Co-host of TV3’s Talented Kids, Joelyn, turned 15 years on February 22, 2023, and she did so in an extravagant fashion as photos of her dazzling in outfits surfaced online.
She rocked two outfits. Her makeup was flawless, as it highlighted her facial features beautifully. She slayed the same hairstyle for both outfits.
One of them was a knee-length dress. The top part of the dress was without sleeves and was made of plain blue fabric. The bottom part of the dress was made of pleats.
In the other look, she wore a white long-sleeved shirt that was styled in the form of a crop top. To avoid showing a lot of skin, she wore a white inner top beneath.
She paired it with deep blue jeans and accessorized her entire look with a bracelet and star-studded earrings.
Big 15! Happy birthday to our brilliant #TV3TalentedKids co-host Joelyn 🎂🎉🎁
Data from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) shows that the comedy-drama earned N646,532,267 and counting after spending only nine weeks in theatres.
The 2022 release follows the story of two half-sisters who have been rivals for a while. Their rivalry intensifies when they both set up their food businesses on the same street.
Directed by Akindele and Tobi Makinde, the cast includes Akindele, Mercy Johnson, Nkem Owoh, Sola Sobowale, Kelvin Ikeduba, and Tina Mba.
‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ – N636,129,120
This comedy follows the chaotic life of Shalewa aka Lefty (Funke Akindele). Lefty struggles between living a life of wealth and comfort provided by her adopted mother or returning to her ghetto lifestyle.
Released on December 25, 2020, the movie is a sequel to the actress’s 2010 trilogy ‘Omo Ghetto’ based on twin sisters who get displaced at birth. It is directed by Akindele and her ex-husband, JJC Skillz.
‘The Wedding Party’ – N452,288,605
Released in December 2016, Kemi Adetiba’s rom-com stayed on top as the highest-grossing Nollywood movie for four years until ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ came along.
Made by Ebonylife Films, FilmOne, Inkblot Production and Koga Studios, it stood out for having the right amount of romance and comedy as the movie showed the hilarious drama that comes with pulling off a big wedding.
Starring celebrity couple, Adesua Etomi and Banky Wellington, the movie was both a local and international success. It continues to stay high on this list, despite being released almost seven years ago.
‘The Wedding Party 2’ – N433,197,377
Following the success of the first movie, Ebonylife Films, FilmOne, Inkblot Production and Koga Studios tried to recreate the same magic.
With Niyi Akinmolayan at the helm, the sequeldelivered a bigger party set in Nigeria and Dubai, with a British and Nigerian couple.
‘Chief Daddy’ – N387,540,749
Within three days, it sold over N40 million worth of movie tickets and a total of N115.7 million in the first ten days of release.
At the time, it was the second-highest opening weekend for a Nollywood film in 2018 and the third-highest opening weekend ever for a Nollywood film.
Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, the movie is based on the dysfunctional family of Chief Daddy, a polygamist and philanthropist. Upon his death, his children struggle to get a fair share of their inheritance.
‘Brotherhood’ – N328,881,12
Produced by Jade Osiberu and directed by Ugandan director, Loukman Ali, the movie opened with N53.23 million. ‘Brotherhood‘ went on to make N118.50 million in the second week, N177.67 million in the third week and crossed the N200 million bar by the fourth week.
The blockbuster tells the story of twin brothers who find themselves in opposite directions of the law after the tragic death of their parents when they were young. One becomes a police officer while the second becomes an armed robber. The former has to hunt down the latter and bring him to justice.
It features Folarin Falana, Tobi Bakre, Sam Dede, Boma Akpore, Toni Tones, Zubby Micheal, and Mr Macaroni.
‘King of Thieves (Ogundabede)’ – N320,805,150
Last year, this epic thriller stood out for raking in the big bucks despite being an indigenous title. It set a new record as the highest non-English title and the biggest domestic grosser for last year.
The movie opened with over N42 million within the first three days. 27 days later, the movie earned N249 million in ticket sales.
Produced by Euphoria 360 and Anthill Studios, the movie is an epic tale of the Kingdom of Ajeromi, terrorized by a band of thieves led by an all-powerful bandit named Ageshinkole. Concerned by his pillaging, the kingdom moves to destroy him, through the hunters, witches, and priests.
Led by Odunlade Adekola, the cast includes Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Salami, Joke Muyiwa, Toyin Abraham, and Lateef Adedimeji.
‘Sugar Rush’ – N287,053,270
This 2019 comedy used to be the fifth highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time.
It is directed by Kayode Kasum and produced by GreOH Media, Jungle Filmworks and Empire Mates Entertainment.
Released on Christmas day, the heist comedy stars Adesua Etomi, Bisola Aiyeola and Bimbo Ademoye. The sequel is currently in post-production.
‘Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper’ – N271,926,634
Opening with N30.44 million in its first three days, the movie quickly made N88.28 million within seven days. The movie crossed the N100 million mark in 10 days.
It raked in N192.79 million in its third weekend and crossed the N200 million mark by the third week. ‘Ijakumo’ is currently in fifth place after ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’
With this non-comedy hit movie, Toyin Abraham has proven that she is a bankable filmmaker who has what it takes to get people in seats regardless of what she makes.
The movie tells the story of a wealthy and flamboyant pastor who begins an affair with his church’s worship leader after finding out that she’s his favourite stripper. What follows is an interesting journey.
Written by Anthony Kehinde Joseph, it stars Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, Bimbo Akintola, Olumide Owuru, Lolade Okusanya, Debbie Shokoya, and Antar Laniyan.
‘Christmas in Miami’ – N265,583,000
This 2021 release made N60.38 million in its opening weekend, then over N100 million within the first week of release.
Directed by Robert O. Peters, this comedy series continues the fun adventures of Akpos. It stars Ayo Makun, Osita Iheme, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and IK Ogbonna.
Produced by popular comedian Ayo Makun – a box office favourite, it’s no surprise that this movie makes this list.
In her court fight against the decision to strip Shamima Begum of her British citizenship, Shamima Begum has lost.
The 23-year-old was at the centre of a controversy on whether or not she should be permitted to return to the UK.
Ms Begum and two other east London schoolgirls travelled to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State (IS) in 2015.
As a result, her British citizenship was revoked on national security grounds after she was found nine months pregnant in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.
He said: ‘The commission has fully recognised the considerable force in the submissions advanced on behalf of Ms Begum that the Secretary of State’s conclusion, on expert advice, that Ms Begum travelled voluntarily to Syria is as stark as it is unsympathetic.
‘Further, there is some merit in the argument that those advising the Secretary of State see this as a black and white issue, when many would say that there are shades of grey.’
Shamima Begum’s lawyers challenged the removal of her citizenship
He continued: ‘If asked to evaluate all the circumstances of Ms Begum’s case, reasonable people with knowledge of all the relevant evidence will differ, in particular in relation to the issue of the extent to which her travel to Syria was voluntary and the weight to be given to that factor in the context of all others.
‘Likewise, reasonable people will differ as to the threat she posed in February 2019 to the national security of the United Kingdom, and as to how that threat should be balanced against all countervailing considerations.
‘However, under our constitutional settlement these sensitive issues are for the Secretary of State to evaluate and not for the commission.’
