TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Meghan to receive the Women of Vision Award from the Ms. Foundation

    Meghan to receive the Women of Vision Award from the Ms. Foundation

    The country’s oldest women’s foundation, the Ms. Foundation, said on Monday that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and LaTosha Brown, a co-founder of Black Voters Matter, will each receive the Women of Vision Award in May.

    At the Ms. Foundation’s annual gala, which will be held on May 16 in New York City’s Ziegfeld Ballroom as part of its 50th anniversary celebration and where money is generated for the organization’s equity-centered activities, the awards will be presented.

    Along with these individuals, the foundation will recognize emerging leaders Olivia Julianna, an advocate for abortion rights, and Rebekah Bruesehoff, an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Wanda Irving, a co-founder of Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project, and Kimberly Inez McGuire, the executive director of URGE, will also receive recognition.

    “Meghan, LaTosha, Wanda, Kimberly, Olivia, and Rebekah are incredible leaders,” Teresa C. Younger, Ms. Foundation president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are grateful to be able to shine a light on their many accomplishments and tireless work on behalf of gender and racial equity across the country and the world.”

    Meghan will receive the award for “her global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls” from Gloria Steinem, Ms. Foundation co-founder. With her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan directs their philanthropy through their Archewell Foundation.

    According to its 2022 annual report, the organization provided 12.66 million COVID-19 vaccines with partner Global Citizen and helped resettle nearly 175,000 refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan in the United States with partner Welcome.US. The foundation also helped build a community play space in Uvalde, Texas, following the school shooting there that killed 19 children and two teachers.

    Brown will receive her award for “her tireless activism and work to bring about social change” through Black Voters Matter, which works with communities to make their voting more effective. According to the group’s most recent impact report, the Black Voters Matter Fund now works with more than 400 partners in 25 states and the District of Columbia. The Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute funds voter education, registrations and other programs to expand access to voting.

    ____

    Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit

  • Cedi is still strong, despite having weak fundamentals

    Cedi is still strong, despite having weak fundamentals

    The cedi remains relatively strong despite weak economic fundamentals, says market observers GCB Capital and Constant Capital.

    Although the local unit has lost 4.4 percent against the US dollar as of March 28, the performance beats market expectations due to anticipated seasonality effects in Q1 2023 amid weaker foreign exchange reserve position and the highly bearish end to 2022, while the interbank reference rate has depreciated by 22 percent.

    This is believed to result from efforts by the Bank of Ghana to tighten market spreads and quell speculation. Despite concerns over a weaker forex reserve position, export receipts have helped to drive a year-on-year (y/y) surplus for the merchandise trade account.

    GCB Capital, in its report analysing the recent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision to increase the policy rate by 150bps, suggested that limited trading activity on the Ghana Fixed Income Market [GFIM] has slowed down FX demand pressure from portfolio reversals – further supporting the cedi’s strength.

    “We believe this surplus trade balance and the ongoing gold purchase programme have limited the rate of reserve depletion and sustained the central bank’s FX liquidity management efforts, on both the spot and forward market for build distributing companies,” GCB Capital said.

    Additionally, the breakthrough in negotiations with China has brought the country closer to securing International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approval – with an official start of the IMF programme expected to unlock a balance of payment backstop for the cedi’s resilience in the second half of 2023.

    “We believe the local unit’s near-term performance hinges on progress of Ghana’s external debt restructuring – including securing assurances from its bilateral creditors and capital market bondholders, as well as the delayed IMF Executive Board approval for an economic programme,” Constant Capital said.

    Expressing a similar view, Apakan Securities mentioned that progress made on the local debt treatment alongside further engagements by government with its external creditors has improved market sentiments.

    “After kicking off the year on a weaker foot against the US dollar and other major trading pairs, the local currency has regained its footing in recent weeks. This is primarily driven by the central bank’s continuous FX support on the market amid lower demand. Additionally, progress made on the local debt treatment with further engagements by government with its external creditors has improved market sentiments,” Apakan Securities said.

    The market generally holds the view that the country’s breakthrough in negotiations with China has brought it closer to securing IMF Executive Board’s approval, which should unlock a balance of payment backstop – further supporting the cedi’s resilience through the second half of 2023. However, analysts noted that near-term performance of the local unit hinges on progress in Ghana’s external debt restructuring and securing assurances from its bilateral creditors and capital market bondholders.

    “We believe the Ghanaian economy is facing significant challenges, but the resilience of the currency so far is positive news for investors,” said GCB Capital. “The currency’s strength will depend on progress in talks with creditors and the IMF, as well as efforts to manage liquidity and inflation.”

    Although the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) has been less of a liquidity problem than expected, there have been solvency concerns for some commercial banks. The two percent reduction in the cash reserve ratio has led to excess liquidity in the interbank market, but banks have been cautious over loan book expansion due to uncertainties and heightened risks.

    As a result, there has been a strong growth in broad money supply; which could be inflationary.

    In response the MPC hiked the monetary policy rate by 150bps, which was seen as a surprise, as well as an additional measure of raising the cash reserve ratio (CRR) on domestic currency deposits from 12 percent to 14 percent, effective 13th April 2023.

    GCB Capital suggests that the move signals commitment to sustaining a tight monetary policy stance until the disinflation process strengthens. However, this decision has trade-offs for growth and employment, particularly as the growth pulse has softened since second-half 2022.

    “The decision has high trade-offs for growth and employment, particularly with the growth pulse softening considerably since 2H22,” GCB Capital added.

  • King Charles is now shown on fresh stamps as of right now

    King Charles is now shown on fresh stamps as of right now

    The King’s image will appear on UK stamps for the first time starting today, although the Queen won’t stop appearing on our mail for some time.

    All future stamps will now bear the likeness of King Charles, but sales won’t begin until stockpiles bearing the Queen’s head have run out.

    The Royal Mint used Martin Jennings’ adaptation of the King’s image for usage on coins.

    Charles’ head and neck are depicted on the new issue facing left, as they have on every monarchy since Queen Victoria initially appeared on the world’s first postage stamps in 1840.

    And the monarch asked for existing stamps featuring his mother’s image to be used up, rather than be destroyed.

    David Gold, director of external affairs at Royal Mail, said: ‘The King gave very clear directions he didn’t want anything to be pulped, he didn’t want things being shredded, he didn’t want stock being thrown away.

    ‘He was very clear, however long it takes to clear the stock there’s no rush – entirely in line with his well-stated principles of waste and environmentalism.

    But you’ll still be seeing the Queen’s image for some time as last stocks are used up (Pictures: PA)

    ‘The guidance we got from His Majesty was more about continuity and not doing anything too different to what had gone before.

    ‘I think there’s an acknowledgement that, for 70 years, people have been so used to seeing the image of Her Majesty – even through the current image only started in 1967 – they didn’t want anything too different.’

    The colour of different classes of stamps will remain the same – plum purple for first class, holly green for second class, marine turquoise for large first class and dark pine green for large second class.

    But another change to stamps is still in progress, with new barcoded stamps entering circulation and the deadline to use up old stamps extended until July 31.

    And while the monarch’s image will continue to face to the left on stamps, the same cannot be said for coins.

    King Charles is set to face left on newly minted coins, compared to the Queen who faces right.

    The change in images comes just a day after a rise in stamp prices, with first class increasing by 15p to £1.10 and second class increasing by 7p to 75p.

    Royal Mail described the price rise as ‘necessary’, explaining the number of letters being sent has declined by 25% compared to before the coronavirus pandemic, and added they are ‘committed’ to keeping prices affordable.

  • Royal Mail render an apology as ‘tone deaf’ April Fools’ pay-hike joke prank

    Royal Mail render an apology as ‘tone deaf’ April Fools’ pay-hike joke prank

    As a manager declared a fictitious double-digit pay increase for staff, Royal Mail issued an apology for the “tone deaf” April Fools’ joke.

    A banner that announced an 11% wage increase amid the cost-of-living issue seems to have been posted last Saturday at the Royal Mail Gloucester North distribution office.

    Communication Workers Union (CWU)-affiliated posties have gone on a string of strikes in protest of their salary and working conditions.

    But the poster got striking workers’ hopes up as it claimed Royal Mail and the union had reached a breakthrough.

    ‘We are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached,’ the poster read.

    The joke sign said an 11% pay rise ‘backdated to April 2022’ would take into effect from Friday.

    PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: THE POSTER ANNOUNCING THE PAY RISE - THAT TURNED OUT TO BE AN 'APRIL FOOLS' PRANK' ) Royal Mail bosses have been forced to apologise after a manager announced a huge pay rise for 'stressed-out' striking staff - only for them to realise it's a 'nasty APRIL FOOLS' PRANK'. The letter claims Royal Mail and the Communication Worker's Union (CWU) have 'reached an agreement' after months of strikes over pay. The letter details a breakthrough pay rise of 11 per cent, backdated to April 2022, to be paid on Tuesday [April 4] and boasts about staff being allowed to use their own cars for deliveries DISCLAIMER: While Kennedy News and Media uses its best endeavours to establish the copyright and authenticity of all pictures supplied, it accepts no liability for any damage, loss or legal action caused by the use of images supplied and the publication of images is solely at your discretion. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266
    The manager of the regional delivery offices called on their staff to share the poster on social media (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

    Some 10,000 ‘telegram boys’ would also be hired and a ‘brand new fleet of diesel vans and bicycles to replace electric vans’, the poster joked.

    In reality, Royal Mail is set to axe more than 10,000 jobs by August while also not replacing staff who leave.

    For months, the CWU has accused Royal Mail of plans which include cuts to workers’ terms and conditions, introducing compulsory Sunday shifts, cutting sick pay, three-hour delivery delays and inferior terms for new employees.

    ‘Please feel free to share on social media and tell all your CWU colleagues,’ the poster added.

    The poster was pinned up only days after the CWU said it was preparing to announce even more industrial action as pay talks continue to stall.

    Royal Mail postal carriers on social media tore into the poster, branding the manager a ‘horrible human being’ and ‘unprofessional’.

    One said: ‘No managers should be making jokes at our expense with what they have been part of, April Fools’ Day or not.’

    Another added: ‘Jesus Christ. I mean that’s mildly funny but read the room man.’

    ‘I ain’t laughing,’ a third postie said. ‘They should be conducted. Horrible human being.’

    On Twitter, a user wrote: ‘Royal Mail pulling April fools prank on us postman, this is all a big joke to them isn’t it, we are just getting the piss taken out of us.’

    CWU was also less than impressed by the poster. ‘For many Royal Mail employees, the workplace is now a completely toxic environment where nasty, tone-deaf “jokes” such as these are considered culturally acceptable,’ a spokesperson said.

    Royal Mail and the manager behind the poster have both since apologised for the stunt.

    A Royal Mail spokesperson said: ‘We apologise for any upset caused by this misjudged April Fools’ joke at one of our delivery offices

    ‘The poster was removed and the local manager has apologised.’

  • Harold Amenyah talks about his status as a celebrity in Ghana

    Harold Amenyah talks about his status as a celebrity in Ghana

    Actor and TV show host Harold Amenyah has revealed he lives a very normal life unlike many other celebrities here in Ghana.

    Speaking to JoyNews Becky the actor said that unlike what people assume being a celebrity is like, he likes to do everything by himself including running errands adding that he hates it when other people do those things for him.

    Asked about what is it like being in the limelight, Harold Amenyah said that “I don’t really know what it means to be a celebrity. I only dress up and show up at events. If that’s what it means then that’s what I do that probably makes me look like a celebrity.”

    Touching on how he survives under the spotlight, the actor said a person must have the mental fortitude to survive in Ghana.

    “You need to be mentally strong, in the sense that you’re not moved by what people say. Of course, it’s good to have compliments, it’s good to have fans, it’s good to have people shower praises on you but guess what, if that gets to your head then trust me their criticisms and negative comments will also get to you. So it’s good to have balance.”

    Harold Amenyah is a Ghanaian actor, TV personality, fashion icon, host and businessman who has worked as a brand influencer for popular brands including telecommunication giant Tigo.

