“He comforted me, saying, ‘Mummy, mummy, forget about it,’ and shared the link with me. When I watched the video, I noticed that the girl had a tattoo on her back, whereas I don’t have one.”
Currently premiering her new TV series featuring Shatta Wale and her husband, Medikal, Fella Makafui recognized that without the support of the dancehall artist, the situation could have worsened.
Expressing her gratitude, she said, “If Shatta hadn’t sent me the link, I might have believed the rumours and taken drastic measures. If you remember, he took to social media, criticized the people spreading false information, and shared the link to prove that I was not the person involved.”
The interview withFella Makafui, who is both an actress and a businesswoman, also shed light on the importance of mental health and self-care within the entertainment industry.
The pressures of fame and constant public scrutiny can have adverse effects, even on the most resilient individuals.
Fella emphasized her stance by saying, “Since then, I have decided not to listen to people
A textbook believed to be approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) for use by primary school students has sparked outrage among the public.
Ghanaians, especially parents are displeased over some claims in the book, which have been described as inaccurate.
In the book entitled History of Ghana for Basic Schools, authored by Francis Benjamin Appiah and Henry David Appiah, some negative impacts of Christianity have been highlighted.
The points listed include claims that Christianity has led to an increase in poverty in Ghana. Additionally, the book states that Religion is a major cause of physical conflict and doctrinal disputes in Ghana and the world as a whole.
The book also states that: “Christianity has led to an increase in poverty. There’s a direct link between religion and laziness which contributes to poverty in Ghana and Africa as a whole; Religion makes people lackadaisical in their attitude towards finding practical ways to improve their undesirable living conditions; Some religious doctrines brought by missionaries create a sense of fear or timidity in their adherence.”
Also, it states that: “Religion creates an avenue for many tricksters or charlatans to parade as men of God to please the poor with their meager resources; Most religious groups discriminate against women in so many ways; Many politicians in Ghana use religion as a vehicle to cause disaffection amongst people in a bid to advance their political interest.”
Experts from Eduwatch and the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) have raised concerns about the book’s approval by NaCCA.
Eduwatch’s Programmes Director, Divine Kpe opined that the section of the book in question may have been inserted to enable students generate ideas for debate on the effect of European missionaries in Ghana.
“When you look at the basic 4 curriculum for Religious and Moral Education, that particular objective for which the authors are writing is about the pupils debating the effect of Christian missionaries or European missionaries in Ghana, some of their effects.
“So it’s actually expected to be a debate that the pupils were to have. In doing so, I think the authors were trying to generate ideas that the people can raise in terms of their debate,” he said on the JoyNews channel.
He, however, contended that there were inaccuracies in some of the points, which breached some standard NaCCA guidelines given to publishers who submit their books for validation. This includes the criteria of accuracy, currency of the content matter, and relevance of the content to the curriculum.
Speaking on the same show, a Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Yaw Opoku Mensah clarified that the book in question was not the official one approved by the NaCCA.
He said that the approved version, according to NaCCA, does not contain that section in question.
However, another panelist on the show, Executive Director of IFEST, Dr Peter Anti called for the publishers of the said book to be blacklisted.
“There is a published document of about 66 pages that lists all the books that have been approved by NaCCA and this document is there. It’s on page 56, so this book is approved,” he stressed.
He also said appropriate punishment should be meted out to the publishers if, indeed, the book in circulation on the market was not the one that had been approved by NaCCA.
Starting tomorrow, Friday May 26, 2023, persons who wish to contest in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary can pick up nomination forms.
This was announced by the party in a statement issued on May 25, 2023.
Portions of the statement said: “The New Patriotic Party (NPP), at its National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council meetings held on Monday, April 3, 2023, approved the timelines for holding the party’s presidential primaries as follows: Opening of Nominations- Friday, May 26, 2023.”
Nominations will, however, close on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Special Electoral College Elections (if any) will be conducted on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
The National Congress has also been slated for Saturday, November 4, 2023.
The party also noted that “nomination forms shall be obtained from the Office of the General Secretary at the Party Headquarters, Asylum Down, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday to Friday).
“Consequently, an Aspiring Presidential Candidate shall obtain the Nomination Forms after payment of a non-refundable nomination fee of Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC 50, 000.00) only, through a Bankers Draft issued to the NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, ACCRA as payee,” the statement also said.
