Ghanaian blogger Zionfelix has shared photos of Kumawood actress Glady Mensah Boaku popularly called Nayas, and her beautiful daughter, Nhyria. The outspoken television personality and her pretty daughter wore stunning outfits for their lovely photoshoot.
The adorable mother-daughter duo was spotted in matching blue and elegant outfits. Nayas looked gorgeous in her flawless makeup and long hairstyle.
Nigerian artiste,Burna Boy, has been subjected to criticisms following his silence on issues that emanated from the country’s 2023 election.
A critic, Ayodeji Rotinwa, called out the singer on Instagram for not getting involved in the election despite positioning himself as a politically conscious artiste who cares about positive change.
The critic claimed thatBurna Boy’s lyrics mostly highlights corruption, the fight for rights and freedom among others, and yet, he did not lift a finger when things went south during the elections.
Burna Boy however, responded that he does not believe in any of the three candidates.
The ‘African Giant’ crooner added that, he did not publicly campaign for any of them because he does not want to be held accountable should the candidate fail in office.
He further claimed that he has contributed more positively to Nigeria than the three presidential candidates combined.
“Why una mumu like this? First of all, sir. Out of the hundreds of songs I have, there are only about seven songs about these topics, and they barely made me any money at all.
“I’ve positively contributed more to Nigeria than you and all 3 candidates combined, and neither I nor my parents have ever taken a kobo from the government for any reason. so I’m more than qualified to tell people like you to shut the fuck up when you don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stated on Instagram.
He added that the few songs he wrote about political did not fetch him money.
While Burna Boy’s response may seem defensive to some, it highlights a common sentiment among many Nigerians who feel frustrated with the country’s political system.
Many Nigerians feel that politicians have failed to deliver on their promises, and the country remains plagued by corruption, poverty, and insecurity.
Ghanaian traditional musician King Ayisoba, born Albert Apoozore, has urged Ghanaians to learn to teach their children to speak their own local language as part of the Ghana month celebration.
He observed that most parents do not teach or speak their local language with their children.
He also observed that, even in Ghana, due to migration, a lot of people end up speaking Twi with almost everybody because, at home, their parents do not speak their original local language with them.
Although he has nothing against another person’s language, he said it is very important for people to know the language spoken where they come from.
“Let’s teach our children to speak our own local language, our own local language is very important,” he said.
King Ayisoba made the comments on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ama Gynefa Ofosu Darkwa while commemorating the Ghana Month.
Speaking about traditional music and how he has been able to break into the international market, he said that although a number of people do traditional music, all his music comes with stories, which makes it stand out.
“The type of music I do is reigning everywhere internationally, and I am even third on the world chat,” he said.
Meanwhile, He could not count the number of songs he has done since he started doing music at a very tender age.
King Ayisoba also made it known that he will, on Saturday, March 4, 2023, launch his new album, which also preaches to parents to teach their children how to speak their local language.
Ghanaian songstress Sista Afia says music is not the only thing she does for a living, as she also operates in the catering industry.
According to the award-winning musician, it wouldn’t be wise for any musician to depend on music alone as their only source of wealth.
Speaking in an interview with Nana Romeo on Accra FM, she revealed that she most often uses proceeds from her business to support her music career.
“I just don’t depend on music because of the music. I do private catering, where we take orders for parties, weddings, and others. Sometimes I use money from my private business to support my music.
“I operate a kelewele business, and I am seeking to open a big space for continental dishes around East Legon,” she said.
Sista Afia is currently on a media tour where she is promoting her newest single, “Carry Go,” which is available across various streaming platforms.
The songstress has numerous hit singles to her credit, including “Weather,” “Jeje,” “Party,” and “Asuoden,” among others.
Celebrated actress Nana Ama McBrown has reportedly resigned from her role as host of United Showbiz on UTV to venture into fish farming.
This unconfirmed rumour emanates from a TikToker identified as Gloria Enyonam – who hinted at McBrowns resignation in a video she posted on the video-based app.
According to her, the multifaceted screen goddess decided to walk away from her hosting duties due to some unspeakable things done to her during her time as the face of the late-night entertainment program.
In the clip sighted by GHPage, the Tiktoker entreated McBrown, who has been swamped with ambassadorial deals, to focus on her commercials to protect her brand and dignity from further humiliation.
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However, the loudmouth Tiktok star failed to emphatically state what broke the camel’s back for McBrown to quit her job but seemingly hinted that McBrown may have dragged her employers – that is Fada Dickson and the management of UTV to court – over the issue.
She is heard saying that McBrown’s employers are facing a hard time resolving the matter amicably as they cannot afford a good lawyer.
You may have noticed that McBrown has been off her popular United Showbiz Show for a while now but the actress is yet to disclose whether she’s quit or not.
The past few weeks have seen different people hosting the show with media personalities, Abeiku Santana and MzGee hosting the recent editions.
Earlier, rumours swirled that McBrown has taken a break from TV because she has returned to her doctors for a check-up and maintenance of her injured right arm as she did previously.
Sika Hitmaker, Francisca Gawugah also known as Sista Afia has jumped to the defense of Hajia4Real in the fraud brouhaha.
Hajia4Real has been allegedly charged for fraud in the UK. She is to spend 10 years in jail.
Sista Afia sympathizing with her industry colleague said if the rumours are by any chance true, it’s still unfair the trolling she’s being subjected to.
Afia said her incident taught her a lesson. Despite being a celebrity, not everyone wants the best for you she said.
According to Sista Afia, Hajia4Real is doing well musically and the current standard for female musicians in Ghana.
She described the situation as unfair and also wishes her well.
The Minister of Environment, Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr Kwaku Afriyie, has re-emphasized the urgency for Ghana to establish an industry-based economy as a means to create decent jobs for the people.
He said the President’s vision of Ghana Beyond Aid could only be realised if implementation efforts were driven by Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) that had been placed at the centre of the country’s industrialisation agenda, and had become the fulcrum around which national development revolves.
“His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, has articulated his vision of “Ghana Beyond Aid” as “a prosperous and self-confident nation that is in charge of her economic destiny; a transformed Ghana that is prosperous enough to be beyond needing aid, and a nation that engages competitively with the rest of the world through trade and investment,” he added.
Dr Afriyie said these in a speech read on his behalf at the opening of a two-day learning on the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa.
It was attended by 120 Science Granting Councils from 18 African countries.
They are from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Côte d’ Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Africa.
Dr Afriyie said the ministry had declared the period from 2022 to 2032 as the Decade of Innovation, and indicated that it was the national strategy to achieve Ghana beyond Aid.
“The goal of the Decade of Innovation is to anchor the growth of Ghana’s economy on the strategic application of Science, Technology and Innovation, in order to transform the ethos of the country into a Nation of Innovation that is why MESTI believes that the character of the nation, the mindset of our people and the engine of Ghana’s economy must all be driven by innovation,” he added.
The Minister said within the next decade, innovation should account for the largest part of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and urged participants to work together to propagate the good stories around them.
Ms Mamusu Harry-Seshie of the United Kingdom (UK)’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, said scientific research was a catalyst for innovation to discover emerging technologies to help identify promising life changing technologies to scale up or brought to market.
“That is why we support demand driven, locally led, rigorous scientific research that responds to your contextualised needs, strengthen research and innovation ecosystem to create an enabling environment so that STI can flourish and deliver impact for you,” she added.
The Executive Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies, Professor Tom Ogada, commended the council for adopting programmes to support data development in their various countries.
“We need the track record of success in advancing knowledge and promoting innovation to solve some pressing challenges; agriculture, food, climate resilient economies, gender, youth and inclusive development,” he added.
The Zanlerigu Junior High (JHS) and primary schools in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region are faced with a furniture shortfall of 135, denying some of the pupils the opportunity of sitting on chairs to learn.
Some of the pupils are compelled to sit on the floor while others sit on broken furniture placed on cement blocks to read and write.
This inadequate furniture situation prompted the Parents Association (PA) of the schools to ask the parents to provide furniture for their wards, but some could not do so.
A visit to the Schools by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that only a small number of the students had mono desks while the majority used broken dual desks supported by cement blocks.
With a total population of 150 pupils at the Junior High School (JHS), JHS 3(A) only 28 pupils had twelve mono desks and three broken dual desks while JHS 3(B) with 21 pupils had nine mono desks and four broken dual desks for the pupils to sit on.
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The story was similar at JHS Two and One as some of the pupils either paired with other pupils on their mono desks or sat on broken furniture placed on cement blocks.
Pupils of the primary school were not spared the ordeal, especially the lower primary as basic one pupils resorted to using furniture meant for Kindergarten (KG).
With a total population of 341 pupils in the primary school, basic one, made up of 50 pupils, shared three benches, basic two with 67 pupils used 12 dual desks while basic three, made up of 57 pupils shared 17 dual desks.
Most of the furniture was broken and some had no tables for the pupils to place their books on to write.
Mr Abaa Cletus Assibi, the Headteacher of the JHS, said the inadequate furniture was not only affecting teaching and learning but also contributed to absenteeism.
He said most of the pupils felt uncomfortable in class due to the limited furniture for them to sit on and that had created room for them to give excuses for not attending school regularly.
Mr Abaa said though the problem of furniture faced by the schools was made known to the District Education Service and the District Assembly, the school was yet to receive any help.
Mr Yenpusak Joseph Nyagre, the Public Relations Officer of the District Education Service, said the Directorate’s attention had been drawn to the furniture deficit faced by the schools and had accordingly reported the same to major stakeholders.
Ms Agnes Anamoo, the Nabdam District Chief Executive, told the GNA that the Assembly received complaints on the issue of furniture from the schools and was working to resolve it.
She, however, appealed to non-governmental organizations and individuals to help the assembly provide furniture for the schools to create an enabling environment to improve teaching and learning for the pupils to realize their potential.
Some children under the Child-Friendly Accountability Mechanism (CFAM) platform in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu Districts have appealed to parents to prioritise the education of their children by providing their school needs.
They also called for an end to all forms of abuse against children such as child marriages, child labour, and neglect, among others, saying such abuses affected their well-being and development.
Master Mohammed Kamil, a form one student of Nangbagu Junior High School in the Sagnarigu Municipality, who read a statement on behalf of the CFAM members at the CFAM District Level Forum at Nangbagu, called for equal opportunities for all children at all levels to attain their potentials.
The CFAM members were drawn from Nangbagu, Garizegu, Katariga, Zagyiri and Gbaynamli in the Sagnarigu Municipality, and Bognaayili in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region.
The forum, attended by schoolchildren, parents and representatives of some state institutions, including Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, Department of Child, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, and chiefs, was to enable children to identify child protection gaps in their communities and advocate ways to address them.
The forum was organised by Markaz-Al-Bishara Child Development Programme (MABCDP) with support from Children Believe, an international non-governmental organisation.
As part of the forum, the children staged a drama to showcase the problems they faced in their communities regarding access to education, which included parents’ inability to provide their educational needs leaving some to drop out of school and others becoming deviants in society.
Madam Ann Kurugu, Director of Finance and Administration, Sagnarigu Municipal Directorate of Education, acknowledged the issues raised by the children and urged parents to always endeavour to provide for their children’s needs, especially food to eat before leaving for school.
Mr Samuel Abdul-Rahman, Programme Officer, Sponsorship and Child Protection, Children Believe encouraged all stakeholders to come together to work to address the issues raised by the children.
He said laws governing the protection of children must be enforced to punish those who abused children.
Mr Joshua Sayibu, Programme Manager of MABCDP, urged all stakeholders to put in place plans to address issues of child protection in their communities.
The Tema Metropolitan Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has awarded 28 hardworking teachers for their dedication and performance in teaching.
Each award winner received a television set, citation, and certificate.
This year’s ceremony, which was held on the theme “The transformation agenda of education begins with the teacher,” captured diligent teachers from 2018 to 2022.
Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Greater Accra Regional representative on the Council of State who chaired the programme said Tema had been a citadel of education with good teachers who helped students excel in their academics.
He mentioned that during their days in schools in Tema, the students excelled academically to the extent that the Education Service visited the region to organise unannounced exams to confirm the grades of the students.
Mr E. T. Mensah said with the support of diligent teachers and parental control, the Tema students passed every unannounced quiz with distinction.
He said discipline was at its peak, in those days recalcitrant, and truant students were corporally punished to deter others from adopting unacceptable behaviours and lauded teachers for their work in the life of students.
Mrs. Bernice Ofori, Tema Metro Education Director said teachers made significant impact on the life of students as they were the ones that inspired, challenged, and guided them to come out with their best.
She added that teachers do not only teach their students’ academic subjects but also instill moral values in them.
She said some values included compassion, respect, perseverance, and many other contributions to the personal development of the students since most of their time was spent in school.
Mrs. Ofori also mentioned some challenges teachers go through to manage a diverse student body, navigate challenges in technology, and pedagogy, and adapt to new curricula.