The verdict came after one Government minister claimed Ms Begum ‘clearly represents a threat’.
The 23-year-old has pleaded for the chance to return back to the UK (Picture: Sky UK)
Veterans’ affairs minister Johnny Mercer, asked this morning about whether the 23-year-old should be allowed to return to the UK, told GB News: ‘That’s a decision for the Home Secretary and previous home secretaries.
‘Certainly, Sajid Javid when he was home secretary made the decision to revoke her citizenship. That’s a decision for them.
‘Of course she clearly represents a threat. But there is a lot of information in that case that is not in the public domain.
‘I don’t think it is worth discussing it in public. I think those decisions are made in the courts and in the Home Office, and I’m sure they’ll come to the right conclusion.’
Shamima Begum left Britain aged 15 to join the Islamic State group
During a five-day hearing in November, Ms Begum’s lawyers said that the Home Office had a duty to investigate whether she was a victim of trafficking before stripping her of her British citizenship.
The specialist tribunal heard said that she was ‘recruited, transported, transferred, harboured and received in Syria for the purposes of ‘sexual exploitation’ and “marriage” to an adult male’.
At a previous hearing in February 2020, SIAC ruled that the decision to remove her British citizenship was lawful as Ms Begum was ‘a citizen of Bangladesh by descent’ at the time of the decision.
However, her barristers said in November that the decision made her ‘de facto stateless’, where she had no practical right to citizenship in Bangladesh, with Bangladeshi authorities stating they would not allow her into the country.
Barristers for the Home Office defended the Government’s decision, arguing that people trafficked to Syria and brainwashed can still be threats to national security, adding that Ms Begum expressed no remorse when she initially emerged from IS-controlled territory.
Sir James Eadie KC, for the department, said there was ‘no “credible suspicion” that she was a victim of trafficking or was at real and immediate risk of being trafficked prior to her travel from the UK’.
Sir James said that the then-home secretary Mr Javid took into account Ms Begum’s age, how she travelled to Syria – including likely online radicalisation – and her activity in Syria when making the decision to remove her British citizenship.
Sources close to the Bank of Ghana have called on journalists to be circumspect in their utterances and reportage with regard to the economic managers of the country.
One source who spoke on condition of anonymity to GhanaWeb Business said the country is already facing a difficult time and therefore requires extra precision in the dissemination of news on the economy and public institutions.
The source made the remarks after the contents of a front-page story from the Herald newspaper which sought to create an impression that BoG Governor, Dr Ernest Addison, is unwell and thus left the management of the Bank to the Second Deputy Governor, Mrs Elsie Addo Awadzi.
The source however urged the general public to disregard the false publication adding that Dr. Ernest Addison remains in good health and full control of affairs at the Bank of Ghana.
“I think the vile propaganda should stop. The contents of the story are false and without merit. I have followed the activities of the Bank, including monitoring their Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Press Conferences both in-person and online and I personally find it difficult to understand why a publication of this kind would be made to create a false impression,” the source said.
“…For instance, If the Governor is unwell, how will he be able to stand for an hour to read the MPC statement and also answer questions from the press every two months. From my assessment, l think he is very healthy and I suggest there is video evidence available on the internet for all to see,” the source added.
The source further pointed out that the BoG Governor has attended numerous public engagements where he has delivered speeches with no sign of ill health whatsoever.
“I can assure you that the Governor is always at post and does not spend his time abroad. The impression that he is always outside the country on medical grounds is rather false and must be disregarded.”
“I will urge Governor Ernest Addison and his Management to focus on their work and not be destructed by the propaganda created in some circles,” the source concluded.
Ghanaian musician Joshua Kojo Ampah, member of the music duo, “Keche” has described controversial dancehall musician Shatta Wale as one of the most humble artist he has ever met.
According to him, although Shatta is aggressive and loud he is one of the few people you can trust to see the good in people.
He added that Shatta Wale can be classified as one real person who says things as they are adding that Ghanaians hate people who are real and truthful.
Speaking in an interview with Onua Fm’s Osei Felicia on Adwuma Adwuma he said that the ‘My level’ hitmaker knows how to correct you when you are wrong which sometimes includes he been hard but that is just his way of doing things.
According to him, he resonates with Shatta Wale because he believes in telling people when they are wrong without sugarcoating words because sometimes you just have to say it as it is to make people conscious of their actions.
Shatta Wale has been touted as the Ghanaian musician with the most controversies in the industry. Strangely enough, the more controversies Shatta Wale creates, the higher his fame and followership soars.
He has managed to ride on controversy and good music to be one of the forces to reckon with in the Ghanaian music industry.
Shatta Wale’s songs were in perfect sync with his personality. He lived his music, identified with the people on the streets and became a household name. He whipped up public interest in dance hall and got the likes of Samini and Iwan to join in his lyrical wars.
The fund grew assets by a whopping 87.4 percent from 2021 figures, which stood at GH¢1.7billion. People with knowledge of the fund’s intimate workings say with lithium and salt investments penned for 2023, the US$500million mark – or at least GH¢5billion – is very much within view.
The performance was achieved on the back of innovative strategies which led to growth in royalties’ income and expansion of royalties’ sources and investment income.
Growth focused investments
In March 2022, MIIF acquired a US$20million stake in Asante Gold Corporation – a Canadian and German-listed company with assets in Bibiani, Chirano and Kubi. MIIF subscribed to 14,514,286 ordinary shares representing 4.62 percent of the entity at the time. The future-focused investment fund said at the time of acquisition that it saw “significant upsides to the Asante asset and was confident the company which has all its assets domiciled in Ghana would do very well”.
MIIF has also closed a GH¢25million deal in a Ghana/Africa SME-focused Fund and recently announced at the 2023 Mining Indaba in South Africa that it intends to invest US$60million in lithium and salt – with the beneficiary companies being Atlantic Lithium and Electrochem Limited, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company that is aiming to become Africa’s biggest salt producer.
Another area of investment for 2023 is the small-scale mining incubation support programme, wherein MIIF told audiences at the South African Mining Indaba in Cape Town that it was planning to invest another US$60million to formalise small-scale mining; help with traceability mechanisms for the gold produced by small-scale miners under the programme; and ultimately list beneficiary mining firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).
MIIF is also developing a gold-backed Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) with support from the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) for trading on the local bourse, and possibly the Johannesburg and Toronto Stock Exchanges.
The Fund recorded an annualised end-year return of 6.13 percent in 2022. The return was also influenced by foreign exchange volatility and good Treasury management of funds.
Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, said “MIIF mobilised GH¢1.3 billion in 2021 and GH¢1.8billion in 2022, representing a 36 percent growth over the previous year. This was a major factor in growing the Fund’s AUM. We have been able to do this because of an inter-agency framework we put in place last year that has seen us collaborating with more agencies.
“These agencies include the Ghana Standards Authority, Economic and Organised Crime Office and Minerals Commission – which is the minerals sub-sector regulator. We have also adopted innovative technologies such as geo-mapping for all mining sites in Ghana, and also creating a real-time dashboard for all royalties’ contribution from every mine in the country,” Mr. Koranteng said.
Mr. Koranteng further said that: “The Fund put in measures to expand the royalties’ stream by adding sand-winning and salt to the list of royalties-paying minerals, which helps with diversifying the royalties base away from gold”.
