DCI John Caldwell, who is widely known in the area for directing investigations into high-profile sectarian murders, paramilitary groups, and organised criminal gangs, is currently struggling for his life following the attack in Omagh, County Tyrone.
On Wednesday night, as the senior officer was wrapping up his time as a juvenile football coach, two masked assailants came up behind him and started shooting.
Colleagues say he was shot in front of his young son as he loaded footballs into the boot of his car and that he tried to flee before collapsing.
The high-profile detective is currently fighting for his life in hospital
Police say the main focus of their investigation is the republican group New IRA and that the gunmen may have fled across the border.
The gunmen opened fire in a ‘crowded space where there [were] children and parents in the vicinity’, assistant chief constable Mark McEwan said.
Witnesses saw ‘many of those young people and children running in sheer terror to get to safety’, he added, branding the attackers ‘absolutely callous’ for risking so many innocent lives.
Crime scene after police officer shot at sports complex in Co Tyrone
A police cordon near a property on Racolpa Road, in Drumnakilly, where a vehicle was burnt out overnight (Picture: PA)
Mr McEwan added: ‘At least two other vehicles have been struck, and again this highlights the callous and reckless nature of this attack.’
The gunmen are believed to have fled in a small dark car which was later found burned on the outskirts of Omagh.
The attack was quickly condemned by politicians on all sides of Stormont’s divides.
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill said: ‘My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family. I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer.’
A forensic investigator inspects the ground at the sports complex (Picture: PA)
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: ‘Our heart goes out to the family of this courageous police officer and to his colleagues.
‘We condemn outright the cowards responsible for this. These terrorists have nothing to offer and they must be brought to justice. We stand with the PSNI.’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added: ‘I am appalled by the disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh tonight.
‘My thoughts are with the officer and his family. There is no place in our society for those who seek to harm public servants protecting communities.’
Award-winning Kumawood actress Vivian Jill Lawrence has shared some lovely photos to celebrate her son’s birthday.
Vivian Jill Lawrence’s son, King Alfie, looks good in a white outfit
The young style influencer looked classy in a white ensemble to mark his birthday. He wore a white shirt, white trousers, and a stylish unbuttoned shirt.
King Alfie rocked his gold wristwatch and beaded bracelet while posing for the photos.
There is a striking resemblance between the screen diva and her son, are seen in the video below. King Alfie wore a black tee shirt, jeans and black and white sneakers.
He wore black sunglass for his indoor birthday photoshoot supervised by his mother.
Vivian Jill Lawrence’s son, King Alfie, shows off his white Nike sneakers
The wealthy heir of the famous Ghanaian actress has a collection of sneakers to match every look. King Alfie looked classy in a black tracksuit and his gold necklace styled with white Nike sneakers.
Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who plays for Dutch football club Ajax Amsterdam, has made many Ghanaians happy by promoting local music on social media.
In a recent TikTok video shared by Ajax Amsterdam’s official TikTok account, Kudus was seen listening to Ghanaian artiste Stonebwoy’s recent release, More Of You, on Spotify.
In the video, a man approached Kudus and asked what he was listening to, to which he proudly showed off the Stonebwoy tune. The video has since gone viral, with fans of both Kudus and Stonebwoy expressing their admiration for the young footballer’s taste in music.
For many Ghanaians, Kudus’ promotion of Ghanaian music and culture was a refreshing change of pace from the usual content shared by footballers on social media. They found his love for Ghanaian culture and music inspiring and hailed him for showing the world that Ghana had quality music.
Ghanaians Praise Kudus For Promoting Stonebwoy
shadrackarchimede1 commented:
you doing great by promoting Stonebwoy and Ghanaian music on the map
Blaytima said:
Bhimnation to the church world
kofidavid608
The motherland is proud of you.
nanaboa38 wrote:
Bhim international fans is proud of you..
Black Angel reacted:
Kudus dey feel Stonebwoy waaa
Yakubu Somed (Super Trapper) wrote:
Kudus and StoneBwoy is like 5 and 6 lol
jerrubaalofficial said:
kudus thanks for the dedicating your goal to late atsu
Engineer and inventor, Professor Fred McBagonluri has advocated for increased investment in Ghana’s technology space to propel development and create jobs.
According to him,this investment in the sector will ensure Ghana can take advantage of emerging trends to create jobs, especially for the youth.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb Business on the sidelines of the Tech Job Fair in Accra, Prof. McBagonluri who is also president of the Academic City University College said technology can be leveraged to propel the country’s National Development Plan.
“We need to take advantage of the technological advances; people can actually be in Ghana and work for companies abroad and so I believe we need to have some entrepreneurial funding to support young adults who have great ideas waiting to launch”.
“…As a nation, we also need to figure out how technology can become an integral part of our National Development Plan. For instance, key sectors of the economy such as agriculture, and technology can be used to develop drones, insecticides and other equipment to assist in farming practices.”
Prof. McBagonluri further called for action on the National ICT policy to harness a path for government and the private sector to leverage technology and ensure that young people gain access to technology to become ready for the job market.
Hanna Schlingmann, Project Manager at AFOS Foundation has also called for increased education and training with regard to emerging technologies and trends, especially among the youth.
She believes that technology, when leveraged, can help students to become creative in their respective fields of work or educational journey.
Executive Director at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana, David Gowu, on his part wants Ghana to fully implement a remote working policy.
According to him, young people must be encouraged to take up short-term consulting jobs to boost their experience and earn money in the technology field.
Technology can be adopted to propel National Development Plan – Prof. McBagonluri
“I was strolling through a Waitrose when I saw some toy cars, so I thought, I could do something with this,” the filmmaker and producer, who is from Richmond, London, said.
To create his first film, Paul built a custom camera rig and used an iPhone to record the scenes.
He enlisted the help of four friends and spent up to six hours a day working on the project.
The process proved gruelling and only produced about between five and 10 seconds of footage for a day’s work.
But six months and more than 1,000 hours of work later, ‘Nitro Warriors’ was born.
Latest London news
Paul Greer working behind the scenes (Picture: Paul Greer/SWNS)To create his first film, Paul built a custom camera rig and used an iPhone to record the scenes (Picture: Paul Greer/SWNS)He enlisted the help of four friends (Picture: Paul Greer/SWNS)Paul spent up to six hours a day working on the project (Picture: Paul Greer/SWNS)The film proved a huge hit (Picture: Paul Greer/SWNS)
The film proved a huge success.
Paul was contacted by the French video-sharing technology platform DailyMotion to create a sequel.
Soon after, Hot Wheels also reached out to him and asked him to create an advert for their toys.
Paul has now created more than 10 films and founded a stop motion studio called Vanguard Pictures.
He said: ‘I take breaks from my regular career to work on this and work solely on this.
‘It’s so all-encompassing that you need to dedicate yourself to it completely.
‘I still don’t know why I did it. It’s something that I’ve fallen into. It was mostly to have a little fun and see it how it would work out.
Paul Greer working behind the scenes (Picture: Paul Greer/SWNS)
‘The most overwhelming thing was when Hot-Wheels came and said, “We have a lot of money, and we want you to promote out entire line of toys”.
‘I had to create and design the sets and convince all the bigwigs at Mattel.
‘I’m the most prominent person in this field now. There are others in stop motion, but I’m the most prominent person in this niche.
‘For me, the biggest reward is that there are people out there enjoying what I make.’
A policy analyst, Dr Steve Manteaw is advising government to avoid political interferences as a form of engendering operational efficiency in the operation of the Tema Oil refinery (TOR).
According to him, managers of the institution should not be politically appointed.
“Introduce operational efficiency and that is to say prevent political interferences in the affairs of the Tema Oil refinery. The managers should not be politically appointed. Let’s find a way of reducing government interference in the operation of the Tema Oil refinery,” he said on Thursday, February 23.
The analyst, while speaking on JoyNews‘ AM Show also lamented the need for government to focus on fixing the Tema Oil refinery in the wake of the hikes in oil prices.
He has expressed worry about the country’s mode of operation in the oil market. According to him, it is disturbing that the country has to transport its own oil for refinery purposes in foreign countries and later has to search for money to go buy the finished product.
He has therefore recommended that the government, if serious about solving current oil issues, should focus on fixing the Tema Oil refinery by increasing its capacity.
He explained that while the indigenous oil refinery has the capacity to produce an average of about 45,000 barrels per day, competitive oil refineries are producing about 100,000 barrels per day.
He said the current capacity of the Tema Oil refinery does not allow it to “enjoy the economics of scale.”
Dr. Manteaw explained that the country needs to start processing its own oil in that the side benefit is the creation of employment opportunities for Ghanaians which also translate into retaining all the profits.
According to him, additional benefits of a refinery country are the production of petrol, kerosene, diesel, heavy fuel and subsequently, bitumen which would be used in road construction.
The expert was assessing the government’s Gold-for-Oil policy which seeks to strike a deal with some foreign countries with sufficient oil.
Meanwhile, some experts have explained that the country does not need the deal, explaining that the government could produce sufficient oil should it focus on developing and sustaining the oil refinery in the country and subsequently curb the high cost of oil.
Others also believe that the deal could spike up corruption in that there was no budgetary allocation made to it in the 2023 budget reading in parliament.
