Author: Chris Kodo

West Africa emerges as a trafficking hub for cocaine production- UN report
In a recent report, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC ) has revealed that cocaine production has surged to unprecedented levels, largely due to a rise in demand following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report indicates that coca cultivation increased by 35% between 2021 and 2022 to reach record levels, with new trafficking hubs emerging in West and Central Africa.

International postal services are now being used more frequently by drug traffickers to deliver drugs to consumers, according to the report.

While Europe and North America remain the largest markets for cocaine, followed by South and Central America and the Caribbean, the report suggests that new markets are emerging in Africa and Asia, which could pose a dangerous threat.

The Global Report on Cocaine attributes the production increase to an expansion in the cultivation of coca bushes, as well as improvements in converting coca into powdered cocaine.

The report also indicates that seizure data suggest the role of Africa, particularly West and Central Africa, as a transit zone for cocaine on its way to European markets has increased significantly since 2019. The quantity of cocaine seized in Africa and the number of large seizures appear to have reached record levels during 2021.

The Covid-19 pandemic had a disruptive impact on drug markets as international travel was severely restricted, leading to a drop in demand for cocaine.

However, the latest data indicates that this slump had little impact on longer-term trends. As a result, the global supply of cocaine has now reached a record high.

In the UK, the report highlights a significant increase in the number of seizures of cocaine in the “fast parcel and postal modes.” While law enforcement interceptions have been on the rise, they have not kept pace with production, according to the report.

Key findings include:
- Ghanaian law enforcement perceived that cocaine trafficking through Ghana had resulted in the establishment of a domestic market. As of 2017, cocaine accounted for 26 per cent of drug treatment provision in Ghana
- Saudi Arabia has the highest retail cocaine prices of $533 while the illicit drug costs $20 in Ghana
- While comprehensive comparable data for 2021 were not available it appears that trafficking from Brazil to West and Central Africa rebounded during 2021, as at least 3 cocaine consignments in excess of 500 kg each, amounting to 2.9 tons, were seized in Brazil with destination Ghana, in addition to smaller consignments meant for Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
- Since 2013 the UNODC Drugs Monitoring Platform has recorded only one seizure of 100 kg or more in Ghana, specifically in September 2020 at Tema port.
- Colombia still dominates trafficking routes although paths to Europe have evolved
- Consumption in Australia peaked in the middle of 2020, dropped by 50% the following year and picked up “moderately” in the last few months of 2021
- Mexican and Balkan criminal groups have moved closer to the centre of production to gain access to supplies
- The use of crack cocaine is on the upward trend in several western European countries including the UK, Belgium, France and Spain
- In Ukraine, the market had been expanding, but since Russia’s invasion last February the demand has been disrupted drastically
March 16, 2023
Man dies after being “victimized with hammer for his Rolex”

As per reports, a guy was killed after being attacked for his expensive watch during a daylight heist.

Once the victim was discovered yesterday shortly before 3 o’clock in a severe state, emergency services were summoned to the Heath Way in Shard End, Birmingham.

Despite their best efforts, the man was declared dead at the site.

Witnesses claimed the man, who is thought to be in his 50s, was hit with a hammer or another weapon outside a row of stores for his Rolex watch.

One onlooker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘A 50-year-old bloke has been attacked with a hammer or something similar for his Rolex.

‘It was crazy, there were helicopters overhead and dozens of police and ambulances. All this was happening at the end of the school day.

‘There were kids around, it’s terrible. A blue tent has since been set up. It doesn’t look good.’

West Midlands Ambulance Service said two ambulances, a paramedic officer, and the Midlands Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.

A service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 2.55pm to an incident on Heath Way, Shard End, Birmingham.

‘Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.

‘Upon arrival, we found a man in a critical condition. Ambulance staff immediately began administering advanced life support to him.

‘Unfortunately, it became clear that nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased.’

West Midlands Police only confirmed they were responding to ‘an incident’ and have released no further details since Wednesday evening.

A police spokesperson said: ‘We currently have officers at shops in Heath Way in Shard End while we respond to an incident.

‘There is a cordon in place and we’ll provide more information when we have a fuller understanding of what has happened.’

March 16, 2023
ECG begins mass disconnection to retrieve debts

From March 20, 2023, all Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) offices nationwide will be closed, the company has announced.

The utility provider in a public notice said the temporary closure was aimed at conducting a revenue mobilisation exercise that will span a month and end on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

During this exercise, the ECG will focus on all categories of customers who owe them money, including state-owned enterprises, with special teams monitoring and prosecuting customers who attempt to disrupt the exercise or undertake illegal self-re-connections after disconnection.

The head office, regional and district offices, except for customer service centres, will be affected to ensure the full participation of the management and staff.

The ECG is urging its customers to pay their bills promptly to avoid disconnection and subsequent re-connection fees.

The company warned that customers who refuse to pay their outstanding bills, even after being served with a final demand notice, will face legal action.

The ECG also advised customers to settle their debts to the company promptly, as it will not hesitate to prosecute any customer who fails to comply.

March 16, 2023
Apologise to Adu Boahen- Kennedy Agyapong to Akufo-Addo and Bawumia

Member of Parliament for Assin Central and a flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kennedy Agyapong has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to apologize to Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.

This call comes at the back of the termination of Charles Adu Boahen’s appointment as a Minister of State at the Finance Ministry by President Akufo-Addo on Monday, November 14, 2022, as a result of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s “Galamsey Economy” exposé.

Mr Agyapong believes that Adu Boahen’s dismissal, which followed an exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, was unfair and unjust.

This call from Mr Agyapong comes after a High Court in Accra dismissed a GH¢25 million defamatory suit against him by Anas.

He said: “I think the NPP, President Akufo-Addo, and the Vice President should apologize to Adu Boahen for what they have done to him because of a simple thing that Anas did.

“They have disgraced Adu Boahen and based on the judgement, the President must apologize to him. They cannot sacrifice innocent people like that”.

The judge described Anas’ work as “investigative terrorism” rather than investigative journalism.

Mr Agyapong took the opportunity to express his belief that Adu Boahen was treated unfairly and that the NPP, President Akufo-Addo, and the Vice President should apologize to him.

Mr Adu Boahen was dismissed from his position in November 2022 after allegations were made against him in Anas’ exposé titled “Galamsey Economy.”

The exposé allegedly captured Adu Boahen asking an investor to pay him $200,000 for a meeting with the Vice President. Adu Boahen was also alleged to have promised the investor that some of his relatives would be employed to enable his investment to begin early.

After the allegations were made, Vice President Dr. Bawumia called for Adu Boahen to be summarily dismissed and investigated. The President referred the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.

March 16, 2023
The 14-year-old Ukrainian girl discovered dead on the beach suffered “multiple injuries

A young woman from Ukraine who was discovered unconscious on a Devon beach died from “many injuries,” an inquest has heard.

Albina Yevko, 14, passed away in the hospital after emergency personnel discovered her on a Dawlish beach after her mother reported her missing.

A Devon county coroner named Alison Longhorn launched an inquest into the teen’s passing.

She claimed Albina was from Ukraine and attended the neighborhood school while residing with her mother Inna in a flat in a beach town.

Miss Longhorn said Albina was reported missing by her mother and an ‘extensive multi-agency search’ was carried out and Albina was found on the beach.

She was pronounced dead at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital at 7am on March 5th.

Miss Longhorn said further tests are being carried out to establish the exact cause of death but confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances.

Police searching after the teenager disappeared (Picture: SWNS)

Albina was found unconscious on the beach (Picture: Devon & Cornwall Police)

Emergency services said the teenager died in hospital (Picture: SWNS)

She said a post-mortem had been carried out by a Home Office pathologist who said Albina died of ‘multiple injuries’.

Ms Longhorn said: ‘I’m unable to proceed to a full inquest today as there clearly remains evidence outstanding.

‘That evidence will be collected and collated by my coroner’s officer and will include a final post mortem examination report.

‘A preliminary cause of death has been given as multiple injuries.’

The coroner said she is awaiting a full autopsy report and the laboratory tests before a full inquest can be held at Exeter’s County Hall at a later date.

Devon and Cornwall police had earlier stated that a CCTV trawl, the port mortem and a review of Albina’s phone showed there was no third party involvement in her death which was not suspicious.

Detective Inspector Becky Davies said: ‘Following police enquiries undertaken throughout the Dawlish area, including CCTV trawls, review of Albina’s phone and a forensic post mortem; investigative officers can confirm that there was no third party involvement and that the death of Albina Yevko is not suspicious.

‘Our investigation shows that Albina had settled very well in the UK since moving from Ukraine and enjoyed living by the sea and being part of a new family.

‘She had made good friends, both Ukrainian and English in the UK, enjoyed school and was very much welcomed by the local community.

‘We have informed Albina’s next of kin of our findings and we ask that their privacy is respected at such a difficult time.

‘The police’s role is to continue gathering information surrounding this matter and to submit a file to the coroner who will hold an inquest into this death in due course.

‘We would like to thank everyone who has helped us with our investigation into this matter. Our thoughts are with all who knew Albina at this tragic time.’

Albina had moved to the UK in May last year after the Russian invasion – and was settling into new life and attending the local secondary school.

Paying an earlier tribute alongside the release of a photo of her daughter, Inna said: ‘Myself and my family are devastated to have lost our beautiful Albina.

‘Nothing can ever replace her in our hearts. ‘We ask that our privacy is respected at this incredibly painful time.’

Albina had moved to the UK in May last year after the Russian invasion and friends described her as a ‘normal teenager – calm, kind and smart’.

March 16, 2023
What can ChatGPT maker’s new AI model GPT-4 do?

The company behind the ChatGPT chatbot has rolled out its latest artificial intelligence model, GPT-4, in the next step for a technology that’s caught the world’s attention.

The new system can figure out tax deductions and answer questions like a Shakespearan pirate, for example, but it still “hallucinates” facts and makes reasoning errors.

