Controversial comedian Afia Schwarzenegger has said that she will only go back to radio if the owner is ready to pay her GH25,000.
Afia Schwar made this revelation during a recent interview with blogger Zion Felix which has gone viral.
According to Afia, she is done with working for any radio or television station unless they can pay her Ghc 600,000 for a two-year contract. This means she’s expecting to be paid a whooping Ghc 25,000 monthly.
The Ada-East District Environmental Health Department has cleared expired goods from various shops and markets in the district.
The items included soft drinks, tomato pastes, alcoholic drinks, milk powder, cocoa powder, and pharmaceutical products,
The operation, which was undertaken in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), is to ensure food safety and protect the community from the consumption of expired foods.
Mr Frank Abima, the Head of Department, Environmental Health, announced this during an Ordinary Session of the Ada-East Assembly.
He said the Assembly had hints around the Christmas period, last year, that there were a lot of expired products on the markets.
He said the concerns triggered a full operation, conducted by the Department and NADMO, where personnel visited shops and markets at Kasseh, Ada Foah, and Big Ada, and all expired products were confiscated.
Mr Abima said although the Food and Drugs Authority did not have an office in the district, the Authority liaised with the Assembly to promote food safety.
He cautioned the traders to be cautious when they moved outside the district to buy items to sell and admonished consumers to check the expiry dates on products before buying.
The 2023 Oscars came off the night of Sunday, March 12th 2023 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
The 95th Academy Awards honoured the best in film for the past calendar year.
Checkout the full winners list for the 2023 Oscars below…
Best Picture
All Quiet on the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Banshees of Inisherin
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All at Once — Winner
The Fabelmans
Tár
Top Gun: Maverick
Triangle of Sadness
Women Talking
Best Actor
Austin Butler, Elvis
Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin
Brendan Fraser, The Whale — Winner
Paul Mescal, Aftersun
Bill Nighy, Living
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Tár
Ana de Armas, Blonde
Andreah Riseborough, To Leslie
Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans
Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once — Winner
Best Supporting Actor
Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin
Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway
Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans
Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin
Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once — Winner
Best Supporting Actress
Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Hong Chau, The Whale
Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin
Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once — Winner
Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Director
Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once — Winner
Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans
Todd Field, Tár
Ruben Östlund, Triangle of Sadness
Best Adapted Screenplay
All Quiet on the Western Front
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Living
Top Gun: Maverick
Women Talking — Winner
Best Original Screenplay
The Banshees of Inisherin
Everything Everywhere All at Once — Winner
The Fabelmans
Tár
Triangle of Sadness
Best Animated Feature Film
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio — Winner
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
The Sea Beast
Turning Red
Best Documentary Feature
All That Breathes
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Fire of Love
A House Made of Splinters
Navalny — Winner
Best Documentary Short Subject
The Elephant Whisperers — Winner
Haulout
How Do You Measure a Year?
The Martha Mitchell Effect
Stranger at the Gate
Best International Feature Film
All Quiet on the Western Front, Germany — Winner
Argentina, 1985, Argentina
Close, Belgium
EO, Poland
The Quiet Girl, Ireland
Best Film Editing
The Banshees of Inisherin
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All at Once — Winner
Tár
Top Gun: Maverick
Best Cinematography
All Quiet on the Western Front — Winner
Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Elvis
Empire of Light
Tár
Best Sound
All Quiet on the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Batman
Elvis
Top Gun: Maverick — Winner
Best Original Score
All Quiet on the Western Front — Winner
Babylon
The Banshees of Inisherin
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Fabelmans
Best Original Song
“Applause,” Tell It Like a Woman
“Hold My Hand,” Top Gun: Maverick
“Lift Me Up,” Black Panther: Wakanda
“Naatu Naatu,” RRR — Winner
“This Is a Life,” Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Costume Design
Babylon
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — Winner
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Batman
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Elvis
The Whale — Winner
Best Production Design
All Quiet on the Western Front — Winner
Avatar: The Way of Water
Babylon
Elvis
The Fabelmans
Best Visual Effects
All Quiet on the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of Water — Winner
The Batman
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Top Gun: Maverick
Best Animated Short Film
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse — Winner
The Flying Sailor
Ice Merchants
My Year of Dicks
An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It
Best Live Action Short Film
An Irish Goodbye — Winner
Ivalu
Le Pupille
Night Ride
The Red Suitcase
The relationships were sexual during the course of the last six years at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham, Wales.
The remaining women were disclosed as a result of Freedom of Information requests made by The Mirror, while three of the women were sentenced to jail.
In order to send her lover Alex Coxon, 25, selfies via Snapchat, Jennifer Gavan, 27, smuggled a phone for him in November and was sentenced to eight months in prison in December.
She was also caught kissing him during the relationship that went on from April to July 2020.
The officer pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office after she accepted £150 to bring in the phone.
In 2019, Gunn was jailed for one year after having a fling with ‘dangerous’ inmate Khuram Razaq, 29.
The criminology and psychology graduate made numerous sexual phone calls to him while he was serving a 12-year sentence for conspiracy to rob, and smuggled in a pair of her knickers for the prisoner.
A search of her bedroom revealed snaps of the pair kissing and hugging while in his cell.
That same year, Emily Watson was jailed for one year for performing a sex act on prisoner John McGee.
Mold Crown Court heard she spent so much time with him staff became suspicious and launched an investigation.
They had been alone together in his cell on three occasions, when she performed a sex act on him twice and had intercourse once.
Staff have since been given corruption prevention training and the prison’s security has been enhanced.
A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘The overwhelming majority of Prison Service staff are hardworking and dedicated and we will not hesitate to punish those who break the rules.
‘Over 500 members of staff at HMP Berwyn have undertaken corruption prevention training in the last 18 months and our enhanced security is protecting the prison against attempts to smuggle illicit items inside.’
Flagbearer candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised the government’s Gold-for-Oil policy.
Kennedy Agyapong argued that instead of selling raw gold, the government should pursue a path of refining the mineral and adding value to it before selling it.
He believes that funds accrued from the finished gold products will be more than enough to purchase the oil and also facilitate the growth of the economy.
The Assin Central’s Member of Parliament made this submission in an interview on Sompa FM monitored by GhanaWeb.
Giving his thoughts on the gold-for-oil policy, Ken Agyapong said “Does it make sense to you to buy oil with gold? Why don’t you sell your gold, make the money and go and buy the oil?”
The lawmaker also expressed his disappointment in party members who support and defend the policy. Adding that he didn’t go to school but there are simple things the government can do to purchase the oil.
“I didn’t go to school but I know Economics. There are simple things that we can do. And I’m surprised, we say we have the men and we are hailing this? We are hailing gold for oil? Jesus Christ! We need to move, move,” he said.
The beginning of 2023 has undoubtedly been tough economically for Ghana, with many of the country’s economic indicators hitting unprecedented lows.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in November 2022 first announced the government’s plan to undertake the Gold-for-Oil initiative. The deal hinged on buying oil products with Ghana’s gold instead of the US dollar.
Dr. Bawumia explained on Facebook that using gold to buy oil would help Ghana’s dwindling foreign reserves while also reducing demand for US dollars from oil importers.
In a horrible accident in Nsambweni, Kwale County, a 36-year-old man and his girlfriend perished.
According to Kwale Police Officer Mr. Josphat Kinyua, Adams James Stagg and his girlfriend, Jackline Kendy, 21, were riding a Suzuki sport motorcycle when the unfortunate incident took place.
According to reports, the couple went to the beach for a pleasant day. On the way home, the rider struck a speed ramp, veered off the road to the left, and collided with a concrete wall.
The two are said to have died on the spot, and their bodies have been taken to a hospital morgue in Msambweni Sub-County for a postmortem.
Actress and television personality Nana Ama McBrown has officially joined the Media General Group.
She is joining the Onua brand under the group.
“Akwaabaa…. From the entire Media General family, we welcome the beautiful and amazing Nana Ama McBrown to the Onua family.
“You are welcome home Nana Ama.”
Musician Black Sherif remembered late Ghaian football star Christian Atsu during his performance at the 2023 Wireless Festival held in Dubai.
In a video, he shared on his Instagram handle, the Kweku The Traveller hitmaker was seen performing to an excited crowd.
Behind him, during his performance, was a huge screen displaying Christian Atsu’s name.
Christian Atsu died at age 31 in a devastating earthquake that occurred in Turkey and some parts of Syria on February 6, 2023.
The player’s club Hatayspor confirmed the Ghana star’s death, 12 days after the Turkey earthquake.
Family, friends and sympathisers gathered in Accra, on March 4, for the one-week observation of Christian Atsu’s death.
Meanwhile, Black Sherif is not the only musician who has used their craft to pay tribute to Christian Atsu.
Fameye in February released a new track dedicated to the Black Star player and gospel musician Grace Ashley also paid tribute to him.
It has been claimed that a father killed a paedophile with a shovel and moose antlers after becoming suspicious that the man was following his daughter.
After Lawrence V. Scully, 77, was discovered dead at his house in Grand Marais, Minnesota, Levi Axtell, 27, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Axtell is thought to have been concerned that Scully, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in 1979, wouldn’t be around his 22-month-old daughter.
He accused Scully of parking his van outside his child’s daycare in 2018, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. He applied for an order of protection which was granted, but then dismissed within several weeks.
A hearing heard Axtell arrived at the sheriff’s office covered in blood and ‘put his hands on his head and said that he had murdered Scully with a shovel’.
Axtell told officers he hit Scully 15 to 20 times with the large spade and then ‘finished him off’ with a large moose antler.
The police found the paedophile, who was released from prison in 1982, in his home ‘obviously dead from the serious nature of his head wounds’.
There had been recent allegations against him before he died, mostly regarding harassment, but an investigation ‘didn’t reveal anything’.
Axtell remains in custody in Cook County and his next court appearance is scheduled for April 10.
Defence attorney Dennis Shaw noted Axtell had no serious criminal history until now and labelled him a minimal flight risk.
His bail was set at $1 million (£830,640).
Builsa South MP Clement Apaak has demanded a probe into allegations by former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, that some NPP bigwigs are involved in illegal mining.
The Professor, last week, alleged that there are many top government officials engaged in the canker popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
The renowned professor who served under President Akufo-Addo insists that the rot goes as high as the government seat, Jubilee House.
“Let me tell you that I did not take one excavator for anything, they know the truth. Now things are coming up, we know those who are behind it and the party people who are there, people in government including Jubilee House who are doing galamsey and so on, even now,” he said on GBC.
But Mr Apaak believes this assertion is enough grounds to commence a full-blown investigation.