She stressed that teachers needed access to resources, technology, and support from the communities to overcome these challenges they encounter.
Mr. Yohane Armah Ashitey, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive said that the teacher was key to educational transformation in the country.
He said the TMA was taking steps to improve educational infrastructure throughout the Metropolis.
He commended the students for their cultural display and stated that steps were underway to organize an inter-school cultural display competition in the metropolis.
The Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), a non-profit making organisation, has presented 24 boxes of sanitary pads and two boxes of Dettol to the Volta School for the Deaf and Blind in Hohoe.
The gesture is to address issues of absenteeism among adolescent girls while they are on their menstrual period due to lack of sanitary pads.
Mr Eric Sapey Jnr, Project lead, noted that the donation would go a long way to support the beneficiaries to actively participate in learning during their menstrual periods.
He said the donation was part of a project on Comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) whose aim is to improve access to SRH information and services for Deaf people in Ghana with financial support from AmplifyChange.
Mr Sapey said the core objectives of the project were to increase access to comprehensive SRH information and service for hearing-impaired women and girls in three regions, enhance knowledge of 1,000 adolescent girls with the ability to manage their menses in a dignifying manner.
He noted that as the Project with its partners is coming to an end, it was important that stakeholders such as Social Welfare Departments, devised means to ensure its sustainability in curbing absenteeism among the adolescent girls while on their menstrual periods.
Madam Kushigbor Ophelia, Headmistress, Volta School for the Deaf and Blind, expressed gratitude to the GNAD for its kind gestures.
She said since the presentation of similar support to the school in 2022 by GNAD, there had been a major improvement in the adolescent girl’s participation in learning in terms of menstrual periods.
Madam Kushigbor said most parents were unable to provide sanitary pads for their wards and the supply by GNAD came was appropriate.
She appealed to individuals and organisations to help support the girls.
Mrs Janet Valerie Datsa Agbotse, Hohoe Municipal Director of Education, described the support as the “hope for the future of our girls” and noted that the support would go a long way to help parents who could not provide pads for their wards.
Mrs Agbotse said there was the need for collaboration with other individuals and stakeholders to ensure continuous support through the supply of sanitary pads for the adolescent girls in the schools.
Mr Henry Yanpalleh, Hohoe Municipal Social Welfare Officer, commended GNAD and AmplifyChange for supporting the adolescent girls with sanitary pads to stay in school.
He said the Department was also working hard to support the students and the school in ensuring that students received holistic education, one of which was the supply and availability of sanitary pads.
Mr Raymond Agbadi, Volta Regional President, GNAD, said the project had positively affected the education of adolescent girls in beneficiary schools.
Dr Frederick Yaw Mac-Palm, one of the ten persons accused of plotting to overthrow the Government says Take Action Ghana (TAG) was founded to mobilise and educate citizens on their fundamental human rights.
“I formed a Non-Governmental Organisation named TAG in or around May 2019 and it was to mobilise and educate the citizens about their fundamental human rights.” Dr Mac-Palm, a United States of American (USA) trained medical practitioner, told an Accra High Court.
This was during his evidence-in-chief led by Mr Livingston Ameevor, his defence counsel.
“I have been organising media outreach programmes to teach the target audience on personal hygiene. TAG also aims at fighting against nepotism, corruption. The group also aimed to join groups calling for the review of the 1992 constitution,” he added.
The accused person recounted how the Group organised outreach programmes in Kpando and other places where it donated 100 bags of cement for the construction of health facilities in those areas.
Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, another accused person, Dr Mac-Palm said was part of earlier jointers, so he (Debrah) promised to contact key persons such as nurses, doctors, soldiers and other targeted audience. “I have never in my life planned to remove government though a coup.”
“I say that it was Staff Sergeant Sule Kwadwo Awarf, third Prosecution’s Witness, who suggested the need for TAG leadership to acquire weapons of protection after we were attacked by armed robbers after one of our outreach trips on the Bole-Bamboi road.
Awarf brought Donya Kafui, another alleged accomplice, who he had worked with in the past and that Kafui can manufacture the pistols.
Awarf, he said, continued his wicked plans where he planted the smoke grenade on me, Dr Mac-Palm revealed. “I want to state without any doubt that it was Awarf who planted all the weapons that were tendered by the prosecution’s witness.” Dr Mac-Palm said.
He said, “I have known Colonel Samuel Gameli as a senior military officer and all our discussions have been on health and we have never had any discussions about a revolution. Johannes Zikpi is someone I met through Awarf when he accompanied Colonel Gameli to the hospital.”
He told the three-panel-member Court made up of Justices Stephen Oppong, Hafisata Amaleboba and chaired by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe
“I have never discussed any issues or matters regarding coup or jamming communication equipment,” the narrated.
I want to put on record that we at TAG were attracted by both national and international level, on good governance, rule of law and separation of power.
If the Prosecution and the Military as well as the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) say I was involved in any plans to undertake coup then they should present videos of any conversations I had about carrying out a coup.
Mrs Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), asked when and who formed TAG, Dr Mac-Palm said it was incorporated in July 2018 “by myself, one Professor in the US called Dr Sam and Debrah. We were the three main people who conceived the idea to form TAG”.
“I am a director, Dr Sam was then a director and there was one Kofi who I have forgotten the surname was a director and Debrah was the secretary,” he explained.
Mrs Obuobisa put it to him that during one of their (Mac-Palm and Dr Sam) conversations, Dr Mac-Palm stated that TAG was formed to speak against the ills of the society but contrary to this, TAG had an agenda which he (Mac-Palm) pushed through on the executive WhatsApp platform.
“Massive occupation of flagstaff house, parliament, massive shutdown of GoG and appeal to the international entities for immediate election. Arrest of people who have stolen from the state, Dr Mac-Palm read from the exhibit of their WhatsApp conversation as directed by the DPP.
In the cross-examination, Mrs Obuobisa asked whether Dr Mac-Palm had already stated that what he read was a conversation between him and Dr Sam on the TAG executive’s WhatsApp platform but he said he did not remember holding such as conversation with Dr Sam on the executive platform.
DPP: “I put it to you that this is an extraction of the conversation that you and Dr Sam as executive members held on TAG via WhatsApp on July 11, 2018.”
Dr Mac-Palm replied “My Lords, in the first place I disagree with the statement, Dr Sam together with Debrah met me in a series of discussions, I never remember us discussing anything like this. What I knew about Dr Sam by then was that he will use vulgar words like revolution, Arab Spring, Coup d’état and we all warned him that that was not our aim and for that matter our agenda.”
“So my Lords you could note from the same page Dr Sam wrote this then I did not respond to what he wrote. So that couldn’t have been any form of conversation or interaction between Dr Sam and I as far as this matter is concerned. It is worth noting that based on these utterances from and by Dr Sam we the executive decided to kick him off the platform,” he continued.
The DPP insisted that what he had just told the court that it cannot be true because on page 12 when Dr Sam suggested he (Dr Palm) took out revolution for now from your discussion on the executive platform because people were afraid, he (Mac-Palm) commended Dr Sam that he had done a great job of mapping out the objectives of TAG.
Dr Mac-Palm debunked that saying, “My Lords, I was not commending Dr Sam for the great job he had done by telling him to take out revolution, I was reminding Dr. Sam as seen at the last page of 12 for mapping out the objectives, missions and vision. Dr Sam’s statements do not include our missions, objectives and visions.”
Mrs Obuobisa stated that the real objective of TAG was to cause unrest and to overthrow the constitution of the Republic of Ghana through the use of the main TAG platform as screened shot but Dr Mac-Palm denied.
“TAG political party is registered… we need to involve the youth massively… we are done with the old corrupt system…, Dr Mac-Palm read as requested by DPP.
DPP: From what you just read, you masterminded the idea of TAG to overthrow the Government and institute another government of your own.” “My Lords, that is incorrect.” Dr Mac-Palm.
Mrs Obuobisa asked if a barrister pistol with two magazines was retrieved from Dr Mac-Palm’s bedroom and he answered in the affirmative, adding that “I know it has two magazines.”
Asked to give reasons for having those in his bedroom, Dr Mac-Palm said the pistols and cartridges were for self-protection, so they were registered and duly licensed.
“Also, in your Bawaleshie residence, 57 live rounds of ammunition were found in a bag in your wardrobe, is that right? And Dr Mac-Palm said, “that is correct,” thus, he was questioned why he kept those ammunitions and he said, “the individuals who sold the pistol to me is the one who provided that for me as supplementary (I bought these together with the ammunition) for self-protection.”
“In your evidence-in-chief, you told this court that Donya Kafui was brought in by Awarf to manufacture weapons for your protection, is that right? Who suggested that you needed to acquire weapons for protection, so he brought in Kafui to manufacture weapons for you is that right,” DPP asked and he said that was correct.
The DPP challenged that that it was untrue as he had already acquired other weapons for his protection but he insisted it was very true, stressing that their acquisition was because they were attacked at Bole Bamboi hence Awarf advised they armed themselves when plying that stretch of road.
Mrs Obuobisa told Dr Mac-Palm that he rather brought Kafui to the Citadel Hospital to make the weapons to pursue the agenda of overthrowing the Government and not Awarf who brought him but he disagreed.
The DPP showed him a picture and asked if he recognised the place with an X-ray container, when he confirmed that it was the Citadel Hospital, where he is the Chief Executive Officer and the container was his.
Showing him a video clip, he was asked to tell the court whether he was the one in the video and he said “yes my lords, supposedly, it’s me”.
“Can you identify the person you are talking to in the video?” “that is Kafui supposedly,” he answered.
DPP pointed out that “from the video, you are in your X-ray container is that it and Dr Mac-Palm said “supposedly.” “Can you identify who is in the video and where this is?” “That’s Kafui, supposedly in the container supposedly.
Dr Mac-Palm is standing trial with Kafui, Debrah, Johannes Zipki, Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli, Warrant Officer Class Two Esther Saan, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon, Lance Airforce Corporal Ali Solomon, Lance Corporal Seidu Abubakar and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Benjamin Agordzo.
They have been charged for attempting to overthrow government but have since denied their respective charges and granted bail.
Father Clement Kwasi Adjei, Director of Governance, Justice and Peace Directorate of the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS), has urged Ghanaians to take action to avert violent extremism
He said currently, Ghana was faced with some conflict challenges, which if not addressed, could escalate into a full-blown security crisis.
He said the issue at hand, which should be of concern for all, was the emerging and trending of conflict situations in various parts of Ghana today, and that was critical as it had the potential of affecting the prevailing peace and stability of the country.
“It is no secret that Ghana has been relatively peaceful as compared to many of our neighbouring West African countries. However, recent events have shown that we cannot be complacent,” he said.
Father Adjei raised these concerns at a day’s Regional Dialogue Session on trending conflict issues in the Upper West Region, which was on the theme: “Trending Conflicts in Ghana, Fertile Grounds for Violent extremism: A call for action.”
It was organised for 75 participants made up of policy makers and implementers, academia, religious leaders, traditional leaders, youth leaders, political parties, women groups, Civil Society Organisations, the Justice and Peace Commission, heads of government institutions and individuals.
They treated topics on understanding of the trending conflict issues and how they could serve as fertile grounds for violent extremism infiltration, an understanding on what the current gaps in addressing these trending conflict issues are, and an understanding of what needs to be done.
The forum formed part of the Sahel Peace Initiative, with the National Catholic Secretariat of Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference as implementers with funding support from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
In that regard, Father Adjei said the Church was following keenly the efforts of the government in fighting terrorism and violent extremism in the sub region and gave the assurance that the Catholic Church was ever ready to partner the government.
The overall goal of the project is for the Catholic Church in Ghana to take leadership in promoting peace and building a cohesive society to ensure that individuals living in Ghana experience greater levels of peace, social cohesion and resiliency.
He noted that the rise of violent extremism in the Sahel was a growing threat, which Ghana was not immune to that threat.
“We have seen examples of how they lured vulnerable people, especially the youth into their ranks by providing them with a sense of belonging, purpose and identity. We must not allow this to happen in our beloved country,” he advised.
Father Adjei said the five regions in Northern Ghana were at great risk of violent extremism as they border with Burkina Faso, a country highly affected by armed groups.
Some of the communities in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger were under direct attack by violent factions, who sought to aggravate and exploit community grievances and tension for their own gain.
He said the Bawku District bordering Burkina Faso and Togo and the Sisaala East Municipality, which is also bordering Nazinga Forest in Burkina Faso, had been experiencing increasing spillover of violent extremism related activities.
“These threats, coupled with weaker communal resilience tied to chieftaincy conflicts and illicit trafficking are key concerns and possible pull factors for Jihadists.
“We need to take immediate and decisive action to prevent the spread of violent extremism into Ghana and this requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that addresses the root causes of conflicts and builds the resilience of communities to resist the lure of extremism groups”, he said.