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Here’s a look at San Francisco-based startup OpenAI’s latest improvement on the generative AI models that can spit out readable text and unique images:

WHAT’S NEW?

OpenAI says GPT-4 “exhibits human-level performance.” It’s much more reliable, creative and can handle “more nuanced instructions” than its predecessor system, GPT-3.5, which ChatGPT was built on, OpenAI said in its announcement.

In an online demo Tuesday, OpenAI President Greg Brockman ran through some scenarios that showed off GPT-4’s capabilities that appeared to show it’s a radical improvement on previous versions.

He demonstrated how the system could quickly come up with the proper income tax deduction after being fed reams of tax code — something he couldn’t figure himself.

“It’s not perfect, but neither are you. And together it’s this amplifying tool that lets you just reach new heights,” Brockman said.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Generative AI technology like GPT-4 could be the future of the internet, at least according to Microsoft, which has integrating AI chatbot tech into its Bing browser.

It’s part of a new generation of machine-learning systems that can converse, generate readable text on demand and produce novel images and video based on what they’ve learned from a vast database of digital books and online text.

These new AI breakthroughs have the potential to transform the internet search business long dominated by Google, which is trying to catch up with its own AI chatbot, and numerous professions.

“With GPT-4, we are one step closer to life imitating art,” said Mirella Lapata, professor of natural language processing at the University of Edinburgh. She referred to the TV show “Black Mirror,” which focuses on the dark side of technology.

“Humans are not fooled by the AI in ‘Black Mirror’ but they tolerate it,” Lapata said. “Likewise, GPT-4 is not perfect, but paves the way for AI being used as a commodity tool on a daily basis.”

WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE IMPROVEMENTS?

GPT-4 is a “large multimodal model,” which means it can be fed both text and images that it uses to come up with answers.

In one example posted on OpenAI’s website, GPT-4 is asked, “What is unusual about this image?” It’s answer: “The unusual thing about this image is that a man is ironing clothes on an ironing board attached to the roof of a moving taxi.”

GPT-4 is also “steerable,” which means that instead of getting an answer in ChatGPT’s “classic” fixed tone and verbosity, users can customize it by asking for responses in the style of a Shakespearean pirate, for instance.

In his demo, Brockman asked both GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 to summarize in one sentence an article explaining the difference between the two systems. The catch was that every word had to start with the letter G.

GPT-3.5 didn’t even try, spitting out a normal sentence. The newer version swiftly responded: “GPT-4 generates groundbreaking, grandiose gains, greatly galvanizing generalized AI goals.”

HOW WELL DOES IT WORK?

ChatGPT can write silly poems and songs or quickly explain just about anything found on the internet. It also gained notoriety for results that could be way off, such as confidently providing a detailed but false account of the Super Bowl game days before it took place, or even being disparaging to users.

OpenAI acknowledged that GPT-4 still has limitations and warned users to be careful. GPT-4 is “still not fully reliable” because it “hallucinates” facts and makes reasoning errors, it said.

“Great care should be taken when using language model outputs, particularly in high-stakes contexts,” the company said, though it added that hallucinations have been sharply reduced.

Experts also advised caution.

“We should remember that language models such as GPT-4 do not think in a human-like way, and we should not be misled by their fluency with language,” said Nello Cristianini, professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Bath.

Another problem is that GPT-4 does not know much about anything that happened after September 2021, because that was the cutoff date for the data it was trained on.

ARE THERE SAFEGUARDS?

OpenAI says GPT-4’s improved capabilities “lead to new risk surfaces” so it has improved safety by training it to refuse requests for sensitive or “disallowed” information.

It’s less likely to answer questions on, for example, how to build a bomb or buy cheap cigarettes.

Still, OpenAI cautions that while “eliciting bad behavior” from GPT is harder, “doing so is still possible.”

Source:

March 16, 2023
I was banned from appearing on GTV – KKD

Veteran Ghanaian broadcaster and MC Kwesi Kyei Darkwa well known as KKD has revealed that the New Patriotic Party government has banned him as a guest on GTV.

KKD is of the opinion that the government has asked GTV through its management and producers to stop him from coming on the morning show.

“You have instructed them not to allow KKD to appear on GTV anymore”, KKD says.

He also chided those behind his ban saying when they were in opposition, they were happy when some individuals including himself were criticizing other governments but when it got to a time to criticize the same people they are now hunting him down.

“At the time you needed people to speak against the government, you were talking about integrity but when we started speaking when you were stealing, you instructed them not to allow KKD to appear on GTV anymore,” KKD revealed on Onua TV.

Speaking in an interview on Onua TV with Captain Smart, KKD stressed that, GTV is a state-owned broadcasting network, adding that there is no need for such a decision to be made; describing it as funny.

“GTV is for the country and since they said that I have never mentioned it anywhere. But it’s funny. They have asked them not to allow me there and that is why I have not been there”, he said.

“If they deny saying this, let them ask the Director-General of GTV, and the producers at GTV about what they told me that has made me not go there again” he challenged.

March 16, 2023
Google reveals AI features in Gmail, Docs, and more to compete with Microsoft
A number of future generative AI features for Google’s Workspace apps, which include Google Docs, Gmail, Sheets, and Slides, have been unveiled.

The features include new ways to generate, summarize, and brainstorm text with AI in Google Docs (similar to how many people use OpenAI’s ChatGPT), the option to generate full emails in Gmail based on users’ brief bullet points, and the ability to produce AI imagery, audio, and video to illustrate presentations in Slides (similar to features in both Microsoft Designer, powered by OpenAI’s DALL-E, and Canva, powered by Stable Diffusion).

The announcement shows Google’s eagerness to catch up to competitors in the new AI race. Ever since the arrival of ChatGPT last year and Microsoft’s launch of its chatbot-enabled Bing this February, the search giant has been scrambling to launch similar AI features. The company reportedly declared a “code red” in December, with senior management telling staff to add AI tools to all its user products, which are used by billions of people, in a matter of months.

But Google is definitely racing ahead of itself. Although the company has announced a raft of new features, only the first of these — AI writing tools in Docs and Gmail — will be made available to a group of US-based “trusted testers” this month. (This is also how Google announced availability for ChatGPT rival Bard.) Google says these and other features will then be made available to the public later in the year but didn’t specify when.

You can see below the full list of AI-powered features Google says will be coming to Workspace apps in the future:
- Draft, reply, summarize, and prioritize your Gmail
- Brainstorm, proofread, write, and rewrite in Docs
- Bring your creative vision to life with auto-generated images, audio, and video in Slides
- Go from raw data to insights and analysis via auto-completion, formula generation, and contextual categorization in Sheets
- Generate new backgrounds and capture notes in Meet
- Enable workflows for getting things done in Chat
An example of AI in Google Docs turning a prompt into a full job description. Image: Google

Of all the new features, the AI writing and brainstorming tools in Docs and Gmail seem the most potentially useful. In a sample demo (GIF above), a user is shown the prompt “Help me write” and then enters a request: “Job post for a regional sales rep.” The AI system then completes the job spec for them in seconds, letting them edit and refine the text.

Google expands on these potential functions in its press release: “Whether you’re a busy HR professional who needs to create customized job descriptions, or a parent drafting the invitation for your child’s pirate-themed birthday party, Workspace saves you the time and effort of writing that first version. Simply type a topic you’d like to write about, and a draft will instantly be generated for you. With your collaborative Al partner you can continue to refine and edit, getting more suggestions as needed.”

A similar feature will let users rewrite text or expand it using AI tools. So, says Google, you might jot down a few bullet points about a work meeting. Google Docs can then expand this into a “more polished summary,” with users able to manually specify the tone (whether it should be “more whimsical” or “formal,” for example). In a video demo, Google shows AI being used to write personalized marketing messages for clients, turning bullet points into a full email, and summarizing the contents of a long email chain in Gmail. (Again, these are somewhat familiar features. Slack recently announced it will use ChatGPT to create similar summaries of discussions, for example.)

A GIF showing Google’s AI tools in Gmail expanding on bullet points.

It’s notable that Microsoft is rumored to be building similar features into its Office suite of apps, including Word, Teams, and Outlook. Microsoft famously unsettled Google this year with the launch of the new Bing. CEO Satya Nadella described AI-assisted search as a new paradigm that could unseat Google from its throne. But it seems the two companies will also be competing in the world of productivity software. Microsoft has scheduled an event where it will detail its plans for “the future of work with AI” later this week on March 16th.

Of course, the rush to launch AI products has its dangers, too. AI text generating programs are notoriously unreliable, often “hallucinating” false information and presenting it with utter confidence. They’re also prone to regurgitating racial and gendered biases present in their training data.

As Google integrates this technology into its enterprise software, these failings could cause major issues. What if Google’s AI summaries of your meetings misattribute quotations or ideas, for example? Or if your AI-generated marketing emails invent new clients or products? In its press release today, Google offered a standard disclaimer: “Sometimes the Al gets things wrong, sometimes it delights you with something offbeat, and oftentimes, it requires guidance.” But while users may see the funny side of Microsoft’s Bing chatbot going off the rails, they may take less kindly to an “offbeat” AI that costs them money.
March 16, 2023
Teacher’s partner discovered buried beneath bark

A court heard that a primary school teacher wrapped her boyfriend’s body in a carpet and erected a structure in her backyard to conceal it.

Fiona Beal, 49, is accused of trying to confuse authorities by hiding her partner’s body in concrete slabs, wood planks, and bark chips.

Jurors were informed that Miss Beal is accused of killing her partner Nicholas Billingham, 42, and then disposing of his body in their backyard garden.

Plastic bags, debris, cement, polystyrene, laminate flooring, pieces of fabric, and vinyl were also found in the Northampton home, according to a forensic archaeologist.

Prosecutors claim Beal planned the killing, stabbing her long-term partner in the neck with a knife in their bedroom, after telling her headteacher she had Covid.