MIIF outperforms Global Benchmarked Indexes
MIIF outperformed global benchmarks with an annualised end-year return of 6.13 percent in 2022. The year 2022 witnessed significant market losses for equities and fixed income investments globally. Equities spent most of the year in a bear market, with the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and GSE-CI recording end-year returns of -19.49 percent, +0.91 percent and -12.38 percent respectively. This compares to the 6.13 percent return achieved by MIIF.
The bond market was also hit, especially in developing economies, as the risk of defaults increased. The Russia-Ukraine conflict triggered global inflation and general market uncertainties.
Mr. Koranteng expressed optimism that MIIF will in a few years become the lever that can help Ghana through volatile economic periods, and offer the stability that is needed in the economy.
“MIIF will seek to diversify its funding and investment portfolio sources, including capital market transactions; a gold trade desk that has already been set up, which will definitely be a source of forex for the country; and explore risk participation in high-yielding projects with top-grade financial institutions,” he said.
Mr. Koranteng emphasised that: “We are a young fund; however, we are focused on getting it right. We plan to hit the US$500million AUM by January 2024 and US$1billion by 2027. We have made investments in Asante Gold, and we are targetting some gold exploratory companies, lithium and salt – as well as lithium by-products such as feldspar and silica, to kickstart the ceramics and fibreglass industry.”
The Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, is advocating for more children to be vaccinated against malaria.
He advised parents to allow their children below two years, to be vaccinated against malaria to stimulate the nation’s efforts to eradicate malaria in the country by 2030.
He emphasised that the malaria vaccine remains safe, effective and well tolerated and has no debilitating consequences on the health of children.
Mr Agyemang-Manu gave the advice while speaking at the launch of the expansion of the malaria vaccine implementation programme in Sunyani, on the theme: “Malaria vaccine for additional treatment.”
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) with support from its partners, including GAVI, PATH, and WHO is implementing the pilot programme in parts of the country.
Mr Agyemang-Manu stated that vaccination not only protect and save children’s lives, but it is also one of the most cost-effective public health interventions and the most effective way to help children survive.
Considered to be the cornerstone of public health care, the Health Minister said globally vaccination has saved three million children from childhood diseases every year, and urged caregivers and parents to capitalise on the programme and vaccinate their eligible children.
In a speech read on his behalf, Dr Francis Kasolo, the WHO Representative to Ghana, said the “malaria vaccine is a welcome addition to the malaria control toolbox and will offer endemic countries the opportunity to rapidly reach children in the most vulnerable places with an effective intervention through the routine immunisation platform.”
So far, he said, about 1.5 million doses of the malaria vaccine had been administered across 42 districts in Ghana, reaching over 440,000 children with at least one dose and with over 175,000 children completing the fourth dose.
This is a commendable achievement for Ghana and Africa, according to Dr. Kasolo, who added that the malaria vaccine introduction programme demonstrated that the vaccine was safe, feasible, and could be implemented through routine childhood immunization alongside other malaria control interventions.
Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director General of the GHS, said the malaria vaccine reduced the number of times a child gets malaria, including severe malaria and reduced child deaths as well.
He explained children get the first dose of the vaccine at six months of age and the final dose at 18 months, a departure from the previous schedule of 24 months for the final dose.
The new schedule is, therefore, six months, seven months, nine months and 18 months, Dr Kuma-Aboagye explained, saying to get the maximum protection, a child must receive all the four doses.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) plans to acquire the latest technology to help detect the quality of water flowing to homes.
According to the company, this will help ensure that only safe water is made available for consumption.
“We are picking equipment that will help us with water quality in real-time. So we will be measuring the raw quality at every stage of the production process till it gets to our homes,” the company said.
Head of Communications of GWCL, Stanley Martey made this disclosure at the 21st International Congress of the African Water Association (AfWA) and 7th Faecal Sludge Management Conference in Abidjan on Tuesday.
He explained that the GWCL is in talks with companies to help acquire the needed technology.
“So we are in negotiations with companies that can help us mount technology that can help us get all this information in real-time,” he said.
The AfWA conference brought together experts, engineers, technicians, researchers, and multiple stakeholders from both public and private sectors and other stakeholders to discuss water and sanitation challenges in Africa.
Reports by JoyNews showed the brownish nature of water that residents of various communities have to depend on and the health implications for the people.
Some members of the community walk for hours in search of water and some teenage girls are forced to miss classes when they are menstruating because of lack of sanitary pads and water.
However, Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Patrick Jérôme Achi believes safe water should not continue to be a problem in Africa if African countries adopt some measures.
Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Patrick Jérôme Achi
Outlining what he called the “panacea to get safe water to all homes” ahead of the 2030 declared year, he said, “Africa must prioritise building appropriate structures for the treatment and litigation of water.”
“There should also be proper use of waste for renewal resources so that it can be used as energy in the rural areas,” he said.
For his part, the President of AfWA, Dr Eng Silver Mugisha urged President Akufo-Addo to act on the recommendations from such events and not only outline them in their policies.
He stressed that “our actions have the power to change the African water and sanitation sector and inspire others in our lives to get up and take action.
Dr Mugisha advised the President to invest in technological innovation, develop sustainable infrastructure financing, strengthen people and systems and inculcate a strong continuous improvement culture.
At the end of the event, the Africa Water Association (AfWA) was changed to Africa Water and Sanitation Association.
A Piper PA-28 161 Warrior III flies above the urban aeroclub
The co-pilot didn’t realise the instructor seated next to him had passed away until the Piper plane landed after taking off from Blackpool.
A pilot believed his co-pilot was laughing and “taking a nap,” but the man had actually passed away in the cockpit mid-flight, according to a report.
The pilot said he thought the 57-year-old instructor was ‘just joking’ after his head rolled back and slumped over shortly after taking off.
But the instructor, who was his ‘normal cheerful self’ on the morning of the flight, had actually suffered acute cardiac failure.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigated the incident and concluded current medical assessments were acceptable but risks ‘can never be reduced to zero.’
The instructor is said to have died in the cockpit of the Piper PA-28-161 aircraft, shortly after leaving Blackpool Airport, Lancashire, last June.
It was only when the pilot landed the aircraft and started to taxi back on the runway did he realise his colleague was not responding and realised ‘something was wrong’.
The report said: ‘The pilot knew the instructor well and thought he was just pretending to take a nap whilst the pilot flew the circuit, so he did not think anything was wrong at this stage. He proceeded to fly the aircraft round the circuit.’
It added that the pilot noticed his colleague was ‘still resting on his shoulder’ and realised something was wrong.
He quickly signalled to the airport fire crew, who contacted the air ambulance medical crew who are based at the airport.
But the instructor remained unresponsive and they were unable to save him, according to the report.
The instructor had medical history of high blood pressure and had been taking blood pressure medication since 2002 but had passed a medical test four months before his death.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it continually reviewed health guidance and the ‘rarity’ of accidents caused by cardiac events in flight ‘suggests the balance is currently about right’.
Ghanaian-Liberian actor, philanthropist, and comedian based in the United States, Michael Blackson has disclosed his plans when he returns to Ghana, Monday, ahead of the nation’s Independence Day celebration.