Father Adjei suggested the promotion of inclusive and accountable governance, committed leaders who would fight corruption and promote transparency and accountability, prioritised the needs of the citizens and ensured that their voices were heard to help prevent violent extremism in Ghana.
He also advocated addressing the economic disparities, and creation of opportunities for all, investment in education, and job creation and entrepreneurship for the people regardless of their background or circumstances, the absence of which often fuel conflicts.
He called for the strengthening of social cohesion, promoting tolerance and respect for diversity, building bridges between different communities and promoting dialogue and understanding.
“We need to reject hate speech, and incitement to violence and instead, promote messages of peace, unity and cooperation,” he admonished.
Father Adjei urged traditional and religious leaders, civil society, women and community leaders, and youth groups to get involved in the promotion of a peaceful co-existence in Ghana.
Reverend Father John Kuupiel of the Wa Dioceses of the Catholic Church noted that war, conflicts and violence had never been a solution to any problem.
He noted that countries and communities that anticipated conflicts and solved them amicably grew faster in development.
“Therefore, conflicts should never be denied or swept under the carpet because countries or communities or families that sweep conflicts under the carpet or deny them are likely to die”, he said.
Residents of Dida, a farming community in the Atwima-Kwanwoma District, have appealed to the government to extend the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Water and Sanitation Project (GKMA-SWP) to the community.
This is to help curb the severe sanitation problem facing the people in the community.
Some of the residents, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency, during a visit expressed worry about the current state of the only public pit latrine in the community.
The toilet had been full for some years, and the wood serving as support to the pit latrine appears weak, while the stench and heat emanating from the end is enough to deter community members from using the structure.
The streets of the community during the visit by the GNA showed calmness, but the residents shared worrying experiences of sanitation challenges, especially access to toilet facilities in the community.
Madam Akua Pokuaa, a 40-year-old drinking bar operator, said her most worry had been the fact that, everyone without a toilet in the home visited the same old pit latrine.
“I am really worried, all of us, men, women and children defecate on this wooden structure. It does not give us (women) privacy at all. You will be here, and you see that a man wants to come in here too. Most of the households, I know just do it in a polythene bag and throw it away, or we go to the bush and do it freely,” she told the GNA.
She said there had been a couple of times she had contracted infections from the use of the pit latrine.
Madam Pokuaa pleaded with the government to consider the community and provide toilets that could improve the sanitation conditions in the area.
A 63-year-old Maame Akua Bema told the GNA that her age did not favour the use of such a toilet facility.
“Mostly I walk for about 10 minutes before I can use this toilet.
She said the facility was not good for the aged and children.
“Our grandchildren of school going age must hang on to this risky thing. Don’t you think a child can fall in this one day,” she quizzed.
Maame Bema indicated that, to avoid disgrace sometimes, she had to defecate in polythene bags and throw it away in the refuse dumps.
The GNA gathered that the school in the community also had no place of convenience and school children had to defecate in bushes near the school.
Papa Kwadwo, a 12-year-old basic six pupil said he had to go the bush because there was no place for him to go.
Mr. Ernest Boakye, the District Environmental Officer, collaborated the concerns of the people and said about 25 per cent of the 234,836 people in 64 communities in the districts, practice open defecation.
He pointed out that, lack of toilet facilities was a serious challenge in the settlements of the one of the peri-urban districts in the Ashanti region.
Mr Boakye said the government needed to extend the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Water and Sanitation Project (GKMA-SWP), a project meant to increase access to improved sanitation and water supply, to such areas to improve sanitary conditions.
He said the communities would embrace the World Bank- Government of Ghana subsided project, stressing that peri-urban communities needed such interventions the most.
“The peri-urban districts need the facilities the most, because there are a lot of people in the communities that cannot build toilets by themselves but with the subsided projects, community members can own toilets in the homes”.
According to the officer, pit latrine had a lot of health implications, including typhoid infections, offensive odour to the community and disease infections to ladies, especially.
They also served as a harbouring place for reptiles which could be very serious.
Mr Boakye said the extension of the project to the district would help encourage residents to build toilet facilities in their homes and help the district assembly to strengthen its sanitation bylaws in the communities.
The majority of the youth in the Korley Klottey constituency want Dr Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, Member of Parliament (MP) of the area, to be retained.
A random interview during a ‘Unity Walk’ organised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) indicated that majority of the youth believed the MP had kept faith with the people and this was not time to try another person.
They noted that any attempt to change her would mean that the party would have to start all over again in marketing that person.
They also contended that the MP had been able to achieve a lot through sustaining the interest of the youth in various ways in the communities and had helped women who needed support to boost their businesses as well as their educational problems.
Dr Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, after the ‘Unity Walk’, commended the supporters, and members of the party who participated.
“The unity walk will accelerate the pace of development and strengthen unity, deepen the peace that Korley Klottey is noted for,” she stated.
She also extended gratitude to the NDC Greater Accra Regional Executives, led by the Chairman, Mr Ashie Moore and other stakeholders for contributing in diverse ways to make the walk a reality.
Dr Rawlings reiterated her commitment to working with the constituents to ensure it remained one of the largest support bases for the NDC.
She urged the supporters to continue to remain loyal and united for a total victory come 2024.
“I will also concentrate on issues that would also move the Korley Klottey forward.”
She called on those who have not yet received their Ghana Card to go and pick them at the National Identification Authority’s office.
Mr Ashie More, NDC Regional Chairman, appealed to the electorate to support whoever wins the coming primaries to be held next month and cautions the delegates in the constituency to abstain from acts that could create friction among the supporters and contestants.
Mr Benjamin Kotey, Constituency Chairman, advised the delegates to put the interest of the NDC above all considerations and do all what they could to ensure that the party retain the seat come 2024.
Statistics from the Akatsi South Municipal Health Directorate has revealed that the Municipality recorded a slight decrease in teenage pregnancy cases in the year 2022 under review.
The figure saw a total of 301 teenage pregnancy cases in 2022 as against 339 in 2021 representing 12.1 and 13.1 per cent respectively.
Miss Justine Sefakor Alornyo, the Akatsi South Municipal Director of Health, made this disclosure at the Akatsi South Municipal assembly hall during the annual health performance review for the year 2022.
Miss Alornyo said the figures remained a worrying factor and that, all must join hands to change the narrative “as it may be girls aged 11-14 years who were getting pregnant.”
Under supervised delivery, statistics revealed that a decrease of 2005 cases representing 53.1 per cent were recorded in 2022 as against 2265 in 2021 representing 61.8 per cent with improvement in family planning services being pegged at 32.2 per cent in 2022 compared to 25.7 per cent in 2021.
Miss Alornyo added that all the 2005 deliveries that occurred within the Municipality were all immunized with BCG, Penta, and measles Rubella vaccines.
On Antenatal registrants, a decreased figure of 2465 in 2022 compared to 2587 in 2021 was also recorded.
Miss Alornyo, in a remark, called on the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly, other organisations and individuals to help equip the health facilities with resources for their smooth running “since all health facilities in the Municipality including the main hospital had equipment challenges.”
She outlined some activities carried out by the Directorate over the period to include radio discussion on health issues, community-stakeholder engagement, social mobilisation, collaborative activities, report validation, celebration of Health Days, training workshops, supportive supervision and monitoring.
Mr Eric Nana Takyi, Kadjebi District Director of Health Services, says the district has recorded zero maternal mortality in 2022 as against two recorded cases in 2021.
This, he said, was a result of Comprehensive Abortion Care, an early referral system and prompt management of cases and commended the staff for the success chalked and asked them to help maintain the standard.
He said the District was rated as a high-performance district with a holistic assessment score of 4.2 out of a total score of five.
Nana Takyi, who disclosed these during the 2022 Performance Review Meeting at Kadjebi in the Oti Region, said the review was a statutory programme in the health sector, which helped to assess the objectives set and performance for the previous year.
He said the review also sought to access areas where they performed well, and the measures put in place in making the strides as well as areas where they did not do well and work on it.
The Health Director mentioned an increase in family planning acceptance to 34 per cent in 2022 as against 27 per cent in 2021, a decrease in anaemia in pregnancy to 41 per cent in 2022 from 61 per cent in 2021, a reduction in stillbirth from 13 per cent in 2021 to 9.8 per cent in 2022.
Others are a decline in infant/malaria mortality and an increase in girls taking iron Folate from 71 per cent in 2021 to 72 per cent in 2022 as some of the major achievements.
He, however, bemoaned the increases in HIV/AIDS cases (2,423 on ART in 2022), teenage pregnancy cases at 15.4 per cent in 2022 although with a slight drop from 16.1 per cent in 2021 and alcohol and substance abuse in the district.
The Health Director commended KOFIH, Ahamansu citizens abroad and other stakeholders in the health sector for helping achieve their objectives.
Nana Takyi said though they made a stride in 2022, they were still faced with a lack of accommodation to house staff, high electricity bills, no conference hall for meetings, no motorbike for new CHPS and no electricity at Kponkpa, Dodo-Bethel and Koru CHPS.
He asked the staff not to be deterred by these developments but to work hard and project the image of the service in the district.
Dr Felix Doe of Volta Regional Hospital, Hohoe commended the district for achieving 4.2 for holistic assessment and advised them to continue with strong collaboration to achieve more.
Mr Wilson Kwami Agbanyo, Kadjebi District Chief Executive, appealed to the staff to work extra hard to put the district on a high pedestal.
He said resources would always not be adequate, but they needed to strive to deliver.
There were presentations from Family Health, Technical and Health Information Units as well from five Sub-Districts in the District.
Following King Nasir’s offers to help Shugatiti reach orgasm after her cry that no man satisfies her, the actress has cautioned him not to dare if he does not want to die.
The American adult star King Nasir extended a hand of help to Ghanaian actress Shugatiti to help her experience orgasm after she revealed that despite having a powerful libido, she has never had an orgasm.
Taking to his Twitter he wrote; “I can help her have an orgasm”.
However, Shugatiti has responded to him, while cautioning him to step back if he does not want to die early.
‘Don’t try and die oooo’ she took to her Twitter to warn him.
King Nasir however also respond to Shugatti’s warning by making it know that he is the king of multiple rounds. He just does not do one round only.
He wrote; ‘I can go multiple rounds‘.
The actress in an interview stated that despite having had intercourse with numerous men, none of the men she has ever dated have ever made her cum.
According to her, she merely likes the enjoyable aspects of sex and always wants her partner to make out.
Shugatiti further stated that even though none of the guys has been able to make her reach an orgasm, their energy during sexual intercourse is sufficient for her to keep up her robust libido.
“You can’t satisfy me, I have never cum in my life, I don’t get orgasm. I asked my doctor, and he said it was normal because not all women will get orgasm.
“So for me, I don’t get orgasm; so pleasing me is out, you just have to match up with the energy till we get tired.
“I enjoy having sex; I get so wet; I enjoy the penetration and how things are moving in and out. I also enjoy long hours, like the whole day. Me, I don’t get tired.
“The honest truth is that all the people I have made out with match up with my energy,” she said.
The Ghanaian model, actress, video vixen, nudist, and influencer has on several platforms disclosed how much she loves sex and how no man can satisfy her.
She hit the headlines two years ago when some naked photos and videos of her, were published by some Ghanaian-owned websites (blogs).
One of Nigeria’s most musicians Simi, recently took to social media to express her disappointment in some individuals who had supported certain political parties during the 2023 polls.
Simi, whose real name is Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, stated that the election had opened her eyes to the true nature of some people.
While acknowledging that it was acceptable for people to support any political party of their choice, Simi said she was taken aback by the way some individuals could overlook the evil in others and still support them.
She called out those who continue to support corrupt politicians, stating that their actions are not brave, courageous or strong, but rather ignorant and proud.
In her post, Simi wrote, “The 2023 polls have made me see some people for who they really are. You’re not courageous, or brave, or strong in the face of adversity. You’re ignorant. And proud. You can see evil in the open and still support it. Shame on you!”
The singer’s post quickly went viral on social media, with many people expressing their support for her message.
Some individuals even went as far as to say that Simi’s words were a wake-up call for Nigerians to be more discerning in their political choices.
Simi has always been vocal about her beliefs and her desire for a better Nigeria.
Ghanaian radio presenter Andy Dosty, has said in Joy FM’s entertainment Twitter Spaces conversation that he was once forced to play Nigerian music at a programme.
Bemoaning the love for foreign music by Ghanaian music consumers, the celebrated disc jockey said that even though he always tries to play more Ghanaian music when he is booked for events, there was a time he had to play Nigerian music at the behest of a patron.
Andy explained that at the event, the people were seated while he played Ghanaian music until a lady walked up to him and showed him a playlist of Nigerian songs she wanted him to play.
“I’ve been to a party where I was easily playing music and everyone was glued to their seat. All of them were glued to their seat. No one wanted to get up and dance. It took one bold lady that walked up to me and she gave me her phone with a tall list of Nigerian songs, asking me to play any of them or else they were leaving. I was asking myself questions. I was forced to play it.