It is alleged a book found when Beal was arrested in March last year, contained a hand-written note saying she had offered the ‘incentive of sex’.

She is said to have got Mr Billingham to wear an eye mask – and the note is said to have amounted to a ‘confession’ to the killing.

Beal’s barrister has claimed the ‘scribblings’ are clear evidence of a disturbed mind on the part of the Year Six teacher, who denies murder.

Giving evidence to Northampton Crown Court forensic archaeologist Peter Schofield took the jury through photographs taken as Mr Billingham’s body was uncovered during a three-day excavation.

Nicholas Billingham’s body was found buried in the garden of Fiona Beal’s house in Northampton (Picture: PA)

It took police three days to uncover Mr Billingham’s body (Picture: SWNS)

He told the court: ‘The information I had was that on the 16th of March 2022 a missing person called Fiona Beal was found in a hotel room by officers from Cumbria Constabulary.

‘Within the room was a journal allegedly detailing the planning of the murder of her partner, Nicholas Billingham, and the subsequent description of the disposal of his body.’

Mr Schofield said an area of interest had been identified by police at the Moore Street property, including a mound covered by bark chippings.

Jurors were shown photographs of the mound in a narrow rectangular area between a fence and the wall of an annexe housing Beal’s kitchen, leading to a set of French doors.

Describing what he found during the dig last year, Mr Schofield told the court paving slabs had been placed vertically, forming a ‘retaining wall’ to the mound.

After listing the various layers of material which were identified and removed, Mr Schofield told the jury: ‘There was a visible mound forming the approximate shape of a human body, which was covered by a rug and also by a carpet.’

Telling jurors how the ‘partially-clothed and partially-wrapped’ remains of 42-year-old Mr Billingham were found, Mr Schofield said: ‘The lower torso and legs were covered by a light blue fabric, possibly a fitted bedsheet.

‘The head end was covered by a yellow-coloured patterned fabric/possible duvet cover.’

Plastic ties had been attached to Mr Billingham’s left wrist, Mr Schofield told the court, adding: ‘The body was lying on its back and it was partially wrapped with black plastic.

Fiona Beal’s defence argues Nick Billingham, 42, was ‘psychologically domineering’

‘These wrappings were secured on the lower legs with cable near to the feet and interlocked plastic ties near to the knees.

‘An item of clothing, possibly a dressing gown, was visible on the upper torso and left arm.’

Jurors were also shown pictures of a knotted hose pipe and a cable found near Mr Billingham’s head, near more plastic ties.

Mr Schofield continued: ‘The partially-wrapped body was sited on top of plywood sheeting on top of weathered gravel, which appeared to be the ground surface prior to the deposition of the body.’

The court has previously heard Beal, who taught at Northampton’s Eastfield Academy, was a ‘thoroughly liked’ teacher.

Her barrister, Andrew Wheeler KC, told the court on Monday that she would argue that she was mentally ‘broken’ at the time of the killing and is guilty of manslaughter but not murder.

The trial continues.

March 16, 2023
Rick Ross awards scholarships to high school students

American rapper Rick Ross and Rolling Loud co-founder Tariq Cherif have presented to eight students of Miami high school with a scholarship worth $10,000.

In honor of Boss Up Day 2023, Carol City Senior High School alumnus Rozay visited his former haunts earlier this week, much to the delight of the students.

“It’s a beautiful thing to be rocking with the Vikings, the Chiefs out here,” Ross told Local10. “Better believe it.”

One student named De’Zyre Frederick who received a scholarship added: “[Ross] being an alumnus and then coming back and giving back is something that everyone should do once they go off and do something successful.”

The eight students who displayed academic excellence were presented with scholarship checks that will go toward their college tuition and free tickets to Rolling Loud Miami in July. “It’s not a gift,” Cherif said. “They earned it.” Ross added: “You know, to come give back to the community right here, that means a lot. You know what I mean.”

At one point during the ceremony, a student was being honoured for her outstanding 4.6 GPA and Ross went the extra distance and gave her a few extra $100 bills straight out of his pocket and some motivational words of wisdom to go along with the cash for the brilliant teen.

“I was gonna cry,” another student, Teeshalee Chin, said. “I had to turn around because there was tears in my eyes. This is going to help me throughout this year and whatever money’s left to put up towards college.”

March 16, 2023
I want to be celebrated as the lady without certificate but impacted a lot of lives’ – McBrown

Celebrated Ghanaian actress and new Onua TV host, Nana Ama McBrown thinks her legacy won’t endure unless she leaves a positive impression on everyone she interacts with.

The renowned actress was introduced to the Onua Group and the entire Media General family on Monday, March 13, in a ceremony that can be regarded as the first of its kind in Ghana’s media community.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day program with hosts Berla Mundi and AJ Sarpong, Nana Ama McBrown said that her life is a testimony and that she sees impacting people as her calling.

“If you listen to my story, it’s a testimony and I know people who need a breakout,” she said.

According to her, she plans on impacting the lives of both younger and older generations as she begins her journey with Onua TV.

“Sometimes I know I am big and loved and all that but I feel like I have to do more, not to impress anybody but to impact.”

The much-discussed unveiling was broadcast live across all Media General platforms, including their social media accounts.

March 16, 2023
My new husband must be super rich – Michy

Diamond Michelle Gbagonah popularly known as Michy has revealed that her ideal man must be wealthy.

Any man who wants to be with her, in her opinion, must fulfill her financial needs and respect her need for privacy.

Michy stated that she is seeking a man who is financially secure and willing to spend money in an interview with Graphic Showbiz.

She emphasized that because she values her privacy, her ideal partner must be wealthy, have a home, and not work in the entertainment industry.

“I used to believe that I had to support my man with the little I had, but those days are over for me,” Michy said. “My man must be financially sound and willing to spend. At least, he must own a house,” she said.

Michy also discussed motherhood, saying that it has been rewarding and difficult at the same time.

She acknowledged that although she loves being a mother, there are times when it can be challenging. She said that while running around and putting a child to sleep could be very demanding, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

When asked if she had any immediate plans to give Majesty siblings, Michy responded that she would prefer to get married first. She runs her Chopius food company and hosts Movement Showbiz on Movement TV.

“Majesty is seven years old, and it would be nice to have another baby, but not until I get married,” she said.

Mitchy is a business owner who also owns a bar in East Legon and a restaurant with locations in Accra and Kumasi.

She also released her single, “spend di money,” appeared in a number of TV shows, and collaborated with Shatta Wale on a number of songs and music videos.

March 16, 2023
Adomaa recounts traumatising robbery, car accident

Singer and actress Adomaa has recounted a robbery she suffered in 2022.

According to the ‘Dede’ hit TV series, the incident has left her traumatised and paranoid.

“Last year, two guys with machetes on a bike robbed me,” she revealed on Twitter, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. “Now every single time I hear a bike roar in the distance, my heart skips several beats. [downcast emoji]”

The multi-talented creative arts star also mentioned a 2009 car accident and hinted at another untoward happening for which she provided no details.

“Still haven’t gotten over sharp turns since the car accident in ‘09,” she said. “Now this new addition. I hate this. Kmt [kissing my teeth].”

Meanwhile, Adomaa has been featured in the American Drama/Crime hit TV series ‘Snowfall’.

Season Six, Episode Three of Snowfall, titled ‘Door of No Return’ was filmed in Ghana, West Africa, capturing the gloom of slavery in Ghana, which boasts three famous slave castles, and Africa.

‘Snowfall’ is centred on the 1980s crack-cocaine pandemic in Los Angeles, California, United States of America.

On November 16, 2022, Adomaa officially returned to music after a 7 year break with the release of a 7-track extended play (EP) titled ‘Becoming Adomaa’. The tape’s muse is her fight with depression and self-doubt which led her to attempting suicide. The EP ends with a bright and hopeful resolution and melodic rebirth.

March 16, 2023
In two years, I spent over N50 million on my girlfriend- Joeboy

Nigerian artiste, Joeboy has revealed that he has spent a whopping 50 million naira and more on his girlfriend in two years.

In an interview with Pulse, he said he is a lover boy who likes to spoil his woman.

“You’re right. I love to spoil my woman. As for the money I have spent on her, let us say above 50 million Naira,” he disclosed in the interview.

His latest statement has attracted several reactions from fans and social media users.

March 16, 2023
Mzbel dismisses Zionfelix’s apologies

Blogger Zionfelix took to his YouTube channel on Monday to address some claims made by singer Mzbel about an interview he did with Afia Schwarzenegger in an attempt to smoke the peace pipe.

The blogger has denied targeting Mzbel’s brand and intentionally inciting attacks on his platform adding that he doesn’t control the answers his interviewees give.

Zion who was called out by Mzbel in a Facebook live announced that he still has love for Mzbel and hoped they could resolve the issue and work again in the future.

“Mzbel is dear to my heart, I like Mzbel, I liked Mzbel. I have also loved Mzbel. We haven’t spoken to her in a long time but I still love her even after her video…there are certain things she said that I want to address. My intent was never for people to attack Mzbel,” he said.

The famous blogger was, however, quick to lament her move of dragging his family into their little misunderstanding.

Mzbel in reaction to the latest video published on Zion’s channel turned down his attempt to make peace, instead, reminded him to desist from citing her on his platform.

She made use of some unprintable words in her clap back on Wednesday.

Her post read: “Zionfelix count the number of monetized interviews u have about me on your YouTube Channel with lies and insults about my private life and come back and explain which ones u apologized for!

“Haven’t I politely spoken to u several times to stop? Oh so u have feelings abi? Kwasia mu Kwasia!”

Check out the post below:

March 16, 2023
GNAPS calls for 30% priority SHS placement policy to be scrapped

The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) is pushing for the 30% priority placement policy in the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) to be scrapped.

In a press release sighted by JoyNews, GNAPS said “the CSSPS lacks three main ingredients of democratic school policy implementation that is transparency, fairness and equity in its current form.”