In a tweet, Wednesday, Blackson said he would among others visit his school and the seat of government.
“I’m leaving for Ghana on Monday, who wants to come with me, we will visit my school, tour the slave castle, visit the jubilee aka Ghana White House and we will party and celebrate Ghana’s independence,” Blackson’s tweet read.
Early this year, the comedian commissioned his own school located in his hometown of Agona Nsaba, Central Region, that will offer free tuition to all students that choose to attend.
“Today is the greatest day of my life because I’ve finally accomplished what I always wanted to do which is giving these kids a chance to be great. Greatness starts with education and foundational education shouldn’t come with financial barriers,” the caption of his post read.
Prior to this, he had in December 2022 expressed gratitude to persons who contributed towards achieving that dream.
“Finally, it’s all done and the kids in my village will all go to school for free,” he wrote. “Thanks to all my fans that supported me thru out the years, every ticket you bought to my show helped a kid.”
Michael Blackson Academy, a three-storey complex is fully furnished and open to the general public.
It said the passage of the Bill, which is an amendment to the Excise Duty Act 2014 (Act 878) would increase the operational cost of local beverage manufacturers, which could inadvertently lead to downsizing of operations and laying off of workers.
Addressing the media, Mr Abraham Koomson, Secretary General of GFL, said introducing new excise duty at 20 per cent for non-alcoholic sweetened beverages, from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent excise duty on mineral water, 45 per cent of duty for wines, including sparkling wine and 50 per cent for spirits, all at ex-factory prices, was not appropriate.
“The proposed 50% excise duty on spirits can be imposed on imported spirits only to allow local industry to grow.”
“Maintain the current excise duty on malts but exempt mineral water from the excise as the beverage industries have been under pressure from the harsh business climate,” he said.
Mr Koomson noted that even though the rationale of increasing excise duty was to generate revenue, the effort would increase the cost of production, which would be transferred to the final consumer.
“Indeed, if the principle of introducing cost to discourage consumption and its adverse consequences hold true, increased cost will as well lower demand and, therefore, the expected revenue projection is not likely to be realised,” he said.
He urged government to collaborate with industry players to engage, assess and identify the needed interventions most effective in promoting good health, sustaining livelihoods and aiding government generate needed revenue.
“We cannot afford to sit on the fence and watch our members reel under the ever mounting taxations on local manufacturing industry,” he added.
She said the popular Ghanaian socialite cum Queen mother, called her to order and demanded an apology on behalf of Fella Makafui, which she did.
“Confidence scolded and advised me about my beef with Fella. She told me what I was doing was bad so I should put a stop to it. She asked me to apologize but at that time, Fella had blocked me so I just apologized on social media and moved on,” she stated in an interview with Metro TV.
Efia Odo, however, recalled how her feud with Fella Makafui started and Sista Afia’s ‘uninvited’ interruptions.
“I was new in the industry and didn’t know my way around. Fella and I had our issue. She did something I didn’t like and it was wrong for me to have come and blasted her in the manner I did but I didn’t know. So it was a situation between me and Fella but Sista Afia did not like me already so she joined.
“Sista Afia had an issue with something I did to her in America. Before I relocated to Ghana, I saw a picture of her and a certain girl on social media. At that time, I didn’t know the other girl was Eno. They were wearing boots and their outfits just wasn’t giving. So, I posted the picture and asked whether they don’t have stylists in Ghana. So that was all.
“My post was sent to her and she publicly reacted to it, saying who is this bitch and so on. Asking me to run when I see her on the streets and whatever. So, because I had issues with Fella when I came to Ghana, Sista Afia joined because she already had her issues with me. So, she joined in on my beef with Fella although she wasn’t invited. It has since always been that way. Whenever Fella and I are going at each other on social media, she will join in it,” she asserted.
The ‘secure the bag’ hitmaker said no relationship whatsoever currently exists between her, Fella and Sista Afia.
“There is no relationship. As for those two, I don’t know them. Once I am done with you, you don’t exist. Fella and Sista Afia are ghosts to me.”
African women in the corporate world have shattered the glass ceiling and proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in leadership. These trailblazers are making their mark not only in traditionally female-dominated sectors but also in industries that are often seen as male-dominated.
A prime example of this is Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh, a Ghanaian corporate law specialist who is the head of strategic partnerships for Africa at Microsoft.
Another noteworthy woman making waves is Carmen Kamgaing, the Africa vice-president in charge of distribution at Caterpillar, the world leader in civil engineering machinery.
Additionally, Anta Babacar Ngom Diack has been heading the Senegalese agri-food group Sedima since 2016.
In a region where women have historically been excluded from decision-making positions, these women are leading the way in sectors ranging from finance to mining and agri-food. With their expertise, drive, and vision, they are redefining what it means to be a leader in Africa and proving that women can make a significant impact in the business world.
This list highlights ten outstanding female managers from West Africa, recognizing their impressive achievements and celebrating their success as role models for the next generation of African women leaders.
#1 Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh
Nationality: Ghanaian
Microsoft’s Head of Strategic Partnerships for Africa
Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh, a corporate law specialist, is the current head of strategic partnerships for Africa at Microsoft, the world’s leading software company with $198 billion in revenue in 2022.
Previously, she was the first woman to hold the position of Executive Director/Regional Manager of IBM for North, East, and West Africa, overseeing more than 40 countries on the continent.
Kyerematen-Jimoh’s outstanding career has earned her multiple awards, including the Global Impact Leadership Award from the U.S. African Women Forum and the African Achievers Awards.
#2 Carmen Kamgaing
Nationality: Cameroonian
Caterpillar’s Africa Vice President
Carmen Kamgaing, an engineer by training, is Caterpillar’s Africa vice president in charge of distribution. Leading a network of 150 cities across 50 countries and working with more than 15,000 employees and partner distributors, Kamgaing is responsible for ensuring Caterpillar’s position as the African continent’s leading construction machinery manufacturer.
As the leader in civil engineering machinery with a $48 billion turnover in 2021, Kamgaing faces rising competition in a rapidly growing African market. She relishes this challenge, stating that she is driven by action and results.
#3 Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu
Nationality: Nigerian
Amazon Prime’s Head of Content Acquisition in Africa
In August 2021, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu was appointed as the head of Amazon Prime Video’s content acquisition in Africa, positioning her as a key player in the company’s efforts to establish a foothold in the continent’s rapidly growing streaming market.
Drawing on her experience as the former director of West Africa operations for M-Net, a South African channel, Mba-Uzoukwu is spearheading Amazon’s efforts to leverage local audiovisual production and talent. By tapping into her expertise and insights, Amazon Prime Video is poised to become a dominant player in Africa’s burgeoning audiovisual industry.
#4 Delphine Traore
Nationality: Burkinabe
Allianz Africa’s Regional CEO
Delphine Traore, originally from Burkina Faso and an alumna of the universities of Pittsburgh and Boston, was appointed as the regional CEO of Allianz Africa on Nov. 1, 2021.
Allianz Africa is the African subsidiary of the German insurance giant.
Her rise to the top of continental finance comes at a crucial moment, as Allianz Africa announced in May 2022 a partnership with the African insurance leader, Sanlam, to establish a joint venture that will merge their assets on the continent, except for South Africa.