“We DEMAND an investigation into allegations by Prof. Boateng, a former NPP Minister, then head of the anti-galamsey fight, that “People in the NPP, people in gov’t and people at Jubilee House are engaged in galamsey”. Galamsey is a crime and those involved must be punished.
In a brief statement, the Builsa South MP explained that the investigative bodies owe Ghanaians a duty to get to the bottom of the matter.
“Ghanaians expect the requisite state agencies/institutions (OSP, BIN, CID) to show loyalty to Ghana by initiating investigations into the allegations made by Prof. Boateng. By his stature and previous position in this NPP gov’t, these allegations cannot and must not be ignored,” he wrote.
During the interview with GBC, Prof Frimpong Boateng further suggested that it was his effort that prevented the forest reserves from further dissipation by these government officials for which reason there are reports of breaches now that he is no more in office.
“There was an orchestrated scheme, even within the party and government to get me out. Why is it that when I left now everyone is in the forest?” he added.
Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde says abuse in the movie industry cannot be fully eradicated.
According to the actress, people will still take advantage of others in life.
Speaking with Doreen Avio at the Women of Valour event, Omotola says these abuses can be avoided and can be dealt with due to current times.
“It can be avoided. Can it be eradicated? Almost no! That is because, in life, you can’t. The movie industry is part of life. People will still want to take advantage of things both the predator and the victim.
“We can put people in a position where it cannot be done against their will. That is what we are trying to do in the movie industry worldwide. People are more vocal except if you want to put yourself in that position.
There was a time in the industry when it was almost like what are you talking about, it is a norm. not anymore. Right now if you speak out, they will be in trouble.”
Women of Valour which was created by Nana Aba Anamoah is a project is aimed at bringing together strong, courageous women to share their stories of triumph, loss, and everything in between.
The event which came off on 7th March 2023 saw Nigerian actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, former Electoral Commission boss Charlotte Osei, Ghanaian entrepreneur Eugenia Baffour Bankoh, Business executive and communication professional, Obuobia Darko-Opoku and others tell their stories under the theme “Untold stories of courage”
Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has urged the western movie industry to stop casting Black Americans as Africans in their movies.
According to her, western filmmakers can use A-list actors from Africa and close the gap.
Speaking with Doreen Avion at the Women of Valour event, Omotola asked western filmmakers not to portray Africans as different people and encouraged Africans to stand up for themselves.
“The west also needs to understand our complexity and be a little more open to working with us. When you have roles for Africans, stop casting Americans as Africans. It makes no sense.
“We have to stand up for ourselves when we see movies where people are speaking as Africans in a different way. Who talks like that in Africa? These things are archaic, they are old and we should fight to stop them.
She added: “I pray we are that era now where African actors and filmmakers will be respected for what they bring to the table and we can really foster collaboration.”
Women of Valour which was created by Nana Aba Anamoah is a project is aimed at bringing together strong, courageous women to share their stories of triumph, loss, and everything in between.
The event which came off on March 7, saw Nigerian actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, former Electoral Commission boss Charlotte Osei, Ghanaian entrepreneur Eugenia Baffour Bankoh, Business executive and communication professional, Obuobia Darko-Opoku and others tell their stories under the theme “Untold stories of courage”
For the South and Midlands, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather advisory for strong winds.
Drivers were urged to watch out for falling trees and to expect possible traffic bottlenecks as tall trucks had to move slowly over bridges and other exposed parts of the road.
Between 10am and 6pm on Monday, forecasters warned of “widespread” gale-force winds across the Black Country, East Anglia, Sussex, and Devon.
Coastal and hilly areas are expected to suffer winds of up to 65mph, strong enough to damage roofs and uproot smaller trees.
The Severn Bridge crossing linking England and Wales was closed in both directions on Monday morning, while densely wooded areas such as London’s Bushy Park have been deemed too dangerous for visitors.
Forecasters said short-term power cuts as well as delays to rail, air and ferry transport should also be expected.
Yellow warnings for snow and ice were already in place for higher parts of Scotland and will be expanded to cover much of the UK later in the day.
Yellow weather warning for wind issued.
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By 5pm, the rest of Scotland, most of northern Ireland, northern England and northern Wales are due to expect rain, sleet and snow.
Rail passengers and drivers were told delays are ‘likely’ and that ungritted roads will be hazardous due to ice patches.
Flooding is also expected on the River Nene near Peterborough, the Ouse near Bedford, the Vyrnwy in Shropshire and West Bay Habour in Dorset.
The worst of the wind is forecast to end by 6pm, while icy conditions will largely continue until 10am on Tuesday.
While the wind warning is in place, forecasters urged people to avoid unnecessary journeys, drive slowly, secure loose items outside and avoid walking close to trees and structures.
Actress Sharon Stone says one of her most famous roles caused her to lose custody of her son in 2004.
Her famous flash in the 1992 Basic Instinct warped perceptions of her, Stone said on a podcast.
“Do you know your mother makes sex movies?” Stone recalled the judge asking her four-year-old son.
Backlash from the scene, where she briefly exposes herself while crossing her legs, has made her avoid similar roles, she says.
Stone and her then-husband Ron Bronstein adopted their son, Roan, in 2000. But when the couple divorced in 2004, the judge awarded custody to Mr Bronstein.
The loss caused Stone severe heartache, she told host Bruce Bozzi on the Table for Two podcast.
“I ended up in the Mayo Clinic with extra heartbeats in my upper and lower chamber of my heart,” Stone said. “It literally broke my heart.”
Considering how much sex and nudity appears on TV today, Stone said, her treatment after the hit movie was brutal.
“You saw maybe like a 16th of a second of possible nudity of me,” Stone said. “And I lost custody of my child.”
Stone said others in Hollywood judged her for her role in the erotic thriller as Catherine Tramell, a novelist who seduces a police detective, played by Michael Douglas.
“I got nominated for a Golden Globe for that part, and when I went to the Golden Globes and they called my name, a bunch of people in the room laughed,” Stone said.
“I was so humiliated,” she said. “I was like, does anybody have any idea how hard it was to play that part? How gut-wrenching and frightening”?
Stone said she now avoids roles that cast women in a sexualised light or with dark personalities. But she added that fans should not confuse actors with their characters.
“The guy who played Jeffery Dahmer — no one thinks he’s a [person] who eats people,” Stone said. “It makes him a very complex person who took an incredibly difficult part.”
Game of Thrones stars Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal play main characters Ellie and Joel
After nearly nine weeks of tense, traumatic and tearful drama, the opening series of The Last of Us is about to reach its climax.
Joel and Ellie’s arduous journey across America has gripped viewers and critics alike, as they dodge ruthless militia and terrifying monsters, while seeking a cure for a fungal brain infection that devastated the population.
HBO, which adapted the series from the original video game, quickly announced after the first few episodes that there would be a second series.
In this article we’ll examine what that could look like. Spoilers will be avoided, in much the same way that Joel and Ellie dodge those grotesque fungal spores.
The biggest clues come from the video game’s own sequel.
The Last of Us: Part 2 was released on the PlayStation 4 in the summer of 2020, and picks up the story five years after the events of the first installment. It goes on to expand the world, introducing new characters, factions and locations.
The game was a big success for Sony, despite its makers having to defend its use of violence. Three years on, it’s considered one of the best games ever made, successfully living up to the legacy created by the original.
Given that the first series of the TV show has largely been faithful to the game – it’s reasonable to assume the show will continue along that path.
Neil Druckman, its director, has also suggested that will be the case, telling the Hollywood Reporter, “We have no plans to tell any stories beyond adapting the games.”
However, given the wider scope of the sequel, maybe one series won’t be enough to do it justice – so it could focus on just one element portion of the story (come back here in future to read a “what to expect in series three” article…)
The opening series of the adaptation has been traumatic. Not since Game of Thrones have more central characters said hello and goodbye to viewers with such regularity.
That trend will continue in series two. There will be difficult and heart-breaking decisions made from the first to the last episode. Characters will lose loved ones as they explore more of this changed America.
Viewers will shed a tear, or several, and the constant threat of imminent and sudden death will haunt the show as it has done in series one.
Thematically the opening series has touched upon authoritarianism. What does it feel like to be governed by a dictatorship? If we have little or no voice in how society is run, what do we do next?
The next series will thrust religious fundamentalism under the spotlight. As is often the case in post-apocalyptic zombie dramas (I appreciate they’re called ‘infected’ in this show, but you know what I mean), the humans are often the scariest enemies.
That will certainly be the case as the Seraphites (also known as Scars), a group of violent cultists who communicate via menacing whistling sounds, arrive on screen.
How much the show decides to explore the inflexibility of their fundamentalist beliefs, and what that means to the other characters, we’ll have to wait to find out.
Listening to the creators of the show, Neil Druckman and Craig Mazlin, discuss their work, it is clear that love is the central theme of the first series. Every episode is laced with people trying their best to save a loved one.
For series two there will be a shift. Instead it will ask how people deal with grief? Should we get angry? Go numb? Try to forget? Or get revenge?
Characters will answer this question differently and viewers will be challenged to decide which approach they instinctively support.
So far we’ve met three types of infected in the Last of Us. The common-or-garden ‘runners’, who flock together when a spore is interfered with; The mushroom faced ‘clickers’, blind but with deadly rapid reactions; And the ‘bloater’, a big lad who appeared out of the ground in episode five.
In series two, expect that roster to expand.
In the game, players come across a character named ‘The Rat King’ – a massive and even more grotesque version of what’s been shown on screen so far. This infected is a combination of many individuals meshed together in a hospital setting.
The game features a memorable set-piece, where the characters are ambushed by a rat king in a dark basement. It’s a difficult and unsettling encounter that will be tricky to translate to television.
Neil Druckman told the BBC when the Last of Us: Part 2 was first released that video games needed to do a better job of representing society. Diversity of gender, sexuality and ethnicity was important to him and the team making the game.
Series two will introduce us to the transgender character Lev – who was one of the first trans characters featured in a major high-profile gaming release. Their story arc is an emotional one, so expect the show to explore societal attitudes to transgender rights.
We’ve already met one of the major characters of the next series. Dina, a resident of Jackson, makes a fleeting appearance in episode six, staring at Ellie and Joel as they arrive in town. She will be the heartbeat of series two: Intelligent, loving and loyal.
This casting decision will be key to the series’ success.
The rumour mill is in full force as to who will play the role of Abby. Portrayed by Shannon Woodward in the game, she is a strong woman who’s suffered significant heartbreak. Her divisive actions are central to the storyline of the second series and linger in the memory long after you set down your contoller.