This was at Paul Adom Otchere’s house. Big party with big people. And all of them were seated until I touched one Nigerian song and they all got up to dance, then I felt so ashamed. Like really, what’s happening? So the problem is us, the people. We don’t like what we have,” he said.
Andy also stated that he is the type of DJ that can perform two hours of Ghanaian music, except in “difficult” situations.
He said the DJs can push the campaign to play more Ghanaian music but if the people don’t like the songs, they will not respond positively to it.
“I think that we don’t appreciate our music. Period,” he added.
He made this statement on ‘Joy Entertainment Unpacked’, during the discussion on how well Ghanaian music can be promoted globally.
Hosted by Kwame Dadzie, the programme featured speakers such as Kofi Boachie-Ansah Beatmenace (audio engineer), Mark Darlington (artiste manager/publisher), Baba Sadiq (music and media entrepreneur) and Trigmatic (musician).
The series of conversations comes off every Wednesday at 8pm on Joy FM’s Twitter page.
Majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has raised concerns as to why the minority in parliament is shying away from the use of the Ghana Card when former president John Mahama endorsed it after acquiring one in his home town.
According to the majority leader, John Mahama said he believed in the Ghana card system as it has integrity and can be relied on.
He, therefore, described the Minority opposing to the use of Ghana as the sole documentation for registration as something beyond understanding.
“…after the issuance of the Ghana card to former president John Dramani Mahama, he said today he has seen and he believes that this system has integrity and can be relied on, now you people (NDC) are shying away from it and they are saying that we can’t use it. It is beyond comprehension,” Kyei Mensah Bomsu said.
The Minority in Parliament rejected the justifications given by the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) for the new CI seeking to make Ghana card the only identification for voter registration.
Chairperson for the EC, Jean Mensah on Tuesday February 28 2023 told Parliament the new CI is to safeguard the sanctity of the electoral process devoid of foreign interference.
Mrs. Jean Mensah also justified the scrapping of the guarantor system. When questioned about the existence of the same system for Ghana card registration, the EC boss argued that, that system is more robust.
Addressing the media, Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson asked the EC to adopt the NIA system following the claim of the chairperson.
“We are quite sure many of you followed and reported on events in the Chamber last night, which showcased our opposition to an attempt by the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission to introduce a Constitutional Instrument before Parliament.
The said C.I, the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Instrument, 2022, seeks to make the Ghana Card the sole document for the registration of voters onto Ghana’s electoral roll.
“What Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution requires, is evidence of citizenship and not evidence or proof of identification. Any evidence of citizenship should therefore qualify a person to be registered. That is why under the current C.I 91 as amended by C.I 126, Ghanaian Passports and guarantor system are allowed as evidence of citizenship,” Mr. Forson stated.
Social media sensation and Ghanaian actor, Nana Tornado has urged Ghanaians to refrain from judging him by his appearance, as he might be wiser than them.
Speaking in an interview with Accra-based TV3, he said most people shun him away from him because of his choice of dress and appearance.
According to him, how he decides to dress has nothing to do with his intelligence and that he is way wiser and smarter than all the people who judge him for how he decides to appear in public.
He added that he does to really mind whenever people tend to draw away from him people their families have asked them to.
According to him, he is a simple easy-going guy who just wants to live a peaceful life.
Nana also shared how father forced him to attend school when all h wanted to do was have fun adding that he will never force his daughter to do anything she has no interest in.
Known in real life as Emil Gerald Wood, the 35-year-old Nana Tornado was born in Tema. The single parent with a 15-year-old daughter shot to fame after starring in the popular Afia Schwarzenegger TV series.
He began his acting career after meeting Afia Schwarzenegger, a well-known Ghanaian media personality. According to Ghana Weekend TV, the star revealed that Afia Schwarzenegger introduced him to acting. As a result, his first stint in acting was in the TV series Afia Schwarzenegger.
Despite being friends, Afia Schwarzenegger and Nana Tornado fell out after Tornado claimed that Afia had badmouthed him to his friends in the USA. Tornado responded to a viral video of Afia Schwarzenegger hurling insults at her detractors by claiming that Afia had always been the bad apple in their friendship.
The Ghana Hajj Board has announced that prospective pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj are to pay GH¢75,000 each as fees for the pilgrimage.
According to the board, the GH¢75,000 is the Ghanaian cedi equivalent of the $6,500 charge for the pilgrimage, and it is likely to change after the end of March 2023, depending on the exchange rate.
In a statement issued on March 1, 2023, the Hajj Board stated that the deadline for the payment of fees is Sunday, April 30, 2023.
“The Ghana Hajj Board wishes to announce for the information of prospective pilgrims that this year’s Hajj package fee has been pegged at $6,500 which translates to GH¢75,000. The deadline for payment of this year’s fee is April 30, 2023.
“Prospective Pilgrims are to take note the cedi equivalent of 75,000 remains in force until March 31, 2023, and may change afterwards based on prevailing exchange rate of the USD after March ending,” parts of the statement read.
“Prospective Pilgrims are therefore encouraged to pay early through any of the 42 Accredited Hajj Agents nationwide in order to secure their slots,” the Hajj Board added.
The 2023 Hajj is scheduled for Monday, June 26, 2023, to Saturday, July 1, 2023.
After a goods and passenger train collided in Greece, at least 36 people perished, prompting hundreds of people to hurry to donate blood.
Just before midnight on Tuesday, a passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki collided with a goods train heading from Thessaloniki to Larissa.
In one of the deadliest rail catastrophes in recent years in the country, carriages once carrying more than 350 passengers and employees were crumpled and twisted into knots of smokey metal.
Many of the young people who died were college students returning from carnival celebrations in Athens – the first since the coronavirus pandemic.
Why the head-on crash happened is still unclear (Picture: EPA)Hundreds gathered at an emergency blood donation drive in Larissa to help survivors Former prime minister Alexis Tsipras (C) was among those giving blood (Picture: AFP)
Around 85 people found injured within the buckled carriages or injured by the ensuing fire have been taken to hospitals in Larissa, the closest city to the site.
Shock, anger and grief were the emotions Greeks felt this morning as news of the fatal wreck spread.
Within hours, Central Square in Larissa was lined by hundreds of people voluntarily donating blood.
An emergency blood drive was organised by the Greek humanitarian group, the Hellenic Red Cross, in collaboration with two local hospitals to help those injured.
The former prime minister and current leader of the opposition, Alexis Tsipras, was among those donating blood outside the city’s general hospital.
The makeshift donation clinic was set up between humanitarian campaigners and hospital staffThe passenger train was travelling from Athens to Thessaloniki (Picture: metro.co.uk)
Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis resigned this morning, saying he felt it was his ‘duty’ to step down ‘as a basic indication of respect for the memory of the people who died so unfairly’.
‘When something so tragic happens, it’s impossible to continue as if nothing had happened,’ he said.
‘It’s a fact that we inherited the Greek railway in a state that is not fitting for the 21st century,’ he added.
‘In those three and a half years we made every effort to improve this reality. Unfortunately, those efforts were not adequate to avert such a tragedy.’
The cause of the crash near the Vale of Tempe, a river valley about 235 miles north of Athens, is still unclear. It happened shortly after the passenger train came out from under a highway underpass.
Yiannis Ditsas, head of the Greek railway workers union, told Skai television that the trains raced toward one another for 12 minutes without realizing it as the automatic signalling at the spot of the crash hadn’t been working.
Passenger train collides with freight train in Greece, killing dozens
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The state’s railway system, he said, has the worst safety track record in Europe.
Police said this afternoon that the station manager in Larissa, about 20 miles from the crash site, has been arrested.
Local news media reported that the man, 59, who was in charge of signalling, had directed the shipment train onto the same track as the passenger train.
The stationmaster has been charged with causing mass deaths through negligence and causing grievous bodily harm through negligence, a police official said.
He has denied any responsibility, attributing it to a possible technical failure, and will be brought before an investigator tomorrow.
Two other rail officials have also been questioned.
Survivors have described scenes of horror. The impact of the two trains smashing into one another sent riders flying through train car windows, while others were buried beneath metal beams.
It appeared to be the country’s deadliest rail accident in recent years Dozens were injured and many more are feared missing Survivors have described watching the train carriages be consumed by fire and panic (Picture: AFP)
State broadcaster ERT quoted rescuers saying they found victims’ bodies 100 to 130 feet from the impact site.
Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis said temperatures in the first carriage had reached 1,300° C, making it hard to identify those trapped inside.
Stefanos Gogakos, who was in a rear carriage, said the crash felt like an explosion. Flames, he said, consumed the front of the train, burning it to a shell.
‘The glass in the windows shattered and fell on top of us,’ he told ERT.
‘My head hit the roof of the carriage with the jolt. Some people started to climb out through the windows because there was smoke in the carriage.
‘The doors were closed but in a few minutes train staff opened them and we got out.’
The singer has entertained patrons of private and public events hosted by the Royal Family and one thing for sure is that the new King Charles III is a big fan of the singer.
The first time he heard her sing, he allegedly told her, “You are one of the most amazing performers I’ve ever seen.”
Queen Elizabeth before her death had a soft spot for music, which was described as a love affair. During her reign, she hosted various events which saw both British and non-British music stars serenade her and patrons of these events.
American stars like Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, and Alicia Keys are among the artists who have shown off their vocals to Queen Elizabeth II. English musicians like Ed Sheeran, Adele, and Phil Collins also had the opportunity to showcase their talents to their Queen.
Similarly, Ghanaian musicians also entertained the Queen during her reign. Stephanie Benson is among a list of Ghanaian artists whose performances she witnessed live and Ghanaian artists who performed at events organized in her honor.
Speaking in an interview with GHOne, the singer recounted how Prince Charles could not get more of her during her performance adding that she even sat on his lap.
Benson has performed at events hosted by British royals including Princess Anne, and reportedly exceeded her 15-minute allotted performance time for Prince Charles to approximately an hour because he enjoyed her act.
She received another invitation to sing for Prince William before his wedding to Kate Middleton on 29 April 2011.
Stephanie Benson, also known as Princess Akua Ohenewaa Asieanem of Kokobin, is a UK-based Ghanaian international singer and performer who is rooted in jazz music. In Ghana, she has been described as the queen of jazz.
Yaw David, 30, died in an accident on the Juaboso Afere road.
Information indicates that David was riding his motorcycle from Juaboso to Afere with a friend.
According to reports, the rider attempted to overtake a car in front of them on a sharp curve and crashed into a Kia with the registration number GW 39 46 Z.
The deceased’s body has since been deposited at the Juaboso government mortuary.
The other person is being treated at Juaboso government hospital.
Certain foods trigger menstrual pain whereas some foods are there to relieve you from the pain and the fatigue.
Menstruation plays one of the most integral parts in every woman’s life. A woman usually experiences pain, fatigue, bloating, and cramps while going through menstruation. Hence it is very important to follow a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet to reduce menstrual pain as it can severely impact mood and other bring other changes. Good nutrition ensures that a woman experiences periods with fewer cramps, irritability, and fatigue and can have smoother and easier period days.
While our lifestyle plays an important role in determining a healthy period flow, our diet plays a major role. Certain foods trigger menstrual pain whereas some foods are there to relieve you from the pain and the fatigue.
Here are some foods you should consider during menstruation:
Green vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are the most potent sources of iron which is necessary during your period. Low levels of iron can make you more fatigue and can cause pain and fatigue. Consuming vegetables such as spinach, cauliflower, and cabbage can increase iron levels in the body and ease up period pain.
Yoghurt
To have smooth menstruation, it is important to have a diet free of inflammatory foods. Consumption of sugar, dairy, or gluten can trigger pain. Hence eating foods like yoghurt which cools down the body is quite beneficial for the body. It is also a food enriched with probiotics that keep your vaginal health in good shape and ensures smooth period days. Make sure to cut off inflammatory foods during your period days. However, only continue with yoghurt if it does not trigger your gut health issues and suits you perfectly.
Fruits
Seasonal fruits and fruits with a higher water content are extremely effective to reduce pain during menstruation. Seasonal fruits help to keep the immunity system strong and provide you with the necessary energy. You can consume fruits as an evening or mid-morning snack.
Also., consuming fruits is healthier than fruit juices as you can have maximum benefits of fibre. Besides, fruits such as watermelon, and cucumber are hydrating foods that keep the body hydrated.
Nuts
Nuts are excellent sources of omega-3, magnesium, potassium, iron, and protein. These nutrient-enriched nuts such as flax seeds, almonds, and walnuts aid in good sleep. Besides the presence of magnesium in these foods is extremely important as magnesium is a calming mineral that helps to soothe and calm the nervous system. It is also great to alleviate menstrual cramps and pain.