According to the association, the 30% priority allocation of Category ‘A’ SHS schools to public schools is a disadvantage to students in private Junior High Schools.

Here is the full statement below:

March 15, 2023
Female graduate farmer calls for farmers to be placed on monthly salary

A young female graduate farmer in the Kpando Municipality, Genevieve Nutsu Avornyotsey wants government to place farmers on monthly salary.

She also wants to government to provide young farmers with combine harvesters and other equipment to alleviate the stress they go through in farming.

Aside from asking for help with the needed equipment to help in farming activities, the CEO of First Agro Limited, Mrs Nutsu Avornyotsey, also urged government to put hardworking farmers on monthly salary to help them cope with the prevailing economic difficulties in the country.

Mrs. Nutsu Avornyotsey who spoke with JoyNews noted that it has been difficult getting the needed help apart from her husband and family for the progress of the farming project, which is one of the biggest farms consisting of almost all farm produce and animal husbandry.

She stated that it will be a good thing if government considers the plea for farmers to be placed on salary to motivate them into working more and feeding the nation.

She noted that her motivation to go into full commercial farming as a graduate was her husband who has been her source of support since she realised the need to forget about the corporate or white colour jobs and concentrate on farming.

“My husband motivated me to go into full-time commercial farming because looking at the corporate world now, it is very difficult combining work with family responsibilities,” Mrs. Genevieve Nutsu Avornyotsey said.

She noted that it has been hectic and difficult for the few years she has been into farming as a family woman coupled with to labour and financial challenges.

She also requested that a borehole be installed on the farm as well as solar panels to help the workers enjoy and feel comfortable on the farm, particularly in the evenings.

Mrs. Nutsu Avornyotsey stated that because farming is seasonal, she needs to do other things to make money throughout the year, highlighting the need for organizations and the government to assist farmers in any way they can to enable them to enjoy their work.

The CEO of First Agro Limited, on the other hand, urged young ladies, particularly young female graduates and those unable to further their education, to enter farming in order to help them financially and in other ways.

The NDC Women Organizer, Victoria Yayra Afidenyo urged women to become entrepreneurs and be useful in society instead of depending on non-existent jobs.

Mrs Nutsu Avornyotsey is also into commercial animal rearing and has several fruit crops and a variety of other crops on her farm.

March 15, 2023
GHC24.9 m retrieved by PURC from NEDCo in three regions

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions recovered GHC24,948,151.84 million from consumers to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) in 2022.

Mr Patrick Antwi, the Regional Manager, PURC, (for the three regions) disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of Consumer Service Clinic (CSC) organised by the regional office of the Commission in Sunyani.

He said the Commission further assisted consumers to retrieve GHC42,378.49 from NEDCo and GHC1,405.78 from the Ghana Water Company Limited amounting to GHC43,784.27 within the year.

Mr Antwi explained that 1,076 complaints were received  with 1,062 of them resolved leaving 14 outstanding, while the GWCL had 149 complaints, all resolved.

 The complaints comprised quality of service supply, consumer service delivery, billing, metering, unlawful disconnection, damaged properties and payment among others.

Through the PURC’s activities, 1,296 poles of NEDCo were replaced, 22 transformers were injected, 10 transformer upgrades were done, 4,659 meters were replaced, while 5,500 meters of the GWCL were replaced in 2022.

Mr Antwi said innovations introduced included ‘mpu ne mpu” where educational videos of questions asked by consumers were shared to strengthen operations, campaigns on illegal connection and payment of bills, intensifying education in Self Help Electrification Project (SHEP ), and training utility service providers on good customer service delivery.

This year the Commission would focus on four thematic areas: “Operation pitch camp”, where staff would visit utility providers to ascertain their operational activities, ”Know your consumption” , “PURC is here” which seeks to publicise the Commission in the three administrative regions, and ”Customer Service week” intended to improve customer satisfaction.

March 15, 2023
I want to become president because I want to serve NPP – Dr Afriyie Akoto

Former Agric Minister, Dr Afriyie Akoto has disclosed the motive behind his presidential ambition.

He says he wants to be president because he wants to make a contribution to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“I want to be President because I want to be the flag bearer of the NPP,” he said.

He made the remarks in an interview with JoyNews.

The former Minister is known to have served the country in many ways. He served two terms as the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso from 2009 to 2016. While at Parliament, Afriyie Akoto was the Deputy Ranking Member for the Committee on Food and Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs.

In January 2017, President Nana Akufo-Addo nominated Afriyie Akoto for the position of Minister of Food and Agriculture. He was approved the same month and served as Minister till he resigned in January 2023.

Given all these portfolios , host of PM Express, Evans Mensa, questioned why Dr Akoto still wants to lead the country.

In response he noted that “to [be] given that opportunity for me to make a contribution to the New Patriotic Party.”

Following the comment, the former Kwadaso MP, has come under severe fire, with many Ghanaians contending that he does not have the nation at heart, rather, he is only pursuing this ambition in the interest of his political party.

March 15, 2023
IBAG to discuss effects of global economic challenges

The Insurance Brokers Association of Ghana (IBAG) is all set to host the 8th edition of its annual conference.

The 2023 edition of the IBAG Educational Conference and Exhibition will focus on the effect of Global Economic Challenges and the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on the insurance industry.

IBAG Conference and Exhibition is a forum organised annually for continuing professional development that presents delegates with an opportunity to network and build relationships, learn and share best practices, innovative ideas, and strategies for the development of the insurance industry.

This year’s conference will be held at Eusbett Hotel, Sunyani in the Bono Region from March 21 to March 25.

Over 200 insurance players including Insurance Brokers, Reinsurance Brokers, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance Companies, the Insurance Regulator (NIC), as well as other stakeholders including the Press, will be attending the conference.

Country Senior Partner at accounting and auditing firm, PwC Ghana Ltd., Vish Ashiagbor will be at the conference to deliver a presentation on the topic “The Effect of the Global Economic Challenges on the Ghanaian Insurance Industry.”

The presentation will primarily focus on the effect of the global economic challenges on the Ghanaian insurance industry (brokers, insurers, reinsurers, insuring public, etc.)

In addition, the lessons learnt and what interventions the insurance players and the regulator can initiate to mitigate the impact as well as what strategies insurance players could adopt to manoeuvre through these difficult times and become profitable will be touched on.

The Commissioner of Insurance at the National Insurance Commission (NIC), Prof. Justice Yaw Ofori is scheduled to Chair the Opening Ceremony on March 22.

The Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Owusu-Banahene as well as Sunyani Queen mother, Nana Akosua Dua Asor Sika Brayie II are all expected to grace the occasion.

At the Conference, there will be a Young Executives’ Forum on “Personal and Professional Development” that will be hosted by the CEO of ASIAC Ltd., Solomon Lartey who is also President of the CIIG.

The conference will also feature a CEOs’ Forum on the theme, “Returning to Underwriting Profits: The Perspective of Industry Players” as well as an Open Forum on the Implementation of Marine Cargo Insurance, Debt Exchange Programme & Life Insurance, etc.

The Insurance Brokers Association led by the Executive Council will also make courtesy visits to selected Senior High Schools in the Bono Region to donate some items to their schools.

During the visits, IBAG will use the opportunity to engage the students on insurance and career opportunities in the insurance industry.

As part of the Conference, the Association shall also embark on a health walk and tree planting exercises as well as other recreational activities such as Akwaaba Barbeque & Dinner, Indoor & Outdoor Games, Talent Night, etc. as well as Dinner Dance & Awards.

March 15, 2023
Fuel prices to drop from March 16 – IES

The Institute for Energy Security (IES) says prices of petrol and diesel are expected to drop significantly between 3% and 10% at the pumps, from Thursday, March 16, 2023.

In a statement, IES said petrol prices will fall to GHC12.60 while diesel will reduce to GHC13.40 per litre.

The statement further said LPG prices are also expected to decline to GHC14 per kilogramme.

“On the back of the falling international liquid fuel prices as observed on the global S&P Platts platform, and the local currency’s improved (poor – delete) performance against the U.S. dollar, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) estimates a further drop in the prices of gasoil, gasoline and LPG respectively.”

“Prices are set to fall between 3% and 10% at the pumps following a decline the activities of price indicators in the last 2 weeks.”

“The last two weeks has seen price indicators on both the domestic and international fronts falling and this can translate into some price reductions at the pumps for various petroleum products. The domestic fuel market prices are projected to fall between GHC12.60 for gasoline, GHC13.40 for gas oil and LPG GHC14 per kilogramme,” the IES statement said.

IES explained that its projections are on the back of the falling international liquid fuel prices as observed on the global S&P Platts platform, and the local currency’s improved performance against the U.S. Dollar.

March 15, 2023
Let’s commercialise our roads – Professor Lord Mensah

Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, Professor Lord Mensah, has called for the commercialization of roads in Ghana to improve the country’s road maintenance culture.

Speaking in an interview with Samuel Eshun on Fact Sheet on eTV Ghana, Professor Mensah stated that Ghanaian politicians often prioritize road construction as a means of flexing their political muscle, rather than prioritizing the maintenance of existing roads.

To address this issue, Professor Mensah suggests that Ghana could learn from other emerging economies where tolls are collected for some measured distance travelled on the road.

“If you turn up to come to our environment, you realize that our politicians often flex their muscle through promising of roads and that is why probably we’ve not had the opportunity to prioritize most of our roads. In other emerging economies, there are some roads that are even premium,” he noted.

He re-echoed that tolls can generate funds that can be used for the maintenance and expansion of Ghana’s road network.

Using the example of the road from Keta to the Western side of the city in Accra, Professor Mensah recommended the creation of a commercial road that would bypass the congested traffic in Lapaz through to Kasoa.

He suggested that such a road could be built beyond Kasoa and a toll could be placed on it, making it a premium road that would offer a faster and more efficient route for commuters.

Professor Mensah also expressed concern about the cost being created as a result of policy inconsistencies with the current administration.