#5 Morin Oluwole
Nationality: Nigerian
Meta’s International Luxury Director
Morin Oluwole is an expert in business development and innovation who has held the position of international luxury director at Meta (the parent company of Facebook) since 2015. In this role, she oversees partnerships with luxury brands to help them engage customers in innovative ways online and shape the metaverse of the future.
Oluwole sits at the intersection of luxury and technology, leveraging her online audience to share insights on economic and commercial development, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and mentoring.
#6 Kate Fotso
Nationality: Cameroonian
Founder, Managing Director of Telcar Cocoa
Kate Fotso, known as the “queen of Cameroonian agribusiness,” is the founder and managing director of Telcar Cocoa, a company co-established with Cargill (a 49-percent shareholder).
In 2011, Fotso launched Coop Academy, a cocoa certification program that has involved over 30,000 cocoa farmers and has attracted investments from the International Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of the World Bank, in the Cameroonian cocoa industry.
As the president of the Syndicate of Cameroonian Cocoa Exporters, Fotso’s influence in the agribusiness industry is unrivaled.
#7 Busola Tejumola
Nationality: Nigerian
Executive Director of West African Content & Channels at MultiChoice
As the executive director of West African content and channels at MultiChoice, Busola Tejumola leads the development and execution of the company’s content strategy, driving its growth and results.
Tejumola joined MultiChoice in 2014 and has held various positions, including head of strategy and ideas and general director of production. Tejumola and her team notably relaunched the popular show Big Brother Naija, contributing to MultiChoice’s position as the most beloved storyteller from Africa.
TV5Monde’s Director of Distribution, Marketing and Commercialization
Denise Epote, a renowned journalist and influencer, is the director of distribution, marketing, and commercialization at TV5Monde and PCA of TV5MONDE USA and Latin America.
With more than 23 years of experience in TV5’s Africa department, including four years as Africa director of the future TV5Monde, Epote has successfully managed marketing and distribution for the channel in 48 countries.
#9 Benedicte Janine Kacou Diagou
Nationality: Ivorian
Group Chief Executive Officer at NSIA
Benedicte Janine Kacou Diagou, the daughter of Jean Kacou Diagou, founder of the New Inter-African Insurance Company, is leading the way as a worthy successor to her father, heading one of the most prominent bancassurance groups in the WAEMU zone.
#10 Anta Babacar Ngom Diack
Nationality: Senegalese
CEO of Sedima
Since 2016, Anta Babacar Ngom has been at the helm of Sedima, the Senegalese agri-food group founded by her father, Babacar Ngom. Under her leadership, the company has diversified its activities beyond poultry farming to include real estate and construction, acquisitions of other companies, flour milling, and a lucrative franchise contract with KFC.
The Chief Executive of Dalex Finance, Kenneth Thompson, has asked government to sell off non-performing State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
He says they are solely responsible for the country’s economic misfortunes.
According to him, this economic downturn can be averted should government sell SOEs to private investors.
The Chartered Accountant made these assertions while contributing to discussions on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Tuesday.
“Sell them [state-owned enterprises] off. What is the worst that can happen?” he wondered as he engaged host, Kojo Yankson.
He further explained that most of the workers in charge of state-owned businesses attain their position on the ticket of familiarity with the appointing authority who is mostly the President.
In his opinion, this action does not contribute to increased productivity in SOEs.
Mr Thompson eventually alluded to a principle of business that states that “If the people in charge of a business did not have any skin in it, the business was not going to succeed.”
However, his co-panellist, Dr Eric Oduro Osae was against the position.
He noted that SOEs could not be sold to private companies due to national security implications.
For Dr Osae, handing over SOEs to private investors would mean the investors would have greater shares, which could have severe implications on the economy of the country.
But the CEO of Dalex Finance, rebutted the claims of his co-panelist, and labelled it as an emotional argument, and highlighted some aspects of state-owned businesses that were failing, such as performance management.
The Chartered Accountant emphasised that until employees in SOEs had a stake in the business, the country’s economy would continue to suffer.
To curb the issue of insufficient productivity at SOEs, Mr Thompson proffered, “Let’s get institutions where people have skin in the game and there’s true accountability.”
The Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL) wants fluency in at least one indigenous languages to be made a requirement for gaining admission to tertiary schools in the country.
The Bureau has therefore entreated the Ghana Education Service (GES) to include an indigenous language as an entry requirement into tertiary education.
This, according to them will rekindle the desire for the study of Ghanaian languages.
“As a means of rejuvenating public interest and appreciation for indigenous languages in Ghana, we wish to recommend that entry requirements into tertiary institutions should be opened up to include one indigenous language,” the Bureau said.
The BGL made this recommendation at the 24th Edition of the UNESCO International Mother Language Day Celebration under the theme; “Multilingualism – A Necessity to Transform Education” in Accra on Tuesday.
The Bureau explained that should one language be made a requirement, it would renew the desire to study native languages.
“This would eventually awaken or rekindle the desire to study examinable indigenous languages,” the institute said.
The BGL pointed out that although there have been complaints about a lack of teaching and learning materials, it is best that the GES makes an attempt to preserve the language rather than allow them to fade into oblivion.
The Institute further said the GES has undertaken steps to ensure the continuity of languages by instructing pupils from Upper Primary to JHS to study by compulsion, the dominant language of the community they find themselves.
However, it acknowledged there have been countless limitations.
Highlighting these limitations, the Bureau said, “the barriers once again include; insufficient teachers who are resourceful in those indigenous languages at various locations where they are posted to teach.
“Lack of resourceful indigenous language teachers, lack of indigenous language textbooks, heterogeneous mix of students and pupils from all regions of Ghana.”
However, the institute stressed that multilingual education could be an asset if it can be encouraged amongst the various ethnic compositions of Ghana and within schools and colleges.
The Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana today, February 22, 2023, have shown that the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 11.0009 and a selling price of 11.0119.
As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 10.7985 and a selling price of 10.8093. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 12.60 and sold at a rate of 13.10.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 13.3177 and a selling price of 13.3332 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 12.9852 and a selling price of 12.9993.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 15.00 and sold at a rate of 15.80.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 11.7481 and a selling price of 11.7598 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 11.5434 and a selling price of 11.5539.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 13.00 and sold at a rate of 13.80.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.6018 and a selling price of 0.6024 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.5951 and a selling price of 0.5957.
At a forex bureau in Accra, South African Rand is being bought at a rate of 0.50 and sold at a rate of 1.10.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 41.8211 and a selling price of 41.9111 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 42.5957 and a selling price of 42.6948.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 14.00 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 19.00.
Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.
Donatello’s and Pinocchio‘s were two of Sue Addis’s eateries that were well-known in the Brighton neighbourhood.
After getting worried about her own grandson’s cannabis usage, a restaurant owner was fatally stabbed in the bathtub by him, according to testimony given in court.
Sue Addis, owner of Donatello’s Italian in Brighton, was discovered dead in her blood-spattered bathtub at her Cedar Gardens residence in Withdean.
According to evidence presented at Lewes Crown Court, the 69-year-old was stabbed at least 17 times in the chest and neck.
Her grandson, Pietro Addis, who was 17 at the time of the brutal attack in January 2021, is accused of her murder.