There is a moment three quarters of the way The Last of Us: Part 2 that plays with character perspective in a way that will be difficult to do in television. This section is a significant element of the game’s overall emotional impact. Can the on-screen equivalent live up to it?
We don’t know when series two will be ready, Pedro Pascal has hinted that filming could start as soon as 2023. If everything goes to plan, then we’re likely to re-join the story in 2025.
Oscar nominee Tems has been slammed on social media after her elaborate outfit blocked the view of fellow attendees at Sunday night’s Academy Awards.
The songstress — who is nominated for Best Original Song for the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” track “Lift Me Up” — wore a puffy white gown that wrapped around the back of her head.
And while she stunned on the red carpet, the incredible outfit was probably less loved by those sitting inside the Dolby Theater.
Photos of the “Crazy Tings” hitmaker standing out in the crowd quickly went viral on Twitter, clocking up hundreds of thousands of views.
“Imagine waiting your whole life to be at the Oscars and you end up sitting behind a stratus cloud,” one sniped, comparing the garment to a mass of condensed water vapor.
The critic accompanied their snarky tweet with a screenshot that showed a guest craning his neck around Tems’ puffy garment in order to see the stage.
Others also accused the star of being “rude” by blocking the view of other attendees.
“I guess the people behind the white veil don’t get to see the show,” one declared.
“Who has to sit behind that woman with the white veil,” another asked. “Rude.”
Several dragged the designer of the dress, with a detractor declaring: “She looks stunning but perhaps they could have made the top bit detachable.”
“Her designers should have thought this through,” another agreed.
However, many defended Tems’ eye-catching ensemble, saying they were fans of the fashion-forward frock.
“If you’re sitting BEHIND greatness that is known as Tems, then perhaps you’re just not that important,” one stated.
A second supporter said those sitting behind the beauty wouldn’t be missing much at all.
“I would think the Oscars would have large screens to view the stage from,” they declared.
Actor-turned-politician John Dumelo has dismissed claims that he gave his blessings to his friend and colleague Fred Nuamah to contest for the Ayawaso West Wuogon NDC Parliamentary seat.
According to him, Fred Nuamah knew he would contest to represent the constituency once again in the 2024 elections but he (Nuamah) went to pick the forms anyway.
Speaking on UTV’s United Showbiz, he said the Ghana Movie Award CEO’s claims that he (Dumelo) had not informed him of his “second coming” and had given his blessing is untrue.
“I never gave him my blessings and I never told him in the face that ‘Fred I am not coming back (to Ayawaso) so you can go there’. I never said it, never in any conversation whatsoever,” he said.
John Dumelo added that “he called me two months ago and said he had heard of my return and so he was ready to support my bid to come back. He came to my birthday on February 3, and later in the evening he released his flyer.”
Fred Nuamah, John Dumelo said, later sent him a long message explaining why he was also bidding to contest.
However, the 2020 NDC parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon said “I insisted then that I never told him I wouldn’t come back so which blessings did I give?”
“I think this is a betrayal and a stab in the back, especially for someone I’ve known for more than 20 years. I didn’t want to speak about this but I needed to clear the air after his statements…he is a liar,” John Dumelo added.
This comes after actor turned-politician Fred Nuamah claimed he was taken aback by his friend, John Dumelo’s “u-turn” after his declaration to contest once again for the Ayawaso West Wuogon seat after previous assurances that he would not.
In an interview with graphic showbiz, Mr Nuamah explained that the 2020 NDC Parliamentary candidate for the constituency had informed him and others that he would no longer contest for a parliamentary seat in the Greater Accra Region.
Noting that he will not back down in the contest, Fred said that “he gave me his blessings when I made up my mind to contest.”
“I would have rather expected him to honour his word when he said he won’t contest the seat and, therefore, throw his support behind me,” the Ghana Movie Awards CEO said.
However, John Dumelo insists that no such interactions happened saying “does he deserve my blessings.”
John Dumelo is confident he will win the NDC primaries especially since he believes the delegates and constituents want him back.
Background
Ghanaians were taken aback by the news that Fred Nuamah and John Dumelo would be battling for the NDC parliamentary candidacy for Ayawaso West Wuogon ahead of the 2024 general election.
Although they will be contesting for the same position, in the same party, and at the same constituency (Ayawaso West Wuogon), John and Fred are good friends; Fred was actually John’s best man at his wedding in 2019.
Fred Nuamah announced his intention to contest first and days later John Dumelo made known his.
Meanwhile, in the 2020 election, John Dumelo vied for the constituency seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) but lost to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Lydia Seyram Alhassan.
He polled 37,778 votes against the incumbent, New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Lydia Seyram Alhassan’s 39,851 votes, offering hope for a good chance to probably win the slot at the next general election in 2024.
Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media
All eyes in India will be on the Oscars ceremony as Naatu Naatu vies to win Best Original Song at the prestigious award show.
A track from Telugu blockbuster RRR, short for Rise Roar Revolt, Naatu Naatu is the first Indian film song to be nominated for an Oscar.
Its singers are also slated to perform at the Academy Awards, which will be aired on Monday morning in India.
The song became a global sensation – inspiring endless Instagram reels and dance trends on social media – after the film’s release in US last year, where its quick tempo and synchronised choreography were an instant hit with the audiences.
Composed by MM Keeravani with lyrics penned by Chandrabose, Naatu Naatu already made history once in January when it won the Golden Globe for best original song, defeating contenders like Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. The same month, the song also won the Critics Choice award for the best song.
Its composers are now hoping to repeat their success at the Oscars.
“It’s not just because of the music or the dance – the entire story of RRR can be summarised within these 10 minutes of Naatu Naatu,” the film’s director, SS Rajamouli, told Vanity Fair.
A historical fantasy, featuring superstars Ram Charan and Jr NTR in lead roles, RRR tells the fictional story of two revolutionaries who fight against British rule in India.
Rajamouli says he envisioned Naatu Naatu as a “fight scene” in which two freedom fighters bring a British officer to his knees – through dance.
“The song is a story within the larger story of the film,” the filmmaker said.
Back in 2020, when RRR was still under production, all Rajamouli told Keeravani was that he needed a song that would showcase the dancing talent of his heroes.
Keeravani then turned to his favourite lyricist Chandrabose and said: “Write whatever you like. But this story takes place in the 1920s, so use words appropriate to the time.”
With no melody or tune to work with, Chandrabose first came up with the hook line of “Naatu Naatu” which means “Dance, Dance” in Telugu.
He told BBC Telugu that he wrote an uptempo song with a fast beat, which he knew Keeravani favoured. The beat is commonly used in folk songs of the two Telugu-speaking states of India – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Drawing inspiration from his childhood in Telangana, Chandrabose included several folksy references – like eating chilli with jowar roti (red sorghum bread) – in the song.
The majority of the song was completed in two days, Chandrabose said. But it took 19 months for the remaining portion to come together.
Rajamouli and Keeravani credit much of Naatu Naatu’s success to the song’s choreographer, Prem Rakshit, who composed about 95 dance steps for the track.
“Each of them [the actors] have their own style,” Rajamouli said in an earlier interview. “So he had to find something that suited both of them.”
Rakshit said he made 30 versions of the signature step in which NTR Jr and Ram Charan dance with their arms around each other. The delightful sequence had to be further improvised after Charan asked the director “if they could do something” with the costume.
The song culminates in a marathon dance-off as all the dancers kick up a storm, slowly collapsing one by one in exhaustion until only the heroes remain standing.
Ram Charan and NTR Jr then turn to take on each other and a dance competition between the two heroes follows. Rajamouli said he tried to lay down the film’s themes of friendship, rivalry and solidarity through the sequence.
And the rest is history.
Since the film’s release last year, fans have been trying to replicate the intricate foot swivels and catchy dance moves. At film screenings in Los Angeles, audiences were often seen rushing to the stage to dance when the song played.
Even though the track was shot in front of the Mariinskyi Palace, a gorgeous sea-blue structure in Ukraine, Rajamouli said his aim was to recreate the atmosphere of an Indian village. In past interviews, the director has confessed that people called him “crazy” for shooting in a country on the verge of war.
The team shot the song over 15 days, working 12 hours a day with 150 dancers and a a crew of 200 people.
Rakshit said that every time he okayed a take, Rajamouli would ask for “one more” shot.
“He went frame by frame to make sure we were in sync,” Charan said in an interview.
Nearly a year after its release, the song is still going strong with the audiences. And with an Oscar nomination and a performance at the award ceremony in tow, the excitement is at an all-time high.
As Charan said, the “song is no longer our song. It belongs to the public. People of different age groups and cultures have embraced it.”
It was a heated banter on Joy FM’s entertainment Twitter Spaces conversation when comedians Clemento Suarez and DKB were locked in a duel.
The two, while talking about challenges of the comedy industry, argued about the role Charterhouse had played in the comedy industry in Ghana.
While DKB said Charterhouse killed Ghanaian comedy by creating the impression that Ghanaian comedians were subpar, Clemento said it was the company’s decision to put Ghanaian comedians on their platforms that rather spawned the recent vibrant comedy movement in the country.
While at it, DKB suggested Clemento Suarez, who is a comic actor had no right to speak on issues concerning stand-up comedians.
“Clemento Suarez, you are a comic actor, you don’t speak for stand-up comedians. But it’s amazing how you Kwame Dadzie gave him the room to speak for us,” he said.
While giving a chronology of events to support his claim, DKB said “from 2008/2009 that the fight against Charterhouse started, it was David Oscar’s fight and then it culminated into our fight. It was 2008/2009 to 2014. Where was Clemento Suarez when we did a show in Cape Coast, and we finished we slept on student desks because literally only two people bought the ticket because they said we were not funny? It had spread across the media, everywhere. Where was Clemento Suarez? Where was Clemento Suarez when we did a show at the drama studio and about just 12 or 15 people came, and they sat through the rain for us to perform? Where was he? He was doing comic acting,” he noted.
According to DKB, Suarez was nowhere near the stand-up comedy space when they were fighting for comedy in the past.
Enraged by the statement, the comic actor hit back at DKB, reminding him of when he started his comedy career, adding that when the new wave of Ghanaian comedy started DKB was had not started comedy.
“I never said that DKB Charterhouse didn’t victimise you. You can say that. What I am saying is, don’t include all these people that you are saying have kept quiet, for somebody in a different field to come and demonise you,” Clemento intimated.
“And for you to be asking questions; ‘when the comedy started where were you?’ Na you DKB, when the comedy started where were you? Because me, the drama studio that you are talking about that is where I was born. The days when audience and performers would share the same stage because it was raining, I was there. How can you come from Agric to theatre arts and come and ask where was Clemento Suarez?” he asked.