He stated that the cost is significant, but difficult to quantify and that it is unclear who will be held responsible for this loss under the current and previous governments.

“The standard now that we have achieved is okay but the cost being created as a result of the policy inconsistencies that we have with this administration is alarming. The cost is a huge one and you can’t even quantify it and who’s going to be charged for this loss. We can’t identify anybody,” he bemoaned.

In November 2021, the government abolished road tolls to reduce traffic flow and enhance productivity. However, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is now proposing to bring back the tax, this time at a higher rate.

March 15, 2023
Tema Regional Police Command receives two motorbikes from Uniliver Ghana

Uniliver Ghana Limited has donated some motorbikes to the Tema Regional Police Command.

During the donation, Managing Director of Unilever Ghana Plc, George Owusu-Ansah underscored the need for a secured environment in which businesses can thrive and remain sustainable.

For the business which has operated in the country for decades, a secured environment will not only protect its investment but its workforce of nearly 1000 people and consumers.

He believes utmost security could however be achieved when stakeholders share responsibility hence the company’s readiness to play its part.

Mr Owusu-Ansah disclosed this to JoyBusiness when the company donated two Apsonic motorbikes and 50 boxes of assorted Unilever products to Tema Regional Police Command.

The donation follows an earlier promise Mr. Owusu-Ansah made when he visited Tema Regional Police Commander, COP Daniel Kwame Afriyie in 2022 where the latter had touched on the capacity of his team to patrol.

“During the visit last year, one of the areas you touched on was the capacity of your team to patrol around town. I then assured you that the company would see what to do. So we’re here today in respect to the conversation we had and the comment that I made,” he said.

COP Daniel Kwame Afriyie also expressed gratitude to Unilever Ghana for the gesture.

“We are grateful on behalf of this Administration, the Inspector General of Police and Tema region for your kind thoughts and fulfilling your pledge to us”.

“One of our key pillars is community policing approach where we partner the community and stakeholders to fulfill our mandate in ensuring enforcement of law and order and security in the communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Unilever has pledged to support the new health facility of the Police Service at Community 2 which will take care of police personnel, crime suspects and the public.

The company said it will continue to stand by assurances given to the police in 2022 to remain an important ally.

For Unilever, such steps form part of its sustainability strategy, community relations and being a good corporate citizen.

March 15, 2023
Tems explains ‘view-blocking’ white gown at the 2023 Oscars

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Tems, has explained her fashion choice at the 2023 Academy Awards (Oscars), where she wore a white gown that some critics described as “view-blocking.”

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, the Grammy winner explained that she wanted to “go all out” for her first Oscars experience, and wearing the Lever Couture gown was her way of making a statement and celebrating her work.

She said, “The dress is also my way of celebrating my work and the people around me, celebrating my country, and celebrating the people that are rooting for me. This dress says ‘Yes, yes, I am here!’”

Tems added that the global attention she is receiving, including landing an Oscar nomination, only proves to her that her efforts are paying off.

At the 95th Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, Tems caused a stir with her gown.

The co-writer of Rihanna’s Oscar-nominated single, “Lift Me Up,” wowed the red carpet in a Lever Couture gown with a delicate tulle fabric headpiece woven into a head-to-toe asymmetrical silhouette.

Although her outfit was an instant entry for the night’s best-dressed list, social media users were widely divided when it came to the headpiece’s presence inside the venue, where it obstructed the views of some of the guests seated behind her.

On Monday, Tems responded to the drama on Twitter, sharing four photos of herself in the now-infamous gown and writing, “Oops.”

Tems was nominated for Best Original Song at this year’s Oscars for the movie’s soundtrack, “Lift Me Up,” which she co-wrote with Rihanna, music producer Ludwig Göransson, and Black Panther’s director, Ryan Coogler.

However, Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj’s “Naatu Naatu” won the category.

March 15, 2023
If you want to reintroduce road tolls, scrap e-levy – Ablakwa to government

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has asked the government to cancel the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) now that the government is planning to reintroduce road tolls.

According to him, the government made it clear before implementing the E-Levy that it was a replacement for road tolls.

He observed that the government does not properly consider its policies before implementing them.

The lawmaker stated that the government cannot have it both ways.

He said you cannot have in place the E-Levy and reintroduce the toll.

“The government told us that they were introducing the E-Levy because they had removed road tolls. They can’t have it both ways if they want to reinstate the toad toll. “The E-Levy must be repealed.”

He asserted that Ghanaians must demand answers from the government because one of the reasons and justifications for this poorly thought out policy was that we would have to pay E-Levy.

The MP made these remarks in response to a press statement by the Minister of Finance indicating that tolls would be reinstated.

He was speaking in an interview with Rainbow Radio’s parliamentary correspondent Philomina Kuntu Blankson.

The finance minister wrote to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to confirm the approved fees as tolls on roads and bridges will be reintroduced this year.

According to Ken Ofori-Atta, “It is provided under Section 6 of Act 1080 for the Minister to amend the schedules of the Act to include or exclude MDAs and/or adjust the fees and charges collected by MDCs for their services through a Legislative Instrument when necessary.”

“Accordingly, this ministry has initiated steps to provide for foundational rates for tolling of roads and highways as part of the amendments of the Act, pending completion of the process to identify the rods and highways to be affected by the reintroduction of the road tolls as stated in the budget,” he added.

The approved fees for motorbike users will pay 50 pesewas instead of 19 pesewas.
Saloon car users will pay a fee of GH¢1 rather than the previous 50 pesewas fee.

Pick-ups/4×4 vehicles and light bus users will be charged GH¢1.50 pesewas when the toll booth reopens.

Drivers of heavy buses will also pay GH¢ 2 instead of the GH¢1.50 pesewas they used to pay.

For drivers of medium and heavy goods trucks up to 4 axles, the fee to be paid will be GH¢3 instead of GH¢2.

In response, Okudzeto Ablakwa slammed the government, accusing it of failing to properly consider its policies.

“I must state unequivocally that this government does not carefully consider its policies before implementing them. As a public policy student, I can say that this government does not have the ability to consult widely and to be scientific or empirical in its policy implementation.

Unfortunately, our government is uninterested in consulting. All of their policies have been a disaster. Several examples, including the luxury car tax and the benchmark at ports, have all been disasters. We advised them against eliminating the toll, but they did not listen.”

March 15, 2023
Afia Schwarzenegger discloses info on Tracey Boakye’s new house

Ghanaian actress and comedian Afia Schwarzenegger said that her friend actress Tracey Boakye is yet to have a housewarming event to announce her latest house officially.

Afia Schwarzenegger, in an interview with blogger Zionfelix in Germany, said that she has come from nothing to achieve a lot, and she thanks her late husband for the life he gave her before his demise.

Talking about her long-term friendship with Kumawood actress Tracey Boakye, Afia Schwar reminded Zionfelix of a house which was built by her friend Tracey many years ago, where they both got an invitation at its housewarming event.

She added that an even more magnificent house project is underway and will soon be revealed. Afia Schwar quickly covered her mouth and said she was talkative for publicly putting that secret out there.

Watch Afia Schwarzenegger’s interview with Zionfelix below:

Ghanaians reacted to Afia Schwar’s interview with Zionfelix

Lordina Oppong commented:

Afia is a whole mood… I like her so much …very hilarious

Kwabena Frankie commented:

I like how she narrated bringing her two boys up , interesting, unique and awesome

boadicea osei commented:

She is such a wonderful person if you meet her in person, I met her in person on 2018 when I went to Ghana and it was a lovely sitting

Pineapple Nsuo commented:

I didn’t like efia at all but for real,she just stole my heart herrrr….she talks soo good and got sense❤

March 15, 2023
Bawumia commissions new office for BOST worth $32million

The Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, commissioned a new office complex for the Bulk Oil Storage and Distribution Company (BOST).

The new twin-tower block built at a cost of some $39 million and located at Dzorwulu, will serve as the permanent office of the state-owned company.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia described BOST as a perfect example of an effectively run State Owned Enterprise Gavin changed its fortunes from a debt-riddled company to a profit-making organization under its current management.

The vice president emphasized the critical role of BOST in the economic architecture of Ghana, citing gains made by the state following the introduction of the Gold-For-Oil Policy which has led to a stabilization of petroleum prices as well as easing up the pressure on the country’s forex reserve.

On his part, the Board Chairman of BOST, Mr. Ekow Hackman said the new office building brings to an end years of the company moving its management operations from one office to another to a now permanent structure.

He noted that the 7-story office building will give workers of the company comfort to go about their daily duties and will inure to the overall success of the company which is now posting profits.

The new head office building boasts of various facilities such as conference rooms, offices, kitchenettes, a cafeteria, washrooms, and a 100-capacity underground car park.

Present at the ceremony was the Managing Director of BOST, Edwin Provencal, board members of BOST, senior government officials and staff of the company.

March 15, 2023
Diana Asamoah stuns in a white stunning dress & veil

Ghanaian musician Diana Asamoah has caused a stir with gorgeous looks. The award-winning artist wore a white deep-plunge neckline dress with a cape.

The stylish floor-sweeping cape was designed with glittering gold embellishment, making her stand out among other veils.

Diana Asamoah wore a beautiful turquoise turban head wrap to match her look. She looked gorgeous in gold drop earrings for this look.

The gospel singer wore heavy makeup, well-defined brows and pink lipstick to complete her look.

Watch the video of Evangelist Diana Asamoah looking splendid in a white dress below;

Some social media users have commented on Ghanaian blogger Zionfelix’s Instagram video

@dimple_dorrent

Her stylist is really doing a great job

@lydiaafrifa_

Sorry mommy Diana I nearly said to myself, na cartoon b3n niAwurade

@ursulabby

She doesn’t see her lifestyle as a sin ..but she will chastise other pastor’s offences

@ambitious_worldbeauty

We will neva stop loving this woman daaaa

@raheem_4ever

Her gap teeth are gaping

@sabina.brown.311

If she gets wedding, I think she goes do am ooo

@asaaddressup

This is Diamond Asamoah Gyan

@amah_goldd

This song is timeless..very beautiful

the_realhammonds

She’s very beautiful. Her voice still has that inspiration

@serwaaakwei

Happy marriage to her

March 15, 2023
ADB unveils a new strategy to boost agribusiness financing

The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC has launched a new corporate strategy with a commitment to strengthen agribusiness financing.