The teenager had been living with Ms Addis for a little more than a week after he left his dad’s home due to ‘worrying behaviour’.
The court heard he had been diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed medication for the condition.
As well as taking the prescription, Addis had started smoking cannabis and taking anti-depressants.
The 69-year-old was found dead in her home in January 2021 (Picture: Brighton Pictures)
He began skipping college and failed to turn up for work at the family restaurant.
The jury was told he was regularly smoking one or two cannabis joints an evening, three or four times a week.
Ms Addis had confided in friends, Sue Eastman and Denise Taylor, that she was increasingly concerned about her grandson’s cannabis use.
She also wrote to Dr Daphne Keen, the psychologist who diagnosed his ADHD in 2018, that he was continually smoking ‘weed’, which when combined with drugs had made him listless and slow.
She told her: ‘He is suffering paranoia and we are all getting annoyed with him rather than helping.
Addis arriving at court on Monday where he has been charged with murdering his grandmother (Picture: Brighton Pictures)
‘He still says he can’t do anything without the Elvanse [his ADHD drug] but with the weed as well he has become impossible to reason with.
‘He wants to sit in his room all day and it is an effort to get him to do anything.’
Addis’ friends also noticed a huge change in him in the months leading up to the killing.
George Cameron described him to police as ‘negative and despondent’ and ‘quite paranoid’.
Rossano Scamardella QC, prosecuting, said that on the day of her death Ms Addis returned from working at Donatello’s around 4pm, before researching online for treatment for her grandson.
Forensic officers at the scene of the brutal attack in Brighton (Picture: Brighton Pictures)
‘She was researching “the Priory, Ticehurst”, which is a private clinic/hospital for addiction and mental health treatment,’ he told the court.
‘She also searched “Brighton to Ticehurst by car” presumably to see how far away it was.
‘Police enquiries of the Priory indicate that no enquiry was in fact received from Ms Addis, but it seems as though she was considering in-patient treatment for her grandson at a specialist centre.’
He continued: ‘What then followed in the lead-up to her death is unclear. Only the two of them were at the house and nobody other than Ms Addis and Addis were witness to the events immediately before he stabbed her to death as she lay in the bath.’
Addis, now 19, admits killing his grandmother but denies her murder.
Mr Scamardella said: ‘His case is that he was suffering from paranoid psychosis at the time, diminishing his responsibility for the killing and he has pleaded guilty to manslaughter to reflect that position.
‘It is the Crown’s case he suffered no such psychosis at the time of the killing, and he in fact bears complete responsibility for the murder of his grandmother.
‘The issue in this case is whether, at the time Pietro killed his grandmother, he was suffering from an abnormality of mental functioning that arises from a recognised medical condition and it substantially impaired his ability to understand the nature of his conduct and/or form a rational judgment and/or exercise self-control and that explains his act of killing his grandmother.’
A total of 5,000 farmers within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area have received more than 5,000 coconut seedlings since the inception of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.
The farmers have also received maize, vegetable seeds and other agricultural resources to aid in effective farm management practices to increase yields.
Mr Daniel Asimenu, the Metropolitan Director of Agriculture, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that, another set of farmers had been registered for rubber stumps in the 2023 agricultural season.
He said a component of the programme, which promoted rural agriculture and wealth creation, had seen many extension workers deployed to assist farmers with the requisite knowledge to make informed decisions.
Mr Asimenu has, therefore, encouraged the farmers to continue with good agricultural practices that would ensure bountiful harvest in the next four years.
The Director for Agriculture, however complained about how urbanization had “eaten” a chunk of arable lands within the metropolis, adding “so now we are turning attention to home gardens, and we encourage every family to consider this as key in controlling the looming food scarcity issue.”
He said, “farmers have also been educated to add home gardening as a component to the regular farming methods. We have provided citrus, guava, mango among other citrus to our farmers”.
The Metro Agric Director mentioned how the Assembly through the European Union had mounted demonstration gardens to teach farmers on aquaculture, greenhouse farming, vegetable cultivation and poultry, among others.
“We are also working hard on market linkages to ensure that our farmers get value for their hard Labour”, the Agric Director added.
He spoke about a common database to ensure interconnectivity with all players in the agricultural value chain, adding, “I will at this time beg my farmers to provide the right information about their businesses for the right assistance.”
Mr. Asimenu mentioned the collaboration with the Agric Directorate and the Meteorological Department for information on when the rains would set in to enable farmers to start this year’s planting season.
Kumawood actress Gladys Mensah Boaku, popularly known as Nayashas revealed that she was the 6th wife of her ex-husband.
In an interview with Zionfelix, Nayas disclosed that she met her ex-husband through Brother Sammy’s wife, Obaa Yaa.
She explained that before meeting her ex-husband, he had already planned their marriage with Obaa Yaa, brother Sammy’s wife, and the gospel singer’s manager.
Her ex-husband flew to Ghana from Germany to propose marriage to her without knowing each other much.
In the course of the interview, Nayas admitted that she rushed into the marriage with her husband because they barely knew themselves.
But later claimed that she agreed to marry him because he was highly recommended by Brother Sammy’s wife Obaa Yaa whom she trusted.
But upon flying to Germany, she later got to realize that her husband had married and divorced 5 times.
narrating her ordeal, she said that “Four African women and one white lady whom he used to get his permanent stay papers.”
Nayas confessed that she got really disappointed after finding out that her ex-husband had married before.
Speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, on Tuesday, the ‘Woara’ hitmaker gave his view on the back and forth with his colleagues concerning the BBC documentary on Hiplife.
In an interview with Andy Dosty, he said he has no problem with the omission of his name in the documentary.
“I don’t mind if my name was not mentioned in the Hiplife Rewind Documentary,” he noted.
He added, “My legacy is not attached to what BBC is doing but rather based on how I live my life today.
“What stops me from getting my phone, a $200 cordless microphone, calling my friends to come on board, telling their story, and letting my editor edit it in my favor?” he asked.
The “Rap Dacta” made it clear that there are so many stories we have as a country that are being told from the Hollywood perspective.
“It is time we stop expecting people to tell us, and rather we tell our story how it is supposed to be told, the African way.”
“If someone else who has their interest and has proven over and over again that they’re best friends with us, has done his documentary how dare we criticize his work?” he quizzed.
Ghanaian gospel singer, Stella Aba Seal has recounted an instance where she almost lost her life through the negligence of doctors during surgery at a hospital.
Describing the incident as a ‘very bad memory’, Stella Seal said she went in for fibroid surgery but things took the wrong turn from the very start.
The gospel singer, who withheld the hospital’s name said the doctors commenced the surgery when the anesthesia had not taken effect.
Narrating her ordeal on the surgical bed, Ms. Seal said her lower abdomen had been already slashed and it was her screams that alerted the surgeons that she could feel every pain.
“I almost died during my first surgery. I had fibroid and during surgery, they wanted to inject me to sleep completely but I requested to be numbed instead. They injected me but they did not wait for it to take effect. They proceeded and slashed my lower abdomen, then I started screaming. Then the surgeon shouted and said he is sorry but at that time, I had been already been cut.