In the meantime, DKB has vowed never to talk about any bad experience he has had with Charterhouse, again.
‘Joy Entertainment Unpacked’ Twitter Spaces conversation is hosted by Kwame Dadzie Wednesdays on Joy FM’s Twitter handle @joy997fm.
The Paramount Chief of Gbledi Traditional Area in the Volta Region, Togbega Homatekpor V, has given the origin of the name ‘Afadjato.’
Afadjato is the highest mountain in Ghana, located on the lands of Gbledi Gbogame and Liati, in the Volta Region. It attracts thousands of tourists across the world every year.
Speaking on the Ghana Month edition of Joy FM‘s ‘Showbiz A-Z’ transmitted live from the foot of the mountain on Saturday, March 11, 2023, Togbega explained how the name came about.
According to him, the original name of the mountain was ‘avadzeto’, meaning a mountain that is shaped like water-yam.
“When our ancestors came to settle at the foot of the mountain, they climbed the mountain and found out there was a leaf that resembled that of a water yam. And then if you look at the mountain, it is of a conical shape. It’s just like a mound. And therefore they thought to name it ‘avadzeto’. ‘Avadze’ means water yam,” he said.
He said later the name was corrupted by foreigners who had difficulty in pronouncing it. It then changed to Afadjato which has since been accepted as the name for the mountain.
The Afadjato edition of ‘Showbiz A-Z, was part of Joy FM’s Ghana Month activities to promote Ghana’s culture in March, the month of Ghana’s independence.
After a successful edition of the outdoor programme in Cape Coast in 2021, there was a encore in Kumasi where the team discovered Asanteman’s rich tourist centres and culture.
The programme also hosted Togbe Adabra IV, Mankrado of Gbledi-Gbogame and the Divisional Chief of Gbledi Tongor / actor; Alexander Kwame Nketia, Volta Regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority, and Chief Moomen, poet, playwright and creative entrepreneur.
The Acting Chairman of the Afadjato-Tagbo Eco-Tourism Centre, Kuma Gavi, was also on the panel.
The Afadjato edition of the show was powered by Joy Entertainment, supported by Adansi Travels.
Flagbearer aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Dr Kwabena Duffuor has pledged to restore the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to full operating capacity, if elected as flagbearer and subsequently President of Ghana.
The former finance minister who is one of four contenders for the leadership of the main opposition party going into the 2024 general elections was speaking to party delegates during a campaign tour of the greater Accra region this week.
The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) shut down its operations in June 2018 due to several management issues including an inability to make available steady supply of crude oil, a main raw material for the refinery.
He believes that TOR is one of Ghana’s biggest national assets which must not be left to deteriorate especially at a time that it is essential to bring down the cost of petroleum products, critical for the economic well-being of all Ghanaians.
The renowned economist told NDC party supporters that he will fix TOR and commit to ensuring that the refinery operates efficiently and sustainably, providing affordable fuel to the people of Ghana.
“I understand the importance of TOR to the Ghanaian economy, and if given the opportunity to lead, I will work tirelessly to bring it back to full operation. The high cost of petroleum products is a significant burden on the average Ghanaian, and we must do everything we can to make fuel prices more affordable,” Dr. Duffuor assured.
He explained that his plan to revive TOR includes a comprehensive review of the refinery’s operations and infrastructure as well as the implementation of sustainable measures to ensure that the refinery runs efficiently. He added that he will also work with industry experts to explore alternative sources of crude oil to ensure a steady supply for the refinery.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor who was once governor of the Bank of Ghana said his plan to revive TOR will not only bring down the cost of petroleum products but also create job opportunities for Ghanaians and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Supporters of Dr. Duffuor have hailed his commitment to bringing back TOR to full operation as testament to his vision for a better Ghana and his dedication to making life more affordable for all Ghanaians.
As the NDC Presidential primary elections approach, Dr. Duffuor’s pledge to revive TOR is one of the many policy initiatives that he is presenting to the grassroots with the confidence that his vision for a better Ghana will resonate with voters and bring about the change that NDC and Ghana needs at the moment.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has cautioned Ghanaians against voting for another hung Parliament in the future.
According to the Bekwai MP, the situation has impeded the work of the House.
He wants Ghanaians to vote massively for either the NPP or NDC in the 2024 general elections to give one political party an overwhelming majority in the House.
According to him, the seventh Parliament, for instance, passed over 100 laws but the current Parliament which is in its third year has passed less than 10 laws.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has urged Ghanaians never to vote for another hung Parliament in the future.
The Bekwai MP believes the situation has made the current legislature less efficient as compared to the seventh Parliament.
He wants Ghanaians to vote massively for either the NPP or NDC in the 2024 general elections to give one political party an overwhelming majority in the House.
According to him, the seventh Parliament, for instance, passed over 100 laws but the current Parliament which is in its third year has passed less than 10 laws.
Citing the approval of ministerial nominees and nominees to the Supreme Court as an example, he stated that there is less cooperation and the Minority tends to oppose almost all government’s decisions irrespective of the substance of the issues.
Speaking exclusively to Citi News, he stated that the lack of effective collaboration in Parliament is adversely affecting governance in the country.
“It is affecting governance generally. I am saying that next time Ghanaians should vote more. If they want the NPP to be the Majority, they should give them more votes. If you want NDC to be the majority give them more votes. This one is affecting governance very badly.
“The seventh Parliament, probably because of the numbers, passed the highest number of laws since 1993, we passed over 100 laws. This Parliament is our third year, but I doubt we have passed even 10 laws. The level of cooperation that I saw is no longer there.”
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has dared a Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, to publish details of his alleged research on registration equipment.
This is after the Professor in a recent Facebook post alleged that the distribution of equipment for the production of the Ghana Cards is skewed to favour the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and to the disadvantage of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“NIA respectfully challenges Prof. Gyampo to take out of the realm of conjecture his allegations and so-called research findings and conclusions, by publishing the relevant details of his research within the next 24 hours. This will permit an objective assessment of the nature, purpose, scope and method(s) of the research, as well as the facticity and soundness of his findings and conclusions,” the NIA responded in a statement issued on March 10, 2023.
The NIA in its statement stated that the allegations by Professor Gyampo without any evidential support amount to idle rumour-mongering.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has given a Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, a 24-hour ultimatum to publish details of his alleged research on registration equipment.
Professor Gyampo in a recent Facebook post alleged that the distribution of equipment for the production of the Ghana Cards is skewed to favour the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and to the disadvantage of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“NIA respectfully challenges Prof. Gyampo to take out of the realm of conjecture his allegations and so-called research findings and conclusions, by publishing the relevant details of his research within the next 24 hours. This will permit an objective assessment of the nature, purpose, scope and method(s) of the research, as well as the facticity and soundness of his findings and conclusions,” the NIA responded in a statement issued on March 10, 2023.
The NIA in its statement stated that the allegations by Professor Gyampo without any evidential support amount to idle rumour-mongering.
The NIA described the comments by the Political Science lecturer as most scurrilous.
“This is a most scurrilous, astonishing and false allegation, and published by a professor of political science, it is all the more damning and concerning! The publication of this bare statement, without any evidentiary support, amounts to idle rumour-mongering. Such conduct is unbecoming of a professor who must, instead, manifest a commitment to sharing information that is sound and based on accessible and/or testable research. It is never sufficient to publish a bare allegation, simply because one has become aware of it, or dreamt of it! A person minded to publish such a conflict-laden allegation bears a duty of proof and circumspection,” the NIA added in its statement.
The NIA further indicated that it will not go by the advice from Professor Gyampo to accept his findings.
“Prof. Gyampo insists that his comments are grounded in research he has conducted, and he therefore advises NIA to humbly accept the findings and implications of his research and address the identified concerns. NIA has no reasonable basis to accept Prof. Gyampo’s claim,” the NIA pointed out.
As Rebecca Akufo-Addo celebrates her 72nd birthday on March 12, 2023, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has paid tribute to the first lady.
Dr. Bawumia wished the first lady God’s continuous blessing and protection as she reached the milestone in a Facebook post.
The Vice President addressed her as “Auntie Becky” and wrote, “Auntie Becky, my desire for you on this day is that may God continue to bless and protect you, and may you continue to touch humanity positively.”
Prior to this, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, also in a Facebook post, celebrated his wife on her birthday.
“Happy Birthday to my beautiful Rebecca,” he said while sharing two images of his wife on Facebook.
Rebecca Akufo-Addo became First Lady after Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo won the December 7 elections in 2016 and was subsequently sworn in as president on January 7, 2017.
She is using her office to champion the cause of women and children and as an ambassador for the fight against cancer.
Rebecca Akufo-Addo was born on March 12, 1951.
President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo honoured his wife Rebecca on her 72nd birthday.
Nana Addo wished the country’s First Lady a happy birthday on Facebook.
He wished his lovely Rebecca a happy birthday.
Following the President’s victory in the December 7 election in 2016, Rebecca Akufo-Addo was appointed First Lady. On January 7, 2017, Rebecca Akufo-Addo was sworn in as President.
She is using her Office to champion the cause of women and children and as an Ambassador for the fight against cancer.
Rebecca Akufo-Addo was born on 12 March 1951.
A number of inner town roadways in the Yapei township of the Central Gonja District have undergone a significant facelift thanks to the work of John Abdulai Jinapor, member of parliament for the Yapei-Kusawgu seat.
This project is a part of one of the MP’s township construction and redevelopment efforts.
Roads will be built in Yapei Town, the Yapei Polyclinic, and the Yapei Darisalam as part of this programme, and certain gutters next to the roadways will be desilted and replaced with LED street lights.
The Assembly member for the area, Iddi Kamil on behalf of the chiefs and people of the Yapei electoral area expressed his appreciation to the Yapei-Kusawgu lawmaker for his continued support in pushing development, especially in his area adding that the road project will promote economic activities by facilitating the easy movement of goods and services within the community.
”When the LED street light bulbs are fixed, they will illuminate the streets of Yapei and scare criminals away in the night” he said.
Hon. Kamil indicated that Yapei is a busy area with a lot of business activities, hence the construction of these key roads would enhance economic activities and also increase the revenue mobilization for further development of the area.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo met today at Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Majlis in the Amiri Diwan, the Amir of Qatar’s official residence and office (Sunday, March 12, 2023).
According to a statement from the Amir’s office, the discussions took place in conjunction with President Akufo-travel Addo’s to the nation to attend the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5).