Herbal teas
Consumption of caffeine or alcohol can lead to more bloating, headaches, dehydration, nausea fatigue, and digestive issues. Hence try to cut down your caffeine, tea, and alcohol intake during menstruation. Incorporate herbal teas like raspberry tea, peppermint tea, or various fusion teas which aid to calm down premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and pacify period pain.
The Accra High Court yesterday ordered the Director of Legal Aid to provide a lawyer for Allan Debrah, one of the 10 accused standing trial for treason.
A three-member panel of judges presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe gave the order after the accused told the court he was unable to hire a lawyer because he could not afford the fees.
The case has been adjourned to March 13, to enable the lawyer for Debrah to study the documents and conduct a cross-examination.
Ten accused, including senior police and military officers, had been charged with conspiracy to commit treason, high treason and abetment.
ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo and Col. Kojo Gamelie have been charged with abetment.
The eight others, Dr. Frederick Yao Mac Palm, Donya Kafui, Bright Allan Debrah aka Bright Allan Yeboah, Yohannes Zikpi, WO II Esther Saan, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, LAC Ali Solomon and Col Sylvester Akanpewon, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit treason and high treason.
All the accused have pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.
It is the case of the prosecution that the accused used Take Action Ghana (TAG) as a platform to mobilise in order to destabilise the country and overthrow the government.
The prosecution said as part of the plot, Dr. Mac-Palm, who is accused of being the mastermind, along with Kafui and Debrah, had planned to kidnap the President, the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief of the Defence Staff and force the President to announce his overthrow.
“Again, there were discussions on whether or not to kill the President in the process of overthrowing the government,” the prosecution said.
Concerning ACP Agordzo, it said he joined a WhatsApp platform of TAG created by Dr. Mac-Palm, where the group discussed a planned demonstration, which was likened to the Arab Spring.
He said ACP Agordzo donated GH¢2,000 to TAG to aid its cause and also drafted a speech for Dr. Mac-Palm to be read at the planned demonstration by TAG.
Ghanaian socialite and famed nudist, Shugatiti caught the attention of American adult film star King Nasir when she bragged in an interview that no man has the potential to satisfy or make her reach orgasm.
Shugatiti, speaking in a chat with celebrity blogger Zionfelix, indicated that she’s been in bed with multiple partners but none of them was able to make her attain climax.
She stated that although she has an insatiable desire for sexual activity, attempting to satisfy her is only a waste of time, however, a man who can match up to her energy during intercourse is sufficient for her to keep up her robust libido.
Reacting to Shuggatiti’s statements, Nasir took to Twitter to send her an invitation to help her experience orgasm.
He has been helping women of all kinds so Shugatiti’s case is nothing serious, writing,“I can help her have an orgasm”.
Unsurprisingly, Shugatiti who is also rumoured to be a sex worker behind closed doors has dared King Nasir to a sexual bout.
In a sharp response, the 32-year-old forewarned the 29-year-old award-winning porn star about her excellent bedroom skills, which will expose his weaknesses.
“Don’t try and die oooo,” Shugatiti tweeted Wednesday night.
But ahead of the highly anticipated bedroom challenge, Shugatiti has dropped some hot flaming photos to showcase her curves that makes men cum easily and cannot make her reach orgasm.
John Dramani Mahama has pledged to investigate how public funds were expended under the Akufo-Addo-led government if given the nod again.
He said this includes the COVID-19 Audit and the findings from the Auditor-General’s reports over years.
According to Mr Mahama, the time has come for Ghanaians to receive proper accountability from those they elect to political office.
This accountability, he said, can only be achieved by a new party in government.
“We must clean the Augean stables and rid them of the filth and corruption. The anti-corruption [agencies] will be given unfettered space to do their work. The days of the infamous ‘clearing agent’ will be well and truly over,” Mr said at his campaign launch in the Volta Region today, Thursday, 2 March 2023, adding that “But to ensure efficiency and professionalism at this endeavor, institutions of state would be empowered to be independent in their work.”
Mr Mahama noted that as President, state-owned enterprises will not be a gravy train for political apparatchiks.
He said he would re-introduce the hallmark of his previous administration – tolerance for criticism and the creation of a conducive atmosphere for the media to do its work without the fear of threats, harassment, and possible assassination.
Responding to calls from his party supporters that the next NDC government must also exact its pound of flesh on the NPP, Mr Mahama said “I daresay, there is no use fighting for political power, if it is only to come and repeat the same mistakes of the NPP administration that have brought our dear nation to this sorry state. We must, therefore, engage our grassroots to work together with us to build the Ghana we want.”
To be able to achieve all the above, Mr Mahama said “we must see different personalities and backgrounds. We must not see NDC and NPP. We must not see Ga, or Ewe or Akan or Dagomba. We must not look to religious differences. We must look to ourselves. We must look to Ghana. One united people. You and I, hand in hand and working together.”
He added “In Building The Ghana We Want Together, it will take grit, It will take determination, but we have what we did not have before – the benefit of hindsight and reflection from afar, and the benefit of experience – to improve upon our successes and avoid our mistakes.”
Mr Mahama has promised to engage the public and various interest groups to tap into their views on how to fashion “the Ghana we want” as he begins his campaign.
Ghanaian music group, Asakaa Boys, known for their HipHop-Kumerican vibes and rhythms will be entertaining fans in Accra at Bayview Village on March 5.
Undoubtedly one of the names that can’t be opted from performing lists, Asakaa Boys will thrill fans with their back-to-back hit songs at the venue close to the Atomic Roundabout, Haatso.
The Pre-Independence day celebration and activation party, powered by Partylite Experience in collaboration with Gadget Box will be hosted by MCs EL Baby, 2 Feet and MC Dela.
Meanwhile, DJ Stunt and DJ Mc Tonto will be on the turntables to electrify patrons to the core with dope music.
Over the years, the Asakaa Boys have carved a niche for themselves concerning their influence and grit of the UK drill scene fused with the American lifestyle.
They have penetrated through the Ghanaian borders taking advantage of every piece of hype to sell themselves across the digital space.
Heavily inspired by late US rapper Pop Smoke and late Ghanaian Louis Vuitton director Vigil Abloh, Asakaa Boys’ creative gesture involves infusing local sounds with other Hip Hop cultures – daring to be different in their way.
Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), says former President John Dramani Mahama has nothing new to offer Ghanaians.
This comes after President Mahama, during the launch of his campaign in Ho, said he had studied the challenges of the country over the last five years and that he had gathered solutions to the problems of Ghana.
“Some have lost all hope in the democratic process and believe that democracy is no better than other forms of governance.”
“Our present state and its effect on the people trouble me a lot, and this is why, as you have observed, at every significant or wrong turn of the decision taken by this government, I have, with the benefits experience I have acquired, provided alternative solutions and even offered the expertise and knowledge of some of my party colleagues to help get us out of these challenges,” Mahama said.
Reacting to the comments of Mahama in a tweet, Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the NPP, said Ghana knows the abysmal performance of Mr Mahama when he was president.
He insisted that Mr. Mahama failed when he was given the opportunity to lead the country.
According to the politician, Mahama has been tried, tested, and disapproved.
“Reselling H.E John Mahama…Ghana knows his dismal record; there is nothing new to add with an expensive campaign launch…Tried, tested and disapproved. #Ghana,” Richard Ahiagbah tweeted.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has fervently pleaded with Ghanaians to elect the NDC to power in the 2024 presidential elections in order to reinstate him as their leader.
Mahama declared that he will run for president of Ghana again because he is the person the nation needs to lead it at this time while speaking on Thursday at the beginning of his campaign to be the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He continued by saying that he is the steady hand Ghana needs to emerge from its current economic difficulties and that, along with the populace, he will create the Ghana that every Ghanaian desires.
“For the 2024 election which I consider to be the most important and defining poll of our time, I have not taken this step lightly. It has been a product of months of prayer, broad consultation and sober reflection. I have searched my soul and paid close attention to your voices and to your daily struggles, and to our present national predicament.
“At this stage, Ghana demands experience, not experiments… Ghana does not need a try-me-too leader. Ghana demands togetherness and not divisiveness. Now is the time for bravery of heart and clarity of purpose.
“I’m ready and able to be the kind of president that Ghanaians are looking for. I’m not the kind of leader that derives pleasure or smiles at my country’s failings, even the failings of my political opponents. As far as I’m concerned, there is no vindication to be derived from the suffering of the Ghanaian people.
“I’m offering myself for public office at this time because I appreciate the enormity of the task ahead owing to the level of damage this government has done to our country. And I also know that such a mountainous task requires a steady, unifying, and experienced hand to build the “Ghana we want together”.
“And as I said, this is no time for experimentation. Ghana at this point does not need a try-me-too leader,” Mahama reiterated.
Taking care of the penis should be prioritised to prevent bacterial build-ups that can lead to infections and diseases.
Everyone’s penis is different from the others in terms of its size, shape, type, and amount of discharge that it releases. But you should take care of your penis as much as you do for other parts of the body.
As important as it is for women to take care of their vaginal health, for men, it is as crucial to maintaining a healthy penis.
Both penile and testicular health determine overall health, which is why regular self-examination can help you stay aware of any changes in the intimate area. But how to know what a healthy penis feels or looks like? Here’s all you need to know.
Note the colour of the penis
One of the ways you can tell whether your penis is healthy or not is by checking the colour of the penis. Research from Medical News Today shares that a penis should be roughly the same colour as the surrounding skin, though it may be a shade darker or lighter. Furthermore, it reports that a person should not have any pain in their penis when urinating or engaging in sexual activity.
Free of lumps
Lumps in the penis can be of many different types. Most of them are harmless. However, any type of penile lumps can indicate an unhealthy penis. One of the primary causes could be a blockage in the sebaceous gland, which can lead to the formation of cysts, a tissue sac filled with pus or fluid. Most cysts go away on their own, while some get worse and more painful.
No abnormal discharge
Research suggests that a healthy penis is free of lesions, warts, and abnormal discharge. There are usually no bumps including those caused by a cyst or pimples, also called pearly penile papules. These are also called hirsutoid papillomas – tiny, skin-coloured bumps on the head of the penis.
Free of sores or inflammation
An irritated penis can be a sign of an unhealthy penis. Balanitis is a common condition characterized by inflammation of the head of the penis. The condition can be caused by bacterial or fungal infections or can result from chemicals, viruses or allergies. Furthermore, when one fails to keep the inside of the foreskin clean, balanitis can occur.
Among the social media sensations in Ghana, Osebo is becoming a household name in that league as well.
Looking more fashionable isn’t always about wearing the trendiest, most expensive clothes, or mastering some complex styling trick. Sometimes it’s as easy as just tucking in your shirt or throwing on a pair of sunglasses.
Our very own Ghanaian celebrities have been showing many amazing looks lately. Unlike in the past, today more men care about their style. They are not afraid to accept and try new trends. The guys who dare to wear bold outfits are the ones who stand out in a crowd.
Men can be fashionable too! It’s all about creativity, colour coordination and knowing how to pair things up.
Osebo, real name Richard Brown, first made headlines in the Ghanaian media space when he showed up as Nana Aba Anamoah’s baby daddy. Since then, Osebo, who owns a popular boutique in Accra, has found himself in the news a couple of times.
The fashionista is ignoring all of the criticisms and has adopted a culture where men wearing dresses and skirts in Ghana and beyond. He definitely isn’t bothered by all the ridicule he gets from his critics.
The ‘Zara man’ always sets the tone for new trends. Although Osebo’s fashion sense looked extremely wild and edgy, it is surprisingly wearable and will stand the test of
The fashionista has carved a niche for himself that is gradually giving him the title of Ghana’s fashion god.
The popular boutique owner in Accra, who takes pride in being a game-changer when it comes to fashion, which he says is ‘madness’ is not holding back on his fashion trends.
He has announced the unveiling of his clothing line and fashion show.
Osebo says these will be effective in November and December this year.
“Check out for osebo clothing line by November 15th 2023, and our fashion show by December 5th is going to be big and bigger. What we been waiting for 🔥🔥🇬🇭✔️,” the fashionista captioned his post.
His announcement has sparked mixed reactions among netizens. While some can’t wait to see his clothing line and fashion show, others are indifferent claiming “it’s nothing seen before.”
Boris Johnson said he will find it difficult to back Rishi Sunak‘s revised Brexit plan for Northern Ireland.
The former prime minister, who three years ago boasted of having a “oven-ready deal,” said the government “has to be transparent” going forward.
In a speech at Westminster, Mr. Johnson stated: “I’m going to find it very difficult to vote for something like this, because I believed we should’ve done something very different.
‘No matter how much plaster came off the ceiling in Brussels.
Boris Johnson is giving a speech during the Global Soft Power Summit at the QEII center in London (Picture: Reuters)
‘I’m conscious I’m not going to be thanked for saying this, but I think it is my job to do so: we must be clear about what is really going on here.
‘This is not about the UK taking back control, and although there are easements this is really a version of the solution that was being offered last year to Liz Truss when she was foreign secretary.