    He made his acting debut starring in a 2012 TV series ” Xoxo”. Amenyah moved on to feature in several Ghanaian movies and series both Akan and English such 4play Reloaded, Honour my tears, A Sting in a Tale, Wedding Night, Every Woman Has A Story, Sadia and Eden.

    Amenyah became a household name after his commercial for Telecommunication company, Tigo debuted “Drop that Yam” which also featured Ghanaian actress Naa Ashorkor. In 2019, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and a Barbados movie production company, Amenyah and other Ghanaian actors were selected to star in a Year of return 2019 movie titled “Joseph”.He played the character Nii.

  • Virgin Media’s failure leaves thousands without internet access in the UK

    Virgin Media’s failure leaves thousands without internet access in the UK

    Following an unexpected outage, Virgin Media users across the UK are experiencing connectivity issues this morning.

    There have been a growing number of reports on Twitter and the outage tracking website DownDetector.

    Customers of Virgin Media who are upset claim that issues began about 2 am and that service was restored around 4 am.

    But, as of 8 am, more than 28,000 people had complained that their internet was down, and it appears that the problem is still present in some areas of the nation.

    The company acknowleged that there were issues ‘affecting broadband services for Virgin Media customers as well as our contact centres’ on its official Twitter account this morning.

    ‘Our teams are currently working to identify and fix the problem as quickly as possible and we apologise to those customers affected,’ said the tweet.

    Latest London news

    It’s unclear which areas were affected or exactly how many customers are unable to get online.

    According to Downdetector reports, the majority of issues have been reported in London, followed by Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester.

  • 100ml liquids rule at the London airport officially abolished

    100ml liquids rule at the London airport officially abolished

    Starting today, passengers flying out of London City Airport will no longer be required to pack only 100ml of liquids in their hand luggage.

    It is the first airport in the capital to do so, as well as the first major airport in the UK, after the arrival of new, cutting-edge CT scanners just in time for Easter.

    The government has given all significant UK airports until June 2024 to deploy the equipment.

    The CT scanners are already in place at Teeside Airport, which was the first airport in the nation to abolish the limit.

    The machines produce a high-resolution 3D scan of passengers’ bags, meaning staff can easily inspect them from all angles.

    Travellers from City Airport now do not need to remove liquids, tablets, laptops and other electronic devices from their hand luggage for security checks.

    The liquid limit will now be two litres in hand baggage, and passengers will no longer need to place these items in a clear plastic bag while going through security.

    Latest London news

    Only one cigarette lighter is allowed per person and camera film should be declared before it enters the scanner.

    The airport’s chief executive Robert Sinclair said the new technology would help speed up lengthy security queues.

    ‘The good news for anyone planning a holiday or a business trip is that we will be the first mainstream UK airport to offer a fully CT security experience from the end of this month,’ he said.

    ‘The new lanes will not only cut hassle but also queuing times, which I know passengers will love.’

    A spokesperson previously told Metro.co.uk: ‘We’re very pleased that the new machines in operation now and have our full compliment of four in place ahead of the Easter getaway.’

    The 100ml rule was introduced in 2006 after a foiled terror attack plot using liquid explosives at Heathrow Airport.

    The plan was to bring hydrogen peroxide-derived explosives onto transatlantic planes inside soft drink bottles. But this will no longer be needed thanks to new technology.

    Transport secretary Mark Harper previously said: ‘The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change.

    ‘I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security.

    ‘By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats.’

    Trials of the improved machines have been taking place at some of the UK’s busiest airports since 2018, including Terminal 3 in London Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham.

  • Pastor allegedly maims 17-year-old over missing money

    Pastor allegedly maims 17-year-old over missing money

    A pastor has allegedly has allegedly disfigured the fingers of a minor who was accused of stealing money.

    The 17-year-old junior high school graduate, according to reports, is currently battling for his life after the self-acclaimed man of God put his hand in a fire over a missing GHS 600.

    The man of God allegedly smeared the hand of the minor with anointing oil before asking him to place it in a fire.

    The victim’s mother, Madam Emelia Adutwumwaa, told Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that his son was accused of stealing the money that belonged to her sister-in-law.

    The minor, Osei Boadi, was asked to prove his innocence by the man of God.

    The mother narrated that the sister-in-law Yaa Sarfoa accused her son of stealing her money and later contracted the man of God to intervene.

    The man of God is said to have poured the anointing oil on the floor, lot with match sticks and asked the victim to put his hand in the fire and that if he was innocent, nothing would happen to him.

    The mother further narrated that the boy did not experience anything for about 15 minutes and was asked to remove his hand from the fire.

    But my son started complaining about pains in the evening, and his condition has worsened, she stated.

    She also revealed that the pastor was detained by the Akyem Amantia Police but was released after the local Assemblyman intervened.

    She lamented that the victim is currently in pain and that his condition has not improved.

  • 24-year-old football player killed by knife in “random attack”

    24-year-old football player killed by knife in “random attack”

    In southern Spain, a 24-year-old football player was stabbed to death.

    Francisco J. Naval Perez was stabbed in the chest on Saturday in Cadiz while playing for Chipiona C. F. in Spain’s Segunda Andaluza Senior.

    Local media reports that a 20-year-old suspect, who hasn’t been named and has no criminal history, is being held by police.

    The married father of one was allegedly randomly stabbed in the chest with a huge knife, according to the Spanish Civil Guard.

    The authorities also confirmed there are no known links between the two men and that the attack appears to have been random.

    It is claimed the attacker stabbed Perez without saying anything.

    The footballer was taken to to the hospital in Sanlucar and Jerez de la Frontera following the attack.

    He then had to be transferred to the Puerta del Mar hospital in Cadiz. 

    Chipiona CF player Paco Naval, 24, poses with unidentified child in undated photo. He died after he was stabbed to death by a 20-year-old with whom he apparently had no relationship, in Cadiz, Spain, on Saturday, April 2, 2023. (Newsflash)
    The married dad-of-one did not know his attacker, it is claimed (Credits: Newsflash)

    He died around 2.30am on Sunday.

    The Chipiona C. F. said in a statement: ‘Well, we don’t even have words to begin with, this seems like a nightmare, but unfortunately it’s real, our player Paco Naval Perez has left us, he died this morning.’

    They added that he had been ‘fighting between life and death’ and he ‘had his whole life ahead of him’.

    A number of Spanish clubs have also offered their condolences, with Real Madrid C. F. saying: ‘Real Madrid C. F. deeply regrets the death of Paco Naval, a Chipiona C. F. player, and wishes to express its condolences and affection to all his family, his club, teammates and loved ones. RIP.’

  • Putin’s honored Russian blogger murdered in a café blast

    Putin’s honored Russian blogger murdered in a café blast

    A prominent Russian military blogger who was killed in an explosion at a cafe in St. Petersburg on Sunday afternoon has received a posthumous award from Vladimir Putin.

    The Kremlin stated on Monday that Vladlen Tatarsky, whose true name was Maxim Fomin, had received the Order of Courage for his “courage and daring demonstrated during professional duties.”

    At a propaganda event staged at the cafe, the self-styled “war correspondent” was reportedly killed after receiving a tiny statue of himself packed with explosives.

    Tatarsky was a fanatical supporter of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine who filed regular reports from the front lines, and had accumulated more than 560,000 followers on his Telegram channel.

    Mandatory Credit: Photo by EyePress News/Shutterstock (13855800c) File photo of pro-war Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky making a selfie video in Ukraine frontline. The well-known Russian military blogger was killed in a bomb blast in a cafe in St. Petersburg on Sunday April 2, 2023 Russian news agencies reported. They quoted the interior ministry as confirming the death of Tatarsky and saying that 16 people had been wounded.Tatarsky, whose real name was Maxim Fomin, had more than 560,000 followers on Telegram and was one of the most prominent of the influential military bloggers who have provided an often critical running commentary on Russia\'s war in Ukraine. Pro-War Russian Military Blogger Killed in Explosion, St. Petersburg, Russia - 02 Apr 2023
    Vladlen Tatarsky was a fanatical pro-Putin supporter who made frequent reports from the frontlines of Ukraine (Picture: Shutterstock)

    A video of the event showed him joking about the bust and putting it on a table next to him shortly before it exploded, killing him and injuring a further 30 people.

    Investigators labelled the bombing an act of terrorism, and have arrested a St. Petersburg woman named Daria Trepova in connection with the attack.

    Ms Trepova, a 26-year-old activist, had previously been detained for participating in a rally against the war on February 24, 2022, the day of the invasion, and she spent 10 days in jail.

    Russian authorities claim that Trepova’s political sympathies allied her with jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, and have blamed ‘Ukrainian special services’ for coordinating the attack.

    The Interior Ministry released a video showing Trepova telling a police officer that she brought the statuette that exploded to the café.

    When asked who gave it to her, she said she would explain it later. The circumstances under which Trepova spoke were unclear, including whether she was under duress.

    According to Russian media reports, Trepova told investigators she was asked to deliver the bust, but did not know what was inside it.

    Russian investigators show woman suspected of involvement in deadly cafe blast

    Navalny, the Kremlin’s fiercest foe who had exposed official corruption and organised massive anti-government protests, is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence that he has denounced as a political vendetta.

    A spokesperson for the ACF has warned that authorities could use the claim of involvement by political opponents as a pretext to extend Navalny’s prison term.

    They also speculated that Russian security agencies could be behind the explosion as part of a plot to cast Navalny’s supporters as an ‘internal enemy’.

    Russian media has compared the attack to the August 2022 assassination of fellow pro-Kremlin commentator Darya Dugina, who was killed when a car-bomb planted in her vehicle blew up as she drove on the outskirts of Moscow.

    Ukraine was also blamed for Dugina’s death, but denied involvement in the killing.

    Yevgeny Prigozhin, the restaurateur and mercenary chief who heads the Wagner Group military contractor spearheading Moscow’s offensive in eastern Ukraine, said he owned the café and allowed patriotic groups to use it for meetings.

    He said he doubts the involvement of Ukrainian authorities in the bombing, and said it was likely launched by a ‘group of radicals’ unrelated to the government in Kyiv.

    However, Progozhin was swiftly contradicted by Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who blamed Kyiv for the attack, who blamed Kyiv for the attack and said the bombing justified the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine.

    At a press conference on Monday, Peskov said: ‘Russia has faced the Kyiv regime, which has supported terrorist activities.

    ‘That is why the special military operation is being conducted.’

    Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky meanwhile brushed off the attack while speaking to reporters.

    ‘I don’t think about what is happening in St Petersburg or Moscow. Russia should think about this. I am thinking about our country,’ he told journalists.

  • Manasseh Azure baffled over anti-LGBT+ advocacy in Africa

    Manasseh Azure baffled over anti-LGBT+ advocacy in Africa

    Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni has questioned why African governments seem to be prioritising the fight against homosexuality when corruption remains a big ‘canker’ on the continent.

    In a Facebook post sighted by GhanaWeb, the journalist said he finds it hard to comprehend how governments on the continent are passing harsh legislations against LGBTQ+ practices over existing laws punishing corruption.

    “I don’t understand why a continent that is ravaged by pervasive corruption is passing anti-LGBTQ+ laws that are harsher than corruption. In other words, why should a politician openly steal from his people and win the next election when supporting LGBTQ+ would guarantee a defeat?” he questioned.

    Currently a number of African countries have taken a strong position against LGBTQ+ practices with some passing stiff legislations against it.
    In March, Uganda’s parliament passed sweeping anti-LGBTQ legislation with strict new penalties for homosexuality. The legislation proscribes “the death penalty in cases of ‘aggravated homosexuality,’ defined as sexual relations with someone below the age of 14 or above the age of 75, and for repeat offenders.”

    Ghana is following suit with a bill that seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ practices.

    Under the bill, persons found guilty of breaching the law stand a chance of being sentenced to jail among other forms of punishment.