In addition to several areas of shared interest, they addressed measures to improve and support bilateral ties between the two nations during their discussion.
The President was among 5,000 participants that attended LDC5, including 47 Heads of State or government and 130 Ministers and Vice-Ministers.
They called for developed countries to urgently provide the most vulnerable countries with the assistance they need to drive socio-economic and environmental development.
Corporate leaders together with civil society, youth and other partners shared plans, innovations, and recommendations in several areas: from enhancing the participation of LDCs in international trade and regional integration to addressing climate change, strengthening global partnerships, supporting graduation, and leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation.
The Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha, Qatar ended on March 9, 2023. with member states committing to measures to deliver on the Doha Programme of Action, a ten-year plan to put the world’s 46 most vulnerable countries back on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bold commitments at the conference marked a transformative turning point for the world’s poorest countries, whose development has been hindered by crises including COVID-19, climate change and deepening inequalities.
“Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Least Developed Countries is a litmus test for achieving the 2030 Agenda writ large, including by ensuring that no one — and no LDC — is left behind” said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. “That is why the Doha Programme of Action must be seen as a vehicle for SDG Acceleration.”
Under the theme ‘From Potential to Prosperity’ the conference aimed to drive transformational change to positively affect the 1.2 billion people who live in the LDCs.
“The commitments made this week are a true embodiment of global solidarity and partnership and will pave the way for a new era of international cooperation,” said Rabab Fatima, Secretary General of the Conference and UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
“This will result in more of the Least Developed Countries achieving the goal of graduation and a more prosperous and sustainable future,” she continued.
Discussions at LDC5 centered around delivery of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022-2031, which aims to manifest a new generation of renewed and strengthened commitments between the least developed countries and their partners, including the private sector, civil society, and governments.
The Programme, agreed in 2022 after LDC5 was postponed due to the Omicron outbreak, outlines a transformative agenda to tap into the potential of the LDCs. Measures include the development of a food stockholding mechanism for LDCs; an online university focusing on STEM education, especially for women and girls; an international investment support centre; a sustainable graduation support facility; and comprehensive multi-hazard crisis mitigation and resilience-building measures for least developed countries.
Agreements reached this week will help the LDCs to address the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, to return to a pathway to achieve the SDGs, address climate change, and make strides towards sustainable and irreversible graduation.
The Doha Political Declaration, adopted at the end of the conference reinforces the international community’s commitment to the Doha Programme of Action.
The Conference presented a unique opportunity to translate the vision of the Doha Programme into tangible results with countries and stakeholders showcasing a host of commitments. These commitments range from improving biodiversity and tackling malnutrition to resilience building in the LDCs.
Claims made by the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, that the Akufo-Addo administration is expropriating projects developed by the previous Mahama administration have been deemed false by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
In response to Mr. Agbodza’s assertion, the Ministry released a statement in which it informed the public about the nation’s ongoing road construction initiatives.
The minister claimed that the action was a part of efforts to provide accountability and transparency to Ghanaians.
“The public is assured that in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Ministry will continue to provide accurate information on road projects to the good people of Ghana,” a statement the Ministry issued on March 10, 2023 stated.
Kennedy Agyapong, a candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership, has vowed to expose information that will bring the party to an end if attempts are made to bring his enterprises to an end.
Mr. Agyapong stated in an interview with Kumasi’s Sompa FM that if attempts are made to bring down his businesses, he will “end the party” with his disclosures.
Mr. Agyapong said on the Sompa FM with Yaw Adu Boakye, “I am being kind and compassionate to NPP (members), they shouldn’t dare me, they shouldn’t dare me.
“…I will finish the party, the things I will say. The things I know that I have kept quiet”.
According to the Assin Central Member of Parliament, he has been the victim of a witch-hunt by members of his party since the beginning of the year, alleging that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) was being used as a vehicle to intimidate and frustrate his business operations.
He alleged that the GRA wanted to station its personnel at his cold chain stores to police how much fish he sells daily, warning “Let me say this, I have gone past intimidation. They cannot use the system to intimidate me, I have to say this, I have opened businesses across the last five presidents. I never went through any of this harassment.”
“Ghana Revenue Authority can never collapse my business because I will fight. I will fight for the youth because that steel plant alone will take 1000 workers,” he said.
“And you are going there because Kwame Agyapong is loudmouthed because he wants to contest [for president] so you will destroy my business”.
He also threatened to expose alleged corrupt dealing at the GRA.
“Whether they are auditing, whether they are collapsing the business, I swear to God, Ghana Revenue Authority can never collapse my business because I will fight…”
Professor Charity Sylvia Akotia, a prominent social and community psychologist, has advised the media to use caution while reporting on suicide situations.
According to study, the media has a tendency to focus on suicide, particularly when it involves celebrities, in a way that could incite suicide in vulnerable populations like young people.
The former dean of the University of Ghana’s Department of Social Sciences, Prof. Akotia, spoke at the institution’s 75th anniversary inaugural speech on Thursday. He claimed that most media coverage of suicide did not follow World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.
The lecture was on the topic: “When Life Becomes Unbearable: Dynamics and Complexities of Suicidal Behaviour and Prevention in a Cultural Context”.
The UG 75th Anniversary Inaugural Lecture is a series that hosts notable persons who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields, as part of activities to commemorate the university’s 75th anniversary.
Prof. Akotia’s lecture focused on what constituted suicide (cultural and legal), attitudes towards suicide, motivations for suicidal behaviour, suicide and the law, experiences of survivors and their families, and media perspective on suicide.
The lecture was attended by notable personalities, including a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, and the Vice-Chancellor of UG, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who chaired the function.
Prof. Akotia said the media were a powerful force in society, and as such they had a responsibility to promote education on suicide prevention.
“Clinical and research experiences on working on suicidality in Ghana for close to a decade have shown that most media reports on suicide in Ghana are not guided by any specific guidelines, and if they are, it is possible they are not compliant,” she said.
Per the WHO responsible reporting guidelines on suicide, a media reportage on suicide should include accurate information on where to seek help for someone contemplating suicide and educate the public on the facts of suicide and suicide prevention, without spreading myths.
The guidelines also encourage the media to report on how to cope with life stressors or suicidal thoughts and how to get help.
Again, the WHO encourages the media not to give prominence to suicide stories, not to repeat such stories, not to provide details about the location of the incident and not to use sensational headlines or photographs or video footage.
Prof. Akotia said although many cases went unreported, about 1,900 suicide cases were said to occur annually in the country.
She said suicide and suicidal behaviour had a negative toll on families, communities and the nation at large as it did not only lead to loss of lives but also left scars on people.
“Suicidal behaviour may also affect the health and well-being of the suicidal person, as well as significant others, including families and loved ones, friends, co-workers and the community at large,” she said.
On how to improve suicide prevention in the country, Prof. Akotia said there was the need to decriminalise attempted suicide, adding that the attempt to commit suicide was a mental health issue and not a criminal issue.
“This is important as criminalising suicide prevents persons in distress from seeking help, and makes suicidal persons aim to complete the behaviour,” the social and community psychologist said.
Prof. Akotia also called for the establishment of a national suicide prevention centre to help collate information on statistics on suicide, lead awareness on the need not to opt for suicide and also as a reference point for people seeking help.
Prof. Amfo said suicide should never be an option, no matter the situation, adding that “suicide is preventable and should never be an option”.
A clean water refill service is now available to the 4,000 residents of Otoase and the 150,000 people who live in Nsawam, in addition to Accra’s other population.
The Ghana Water Initiative (GWI), one of the projects within SafeWater, a strategic business unit within the pump manufacturer Grundfos, launched Surewater mineral water prior to this.
The packaged water aims to increase water security by making water accessible to everyone at a reasonable price and by decreasing the use of sachet water in Ghana.
GWI’s Engagement Manager, Xorlali Yao-Kuma Kpodo, after the launch, stated: “We are committed to improving people’s quality of life through access to clean water, which we believe is a fundamental right.
“We are confident that Surewater will make a positive difference in Ghana, and we are eager to continue our efforts to create innovative solutions that tackle the world’s water and climate challenges.”
Also commenting on the project, the Water Access Director of Grundfos, Anise Sacranie, said: “This project is just one of Grundfos’ many water initiatives in Africa.”
“We recognise the pressing need for sustainable water solutions in Africa, and with the launch of Surewater we are aiming to make our water projects commercially viable, having a positive impact in the region both for the environment and by making clean drinking water more accessible.”
Surewater
Surewater is packaged in large 18.9 litre containers that are designed for multiple uses and can be refilled as needed. According to GWI, the use of dispenser bottled water can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated from single-use plastic containers, helping to protect the environment and its ecosystems, while providing clean drinking water for communities previously without access.
Grundfos established the GWI under the Grundfos SafeWater unit to design and test new approaches to water service delivery in rural communities in Ghana.
As a SDG-focused company focusing on both clean water and sanitation (SDG6) and taking action to combat climate change (SDG13), the GWI has invested in developing commercially viable solutions to provide water services to underserved communities.
Two drivers in Kumasi have been speaking to the media to defend their decision to restore GH200,000 to its rightful owner.
The two drivers, whose identities were withheld, told UTV in a television interview that they found the money wrapped in a plastic bag in their car late at night and only counted it after finishing their shift at a truck stop in Oforikrom, Kumasi.
They said they kept the bag and after counting it, it amounted to GH¢200,000 and they contemplated handing it over to the Police.
They said they handed it over to a trusted Police officer, which one of them knew personally and later reported it to Kumasi-based radio station Hello FM to make an announcement about the money.
Meet the kind-hearted drivers who returned missing GH₵200,000 1/2#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/vFjouC0ouq — UTV Ghana (@utvghana) March 10, 2023
In an interview, one of the drivers said it was better to return the money to its owner than to keep it and attract curses for their future generations.
He said they had no regrets and were grateful to God that they returned the money to its owner.
In another interview, the owner of the money told Hello FM that he contemplated suicide after losing the money and had not had a proper meal in days.
There has been a mixed reaction to their decision to return the money with some social media users praising them for their honesty while others have criticised them for rejecting a blessing from God. Read some of the tweets below;
Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the First Deputy Majority Chief Whip of Parliament, is urging the state to implement a systematic action plan that will finally improve the situation of women in Ghana.
According to her, the action plan should emphasise increasing women’s visibility in public areas and fostering in them a “can-do” attitude to enhance their involvement in multi-party democracy in an effort to reach the 30 percent threshold in parliament.
On March 8, 2023, International Women’s Day will be observed around the world. The First Deputy Majority Chief Whip, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wugon, made the announcement on the House floor to mark the occasion.