‘This is the EU graciously unbending to allow us to do what we want to do in our own country, not by our laws but by theirs.’
Mr Sunak delivered a Brexit trade agreement with Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week.
Speaking on Monday, he acknowledged that the UK and EU have ‘had our differences’, but declared ‘the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship’.
The new agreement includes green lane and red lane trade routes – with goods remaining in the UK using the green lane to avoid customs bureaucracy and goods moving to the EU being sent in the red lane.
A ‘landmark’ settlement on medicines has also been promised, as drugs approved for use by the UK’s medicines regulator will become automatically available in every pharmacy and hospital in Northern Ireland.
The arrangement comes with a new ‘Stormont brake’ – a move designed to ‘safeguard’ Northern Ireland’s sovereignty.
Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Picture: AP)
Speaking today, Northern Ireland Office minister Lord Caine said there are still details of the Stormont brake ‘yet to be filled in’.
He told peers that consultation with Northern Ireland parties is imminent and legislation will follow.
His comments came as Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in Northern Ireland, questioned the Government on the mechanism of the Stormont brake.
Lord Caine said: ‘What the command paper and the supporting documentation does is to set out the framework.
‘There are some details that have yet to be filled in that will be dealt with in legislation – and they will follow consultations that the Northern Ireland Secretary intends to begin with the Northern Ireland parties almost immediately.’
Concluding his speech, Mr Johnson conceded he made mistakes in signing his Northern Ireland Protocol that caused the DUP to walk out of powersharing because of trade barriers in the Irish Sea.
He said: ‘I thought those checks would not be onerous since there isn’t that much stuff that falls into that category; most of the goods stay in Northern Ireland.
Muttering, the former prime minister added: ‘It’s all my fault, I fully accept responsibility.’
The former prime minister has asked the audience if they agreed with Brexit, Boris Johnson was left with an even more perplexed expression than normal.
When Mr. Johnson asked the audience at a conference in London to raise their hands if they thought leaving the European Union had been a success, nearly no one did.
I got the feeling that might be the case as we went along, but I’m undaunted, Mr. Johnson added as the conference host urged the audience to raise their hands if they thought Brexit was a good idea.
He tried to move quickly on, and said: ‘The problem at the moment, it’s about what we’re not getting right now.
‘We got a massive mandate to change, people wanted change in their lives, people wanted to see things done differently, and I’ve got to put my hands up for this as much as anybody, we haven’t done enough yet to convince them.
‘That it can deliver the changes they do want to see, I think they are particularly dismayed about the small boats crossing the channel and they also don’t feel the economic change.
Brexit fails to find backers at ‘soft power’ conference after Boris Johnson speech
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Boris was one of the only Brexiteers with his hand up (Picture: PA)
‘We’ve got to break out of the model that we’re in.’
He also raised concerns about Rishi Sunak’s new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland and said he will find it ‘very difficult’ to vote for it.
He said: ‘I’m going to find it very difficult to vote for something like this myself, because I believed we should’ve done something very different. No matter how much plaster came off the ceiling in Brussels.
‘I hope that it will work and I also hope that if it doesn’t work we will have the guts to employ that (Northern Ireland Protocol) Bill again, because I have no doubt at all that that is what brought the EU to negotiate seriously.’
Jet-setter Johnson has been travelling around the world for lucrative speaking gigs in recent weeks, and raised his head for the first time today.
In recent weeks the UK has been hit by a number of fruit and vegetable shortages, with some supermarkets limiting the amount customers can buy.
The former PM was left struggling to find hands up in the audience (Picture: REUTERS)
These shortages have been blamed on Brexit by some political commentators, with others saying it is due to bad weather in the areas where crops are grown.
When Boris took over Tory party leadership in 2019 he was the force behind a no-deal Brexit.
He insisted that the UK would leave the EU on October 31, with or without a deal.
Just five months after becoming leader Johnson won an 80-seat majority in the general election, giving him the backing to push through Brexit legislation.
And in January 2020, the Brexit deal became law after approval by U.K. Parliament, with the European Parliament approving the deal six days later.
Last week Johnson was accused of trying to ‘wreck’ the deal, as he warned dropping the Protocol Bill he masterminded – letting the UK scrap parts of the Brexit treaty – will be ‘a great mistake’.
Lord Mandelson, a former Labour Northern Ireland secretary, said: ‘He wants, and his supporters want, to undermine the PM.’
Labour’s Lord Hain, who also held the job, said Mr Johnson was ‘mischief-making’.
But cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt insisted: ‘Boris is being Boris, but I wouldn’t say it’s a completely unhelpful intervention.’
The families of the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack have said they will never forgive MI5 for its failings that lead to the murder of 22 people.
Earlier today it was heard that the secret services could have prevented the attack if it acted on key intelligence received months before, an inquiry found.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Caroline Curry, the mother of victim Liam Curry said: ‘From top to bottom – MI5 to the associates of the attacker. We will always believe that you played a part in the murder of our children.’
MI5 Director General Ken McCallum has also expressed his apologies after the result of the findings.
Caroline Curry, mother of Liam Curry said the families would ‘never forgive’ those who were responsible for the attack
Mr McCallum said he is ‘profoundly sorry that MI5 did not prevent the attack’ and added ‘I deeply regret that such intelligence was not obtained.’
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured hundreds more when he detonated his homemade device at an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.
But prior to the attack, two key pieces of information about Abedi were assessed by security services and were deemed unrelated to terrorism.
But inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders said having heard from MI5 witnesses at the hearings into the May 2017 atrocity – that killed 22 people and injured hundreds – he considered that did not present an ‘accurate picture’.
One officer admitted they considered a possible pressing national security concern on one of the pieces of intelligence but did not discuss it with colleagues straightaway and did not write up a report on the same day.
22 people were killed and hundreds more injured during the attack, which took place outside an Ariana Grande concert in the city centre (Picture: PA)
MI5 missed ‘significant’ opportunity to take action before Manchester Arena attack
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In his 207-page report, Sir John said: ‘The delay in providing the report led to the missing of an opportunity to take a potentially important investigative action.
‘Based on everything the Security Service knew or should have known, I am satisfied that such an investigative action would have been a proportionate and justified step to take. This should have happened.
‘Although I accept that Salman Abedi demonstrated some security consciousness and that this might have affected the efficacy of the investigative action that I have identified, there was the real possibility that it would have produced actionable intelligence.’
It could have led to Abedi, 22, being followed to the parked Nissan Micra where he stored the explosive and later moved it to a city centre rented flat to assemble, Sir John said.
The chair added that if MI5 had acted on the intelligence received then Abedi also could have been stopped at Manchester Airport on his return from Libya four days before the attack.
Salman Abedi could have been stopped before he detonated a bomb outside the Manchester Arena in 2017, an inquiry has found (Picture: PA)
Sir John said: ‘It is also possible that a stop may have had a deterrent effect or led to investigative steps. There is a possibility that he had the switch for the bomb on him at that time.
‘The chances of a port stop disrupting the attack may have been low, but I consider they cannot be discounted altogether.
‘In my view, Piece of Intelligence 2 gave rise to the real possibility of obtaining information that might have led to actions which prevented the attack.’
Neither ‘Piece of Intelligence 1’ or ‘Piece of Intelligence 2’ were shared with North West Counter Terrorism Police, the inquiry heard.
In March 2014, Abedi became a Subject of Interest (SOI) for MI5 over phone contact with another SOI but his case was closed four months later when he was deemed ‘low risk’.
He was also identified on six occasions as a direct or indirect contact of suspected extremists from December 2013 to April 2017.
During the inquiry, a number of MI5 witnesses – including a senior officer known as Witness J – and detectives from North West Counter Terrorism Police gave evidence behind closed doors.
The secret sessions – which included evidence about the two pieces of intelligence received months before the attack – were held so as not to compromise national security and the inner workings of MI5 and counter-terror police.
Salman Abedi was radicalised by his friends, family, and brother- several of whom have been jailed for terrorism (Picture: PA)
Sir John’s report on the circumstances surrounding the bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert also focused on the radicalisation of Manchester-born Abedi, of Libyan descent.
Abedi’s brother, Hashem Abedi, 25, was jailed for life after he was convicted of assisting the plot.
Sir John concluded: ‘The Abedi family holds significant responsibility for the radicalisation of Salman Abedi and Hashem Abedi.
‘That includes their father Ramadan Abedi, mother Samia Tabbal and elder brother Ismail Abedi, each of whom has held extremist views.’
He said their views ‘influenced the development’ of the brothers’ world views and it was ‘likely’ Salman and Hashem also ‘fed off each other’s ideas and radicalised each other’.
Convicted terrorist Abdalraouf Abdallah, a childhood friend of Abedi, also had an ‘important role’ in his radicalisation while another Manchester associate Raphael Hostey – an Islamic State member killed in a drone strike in Syria – was also ‘likely to have been an influence’.
Evidence into the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the atrocity was heard in the city between September 7 2020 and February 15 2022.
Thursday’s third and final report into the terror attack followed two earlier reports.
The first was issued in June 2021 and highlighted a string of ‘missed opportunities” to identify Abedi as a threat before he walked across the City Room foyer and detonated his shrapnel-laden device.
Sir John’s second report last November delivered scathing criticism into the emergency services response to the bombing.
He ruled that care worker John Atkinson, 28, would probably have survived but for the failures on the night, while there was a ‘remote possibility’ the youngest victim, eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, could have lived with different treatment and care.
Home Secretay Suella Braverman said: ‘Today is a difficult day. On 22 May 2017, an act of pure evil took the lives of 22 people at Manchester Arena. My thoughts are with their loved ones and all those who had their lives changed forever.
‘Over the past three years, the Manchester Arena Inquiry has carefully analysed critical evidence to ensure vital lessons are learned. I am grateful to Sir John Saunders and his team for their thorough and considered approach.
‘I am committed to working with MI5, policing and partners to study the recommendations. Together we will do everything possible to prevent a repeat of this horrifying attack.’
Security minister Tom Tugendhat added: ‘Today we remember the 22 people who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena attack. Our thoughts are with their families, and all those whose lives were changed forever as a result of this appalling act of terror.
‘The Government, our security services and emergency services are wholly committed to learning the lessons of this unspeakable tragedy. We will do everything in our power to continue strengthening our country’s defences, and to keep the British people safe.
‘I’m immensely grateful to all those who contributed their expertise, knowledge and experiences to the Inquiry, and to Sir John Saunders and his team for their thorough and meticulous work throughout the Inquiry.’
The Land Commission has promised not to shield any staff who is found to have been engaged in any act of illegality, assuring that any staff whose actions are deemed to be in contravention of the law will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for the law to take its course.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, March 1, the Lands Commission detailed how internal investigations it embarked on led to the uncovering of a GH¢100 million misappropriation by some staff members.
It disclosed that the investigations form part of efforts to ensure an effective land administration system and reduce corruption and other forms of illegalities.
It promised to collaborate with National Security and relevant institutions to ensure that the staff members are dealt with in accordance with the law.
“The Commission wishes to state emphatically that the investigations leading to the arrest and/or prosecution of some staff of the Commission, as well as the ongoing investigations, were at the instance of the Management of the Commission.
“This is part of the Commission’s broader efforts to protect the integrity of the Commission and protect the interest of clients who access the services of the Commission, and the country at large,” parts of the statement read.
“The Commission wants to assure the general public that it will not shield any staff of the Commission, and will continue to work with the national security apparatus to ensure that all persons found culpable in this matter are made to face the full rigors of the law.
“We wish to assure Ghanaians that the Commission, under the current administration, is committed to efficient and effective land administration that is anchored on the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and candor, in the public interest.
The Commission also confirmed during a press conference that it is in the process of setting up a robust system software for its dealings after some staff was busted for stealing GH¢100 million from their previous in-house made open system.
Deputy Executive Secretary, Jones Ofori-Boadu explained how rigorous the new system will be designed to deal with incidents of thievery, adding that they await approval from the Finance Ministry to commence the process of implementing the system.
“What we are going to do is to make sure that, that platform is a very robust platform that will sit on an enterprise proprietary software system. And that platform should be more robust than the one we developed in-house which was sitting on an open source. So that is the decision management has taken and I’m sure very soon…we are at the point of getting approval from the Ministry of finance. And once we get that the process will kick start.”
He further stated that the software has components that will aid the management to transfer manual data into a digital format.
“…It comes in different components and one of the components is dealing with the development of a system which is the software we will be using to move all the data from the manual to the digital environment.”
The Land Commission also confirmed that 10 of its employees have been interdicted out of the 16 people busted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
Background
National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) officials reportedly arrested 16 people involved in stealing about 500 draft cheques meant for the Land Commission of Ghana.
According to a news report by the Daily Guide newspaper, the 16 suspects were part of a 21-member syndicate involved in stealing cheques worth around GH¢100 million belonging to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The report indicated that the suspects were arrested between January 2023 and February 2023 after a petition was filed against them for crimes they committed from 2021 to 2023.