    The bill has received wide public acceptance but has also attracted criticisms from human rights activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

    The Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris during her recent visit to Ghana raised concerns about the bill while describing LGBTQ+ practice as a human right.

  • Chinese spy aircraft “gathered information from various US military locations”

    Chinese spy aircraft “gathered information from various US military locations”

    Prior to being shot down by the Americans, a Chinese spy balloon is said to have collected intelligence from many American military installations.

    According to two current senior American officials and a former senior administration official who spoke to NBC News on Monday, the balloon absorbed electronic signals of US intelligence despite efforts by the Biden administration to stop it.

    According to the three individuals, China allegedly controlled the balloon to hover numerous times over some military locations, sometimes in figure-eight patterns, and transmitted the data in real time.

    The balloon gathered most of the information from electronic signals coming from weapons systems and base personnel correspondence, according to the sources. It did not capture much in the way of images.

    A high altitude balloon floated over Billings, Montana, on February 1
    A high altitude balloon floated over Billings, Montana, on February 1 (Picture: AP)

    In addition, the balloon was capable of intaking more intelligence, but the Biden administration once it detected the apparatus stopped its systems from sending out electronic signals, the officials said.

    The US shot down the balloon on February 4 off the coast of South Carolina. China claimed it was a weather-monitoring balloon that had blown off course. As the US recovered the debris in the Atlantic Ocean, a US State Department spokesperson said the balloon was equipped to collect intelligence.

    A Defense Department spokeswoman on Monday told NBC News that any intelligence the balloon took in had ‘limited additive value’ for Beijing. The spokeswoman did not confirm that the balloon sent any details in ‘real time’ to China.

    And National Security Council spokesman Kirby John declined to comment on the type of electronic signals the balloon may have nabbed.

    ‘Knowing it was going to enter US airspace we took action to limit the ability of this balloon to garner anything of additive or especially useful content,’ said Kirby. ‘So again, I won’t get ahead of what we’re learning off this thing.’

    The Defense Department also pointed to remarks that senior officials made in February that the balloon was not able to collect much intelligence ‘over and above what (China) is likely able to collect through things like satellites in low earth orbit’.

    It first entered the US airspace over Alaska on January 28 and moved over several states including Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.

  • Virgin Orbit, Sir Richard Branson’s rocket firm, declares bankruptcy

    Virgin Orbit, Sir Richard Branson’s rocket firm, declares bankruptcy

    Rocket manufacturer Virgin Orbit, owned by Sir Richard Branson, has declared bankruptcy in the US.

    Three weeks ago, the company stated it would halt operations and lay off 85% of its workforce as it sought further capital.
    Shares dropped 18.8% to 82 cents after the action.

    After earlier reports that Sir Richard Branson had lost £1.5 billion on his investment in the past year, Virgin Investments added an additional £8.8 million to the operation on Friday.

    ‘At this stage, we believe that the Chapter 11 process represents the best path forward to identify and finalise an efficient and value-maximising sale,’ said Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart.

    The company listed assets of about $243million and its total debt at $153.5million as of September 30 in the filing. Based in California, it has a workforce of around 750.

    Hart added: ‘I’m incredibly grateful and proud of every one of our teammates, both for the pioneering spirit of innovation they’ve embodied and for their patience and professionalism as we’ve managed through this difficult time.

    ‘Today my thoughts and concerns are with the many talented teammates and friends now finding their way forward who have been committed to the mission and promise of all that Virgin Orbit represents. I am confident of what we have built and hopeful to achieve a transaction that positions our Company and our technology for future opportunities and missions.’

    What is a Chapter 11 filing?

    A case filed under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is frequently referred to as a ‘reorganisation’ bankruptcy. Usually, the debtor remains ‘in possession’, has the powers and duties of a trustee, may continue to operate its business, and may, with court approval, borrow new money.

    A plan of reorganisation is proposed, creditors whose rights are affected may vote on the plan, and the plan may be confirmed by the court if it gets the required votes and satisfies certain legal requirements.
    US Courts

    The business originally grew as a spinoff from the British billionaire’s commercial space tourism business Virgin Galactic. Touted as a rival to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the company aimed to launch rockets using a modified Boeing 747, named Cosmic Girl, rather than traditional vertical take-off rockets.

    The company’s decision to choose Spaceport Cornwall, Newquay, for its first commercial satellite launch was seen as a huge boost for the UK space industry and the area, potentially creating hundreds of new jobs.

    However, shortly after its initial take-off on Monday, January 9, the mission failed. After being released from the wing of the 747, the rocket failed to reach its final orbit, sending customers’ satellites back to Earth.

    At the time, Hart said: ‘While we are very proud of the many things that we successfully achieved as part of this mission, we are mindful that we failed to provide our customers with the launch service they deserve. 

    ‘The first-time nature of this mission added layers of complexity that our team professionally managed through. However, in the end a technical failure appears to have prevented us from delivering the final orbit. We will work tirelessly to understand the nature of the failure, make corrective actions, and return to orbit as soon as we have completed a full investigation and mission assurance process.’

    January’s failed mission prompted MP Greg Clark, chairman of the Commons science and technology committee to call it a ‘disaster’ that an attempt to showcase the UK’s potential for commercial launches had turned ‘toxic for a privately funded launch’.

  • 152 shots fired by the Nashville school gunman before police arrest

    152 shots fired by the Nashville school gunman before police arrest

    Investigators said on Monday that the Covenant School shooter in Nashville, Tennessee, fired 152 shots before being apprehended by officers.

    Further details on Audrey Hale, the 28-year-old gunman who entered an elementary school on March 27 and killed six people, were revealed by detectives from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

    According to the police, Hale fired 152 shots, including 26 nine millimeter handgun rounds and 126 rounds with a 5.56 rifle.
    Hale also shot the school’s glass doors with a firearm to enter through them.

    The motivation for the shooting is still under investigation.

    ‘In the collective writings by Hale found in her vehicle in the school parking lot, and others later found in the bedroom of her home, she documented, in journals, her planning over a period of months to commit mass murder at The Covenant School,’ police stated.

    Police previously confirmed that Hale attended the Covenant School prior to the shooting.

    Investigators have not released the writings collected from the shooter, which are now being analyzed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in Quantico, Virginia.

    ‘It is known that Hale considered the actions of other mass murderers,’ investigators said on Monday.

    Hale was eventually killed by two Nashville police officers, Rex Engelbert and Michael Collazo, who fired four rounds each.

    The six victims from the shooting included three 9-year-old students, later identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs.

    The adult victims included substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, custodian Mike Hill, and head teacher Dr Katherine Koonce.

  • A dollar selling at GH¢11.50 on the forex as of April 4

    A dollar selling at GH¢11.50 on the forex as of April 4

    he Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana today, April 4, 2023, have shown that the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 11.0062 and a selling price of 11.0172.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 10.50 and sold at a rate of 11.50.

    Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 13.6499 and a selling price of 13.6646.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 13.50 and sold at a rate of 14.50.

    The Euro is trading at a buying price of 11.9883 and a selling price of 11.9992.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 12.80 and sold at a rate of 12.80.

    The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.6182 and a selling price of 0.6187.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, South African Rand is being bought at a rate of 0.45 and sold at a rate of 1.10.

    The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 41.8382 and a selling price of 41.9000.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 13.50 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 19.00.

    For the CFA, it is trading at a buying price of 54.6667 and a selling price of 54.7164.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, CFA is being bought at a rate of 17.00 CFA for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 21.00 CFA for every 1 Cedi.

    Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.

  • Train derails in Netherlands, leaving one dead and numerous others injured

    Train derails in Netherlands, leaving one dead and numerous others injured

    As per reports, a train that derailed in the Netherlands hit construction equipment that was left on the track.

    The collision, according to Dutch emergency services, occurred at 3.25 am local time (1.25 GMT).

    According to local media, a “code 50” has been put in place, which indicates that more than 50 injured casualties are anticipated.

    In the early morning darkness, rescue personnel could be seen removing victims from the scene at Voorschoten, a village close to The Hague.

    Emergency services work at the site of a derailed night train in Voorschoten on April 4, 2023. - At least one person died and 30 were injured early on April 4 when a high-speed passenger train slammed into heavy construction equipment and derailed near The Hague, Dutch emergency services said. (Photo by Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by REMKO DE WAAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
    Emergency service workers at the scene (Picture: Remko de Waal/ANP/AFP/Getty Images)
    A general view shows aftermath following the derailment of a passenger train after it hit construction equipment on the track, in Voorschoten, Netherlands April 4, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. Kyrlian De Bot/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
    The aftermath following the derailment in Voorschoten, Netherlands (Picture: Kyrlian de Bot/Reuters)

    One killed in train accident near The Hague, dozens injured

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    A general view shows rescue operations underway following the derailment of a passenger train after it hit construction equipment on the track, in Voorschoten, Netherlands April 4, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. Kyrlian De Bot/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
    Rescuers had to use a makeshift bridge to reach the train (Picture: Kyrlian de Bot/Reuters)

    Emergency services were forced to use makeshift bridges to cross a canal to reach the carriages.

    The train had been carrying around 50 people at the time of the accident, with scores treated for injuries.

    A fire department spokesman told Dutch radio that 19 people were taken to hospital. Others were being treated on the spot, the emergency services said.

    The front carriage of the night train, travelling from Leiden city to The Hague, derailed and ploughed into a field after the accident, ANP news agency said.

    epa10557658 A view on a derailed night train in Voorschoten, The Netherlands, 04 April 2023. One person has died and several people were seriously injured after a passenger train collided with construction equipment on the tracks. A freight train was also involved in the accident. EPA/JOSH WALET
    A view on a derailed night train in Voorschoten, The Netherlands (Picture: EPA)
    A general view shows aftermath following the derailment of a passenger train after it hit construction equipment on the track, in Voorschoten, Netherlands April 4, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. Kyrlian De Bot/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
    A ‘code 50’ has been implemented following the accident (Picture: Kyrlian de Bot/Reuters)
    A general view shows aftermath following the derailment of a passenger train after it hit construction equipment on the track, in Voorschoten, Netherlands April 4, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. Kyrlian De Bot/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
    It means paramedics have been told to brace for dozens of injured (Picture: Kyrlian de Bot/Reuters)
    A general view shows rescue operations underway following the derailment of a passenger train after it hit construction equipment on the track, in Voorschoten, Netherlands April 4, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. Kyrlian De Bot/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
    The rescue operations underway following this morning’s crash (Picture: Kyrlian de Bot/Reuters)

    The second carriage was left on its side and a fire broke out in the rear carriage but was later extinguished, it said.

    Lines of ambulances were pictured near the crash site as emergency services prepared to treat the injured.

    There have been conflicting reports about the cause of the accident.

    Earlier reports had said the passenger train had collided with a freight train. Dutch Railways (NS) spokesman Erik Kroeze said a freight train was involved in the accident but could not give details.

    NLTimes reports that a small construction crane had been spotted on the track, which could have resulted in the crash.

    Dutch Railways said in a tweet that trains between Leiden and parts of The Hague were cancelled due to the accident.

  • How a ‘galamsey’ kingpin once ordered the closure of a school because of his missing phone

    How a ‘galamsey’ kingpin once ordered the closure of a school because of his missing phone

    The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Nzema East Electoral Area in the Western region, Dorcas Amoah, has revealed that wanted ‘galamseyer’ Kwame Ato Asare Ani once ordered the closure of schools in the community due to his missing mobile phone.

    She explained that the missing mobile phone occurred during a funeral in the community, which resulted in chaos.

    According to the MCE, it took the intervention of the Educational Director, REGSEC, teachers, and community stakeholders to bring the situation under control before the pupil and students could attend school.

    Speaking in an interview with Peace FM’s Evening News on April 03, 2023, she explained: “The first time I heard about him (Kwame Ato Asare Ani) was when some settler farmers were having a funeral, resulting in chaos in the community.

    “So, he was arrested at the time and the issue is still pending in court. But I got involved in the case because most of the settler farmers were Northerners, and they reported that he (Kwame Ato Asare Ani) has said his phone is missing in the midst of the chaos so if they don’t bring the phone, no child should go to school.