It was under the theme: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.”
“But I do so at the risk of sounding trite and banal given that it has become an annual ritual for such solidarity statements to be made without necessarily following through with an action plan.
“That notwithstanding, it is appropriate to utilise this occasion to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and the world in general, in championing the agenda of women,” she said.
She said since the Beijing conference in 1995, nations across the world have taken practical steps to promote women’s rights across a wide range of domains.
Steps ahead
“Today, women can work to earn a living. Today women can vote to determine the system of government desired by the people of a State. Today, the antiquated idea that the place of a woman is in the kitchen has been discarded,” she added.
While calling for more to be done, she also applauded Ghana for working hard to promote girl-child education, reducing the incidence of teenage pregnancy and improving maternal healthcare delivery to reduce maternal mortality.
Madan Alhassan said the Free Senior High School programme for instance, had effectively removed barriers to female education just as the free maternal health care policy introduced in 2008 by former president John Agyekum Kufuor significantly improved maternal health care delivery in Ghana.
Gaps
“In highlighting gender gaps in STEM education, Hon, Members, you will all agree with me that, we in Ghana are fortunate to have one of our own, Hon. Ursula Owusu- Ekuful, a minister and gender activist who is championing the ‘‘Girls-in- ICT (GIICT)’’ Initiative.
This year, the GIICT programme will cover five regions, and train 500 ICT teachers and 5,000 Girls.
At the secondary and tertiary levels, 100,000 high school girls, 100 tertiary students, 100 teachers and parents will also benefit from the training.
The MP said despite the progress made, numerous challenges, particularly, regarding the participation of women in the processes of governance remain.
Challenges
She told the House that it was a fact that sexist and patronage-based political culture, as well as gendered economic and household inequalities, continue to militate against the participation of women in the process of governance in Ghana.
Indeed, she posited that the varied forms of abuse of women politicians lend credence to the pervasive sexist political culture in Ghana.
Madam Alhassan said gendered economic and household inequalities, in the face of the increasing monetisation of ghana’s democracy, continued to crowd out women from the political space given that many women simply lack the financial muscles required to meet the capital-intensive demands of today’s politics.
American model Blac Chyna has spoken out about their own messy breakup, just when Tyga is getting cozy with rocker Avril Lavigne, the rapper’s former partner
Chyna and Tyga dated between 2011 and 2014 and share a son together, King.
Just months after they broke up, Tyga, 24 at the time, was spotted spending time with Kylie Jenner, who was then 17, according to Billboard.
Although Tyga and Kylie both insisted their relationship was platonic at first, in February 2015, Ye, formerly Kanye West, who was married to Kylie’s elder sister, Kim Kardashian, told “The Breakfast Club” that they were in a relationship.
Tyga and Kylie would stay together until 2017.
Appearing on “The Jason Lee Show” on Wednesday, Lee asked Chyna how she dealt with finding out Tyga was “over there with the girl.”
“Forgive and forget,” she replied. “You’ve got to forgive people and move on, otherwise you’re just going to harbour all this hate and then you’ll start changing.”
Later, Chyna recalled getting kicked out of Tyga’s house in Los Angeles after their relationship had ended.
“When I got put out and whatnot,” she said, before Lee asked for clarification. “Oh, out of his house,” she answered. “Like, packed my stuff, put it in my truck, or his truck at the time.”
Lee then asked where King was during that time. “Back and forth,” Chyna replied.
Representatives for neither Tyga nor Jenner immediately responded to requests for comment.
In a strange twist of events, in 2016, Chyna then began dating Rob Kardashian, Kylie’s half-brother. Tyga and Kylie were still together at the time.
Chyna and Rob had one child together, daughter Dream, before breaking off their relationship in 2017.
Speaking with Lee, Chyna said that when Rob first reached out to her, she thought she was being “set up.” She also said that, despite her history with Tyga, she was never made to feel uncomfortable by the Kardashian family.
“I wouldn’t say it was awkward,” she said. “Honestly, I be in my own world. I block out certain things. I’m really good at it. I have a really good blocking sense. Once I have tunnel vision, that’s what it is.”
The 2023 Budget Statement has received praise from Vitus Azeem, the chairman of the Tax Justice Coalition Ghana, who also asserts that the government has to implement more progressive tax policies to give Ghanaians some respite.
Addressing in Accra at a meeting on the 2023 annual budget analysis, he encouraged the government to work with its creditors to pursue a comprehensive external debt restructure in order to enable the nation get back on the path to debt sustainability.
He claims that this is the only option to address the debt problem and macroeconomic crisis facing the nation.
The analysis of the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government is a partnership between the Tax Justice Coalition Ghana and ActionAid, as part of an advocacy programme between the two organizations for a progressive tax regime for the country.
At a media engagement in Accra, the Chairman of Tax Justice Coalition-Ghana, Mr. Vitus Azeem, said the external debt restructuring is necessary to bring stability to the Ghanaian economy.
Mr. Azeem said through the proposals to freeze new tax waivers for foreign companies and to review tax exemption for free zones, mining and oil and gas companies, some of the proposed revenue measures in the budget pointed to the conclusion that Ghana’s tax system remained more regressive than progressive.
He said the tax measures, such as the increase in VAT, E-Levy and Communication Service Tax, would increase transport fares, food prices and worsen the country’s inflation. The coalition commended the government for continuing with its social interventions such as doubling the LEAP amount and increasing the number of beneficiaries as well as continuing the free SHS.
It said however it would be imperative to put in place adequate measures towards addressing the weaknesses in their implementations. It suggested a review of the free SHS to ensure some targeting of the most vulnerable groups for the intervention rather than trying unsuccessfully to cover the entire country.
Such measures, it says, must include avoiding politicization, intensifying monitoring and supervision and the prompt release of funds for implementation. The Country Director of ActionAid, Mr. John Nkaw, said in the external debt restructuring, Ghana could negotiate for total debt forgiveness, cancellation or relief.
All eyes will be on Hollywood later to see whether Everything Everywhere All At Once can cap its extraordinary awards season by sweeping the Oscars.
The eccentric multiverse adventure is the favourite to win best picture after success at a host of precursor events.
But it faces competition from All Quiet on the Western Front and The Banshees of Inisherin, among others.
Austin Butler, Brendan Fraser, Cate Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh are the frontrunners in the acting categories.
The 2023 awards season has been one of the most unpredictable of recent years, with three of the four acting categories too close to call.
Winners have varied at the other major ceremonies, such as the SAG Awards, Baftas and Golden Globes, and there is a lack of consensus over who will triumph at the Oscars as a result.
The 95th Academy Awards ceremony will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
It will be the chat show host’s third time hosting the Academy Awards. He most recently presided over the 2018 event.
The US comic is probably trying to forget about the other occasion, in 2017, when the ceremony descended into chaos after the wrong best picture winner was mistakenly announced.
As part of a media call at the Dolby Theatre on Wednesday, Kimmel joked about how the venue’s red carpet has changed colour for the first time since 1960.
Referring to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at last year’s Oscars, Kimmel said: “People have been asking if there’s going to be any trouble this year, is there going to be any violence this year?
“I certainly hope not. But if there is, I think the decision to go with a champagne carpet rather than a red carpet shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed.”
The decision to change the carpet’s colour was actually made for practical reasons, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The new one means organisers “can transition more seamlessly from daytime arrivals to an elegant evening setting”.
Viewers in the US can watch the Oscars live on ABC. The network is also streaming the ceremony on its website and app.
In the UK, Sky will air the ceremony across four of its channels simultaneously – Sky Arts, Sky News, Sky Showcase and Sky Cinema Oscars.
Unusually, that means British viewers can watch the Oscars on Freeview and Freesat. It will also be available on streaming service Now (formerly Now TV).
The ceremony starts at 17:00 PT / 20:00 ET on Sunday. In the UK, it starts at midnight as Sunday becomes Monday.
The prizes are scheduled to be handed out over three hours – but the ceremony runs late almost every year, often by at least 30 minutes.
Traditionally, the four acting winners from the previous year’s Oscars come back to present the prizes to their successors.
This year, three of 2022’s winners are returning – Jessica Chastain, Ariana DeBose and Troy Kotsur – but the fourth, Will Smith, is absent as he’s been banned for attending the Oscars for 10 years.
Other stars presenting categories this year include Harrison Ford, Nicole Kidman, Samuel L Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, John Travolta, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly and Florence Pugh.
Interestingly, Halle Berry has also been invited to present. She remains the only woman of colour to win best leading actress at the Oscars, but we could see the second this year with Yeoh.
Other category presenters include Paul Dano, Andrew Garfield, Cara Delevingne, Kate Hudson, Michael B Jordan, Jonathan Majors, Mindy Kaling, Eva Longoria, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Andie MacDowell and Riz Ahmed.
They will be joined by Antonio Banderas, Elizabeth Banks, Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek Pinault, Melissa McCarthy, Halle Bailey, Janelle Monáe, Questlove, Elizabeth Olsen and Pedro Pascal.
Excitingly, this year’s winners are the hardest to predict for some time, due to the variation at the many precursor ceremonies.
The only acting category awards pundits are confident about is Everything Everywhere All At Once star Ke Huy Quan winning best supporting actor.
Otherwise, it’s all to play for. Brendan Fraser (The Whale) and Austin Butler (Elvis) have both won a host of best actor prizes at other major events and either one could take the Oscar.
There is another dead heat in the actress category, with Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once) enjoying a late surge of momentum, challenging the early frontrunner Cate Blanchett (Tár).
Best supporting actress is arguably the most open of the acting categories – with a three-way race between Angela Bassett (Wakanda Forever), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All At Once).
At this point, Everything Everywhere All At Once is the clear frontrunner, having won nearly every major precursor it needed to – with the notable exception of Bafta.
The British Academy was far less keen on the film than US voters have been, and the Baftas gave far more prizes to All Quiet on the Western Front.
At the Oscars, the World War One epic is the bookies’ second favourite to take the top prize, followed by The Banshees of Inisherin.
Best picture is decided via a preferential ballot – Academy members are asked to rank the 10 nominated films from favourite to least favourite.
That can mean a film which has passionate support among a vocal but relatively small section of the Academy can lose out to a film which pleased a wider number of voters overall.
For example, a crowd pleaser such as Top Gun: Maverick could be a dark horse in the best picture race due to the large number of second and third place votes it is likely to have received.
Rihanna will perform at the Oscars exactly one month since headlining the Super Bowl halftime show
Rihanna will take to the Academy Awards stage exactly one month since her electrifying performance at the Super Bowl. She will perform Lift Me Up (from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), which is nominated for best original song.