Popular Kumawood actor, Don Little, in a hilarious video, was stopped by some friendly police officers while driving on the streets. The diminutive actor was caught on camera cracking jokes with the officers, leaving many in stitches.
In the video, which has since gone viral on social media, Don Little could be seen driving his Toyota Corolla with pillows on the seat in order to reach the steering wheel. The police officers, who seemed amazed by his determination to drive despite his small stature, pulled him over just to have a chat with him.
As the officers approached his vehicle, Don Little greeted them with an infectious smile and engaged them in a lighthearted conversation. They cracked jokes and shared laughs, leaving onlookers in awe of the good-natured banter.
However, some viewers of the video expressed concern about the legality of Don Little driving with the aid of pillows. They questioned whether it was safe and lawful for him to be on the road in such a condition.
Other social media users who watched the video also expressed their delight at the lightheartedness of the encounter between Don Little and the police officers.
Don Little’s Encounter With The Police Sparks Reactions
Nana Afoakwa commented:
It nice to see him driving but I think it not advisable because controlling of the stere can be hard sometimes
Charles Walker Agyei wrote:
Na s3 steering wheel nu twi nafu so oooo. Eiiii
kaakyire42 commented:
how can you people stop your ancestor as he’s driving
The courtesy call formed part of the Director-General’s three-day working visit to Ghana as part of efforts to enhance bilateral partnership between the country and ILO.
During the Meeting, Mr Acheampong said he interpreted the Director-General’s visit as a token of their strong partnership with the ILO, which has been helping the GEA to contribute to the progress of the decent work agenda.
He said based on this partnership, the GEA had received critical support from the ILO, and this had augmented the efforts of the Association to implement critical evidence-based research, advocacy, and capacity building activities for employers in Ghana.
He cited that through the Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP), the ILO had supported GEA over the past years to execute projects earmarked at the elimination of child labour and HIV/AIDS, promotion of collective bargaining and settlement of industrial disputes, maternity protection, skills development, and advocacy for policy reforms at the central and local government levels. “These activities have helped greatly to enhance the visibility and resilience of our Association,” Mr Acheampong said.
He reiterated that the collaboration had also supported the GEA to build a more cordial and stable relationship with organised labour and government. He said the GEA was a key player in the Ghanaian Social Dialogue Space; stating that, “we firmly believe that social dialogue is the panacea to sustainable industrial harmony, business expansion, investment attraction, productivity growth and decent job creation”.
Going forward into 2023, Mr Acheampong said the Association was seeking the support of the ILO to undertake important actions such as the Promotion of Sustainable Enterprises, the Elimination of Violence and Harassment at the workplace and support for informal enterprises to leverage on the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Mr Huongbo called for enhanced social dialogue to find the right balances in solving the current economic crisis in Ghana.
He said that addressing the economic challenge would go a long way to protect employers from the spillovers of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic challenges including inflationary pressures within the supply chain.
Mr Alex Frimpong, the Chief Executive Officer of the GEA said the visit of ILO Director-General to the country and the GEA, demonstrated the significance of the partnership between Ghana and the ILO.
Incumbent MP for the Okaikwei North Constituency has received support from a National Democratic Congress (NDC) group in her bid to seek re-election.
Theresa Lardi Awuni who is the incumbent MP formally declared her intentions to contest the upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The MP in a statement said she believes having served her constituents well, looking for another opportunity to continue to solve their problems is in the right direction.
“I strongly believe my track record in the constituency puts the NDC in the best position to win in 2024, with the theme of my campaign being ‘Forward Together’.
“It is a message of focus, unity and single-mindedness with respect to capturing the presidency and parliament decisively in 2024”, she said.
It continued, “If re-elected, I will continue to prioritize the needs of our party and work diligently to advance our platform and policies.
“I believe that my experience as an incumbent Member of Parliament has given me a unique perspective on the challenges facing our party and the country, and I am confident that I can continue to be an effective advocate for our platform and our party”.
A copy of Theresa Lardi Awuni’s statement of intent
Following her declaration, the supporter’s group, which identified itself as ‘Friends of Theresa Awuni’, handed over the cash to the MP to support her campaign activities.
According to them, they are impressed with her performance, and therefore their decision to rally behind her.
Reacting to the gesture, the MP expressed her gratitude and reiterated her resolve to make the constituency a better place; while helping the NDC to also make inroads in the 2024 presidential election.
In the last election in 2020, Theresah Awuni beat the New Patriotic Party’s Fuseini Issah, to snatch the seat for the NDC for the first time.
This drew a lot of attention to the constituency, making it a talking point amidst widespread commendations for her resilience and historic victory.
Awuni’s triumph also earned her plaudits from gender activists who praised her exemplary determination and unwavering fighting spirit.
According to the IES, the government should have thought through the move adding that the announcement is retrogressive and wrong.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has said it will sell oil to Oil Marketing Company (OMC) with more than 45 outlets under the Gold-for-Oil programme.
According to the NPA, the ultimate aim of the government in introducing the program is to ensure that fuel is affordable.
Speaking at the Meet the Press Series Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Mustapha Hamid said he had a number of calls asking him why the first consignment of the oil could not reflect in prices at the pumps.
But commenting on the announcement on Starr Today with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, the Executive Director for IES, Nana Amoasi VII indicated that in 2015 the country transitioned from a Regulated Down-Stream Petroleum to a Deregulated one in terms of pricing and supply.
He explained that the Deregulations of the sector means market forces will dictate what prices should be at the pumps in order to introduce efficiency and fair competition in the market.
“So it comes as a surprise for the government to be selective in this process and we believe that it will bring about unfair competition among the Oil Marketing Companies. If you choose to elect a few when you are talking about OMCs with at least 45 outlets across the country then you are talking about just about 36 percent of the players in the market.”
“To select just a few and you give them a product that is supposedly affordable one. Then what you are trying to do is you are trying to kick others out of business. So the position taken by the government is wrong, is retrogressive and inefficient,” Nana Amoasi VII stated.
A former deputy National Organizer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Binney, has reacted to preacher Sonnie Badu’s claims that pork attracts demonic spirits.
The Rockhill Church pastor’s claims have since stirred massive reactions, which includes a large section of social media, refuting the assertion.
Earlier, while addressing his congregants,Sonnie Badu said,
“When the devil wants to get through to you, they must first test your spiritual appetite. The number one way through which witches invade bodies is food. Also, the bible declares that some animals are unclean. What do you think an unclean animal is? In order words, when that unclean animal is found in you spiritually, it gives the witch quick access to jump in.
“Anything that has pork, pork is unclean! Even when you go to the Chinese restaurant and they ask for your order and you say pork, they keep asking you just to be sure, because they are aware of the kind of animal you are requesting to have,” he stressed.
But reacting on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrooko’ morning show, host Kwame Sefa Kayi read out some interesting messages from listeners, including NDC’s Chief Binney.
“If Sonnie Badu himself turn into kwii (pig), we will eat him,” a message from Chief Biney read by the host said.
However, Rev Sonnie Badu has asked critics of his pork claims to seek the right answers from the witches and wizards themselves if they think he is not telling the truth.
“You can ask all witches and wizards”, he challenged.
Then, last week, they found a curious brown powder outside their Laceby, Grimsby, home.
According to Leslie, who spoke to GrimsbyLive, “The garden was covered in brown powder,” indicating that the individual was genuinely attempting to hurt her cat and any passing animals.
Leslie with his beloved Mr Tom (Picture: Grimsby Telegraph/MEN Media)
‘It is worrying because there’s also foxes and hedgehogs around. I have rung the RSPCA and they have said it is illegal to put poison down, that it is got to be segregated from wildlife or other animals, and that cats have got the right to roam.
Director of Programmes and Partnerships at the British Council, Solomon Domayen Antumwini, has urged entrepreneurs to be more innovative in their quest to expand their businesses.
According to him, his outfit would devise various strategies to support entrepreneurs with skills to bridge the unemployment gap in the country.
Speaking to Joy Business at the Innovation for African Universities Programme at the Accra Technical University, he said innovative entrepreneurs could promote growth, facilitate the competitiveness of an organisation and help generate profit.
According to him, implementing innovative ideas could help a business become successful.
“We are doing this project to support these young ones to understand the importance of being innovative as an entrepreneur. This is key to their growth and expansion,” he said.
The project is designed to support the development of Africa – UK University Partnerships that build institutional capacity for engagement in entrepreneurship and innovative ecosystems in selected African countries.
The overarching programme objective is to strengthen the capacity of universities and increase their capabilities to participate and provide meaningful contributions as key players within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) is challenging the Education Ministry and GES to publish the report on investigation into the ‘School Placement for Sale’ saga to help put matters to rest.
This follows the disclosure by the Public Relations Officer of the Education Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, that janitors and security personnel who were captured as middlemen in the investigative documentary by The Fourth Estate, are not employees of the Education Ministry, but that of the GNAT Hostel.
He made this revelation while contributing to discussions on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, February 20.
But reacting to the claim, the General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, said the allegation by Mr Kwarteng that a staff of the Association was identified as one of the brains behind the unfortunate happening, is inaccurate.
GNAT insists that no staff of the Association was involved in the scandal.
“No GNAT staff was involved. Let Kwasi Kwarteng come and tell us, let him come and tell us,” he stressed in an audio aired on Joy FM’s Midday news on Wednesday.