    “I had to come in and go there with the Educational Director, REGSEC, and all heads of department to meet the various schools and teachers to discuss the issue because people had already started withdrawing their children from the schools.

    “At that time, he had been given bail after his arrest so he was present at the meeting. That was when I got to know who he is. So, we discussed the issue and we were able to resolve it, so the children are able to go to school now,” she narrated.

    Kwame Ato Asare Ani, who is on police wanted list has denied allegations levelled against him by the police service as an armed robber. In an interview from his hideout, he explained the circumstances under which he was captured in a standoff with some police officers, stating that he is not an armed robber but a police informant in the Axim area.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kevin Taylor on his Loud Silence TV, Ani said he has over the period of one year been working with the police as an informant and a liaison between the police and some illegal miners in the area.

    GhanaWeb on Sunday, April 2, 2023, reported about a viral video in which a supposed leader of the gang is seen accosting a police officer and accusing the officer of attempting to arrest him after he had given him money.

    Subsequently, the Ghana Police Service later on Sunday released a statement which said it arrested some four men on March 28 after the Axim Divisional Police Patrol Team reported an attack on them by a gang.

    According to the police, it also conducted a search at the residence of Kwame Asare where some weapons and other items were retrieved.

    The statement added that the police became aware of the video showing the confrontation between some police officers and the arrested gang in which the police were pleading with the gang members over an extortion allegation.

    According to the statement, the allegation of extortion has since been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.

  • Police release Singer Portable from custody

    Police release Singer Portable from custody

    Nigerian singer Portable has been granted bail by a court in the Ifo local government area of Ogun State.

    The singer was granted bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in the same amount.

    The singer was arraigned in court yesterday, April 3, 2023, on a six-count charge bordering on assault and theft of someone’s musical equipment. He was granted bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in the same amount. The court ruled that both sureties must have landed properties near the court.

    The judge ruled that Portable is to remain at the Ilaro Correctional Centre until he meets the bail condition and adjourned the case to April 26.

    Shortly after the court ruling, new photos of the singer were shared on his Instagram page with a caption expressing gratitude to God. “Alhamdulilahi,” he captioned the photos.

    Another video surfaced online where the singer commented about the past few days. He said he has learned a new lesson, as what happened was God’s way of shielding him from an untimely death.

    The singer resisted arrest after some men from the police command stormed his bar to arrest him for failing to honour several invitations sent to him.

    In now-viral video, the singer who referred to himself as “a federal Government liability” can be seen lamenting in Yoruba that Yahoo boys sent the police to arrest him.

    The arrest, according to him, was unwarranted, and he said that he earns his money legitimately.

  • Police are chasing me because I confiscated GH100,000 – Wanted galamseyer

    Police are chasing me because I confiscated GH100,000 – Wanted galamseyer

    The Ghana Police Service has issued a warrant for the arrest of Kwame Ato Asare Ani for his involvement in a viral video in which police officers who are allegedly engaged in galamsey are threatened. Ani talked from a hiding place.

    Asare Ani asserted that he was a police informant and not an armed robber, contrary to what a police statement claimed, during an appearance on Kevin Taylor‘s Loud Silence TV program on April 2, 2023.

    When asked why, as an informant, he felt the police were chasing him, he responded that their disagreement stemmed from money he had obtained on their behalf but refused to return.

    He said the amount in question was GH¢100,000 (one billion old cedis) which he had taken from some illegal miners for onward transfer to the police.

    “The actual reason the police are after me is that they sent me to collect one billion (GH¢100,000.00) from a site at Kwakukrom but I refused to hand over the money to them. That is the reason why they are angry with me,” he said.

    He explained why he held the money: “I didn’t give the money because I felt cheated after working with them all this while. They were only giving me small sums of thousand or two thousand every time…

    “It is because of the one billion I took and failed to give to them that they are accusing me of being a robber. But I am not an armed robber, nobody can prove that I have ever robbed their site. Sarfo (Axim Police Commander) told me to bring the one billion before they will release my car and other machines which they have seized,” he said.

    GhanaWeb on Sunday, April 2, 2023, reported about a viral video in which a supposed leader of the gang is seen accosting a police officer and accusing the officer of attempting to arrest him after he had given him money.

    Subsequently, the Ghana Police Service later on Sunday released a statement which said it arrested some four men on March 28 after the Axim Divisional Police Patrol Team reported an attack on them by a gang.

    According to the police, it also conducted a search at the residence of Kwame Asare where some weapons and other items were retrieved.

    “On March 9, this year, the Axim Divisional Police patrol team reported an attack on the team by a gang that seized the magazine of a Service rifle together with some mobile phones belonging to the Police officers.

    “An intelligence operation was immediately launched after the report to get the suspects arrested.

    “On March 28, 2023, after about three weeks of the intelligence operation, four men, Kojo Siah alias Mozey; Emmanuel Mensah alias Kofi Asamoah, Maxwell Cudjoe and Agyabu Haruna Dissawu were arrested for their suspected involvement in the attack.

    “A search conducted at the residence of Kwame Ato Asare Ani, the prime suspect, who is still on the run, led to the retrieval of three pump-action shotguns.

    “Also, one pump-action shotgun, machetes and eight BB refilled cartridges were retrieved from the suspect’s unregistered Honda CRV vehicle. Other items retrieved from the suspects include two live refilled BB cartridges and one unregistered motorbike,” the police statement said.

    The statement added that the police became aware of the video showing the confrontation between some police officers and the arrested gang in which the police were pleading with the gang members over an extortion allegation.

    According to the statement, the allegation of extortion has since been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.

    In the said video, the leader of the gang is heard shouting at a group of police officers saying “You asked me to show you something and I showed it to you. Now I ask you to drop me the car and you insist that you are sending me away. Where were you sending me to? You came to demand money at the site and we gave you everything. After that, I asked you to drop me from the car and yet you insisted on sending me. So, if I had not asked someone to block the road with a motorbike you would have sent me away,” the gang leader is heard furiously confronting a member of a group of police officers with a patrol car in what looked like a forest.

    As the confrontation raged on, the leader of the gang is heard shouting various commands at his group while the police officers bend on their knees pleading.

    “Kwame we beg you,” one of the officers states as he held on to his rifle from being taken away from him by the gang leader.

  • French Minister reiterates calls for respect of LGBTQ+ rights; says it’s an issue of human rights

    French Minister reiterates calls for respect of LGBTQ+ rights; says it’s an issue of human rights

    A French Minister has called for the protection of the rights of LGBT+ (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, etc) individuals once again.

    Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, who is the French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, said during a press conference in Accra that she would continue to advocate for rights for LGBTQ+ society where ever she finds herself.

    Zacharopoulou who is on an official visit to Ghana told journalists at the April 3 press conference that protecting the rights of such people is a core value of France and the European Union t large.

    “In my country and in the European Union, we promote human rights and of course in my Ministry, we have an ambassador to promote LGBT rights, so what I can say is that this is our values.

    “… and wherever I go in Africa, I will continue to say that we have to respect all of us, the LGBT community, this is a question of human rights and I always say that,” she said.

    She is the latest visiting politician to make pronouncements on same-sex relations at a time Ghana is nearing the passage of an anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

    Last week, US Vice President Kamala Harris made similar comments about LGBTQ+ rights being human rights.

    She made the comments at a joint press conference with president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as part of her three-day official trip that brought her to Ghana and onwards to Tanzania and Zambia.

    Currently, over 30 African countries have bans against same-sex relations, with presidents of Kenya and Uganda and other top politicians in both countries stating open opposition to the orientation.

    Ghana’s bill if passed into law, the bill would outlaw all forms of support for the LGBTQI+ community and propose jail terms for individuals who engage in same-sex relations.

  • I arrived in an uber to vote from the accident scene-Nanton MP

    I arrived in an uber to vote from the accident scene-Nanton MP

    Member of Parliament for Nanton, Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, has spoken out about how he was involved in a tragic accident last Friday while traveling to the House to cast a pivotal vote.

    The MP, who doubles as deputy agric minister admitted to Accra-based Citi FM that he was over speeding and that resulted in the accident.

    He recounted that immediately after the incident that involved another driver, his focus was how to reach parliament to vote on three tax bills by the government.

    He added that after he managed to come out of his crashed car through the broken windscreen: “Fortunately, some of the parliamentary staff workers were passing by, they saw me, they recognized me and they were in an Uber, and I wanted to get to parliament to vote because that was worrying me so much.

    “They came out of the Uber and ordered the driver to take me to Parliament and then they were around to take care of the valuables in my car until my niece arrived,” he added.

    Upon arrival at parliament, he headed for the chamber but was stopped by fellow MP for Tolon and deputy Majority Chief Whip, who escorted him to a washroom where nurses were called in to treat a deep cut above his right eye and to administer some clinicals.

    He subsequently joined the Majority to vote for the approval of the three bills before a stand-by ambulance took him to the hospital for emergency care.

    He was discharged the following day following which he travelled to his constituency in the north.

  • Former Tory Chancellor Nigel Lawson passes away at age 91

    Former Tory Chancellor Nigel Lawson passes away at age 91

    Nigel Lawson, a former chancellor who served in Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet in the 1980s, passed away at the age of 91.

    He represented Blaby as an MP from 1974 to 1992.
    From 1981 through 1989, the majority of Margaret Thatcher’s time in office at 10 Downing Street, he served in her cabinet.

    In a memorial post on Twitter, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the party heavyweight “was a transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others.”

    Former PM, Boris Johnson paid tribute and said: ‘Nigel Lawson was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism.

    Budget Day at No 11 Downing Street. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nigel Lawson, and the famous budget case. 14th March 1989. (Photo by Kennedy & Grieve/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
    Nigel Lawson, and the famous budget case in March 1989. (Picture: Getty / Mirrorpix)

    ‘He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams.

    ‘He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. He was a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.’

    Conservative Party Chairman Greg Hands said Lord Lawson ‘will be remembered for his clarity of thinking, commitment to free market economics and willingness to challenge orthodoxy’

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly tweeted: ‘A true statesman. His contributions to this nation will not be forgotten.’

    Best known for his role as chancellor, he retired from the House of Lords in December, ending a parliamentary career stretching back nearly five decades.

    Lord Lawson had six children including celebrity chef Nigella Lawson and journalist Dominic Lawson.

  • Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower after his plane landed in New York

    Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower after his plane landed in New York

    A day before he is anticipated to be arraigned in a hush money case, former President Donald Trump’s private jet landed in New York City and his motorcade was driven to Trump Tower.

    On Monday, just after 3:25 p.m., a jet bearing Trump’s name landed down at LaGuardia Airport.

    The motorcade of Donald Trump was then escorted by New York Police Department officers from the Queens airport to Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan.

    Trump, 76, wearing a suit, was seen getting out of a car outside Trump Tower and entering the skyscraper.

    Ex-President Donald Trump's plane landed at LaGuardia Airport shortly after 3.25pm on Monday
    Ex-President Donald Trump’s plane landed at LaGuardia Airport shortly after 3.25pm on Monday (Pictures: Getty Images/AP)
    Former President Donald Trump's plane sits on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport on Monday
    Former President Donald Trump’s plane sits on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport on Monday (Picture: AP)

    His wife, former First Lady Melania Trump, was also seen arriving at Trump Tower on Monday afternoon wearing a white coat with a black belt.

    The ex-president’s motorcade departed his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida around 12.59pm on Monday and heading for Palm Beach International Airport, where his plan was waiting.

    Trump will spend Monday night at Trump Tower, and is scheduled to appear at a court in lower Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon, with a hearing set at 2.15pm. He faces more than 30 criminal charges in court after a grand jury on Thursday voted to indict him for his role in a hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

    Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been investigating Trump’s alleged role in a $130,000 payment his former lawyer Michael Cohen made to Daniels in exchange for her silence on her claims of an affair with Trump.