Popular actor, Kwaku Manu, has publicly appealed to his colleagues, Lil Win and Ras Nene, to put aside their differences for the growth of the movie industry.
Kwaku Manu, in a YouTube video that has gone viral, urged the two actors to reconcile and work together for the betterment of the Ghanaian movie industry.
He emphasized the need for unity and warned that unnecessary tension between actors could have dire consequences.
In the video, Kwaku Manu spoke directly to Lil Win and implored him to make up with Ras Nene. He also criticized Lil Win for some disparaging comments he made about YouTube skit actors like Dr Likee.
Lil Win had earlier stated that the star power of YouTube skit actors could never match that of traditional Kumawood stars.
The statement caused controversy and bred ‘beef’ between the two stars.
Kwaku Manu argued that such comments only create division and animosity in the industry, which could ultimately harm everyone involved.
He also praised Ras Nene for his talent and the positive impact he has had on the industry, saying that he deserved respect and recognition for his hard work.
However, Ras Nene has said countless times that he has no problem with Lil Win.
On Wednesday, the 36-year-old received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cemented in front of Funko Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd.
The Creed III director and star was honoured with loving speeches from frequent and recent collaborators Ryan Coogler and Jonathan Majors, who showered Jordan with praise as they reflected on his journey throughout the years.
ET’s Nischelle Turner spoke with the star at his ceremony, where he admitted that he was overwhelmed by the moment.
“My emotions are actually all over the place, I’m seeing so many people that I want to kind of get to and hug and connect with and show my appreciation,” Jordan said, beaming. “I want to give the love right back, you know? But then I’m also just taking a moment to just to be like, ‘Damn. OK, wow, that happened. I’m here!’”
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
“I didn’t think it would hit me this much, but as it all started to come together and we start to see it and reality starts to set in, the importance [and] the weight of the moment… you really realize it,” he added, saying that he couldn’t imagine anything that would top the moment. Although he noted that only his upcoming box office opening “comes somewhere in the ballpark.”
Looking back on his career, Jordan shared that if he could talk to his younger self who was just starting out, he’d advise him to “stay optimistic, stay faithful, stay true to yourself [and] always keep a full, kind heart. The universe will make your wildest dreams come true.”
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
During Wednesday’s ceremony, director Ryan Coogler recalled his first meeting with Jordan for 2013’s Fruitvale Station, Coogler shared that Jordan had been his first pick for the leading role of Oscar Grant, without having met him in person yet.
“I had just seen him work in film and television around that time but I didn’t know what type of person he was. I wanted to make sure we had good chemistry [and] we would be able to work together, to relate over the few months of shooting,” Coogler told the audience.
“We met at a Starbucks not too far from Universal Studios… We sat down right there in the lobby and we talked about our families, about our hopes, our dreams, why he got into the business… and I remember thinking, ‘Man, I hope this dude wants to do this movie because it feels like he’s going places, man,’” he continued.
“I realized that he hadn’t been a lead on a television show or in a movie yet and I said, ‘Man, we got to change that.’ But I had no idea how much we would have a chance to change that.”
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Coogler described Jordan as having a “worker’s approach,” describing how the Black Panther actor gets “straight to” whatever he’s handed, whether it be emotional or physical. This was especially tested for the first Creed film, in which Coogler laughingly admitted he was “so happy” they didn’t “kill him” with all the physical work.
“And then it came time for Black Panther [and we] got to work with our incredible brother, Chadwick [Boseman], who I feel is smiling on us right now,” Coogler added of the late Marvel star who died at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
“Getting to watch them battle every day, I knew I was looking at something special. I felt like I was looking at, like, Denzel [Washington] and Will [Smith] or Wesley [Snipes] in their prime and in the same movie in a way that we never got to see them. I felt like the luckiest director on the planet every day on that set.”
Finishing his speech, Coogler said “it’s been a ride of a lifetime” working beside Jordan and “watching him blossom into the phenomenal global icon that he is.
“Knowing that our relationship may be a blueprint for more relationships for the next part that’s coming up — it’s exhilarating [and] it’s humbling,” he added. “I’m thankful for your family, bro. They’ve become our family. I’m thankful for your dreams, they’ve become our dreams as well… I’m proud of you, man.”
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Majors likened Jordan’s road to success to that of the hero Hercules, saying, “Michael, to me, represents a mythical character. I don’t think it’s an act of luck or an act of chance that so many people see him as Adonis [and] that he was cast as Adonis. He has taken this story and pushed it forward… I don’t think that’s a coincidence.”
“In my time with Mike — I like to say I’m new to the party — I’ve seen him fight in many rounds in many things,” Majors continued. “Sometimes it’s his body giving out in the day of shooting and him looking at me in the eye and saying, ‘Let’s go, let’s continue.’ When it’s hot, we’re tired, his empathetic agility is being pushed to its Nth degree. He’s gotta deal with my crazy a**, everybody pulling on him, and I’m giving him hell in [the ring], but he’s dealing with it with a mythic effort, with a god-like integrity.”
Recalling his time on set, Majors said, “I watched my brother deal with many things… I watched him stand up straight and smile and be grateful and keep his heart open when folks are coming when the haters coming — and the haters come, bro — I watched him move with integrity each and every round… I watched this man, this movie star, drive to the hood and sit in a Motel 6 with me at 4 o’clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday and we don’t know each other. That’s a champion heart.”
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
“It breaks my heart with so much joy and satisfaction to call you my friend, brother,” the Magazine Dreams star finished. “I see that look in your eyes, we’ve all witnessed it, that’s what this moment is. Today, brother, you go from man to god. You sit among Olympians. I honour you, I love you and we are all so proud to call you our son, our brother, but chiefly, I am extremely honoured to call you my friend. No man on the planet I know deserves it more. I love you to the moon and back.”
The star was honoured with his star days before the March 3 release of Creed III, in which he pulled double duty as director and star for the highly anticipated third instalment of the Rocky spinoff franchise. According to critics, he excelled on both counts.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
The film picks up four years after the events of Creed II, finding Adonis (Jordan) and his wife, Bianca (Tessa Thompson), comfortably successful in their life as they happily raise their daughter, Amara (Mila Davis-Kent) — who was born in the previous instalment — in Los Angeles.
Amid this bliss, things take a turn after Adonis is surprised by the arrival of an old friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Majors).
“It feels good, it feels like people are getting the work, you know? They understand what we’re trying to say, what we are doing and it feels good to be understood a little bit,” the star previously told ET. “Especially when it doesn’t always happen this way, not even in the third instalment. I just didn’t have expectations of the love for what it was, but we use that as fuel and we just try to be truthful and tell the best story we could.”
“[The directing] interest sparks back [to] Fruitville Station when I first kind of saw a guy, up close and personal, that looked like me, directing, commanding the set,” Jordan shares, adding that although Coogler — who directed the first Creed and remained as executive producer for both sequels — was filming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever while he was filming Creed III, the veteran director readily made himself available for any “911 phone calls.”
Still, Jordan says Coogler wanted to allow him the space to “let me do my thing” and make his mark on the franchise that has become so personal to him.
With such a successful experience under his belt, it’s no surprise that Jordan is ready to tackle the next project. The actor asserts that, despite the pressure of both starring in and helming a film, he would do it again with no question.
“I was so comfortable with the story, the character [and] world… I had my handle on the character, you know, that was the only guy that I played three times before, and over the course of, like, eight or nine years,” he explains. “That was a big chunk of my career and the changes and the growth that I was going through. So, to be able to deliver those lines and maybe work out some of my s**t and his s**t at the same time, that’s what actors go for.”
Simi, one of Nigeria’s most beloved musicians, recently took to social media to express her disappointment in some individuals who had supported certain political parties during the 2023 polls.
Simi, whose real name is Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, stated that the election had opened her eyes to the true nature of some people.
While acknowledging that it was acceptable for people to support any political party of their choice, Simi said she was taken aback by the way some individuals could overlook the evil in others and still support them.
She called out those who continue to support corrupt politicians, stating that their actions are not brave, courageous or strong, but rather ignorant and proud.
In her post, Simi wrote, “The 2023 polls have made me see some people for who they really are. You’re not courageous, or brave, or strong in the face of adversity. You’re ignorant. And proud. You can see evil in the open and still support it. Shame on you!”
The singer’s post quickly went viral on social media, with many people expressing their support for her message.
Some individuals even went as far as to say that Simi’s words were a wake-up call for Nigerians to be more discerning in their political choices.
Simi has always been vocal about her beliefs and her desire for a better Nigeria.
Ghanaian comedian and actor, Clemento Suarez, has said many entertainers in the comedy industry appear to be friendly with each other but are secretly envious of one another.
In an interview with myjoyonline.com, he acknowledged that while there may be some underlying tensions, as long as they are getting their work done, he is not too concerned about it.
“On the facial, it looks good, but I don’t really care. If that’s what will put the industry forward, we should just do that. If we’re fighting inside but we don’t bring it out, it’s good,” he said.
Suarez also addressed the use of personal life situations for skits, stating that it is legal as long as it is just for entertainment and does not harm anyone.
He emphasized the importance of being clever and sensitive when using people’s life stories for comedy, so as to avoid any controversies.
He also compared the older generation’s storytelling style of humour to the contemporary situational style.
He noted that today’s comedy is more focused on quick happenings and situations than long-form storytelling.
“At that time, they created jokes like they were telling stories, but now ours is more situational stuff. We use what is happening to create the jokes,” he added.
When asked about the potential profitability of the comedy industry, Suarez stated that success depends on an individual’s creativity, innovation, and branding.
While he acknowledged that the sector can be lucrative, he said that it is up to the individual to make the most of it.
Nollywood actor, Alexx Ekubbo, is considering relocation following the outcome of the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections which was held on Saturday, February 25.
According to the thespian who took to social media to make this statement, the outcome of the election wasn’t what he envisaged.
He wrote: “Abi na to relocate from Nigeria? Because this election did not election the way election should election.”
Many Nigerians and social media users shared their views and opinions about the actor’s intentions, with some advising him not to relocate since there is nowhere like home.
Others, however, urged him to relocate from Nigeria.
Read the comments below:
ordeenakah: “I’m looking for japa partner. Abeg who wan marry?? (males only)”
jolly_shorpy: “Even if relocation would cost 1,000naira,some people won’t consider it.Even with the situation of the country ,some people are making millions”
rukky_poshh: “Tinumbu is just a NO”
cinzbagit__: “We have Luggages for those planning on JAPA”
austine_aa: “Everyone is saying relocation. Do you know how much to japa? Not everyone have that money”
stackchyna__: “Maybe if some people relocate the money go they reach us small small if we re no more plenty in Nigeria”
Hailey Bieber has opted not to comment on the TikTok drama where users have suggested she and Kylie Jenner were “mean girl” bullies to Selena Gomez. (Jenner and Gomez shut down speculation in one instance that any bullying was happening, and Gomez called on fans to refrain from posting mean comments on her and Hailey’s social media pages.)
Instead, the model, who was photographed on vacation in Cabo this week, maintained a business as usual approach on her social platforms. Today, she shared a birthday tribute to her husband and Gomez’s ex Justin Bieber. It comes the same day as Justin cancelled the rest of his Justice tour dates.
Hailey kept her message short, sweet, and to the point, avoiding reference to any controversy. “29 never looked so good ☺️” Hailey wrote to Justin. “Happy Birthday to you best friend! Words couldn’t possibly sum up all that you embody. So here’s to more joy, more travel, yummy food, adventures, more peace, fun, and most of all more love. ✨🥳” Hailey shared a carousel of new photos of them together, giving her followers a little look into their four-year marriage. A childhood photo of Justin finished the gallery.
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Hailey’s post comes days after Vogue Australia released a cover story on her where Justin interviewed her. At one point, he asked her, “What is your favorite thing about being married?”
“Mmm … My favorite thing about being married is honestly the companionship I feel we have,” Hailey answered. “Genuinely, you are my best friend in the entire world. There’s nobody I would rather spend more time with or do anything with.”
Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, the founder and leader of Global Outreach, has counseled that those who wish to succeed in life should have spiritual dads on their side.
He asserts that having a spiritual father to act as a mentor and advisor will aid in reshaping one’s life so as to realize one’s aspirations.
The International Preacher underlined in a Kingdom FM interview that MyNewsGH.com was listening to that people should remember that whatever they intend to do in life, others have previously done it; as a result, there is a need to seek the advice of such people.
“You need the fathers to instruct, to direct and to help us. Remember, whatever we are doing today, somebody has done it before, and you cannot be a father until you have been fathered. “You cannot be a teacher until you have been taught, and you cannot be a leader until you have been led,” Dr. Lawrence Tetteh told Fiifi Pratt on Kingdom FM on the show “Afro Joint”. “Most often than not, we want to be leaders when nobody is leading us,” he stressed. Meanwhile, the prolific man of God noted that as big as he has become in life, he still has people he refers to as spiritual fathers to whom he submits. “As I sit here today, I have fathers, and some of them, I choose to go and submit to them. We all need somebody we can speak to,” he said.