The Party further indicated its determination to hold a free, fair, transparent and a peaceful presidential primary election, and urged all stakeholders to help make this a reality.
This comes a few weeks after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) held its primaries to elect a Leader for the party. At the end of the race, former President John Dramani Mahama emerged the winner.
Prior to the opening of nominations by the NPP, various names have popped up as potential candidates to lead the party. Some have openly declared their intentions while others remain discreet about their intentions.
Names like former Trades Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, former Agric Minister, Dr Afriyie Akoto, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia have all popped up as possible candidates.
In connection with the widespread riots that erupted in Cardifffollowing the deaths of two adolescents in an e-bike accident, nine persons have been detained.
After Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in an Ely housing estate on Monday night, crowds threw objects at police and set fire to cars.
Social media claims that the police had been pursuing the pair just before the collision caused violence to break out.
South Wales Police initially said there had been no chase, but CCTV later emerged appearing to show a police van closely following two people on a bike minutes before the collision.
Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison, says the Financial Industry Command Security Operations Centre (FICSOC) is a key component of the systems to address the challenges of cyber security.
He said the Centre would help provide real-time visibility into cyber threats and attacks targeting the banking sector.
Dr Addison was speaking at the commissioning of the FICSOC Project in Accra.
He said in October 2018, the Bank of Ghana issued the Cyber and Information Security Directive for banks and other Bank of Ghana-regulated financial institutions to implement the required Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) controls.
He said it was to ensure the delivery of a safer digital financial Industry.
The implementation of the Directive was phased over 36 months, and through effective monitoring and supervision among regulated banks.
He said as these institutions worked towards full implementation of the directive, it became evident that the Central Bank had to establish an industry Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system to enable those institutions implementing SIEMs to send logs/alerts, aggregate information and reports.
“To achieve this, the Bank initiated the SIEM project which we call the FICSOC Project,” he added.
Dr Addison said the FICSOC Project, which had now been completed and operational with reports/alerts in the form of threat intelligence provided to the banks to improve their incident response mechanisms.
He said three years ago, the Bank started working with commercial banks as key external stakeholders to create a secure cybersecurity environment in the financial sector, hence the completion of the FICSOC project.
He said the Bank and the Cyber Security Authority were collaborating to improve the cybersecurity posture in the banking sector.
The two institutions are discussing various ways to approach the implementation of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) for the sector.
He commended the implementation partner, Virtual InfoSec Africa, and the FICSOC Consultant, Mr Samuel
Amoah, and BoG FICSOC Project Team members for their commitment and diligence in achieving the success of the project.
Belarus has consented to let Russia station tactical nuclear missiles there.
The action formalises an agreement that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached earlier this year.
Putin has regularly vowed to defend Russia’s “territorial integrity” with nuclear weapons since the invasion of Ukraine last year.
Ukraine said Belarus had been ‘held hostage’ by the Kremlin when the arrangement was first revealed back in March.
Speaking in Minsk, Russia’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu said: ‘In the context of an extremely sharp escalation of threats on the western borders of Russia and Belarus, a decision was made to take countermeasures in the military-nuclear sphere.’
He said Moscow will retain control over the weapons and any decisions on their use.
Russian news agency TASS quoted him as saying Iskander-M missiles, which can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, had been handed to the Belarusian armed forces, and some Su-25 aircraft had been converted for the possible use of nuclear weapons.
A Russian Iskander mobile short-range ballistic missile system drives in the downtown area of Moscow (Picture: EPA)Image grab from footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry showings a cruise missile of the Iskander tactical missile system (Picture: EyePress News/Rex/Shutterstock)A Russian Su-25UB attack airplane (Picture: Getty Images/Stocktrek Images)
‘Belarusian servicemen have received the necessary training in Russian training centres,’ Shoigu added.
No detail was announced regarding when the weapons would be deployed in Belarus, but Putin previously said that the construction of storage facilities would be completed by July 1.
Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya condemned the move.
‘We must do everything to prevent Putin’s plan to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus, as this will ensure Russia’s control over Belarus for years to come,’ Tsikhanouskaya said.
‘This will further jeopardize the security of Ukraine and all of Europe.’