The move is to help accelerate the achievement of the bank’s vision “to be the people’s bank, harnessing the transformational power of agribusiness for wealth creation.”

The new corporate strategy, which was considered and approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank, replaces a 3-year strategy that expired on December 31, 2022.

It is anchored on a theme, “Going Above and Beyond the Predictable,” and has nine pillars to guide the direction of the Bank for the next few years.

The new corporate strategy is aimed at enhancing the bank’s dominance as the leader in agribusiness financing in the country and, at the same time, leveraging technology to reposition its Retail and Digital Banking space.

Other key focus areas include financial performance, process improvement to enhance turnaround time, risk management, and customer experience.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of ADB, Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu-Tali reiterated the bank’s commitment to agribusiness financing, saying “as the people’s bank, harnessing the transformational power of agribusiness for wealth creation, ADB is taking necessary steps to strengthen its dominance as a leader in agribusiness financing in Ghana.”

“ADB will continue to remain leader and dominant in agribusiness financing across the entire agricultural value chain,” he added
In the area of digital and retail banking, Alhaji Yakubu-Tali announced that “ADB has rolled out strategies towards improving its digital and retail banking segments in order to enhance convenience and service delivery.”

“The bank will also leverage strongly on technology and other channels to extend banking services to non-banked or underserved areas,” he added.

The MD stated that the current happenings at the world stage, ranging from COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, the slowdown in the global economy, high inflationary pressures, exchange rate challenges, and the domestic debt exchange programme by the government, among others, require strategic decisions to make the Bank competitive and meet its performance indicators.

Thus, the new corporate strategy will serve as a blueprint to ensure that the Bank grows above and beyond the predictable.
Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu-Tali commended the bank’s customers for their loyalty and continuous trust in the ADB brand, its products and services.

The Agricultural Development Bank PLC recently rolled out the instant issuance of GH-Link Card and also upgraded its internet banking service platform to promote remote banking as part of the transformational agenda.

The bank has also put in place measures to ensure regular review of its products and services to continuously meet the banking needs of both existing and potential customers

March 15, 2023
I worked hard, I didn’t beg you for money – Zionfelix to Mzbel

Ghanaian blogger, Zionfelix, has confirmed in a recent video on his YouTube channel that he worked for veteran female composer Mzbel, and sees nothing wrong with it.

Zionfelix explained that Mzbel had approached him for collaboration when he had just started blogging, and a recommendation from someone who had seen his potential as a blogger led to a contract signing at Afrikiko.

However, the job exceeded the expectations of the contract, and they continued working together.

“I saw a publication on GhanaWeb with the caption that Mzbel said I was on her payroll. If you are on someone’s payroll, it means you are working for the person. I was working for Mzbel. So if I am working for you and you pay me, I don’t see anything wrong with it.

“Sorry to say, it wasn’t like I was sleeping, or I was begging you for money. I was working for you, and I am happy I worked for you,” he stated.

Zionfelix went on to say that he was pleased to have worked for Mzbel and was puzzled as to why she was making a big deal out of their working relationship.

He emphasized that he wasn’t sleeping or begging for money but was working hard for her and putting in long hours, which she knew.

“If you put me on your payroll, isn’t that something that you have to say as though I wasn’t doing anything and you were paying me? I was working crazy for you, and you know it,” he stated.

Earlier this week, Mzbel accused Zionfelix of being on her payroll after he granted Afia Schwarzenegger an interview, and she spoke ill of the musician.

This led Mzbel to warn Zionfelix to stop mentioning her in interviews so that her people wouldn’t say bad things about her when she was minding her own business and wasn’t thinking of people like Afia.

March 15, 2023
3 dead in gory accident on Techiman-Kumasi road

Three lives have been claimed on the Techiman-Kumasi road in the Bono East Region following an accident which occurred on Tuesday.

The fatal accident which occurred near the Kuntunso river around 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, involved two heavy trucks loaded with goods.

The accident led to heavy vehicular traffic on the stretch for over three hours.
The two heavy trucks collided head-on leading to the death of three people on the spot including the drivers of both trucks whilst two others survived with minor degrees of injuries.

The injured were immediately rushed to the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman for treatment whilst a combined team of Police Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) and personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) made efforts to remove the dead bodies stuck in the two trucks.

GhanaWeb sources indicate that the long truck with registration number GW 2732Q burst one of its tires veered off its lane, and collided with the Kumasi-bound Kia Rhino.

Some residents who rushed to the scene revealed that that portion of the road has become a death trap for road users because it is steep.

“This portion of the road has recorded several accident cases because of the nature of the road. The road is steep and there are potholes on the road so something should be done about it so that we can save the lives of people we use the stretch,” Kofi Poku disclosed.

Yeboah Asante on his part appealed to drivers to slow down when they get to that section of the road and drive with care since accident cases are becoming way too many at that portion.

“I am appealing to drivers to drive with care when they reach this portion because we can’t continue to lose lives like that despite the poor nature of the road.”

Meanwhile, GhanaWeb can confirm that the driver of the long truck who perished in the accident has since been buried in line with Islamic traditions in Techiman.

March 15, 2023
‘Gold for Oil’ policy is working – Bawumia

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has taken a swipe at critics of the gold-for-oil (G4O) policy introduced a couple of months ago, saying they are “very disappointed” it is working.

He said the policy since its introduction has seen a reduction in fuel prices and buyers are expected to see further reduction from Thursday, March 16.

“There is more to come. This is just the third month of the operation of the policy,” he noted on Wednesday, March 15 at a forum organised by the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Company Limited.

“Some people said it would not work [and that] Ghana doesn’t have enough gold. How can you say that? We’ve been mining this gold for 200 years and they keep taking it out and it cannot work for us? It doesn’t make sense.

“There are people who are very disappointed that it is working but bleeding is allowed. We have an impossibility mindset. They can keep to it but for us all things are possible by the grace of God.”

Vice President announced the Gold for Oil Policy in November last year as part of efforts to, inter alia, stabilise the forex market and ensure that the Cedi does not depreciate against its major trading currencies.

The first consignment was received in January.

Dr Bawumia said G4O is one of the policies since independence to address the balance of payment crisis faced in the economic sector.

“In my humble opinion, this is the most important macro-econimic policy intervention to deal with the exchange rate depreciation, fuel price-food price-inflation nexus that we have had. We have not only seen a decline in prices from the GH¢23 per litre to around GH¢12 per litre but we have also seen stability in the exchange rates as we predicted.”

March 15, 2023
1,664-bed hostel commissioned in UPSA for students

The University of Professional Studies Accra has commissioned a 1,664-bed hostel to expand residential accommodation for students of the University.

The facility which is situated close to the University’s campus near Legon has been named after Nii Amon Kotei who designed Ghana’s Coat of Arms.

Speaking at a ceremony to commission the ten-storey building, Prof Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, Vice Chancellor of UPSA said, the University chose to name the facility after Nii Amon Kotei to honour him for his contribution to the State.

He explained that the facility symbolises the life journey of Amon Kotei who worked with the Cartographical Division of the Army Gold Coast Printing Office.

He said, due to his illustrious work with the Royal West African Frontier Force, Amon Kotei was recommended by the colonial government and specially commissioned to design a Coat of Arms for the country.

“When it came to considering a name for this hostel, no other person’s life journey best fits what this hostel symbolises than Amon Kotei” he said.

“We are proud to honour him today with the naming of this hostel,” Prof Amartey added.

In a speech read on his behalf by Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commended the management of the University for helping reduce the infrastructure deficit in the educational sector.

He said, even though the government was doing its part by investing heavily in the education sector, it also relies on institutions such as UPSA and the private sector to partner with it in that regard.

“It is evident that this institution has been consistent in the expansion and continuous improvement in the provision of teaching and learning and accommodation facilities to give students a memorable experience while at UPSA,” he said.

The President hoped that more public universities would emulate this example by adding on to their infrastructure without relying on the government.

“I am of the hope that this facility will be given the proper management and maintenance to ensure its longevity for future students to benefit from,” he added.

The hostel is equipped with modern facilities, including a recreation area, Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV), an elevator, and each room has its own electricity meter installed.

It has also, study rooms, Junior Common Rooms (JCR), two Automated teller machines (ATM), Fire Extinguishers/Pump, Offices, a Television room, a laundry area, a car park and other amenities.

March 15, 2023
Mfantsipim: Ghana’s first secondary school which had an 18-year-old as its headmaster

On April 3, 1876, one of the big schools which has so far transformed many lives in the country was birthed.

Mfantsipim is Ghana’s very first secondary school. It has been described by many as ‘the cradle of education in Ghana’ due to its remarkable contribution to the educating and grooming young people in the country.

Established in the then Gold Coast on April 3, 1876, the Mfanstipim School can be described as the oldest second-cycle institution in Ghana.

Located in the Central Region, the school was known as the Wesleyan High School at the time of its institution and was instituted by the Methodist Church to train teachers and encourage and promote intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth in its students.

In the beginning, the school was considered a grammar school where Latin and Greek were taught in addition to other disciplines like carpentry, arts and crafts.

The Wesleyan School was headed by its first headmaster – James Picot, who was a French scholar and was 18 years old at the time of his appointment.

The all-boys school began with some 17 pupils and was initially supposed to be sited in Accra when the British Government at the time had decided to move the capital of Gold Coast from Cape Coast to Accra.

The Wesleyan High School later became Wesleyan Collegiate School until after 29 years, in 1905 when a graduate of the school, started a rival school named Mfantsipim.