Joshua Alabi, a former candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer position, has praised John Dramani Mahama as a knowledgeable and innovative nation-builder.
On Thursday, March 2, he made this declaration while addressing at John Mahama’s campaign launch in Ho for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential primaries ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Joshua Alabi claims to have known Mahama for the past 50 years and has long appreciated him for his kindness, knowledge, wisdom, modesty, and honesty.
He revealed that Mahama was loved by many and he equally showed love to as many as he should show love to.
“No wonder this wise man, calm, modest, and firm gentleman rose up to serve this country in different capacities.”
“From Member of Parliament to Deputy Minister to Cabinet Minister, Vice President, and President, his performance as President gave him the accolade of a nation-builder.”
“Former President Mahama is a proven nation-builder whose creativity is not based on rhetoric as others’ but on a sense of urgency and commitment.
“He is a competent builder with a strong sense of urgency and direction.” “He knows how to recreate a workable Ghana that brings value to the people,” Alabi added.
A leaked cache of more than 100,000 WhatsApp messages apparently reveals that Matt Hancock refused advice to screen all patients entering English nursing homes for coronavirus at the beginning of the outbreak.
The former health secretary was informed there should be testing for “everyone moving into care homes,” according to a Daily Telegraph inquiry into the chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty.
However, it appears from the released communications that he ignored the advice, telling an assistant that it would only “muddie the waters,” and instituted required testing for patients coming from hospitals.
Mr Hancock also expressed concerns that expanding care home testing could ‘get in the way’ of the target of 100,000 daily coronavirus tests he was desperate to hit, the investigation said.
The MP vehemently denies the ‘distorted account’, with a spokesman alleging the messages leaked by journalist Isabel Oakeshott after she worked on his Pandemic Diaries memoir have been ‘spun to fit an anti-lockdown agenda’.
He said the claims against the former health secretary are ‘flat wrong’, and insisted Mr Hancock was told during a crunch meeting it was ‘not currently possible’ to carry out the tests at the time due to capacity issues.
Conservative peer Lord Bethell, who was at the health department with Mr Hancock during the pandemic, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that ‘we wanted to test everyone who went into social care’.
But he said Mr Hancock ‘changed his view because there was an operational meeting to talk about how you were actually going to test people and how many actual tests we had’.
Mr Hancock was said to be ‘considering all options’
He added: ‘The reality was there was a very, very limited number of those tests…
‘The thing that held us back was not a dispute about the clinical advice. It was simply the operational ability to deliver tests.’
In a statement, a spokesman for the former health secretary said: ‘These stolen messages have been doctored to create a false story that Matt rejected clinical advice on care home testing. This is flat wrong.
‘On April 14 Matt received a response to his request for advice from the Chief Medical Officer’s (sic) that testing was needed for people going into care homes, which he enthusiastically accepted.
‘Later that day he convened an operational meeting on delivering testing for care homes where he was advised it was not currently possible to test everyone entering care homes, which he also accepted.
‘Matt concluded that the testing of people leaving hospital for care homes should be prioritised because of the higher risks of transmission, as it wasn’t no possible to mandate everyone going into care homes got tested.’
The spokesman said in an earlier statement: ‘Having not been approached in advance by the Telegraph, we have reviewed the messages overnight.
Mr Hancock flanked by Sir Chris and NHS England Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis
‘The Telegraph intentionally excluded reference to a meeting with the testing team from the WhatsApp.
‘This is critical, because Matt was supportive of Chris Whitty’s advice, held a meeting on its deliverability, told it wasn’t deliverable, and insisted on testing all those who came from hospitals.
‘The Telegraph have been informed that their headline is wrong, and Matt is considering all options available to him.
‘This major error by Isabel Oakeshott and the Telegraph shows why the proper place for analysis like this is the Inquiry, not a partial, agenda-driven leak of confidential documents.’
The ‘lockdown files’ investigation also contains:
– Claims that officials couriered Jacob Rees-Mogg a Covid test for one of his children while there was a shortage.
– Mr Hancock telling former chancellor George Osborne, then editor of the Evening Standard, ‘I WANT TO HIT MY TARGET!’ as he pushed for favourable front-page coverage.
Ms Oakeshott, who has described lockdowns as an ‘unmitigated disaster’, said she was releasing the messages because it would take ‘many years’ before the end of the official Covid inquiry, which she claimed could be a ‘colossal whitewash’.
‘That’s why I’ve decided to release this sensational cache of private communications – because we absolutely cannot wait any longer for answers,’ she said.
In one message, Mr Hancock said Sir Chris had finished a review and recommended ‘testing of all going into care homes, and segregation whilst awaiting result’.
Mr Hancock described it as ‘obviously a good positive step’.
However, the investigation said he later responded to an aide: ‘Tell me if I’m wrong but I would rather leave it out and just commit to test & isolate ALL going into care from hospital. I do not think the community commitment adds anything and it muddies the waters.’
The spokesman for Mr Hancock said ‘the Telegraph story is wrong’, arguing that ‘instead of spinning and leaks we need the full, comprehensive inquiry’.
‘It is outrageous that this distorted account of the pandemic is being pushed with partial leaks, spun to fit an anti-lockdown agenda, which would have cost hundreds of thousands of lives if followed. What the messages do show is a lot of people working hard to save lives,’ the spokesman said.
‘Those who argue there shouldn’t have been a lockdown ignore the fact that half-a-million people would have died had we not locked down.
‘And for those saying we should never lock down again, imagine if a disease killed half those infected, and half the population were going to get infected – as is happening right now with avian flu in birds. If that disease were in humans, of course we’d want to lockdown.’
Mr Hancock’s spokesman said the ‘story spun on care homes is completely wrong’ (Picture: AFP via Getty)
He continued: ‘The story spun on care homes is completely wrong. What the messages show is that Mr Hancock pushed for testing of those going into care homes when that testing was available.
‘The full documents have already all been made available to the inquiry, which is the proper place for an objective assessment, so true lessons can be learned.’
In September 2020, during a severe backlog in testing, messages suggest an adviser to Mr Hancock helped get a test sent to senior Conservative Mr Rees-Mogg’s home.
The aide messaged Mr Hancock to say the lab had ‘lost’ the original test for one of the then Commons leader’s children, ‘so we’ve got a courier going to their family home tonight’.
He added: ‘Jacob’s spad (special adviser) is aware and has helped line it all up, but you might want to text Jacob.’
The investigation says Mr Rees-Mogg was due to appear in the Commons on September 10 and brief MPs on the following week’s agenda but was self-isolating while waiting for his child’s result.
It adds that he was reportedly back at work four days later after it came back negative.
Commenting on the claim, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: ‘This is yet more evidence that it’s one rule for Conservative ministers and another for everyone else.
‘The Covid inquiry must look into reports Conservative ministers were able to get priority access to tests at a time of national shortage.’
As he battled to meet his own target of 100,000 coronavirus tests per day, the investigation shows Mr Hancock texted his former boss Mr Osborne to ‘call in a favour’.
Mr Hancock said he has thousands of spare testing slots which is ‘obvs good news about spread of virus’ but ‘hard for my target’ as he asked for front page coverage.
Mr Osborne responded: ‘Yes – of course – all you need to do tomorrow is give some exclusive words to the Standard and I’ll tell the team to splash it.’
The then health secretary later added: ‘I WANT TO HIT MY TARGET!’
Gospel musician, Carl Clottey has spoken highly of colleague Joe Mettle after the latter went against all odds to feature on his latest song titled ‘Moko bɛ’.
Joe Mettle, as claimed by Clottey, demonstrated love on the day of the recording of the song by showing up in the studio for the project despite his numerous engagements.
“I sent him the song a few days before the recording, and because it was on late notice, he couldn’t really make time to work on it… He still showed love by coming for the live recording…” said Clottey in an interview with GhanaWeb.
“He was from a program when came and was tired but selflessly sacrificed to sing through his tiredness… We hadn’t rehearsed but everything worked out spontaneously by the leading of the Holy Spirit… I’d forever be grateful to Minister Joe Mettle for the privilege to be on a song with him… All glory to God,” Clottey added.
On why he featured Joe Mettle on the song which has just been released, the singer said Mettle is “a mentor and a father figure to me musically; he is a leading force in the gospel music industry.”
“His style and influence matched the nature of the song. Featuring him was well thought through but yet a no-brainer.”
Clottey is of the conviction that the song will be accepted by many, stressing that he prays “it becomes a global sound of worship, thus, the contemporary style adopted in the production.”
A pedestrian who violently waved at a bicycle, leading her to fall into the path of an approaching car, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison.
In Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, Auriol Grey, 49, was seen on surveillance footage yelling at retired nurse Celia Ward, 77, to “get off the f**king pavement” as she approached.
Seconds later she lost her balance and fell into the road where she was struck by a VW Passat that was unable to stop.
Later that day, on October 20, 2020, the authorities at the scene pronounced her dead.
Grey, who has cerebral palsy, denied manslaughter but was found guilty following an earlier retrial at Peterborough Crown Court.
Judge Sean Enright, sentencing Grey to three years in prison, said ‘these actions are not explained by disability’.
The court heard Grey gestured in a hostile and aggressive way as the two headed in opposite directions on a ‘shared path on the ring road’.
Auriol Grey arriving at Peterborough Crown Court, Cambridgeshire, for sentencing (Picture: PA)Grey was jailed for three years (Picture: PA)
Mrs Ward’s widower, retired RAF pilot David Ward, said in a statement read to the court by prosecutor Simon Spence KC that the ‘clip of Celia’s last moments will haunt me forever’.
‘Rarely a day goes by without thinking of her and our happy life together but I can so easily burst into tears, as I have on so many occasions,’ he said.
He said they met in 1965 and in their retirement enjoyed playing golf and seeing the world on cruise holidays.
‘I miss her terribly and after a year-and-a-half on my own felt the need to sell our house of 34 years and relocated to a retirement village near Romsey (in Hampshire),’ Mr Ward added.
He said that he did this to be closer to family, including their daughter Gillian Hayter.
Ms Hayter told of her mother’s ‘senseless and needless death lying in the road without those who loved her’.
The driver of the car which collided with Mrs Ward, Carla Money, who was with her two-year-old daughter at the time, said that her life was ‘turned upside down’ by what happened.
Auriol Grey, 49, gestured in a ‘hostile and aggressive way’ towards 77-year-old retired midwife Celia Ward (Picture: SWNS)
Miranda Moore KC, mitigating for Grey, said: ‘What happened took but a moment that has impacted on many.’
She said that Grey’s ‘present opinion is where the pavements are narrow the cyclists… should cycle on the road’.
‘There was no intention to cause harm or an obvious risk of harm,’ she said.
She said witnesses had said that Grey ‘seemed childlike’, and that she lived in adapted special accommodation.
In her police interview, Grey told officers she was partially sighted and described the bicycle as travelling fast in the centre of the pavement.
After the judge passed his sentence on Thursday, Ms Moore indicated that an appeal would be submitted against this and a request for bail would be made.
Detective Sergeant Mark Dollard, who investigated, said: ‘This is a difficult and tragic case.
‘Everyone will have their own views of cyclists on pavements and cycleways, but what is clear is Grey’s response to the presence of Celia on a pedal cycle was totally disproportionate and ultimately found to be unlawful, resulting in Celia’s untimely and needless death.
‘I am pleased with the verdict and hope it is a stark reminder to all road users to take care and be considerate to each other.’
Celia Ward, pictured with her husband David, died at the scene (Picture: Cambridgeshire Police/SWNS)
In a statement released through police after sentencing, Mr Ward said: ‘After 53 years of happy marriage, Celia was taken from me in a most horrific way, leaving me with my memories.
‘She was kind, calm, careful, cheerful and competent in all that she did.
‘Her death has caused me great suffering. We relied on each other, shared the same sense of humour and outlook on life, and enjoyed each other’s company.
‘I miss her terribly.’
Her daughter Gillian added in a statement released through police: ‘Celia Ward was my mum, mother-in-law to my husband and much-loved grandmother to my son, but most importantly, the love of my father’s life.
‘Her untimely death has turned our world on its head and there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t wish I could pick up the phone to ask her advice, celebrate the special events in our lives or just tell her how much I love her.
‘It’s easy to say how wonderful my mum was… she was passionate about her family and always there to help and support us.
‘She was of a generation that made and mended, kept a spotless house and always put others first.
‘Her death has marred what should have been some of the most enjoyable times for us as a family.
‘We can never forget the past two-and-a-half years, but it’s now time to start remembering the wonderful memories and times we had with mum, and hopefully find some peace.