Independent Belarusian military analyst Aliaksandr Alesin said about two-thirds of Russia’s arsenal of medium-range nuclear-tipped missiles were held in Belarus during the Cold War, adding that there are dozens of Soviet-era storage facilities that could still be used to store such weapons.
Soviet nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan were moved to Russia in a US-brokered deal after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
‘Documents in Minsk on the return of nuclear weapons were defiantly signed just at the moment when Ukraine declared a counteroffensive and Western countries are handing over weapons to Kyiv,’ Alesin said.
‘This Belarusian nuclear balcony should spoil the mood for politicians in the West, since nuclear missiles are capable of covering Ukraine, all of Poland, the Baltic States, and parts of Germany.’
Russia and Belarus have an alliance agreement under which the Kremlin subsidises the Belarusian economy, via loans and discounted Russian oil and gas.
Moscow used Belarusian territory as a staging ground for invading neighbouring Ukraine and has maintained a contingent of troops and weapons there.
Two people have died in a fatal motorbike accident at Virgin Junction, near Canteen Dam at Damongo in the Savannah Region.
One of the deceased, a pregnant woman whose name was only given as Salamatu, died on the spot with her five-month-old pregnancy.
The middle-aged man who was injured in the leg and was admitted at the St. Anne Catholic Hospital, also died after he was discharged against medical advice from the hospital.
Information available to JoyNews indicate, that the deceased, Salamatu, had travelled to Damongo from another community to under go a routine laboratory test, but later parked her motorbike at the Virgin Junction to buy food when she was crashed.
The deceased rider’s bike.
According to eyewitnesses, the male rider, with registration number M-19-AC 1967 from the opposite direction, recklessly ran into the woman and they both fell to the ground.
The source said she suffered severe damage to her neck and chest leading to her death.
Before her burial, JoyNews visited Salamatu’s family house at Canteen where both young and old gathered to mourn with the family.
The deceased pregnant woman in a casket.
She has since been buried according to Islamic customs.
The other deceased person was rushed to the St. Anne Catholic Hospital and immediately referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region.
He is alleged to have suffered from internal bleeding after his family members defied medical advice and insisted on him being discharged.
Joy News sources in the community indicated that, before his death, the deceased had hit another young man around the Ghana National Fire Service route the same day, but refused to stop only to crash into the pregnant Woman.
The two motorcycles were taken off the road awaiting the arrival of police officers.
In an interview with the former Assembly Member for Canteen Electoral Area, John Apolala, at whose entrance the incident occurred, he said he had sent several reports to the authorities to avert further loss of lives on the road but to no avail.
The deceased pregnant woman’s bike that was parked by the roadside.
“The authorities will never permit speed ramps because they claimed it is a Hospital road. Meanwhile, the speeding here is too much.
When I was an assemblyman in this same area, I suggested the speed ramps but they said no.”
“Nothing was done to all my suggestions and after my eight years in office, I left and the road is still how it was and precious lives are being wasted”, Mr. Apolala bemoaned.
He blamed the accident on the rider, adding that, “l know the guy, and I also know that the bike is not having brakes, yet, he speeds a lot”, he stated.
Their death, however, brings the number of lives lost including that of a military officer and a student of the University for Development Studies to Eight (8) within two years on that same stretch.
France has become the first nation to outlaw short-distance, domestic flights to locations where rail transport is an alternative.
In 2021, lawmakers decided to eliminate train routes that could transport travellers there in under 2.5 hours.
However, a few airlines formally requested that the European Commission examine the decision’s legality, and as a result, it has only now been effective.
However, connecting flights using these airports won’t be impacted by the new law, which will eliminate services between Paris, Nantes, Lyon, and Bordeaux.
The law specifies that train services serving the same route must be frequent, timely and well-connected enough to meet the needs of people who would otherwise travel by air.
Critics have called the enforcement of the ban merely ‘symbolic’, especially as these routes have not been served by any airlines since 2020, when the pandemic devastated the travel industry.
However, more journeys could be included in the future, with the EU having stipulated that the law should reviewed after three years.
A group created by president Emmanuel Macron originally put forward a harsher ban (Picture: Shutterstock)
The interim head of industry group Airlines for Europe, Laurent Donceel, told AFP governments should rather support ‘real and significant solutions’ to combat the effect of carbon emissions.