According to him, the Education Ministry must reprimand Kwasi Kwarteng for peddling falsehood.
“We demand that the Minister together with the DG must reprimand him, he must be rebuked. It is becoming the hallmark of Kwasi Kwarteng,” he said.
“And this one, we want to tell the Ghana Education Service that should they keep quiet on this particular one, we as an organisation will give them a response,” he added.
Itwould be recalled that in January, a Fourth Estate‘s investigative piece uncovered some rot in the placement into senior high schools.
The investigation discovered that instead of the resolution centre serving as a spot to correct certain anomalies, it was turned into a marketplace where officials linked to the placement executed their trade through a network of intermediaries, mostly security guards and cleaners.
Even though only two individuals – the Education Minister and the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) – were the ones given access and passwords to approve protocol placement into Category A senior high schools, it has not stopped people from defrauding parents
In the Ohio community ravaged by a toxic railway catastrophe, former president Donald Trump delivered cases of his own brand of bottled Trump Water.
On his arrival in East Palestine on Wednesday, Trump declared that he was “bringing water, Trump water, indeed, most of it” to families in the affected area. Trump stood next to a pallet of his waters, each labelled in light blue and with the words “Trump spring water.”
Trump continued, “Part of it, we had to move to a much worse quality water.”
The percentage of Trump’s donated bottles that were his own brand was not immediately known.
Former President Donald Trump stands next to a pallet of water before delivering remarks at the East Palestine Fire Department station on Wednesday (Picture: Getty Images)
A water bottle with a Trump label that was part of a bottled water donation by former President Donald Trump (Picture: Reuters)
Trump arrived in East Palestine hours before President Joe Biden’s Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was set to visit the town. A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed there on February 3 and burned for two days, and officials conducted a controlled burn to release hydrogen chloride and phosgene.
The former president also brought 13 pallets of food to families. Trump then went to a local McDonald’s and ordered Big Macs for first responders.
‘I know this menu better than you do. I probably know it better than anybody in here,’ Trump, a known McDonald’s fan, told a server at the fast food restaurant. Trump asked the workers to ‘knock it out fast’ so he could eat on his plane.
Trump boarded his Trump Force One plane as Biden flew back from a three-day trip to Eastern Europe that included a visit to Ukraine ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Personalized water that former President Donald Trump donated at the East Palestine Fire Department (Picture: AP)
Biden has faced criticism from some Americans for flying to Ukraine instead of visiting East Palestine.
Hundreds of people in the Ohio town chanted ‘no more Joe’ and waved MAGA flags as Trump landed.
Speaking from a fire department station, Trump told residents that they were ‘not forgotten’ and praised their ‘strength and courage’.
When asked what he would say to Biden, Trump said: ‘Get over here.’
The meeting, which was focused on economic cooperation between Ghana and Germany, also highlighted the key role that Ghana’s development partners play towards growth and development.
The Ministers discussed among other things, the role that the KfW played in the post-World War II revitalisation of the German economy, and the need to deploy a similar mechanism using the newly established Development Bank Ghana as a catalyst for Ghana’s economic recovery.
Recognising the potential impact that the domestic debt exchange may have on the financial sector, the Government of Ghana, together with development partners has established the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, to address potential solvency and liquidity gaps that may arise from the debt operations. German support for the Ghana Financial Stability Fund and partnership with the Development Bank Ghana, were therefore high on the agenda.
According to the Minister for Finance, Government hopes to conclude IMF negotiations by securing Board approval by the end of March.
He shared that the success of the just-ended domestic debt exchange, has provided the necessary positive momentum to negotiate Ghana’s external debts successfully, under the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment.
German cooperation was subsequently solicited towards the speedy formation of a Creditor Committee under the G20 Common Framework, and also for the provision of financing assurances from the G20 and Paris Club members, as Ghana approaches IMF Board Approval.
Ken Ofori-Atta updated the delegation that a planned high-level Government Delegation to China has been postponed to late March, owing to the upcoming National People’s Congress of China scheduled for early March. Bilateral talks continue ahead of this important mission.
The Finance Minister also disclosed that ongoing structural changes in the energy sector are critical to ensure sufficient and stable energy supply to power industries and promote growth.
He was further of the view that the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam as Minister of State at the Finance Ministry was opportune, given the nominee’s substantial experience in the Energy sector. Mr Ofori-Atta expressed optimism that Mr Adam would help champion the effort to create a viable and sustainable energy sector in the country.
Against the backdrop of a recent meeting in Accra with the German Minister for Finance, Mr Christian Lindner, on 6th February 2023, Mr Ofori-Atta declared that “Our series of positive engagements with German officials so far assures me that our respective nations will continue to uphold our shared ambitions of deeper economic cooperation anchored on trade, private sector investment, technology transfer, cultural engagements, and capacity building, among others.”
In November 2022, following a visit by Mr Ofori-Atta to Berlin, Germany committed a total of EUR 82 million in grants to support critical sectors of Ghana’s economy, including renewable energy development, financial sector strengthening, education and skills development (TVET), digital transformation, governance, food security, female empowerment, and MSMEs.
Ms Schulze, the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), on her part, expressed Germany’s continued support to Ghana in various areas including economic growth, development, and regional security.
On regional security, Mr Ofori-Atta noted that it was critical for governments to commit to regional security to ensure the protection of citizens, whilst upholding the free movement of goods and services across borders.
Commenting on the need for growth as part of an IMF Programme, the Minister for Finance requested for an enhanced Compact for Africa that will cascade increased private sector investment into the economy.
Mr. Ofori-Atta reiterated that growth remained a priority for the Government of Ghana, and development partners such as Germany were key to the success of the Government’s growth agenda.
Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said that a planned high-level Government Delegation to China has been postponed to late March.
According to him, the postponement is due to the National People’s Congress of China which is scheduled to take place earlier in March this year.
He made this known when he held bilateral talks with the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Ms. Svenja Schulze in Accra on February 22, 2023.
The Finance Minister however said the bilateral talks with China will continue ahead of this important mission.
The government of Ghana has started to actively engage external debtors with the view to getting debt cancellation, especially from the Paris club of creditors.
The first stop of a government delegation seeking debt restructuring will be in China with Minister of FinanceKen Ofori-Atta will be leading the team expected in Beijing.
China holds a third of Ghana’s external debts amounting to $1.7 billion out of a total of $5.7 billion.
Government only recently concluded a Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) as part of efforts to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout by March 2023.
This came to light when the B&FT visited some businessmen who deal in used electrical gadgets on the Bantama High Street, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region.
According to the business owners and shop operators, the ‘home-used’ industry employs more than 200,000 youth and has several other stakeholders in the value chain (loaders, repairers and mechanics etc.).
Therefore, banning these products from the market would mean a loss of jobs for those in the value chain, which in turn would add to the already high number of unemployed in the country.
“It entails a lot, the repairers, mechanics, etc. are all going to lose their jobs. If they are going to ban our goods from entering the country, how are these workers going to survive? It is a blow to businesses in the country, because lots of people are going to lose their jobs,” Kofi Boateng, an importer, told the B&FT.
Mr. Boateng further urged government to reconsider the decision as the consequences of this policy might be grievous.
“Government should reconsider its decision, or it could give some limitations; if you ban all these things, it’s going to cause chaos in the country. We already know what some well-known brands in the country are doing. Some of these goods do not use so much electricity. I am not doing this job for myself; I schooled here but my family is in the UK. I opened these shops to provide jobs for some of the young ones in this community.
“He shouldn’t ban it; government has not created any jobs yet he wants to collapse the jobs of individuals. We employ lots of people here. We are pleading with them to allow us to do our work without fear. Announcing the ban has scared many investors from coming into the country,” he stressed.
Joseph Boateng, who also imports ‘used’ television sets, questioned the basis for government’s assertion that the appliances are hazardous to the environment.
“They should explain to us how our goods affect the environment. Our goods and polythene bags – which one pollute the environment more; how can we use huge sums of money to import hazardous goods? The reasons they gave for banning the goods do not apply to the ones we import these days. The televisions, microwaves, fans and other gadgets do not consume so much power and they are environmentally friendly. They are only throwing dust in our eyes. The decision will not help us in any way,” he added.
Another importer, Saeed Solomon Mintah, also told the B&FT that if government does not rescind its decision, business owners and all those in the value chain will hit the streets to seek redress.
The Chinese spy balloon was clearly visible in the US-released selfie taken by a pilot just before it was shot down.
The selfie was taken from the cockpit of a U-2 espionage plane and features both the balloon floating above the US mainland and the shadow cast by the pilot’s aircraft.
On February 3, while the balloon was hovering close to Kansas, a pilot shot a selfie. The next day, the US brought the balloon to ground.
The US Department of Defense released the selfie on Wednesday (Picture: Reuters)
A few days later, CNN reported that a selfie taken in the cockpit had ‘gained legendary status in both NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and the Pentagon’.
The U-2 is a high-altitude reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft with one seat.
‘It delivers critical imagery and signals intelligence to decision makers throughout all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, low-intensity conflict, and large-scale hostilities,’ according to the Air Force.
U-2 planes have ‘glider-like characteristics’ and are usually ‘flown at altitudes over 70,000 feet’, according to the Air Force. Pilots are required to ‘wear a full pressure suit similar to those worn by astronauts’.