“He then asked the anesthesiologists to inject me again but I was screaming out loud that they shouldn’t put me to sleep. My best friend’s mother died through fibroid operation so such thoughts kept playing in my head. They never heeded my request and all I saw was that I was injected.
I was completely dazed. They took me to the ward after the surgery and things got worse. I almost died twice. It is a bad memory. I can’t ever forget. They came pushing things down there and I asked what they were doing. They told me they were pushing my womb back,” she recalled in an interview with Zionfelix.
The ’Gyeme taataa’ hitmaker, however, stated that she intended to sue the hospital but was advised to rescind her decision.
“I don’t want to mention the hospital but I wanted to sue them. We are a country where we love to allow sleeping dogs lie,” she added.
An advertisement for the “Prime Hydration Drink Range” apologising for the lack of inventory, a photo of customers holding their Prime bottles posted on social media, and a picture of shoppers lining up outside Sainsbury’s.
Today, Sainsbury’s debuted the limited-edition KSI Orange and Mango flavour of Prime beverage.
Early this morning, prime devotees got up to be among the first to purchase the trending “hydration” drinks.
Fans rushed to retailers as soon as they heard that it was officially available at Sainsbury’s this morning.
Footage on social media shows people lining up in the dark, before piling inside and heading straight for the Prime shelves.
The drink was created by popular YouTubers KSI & Logan Paul, and has attracted legions of teenage fans, who make up most of the buyers.
Sainsbury’s follows Aldi and Asda in stocking Prime, but is the first to launch the new KSI limited edition Orange and Mango flavour.
The products are sold on a ‘when it’s gone, it’s gone’ basis, although store managers have reportedly been told ‘there may be future opportunities to restock’.
Sainsbury’s also confirmed to Metro.co.uk it has enforced a strict limit of three bottles of Prime per customer.
Crowds rush to buy Prime drink after Sainsbury’s starts stocking it
People queue outside Sainsbury’s in Maidstone, Kent, before sunrise this morning (Picture: SWNS)Sainsbury’s in Torquay, Devon, had to apologise for not having stock yet (Picture: SWNS)
The 500ml drinks are generally on sale for around £2 (£2,50 for limited edition flavours), but they sell out fast, prompting some retailers to bump prices.
Smaller shops have reportedly sold single bottles for as much as £8, while chances on eBay are listing multi-packs for thousands.
Asda and Aldi have had similar experiences in the past, with their Prime stock flying from shelves extremely quickly.
Asda tweeted the product is too popular to monitor supply, telling customers just to try their local stores.
There is even a Prime tracker app and Twitter page, which has the sole purpose of reporting where the drink is available to buy.
KSI even downloaded the app, telling his followers: ‘It’s literally impossible to find Prime.’
The YouTuber used the app to see where he could buy his own product in London, but he could not find any stock in the capital.
Prime has been hailed as an example of extremely effective online marketing.
People who manage to buy the bottles usually post about their success, creating a never-ending cycle of free advertising.
The former captain of the Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan has trended on social media, after he made a post on social media, said to be directed at a popular social media troll Bongo Ideas
The tweet which was deleted a few moments after it was made, had the player expressing his fury, stating that his attacker “touched the wrong person”.
With the use of angry face emoji to visibly communicate how incensed he was, Asamoah Gyan, although did not categorically state what he would do to his attacker indicated his readiness to deal with the individual.
“…I will definitely find him. You will get the attention you want,” Gyan said while sending a signal that by the time he is done with the troll, his mother “will not even recognise you”.
Screenshots of the post have been in circulation on various social media platforms, courting a conversation as the community dissects the post.
The troll has since responded to the post, asking the police to hold Gyan “responsible for any physical harm” he suffers.
Ghanaian gospel musician Isaiah Kwadwo Ampong, popularly known as Great Ampong has said that he no longer holds any grudge against highlife artiste Daddy Lumba.
Ampong had publicly chastised Lumba over what he described as ‘cheating’ in a joint project they produced about seven years ago.
He told Nhyira FM in an interview that after receiving advice from a lot of people, he would not continue his beef with Lumba.
“Cheating is painful, but enough is enough. I have been advised by some chiefs and prestigious persons to let the matter slide. Everyone has tendencies of being a litigant but being able to let it go is what makes me a better Christian.
I have also worked for people and no one can come out and say I cheated them even though I had control of their songs as a writer. So if I don’t cheat them, I don’t expect anyone to cunningly cheat me. That’s my principle of life,” he said.
How the beef started
In 2015, gospel musician Great Ampong and highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu released a joint album titled ‘Hosanna’.
Ampong told Delay in an interview in 2016 that it was Daddy Lumba that called him and asked that they should do a music project together.
“He called me on phone and said he was a fan of my works so he would like us to work on a project together. He invited me to his house and we had a discussion,” he noted.
The album has eight (8) songs but Ampong claims he wrote 6 out of the 10 songs. Some of the songs on the album include ‘Father and Son’, ‘Hosanna’, and ‘Jesus is a Winner’.
The project had a great reception but things did not go well for Ampong. According to him, after the launch of the album, Lumba took the money they got from the programme home without giving him a pesewa.
Meanwhile, he says he spent his resources on the launch and expected Lumba to give him some of the money.
Another allegation against Lumba is that the highlife musician uploaded all the songs they produced on his personal accounts on digital music stores.
Over the years, Ampong has remonstrated the act by Daddy Lumba on various platforms, describing how wicked the legendary musician had been to him.
In the wake of all this, Lumba has never made commentary on the matter.
Was Lumba’s ‘Ofon’ a diss song to Ampong?
When Lumba announced that he was going to release a song titled ‘Ofon N’adi Nsemfon’ (Twi expression translated as worthless people talk about worthless things) some had suggested it was a reply to the owner of Joy Daddy Industries who had earlier alleged that Lumba took their money without fulfilling his part of a contract they had.
But in an interview with Nyansaboakwa on Happy FM Ampong said Lumba’s song was actually meant for him and music producer Roland Acquah (RoRo).
He noted that 2018, he got the information that Lumba was going to release a ‘diss’ song for him.
“A boy from his camp told me Lumba had gone to record a song for me and Roro. I caught wind of the song in 2017, 2018. So I was looking forward to hearing the song. And now that he has released it, he’ll hear from me. This is the beef of the year,” the gospel musician said.
The gospel musician noted he was going to reply Lumba with a song.
However, he later said on Power FM that he had rescinded his decision and that the song he was going to release was not a diss song to Lumba.
Since the song,’Nyame Akatua’ was released, a lot of people have still linked it to Lumba regardless of the
Ampong advised to go to court
Ampong had said in several interviews that when Daddy Lumba requested for the joint project; he did not ask for any agreement to be signed.
According to the gospel musician, he thought Lumba was his elder brother who would not exploit him in any way.
However, some had advised that if it was true Ampong wrote 6 of the songs on the album, he should take Lumba to court.
A member of a six-man armed robbery gang has lost his life tragically.
He was knocked to death during an operation on a filling station at Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region.
The incident according to Despite Media’s Jacob Kubi occurred at about 9 pm on Friday, February 17, 2023, when the gun wielding gang attacked a Beinab Filling station in the area.