He added that Brussels found ‘banning these trips will only have minimal effects’ on CO2 output.
And yet, some environmentalists feel the measures do not go far enough, including France’s Citizens’ Convention on Climate.
The group, which was created by French president Emmanuel Macron in 2019, had originally called for the government to scrap plane routes where train journeys under four hours existed.
But this limit was reduced to the current one of two and a half hours, after objections from some of the regions affected and at least one airline.
French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir, who backed the four-hour plan, said: ‘On average, the plane emits 77 times more CO2 per passenger than the train on these routes, even though the train is cheaper and the time lost is limited to 40 minutes.’
Conversely, the UK government seems to be moving in the opposite direction – halving domestic air duty (APD) to £6.50 from April 1.
When the then-chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the change in October 2021, he said: ‘Right now, people pay more for return flights within and between the four nations of the United Kingdom than they do when flying home from abroad.’
Short haul flights are seen as one of the worst offenders for CO2 because take-off and landing uses the most fuel.
But Mr Sunak previously argued that most emissions come from international, rather than domestic trips.
French politicians are also currently debating how to reduce emissions from private jets.
The case of James Gyakye Quayson, the former Member of Parliament for Assin North, who is facing charges of perjury and other criminal offenses, has been adjourned by an Accra High Court to June 16, 2023.
During the court session, Quayson’s legal team informed the court that they had not yet received certain prosecution documents which they had requested from the Office of the Attorney General pertaining to the trial.
Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah explained to the court that the accused person’s failure to receive those documents was solely due to an administrative error.
On May 17, the Supreme Court directed Parliament to remove James Gyakye Quayson’s name as a Member of Parliament. The apex court ruled that Quayson was ineligible to assume the role of an MP as he did not qualify at the time he contested the 2020 election. The court’s detailed reasoning behind the decision will be made available on June 7, 2023.
Currently, Mr. Quayson is facing multiple criminal charges, including deceit of a public officer (contrary to section 251 (b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29), forgery of a passport or travel certificate (contrary to section 15 (1)(b) of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967, NLCD 155), knowingly making a false statutory declaration (in contravention of the Statutory Declarations Act, 1971, Act 389), perjury (as per section 210 (1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29), and false declaration for office (against section 248 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29).
The Supreme Court issued this order in response to a writ filed by Michael Ankomah-Nimfa seeking the court’s interpretation of Article 94 Clause 2a of the 1992 Constitution, which addresses the eligibility of a person to contest as a Member of Parliament in Ghana.
Social media videos from late last night showed white smoke rising over the structure on Frunzenskaya Embankment.
The video’s original poster claimed that the “burning smell is awful.”
Initial reports said that a balcony of the Soviet facility was caught in flames, however officials later denied this.
‘The presence of a fire has not been confirmed, as no fire was detected by the fire brigade upon arrival,’ the Emergencies Ministry stressed.
‘Neither is there any information about victims.’
It is yet unclear if authorities were seeking to cover up the incident to avoid panic among residents.
The ‘Liberty of Russia’ Legion, which is made of Russian citizens opposing the war and the Kremlin regime, shared a picture of the alleged fire on Twitter.
Though yet unverified, it showed smoke filling up the sky above the capital.
‘A nighttime fire in Moscow. Smoke is in Defence Ministry. Unknown patriots are smoking?’ the tweet read.
It comes amid high alert over sabotage attacks on key facilities in Russia by anti-Putin partisans.
Earlier this month, a small explosion apparently caused by two drones took place at the Kremlin.
At the time, Moscow described its as an attempt on the life of the president, and it blamed Ukrainian and the US intelligence for being behind the attack.
Education experts have expressed concern over the content of the book titled “History of Ghana for Basic Schools,” which is aimed at basic four pupils and allegedly approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA).
The authors of the book are Francis Benjamin Appiah and Henry David Appiah.
The book claimed Christianity and religion, in general, have been the cause of poverty in Ghana and in Africa as a whole.
It cited fear and discrimination against women as products of religion and claimed that Christianity is responsible for the high level of poverty in Ghana and in Africa as a whole.
“Negative effects of Christian missionary activities:
Religion is a major cause of physical conflict and doctrinal disputes in Ghana and the world as a whole.
Christianity has led to an increase in poverty. There’s a direct link between religion and laziness which contributes to poverty in Ghana and Africa as a whole.