The Chinese spy balloon was shot down on February 4 (Picture: AP)
The US first spotted the balloon on January 28. China claimed that it was only a weather research ‘airship’ blown off course.
But the State Department stated that fly-bys showed that the ‘high-altitude balloon was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations’.
The US earlier this month released several photos of the shot-down balloon being retrieved by Navy divers in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina.
One of those images, taken in the dark, showed nine Navy crew members dragging white plastic material and tubes on board a small boat. Another photo depicted ten crew members pulling white material as their vessel tilted, with a second boat next to it.
The government has been entreated to work closely with the various stakeholders to bring down food inflation.
According to a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics of the University of Ghana, Professor Eric Osei-Assibey, this was a smart way of reducing inflation.
Recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service showed that food inflation went up to 61 per cent in January 2023, from 59.7 per cent in December 2022.
Professor Osei-Assibey said, “This requires the adoption of such policy to bring the rate of food inflation down”.
Speaking at the launch of the American Chamber of Commerce-Ghana 2023 Economic Outlook Report, he said the government should be deliberate in its attempt to support the agriculture value chain.
“Looking at the current hike in food inflation, it has to do with our inability to produce enough for what we consume which is serious. So I am of the view that if we are able to come out of this crisis, we need to be deliberate on our approach for good policies to support farming on a large scale,” he stated He called for investments in the sector and requested banks to review a number of the sector’s support initiatives.
He again urged the government to step up efforts to raise domestic tax collection.
“When we have banks supporting agriculture, I think it will help to ensure a robust economy. We need investment at this point in the agriculture value chain. There is also the need for the government to rake in more revenue to support various sectors of the economy,” he added.
The American Chamber of Commerce Ghana 2023 Economic Outlook report provided insight into government’s tax provisions, fiscal and monetary development, debt sustainability, and key macroeconomic performance and targets.
Gospel musician Joe Mettle has revealed details about how he met his wife, Salomey Selassie, during an interview with Roselyn Felli on JoyPrime.
Mettle explained that he initially met his wife online but did not specify which platform they used.
He went on to say that he would often spot Selassie at his events, recalling a time when he was going through one of his old videos online and saw her.
He added that he always had a strong feeling that she was the one for him but initially ignored it.
Mettle credited social media for helping him connect with his wife, stating that “this social media thing has helped.”
He revealed that his wife had attended one of his programmes and approached him after the event to say, “God bless you,” marking the first time they spoke to each other.
In remarks delivered from Warsaw, Poland, three days before the anniversary of Russia’s complete invasion of Ukraine, Biden specifically criticised Putin.
“President Putin believed we would submit when he ordered his tanks to advance into Ukraine.” He was mistaken,’ Biden said on Tuesday in front of the Polish Presidential Palace.
‘The Ukrainian people are too brave. America, Europe, a coalition of nations for the Atlantic to the Pacific, we were too unified. Democracy was too strong.’
Biden: ‘Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia’
Biden said Putin ‘no longer doubts the strength of our coalition’ but that he ‘doubts our continued support for Ukraine’ and the unification of NATO. The US president assured that ‘NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire’.
‘President Putin’s craven lust for land and power will fail. And the Ukrainian people’s love for their country will prevail,’ Biden said.
‘Democracies in the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow and forever. For that’s what it’s – that’s what’s at stake here: Freedom.’
Biden delivered his remarks a day after making a surprise visit to Kyiv, during which he stood alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and announced $460million more in military aid.
President Joe Biden delivered a speech marking the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the Royal Castle Gardens in Warsaw (Picture: AP)
The US notified the Kremlin of Biden’s surprise visit ‘some hours before his departure for deconfliction purposes’, according to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
On Tuesday, Biden said the world a year ago ‘was bracing for the fall of Kyiv’. But, ‘I can report that Kyiv stands strong’, he said.
Biden concluded that the world is at ‘an inflection point’ and that decisions in the next five years will shape the decades to come.
‘While decisions are ours to make now, the principles and the stakes are eternal,’ Biden said. ‘The choice between chaos and stability, between building and destroying between hope and fear, between democracy lifting up the human spirit – and the brutal hand of the dictator who crushes it.’
President Joe Biden condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin by name in remarks from Warsaw, Poland (Picture: Reuters)
Biden ripped Putin, but did not call for him to be ousted.
Hours earlier, Putin told Russia’s parliament that the country would no longer participate in the New START nuclear arms treaty with the US. It was the last major arms control agreement between the two superpowers. Russia will suspend, but not withdraw from the treaty.
Putin did not mention Biden by name in his announcement.
Biden’s speech was not intended as a response to Putin, but rather coincided with the one-year anniversary of the war on Friday, according to Sullivan.
‘We did not set the speech up as some kind of head to head, this is not a rhetorical contest with anyone else,’ Sullivan said. ‘This is an affirmative statement of values, a vision for what the world we’re both trying to build and defend should look like.’
TV personality and host of Standpoint, Gifty Anti has discounted the notion that successful women are rude.
Speaking on Onua FM’s Anigye Mmre recently, the outspoken journalist who has carved a niche for herself in the literary world by authoring the books Fifty Nuggets, The Best of You and A Bit of Me said people have a negative label for successful and confident women.
“There’s this perception that powerful, successful and confident women are rude. Listen, that is a character and everyone has a character they possess so if someone is rude and doesn’t show it, probably poverty has humbled the person.”
“We have even seen political leaders who are so humble when campaigning but immediately change when they win power. This means that it cuts across both men and women but there are people that situations don’t change them,” she said.
Gifty Anti began her media career as an intern at media houses such as Ghana News Agency, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Ghanaian Times.
After her internship, she did her National Service at GBC where she worked for several years thereafter.
She is currently the CEO of GDA Concepts which also produces The Standpoint.
The mother of one has won many awards and honours including National Malaria Advocate by Ghana Health Service (2022), Most Inspiring Woman In Media at Ghana’s Most Inspiring Women (2021), Tell It Moms Exemplary Resilience Feminist Honour (2019) and Most Influential Woman at Ghana Actors And Entertainers Awards (2019).
According to her, most people are afraid of powerful women.
“Everybody is afraid of a powerful woman. They keep saying they support this style, but when they see you climbing higher and higher and becoming more assertive, things change,” she stated.
Avance Media, a leading African media and PR company, has announced its annual list of 50 Most Influential Young Ghanaians for 2022. The list recognizes young people under the age of 40 who are making a significant impact in their respective industries and communities.
This year’s list features young people from various fields, including media, business, leadership, governance, and entertainment. Among the honorees are media personalities like Serwaa Amihere, Lexis Bill & Doreen Avio, business leaders like Abdul Karim Abdullah & Kennedy Agyapong Jnr, political figures like Hon, Samuel George & Sammy Gyamfi and entertainment icons like Stonebwoy, Camidoh, Kidi, Sarkodie & Wendy Shay.
The selection process was rigorous, and the honorees were chosen based on their achievements, impact, and contribution to society. Avance Media’s goal in publishing the list is to recognise the work of young Ghanaians who are making a difference and inspiring others to do the same.
In a statement, Prince Akpah, the Founder and Managing Director of Avance Media expressed his excitement about this year’s list, saying, “We are thrilled to announce the 2022 edition of the 50 Most Influential Young Ghanaians. It is inspiring to see so many young people making a significant impact in their communities and industries. We hope their stories will motivate others to pursue their dreams and make a difference.”
The list has become a prestigious accolade in Ghana, with previous honorees going on to achieve greater success in their respective fields. Avance Media’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of young Ghanaians is a testament to their belief in the power of youth and their potential to drive positive change in the country.
Below is the full list of Avance Media’s 2022 50 Most Influential Young Ghanaians arranged in alphabetical order.
Veteran journalist and gospel musician, Jackie Ankrah has disclosed she has a lot to teach the new generation of journalists in Ghana.
She says she has been approached many times by a good number of journalists who want to tap into her knowledge of journalism. Jackie expressed the desire in an interview with Doreen Avio on Daybreak Hitz,
“Many people have approached me and I have often said I’m too busy or I’m too engaged with something, but now as I get older and now as I listen to the calls more and more, I think I will do something, put people together and teach them, good journalism and good public speaking,” she said.
The ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ singer said unlike present day practices, there was a lot of training during her time when she started journalism.
“In my day there was a lot of training. I wouldn’t just sit on the radio and talk. To this day, I script everything I say, I wouldn’t just come and sit on the radio without a script even though it is my show.
“I like to script, I like to know where I am, what I’m thinking, step-by-step and from moment to moment and I think that’s what I think is lacking, there’s lack of training,” she maintained, arguing also that journalism is more lucrative now than in the past.
“But now there’s more money in journalism compared to back in my day, so I think people are making more money now.”
The Gospel musician is promoting her music video for her song, Hallelujah, which was released early on in February.
Afro-pop musician Francisca Gawugah popularly known as Sista Afia has said that if she had not chosen to pursue music, she would have been married by now with children.
When asked about her life as a celebrity during a discussion of the celebrity lifestyle section of Neat FM’s entertainment program, sister Afia responded, “If I wasn’t a musician I would have been married by now, if I was in your position I would have been married,” she stressed referring to a fellow panelist.