Mensah Sarbah was bent on establishing a school that will serve the education needs of the Gold Coast.

In that same year, in the month of July, both schools were merged to become one – Wesleyan and Mfantsipim, and the latter was used as its official name.

Subsequently, the school moved from the Methodist Church mission house in Cape Coast to the former Colonial School on Saltpond Road, then to Acquah’s house among others, till they finally settled on the hill in Cape Coast called the Kwabotwe Hill.

Mfantsipim is formed from Fante words – ‘Mfanstefo Apem’ which literally means ‘a thousand Fantes’. The school has its motto as ‘Dwen Hwe kan’ which means ‘Think and look ahead’ as suggested by its first headmaster, Mensah Sarbah.

Red and black are the school’s colours and old students of the school are called Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA). Mfantstipim is popularly referred to as Kwabotwe.

Mfantsipim has produced some prominent persons in society including some Bank of Ghana Governors, Vice Presidents, and Head of State.

March 15, 2023
Anyidoho mocks Dr Afriyie Akoto over reason for presidential bid

Samuel Koku Anyidoho, a former general secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has ridiculed the immediate past Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, over comments he made regarding his presidential ambition.

Dr Afriyie Akoto, in an interview on JoyNews, on Tuesday, said that he wants to become president of Ghana because he wants to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“I want to be president because I want to be flagbearer of the NPP which is what is driving me; to give an opportunity for me to make a contribution to the New Patriotic Party as you saw in 2020,” he said.

Reacting to this in a tweet shared, on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, Koku Anyidoho could not believe what the NPP presidential hopeful said.

Koku Anyidoho, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Atta-Mills Institute, said that Dr Afriyie Akoto has gotten his aims twisted.

“You want to be President because you want to be Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party? Please can someone explain to me what he is trying to communicate? A case of, reverse osmosis?” parts of the tweet read.

He also indicated that the former agriculture minister failed in the implementation of the government’s flagship Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

“Is he eating the food before he plants? Then what happens to the jobs?”

March 15, 2023
Michy sets high standards for potential suitors

Diamond Michelle Gbagonah, popularly known as Michy, has set some high standards for any potential suitors who may have their eyes on her.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, the Ghanaian actress and TV presenter recently shared her preferences for an ideal partner.

According to Michy, she is looking for a man who is financially stable and willing to spend money while stressing the importance of her partner owning a house and not being in the entertainment industry, as she values her privacy.

In her words, “I used to believe that I had to support my man with the little I had, but those days are over for me. My man must be financially sound and willing to spend. At least, he must own a house.”

Michy also spoke about her experience as a mother and the challenges that come with it. While she enjoys being a mother, she admitted that it can be frustrating at times.

She highlighted that putting a child to sleep and running around can be very demanding, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

When asked if she plans to have more children, Michy revealed that she would like to get married first.

“Majesty is seven years old, and it would be nice to have another baby, but not until I get married,” she said.

March 15, 2023
Annoh-Dompreh goes hard on ‘clueless’ Buaben Asamoa; calls for his dismissal from Alan’s team

The Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has asked former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, to dismiss former Adentan MP, Yaw Buaben Asamoa from his campaign team.

According to him, the former Member of Parliament for Adenta, who is currently the official spokesperson for the Alan Kyerematen campaign, has become clueless about things surrounding him.

Stating this in a tweet, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who is also the MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, said it is time Alan Kyerematen gets rid of Yaw Buaben Asamoa from his team.

“Mr. Alan Kyerematen should jettison YB off his campaign team. He simply cannot connect & has become clueless… I pity your campaign strategies… pathetic,” he wrote in a tweet.

In an earlier GhanaWeb report, Yaw Buaben Asamoa alleged that New Patriotic Party Members of Parliament are being coerced into supporting the bid of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

He also claimed that the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and some leaders of the party are attempting to force some MPs to join the vice president on a planned visit to the Manhyia Palace.

“Now as we speak, MPs are being called and threatened into joining a certain delegation for the upcoming Akwasidae just to prove that they have numbers and Annoh-Dompreh is into it.

“How are MPs who are supposed to be thinking and strategizing about protecting their seats being forced into joining a presidential campaign and are being threatened? Akwasidae is coming and we will all witness it. They are saying 100 MPs will follow the Vice President,” he said.

Alan Kyerematen is vying for the vacant position of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), even as he hopes to become president of Ghana.

March 15, 2023
We want assurance that proceeds from road tolls will not be used to construct National Cathedral- Minority

The Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza has declared that the Minority will not support any increase in road tolls unless the funds generated are solely used for road-related expenses.

He explained that funds generated from road tolls cannot be diverted to finance other projects such as the National Cathedral. Mr. Agbodza made these remarks during an interview with Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday.

“In my view, unless we can prove that whatever we charge as road toll will entirely to be used on road-related expenditure, the Minority will not support this. Because we can’t pay money for building roads and somebody uses it for cathedral,” he said.

“Basically, in the 2023 Budget as you can see, the government is projecting that for instance, the road fund will generate GHC2.4 billion but if you go to the Appendix 3(c) –the expenditure section, you will see that they are only going to spend about 1 billion cedis on roads.

“In other words, we use the name of roads to collect money from the public and then we take the majority of that money and spend it elsewhere.”

He further stated that the Minority would oppose any amendment to the Capping and Realignment Act as long as it remains a factor in the road fund.

“The Minority will never support the amendment if the Capping and Realignment Act is still on the road fund,” he said.

Mr. Agbodza also highlighted the public’s disenchantment with the current road toll collection system, noting that the Capping and Realignment Act has made matters worse.

He pointed out that road users pay for the construction and maintenance of roads but receive little value in return.

While he is not against the reintroduction of road tolls, Mr. Agbodza stated that the consultation process must be more inclusive and may require a review of the Road Toll Act.

March 15, 2023
Banks abandon lending for treasury bills

Banks are pushing their funds into treasury securities as an alternative to lending to businesses and households.

This is reflected in the continuous oversubscription of treasury bills (T-Bills) in spite of a fall in the rate from an average of 35 per cent in late February to 19.9 per cent last week.

On March 7, the week’s offer was oversubscribed by more than 100 per cent although the rate fell from 35 per cent to 24.16 per cent.

A similar oversubscription happened on March 10 when the rate tumbled further to 19.99 per cent, the lowest in more than eight years.

The investment bank, GCB Bank Capital, said in its weekly review that the oversubscription was also a sign that the economy was awash with cedi liquidity.

It explained that this was contrary to the liquidity concerns that arose in the financial sector in the lead-up to the domestic debt exchange programme (DDEP).

“The interbank market is awash with GHS liquidity underpinning the continuous oversubscription at the T-bill auctions post-DDEP.

Cognizant of the emerging risks to capital due to the accounting treatment of the new bonds, commercial banks appear to have adopted a cautious credit stance, which together with the reduced reserve requirement, has improved interbank cedi liquidity conditions,” it said.

“This highly improved cedi liquidity conditions in the financial sector amidst the limited alternative asset classes has allowed the government to narrow T-bill yields sharply towards realigning nominal interest rates,” GCB Capital said.

The domestic yield curve has been distorted, following the closure of the DDEP.

The investment bank said given the uncertain economic outlook and the attractive returns on offer on the money market, secondary bond market activity remains muted.

“The realignment of the yield curve is thus necessary for realising the interest savings from DDEP and restoring confidence in the secondary bonds market.

“Thus, despite the negative real returns, we expect the government to sustain this strategy of resetting T-bill yields in subsequent auctions, albeit gradually,” it added.

March 15, 2023
Mahama pledges to complete abandoned and uncompleted projects before starting new projects

Former President John Dramani Mahama, says his next administration will not construct new projects until existing ones are completed and put to use.

Mr Mahama said the current economic crisis requires new ways of doing things other than the usual.

According to him, an inventory will be taken of all ongoing projects with strict time lines to ensure their completion to prevent wastage of scarce resources.

Engaging delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Tano South in the Ahafo Region, Mr Mahama said the interest and needs of Ghanaians will be paramount to his next administration.

“With the economic crisis that we currently have, by the time the NDC comes into power in 2025, we are still going to have a restricted fiscal space because of the economic difficulties.

“A new NDC will not be in a hurry to start new projects. What we will do is that the projects that have been ongoing and have been abandoned and uncompleted, we will take an inventory of all of them and with the little resources, we will dedicate it to finishing them.”

Mr Mahama accused President Akufo-Addo of abandoning many of the projects started during his government’s tenure.

This, he said is disappointing and must be addressed urgently.

According to him, schools and road projects among others initiated during his time as President have been left unattended to.

Mr Mahama is currently campaigning for delegates of the party to vote for him to lead the party into the 2024 general elections.

March 15, 2023
‘I will still choose you’ – Medikal honours Fella Makafui

Fella Makafui’s loving husband and father of his child, Medikal has dispelled rumours of their separation in a public post.

The rapper dominated social media conversation last Friday with the release of a song titled ‘Cold & Trophies’ which featured his former lover, Sister Deborah.

The move fueled rumours of Medikal’s alleged divorce from Fella, who seemingly deleted all photos of him on her Instagram page.

Sister Derby who described herself as a ‘trophy’ on the track, got the public asking questions on whether she had recaptured the heart of the rapper.

Medikal on Wednesday, March 15, however, settled all scores by declaring his wife as the only woman his heart longs for adding that he will always settle on her as his better half.

“If you were a twin, I will still choose you, love you,” he captioned a photo of his wife wearing a broad smile.

March 15, 2023
Wa West doctors perform surgeries with torch light

For almost two years now, Doctors in Wa West have been performing surgeries with torch lights. This is after theatre lamps at the Wa West district hospital stopped functioning.

Doctors are therefore left with no choice but to use mobile phone torches to help them perform surgeries on patients.

According to the Medical Superintendent of the Wa West District Hospital, the situation is impeding work at the theatre in Wechiau.