The most likely winner in that category, however, is Naatu Naatu (from RRR) – which will be performed at the ceremony by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava.
David Byrne, Son Lux and Stephanie Hsu will perform This Is A Life (from Everything Everywhere All at Once), while Diane Warren and Sofia Carson will perform Applause (from Tell It Like a Woman).
However, Lady Gaga will not perform, despite her song Hold My Hand (from Top Gun: Maverick) being the fifth nominee in the category. She is attending the ceremony though, so fans hope she might yet spring a surprise performance.
Elsewhere, Lenny Kravitz will perform during the In Memoriam segment, which pays tribute to film figures who have died over the past year.
Officially, these are the Academy Awards, but they have been known affectionately as the Oscars for decades.
There are three possible sources. One is the late US columnist Sidney Skolsky, who claimed he gave the award its nickname.
Actress Bette Davis claimed that the name derived from her observation that the backside of the statuette looked like that of her husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson.
But the most popular theory is one attributed to former Academy librarian Margaret Herrick, who declared that the golden statuette looked like her uncle Oscar.
Easter Sunday and there are no people inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
The guy with the most important position in the Catholic Church approaches a straightforward glass platform and begins speaking to no one on the most significant day of the Catholic calendar in the most significant location in the Catholic world.
Because the problem we face is a common one, adds Pope Francis, “now is not the moment for self-centredness.”
As he speaks, he occasionally glances up from his pulpit and looks around, as if he is addressing a congregation. But he isn’t – not physically, at least.
The pontiff’s address on April 12 2020, in the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, provided one of the most indelible and extraordinary images so far in his papacy.
Videos of him speaking to the vast, deserted space were shown around the world, meaning his words probably reached more people than they otherwise would have done.
But ahead of the 10th anniversary of Francis’s appointment to the role on Monday, it is tempting to ask how well his 2020 Easter address works as a metaphor for his papacy.
Has the leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics – criticised by some for moving away from the conservative stance of his two predecessors, and by others for not going further in the opposite direction – actually made an impact during his time in the office?
Or has he just been speaking to an empty basilica?
Dr Gregory Ryan from the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University said Francis wields an almost unique form of power just by virtue of his position.
‘When the pope speaks, by and large people listen, even if it’s not what they want to hear,’ he said.
‘There’s never been a shortage of people listening and criticising.
‘But in a way that’s not true of any other religious leader – with the possible exception of the Dalai Lama – he’s got a global audience and there’s a certain degree of moral authority.’
Despite that, the ways in which the world reacts to what this pope says marks him apart from those who came immediately before him.
The backlash to Francis is unlike anything seen before in modern times – not necessarily for its ferocity, said Dr Ryan, but for its source.
He said: ‘Several of the voices who are now vociferously exercising their right to criticise the pope are the same people who, in a previous generation, were trying to emphasise that the role of Catholic clergy and Catholic bishops was to be in line and not to dissent from papal teaching.
‘That’s one of the things that’s turned around.
‘There was criticism of Benedict and John Paul II, but it tended to come from theologians, academics and activists.
‘What’s unique here is that some of it is coming from the bishops as well.’
That partially stems from his remarks on some of the most contentious topics in the church, and particularly LGBTQ+ issues.
Francis made his most famous comment on that subject a little more than four months after his election when, on a flight back from Rio de Janeiro, a journalist asked him about gay priests.
‘If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will,’ the pope asked, ‘who am I to judge?’
It was the first time a pontiff had ever used the word ‘gay’ in reference to sexuality.
Since then, he has made a number of statements that appear to contradict Vatican teachings which say ‘homosexual acts’ are ‘acts of grave depravity’.
In 2020, he voiced support for civil unions for same-sex couples, and in January he described laws criminalising homosexuality as ‘unjust’.
But despite his open calls for understanding and acceptance of people in the LGBTQ+ community, Francis hasn’t attempted to make any bold doctrinal changes – an approach typical of his papacy, according to Dr Ryan.
He said: ‘The two straightforward positions you might expect someone to take would be to simply reinforce church teaching, or to overturn that and say something new, something definitive and concrete.
‘What Francis has done is he’s changed the language that’s being used, and seen the question in a different way.
‘He takes an indirect approach, which I think has a potentially more transformative power on the church.’
According to Dr Ryan, the pope prefers to use the power of his position to set a process in motion, ‘aware it will take time to come to fruition’. As the saying goes, the church thinks in centuries.
That has led to some organisations expressing frustration that the church continues to use such offensive language to describe same-sex relationships, while still seeing positives.
At an event for LGBT Catholics in 2017, the gay priest Bryan Massingale paraphrased Martin Luther King Jr. to make the point, saying: ‘We ain’t where we wanna be, but we ain’t where we used to be.’
The same approach applies to Francis’s headline-grabbing attitude to environmentalism – though he’s made more of an effort to deliberately place the planet at the centre of the church’s attention.
In June 2015, the pontiff published Laudato Si’, an encyclical – meaning a letter essentially addressed to the entire Roman Catholic church – giving his thoughts on humanity’s attitude towards the Earth.
Scathingly, he describes the planet as being ‘among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor’, and condemns ‘our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her’.
Landing less than a month before the start of the negotiations that would eventually lead to the Paris Climate Agreement, it was praised by leaders including Barack Obama and Francoise Hollande for presenting a strong moral argument for fighting the climate crisis.
And in a pre-Greta Thunberg age, the editor of the academic journal Science declared Francis ‘our most visible champion for mitigating climate change’.
However, within his own church, reaction was more mixed.
A 2021 study that analysed 12,077 columns written by Catholic bishops between 2014 and 2019 found they were, as a group, ‘generally silent about climate change’ – and when they did discuss it, they often distanced themselves from teachings like Laudato Si’.
Some of this rejection can be blamed on ideological opposition from conservatives, but Dr Ryan said it’s also a reaction to a change in inertia and a ‘cultural shift’.
‘His style is very much, in a sense, trying to get the church to deepen its understanding of these issues and then for the church to change,’ he said.
‘It’s good psychology, we do it with our children all the time.
‘It’s trying to get them to think they’re wanting to do something rather than they’re just doing it because they’re told to – you try to make it seem like it’s their idea.’
A decade ago, as people around the world marvelled at the new head of the Vatican and his distaste for the more extravagant elements of his role, commentators wondered how the Catholic church would cope with such radical change.
But to Dr Ryan, the most dramatic thing Francis has done is take the drama out of the papacy, recasting it as just one part of the church which is constantly in conversation with the other parts.
He said: ‘I think he is trying to initiate a cultural change, and cultural changes are much more difficult to undo.
‘So there is a risk that without Francis constantly initiating things, the momentum will run out and we’ll go back to a more top-down approach.
‘But the other possibility is that precisely by doing all this work, it decentres it and puts it out of a single point of control, into the people, and you can’t get it back.’
Award-winning rapper, Bashir Annan, popularly known as Gambo, has become the first Ghanaian musician to be featured on WorldStar.
Gambo got featured on WorldStar after he made a video about a lady that looked at him from head to toe at the airport in the US like she wanted to “snatch his soul out”.
The ‘Drip’ crooner simply could not understand why the girl looked at him the way she did, asking “Can someone tell why she look at me like that?”.
“Sis trying to snatch Ghanaian rapper Gambo soul out his body with that look,” WorldStar captioned the video on Instagram.
The video has since gone viral. Gambo is currently working hard in the US to promote Ghanaian culture and as well put Ghana on the world map as he has always done.
WorldstarHipHop is home to everything entertainment and hip-hop. It is the number one urban outlet responsible for breaking the latest urban news in the US and around the world.
Gambo’s feature on WorldStar came after he was recently signed on to America-based Ghanaian-Liberian actor and comedian, Michael Blackson’s management label.
He has been enjoying massive attention from his media tour and songs promotion in the US. His song ‘Girls Girls’ has especially enjoyed positive response from music lovers in the US.
John Dramani Mahama, a former president, has urged Ghanaians to remove the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from power in the general elections of 2024 because of what he calls economic mismanagement and broken promises.
He claims that after pleading with Ghanaians to give him an opportunity to govern, president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has fallen short of expectations.
On a tour of the Bono Region, John Mahama spoke to delegates in Kintampo North and said that Ghanaians could no longer afford a try-and-error leadership style and needed a leader with the necessary experience, track record, and competence.
“Someone begged us to try him and see. We believed him and gave him a chance, but look where we are now.
“He has ruined the economy. Ghanaians are struggling, and the hardship we are facing is unprecedented. We have not seen anything like this in our political history since Kwame Nkrumah’s time,” John Mahama is quoted to have said during his tour.
Mahama; former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor; former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu; and businessman Ernest Kwabena Kobeah are expected to compete in the NDC flagbearership election scheduled for May 13, 2023.
John Mahama is currently touring regions accompanied by some national, regional and constituency executives as he campaigns for the party’s flagbearership bid.
He launched his campaign on Thursday, March 2, at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, on the theme: Building the Ghana that We Want Together.”
Aramco, the world’s largest oil company based in Saudi Arabia, declared a record annual net profit of $161.1 billion for 2022 on Sunday. This is a rise of 46% from the previous year due to higher energy prices, bigger sales volumes, and improved margins for refined goods.
The gains come after comparable reports from worldwide competitors BP, Shell, Exxon Mobil, and Chevron in February, most of which reported record profits for the previous year.
Oil prices fluctuated significantly in 2022, rising on geopolitical concerns throughout the conflict in Ukraine and falling on decreased demand from China, the world’s major importer, and concerns about a slowdown in the economy.
“Given that we anticipate oil and gas will remain essential for the foreseeable future, the risks of underinvestment in our industry are real – including contributing to higher energy prices,” Aramco’s chief executive Amin Nasser said in the results statement.
To address those challenges, the company is not only focused on expanding oil, gas and chemicals production, but also investing in new lower-carbon technologies with potential to achieve additional emission reductions, Nasser said.
Aramco’s capital expenditure rose 18% to $37.6 billion in 2022 and the company said it expects this year’s spending to be around $45.0 billion to $55.0 billion including external investments.
Aramco declared a dividend of $19.5 billion for the fourth quarter, an increase of 4% from the previous quarter.
Its board also recommended to issue bonus shares, with eligible shareholders receiving one share for every 10 shares owned.
Free cash flow reached a record of $148.5 billion in 2022, compared to $107.5 billion in 2021.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Ghana’s energy minister, never stops working to improve the image of Ghana’s energy sector among foreign investors.