Religion makes people lackadaisical in their attitude towards finding practical ways to improve their undesirable living conditions.
Some religious doctrines brought by missionaries create a sense of fear or timidity in their adherence. Religion creates an avenue for many tricksters or charlatans to parade as men of God to please the poor with their meagre resources.
Most religious groups discriminate against women in so many ways.
Many politicians in Ghana use religion as a vehicle to cause disaffection amongst people in a bid to advance their political interest,” the book indicated.
The book also noted that religion in Ghana does not encourage creativity, invention or critical thinking because of its “conservative or static nature.”
In response to the claims, the Programmes Manager of Education Watch, Divine Kpeh told JoyNews’ AM Show, that some of the claims in the book are inaccurate.
He said the accuracy of content is one of the criteria considered when approving books, therefore, he expressed worry that the book was approved by the NaCCA.
According to Divine, contrary to the claim that religion is a major cause of physical conflict and doctrinal dispute, Ghana is touted as one of the most peaceful countries due to religion.
He added that the claim that religion has a direct link with poverty is also not factual.
Divine indicated that NaCCA has done a poor job in approving the book and that the authors themselves were also not diligent in their work.
Also speaking on the show, the Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies, Dr Peter Anti lamented that those responsible for the review of the book, especially the chapter in which the above claims were made did not do a thorough job.
According to him, although the title of the chapter said “Negative effects of Christian missionaries,” the argument swayed towards religion in general.
This, he said spells a lack of understanding on the part of both the authors and the reviewers.
“If you look at the heading, it is negative effects of Christian missionaries, then the content talks about religion. That means that the people who were writing this book really didn’t have an understanding of what they were talking about,” he said.
Furthermore, the expert expressed worry about the targeted level of the book.
He argued that pupils of primary four do not have the cognitive ability to discuss the topic. Hence it would have been prudent if the target level was the Junior or Senior High School.
He added that the claims made in the book are more subjective submissions rather than objective.
Meanwhile, although the book has a “NaCCA approved” inscription on it, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Education, Yaw Opoku Mensah said a supposed originally approved version of the book does not have the contents being referred to.
He explained that the complaints made are feedback they are getting.
Mr Mensah says the authorities are putting in mechanisms to get rid of the book in schools and make sure the approved one is being used.
However, the experts say those responsible for the book with the inaccurate claims must be punished.
As the leader of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group claimed that military setbacks had allowed Kyiv to create “one of the strongest armies in the world,” Volodymyr Zelensky announced the formation of the country’s first marine corps.
On the force’s national holiday, Zelensky was captured on camera presenting honours to both male and female marines while sporting his well-known khaki army sweatshirt and pants.
In his nightly address, the Donetsk mayor recalled the visit to the area near Vuhledar and Maryinka, saying: “I presented state awards to the warriors and ribbons “For Courage and Bravery” to the best units defending this part of the frontline.”
The president said the Ukrainian government would create a specialised marines corps and promised to provide new weapons and equipment.
The update came as Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group, warned Russia could face a revolution similar to that in 1917 unless the country’s elites get serious about the war.
He again criticised the military leadership, naming defence minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the defence staff Valery Gerasimov, saying they had ‘f**ked up’ repeatedly, leading to the loss of more men in the battle for Bakhmut than the entire 10-year war in Afghanistan.
Prigozhin said Soviet leader Josef Stalin would not have accepted such failure.
Mocking Vladimir Putin’s purpose for his ‘special military operation’, he said: ‘So the de-Nazification of Ukraine, which we announced – we made Ukraine a nation, known to everyone around the globe.
‘They are like Greeks at their peak, or Romans.’
In an interview with a prominent pro-war blogger posted on his Telegram channel, he went on: ‘We legitimised Ukraine, it became a country which is known to everyone.
‘As for de-militarisation, [this is] a painful issue indeed. So if they had at the start of it 500 tanks – now they have 5,000. If there were 20,000 men who were able to fight – now there are 400,000.
‘So how exactly did we demilitarise it? Quite the opposite! We militarised it up to the brim.
‘I think Ukrainians today are one of the world’s strongest armies. They have high levels of organisation, training, military intelligence.
‘They have various ammunition and moreover, they are able to switch between any system – Soviet, NATO, anything at all – with the same success. They take their losses philosophically.