    Former President Donald Trump got to Trump Tower on Monday afternoon and will spend the night there
    Former President Donald Trump got to Trump Tower on Monday afternoon and will spend the night there (Picture: Reuters)

    Trump’s legal team has said he will voluntarily surrender and intends to challenge ‘every potential issue’ once the indictment is unsealed.

    The Secret Service is set to accompany Trump early afternoon Tuesday to the district attorney’s office in the same building as the courthouse where he is slated to be arraigned.

    Trump’s team is opposing news outlets’ request to allow broadcasting of Trump’s arraignment.

    ‘As Your Honor is well-aware, this case presents extraordinary security concerns (including Secret Service-related concerns) and we submit that any video or photography of the proceedings will only heighten these serious concerns,’ Trump’s legal team wrote in a letter to acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan.

    Merchan said he will likely decide on Monday night whether to allow broadcasting.

    Trump on Sunday night disclosed his plans on his Truth Social platform: ‘I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago on Monday at 12 noon, heading to Trump Tower in New York.

    ‘On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!’

    Trump does not plan to stay in New York City long – he has scheduled a speech back at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Tuesday evening.

  • Anyone who attempts suicide must be reported to the police- Professor Osafo

    Anyone who attempts suicide must be reported to the police- Professor Osafo

    Head of Psychology Department at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo has offered education to Ghanaians on how to handle persons who attempt to commit suicide.

    Noting that suicide is a mental health disorder, Professor Osafo urged Ghanaians to adopt a calm approach and treat any person attempting to take his or her life with love, referring him or her to a Psychologist.

    Making his submissions on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show, the Senior Psychologist urged any person who finds someone trying to take his or her life or exhibiting signs of committing suicide to also report immediately to the Police.

    He advised; “If you see that someone wants to take his or her own life, it is a medical emergency . . . you can call a Police officer. There’s nothing wrong with that as the officer can offer help.”

    He cautioned against abuse of such persons stressing, “when you find someone who wants to commit suicide, don’t beat the person. If there’s nothing you can do to help, you can call the Police”.

    He also admonished the Police to be professional in handling persons with suicidal tendencies.

  • My life wasn’t as important as three tax bills- Nanton MP

    My life wasn’t as important as three tax bills- Nanton MP

    Member of Parliament for Nanton, Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru has opened up on how he got involved in a bloody accident last Friday (March 31) on his way to the House for a crucial vote on three taxes.

    The MP, who doubles as deputy agric minister admitted to Accra-based Citi FM that he was over speeding and that resulted in the accident.

    He recounted how he as driven to Parliament from the accident scene in an Uber adding that he was heading to the chamber to vote when some colleagues saw the state in which he was and subsequently took him to a washroom for medical attention.

    Among others, he was injected, before an incision was made at the top right side of his eye where he sustained a deep cut. In the midst of all this, he restated his desire to be in the chamber to vote on the three bills.

    “You may not really understand what was actually happening and I am sure you are also mindful of the important bills that we needed to pass… honestly speaking, I don’t know how you are going to feel about it or whoever is going to feel about it.

    “I was for Ghana, I was for my party, my government and I needed to do whatever to get the bill passed,” he told EyeWitness News host, Umaru Sanda Amadu (April 3).

    When the host asked: “Did you feel that your life was less important than the bill?” the MP responded: “yes, yes… if you want you can take it like that. I am fine.”

    The three new taxes that were eventually passed with the help of his vote were: Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, 2022, and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022.

    The Minority had stifly opposed the passage of the Bills, challenging the voice vote decision by the Speaker of Parliament.

    It was the challenge that led to a head count of members present which meant every MP on the Majority side was needed to defeat the NDC’s 136 MPs who were all present.

  • My song did better than those selected for VGMA rap performance – Eno Barony

    My song did better than those selected for VGMA rap performance – Eno Barony

    Ghanaian female rapper Eno Barony is disappointed in VGMA for not including her name in the nominees for the Best Rap Performance category in the 23rd VGMA awards.

    Speaking on Movement TV, she said that aside from Medikal, her song had more stream numbers and performed better than four of the nominees for the awards in the category.

    According to her, she had more streams than Teephlow, Strongman Burner, Lyrical Joe and Amerado.

    She said that the category awards rappers based on their stream numbers and other factors which she fitted perfectly, yet was not given the opportunity to compete with her colleagues.

    Eno also recounted periods when there were more than five nominees for the category she should have been nominated for, making it possible for Charter House, the organisers of the program to include her in the award scheme.

    She said she had no issue with her fellow artistes because they did well and had their songs performing quite well too. However, she deserved the nomination since her song performed better and had more streams.

    Eno Barony’s interview about the VGMA nominations on Movement TV below
  • I won’t have sex again till I get married -Actress Shola Subair

    I won’t have sex again till I get married -Actress Shola Subair

    Popular Yoruba Actress, Shola Subair, recently shared a personal experience that surprised her fans.

    In her latest post via Instagram, The actress revealed that she has been sick and she became afraid that she might be Pregnant.

    She Thereby declared never to have any sexual intercourse with a man until her wedding night.

    Shola noted that any man who tried to woo her at this time would be cursed.

    See her post below;

  • Assailants kill notorious ‘galamsey’ site robber

    Assailants kill notorious ‘galamsey’ site robber

    Some unknown men have assassinated the leader of a notorious gang who until his demise had been terrorizing illegal miners within the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.

    Assembly member of Benso Electoral area Justin Afful confirmed this to the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa morning show Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson on Monday morning.

    According to him, the deceased, Agye Nyame Sulemana, A.K.A Sulley, was returning with his gang from their usual ‘operation’ when he was shot together with other members of the cartel.

    The Assemblyman explains that the modus operandi of this group is that they move from one galamsey site to the other armed with pistols, knives, cudgel, and other weapons robbing illegal miners of their gold and money.

    “He has a gang and they have been terrorizing residents in my electoral area. They mostly block roads and rob innocent people of their valuables. They come with guns, knives, and other ammunition. They came for one of such operations last Thursday evening and were returning with their booty when a bullet from an unknown location hit some of the members,” the Assembly member indicated.

    Reports indicate the gang leader, whose gunshot wounds were severe, was rushed to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Other gang members with minor injuries were also sent for treatment.

    The Assembly member further explained that a tip-off to the Ghana Police led to the arrest of the two other members of the gang who were also receiving treatment at the facility.

    They are currently in the custody of the Tarkwa Police Command.

    According to the Assembly member, the gang mostly targets miners.

    “Whenever the miners in my area are on break, these armed robbers will come around with their ammunition, threaten them and take all their gold and money. Anyone who refuses to comply would then be attacked. We still don’t know the person who shot them,” he indicated.

    The wife of Agye Nyame Sulemana has since refuted reports that her  husband is an armed robber.

    According to Maame Rejoice, she has still not set eyes on the body of her late husband though she has heard of reports of his death.

  • Help free American reporter detained in Russia – Brittney Griner appeals to Biden

    Help free American reporter detained in Russia – Brittney Griner appeals to Biden

    WNBA star and former political prisoner Brittney Griner has called on the Biden administration to help free American reporter Evan Gershkovich following his detainment in Russia.

    “Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovitch and his family since Van’s detainment in Russia,” reads a statement that was signed by both Griner and her wife Cherelle Griner. “We must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home. We are grateful for President Biden and his administration’s deep commitment to rescue Americans. We celebrate their recent successful efforts to bring home Jeff Woodke and Paul Rusesabagina.” 

    Griner’s statement comes a week after Russian security officials arrested the Wall Street Journal reporter, age 31, on espionage charges. His arrest comes during a particularly tense time for U.S. and Russia relations, as President Vladimir Putin continues to wage war in Ukraine. The arrest marks the first time since the Cold War that a U.S. journalist has been arrested on espionage charges in Russia.

    “Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win for us all,” the statement continues. “That is why we call on all of our supporters to both celebrate the wins and encourage the administration to continue to use every tool possible to bring Evan and all wrongfully detained Americans home.”

    President Joe Biden has already called on Russia to release the journalist and shared a message with reporters on Friday. “Let him go,” he said. Gershkovich was arrested in Ekaterinburg last week and was flown to Moscow the following day. The Wall Street Journal has denied accusations leveled against him, while Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “deeply concerned” by the news.

    Griner was arrested on drug smuggling charges in Russia in February 2022 and was eventually freed from Russian custody by December as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States.

  • School feeding caterers in Ashanti Region on strike again!

    School feeding caterers in Ashanti Region on strike again!

    Caterers on the School Feeding Programme in Ashanti Region have once again laid down their tools over unpaid arrears.

    The decision comes a day before the reopening of basic schools across the country.

    The caterers are expecting arrears for the third term in the previous academic year to be paid before they resume work.

    They have threatened to throw away the meals cooked by colleagues who may go contrary to the decision.

    “Our reason is simple, during Covid-19, we cooked but government didn’t make full payment. We have been complaining since but to no avail. Currently, we’ve cooked for students for three terms and they have still not made full payment,” she said.

    School feeding caterers in Ashanti Region withdraw services over unpaid arrears

    “Meanwhile, we all testify to how food prices shot up last year, yet government has not reviewed the cost per child. They are still paying ¢0.97 per child and in all that they are not paying in full.

    “So now we can’t cook anymore, we are demanding that third-term payment before we cook otherwise as school reopens tomorrow, nobody is going to cook.”

    One caterer commended their former bosses for their transparency and accountability.

    She said that their former bosses were communicating with them even when they were incapable of paying the full amount.

    “We really miss Otiko Afigya, when she was there, she can pay for 40 days and communicate with us that she will pay the remaining 10 or 15 days so everybody will know that school feeding is owing us 15 days,” the aggrieved caters told JoyNews.

    “But since Cynthia Morrison and the others took over, no one has been giving us any update, they only pay the number of days they want to pay, period,” she said.

    The caterers disclosed that this unpaid arrears has led to severe hardship and some of her colleagues have lost their lives due to the difficulties.

    “A number of people are now dead, some have a stroke, pressure and so on, now we are owing our bankers, indebtedness, we cannot even count the number of challenges,” she lamented.

    The caterers are also calling for an increase in the feeding grant from 97 pesewas to three cedis per child.

  • 5 facts about Big Brother Titans winner, Khosi

    5 facts about Big Brother Titans winner, Khosi

    Big Brother housemate, Khosi, on Sunday, April 2, was declared the winner of the Big Brother Titans (BBTitans) Season 1 reality show at the show’s grand finale.

    She took home a home whopping US$100 000 plus other gifts from sponsors of the show.

    Khosi who was the first housemate to be introduced at the show’s launch alongside 24 other contenders, struggled as she was constantly put up for eviction.

    She won after a keen contest with Nigeria’s Kanaga Jnr who came as the 1st runner up and South Africa’s Tsatsii who took the 2nd runner-up spot.

    Six housemates made it to the finale. Three Nigerians and two South Africans.

    The finalists were Ebubu, Ipeleng, Khosi, Tsaatsii, Kanaga Jnr and Yvonne.

    Yvonne took the fourth position while Ebubu and Ipeleng took the fifth and sixth positions respectively.

    In this article, MyNigeria highlights some things you need to know BBTitans Season 1 winner, Khosi.

    Facts about Khosi:

    1. Age and real name:

    The South African lady who goes by the birth name Makhosazane Twala, was born on August 10, 1997, thereby making her 25 years old.

    2. Hometown:

    Khosi hails from Newcastle, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, however, she currently resides and works in Johanessburg in Gauteng province.

    3. Educational background:

    Khosi is a 3-time graduate – she began her tertiary education at the University of the Free State in 2016 where she graduated, before later joining Oakfields College for a degree in Communications Science.

    Khosi completed her postgraduate studies at the University of Johannesburg in 2021 in Strategic Communication and Media Studies.

    4. Profession:

    The BBTitans’ season 1 winner is a journalist, fitness guru, content creator and Instagram model.

    She also worked as a columnist and on-air personality for Jacaranda 94.2fm in Johannesburg before entering the Big Brother house. She has been interested in becoming a journalist since she was eight years old.