The North Africa & Europe Energy & Hydrogen Expo & Conference (NAEPEC), which will be held at the Fira Barcelona, Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain from March 13–17, 2023, will thus mark his debut participation in the event.
The global energy transformation, Ghana’s energy sector endeavours, and prospects in the country’s near-team initiatives and projects will all be topics of Dr. Prempeh’s keynote address on Monday, March 13.
The Manhyia South lawmaker is expected to put the spotlight on Ghana’s oil and gas prospects especially as Ghana’s energy transition framework provides for the use natural gas as transition fuel.
The Minister who will participate in panel discussions is also expected to highlight Ghana’s green energy prospects in the context of the transition and state quite clearly Ghana’s pathway to net zero within the century.
John Abdulai Jinapor, a member of parliament for the Yapei-Kusawgu district, has expressed concern over the ongoing depreciation of the cedi relative to other trading currencies.
Although the Akufo-Addo-led government has frequently attributed the current issue to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, he claims that the Ghana cedi’s recent performance has made it worse than the Ukrainian currency.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on Thursday, March 10, 2023, during a debate on the president’s State of the Nation’s Address (SoNA), John Jinapor said; “…compare Ghana to Congo, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Uganda, have their currency depreciated by 53 percent, COVID affects everybody, it affects all currencies. When they say there is COVID, it doesn’t affect only the Ghanaian cedi, so all currencies should be at par. Your currency is even worse than the Ukrainian currency and you tell us it is COVID and that is my worry, you don’t even understand the problem. If you understood the problem then you will be finding a solution. Which country in Africa has an inflation rate of 50 percent? Tell us.”
Since the start of 2022, the local currency has depreciated significantly by about 50 percent against the US dollar. The development has impacted the cost of living, fuel price hikes and resulted in a general gloom among Ghanaians.
Ghana is hoping to clinch a Board-Level Agreement with the International Monetary Fund by the end of March this year to restore macroeconomic stability and among others.
Yesterday at 3:25 pm, the large vehicle drove off the road.
Emergency services arrived quickly, but a guy in his 50s was declared dead there despite paramedics’ best attempts.
The coroner will receive a file that has been compiled once his next of kin have been notified.
No other injuries were reported, police said.
Photos from the scene show the artic lorry lodged between a fence and one of the homes at Jarrah Cottages on London Road.
Essex Police said in a statement: ‘Officers investigating a serious collision in Purfleet are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage.
‘We were called to Jarrah Cottages, London Road, shortly before 3.25pm on Friday 10 March following reports of a serious collision in which an artic lorry left the road and was in collision with several properties.
‘The road was closed whilst police and colleagues from ambulance and fire emergency services dealt.’
Thurrock Council have offered support to those affected.
Tsatsii is full of many surprises. Since the unfortunate Eviction of certain housemates that added to the entertainment value of BBTitans show, Tsatsii has kept us glued our screen with her many mischievous and strategic actions.
Yesterday, Tsatsii revealed to Miracle that Ipeleng had a secret child of 5 years.
Ipeleng and Miracle recently started a romantic relationship and like a good friend, Tsatsii wanted to make sure she’s loyal.
Tsatsii was just pranking Miracle. As far as we know, Ipeleng has no child.
A man believed to be a member of an armed robbery gang who have been terrorizing residents of Ashaiman has been arrested by the residents.
A viral video on social media captures the suspect being interrogated by the residents who sought details about the operations of the gang.
In answering the questions, the suspected robber disclosed the names of his accomplices and the operational plan.
He also divulged where they hide their robbery accoutrement as he begged the residents not to beat him.
Ashaiman has been in the news recently after officers of the Ghana Armed Forces stormed the place and abused some residents following the killing of their colleague.
In the early hours of March 7, 2023, soldiers stormed parts of Ashaiman in what has been described by the Ghana Armed Forces as sanctioned operations to unravel the persons behind the killing of trooper Imoro Sherrif.
Arrest of key suspects in murder case
The Ghana Police Service in a statement posted on social media, late Friday, March 10, 2023; confirmed the arrest of the main suspects involved in the murder of a young military trooper, Imoro Sherrif.
According to the police, an intelligence-led operation culminated in the arrest of the unnamed suspects.
“The Police after a week of sustained intelligence-led operation have arrested the key suspects involved in the murder of Imoro Sherrif, the soldier who was found dead at Taifa Ashiaman on 4th March 2023,” a police statement said.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have gifted the King Charles a horse.
Seven-year-old black mare Noble is settling nicely at Windsor’s Royal Mews, according to a statement from the Palace.
The 16.2 hands tall horse went on tour in 2022 with the “Mounties” Musical Ride, taking part in 90 open performances at 50 different Canadian venues.
Bred and trained in the country, she received her name through the Mounties’ annual Name The Foal contest.
Charles was said to be ‘pleased’ to meet Noble at the Royal Mews earlier this week.
The move follows a long tradition of the Mounties gifting horses to the royal family.
The relationship between the royals and the force dates back to 1904 when King Edward VII bestowed the title of Royal on the North-West Mounted Police, making it the Royal North-West Mounted Police.
Eight horses were gifted by the Mountie to Charles’ mother the Queen throughout her reign, starting with Burmese in 1969.
The late monarch rode Burmese at Trooping the Colour for 18 years.
She was a keen horse-rider, and continued to ride despite health advice as she grew older.
Nigerian actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has confirmed that sex for roles is in the Nigerian movie industry.
‘Sex for roles’ correlates to a situation where an up-and-coming actor or actress would be asked to engage in a sexual relationship with a higher colleague before being given a role in a movie.
The issue of exchanging sex for movie roles has been lurking in the African movie industry for some time. While some believe it is an open secret, not much evidence has been provided to back those claims.
Speaking as one of the three main speakers at this year’s ‘Women of valour’ conference, Omotola Jalade said even though she has never experienced it in her career before, she wouldn’t minimise the experience of other people who have also experienced it before.
“I have never experienced anything like that before…but I don’t want to minimise the experience of those who have experienced that before..and I can’t even blame them…When I was younger I used to think there was something they did because I didn’t understand that but now that I am older I have now realised that people will solicit sex from you even when you are a nun”. She quipped
The celebrated Nigerian Movie Icon explained extensively that,” predators are predators…it doesn’t matter whether you are people or not…I have seen them even do it to babies..they abound everywhere — so sex for roles is everywhere whether in the movie industry or any other place”.‘
The Women of Valour (WoV), conference with the theme: The Untold Story Of Courageous Women’, is to recognize and highlight the stories of courageous women, and to celebrate their achievements in various fields.
This year’s event, held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on March 7, was graced by the presence of the Award-Winning Nigerian Actress, Award-Winning South African SuperSport presenter Julia Stuart, Ghanaian Children’s Rights Activist Eugenia Baffour Bankoh among other notable personalities.
According to former president John Mahama, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo constantly assigns blame for Ghana’s economic woes to someone or something else other than himself.
The NDC flag bearer candidate claimed that the president often looks for a scapegoat rather than accepting responsibility for his “recklessness” while addressing branch and constituency executives of the party at Jema in the Kintampo South Constituency.
In his state of the nation address to parliament on Wednesday, 8 March 2023, the president, for the umpteenth time, blamed the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war for Ghana’s economic woes.
The president, once again, blamed the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war for the troubles of the Ghanaian economy.
President Akufo-Addo insisted his government was steering the nation to prosperity before the twin global crises, stressing: “We have not been reckless in borrowing and spending.”
Mr Mahama, however, said it was high time Mr Akufo-Addo acted as a true leader.
“The first principle of leadership is responsibility”, Mr Mahama said, explaining:. “You must take responsibility for every situation and work to solve it”.
He said: “If you are a leader who is always looking for somebody to blame, you will never be able to solve problems”.
“What is more reckless than what he and his finance minister have done”, the former president wondered.
He said even the World Bank warned the government about its reckless borrowing but was ignored.
“Even the World Bank told them that you are risking going into debt distress because of too much debt, and they refused to listen. Today, exactly what they were warned against is what has happened. And you will not take responsibility?” he asked.
Popular social media personality Afia Schwarzenegger has come out to react to recent claims by Lawyer Maurice Ampaw that she has supposedly been banned from making comments or picking fights on social media.
Lawyer Maurich Ampaw in an interview with GhanaWeb said that the Tema Court banned her from engaging in social media banter for two years.
He added that if Afia Schwar ever violated the rules, she would have a new sentence imposed on her.
“This is the latest news, and this is more painful. Afia ought to be monitored by every single Ghanaian on social media…If she engages in social media insults or beef, the court said that we should arraign her before court for another sentence,” he said.
Well, in an interview with Zionfelix, Afia Schwar said that the court never said that.
She added that the Ghanaian media must do better with their work because whatever she was told not to do by the court is a public document that can easily be accessed by everyone who wants to know.
She also went haywire and used some unprintable words on Lawyer Maurice Ampaw for making the suggestion that she has been asked not to speak on social media by the court when she literally works on the same platform.
The Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) Smelter Two Bulk Supply Point has recently had several newly installed power lines damaged, according to Mr. Emmanuel Akinie, Tema ECG Regional General Manager.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tema, Mr. Akinie said that the power outages that occurred a few days ago in Kpone and its surroundings were the result of their actions.
The Bulk Supply Point cable provides services to a number of locations and businesses, including B5 Plus, Mass Industries, Mavis Industries, Blow-Chem, the entire Kpone Township, Community 25, Ghana Steel, Affordable Housing, and Adi Steel.
He said ECG discovered the cable cut on the morning of March 08 as part of investigations into the outage which occurred at dawn.
He noted that the cable was part of a set of new cables which had been laid a few days prior to the incident, adding that they were the replacement for some old and worn-out cables
He disclosed that the said cables were replaced due to the challenges of supplying electricity to these places for some time now.
The ECG General Manager said the cutting of the cable after it has been laid and energized (electricity was running thru them) led to the outage.
“As it is now, the cable has been decommissioned as work has to be done on it before it can be energized again,” he said.
He added however that the load of customers who did not have supply because of the cable cut had been transferred to other networks and were on supply now while engineers worked to fix the cut cable.
He also pleaded with customers and the public to help protect ECG property and equipment as damage to them, such as the cable cut, ended up affecting customers, while adding cost to the company which must spend resources meant for other projects on such repair and replacement works.
Mr. Akinie cautioned criminals against such acts, saying such attempts were dangerous as one could easily lose their life through electrocution.
“When cables are laid, you may not know whether there is electricity in them or not; in this case, while the person was cutting it, there was an explosion which then caused the outage and the person also bolted, leaving behind a hacksaw,” he said