“…of course, I wish I would have been married with kids by now,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, Sista Afia is out with a new song titled ‘Carry Go.’
The track is her first official single and release for the year 2023. It was produced by one of Ghana’s talented producers, Abochi
The song discusses her romantic life and lays out her goals.
She emphasizes the enjoyable aspects of relationships, the quality time she can spend with a partner, and the importance of money at this time.
UK-based Ghanaian singer, Stephanie Sanders Benson has stated that privacy ends when a person ties the knot with a partner, hence couples should reveal all secrets without fear to each other.
She asserted that while each spouse might have some restrictions, marriage is a setting where none of them should conceal anything from the other.
“The moment you marry is the moment you lost your privacy; you and your wife should be one. I don’t care whatever it is you’re doing. You shouldn’t be afraid to pick up each other’s phones.
“You have nothing to hide from each other. You’re supposed to be one, what does the vow say? The vow says you’re a union, so when did your phone become yours? You’re one. That’s how you grow,” she said.
Discussing privacy in an interview on Happy FM on February 22, 2023, she stressed that if the matter included business issues, a partner had no business meddling in the partner’s phone.
“I mean there are certain things that you may not have to share because it is business. That’s different…if you have a phone and everything you have to do is about work, you don’t have to share,” she clarified.
They claimed to be lost and in need of directions as they quickly approached two single women and one youngster.
The men ‘offered a lift’ to the first woman as they pulled up beside her at around 8am but she walked away.
Brett Parker was found guilty of attempted robbery and attempted kidnapping
Only minutes later, Godfrey and Parker targeted a teenage girl, walking along London Road.
The pair asked the child to go inside their car to give them directions – when she refused, they tailed her for several minutes.
They only drove away after she pretended to make a phone call.
At around 8:30am, they blocked a footpath in front of a woman, 24, heading towards the railway station.
Father-of-two Parker, who had been taking drugs and drinking earlier that day, swung open the back door and told the woman to get inside the Ford Focus.
Parker grabbed her arm and tried to force her inside their car, but she managed to wrestle out of his grip and get away safely.
He then wrapped his arm around the neck of one of the victims and dragged her to the ground, witness Vivian Walters claimed.
‘He [Parker] took hold of her arm in a relatively hard grip and said to her “get in the car”,’ she said.
”He nudged her towards the car, but she told him to “f*** off” more than once and yanked her arm back.’
Godfrey and Parker then drove to a nearby car park only to crash into an unmoving vehicle.
Jordan Godfrey dragged a woman to the ground by putting his arm around her neck (Picture: Kent Police)
Parker, the court heard, offered a ‘score’ – £20 – to cover the damages before trying to drive off.
But when they saw two women attempting to take photos of the scene, Godfrey screamed ‘give me that f****g phone, give me that phone’.
Walters added: ‘He [Godfrey] then used his left forearm and placed it across (one of the witnesses’) throat while pulling her backwards, demanding she hand over the phone – no doubt because any photographs or video on it would link them to the collision in the car park and therefore the attempted kidnap just outside.’
Colleagues of the woman managed to stop the attack by claiming she was pregnant.
Eventually, the two men fled and abandoned the car in Maidstone, which was later recovered by police.
Forensic tests of the vehicle and the clothing of one of the women’s coats found the DNA of Godfrey and Parker.
They faced trial at Maidstone Crown Court after police arrested and charged them.
Judge Philip Statman told the defendants as he handed down the sentence: ‘This court has to ensure that young women are able to walk the streets without being bundled into a car.
‘I shouldn’t speculate as to what your motives were in trying to bundle your victim into your car. I saw no genuine remorse during the trial.’
But while Godfrey and Parker have since been sentenced, their victims remain shaken.
The 24-year-old victim told the court: ‘I couldn’t even think about walking down that road again. I’ve been having nightmares, dreaming about what happened over and over and what could have happened if he managed to get me in that car.
‘I began thinking, what if there was a gang? I had to discuss with my dad about him taking me to work and picking me up so I didn’t have to walk down that road.
‘This case has taken four years to get to court and I suspect this will continue to affect me throughout my life, all due to one man deciding to try and force me into a car.
‘I have no idea what his intentions were but my mind will always go to the darkest place and I cannot change that.’
Detective Constable Hayley Campbell, of Kent Police, added: ‘The intentions of Godfrey and Parker in trying to encourage and force females into their car remain unclear.
‘However, there can be no doubt that their actions will have caused panic and genuine fear to each and every person who they targeted and approached.’
Detective Campbell said that, simply put, women should be free to live their daily lives without the fear of being harassed or assaulted.
‘The victims, in this case, will sadly bear the psychological scars of these incidents for a very long time,’ she added.
Parker, 28, of Blackborne Road, Dagenham, Essex, was found guilty of attempted robbery and attempted kidnap.
He was sentenced on Monday to three years and nine months in jail.
Godfrey, 30, of Clematis Close, Romford, was convicted of attempted robbery.
MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially declared his intention to seek re-election in the upcoming December 2024 election.
He made the announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday, February 23, 2023.
“As NDC parliamentary & presidential nomination processes begin today, it is with a deep sense of duty, dedication, humility & respect for the overwhelming calls by my beloved North Tongu constituents to continue serving them that I announce my decision to seek re-election as MP,” the tweet said.
As NDC parliamentary & presidential nomination processes begin today, it is with a deep sense of duty, dedication, humility & respect for the overwhelming calls by my beloved North Tongu constituents to continue serving them that I announce my decision to seek re-election as MP. pic.twitter.com/uNxUrLgCSa
Mr Ablakwa has represented the Constituency since 2008 when he first contested for the North Tongu seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He won the seat by a 78.6% of the votes cast. He again won the seat in the 2012 elections by a larger number, representing 90.5% of the votes cast. He retained his seat once again in the 2016 elections even though his party lost the Presidential Elections.
He was only twenty-eight years old when he began his political career, however, he has risen through the heights of politics and has served on various Committees in Parliament.
He has been a member of the appointments committee for two times. He is currently also the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
He has also been instrumental in the development of his Constituency since he assumed office. He had embarked on various donation exercises as well as furnished schools in his Constituency with furniture, books, etc.
A “wicked” school business manager who stole more than £119,000 and hurt children’s education was allowed to remain on the lam.
Joanne Anderson forged the signatures of senior staff on checks over the course of four years in order to redirect funds from Fulwell Junior School in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, into her own account.
As audits were being conducted in May 2021 and she requested to visit the headteacher outside of the school, Newcastle Crown Court heard that her lie was discovered.
She made a partial confession to the head during the meeting, which led to further investigations, police involvement and the true extent of her ‘greed’ was eventually revealed.
Ms Anderson was handed a two-year suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court
Prosecutor John Hobley told the court: ‘She admitted having forged signatures on the cheques, embezzling money due to her financial difficulties.
‘She seemed surprised to know how many and the value of the cheques she had paid to herself.’
Anderson said she used the school money for her own living expenses and to hide the debts she had from her husband.
The 51-year-old, of Summerhill, Sunderland, admitted fraud by false representation of £119,496 between March 2017 and June 2021.
Mr Recorder Anthony Kelbrick told her: ‘There is no doubt that your actions, over a long, long time, putting it simply, were wicked.
‘You betrayed the trust placed in you by your employer and you betrayed the trust placed in you by your colleagues, you cynically used their names and details and forged their signatures on cheques, which you made payable to yourself.
‘Your taking of this money, your dishonesty, must have significantly reduced the educational benefits that the pupils attending the school were entitled to.
Ms Anderson stole the money to fund her lifestyle and pay off debts
‘It was they, the children, perhaps, who were the principal losers, the victims of your greed.
‘You callously forged documents to hide discrepancies from the auditors.
‘I accept now you are genuinely remorseful but that may, of course, be because of where you now find yourself.’
The judge said despite the seriousness of the offence, he was persuaded that Anderson was capable of rehabilitation and sentenced her to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and a four month curfew.
Laura Miller, defending, told the court: ‘She makes absolutely no excuses for her behaviour.
‘She can’t begin to explain the guilt and shame she feels.
‘She accepts the school and children did not deserve to suffer from her actions.’
Miss Miller said after Anderson wrote the first dishonest cheque in 2017, she was then in a ‘vicious cycle of dishonesty’ and added: ‘Her life, in effect, spiralled out of control, where she was trying to maintain the facade of normality.
‘She has never been in trouble with the police before, never been spoken to by the police before.’
Miss Miller said Anderson, who is a carer for her mother, has sought help with debt and sought counselling.
Anderson provided references to her positive good character and submitted a document written herself, in which she said: ‘I am disgusted with myself.’
She added that she ‘apologised unreservedly’ for her actions and the impact they had on others, including colleagues.
It was not immediately known why the news crew was targeted.
Keith Melvin Moses, 19, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the incident, Mina said.
He is expected to face charges for four shootings, including the one that killed the journalist.
Deputies received reports of two shootings shortly after 4pm.
In one of the incidents, on Hialeah Street, deputies had been investigating another shooting in which a woman in her 20s was killed around 11am.
Deputies also found a Spectrum News 13 journalist and a photographer shot. The photographer was last listed in critical condition.
Keith Melvin Moses has been arrested (Picture: Orange County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images)
After shooting the news crew, the suspect is believed to have gone to a home on Harrington Street and shot the nine-year-old girl.