‘All they do is to achieve the supreme goal, just like us during the Great Patriotic War [Second World War].’
Prigozhin, left, is known as a close ally of Putin (Picture: AP)
Prigozhin lambasted the comfortable elites in Russia ‘shaking their arses’ in the sun while ordinary citizens get theirs back in zinc coffins, adding: ‘This divide can end as in 1917 with a revolution.
‘First the soldiers will stand up, and after that – their loved ones will rise up.
‘There are already tens of thousands of them – relatives of those killed. And there will probably be hundreds of thousands – we cannot avoid that.’
Russia needs to mobilise more men and to gear the economy exclusively to war, Prigozhin said.
He continued: ‘What must we do – not to lose Russia? Because today we are in a state when we can lose Russia.
‘We must introduce martial law. We must call new waves of mobilisation. We must switch everyone to production of weapons.
‘Stop building skyscrapers, new roads, new infrastructure – and work only for the war. We must live like in North Korea for several years, and shut the borders.’
Uniformed men-related brutality has been a controversial issue that has been making headlines around the country for years now.
The use of excessive force by law enforcement officials has caused an outcry from citizens and civil organization groups who say that police brutality is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
A UTV video posted by a Twitter user with the handle @abochie captures a uniformed customs officer from the Ghana Revenue Authority, instructing a civilian to go and sit down.
“Go sit down, go sit down, you came we be what [gives the headbutt], Go sit down, foolish boy. Ah who taught you that,” the police officer was captured saying.
The headbutt was so severe that the camera captured the sound and its impact on the civilian could be imagined.
In the same video, officials with jackets from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) could be seen moving to calm the situation while others in the background ask if a knife had been taken.
As the debate over police conduct rages on, civilians continue to question the role of police officers in ensuring public safety, and what steps can be taken to prevent incidents of police brutality.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Revenue has embarked on an Invoice Invigilation Exercise to ensure Value Added Tax (VAT) are rightly paid by VAT registered businesses across the country.
A taxi cab driver narrowly escaped death at Alajo on Thursday morning, May 25, when an Accra-bound train from Tema collided with his car.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver attempted to cross the rail tracks hastily but became stuck, leading to the oncoming train colliding with the vehicle and pushing it off the tracks.
The driver’s side of the taxi was severely damaged, leaving onlookers in shock.
A video of the incident captured passersby assisting the driver out of the taxi and urging him to report the incident to the police.
The driver appeared visibly shaken by the accident as he retrieved his belongings from the vehicle.
“Take your belongings and let’s go to the police station. Strange things are really happening in this world; the train has completely damaged the vehicle,” the concerned passersby were overheard saying.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) have been unsuccessful thus far.
The vice president of IMANI Africa,Bright Simons, has rejected claims in the Ghanaian media that the contract for the design of a new national cathedral for Rwanda, a new Kigali Cathedral, has been awarded to the architect for the National Cathedral of Ghana, Sir David Adjaye.
Simon’s remark comes after claims by proponents of the government and a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Dr Joyce Aryee, that Sir Adjaye, who has been berated for his work in the construction of Ghana’s cathedral, got the Rwanda job because of his competence.
According to the IMANI vice president, his checks from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) confirms that there is no such contract.
“I just confirmed directly with the RDB that no such contract to build a cathedral has been awarded to Sir David Adjaye.
“At least, as of today. Citi Newsroom rarely slips, however. So, this is curious. I wonder,” parts of the tweet he shared on Wednesday, May 25, 2023.
Simon, however, added that the claims are being made because “maybe there is intel that such an award will be made.”.
GhanaWeb, on Saturday, May 21, 2023, fact-checked the claim which was made in a news publication by citinewsroom.com.
What GhanaWeb Fact-Check team found:
Our first stop was to get a local news portal or government site that had reported on the development or even posted about it on social media.
Rwanda’s leading pro-government news portal is the New Time Rwanda news portal which had no active webpage with the story except for a broken link. It appears that the story they published had been pulled down.
Second step, we went through the social media handles of the Rwandan Development Board which had nothing related to Kigali Cathedral throughout May 11, the day the said deal was announced during a budget hearing.
Curious so, because the RDB is very active on social media and posts all major updates of its activities in real-time. Its website also has no trace of such a development.