    5. Awards:

    Khosi has competed in beauty pageants in the past including the Biogen Face of Wellness in 2020, Miss Superb Worldwide South Africa 2021, and Miss Free State SA 2017. She finished second in the Miss Free State competition in 2017.

    It is without a doubt that Khosi went to the BBTitans’ house to win the show.

    She was made the overwhelming favorite to win the $100,000 cash prize since she continued to be the focal point of all the show’s events and provided her supporters with nonstop entertainment.

  • Abusuapanin Judas shares heartwarming photos of newborn baby and wife

    Abusuapanin Judas shares heartwarming photos of newborn baby and wife

    Renowned Ghanaian comedian and actor, Abusuapanin Judas, has surprised his fans by sharing several heartwarming photos of a woman cradling a newborn baby.

    The veteran actor, whose real name is Tweneboah Kodua, took to TikTok to share a slideshow of the woman without any captions, except for hashtags.

    In the photos, the woman radiated joy and contentment as she lovingly cradled the newborn in her arms, and in other photos, she walked hand-in-hand with Judas while pushing the baby in a trolley.

    https://www.tiktok.com/@abusuapanin_judas/video/7216616229421714731?embed_source=71112495%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_name&refer=embed&referer_url=www.ghanaweb.com%2FGhanaHomePage%2Fentertainment%2FAbusuapanin-Judas-shares-heartwarming-photos-of-newborn-baby-with-mystery-woman-1742798&referer_video_id=7216616229421714731

    Abusuapanin Judas has been a prominent figure in Ghana’s entertainment industry for many years, renowned for his unique brand of humour.

    https://www.tiktok.com/@abusuapanin_judas/video/7216299988433964334?embed_source=71112495%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_name&refer=embed&referer_url=www.ghanaweb.com%2FGhanaHomePage%2Fentertainment%2FAbusuapanin-Judas-shares-heartwarming-photos-of-newborn-baby-with-mystery-woman-1742798&referer_video_id=7216616229421714731

    The over-50-year-old actor has kept his personal life private, fueling the curiosity of his fans.

    The photos shared by the actor on social media have captured the interest of netizens, who are eager to learn more about the woman in the pictures.

    Upon closer inspection of the videos shared by Abusuapanin Judas on TikTok, some of his videos only featured the woman with him in the pictures.

  • Family gives boyfriend deadline for bride price or they take their daughter

    Family gives boyfriend deadline for bride price or they take their daughter

    An unusual bride price list has taken over social media trends and stirred massive reactions in the process.

    As we all know, in typical African society, the man is expected to present a certain list of carefully chosen items to the family of the bride before he’s given the green light to wed his lover.

    Initially, the items in the bride’s price list were not excessively expensive and considerate because most families believed they are not selling their child to the groom.

    But now, most parents see it as a cash cow and have even gone to the extreme of even deadlines for it.

    Some families charge as high as over 100, 000 cedis just for the bride price alone.

    In these trending pictures, over 50 items were listed for the man to present including a V8 car as well as a pharmacy.

    It’s estimated that the items in the list will cost over Ghc 100,000.

    Alot of social media users who have come across the list have advised the guy to cancel the marriage to save himself from willingly walking into the lion’s den.

    Because the lady’s family have shown their true colours (Gold diggers) even before the wedding

  • Tobacco use kills 6,700 Ghanaians annually – FDA

    Tobacco use kills 6,700 Ghanaians annually – FDA

    An assessment conducted by the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), the Secretariat of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) (Convention Secretariat), WHO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has revealed that more than 800,000 Ghanaians continue to smoke and every year, tobacco use kills more than 6,700 Ghanaians, with 66 percent of these deaths being premature, among people under the age of 70.

    These statistics denote many more Ghanaians are not able to quit tobacco or smoking, in general, irrespective of the rehabilitation and restrictive laws eschewing people from smoking.

    It is on this score that the Executive Director of the Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation, (ILAPI), Mr. Peter Bismark Kwofie has called on stakeholders in the health sector and policymakers to consciously develop an educative medium-long term gradual approach to reducing tobacco use rather than a short-term radical approach of denying consumers the right to make choices.

    “ILAPI as a free enterprise organization that emphasizes freedom and individual liberty, profess other important and evidence-based alternatives to reduce the harm caused by tobacco and subsequently leading to quitting smoking.

    Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use kills approximately eight (8) million people annually, with more than even (7) million of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

    In addition, it causes lung cancer, tobacco use increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other chronic illnesses.

    Experts say the most effective way to prevent tobacco-related deaths is to quit smoking completely, however, addictive smokers are reluctant and unable to quit.

    This according to Mr. Bismark Kwofie calls for harm reduction strategies which is crucial as an effective public health solution.

    He noted that absolutely quitting the habit of smoking has been quite unsustainable, repressive, and draconian.

    Over the past decades, smoke cessation has been promulgated as the best approach to helping combustible smokers to quit. The addictive nature of the nicotine in cigarettes has made quitting smoking a prolonged and difficult process and that, many more smokers are unable to quit.

    It is estimated that $115 billion is needed to be invested to help in smoking cessation from 2020–2030. In 2019, the economic cost of tobacco use in Ghana amounted to approximately GH668 million, equivalent to 0.2 percent of the country’s GDP.

    The Executive Director of ILAPI is of the view that health workers, social workers, other relevant stakeholders, and policymakers should consider other alternatives which will be less costly and harmful measures to address the consumer choice addiction rate of tobacco.

    “In this context, it is crucial to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and weigh them against the well-established harmfulness of tobacco use to develop effective strategies for reducing tobacco consumption in Ghana.” He reiterated.

    The Executive Director of ILAPI stressed that THR as a public solution recognizes the harm caused by combustible cigarettes and aims to minimize the health impacts of cigarette smoking by encouraging those adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch completely to scientifically substantiated, reduced-risk alternatives ought to be explored in our contemporary society.

    Mr. Kwofie thinks that there could be a geo-cultural diversification of solutions to tobacco control but cautioned that the state should conduct and adopt empirically proven techniques as an alternative to reduce harm and death caused by Tobacco whilst not curtailing consumer choice.

    “The inhumane and unscientific “Quit or Die” policy should not be reinforced. Instead of putting vapers and consumers at risk, this is a very good opportunity to raise awareness about THR in general, and encourage smokers who cannot quit smoking to adopt it.” He said.

    There has been a school of thought of increasing taxes on tobacco products and banning THR products are the best initiatives to prevent people from smoking. But according to the Executive Director of ILAPI, anytime taxes (excise and consumption taxes) on products are high, the rich could buy and the middle-income and poor would engage in smuggling adding to the cost of fighting illicit transactions on tobacco.

    “High taxes on tobacco products as means of cessation is not public health,” he retorted

  • NLA collaborates with KGL to mobilise revenue, reduce losses

    NLA collaborates with KGL to mobilise revenue, reduce losses

    The National Lottery Authority, NLA, in partnership with KGL Technology Limited have collaborated to rake in revenue for the authority and the state.

    Both parties are embarking on an aggressive export of NLA games to other West African Countries. The move is to earn royalties and prevent pirating of the games.

    Speaking at the media briefing in Accra, Director General of the NLA, Samuel Awuku, said Nigeria will this year pay the NLA 18 million Cedis while Cote d’Ivoire will pay 13 million Cedis for pirating its games.

    Mr. Awuku said this year Private Lotto Operators, PLO will pay 1.5 million Cedis for license and additional 500,000 Cedis for the Veterans Administration of Ghana lotto if interested.

  • Husband abandons wife and new baby at the hospital for giving birth to another girl

    Husband abandons wife and new baby at the hospital for giving birth to another girl

    A Nigerian man has reportedly abandoned his wife in the hospital because she gave birth to another female child when he wanted a male child.

    A Lagos-based nurse and midwife, identified simply as Kaykay, made this revelation on the microblogging platform, Twitter, on Friday March 31.

    According to Kaykay, the man has failed to show up at the hospital to see his wife and daughter for three days since she delivered.

    The nurse, who was disappointed in the man, said she does not believe a man would still blame his wife for having all female children in this generation.

    “I can’t believe in this day and age some Nigerian men still don’t know that having all female kids isn’t the woman’s fault…that’s how this man hasn’t come to see his wife in the hospital since she gave birth 3 days ago because she had another girl,” she tweeted.

  • MP uncertain anti-LGBTQ+ bill will survive in Ghana after passage

    MP uncertain anti-LGBTQ+ bill will survive in Ghana after passage

    Chairman of the Constitutional, Parliamentary, and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament has raised doubts about the implementation of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 (anti-LGBTQI bill), which Parliament is considering.

    According to Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akim Central, even though the bill has been fine tuned to ensure that it conforms with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, implementing it will be very difficult if it is passed into law.

    Speaking in an interview on Neat FM on Friday, monitored by GhanaWeb, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) explained that prosecuting LGBTI activities in Ghana will be difficult because these activities are not done in the public.

    “This bill tells the public that Ghanaians do not condone LGBTQ+ activities, but from where I stand, I think that the enforcement of this law will be very difficult.

    “Because if people are engaging in these activities in their rooms, it will be difficult for them to be dealt with. Unless they come out to say they engaged in these acts, what evidence can you provide for their prosecution?” he said in Twi.

    He added that the country already has a law which forbids ‘unnatural carnal knowledge’ and that the house will be considering issues surrounding people of the same sex adopting children, among others.

    Meanwhile, Parliament is expected to debate and pass the anti-gay bill. This is after the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament presented the final draft of the, which was sponsored by a group of bi-partisan Members of Parliament, to the plenary.

  • Donald Trump leaves Mar-a-Lago for New York before being arrested and charged

    Donald Trump leaves Mar-a-Lago for New York before being arrested and charged

    Before being charged with a crime in the hush money case, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump was seen leaving his Mar-a-Lago residence and boarding a plane for New York.

    As it made its way to an airport in Palm Beach, Florida, soon after noon on Monday, Trump’s motorcade passed the entrance to his hotel.
    On the way out of the resort and along a road, about six black automobiles were seen traveling.

    A person familiar with the former president’s travel arrangements told CNN that he is scheduled to arrive at Queens’ LaGuardia Airport around 3pm.
    After his court appearance, according to the source, Trump intends to fly back to Florida.

    Trump on Sunday night wrote on his Truth Social platform: ‘I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago on Monday at 12 noon, heading to Trump Tower in New York.’

    Trump leaves Mar-a-Lago for his plane to New York to face criminal charges

    He added: ‘On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!’

    Trump is expected to surrender to law enforcement in lower Manhattan early this week. He will be the first ex-president in US history to face criminal charges.

    He faces about 30 charges for his alleged role in a $130,000 payment his former lawyer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her claims of an affair with Trump. The exact charges are not yet known.

    Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina said he did not know how Tuesday could unfold.

    ‘This is unprecedented. I don’t know. I’ve done a million arraignments in that courthouse with celebrities and whatnot. But this is a whole different thing. We have Secret Service involved,’ Tacopina told ABC News’ This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos.

    ‘I understand they’re closing the courthouse for the afternoon. I just don’t know what to expect to see.’

    Trump is planning to give a speech back at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening after his arraignment.

    A Manhattan grand jury voted on Thursday to indict Trump.

  • Bride-to-be visits her “married boyfriend” for a last round before her wedding

    Bride-to-be visits her “married boyfriend” for a last round before her wedding

    Nigerian tech entrepreneur, Osaretin Victor Asemoto, has narrated how an intending bride cheated on her husband-to-be before their wedding.

    Taking to Twitter over the weekend, Asemota disclosed that the Nigerian bride-to-be visited her married boyfriend for one last sex before her traditional and white wedding.

    Asemota, who described the incident as his weirdest experience in Nigeria, claimed that the bride-to-be slept with her side nigga in exchange for a monetary wedding gift.

    To make matters worse, he claimed that the lady’s sister-in-law was aware of the exchange, and even escorted her to visit the side-nigga.