“It is really affecting service because the lamp is the second eye for both the nurses and doctors when we are doing an operation,” Dr. Benjamin Ameyuori explained.

Dr. Benjamin Ameyuori told JoyNews’ Upper West Regional Correspondent, Rafiq Salam that the development has significantly affected healthcare delivery at the facility.

The medical practitioner recounted an incident where his team needed to, once again, improvise during a surgery performed on a man with Gastric Perforation, a full-thickness injury of the wall of the organ the stomach.

Medical Superintendent of the Wa West District Hospital, Dr. Benjamin Ameyuori

“And we needed to close the hole to avoid the contents from the stomach from leaking out into the entire cavity. And I had to use two [mobile phone] lights one on one side and another one, to be able to see clearly and continue with the procedure,” he told JoyNews.

The healthcare officers say they have demonstrated their commitment to saving lives, however, very little can be achieved without the support.

“We are appealing to external bodies who can come to our aid. This is a deprived community and we have sacrificed to be here to offer the best that we can for the people,” he added.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

March 15, 2023
Government to pay outstanding bond payments in two days

The government says it will pay outstanding coupons and principal on bonds that matured on February 6 and 13, 2023 in two days.

The government said in a statement issued by the Finance Ministry on Tuesday that the processes to settle payments of the outstanding bonds commenced on Monday, March 13, 2023.

“Holders of the afore-listed bonds should therefore expect to receive their payments within the next 48 hours,” it said.

The statement added that payment dates for subsequent maturities would be communicated in due course, as processing continued.

The Finance Ministry on behalf of the government thanked all stakeholders for their forbearance during the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) and subsequent administrative processes.

The government secured a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) with the IMF last year and launched the DDEP to assure the Fund of creditors’ confidence to meet its debt obligation.

The DDEP is part of Ghana’s debt restructuring process, which is a prerequisite for the country’s $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The DDEP officially closed on February 13, with the Government swapping a total of GHS83 billion worth of old bonds and subsequently announcing a similar process with its external creditors.

While much information has not been provided on the progress of the external debt restructuring, the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said recently that the Fund was happy with the progress Ghana had made to present its SLA for the Fund’s review and approval

.

March 15, 2023
Vaccines shortage: Minority disputes claims that no deaths were recorded

The Minority in Parliament has refuted claims that there were no deaths recorded due to shortage of childhood vaccines in the country.

This follows assertions by President Akufo-Addo and Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, that no deaths have been recorded as a result of the vaccine shortage.

However, according to reports five lives have been lost.

Debating the president’s State of the Nation Address, Ranking Member for the Committee on Health Kwabena Minta Akandoh cited the chief paediatrician at the Tamale Teaching Hospital for the figures on casualties.

“Mr. Speaker, the President, on the floor of the House, said that we had recorded no deaths; the Minister also repeated on this floor that no deaths have been recorded. Mr. Speaker, that is again a palpable falsehood. According to the Northern Regional Paediatrician at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Prof. Lumin Alhassan, we have recorded about five fatalities.”

The Juaboso MP further revealed that even though the government has managed to secure some vaccines from Nigeria, there is also a shortage of reagents to confirm tests at Noguchi, adding that “this is the state of the country; these are facts.”

Mr. Akandoh questioned how the government managed to secure vaccines from Nigeria if, indeed, the shortage was global, as claimed by the President.

March 15, 2023
Inflation drops to 52.8% in February

Inflation has declined for the second time in a row.

It fell to 52.8 per cent in February this year from 53.6 per cent in January 2022.

The February 2022 figure was announced by the Government Statistician, Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, Wednesday.

It means that, unlike January when prices of goods and services rose by an average of 53.6 per cent nationwide, they increased by 52.8 per cent in January across the country.

At 52.8 per cent, inflation is still in record high territories although now in a declining trend.

March 15, 2023
“My great fall was a touch from the Holy Spirit” – Selina Boateng

Gospel musician Selina Boateng has reacted to the viral video of her falling down while trying to do some crazy dance moves at an event.

Recall that during the 10th edition of Celestial Praiz on 6th March 2023, Selina Boateng fell down while she was trying to do some crazy dance.

The video of the singer falling went viral and got people laughing out loud. However, clarifying the fall, Selina Boateng, said that her fall was the doing of the holy spirit.

According to the singer who doubles as a songwriter, her over-excitement whilst dancing at the event on that fateful Monday was to show appreciation to God. Adding that it was unfortunate she ended up falling while showing her appreciation and gratitude to her maker.

‘I think it was the doing of the holy spirit, that is what I will say,’ she stated.

Speaking in an interview on hitz Fm’s Daybreak Hitz, the singer asserted that, her fall was no news as a similar situation happened to King David in the bible. Quoting the bible story of David, Selina Boateng said that King David danced to the extent that his clothes fell off and everyone around him was surprised and shocked.

“David was so happy that he went naked for God and the people were murmuring, asking him why he was naked, but David told them; if God did it for me, why won’t I show him my appreciation? So, I was just showing appreciation for all that God has done for me,’ the gospel diva emphasized.

March 15, 2023
Ways to fall in love with your partner all over again

Even if you and your partner, are still very much in love, there are always ways to make that flame burn even stronger. Certain things just remind you of how you felt about him or her when you first met, like revisiting your early date spots and looking through old photos together.

It’s healthy to bring out those feelings again even before you feel like that honeymoon phase is long gone. Continuously finding new ways to love each other will help make your relationship last. So whether you want to bring back the spark or fall even deeper, check out these 10 ways to fall in love all over again.

March 15, 2023
Sam George praises Ghana Police over professionalism in Ashaiman murder case

The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has lauded the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, over the professionalism executed in the Ashaiman murder case.

This follows the arrest of key suspects over the death of a soldier at Ashaiman in Accra.

In a statement, the Ghana Police Service said it had, through a week of sustained intelligence, arrested six key suspects in connection with the killing of a 22-year-old soldier who was with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) band at Sunyani in the Bono Region. w

On March 4, 2023, the police said they received information that a male adult had been found lying dead at Ashaiman Taifa in the Greater Accra Region.

According to the police, a team of police officers proceeded to the said location, confirmed the incident, and immediately commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death, leading to the arrest of the six persons.

Commenting on the development on GHOne TV, the lawmaker stated that the IGP and his men deserve all the praise for getting the killers of the young soldier and putting them before the court.

“I am one who has been very critical of the Ghana Police led by Dampare, but when they get it right, I will commend and praise them, and this is one instance where I will sing to the high praises the professionalism and diligence of our Ghana Police. Because I have also maintained that we have the finest police service in all of Africa, in fact, in the whole world.

“Our Police Service is among the six or seven in the world that the United Nations (UN) accepts for peacekeeping operations. We’ve professional men and women in our police service who, when they want to work and when the political braze at the top of the police service allows them, will do a fantastic job. This is one instance where they’ve done fantastic work,” Nartey George stated.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbe, has said the payment of hospital bills for residents who suffered military brutalities at Ashaiman has now become a debt to him.

Speaking on Starr Today with Emmanuel Agyabeng, the MP stated he has been paying hospital bills, buying drugs, and involving the services of psychologists, among others, for the victims of the military brutalities.

“It has become a debt on me as the MP. I had a call from one at the hospital where I had to send money to be able to buy medicines. Some of them are still undergoing some kind of trauma, so I’m trying to organize a psychologist, which I have spoken to, to talk to them. We are collating data to see whether we can arrange for some sort of compensation for all of them,” Norgbe stated.

March 15, 2023
Election 2024 will be evidence-based – Freda Prempeh

Member of Parliament for Tano North Constituency, Freda Prempeh, has said the 2024 elections will be evidence-based and not a do-or-die affair as President Akufo-Addo has delivered in his mandate.

According to her, Akufo-Addo’s track record in health and infrastructure delivery in the country justifies an evidence-based campaign.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, during a debate on the president’s State of the Nation’s Address (SoNA), Freda Prempeh said; “… Mr president did not hide words, his presentation was evidence-based. Everything he has done for this country is there for everyone to know, and I can assure all of you that you know that each one of us sitting here has benefitted from this government one way or the other in terms of health, roads, and infrastructure delivery.

“If you have not benefited from this government, just tell your constituents that 2024 election is not going to be a do-or-die affair, but it is going to be an evidence-based campaign.”

Parliament commenced the debate on the State of the Nation Address delivered by President Akufo-Addo on March 7, 2023, in fulfillment of his constitutional mandate.

The president emphasised that, except for COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, the country was headed in the right direction regarding overall development.

But according to the opposition minority, Ghana has suffered and continues to suffer from what they deem to be the current government’s incompetence.

President Akufo-Addo appeared before parliament to give the State of the Nation Address per Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

March 15, 2023
I didn’t mean to insult women with my ‘tough skin’ comment – Kuami Eugene

Recall that a few days ago Kuami Eugene made headlines when he mentioned during an interview that any lady who wants to be his girlfriend must develop a thick skin because every woman wants a bit of him.

During the interview, the “Wish Me Well” hitmaker said;

“I am not dating… Right now, I know dating me will be very difficult. You should have tough skin to date me,” he disclosed on ‘Stripped by Sika Osei’.

“Currently, women, girls, everyone, including men, want to have one person to themselves…If you wanna have me to yourself, it’s gonna take some sacrifices because people won’t just allow you to.“

However, in his recent interview, Kuami Eugene disclosed that he was misunderstood and misinterpreted.

“Since I continue to do music and remain a popular figure in Ghana I can’t assure you that people won’t say bad things about me or I won’t be attacked”.

“That’s why I said if you are my partner get ready to receive your fair share of it and that’s what I meant by you should have a tough skin,” he clarified on the show.

He continued “That’s what I mean by having tough skin but I don’t mean to say that I have plenty of girls chasing me so when you come and meet about 50 girls you should be tough.“

“That’s not it because I have respect for women and I have respect for our people and I respect everybody that I come across,” he concluded.

March 15, 2023