Third step: The website of Adjaye and Associates will ordinarily post such deals on their news page.
The most recent news on that page dates back to March 21, titled: “Street Plaza by Adjaye Associates with Daniel Boyd,” a reference to a project that they were working on in Sydney, Australia’s Central Business District.
Fourth step: When you type “Rwanda” into the search engine of the Adjaye and Associates website, you get one news item popping up.
It relates to the 2015 story by dezeen.com titled: “David Adjaye unveils designs for children’s cancer treatment centre in Rwanda”
Its first two paragraphs read: “British architect David Adjaye has revealed plans for a 100-bed paediatric cancer centre in Rwanda, East Africa.
“The architect, who was born in Tanzania, is designing the Gahanga International Children’s Cancer Hospital for a four-hectare site in Gahanga, a region to the south of Rwandan capital Kigali.”
The project was actually commissioned by an NGO and co-funded by a Rwandan diplomat.
Conclusion:
There is no concrete evidence that Adjaye and Associates have been commissioned to design the Kigali Cathedral.
What we can report is that there have been plans to build the facility but nothing has so far been mooted about architectural drawings.
Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Greater Accra Region, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, has accused the regional chairman, Emmanuel Ashie Moore, of withholding funds meant for the transportation of delegates during the party’s primaries.
Theophilus Tetteh Chaie stated that Moore was solely responsible for the disbursement of the funds, and delegates have raised concerns about not receiving the promised money.
These funds were provided by former President John Dramani Mahama ahead of the parliamentary and presidential primaries.
The amount promised to delegates was GH¢40 for transport after voting.
“Well, these are monies for delegates, and there was a channel for distribution. What I’m saying is that the resources were not distributed by the regional treasurer. It was the regional chairman who did the disbursement. The resources were put into our account, and it happened that the resources were withdrawn.
“And it is the party’s regional chairman who disbursed the money, so the regional executives do not hold that responsibility. In effect, it should be the treasurer who should be held responsible. But since it is not the treasurer who distributed the money, why must we suffer for the disbursement of the money?” citinewsroom.com quoted the NDC’s Secretary in the Greater Accra Region.
Some voting centers experienced chaos during the NDC primaries due to the delegates not receiving the expected GH¢40 including Ningo Prampram constituency.
In the Sefwi Wiawso Constituency of the Western North Region, delegates threatened to boycott the primaries if they were not given the money.
The hunt for Kate and Gerry McCann‘s daughter Madeleine may prove to be a “incredibly difficult time,” according to reports, and they are anxiously awaiting any updates.
Police in Portugal are investigating a secluded reservoir in the Algarve as they continue their search for the baby who was last seen in 2007.
According to reports, detectives are looking for Madeleine’s pink jammies from the day she disappeared 16 years ago.
Reports said officers, who are acting on ‘credible information’, are seeking any fragments of clothing and old rags that could be related to her disappearance.
Madeleine’s parents are being kept informed of any developments, their spokesman said, with the Met Police also present alongside German and Portuguese officers.
Kate and Gerry have been searching for their daughter for nearly 20 years (Picture: PA)A makeshift base camp has been set up by authorities today (Picture: EPA)Madeleine went missing while on holiday with her parents in 2007 (Picture: PA)
The first major search for Madeleine in nine years comes after German cops discovered photos of prime suspect Christian Brueckner at his self-described ‘little paradise’ in the Portuguese region, it is understood.
The area around the Barragem do Arade reservoir was locked down, and police divers entered the water early on Tuesday.
The site is about 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where Madeleine went missing in 2007.
About 20 officers with rakes and hoe-like tools spread out in a line and began poking and raking the soil close to the Arade dam yesterday.
Police also used a drone to scan the area from above and searched with sniffer dogs on both sides of the water, as they searched for evidence to link the toddler’s disappearance to the German convict.
Brueckner, a convicted child abuser and drug dealer, is behind bars in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same area of the Algarve region from where McCann went missing.
German police said in June 2020 that the child was assumed dead and that Brueckner was likely to be responsible. Brueckner has denied any involvement and has not been charged with any crime related to it.
Portuguese officials were seen taking a boat out on the reservoir this morning(Picture: Getty)
Footage from the site showed officers taking bags away from the reservoir during yesterday afternoon but it was not clear what was inside them. One video showed an officer picking up a bag from a colleague as they drove by in a black Ford SUV.