The girl died, and her mother was also shot and is in critical condition.
‘It is with deep sadness that @RTDNA learns of the death of a @MyNews13 journalist in Orlando,’ tweeted Radio Television Digital News Association CEO Dan Shelley.
‘He was 1 of 2 of the station’s journalists shot covering a previous crime in a residential area. Sending thoughts of peace and comfort to their families, friends & the other victims.’
Moses has a ‘lengthy’ criminal history, according to Mina.
At least three people have been shot dead in Florida (Picture: WFTV)The scene of last night’s shooting tragedy (Picture: wkmg)
The sheriff listed out the charges against Mr Moses, including gun charges, aggravated battery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and grand theft charges last night.
He told a press conference: ‘It is unclear if [the suspect] knew if they were news media or not,” Mr Mina said.
‘We’re still trying to work all of that out. That vehicle was almost exactly in the same spot as the vehicle from the homicide this morning. So it’s unclear why exactly they were targeted.
‘I want to acknowledge what a horrible day this has been for our community and our media partners,” Mr Mina said.
‘I work closely with all of you… no one in our community — not a mother, not a 9-year-old, certainly not news professionals — should become the victim of gun violence.’
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre posted a message of condolence on Twitter.
‘Our hearts go out to the family of the journalist killed today and the crew member injured in Orange County, Florida, as well as the whole Spectrum News team,’ she said.
US rapper Nipsey Hussle, a Grammy-nominated artist, died aged 33.
The man convicted of gunning down beloved Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle more than three years ago was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday.
Eric R. Holder, Jr. was found guilty of first-degree murder last July for killing Hussle – whose real name is Ermias Asghedom – outside Hussle’s South Los Angeles clothing store in 2019. Two bystanders were also hit and injured in the incident.
Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke announced Holder’s sentence on Wednesday after hearing from one of Hussle’s friends as well as reading a letter from Holder’s father.
His sentencing hearing had been postponed several times, including most recently on Nov. 3.
The sentencing has been delayed in part so defence attorney Aaron Jansen could argue to reduce Holder’s conviction to manslaughter or second-degree murder, which the judge rejected in December.
Hussle grew up in south Los Angeles, where he was a member of the Rollin’ 60s street gang as a teenager.
He opened the Marathon Clothing store as a way of investing in his community. Before his death, he had also reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department to discuss ways to help prevent gang violence in the neighbourhood.
The rapper, who won two posthumous Grammy awards for best rap performance and best rap/song collaboration in 2020, had two children with actor Lauren London.
While waiting in line to see a prominent K-Pop group, a teenage guy was stabbed close to London’s O2 Arena.
After the incident inside the Cineworld theatre at the location today at around 2:46 pm, police were contacted.
London Ambulance Service (LAS) dispatched police to The O2 in response to reports of a stabbing.
Officers discovered a teenage kid with stab wounds there.
Officers said he was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital, but his condition is currently unknown.
Three teenage boys were detained at the scene by security staff and then arrested by police on suspicion of causing GBH. They have been taken into custody.
Witnesses in the area reported seeing around ’10 police officers’ rushing into the arena following the ‘stabbing’.
Latest London news
The boy was stabbed at the Cineworld according to the O2 ArenaThree people are currently in custody over the incident
The incident happened ahead of a gig from the K-Pop band ATEEZ tonight, and fans have been warning each other of the police presence and telling everyone to ‘stay safe’.
It is unknown if the incident is connected to the gig tonight.
One eyewitness tweeted: ‘[I don’t know] what’s going on at the O2 but around 10 police officers were charging into the O2, some person got arrested near the queue and a helicopter circulated and landed near the O2.’
Another said: ‘Anyone know what was just happening at the O2 arena with all the police running around?’ Another said: ‘Helicopter, undercover police car and another police car just rushed to the London ATEEZ concert… HELLO??’
A spokesperson for the LAS said: ‘We were called today (February 22) at 2:44pm to reports of an incident in Peninsula Square, Greenwich.
‘We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an incident response officer, two ambulance crews, and members of our tactical response unit. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
‘We treated a teenager at the scene and took them to a major trauma centre as a priority. The incident is ongoing.’
The O2 Arena has released a statement following the incident. It said: ‘This afternoon there was an altercation between a group of individuals in Cineworld at The O2, which resulted in one of the individuals requiring medical attention from the emergency services.
‘Cineworld at The O2 will remain closed for the rest of the day. The rest of The O2, including outlet shopping, bars and restaurants, and attractions remain open. Tonight’s arena event is going ahead as planned.’
A number of young people on both sides of the political divide, that is in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are eyeing seats in the legislature come 2024.
The hurdle at this stage is to scale the party primaries before they go into real battle come December 2024 to secure a seat in Parliament.
One such aspiring lawmaker is Charles Asiedu.
On a good day, he will pass off as another young activist in the NDC who is seeking to replace the retiring MPs and or one seeking to wrestle a seat from the NPP for his party.
Charles it so happens is the son of the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Who is Charles Asiedu?
a. Charles only recently declared his intention to contest in the party’s Tano South parliamentary primaries.
b. He is a former organizer of the party in the Ahafo Region
c. He is seeking to replace Hannah Bissue (current Women’s Organizer) who has been NDC’s candidate in the constituency since 2012, winning it once.
d. Charles will come up against four other contenders according to information available to GhanaWeb.
e. Prior to his regional organizer position, Charles served as two-term branch organizer before becoming a deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Organizer.
f. He has a close relationship with Dr Hanna Bissiw’s serving as her campaign manager for the successful National Women’s Organizer bids in 2018 and 2022.
Charles (arrowed) joined by Hanna Bissiw and other NDC activists during a protest in Techiman
g. Charles holds a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership and Governance from the University of Ghana Business school. He is also a product of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).
h. He has a certificate in Political Leadership and Party Organisation from the NDC’s Ghana Institute of Social Democracy (GISD).
i. Charles Asiedu’s areas of expertise are communication, political marketing and branding, research, governance, strategic planning and human resource development.
In an interview with Accra-based myxyzonline.com, the youth activist said “I am always here with the people and they know me to be a vibrant party person who has served them in different capacities.”
Whether he scales the party primaries and makes it past the December 7, 2024 post, like they say, time will tell.
Vera Hamenoo-Kpeda, better known by her stage name MzVee has disclosed for the first time that she is partially blind.
The Songstress has revealed her eye condition gives her trouble seeing the audience when she is on stage performing.
MzVee in an interview on Joy Prime TV mentioned as a result of her eye condition she started wearing spectacles when she was eight years old.
Mzvee further disclosed that she finds it difficult to see well whenever she is performing and often has to strain her eyes to catch a glimpse of her audience.
Her condition is frightening, Mzve says that it has helped her in a way because when she is on stage and doesn’t see the crowd due to her partial blindness, it calms her nerves and makes her perform without any form of tension.
“I don’t see when I am performing unless I take a really good look and stare, but not really,” she said.
“I don’t see when I am performing unless I take a really good look and stare, but not really.
It helped me when I started music and I was very nervous about the crowd because, when I got on stage, I will not see anybody,” she added.
Despite it helping her to overcome anxiety, her condition has caused her a few embarrassing moments, such as tripping on staircases.
“I have tripped a few times when climbing the staircases,” she revealed.
McAnea’s remark appeared to reference the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the nurses union, which agreed to call off job action after the government agreed to long-sought pay talks.
Unison said healthcare assistants, cleaners, porters and ambulance staff will be involved in the March 8 strike.
Workers at NHS Blood and Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and the Bridgewater Community Trust will walk out for the first time.
Four other services in England – South Central, East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands – will also stage stoppages following a vote last week.
London, Yorkshire, the North East, North West and South West services – which have already taken job action four times – will strike once again on March 8.
McAnea added in a statement: ‘Unfortunately for patients, staff and anyone that cares about the NHS, the strikes go on.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay, following months of dodging, agreed to chat with the nurses union this week
‘There can be no pick-and-mix solution. NHS workers in five unions are involved in strike action over pay, staffing and patient care.
‘Choosing to speak to one union and not others won’t stop the strikes and could make a bad situation much worse.’
McAnea said the government refusing talks with Unison will ‘condemn patients to many more months of disruption’.
‘Governments elsewhere in the UK know how pay deals can be done,’ she added.
‘Rishi Sunak must copy their example, hold proper pay talks and allow everyone to get back to work.”
Ambulance workers have raised alarms about record delays for patients seeking emergency A, such as hour-long ambulance arrival and drop-off times.
The RCN called off some job action after the government agreed to pay talks
Unite said yesterday Welsh ambulance staff will walk out for two more days in March with ‘no end in sight’ to the dispute.
The stoppages, set for March 6-10, come on top of emergency services strikes up and down Britain every day this week.
Unions representing ambulance workers rejected the government’s last pay offer of 3% for 2022-23, which was on top of the average 4.5% increase paid to health workers last autumn
But unions said this figure barely keeps up with double-digit inflation and amounts to a cut in real terms.
Inflation has soared to as much as 11.1% in recent months, driving the cost of food, fuel and more to astronomical levels.
Several other unions representing healthcare workers have been locking arms with them, who see the issues facing emergency services as worsened by years-long problems within the NHS.