    In a series of tweets, he wrote,

    “One of my weirdest experiences in Nigeria was a lady getting married and coming to her (already married) boyfriend for one last Mekwe between her traditional wedding and white wedding. This was to get a cash “wedding gift.” Dude was also sad to let her go. I was totally confused.

    What was even more confusing was that she came with the sister of the guy she was getting married to who was her friend and fully aware of the entire “transaction.”

    I gave up all my understanding at that point.

    Nigerians are weird.

    The “low trust” in Nigeria is because everyone knows what they are also capable of doing to the next person without inhibitions.

    It is why we fear juju more than the law.”

  • BoG will maintain its policy rate at 30.5% in 2024- Fitch Solutions

    BoG will maintain its policy rate at 30.5% in 2024- Fitch Solutions

    Rating firm, Fitch Solutions, has predicted that the central bank will keep the policy rate on hold at 30.50% next year.

    The latest forecast by Fitch indicates that inflation, on the other hand, will witness a sharp increase of 16.0% in 2024.

    According to a report, Fitch Solutions said the hike in the policy rate will strengthen the monetary policy framework of the Bank of Ghana.

    “Turning to 2024, we believe that the BoG will keep the policy rate on hold at 30.50%. While inflation will moderate further – we forecast inflation will average 16.0% in 2024 – we believe that it is unlikely that the BoG will start easing monetary policy,” the rating firm said.

    “Indeed, under an expected International Monetary Fund programme, the Central Bank will likely be encouraged to keep the policy rate elevated to “strengthen its monetary policy framework”, it added.

    The projection comes after the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana announced a hike in the policy rate by 150 basis points.

    The new policy rate stands at 29.5 percent from an earlier 28 percent announced in January this year.

    The decision comes after the Bank of Ghana held its second meeting for 2023 to review economic developments in the country.

    Governor of the Bank, Dr. Ernest Addison explained that the hike in the policy rate was due to rising inflationary shocks which are expected to persist as Ghana awaits an IMF-supported programme.

  • Ghana is on a begging spree – Ablakwa bemoans country’s sad fate

    Ghana is on a begging spree – Ablakwa bemoans country’s sad fate

    North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has again lamented over the country’s poor economic conditions.

    His utmost concern was with the fact that Ghana is on a begging spree but has refused to live within its means.

    According to the North Tongu Member of Parliament, the extravagance lifestyle President Akufo-Addo is living amid the obese government he has refused to downsize should be a cause of worry to every Ghanaian.

    The lawmaker.has berated the government for the self-inflicted difficulties the government has plunged the nation into, subjecting the citizenry into excruciating hardship.

    Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa was speaking on the additional hands the government has employed at the Office of the President making the total number rise from 998 to 1048 with Alfred Ocansey on Ghana Tonight Thursday, March 30, 2023.

    “So you wonder if really, this is the country going through the most excruciating economic meltdown in living memory.

    “A country that’s telling everybody that this economy has been destroyed, self-inflicted, with over-borrowed debt to GDP, with excess over 100% so we cannot meet our obligations to you. You cannot get your coupons, you can’t get back your life investment, Finance minister has just returned from China on a begging mission. When Vice President Kamala Harris came here few days ago, you heard President Akufo-Addo begging her to talk to the Paris Club on our behalf. So you’re begging everybody and yet look at your conduct. You cannot lead by example,” he indicated.

    He was surprised that the “2021 list was so high with dubious positions and we expected him to downsize by being considerate and respectful and give some dignity to us his employers” but the President chose to increase the numbers.

    Below is the full text detailing the Annual report on the office of the President staffing:

    Full text: Annual report on Office of the President staffing

    Accra, 30th March, 2023 – Pursuant to section 11 of the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463), the President of the Republic has submitted to Parliament the Annual Report on the staffing position of the Office of the President for the period 1 st January to 31st December, 2022.

    The report covers three key areas, namely the number of Presidential Staff employed at the Office of the President during the period, the ranks and grades of these staff, and employees of other Public Services assigned to the Office of the President.

    During the reporting period, there were two (2) Ministers of State and forty-four (44) Senior Presidential Staffers at post. The other Political Appointees at the Office of the President numbered three hundred and fifteen (315). This brings the number of political appointees to three hundred and sixty-one (361).

    It is important to note that out of the 361 persons who are political appointees at the Office of the President, only 163 work physically at the Jubilee House. The others work in the offices to which they have been assigned.

    It is also instructive to note that, in keeping with the established practice of previous governments of the 4th Republic, the 315 other political appointees include Special Assistants, Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants to Ministers of State and Regional Ministers, employees in the Office of the Vice President, Aides and Assistants assigned to the First Lady and Second Lady, as well as employees assigned to Government agencies under the Office of the President, such as NEIP, Free SHS Secretariat, MASLOC, Special Development Initiatives Secretariat, Monitoring and Evaluation Secretariat, Zongo and Inner Cities Development Secretariat, amongst others.

    Moreover, in addition to the political appointees at the Office of the President, employees of Public Sector Organizations assigned to the Office were also included. These categories of staff were from different classes, including Administrative, Executive/Clerical, Records, Secretarial, Budget, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Presidential Household, and staff from the Department of Parks and Gardens, Ghana Health Service, Controller and Accountant General’s Department, Ghana Audit Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Public Works Department (Prestige), and Ghana Postal Company. The total number of these categories of staff was six hundred and eighty-seven (687). These categories of staff were appointed by their respective public institutions, and the Civil Service and have always been assigned to the Office of the President during previous governments.

    The submission of this report is a clear indication of the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability. It provides a comprehensive overview of the staffing position of the Office of the President, and it is expected to inform decision making processes.

  • King Charles attempted to manufacture German cheese before he fled in hysteria

    King Charles attempted to manufacture German cheese before he fled in hysteria

    Following a failed attempt to create traditional German cheese, King Charles may have taken on too much.

    During his first trip abroad as a king, the King visited Brodowin Farm in Brandenburg, Germany, and was left in a fit of laughter.

    But it appears that there is a knack to manufacturing cheese that the monarch was unable to quickly learn.

    German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Charles, farm owners Ludolf and Katja von Maltzan, and others were given the chance to try manufacturing the cheese.

    The King quipped ‘I’ll do my best’, but as the cheese curd mixture started quickly pouring he was left laughing while frantically pushing it into the moulds.

    Charles joked: ‘I need longer arms,’ as he tried to make the traditional German sliced cheese, coloured naturally with carrot.

    He was dressed in a white lab coat coat with plastic overshoes inside the cheese factory.

    King Charles breaks out in laughter while attempting to make traditional German cheese
    King Charles was left in a fit of the giggles as he tried to make German cheese (Pictures: Getty/AFP)

    The King had also planned to see some of the farm’s calves living in special igloos which are more hygienic and prevent the spread of illness – but a heavy storm sent Charles rushing indoors instead.

    There he was presented with a cake, shaped like a crown on a purple cushion, which took chef Antje Neumann 21 hours to bake.

    Charles tasted a slice of the huge white chocolate and Victoria sponge cake, which weighed 10 kilos, saying: ‘This is brilliant, it must have taken you weeks. This is seriously good cake.’

    Since his arrival in Germany on Wednesday King Charles has visited Berlin, Hamburg and Brandenburg.

    Yesterday he addressed the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, in a speech in both English and German.

    And on Wednesday one absolute whopper tried to crown the King with a paper Burger King crown during a walkabout in Berlin.

  • To protect Ghana’s roads, install weighbridges – Highway Authority

    To protect Ghana’s roads, install weighbridges – Highway Authority

    The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) says the installation of weighbridge stations at vantage points along the road corridors are meant to preserve the road network in the country.

    Axle Load Manager at GHA, Mr Albert Osae Annan said the installation of the axle load weighing stations formed part of actions to control overloading and dimensions of haulage trucks on the roads – identified as main contributors factors damaging roads.

    Mr Annan, who was giving a presentation on axle load control policy during a meeting of the Volta Regional Shipper Committee at Aflao, called on players in Ghana’s international trade and transport chain to comply with Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 on axle load, gross weight, and dimension control in the interest of all.

    “If you follow the law, no one will disturb you (to pay a fine and shed off the excess goods) and it’ll help improve the lifespan of the road thereby preserving the investment made in constructing the road infrastructure. Road construction is very expensive – millions of dollars per kilometre.

    “Loading within permissible limits will also ensure that roads are safe for all users and reduce vehicle maintenance costs.”

    Some attendants, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency, lauded the axle load regime but spoke against GHA’s intended operationalisation of the weighbridge station at Aflao, saying, that would be a deviation from the operation of weighbridge stations in other parts of the country.

    “The weighbridge here at the Customs yard is meant for assessment of customs duty and import checking. There’s one at Akatsi, operated by the GHA to check overloading but they still want to hijack this one here. How can you issue a fine to someone when he or she has not hit the road? Are we protecting Togo or Ghana’s roads?” Mr John Tordzagbo, Chairman, Ghana Institute of Freight forwarders, Aflao District, said.

    “The axle load station here won’t only affect trade facilitation but affect revenue generation to the state. Of all the ports in Ghana, it’s only Aflao that this will happen, and it has a detrimental effect. Instead of shippers bringing in the full cargo, they’ll smuggle the goods in,” Mr Vincent Amedorme, Secretary, Customs Brokers Association of Ghana, Aflao District said.

    Mr Charles Darling Sey, Tema Branch Manager, Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), told the GNA that the concerns of the stakeholders in the shipping and logistics sector would be looked at for amicable resolution noting, the GSA had been at the forefront of solving problems of shippers in the country.

  • I lost huge sum of money trying to feature Nicki Minaj – Popular musician cries out

    I lost huge sum of money trying to feature Nicki Minaj – Popular musician cries out

    Nigerian singer, Iyanya, has narrated how he lost millions of nairas while trying to get American rapper, Nicki Minaj, to collaborate with him.

    After the success of the ‘Kukere’ song that increased his popularity, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuka, and his team wanted to achieve more.

    According to him, music executive, Ubi Franklin suggested that they make an international move by featuring Nicki Minaj on his hit song.

    He added that, he went with his team to the United States and met Nicki Minaj for the feature, but they could not afford the $200,000 coat to sign her to a song.

    Iyanya said: “Ur waist was so massive we decided it should go international and we needed the right artiste to help with that journey.

    “@ubifranklin1 suggested Nicki Minaj and I asked how we’re gonna pay for that, he laughed and said ‘if your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.”

  • IPPs to the government: “Pay us in 3 weeks or we can’t guarantee power generation

    IPPs to the government: “Pay us in 3 weeks or we can’t guarantee power generation

    The Chamber of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) has said it will not agree to plans by the government to restructure a $1.3 billion debt owed its members.

    In a letter to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, the Chamber said: “We emphasise that our members reject any notion of restructuring their arrears/claims, as part of the ongoing or any future debt restructuring programme”.

    “Our members are prepared to engage with the government on payment schedules with regard to the arrears and other claims under the respective PAs, in order to promote predictability of payment flows while the energy sector reforms take hold to eliminate any accumulation of arrears going forward”, the letter noted.

    “We would like to advise that you prioritise and make payments of the arrears in the next three weeks to enable our members to meet their debt obligations and sustain our production of electricity”, the IPPs proposed.

    It further said outstanding and overdue receivables from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have reached a critical point and cannot guarantee continuous generation in the coming months”.

    “As of January 31, 2023, our members’ total receivables accrued is over the cedi equivalent of $1.3 billion. Nonetheless, our members, in good faith, have continued to honour their contractual obligations to ECG, which is not sustainable”, the IPPs added.

    The Chamber added: “We, herein, bring to your attention that some of our members are in default of their debt service obligations with some quarterly debt service obligations due from March 2023”.

    “Kindly note that our members cannot continue defaulting on their respective debt service obligations and sustain operations”, the group indicated.

    Additionally, it said: “We wish to highlight that our members have accrued huge arrears with their suppliers for which they are already in default and accruing associated penalties”.