Last night the McCann’s former spokesman Clarence Mitchell told the Mirror the couple were being kept updated.
He said: ‘Until a body is found and proved to be Madeleine’s, Kate and Gerry are not giving up hope. They will be kept informed every step of the way of any development. It leaves Kate and Gerry on tenterhooks. It is another incredibly difficult time for them.’
In the afternoon police appeared to be concentrating their efforts on a peninsula of land jutting into the reservoir.
Two sides of the area have gently sloping banks towards the water, while the third is a sheer cliff, where three white tents could be seen set back from the edge.
The site is popular with campervan users and has BBQ stands and sun loungers scattered around.
Brueckner is known to have driven there frequently in his VW campervan.
Officers using sticks were beating back undergrowth as they inched their way through the woods before fanning down onto the beach to carry on the search.
Pamela gained significant attention and popularity due to her voluptuous breast, but she suddenly disappeared from the online scene, putting her skits on hold.
During an interview on One Ghana TV, she revealed that she needed time to reassess her life after conceiving a baby.
Citing concerns for her well-being and that of her baby, Pamela made the difficult decision to take a complete break from her social media presence, however, only three months after giving birth her son had passed away.
“My son was about two to three months when he passed. It was not easy for me and my baby daddy,” she revealed.
As a first-time mother, Pamela expressed the deep bond she had formed with her son, making losing him an incredibly painful experience that took a toll on her mental and emotional well-being.
The profound impact of this loss caused her to lose a lot of weight.
“I lost weight drastically. It was very tough but you have to just accept it and move on with life. What is ahead is better than what is gone,” she said.
Acknowledging the immense difficulty, Pamela emphasized the importance of accepting the situation and moving forward in life.
She however believes that the future holds greater things than what has already passed while indicating her determination to find strength and purpose despite the heart-breaking loss she has endured.
Ukraine has acknowledged that one of its top aims in the conflict is to murder Vladimir Putin.
Sergei Shoigu, the Russian minister of defence, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and Valery Gerasimov are all on the hit list, according to intelligence chief Vadym Skibitsky.
However, Putin “stayed holed up,” according to the second-in-command of Ukraine’s military intelligence, making it challenging to assassinate him.
Even while the Russian president “is now beginning to stick his head out,” he continued, spies can never be certain “it’s really him” because of the long-rumored employment of doppelgängers at public occasions.
Skibitsky said Putin ‘notices that we’re getting ever closer to him’ – a claim backed by new US intelligence that Ukraine was likely behind last month’s audacious drone attack on the Kremlin.
He also said the tyrant is ‘afraid of being killed by his own people’.
Putin sits at the top of the list ‘because he co-ordinates and decides what happens, Sibitsky went on: ‘Ultimately, however, everyone will have to answer for their actions.
‘Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu planned the attack and now they cannot turn back.’
Prominent Russian commanders are also on the list.
Prigozhin, whose troops have been accused of a catalogue of appalling war crimes, was relaxed about his inclusion.
‘Of course, Prigozhin, as one of the important actors in this war, must be eliminated. This is 100 per cent true, so they are doing absolutely the right steps,’ he said.
‘I always say that the enemy must be treated with respect. Of course, I respect their decision as well.’
Skibitsky claimed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was also on the wanted list even though he had ‘realised that strategically the Putin regime has already lost’.
‘General Armageddon’ Sergei Surovikin was also named.
‘We are at war and these are our enemies,’ he said. ‘If an important figure produces and finances weapons for them, then its elimination would save the lives of many civilians.
‘And then he gets wiped out. According to international conventions, it is then a legitimate target.’
Russia has already accused Ukraine of seeking to assassinate Putin with a strike on the Kremlin on May 3.
One of two drones hit the Senate building where his official apartment, which he seldom uses, is located.
Initially there were claims that the attack was a stunt by the secret services.
But a report in The New York Times said US officials are now less inclined to see it as some kind of false flag operation.
US spy agencies suggest it was orchestrated by Ukrainian military intelligence, although it was unclear if President Volodymyr Zelensky or his officials were aware of it.
Confidence it was directly authorised by the Ukrainian government was ‘low’, the report