Up to 15,000 Unison ambulance workers went on strike last month and were joined by 5,000 of their NHS colleagues at two Liverpool hospital trusts.
Health workers such as junior doctors and nurses say the high level of staff turnaround has led to backlogs, long waits and burnt-out staff.
Ever-rising demand hasn’t helped, health unions say, neither has years of austerity measures by Conservative governments gutting public services.
On March 15, Budget Day, they will go on strike to protest pensions and working conditions.
Aslef union members in other Underground positions, such as Test Train and Engineering train drivers and those in management grades, also decided to strike and would do so on the same day.
Tube train drivers voted by 99% in favour of strike action, on a turnout of 77%, the union confirmed.
Finn Brennan, Aslef organiser, stressed that the large turnouts shows members are ‘not prepared to put up any longer with the threats to their working conditions and pensions’.
‘Our members are not prepared to pay the price for the government’s failure to properly fund London’s public transport system,’ he said.
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‘Cuts to safety training have already been forced through and management is open that they plan to remove all current working agreements under the guise of “modernisation” and “flexibility” and to replace the agreed attendance and discipline policies.
‘Proposals to slash pension benefits are due to be announced in the next week.
‘We are always prepared to discuss and negotiate on changes, but our members want an unequivocal commitment from TfL that management will not continue to force through detrimental changes without agreement.
‘Unless they are prepared to work with us, and accept that changes have to come by agreement, and bring real benefits to staff, rather than just cuts and cost savings, this will be only the first day of action in a protracted dispute.’
The fresh 24-hour strike on the Underground marks a dramatic escalation in the row over pensions and TfL’s bid to make efficiency savings by changing working practices and not replacing departing staff.
Everyone from railway workers and teachers to nurses have taken part in strikes over the last few months.
Around 100,000 civil servants in the Public and Commercial Services union are also planning to strike on Budget day in a long running dispute over jobs, pay and pensions.
Musicians Adele and Ed Sheeran declined to perform at King Charles’ coronation appeared first on Consequence.
It’s not easy being King, and Adele and Ed Sheeran sure aren’t making it any easier: The two singers have reportedly declined King Charles III’s invitations to perform at an upcoming concert in celebration of his coronation.
OK! reports that King Charles had specifically wanted the duo to perform at the concert, which is scheduled for May 7th, the day after he officially takes over for the late Queen Elizabeth III.
Sheeran chalked his absence up to scheduling conflicts, noting that he has a concert in Texas the day before and it would be difficult to make it back to England in time.
Adele, however, didn’t offer an explanation, and she doesn’t have any live performances scheduled after March 25th.
“The King has suggested a number of people he would like to perform and Adele and Ed were on that list,” an organizer of the coronation event said.
“He was very keen that they were part of the concert… There is a team set up to get the talent signed up so they approached the two of them, but got replies saying that they were unavailable, which was a massive disappointment. They are titans of the showbiz industry and are quintessentially British but also known across the globe. It’s such a shame.”
The performers of the coronation concert have not yet been confirmed, but OK! adds that Lionel Richie and the Spice Girls are the frontrunners to take the stage, while there are also rumors of a Harry Styles appearance.
If you — or King Charles — still need tickets to see Sheeran on his 2023 tour, head over to StubHub.
Some assembly members in the Tamale South Constituency have bought the nomination forms for the Memberof Parliament for the area, Haruna Iddrisu, pledging to pay for the filing fee in the coming days to get the MP retained for the 6th time as the NDC parliamentary candidate.
They are Lamashegu North Assemblyman, Alhassan Major and Jakara Yili electoral area assemblyman, Alhaji Ibrahim Tijani, Nakpan Zuo, Datoo Yili Nyohani North amd South and many others.
“We want to show our unclenching support to our dear MP for Tamale South, Hon Haruna Iddrisu by purchasing the Nomination Form for him to be retained as our MP for Tamale South for the 6th time”, the assembly members told journalists after announcing to the party executives in the constituency.
“Hon Haruna Iddrisu has demonstrated on countless occasion his desired in the development Tamale South Constituency and Ghana as a whole. He has demonstrated that in the following areas; Education, Roads, Extension of Electricity, Extension of Water, Employment, Human development…”, they added.
The assembly members said they were however organizing for the filing fees of GHC 40,000 after completion of the form.
They also reminded the good people of Tamale South Constituency “not to leave what is in hand for the one in the leg”, adding that they “shall comb round all the constituency to canvas support for our dear MP”.
Haruna Iddrisu is the first MP to win the Tamale South Constituency after it was created from then Gukpegu Sabonjida Constituency in 2004 and has since represented the people.
It is expected that the MP is most likely to go unopposed, which was stated by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Renowned Gospel musician Joe Mettle has revealed that he doesn’t take alcohol.
In an interview on Joy Prime, he said there are some things you will never find him do and drinking alcohol is one of them. “I don’t drink, I have never drunk alcohol, I have tasted it, but I have never really taken in alcohol.
He explained that his friends had once persuaded him to taste alcohol, but he did not develop a liking for it.
The Bo Noo Ni hitmaker added that, even though he doesn’t drink, he can determine the type of alcoholic drink by the smell of it.
Explaining his decision not to take alcohol, he said, “it’s not because of faith. It’s just principle. I have seen people in my life that have been destroyed by alcohol.”
‘Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess that they created and the trauma that they inflicted on this community and impacted Beaver County residents,’ EPA Administrator Michael Regan said.
‘This is common sense. This is their mess. They should clean it up,’ President Joe Biden said in a statement posted on Twitter shortly after the EPA’s announcement.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan announces the order compelling Norfolk Southern to pay for the derailment cleanup (Picture: AP)
US orders Norfolk Southern to clean up polluted Ohio derailment site
In addition to the EPA, the federal government has deployed assets from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help tackle the crisis.
Regan said the EPA will legally force the company to ‘clean up all contamination in soil and water, and safely transport that contamination to the appropriate locations to ensure that residents are not impacted further – from the debris and chemicals you see in the waterways to the soil in and around the crash site.’
He also said the EPA will offer their own cleaning services residents and businesses within the blast radius to provide ‘an additional layer of reassurance’ to residents. These services will also be paid for by Norfolk Southern.
‘If the company fails to complete any action ordered by EPA, the agency will immediately step in, conduct the work ourselves, and then force Norfolk Southern to pay triple in cost,’ Regan said. ‘In no way shape or form will Norfolk Southern get off the hook for the mess that they created.’
HEPACO workers place booms in a stream in East Palestine (Picture: AP)
In response, Norfolk Southern said they would ‘thoroughly and safely’ conduct cleanup efforts in East Palestine.
‘From day one, I’ve made the commitment that Norfolk Southern is going to remediate the site, we’re going to do continuous long-term air and water monitoring, we’re going to help the residents of this community recover, and we’re going to invest in the long-term health of this community. And we’re going to make Norfolk Southern a safer railroad,’ Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw said.
However, representatives from the company have so far failed to show up at scheduled town hall events to answer questions directly from East Palestine residents.
Norfolk Southern backed out of the event last minute, citing unspecified ‘physical threats’ against the rail operator’s employees.
Norfolk Southern will be required to clean all toxic chemicals out of local water sources in East Palestine (Picture: REUTERS)
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also derided the company’s ‘corporate greed and incompetence,’ saying they made the decision to ignite toxic chemicals outside of the unified command set up by Ohio and Pennsylvania governments.
‘They gave us inaccurate information and conflicting modeling data, and they refused to explore or articulate alternative courses of action when we were dealing with the derailment in the early days,’ Shapiro said.
Criminal investigations into Norfolk Southern’s conduct have been launched by both the Ohio and Pennsylvania attorneys general.
President Biden also said the US Department of Transportation would work to review safety regulations, but he also said the Trump administration ‘limited our ability to implement and strengthen rail safety measures.’
‘Rail companies have spent millions of dollars to oppose common-sense safety regulations,’ Biden said. ‘And it’s worked. This is more than a train derailment or a toxic waste spill – it’s years of opposition to safety measures coming home to roost.’
In a statement, Norfolk Southern said they would ‘learn from this terrible accident and work with regulators and elected officials to improve railroad safety.’
The host of Kokrokoo on Peace FM, Kwami Sefa Kayi has disputed claims by Ghanaian Gospel Singer, Sonnie Badu, that eating pork attracts witches to the consumer.
According to the journalist, he would be the warehouse of demons if it were to be true that eating pork causes a person to be possessed.
“On the flipside it has been reported that Sonnie Badu says those who eat pork will have demons attacking them at midnight. I don’t know if he actually said it. Sonnie Badu, wherever you are it is being reported that you claim demons will possess those of us who eat pork? If that’s the case I must be full of it,” he stated on the Wednesday, February 23, 2023, amidst laughter.
Sonnie Badu who is widely known as a gospel singer has recently been in the news following his open advocacy against pork consumption.
According to him, pork is an unclean food that opens one up to demonic attacks and possession.
He has sought to ground his argument in teachings of the Bible, however, some of his critics say Jesus according to the New Testament sanctified all things including pork for human consumption.
Reacting to Kwame Sefa Kayi’s position on the subject, some of his listeners via text messages shared thoughts on with several of them largely supporting the journalist.