    The Chamber also said the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM), which was meant to bring transparency and fairness in the disbursement of the power sector revenue, was a failure.

    “The CWM committee is dominated by the representatives of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), VRA, ECG, and GRIDCo, rejecting our proposal for IPs to be represented on the committee”.

    “The only information members receive are the bank credit alerts even though they are key stakeholders controlling over 50% of the market share”.

    “While we welcome the indication in your letter that review of the CWM will be part of the critical energy sector reforms, we emphasise that above-stated issues of transparency and governance of the CWM must be part of the agreed reforms and the Chamber duly represented on the CWM committee”.

  • We owe Bui Power Authority US$612 million -ECG

    We owe Bui Power Authority US$612 million -ECG

    The Electricity Company of Ghana owes Bui Power Authority (BPA), the managers of the Bui generating station more than US$612 million, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, the Chief Executive Officer has revealed.

    He expressed his disappointment in the inability of the ECG to pay the authority as the power produced and supplied to the company remained the only problem confronting the operations of the 404 Megawatts (MW) dam, situated in the Banda District of the Bono Region.

    Speaking in an interview with the media during a visit by Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister to the dam’s plant site at Bui, Mr Dzamesi said almost 99 per cent of the power produced was sold to the ECG.

    Accompanied by some members of the Bono Regional Security Council, as well as the District and Municipal Chief Executives, the Regional Minister was at the site to acquaint herself with hydropower generation and other operations of the authority.

    Mr Dzamesi said, “I can assure you since the inception of the BPA, the ECG has never, ever been able to pay more than 30 percent of what we generate. What I mean is for every 100 units of power generated, the ECG pays 30 units.”

    “In fact, if the ECG is able to pay all the money, I think by this time we could do much more than what we are doing on the solar,” he stated.

    In 2022, he said the Authority raked in US$74 million-dollar profit, being the highest generated so far, since the dam started actual production, but added the amount was inclusive in the ECG’s debt.

    “Last year, by the grace of God we had rainfall that was able to fill to the highest capacity of the dam’s level of 183 and we got little more over the 183-capacity level. So, we were able to make 1,554 gigawatts hour last year,” Mr Dzamesi stated.

    The Chief Executive Officer said BPA had the biggest solar plant in the West Africa sub-region, saying it had targeted to construct 250MW solar plant to augment power generation at the Bui Generating Station.

    Mr Dzamesi explained the authority was currently undertaking feasibility studies on the Western Rivers, and he was hopeful “by the end of the year, we will get contractors who would start very serious hydro power plant either on Rivers Pra, Ankobra or Tano.”

    “In fact, the BPA is the first company to hybridize solar power and hydropower. When I say hybridization, it means a smooth transition from hydro to solar or from solar to hydro or the two of them moving together,” he said.

    Mr Dzamesi commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government for the support in making the authority to achieve its 250MW solar project.

    He said the BPA was undertaking serious expansion work on its solar project indicating “under his leadership, we have added 50MW of solar and by the end of the year we are adding additional 40MW on-land here, 50MW in Yendi, and 5MW on the dam’s reservoir here.”

  • Victim of the Novichok poisoning in Salisbury who lost a partner intends to sue Russia

    Victim of the Novichok poisoning in Salisbury who lost a partner intends to sue Russia

    A Salisbury poisoned victim intends to file a lawsuit against Russia for his partner’s passing and the destruction of his property.

    Five years have passed since Charlie Rowley and his partner Dawn Sturgess became gravely ill as a result of exposure to Novichok, a deadly nerve toxin of military grade created by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

    Now, Mr. Rowley has disclosed to The Sun that he is considering suing the Russian government for Ms. Sturgess‘ subsequent death and the destruction of his home as a result of the poisoning.

    The substance was concealed in a perfume bottle and found in a charity shop before being gifted to Ms Sturgess by Mr Rowley.

    Undated handout photo issued by Metropolitan Police of Dawn Sturgess, who died after being exposed to nerve agent novichok.
    Ms Sturgess died after being exposed to the toxic nerve agent Novichok in 2018 (Picture: PA)

    It is thought to have been left behind by Kremlin agents Anatoliy Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin four months prior to the couple falling ill.

    The UK government believes Mr Chepiga and Mr Mishkin used the nerve agent in a state-sanctioned assassination attempt against former Russian intelligence official Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. 

    Ms Sturgess died just over a week after being exposed to the substance, while Mr Rowley suffered multiple strokes and nerve damage.

    It took more than a year for the affected sites in Salisbury to be completely cleared of the highly toxic chemical.

    During this time, Mr Rowley’s home was torn down and more than 450 of his belongings destroyed.

    Among them was his phone, which contained ‘all my photos and memories’ of Ms Sturgess, his partner of 18 months, Mr Rowley said. 

    He added: ‘I still stay in touch with Dawn’s family. That’s very important to me. I loved her deeply.’

    His statements come following the news that a public hearing into Ms Sturgess’s death will be pushed back until next year, with intelligence concerns cited.

    For Mr Rowley, it has been a difficult wait. 

    He said: ‘I’d like to find a way of bringing them to account. I feel they probably had a huge pay-off as they did something and are reaping the rewards for it, yet they’ve left a trail of destruction behind them.’

  • Ahuofe Patri regrets not giving birth early like her mum

    Ahuofe Patri regrets not giving birth early like her mum

    Screen actress, Priscilla Opoku Agyeman popularly known as Ahuofe Patri has regretted not making her mother, Barbara Opoku Addo a grandmother before her untimely death.

    The actress who recently buried her mother on March 4, said if she had foreknowledge of how things will end for her mother, she would have given her a grandchild.

    “Maybe, I should have also given birth early just like my mum did considering that I was the only child and now she is gone. If I knew she was not going to live for long, I would have done that,” she told Graphic Showbiz.

    Recounting her experience with her mother who passed away after a short illness at the onset of the year, Ahuofe Patri said the two were almost inseparable and it was her mother’s wish to see her grandchildren; something she was unable to grant her.

    “My mum gave birth to me at an early so it was quite difficult for people to know she was my mother. I related to my mother like a big sis and we did everything together.  I shared with her my problems and she also told me everything I needed to know.

    “We shared a strong bond and the love that existed between us was so deep.”

    The funeral which took place at the Tesano Police Deport in Accra was attended by a section of her celebrity friends including Kalybos, Salma Mumin, Rosleyn Nigissah and Prince David Osei.

    Expressing her gratitude to them and other friends, she said she was pleased with the show of support.

    “I know my mum Barbara Opoku is resting well because she was a good woman with a pure heart,” she stated.

    Ahuofe Patri who is currently working as a producer and director might be planning to get pregnant in the not so distant future in honour of her mother.

    The actress in a past interview revealed that she and Kalybos had plans to give birth if they were both single in two years.

    She said: “We have come to an agreement that, after two years, if I don’t have a lover and he also does not have one, we will have a child. So watch out, if you don’t hear that either Kalybos or myself is married, we will have a baby coming out,” Ahoufe Patri continued. “We will probably start paying attention to each other. We are in each other’s plans.”

  • Sammy Awuku-led NLA penetrates Ivory Coast, Nigeria to rake in GHS31m

    Sammy Awuku-led NLA penetrates Ivory Coast, Nigeria to rake in GHS31m

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) will soon rake in revenue worth millions of cedis following its partnership with other African countries. 

    According to the Director-General of the Authority, Sammy Awuku, his outfit will soon receive over GHS 30 million as royalties from Ivory Coast and Nigeria for drawing Games online.

    “My initial trips to Ivory Coast and Nigeria would now pay off as both countries will soon pay us royalties of Eighteen Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 18,000,000.00) and Thirteen Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 13,000,000.00) respectively, for drawing our Games online through KGL Group,” he said.  

    He made the remarks during a presentation at the state of specified entities report briefing, where he highlighted a number of significant gains the NLA has chalked under his leadership. 

    During the presentation, he mentioned that the Authority has gained global recognition due to some bold steps he took upon assuming office. 

    “One of the first things we did was together with Management, embark on trips to neighbouring countries like Ivory Coast to find out what they were doing differently to boost their revenue, learn from them and incorporate it into our operations.  We noticed that in communities all over the country, there was a project sponsored by proceeds from the lottery, and we sought to implement the same.

    “Mr. Dramane Coulibaly, the Director-General of the Loterie Nationale de Côte d’Ivoire (LONACI), also doubles as the President of the African Lotteries Association(ALA).  I leveraged this to get the NLA back into the Association after being kicked out a couple of years ago for non-payment of dues and not conforming to some regulations.

    “The NLA is now a member of ALA and is working on its Certification for Responsible Gaming.   I also visited Nigeria to meet Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, the Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Council, to discuss the payment of royalties to Ghana, since they have been for using our draw Numbers for the past twenty five years.These trips indeed yielded results that I will go into and discuss further when I get to our second achievement, Raising Revenue,” he said.

    Additionally, he mentioned that the authority has been able to clear a chunk of its debt, and also raise more revenue. 

    “I met a debt of about Fifteen million Ghana Cedis (GHS 15,000.000.00) in unpaid wins on the assumption of office.  As of now, we have cleared a greater part of the debt and we continue to make efforts together with Management to clear the outstanding debt. We have developed the Instant Pay  *389*1000# for players to instantly redeem wins of up to One Thousand Two Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHS 1,2000) after the Draw.

    “In partnership with our Corporate Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs), we have also instituted Prize Payment Centers in our Regional offices nationwide for wins up to Twelve Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 12,000.00),” he added.

    The authority has also been keenly supporting society through its Good Causes Foundation which is the charity arm of the Authority, spearheading our Corporate Social Responsibility.

    In line with Section 2(3) of the National Lotto Act – stipulates that conduct, as part of the operation of National Lotto, a lottery to provide care and protection for the physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans, and destitute children, the authority has embarked on Medical Outreaches in various communities such as Korle-Wokon, Somanya and Sunyani; donated Medical Equipment (incubators) to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital in collaboration with the Kokrokoo Foundation and Hope Exchange Hospital in Kumasi, refurbished the Tema Polyclinic Recovery Ward, Koforidua Central Hospital Children’s Ward; provided brilliant but needy students with scholarships; refurbished schools including the Mamfe Presby Primary School, Gonten Primary School and also established an IT Lab in collaboration with Ask Ghana for schools in the Agona West Municipality, among other commendable deeds.

    Mr Awuku stated that these projects and initiatives have helped the Authority to improve revenue, rebuild its image and brand, engage better with Internal and External Stakeholders, as well as ensure better cohesion between Staff and Management, Governing Board and Management, etc.

  • Man attempted to kill his ex-wife and her four stepchildren by setting fire to her two-bedroom apartment

    Man attempted to kill his ex-wife and her four stepchildren by setting fire to her two-bedroom apartment

    James Kwarteng, also known as Agya Ofi, a man thought to be in his early forties, has allegedly set his ex-wife and her four children’s home on fire in an effort to kill them all.

    Mr. Kwarteng, a bar operator at Sehwi Kwawkrom committed the heinous act at Sehwi Abrokofe where the wife stays, all in the Juaboso district of the Western North region.

    According to sources available to Emmanuel Sowah, the man said the ex-wife had broken his plastic bucket at Kwawkrom, the reason he followed her to set the two-bedroom house ablaze.

    The two had been married for some time but had to break up due to threats from the man to kill his wife. The woman had to leave the man’s house to save her life and that of her four children whom she brought to the marriage.

    Meanwhile, the former wife, Abena Badu had denied damaging the rubber buckets.

    Following husband’s threats to take the ex wife’s life, an uncle of the woman, Thomas Darkwah, relocated her to Sehwi Abrokofe to save her life and that of her four children.

    Despite relocating them, the husband followed them to the other town, Abrokofe to set their building ablaze.

    Neighbours came around to rescue the situation but an 8-year-old girl got her both limbs burnt and was rushed to the Sehwi Kofikrom SDA Hospital for treatment.

    Meanwhile, the suspect after the incident took on his heels but was arrested by the community folks and handed over to the police at Sehwi Boinzan.