“If Sonnie Badu himself turn into kwii (pig), we will eat him,” a message from Chief Biney read by the host said.
Liberian President George Weah has expressed his condolences to the family of the late Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu.
In a statement, the President referred to Atsu as his “neighbour, small brother, and young friend” and remembered their personal interactions during Atsu’s early training in soccer.
“I knew him personally and his formative years in the game of soccer. I had the opportunity to interact with him in his early training… May your soul rest in peace, small brother,” he wrote.
🕊Liberian President George Weah expresses deep condolences on the loss Christian Atsu.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the devastating news of the passing of my neighbor, my small brother, and my young friend…"#JoySportspic.twitter.com/sUp9dwEJvt
The former footballer died following the Turkey Earthquake on February 6, 2023.
Weah has also donated $10,000 to Atsu’s family, which former Black Stars player Kwame Ayew presented on February 22, 2023.
As the only African footballer to have won the Ballon d’Or award, Weah’s gesture underscores his commitment to supporting fellow athletes and their loved ones in times of need.
‘This 24-year-old female was cabin crew on a flight from Albania and was on the tarmac when she appeared to faint and was given basic first aid,’ she said.
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’10 minutes later there was no pulse and CPR commenced. Paramedics treated her and confirmed she had passed away.’
According to the British Heart Foundation, SADS is ‘when someone dies suddenly and unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest, but the cause of the cardiac arrest cannot be found’.
It is known to be rare, affecting around 500 people in Britain every year.
Greta’s colleagues at Air Albania described her as ‘a passionate professional, an excellent coworker, and a great friend to all of us’.
A statement from the airline at the time of her death said: ‘On December 21, after disembarking the passengers from our flight to London, one of our cabin crew Greta Dyrmishi had a heart attack.
‘Even after all medical assistance was provided immediately, we still lost her.
‘She was taken to the hospital in London, and procedures are being followed.
‘From the first moments, Air Albania contacted her family, and we continue to be close to them in these difficult moments.’
American-based Ghanaian-Liberian comedian and philantropist, Michael Blackson has announced his new management company on the award-winning podcast, Drink Champs.
Before introducing Bashir Annan, known as Gambo, as the man of the moment, Michael Blackson spoke about the explosion of Afrobeats across the globe. He noted that Nigeria currently has the most prolific artiste, naming stars like Davido, Burna Boy, Kizz Daniel and Wizkid.
He described the entertainment industry in both countries as “Nigeria is like the New York of music and Ghana is becoming the Dubai of Africa.”
“Afrobeat is taking over the world. In fact, I started my own management company called Michael Balckson Management. And I have one of my first Ghana artists,” Michael Blackson said she he introduced Gambo.
According to Michael Blackson, Ghana has only four top artistes; Shatta Wale, Black Sherif, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie. And so he aims to make the fifth superstar in Ghana with Gambo on his team.
Gambo revealed a new single coming next month with Goya Menor, Cut Soap.
The Michael Blackson Foundation opened its first free private school in January in Agona Nsaba, the hometown of founder Michael Blackson. The Michael Blackson Management company will be his second project in Ghana.
Three individuals, including two minors, were hospitalised with stab wounds following a street altercation in London.
The two 18-year-olds who were discovered on Walthamstow’s Stocksfield Road have also been detained on suspicion of attempting to kill someone, according to the Met Police.
At after 6 o’clock today, the London Ambulance Service dispatched officers to the adjoining Brandon Road.
A man in his thirties was found with stab injuries, and was taken to hospital.
His condition is not currently known.
Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for the area, posted on a local Facebook page about ‘serious violence that has taken place in Walthamstow today’, calling for speculation to end.
She wrote: ‘Please think carefully that if it was your family or friends involved how you would feel to read such commentary and speculation, as well as about the impact of misinformation and rumour on our local community.’
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According to the Sun, she also shared a police update saying: ‘Given the proximity of the various victims, the narrow window of time between incidents, and other recent violence, a Section 60 CJPOA was authorised at 18:30 until 06:30 tomorrow morning, covering Waltham Forest Borough.’
Renowned gospel artiste, Joe Mettle has revealed that his childhood dream was to become an architect instead of a musician.
During an interview on JoyPrime, he disclosed that he had always known he had a natural talent for music, but his ultimate dream was to study architecture.
“I wanted to actually be an architect, not a musician. But I know that at the back of my mind, I always knew that I would sing or do music for some reason, but I also knew that I was also going to still practise architecture,” he said.
Joe Mettle stated that he actually started living his architectural dream but later abandoned it as it consumed most of his time, which prevented him from focusing on his ministry.
After much contemplation, he decided to pursue his second passion, marketing, at the university, to give him more time to focus on his music and ministry.
“So I actually started. I used to do building drawings. I did that for a few years… So basic architecture. I went to MODESCO to learn that for a while, thinking that I was going to get to go to Tech or any other institution to further it, and it didn’t happen.
“I started singing, but later on, when I got to go to the university, I rather went to study marketing.
“I knew that I was spending most of my time doing ministry, so I wanted to do something else that I loved that would not affect the ministry. I decided to go study marketing instead,” he said.
Despite not following through on his original dream, Joe Mettle has become an accomplished gospel musician, winning the prestigious Artiste of the Year award at the 2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) and sharing the stage with great international artists such as Ntokozo Mbambo and Donnie McClurkin.
He has since received numerous other accolades for his soul-touching music and continues to put Ghana on the global map.
During a three-day journey that included a stop in Ukraine, President Joe Biden stumbled once more as he ascended the stairs of Air Force One in Poland.
On the tarmac in Warsaw on Wednesday evening local time, Biden, 80, staggered as countless dignitaries bid him farewell.
Video footage shows Biden walking up more than a dozen steps of the stairs and reaching a flat platform. On the next incline, he stumbles on his second step and falls forward and catches himself.
Biden continues up the flight of stairs and upon reaching the top, turns around and pauses a moment before waving to the officials and walking inside Air Force One.
Joe Biden trips on airplane stairs leaving Warsaw
It was not clear what caused Biden to trip. The White House did not immediately comment.
Biden is returning to Washington, DC, after a whirlwind Eastern Europe trip that started with a surprise visit to Ukraine on Monday. In remarks from Kyiv and Warsaw ahead of the one-year anniversary Friday of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Biden ripped Russian President Vladimir Putin and assured that NATO will continue united.
Wednesday was not the first time Biden has stumbled on Air Force One. He fell on the jet steps at Joint Base Andrews in March 2021, two months into the start of his presidency.
‘It’s pretty windy outside, it’s very windy. I almost fell coming up the steps myself. He is doing 100% fine,’ White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at the time.
President Joe Biden left Warsaw, Poland, after a three-day Eastern Europe trip that included a surprise visit to Ukraine (Pictures: Reuters)
Biden is not the only American official who has tripped. On Monday, a female White House staffer fell down the Air Force One stairs as Biden arrived in Warsaw.
The US president has faced criticism back home for visiting Ukraine instead of East Palestine, Ohio, where a February 3 toxic train derailment forced about 4,000 residents to evacuate.
‘That was the biggest slap in the face,’ East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway told Fox News on Monday night.
It was not the first time that President Joe Biden has tripped on the Air Force One steps (Picture: AP)
‘That tells you right now he doesn’t care about us.
‘He can send every agency he wants to, but I found out this morning that he was in Ukraine giving millions of dollars away to people over there and not to us… on Presidents’ Day in our country, so I’m furious.’
Meanwhile, Trump Force One, the name of former President Donald Trump’s jet, trended on Twitter on Wednesday morning. Videos showed Trump, who has announced his 2024 bid for the White House, flashing a thumbs up and walking up stairs without incident to board his plane.
Trump headed to the East Palestine trail derailment site, where he reportedly planned to meet with officials and donate thousands of gallons of cleaning supplies and water.
Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak may be in for a stiff contest in a re-election bid as reports reaching the Independent Ghana indicate that some branch executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Constituency, have gathered resources to sponsor a candidate against the incumbent Member of Parliament in the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The group according to a 3news.com on Tuesday, February 22, 2023, picked up nomination forms for Mubarak Masawudu to contest Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak for the party’s slot in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
“We the undersigned branch executives have contributed an amount of GH¢5,000 as the fee for picking up the parliamentary nomination form for Masawudu Mubarak.
“We came about this decision based on the enormous contribution of Masawudu towards building a formidable NDC in the Asawase Constituency,” Abubakar Ahmed Ibrahim, branch secretary for Asawase B-LINE, stated at a press conference.
According to the executive’s their preferred candidate will provide the right leadership to the people of the constituency to bring about growth and development.
“Masawudu through his youth empowerment programme has successfully secured a meaningful sustainable job for some of the youth of Asawase Constituency. This aligns to his overall goal of building the human capital base of the constituency.
“We are convinced that when given the nod, Comrade Masawudu through his youthful empowerment programme will eradicate the long-standing financial struggle the branches go through, rendering them ineffective.
“The policies and programmes that Comrade Masawudu espouses assures us that when he becomes the parliamentary candidate and subsequently the Member of Parliament for Asawase, the constituency will undoubtedly witness the total transformation she deserves,” the group said.
Mohammed Muntaka has been in parliament for five consecutive terms as MP for Asawase, one of the seats held by the NDC in the Ashanti Regional stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party.