“The attendants say the robbers numbering about six alighted from a trotro and four of them mounted a barrier in the highway from Kasoa towards Winneba and the Winneba towards Kasoa stretch. Two of them were dressed like military men, so drivers took them for security officers and so they stopped the cars and robbed the passengers of their belongings.
“The remaining two went to the filling station and ordered everyone to lie down amidst the firing of sporadic gunshots. They robbed the filing station and in the process of crossing the road back, the person holding their loot attempted to stop an oncoming Range Rover. The driver of the car suspecting them to be armed robbers knocked him down,” the reporter said.
He narrated that the gang dragged their injured member to the side of the road where they emptied his pockets before taking off and leaving him behind.
A police team responding to the scene took the injured armed robber to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
On a picket line outside St. Thomas Hospital on February 6, 2023, NHS nurses from the Royal College of Nursing in London, United Kingdom, demand safe staffing levels, just pay, and favourable working conditions. When a record number of healthcare workers walk out in support of today’s strike, which will be the largest industrial action by that group, pressure is being added to the National Health Service at a time when it already faces many challenges.
The Royal College of Nursing’s NHS nurses were scheduled to go on three days of strike action due to their subpar pay and deteriorating working conditions.
It would have involved nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care and other services previously excluded.
But after weeks of dodging talks, the RCN and healthcare officials said the government has agreed to ‘enter a process of intensive talks’.
A joint statement from the RCN and the Department of Health and Social Care today said: ‘The Government and Royal College of Nursing have agreed to enter a process of intensive talks.
‘Both sides are committed to finding a fair and reasonable settlement that recognises the vital role that nurses and nursing play in the National Health Service and the wider economic pressures facing the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister’s priority to halve inflation.
Nurses resorted to job action for the first time ever last year (Picture: Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
‘The talks will focus on pay, terms and conditions, and productivity-enhancing reforms.
‘The Health Secretary will meet with the Royal College of Nursing on Wednesday to begin talks. The Royal College of Nursing will pause strike action during these talks.’
It is a major breakthrough in the months-long scuffle between the union and the government, with the RCN chief Pat Cullen having claimed last week there had been ‘no communication’ with Barclay during the past month.
For the first time in the 74-year history of the NHS, nurses went on strike last December amid ballooning inflation, staff shortages and a growing backlog.
The NHS, an institution deeply revered by the British public and politicians, is creaking at the seams, union members say.
The earnings of an experienced nurse have fallen in real terms by at least 20% since 2010 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the RCN found.
So nurses up and down the UK joined picket lines demanding a pay rise of 19%.
The increase is above the current rate of inflation but the union feels is vital after years of slow wage growth and an especially difficult cost-of-living crisis.
The NHS is creaking at the seams, union bosses say, after years of the government gutting its funding (Picture: Getty)
But the industrial action hasn’t just been about pay. Nurses hoped for better working conditions they say will help retain staff and improve patient care.
The RCN has said the NHS is at near breaking point, with several other healthcare professionals, such as ambulance workers, also resorting to strike action.
The government, however, has said such a pay rise is ‘unaffordable’.
Instead, government officials feel that pay should be determined by NHS review bodies, which set a pay increase last summer well below the union’s demand.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has insisted that he does not have a ‘magic wand’ to top up wages.
Nurses are not alone in striking, however. Doctors, rail workers, civil servants, bus drivers, barristers, refuse collectors, university academics, museum employees bottling plant staff and more have all taken to industrial action in the last few months.
Ghanaian YouTuber, Kwadwo Sheldon, has decided to refrain from reacting to anything concerning Ghanaian heavyweight rapper, Yaa Pono.
Prior to this statement made by the renowned content creator, Sheldon was engaged by Pono on Twitter, demanding to know why Sheldon had to react to his song without asking for his permission from his management, tweeting, “@kwadwosheldon “So, do you talk to the music rights holders after your breakdown or before?”
Kwadwo Sheldon, after posting a screenshot of chats between the rapper and himself indicating that the hip hop rapper sent his song to him so that he could promote, posted screenshots of how many views both his YouTube channel and that of Yaa Pono had accumulated, which were 118,000 views and 69,000 views, respectively, within the time frame of three weeks for both channels.
“The most annoying part of this is that the money on my reaction goes to him!” he tweeted. “You ask me nonsense this early in the morning; you owe me gratitude for helping you gain more listenership and streams,” he continued.
Kwadwo has recently extended a tweet to desist from ever making content that involves the ‘Obia Wone Master’ hitmaker to end their back and forth. “Don’t worry.
“I’m not going to react to your song or create content about you ever again. I hope this helps. Shalom; this is not a fight. “Take your song and let me take my platform,” he concluded.
Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry, Dr Stephen Amoah, has promised to slash his salary should Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, do same.
He says he will accept a reduction in his salary if the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is willing to do same.
In recent times, there have been calls for government appointees to consider a reduction in their salaries to help salvage the economy.
On the back of this, the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, during the vetting of the nominee, asked Dr Amoah if he would like to take a salary cut in the interest of the public purse.
But responding to this, Dr Stephen Amoah said he will embrace the suggestion only if the NDC lawmaker will do same.
“Mr Chairman, I think I said something here; my knowledgeable Dr Ato Forson and I, the only difference is the height.
“So the way we are brothers if he sees me on the corridor and he says brother, let us cut [our salaries] and he cuts his, I will cut mine”, Dr Amoah said.
Dr Stephen Amoah who is also the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was nominated as the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry by President Akufo-Addo on February 7, this year.
If approved, he will deputise Adansi-Asokwa MP, K.T. Hammond who was vetted yesterday as the substantive minister for the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Meanwhile, Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed, has expressed concern about President Akufo-Addo’s new appointments to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The Tamale Central MP indicated that due to the temperaments of the two politicians, it is not prudent for them to be under one roof.
According to him, putting the two lawmakers together may also affect work at the Ministry.
“We should pray they don’t exchange blows. That’s what I think. These are two very complex individuals. Very, very complex … You are talking of two very complex individuals who are going to work at the same ministry.
“I know honourable K.T. Hammond. He is a no-nonsense man. There are certain things he won’t tolerate under any circumstance. And I know my good friend, ‘Dr. Sticker’. When his name was mentioned, we all rose. We were happy for him.
“But frankly speaking [not] at that ministry, more so one of the most important, if not the most important ministry”, the MP said on Accra-based 3FM on February 8.
Kumawood actor Tracey Boakye takes pride in making her fans know her achievements and the height she has attained in life so far as a means to motivate lovers and spite her detractors.
In the latest video, the actress and movie producer gave a view of her fleet of cars which consists of 2 SUVs and 2 saloon cars as well as the huge compound of her East-Legon mansion.
The Education Ministry is encouraging candidates who wish to change from what it refers to as ‘grammar’ to technical school to do so.
The move, according to the Ministry, is intended to broaden the technical and vocational space for national development.
Speaking to Joy Prime’s Roselyn Felli on Prime Morning, on Tuesday, the Deputy Public Relations Officer at the Ministry indicated that this will also help reduce the pressure on the ‘grammar’ schools.
Mr. Yaw Opoku-Mensah further added that TVET education is key to dealing with the bulging unemployment situation in Ghana.
“We need to understand it from the sociological perspective of how the education system has always been. Way back to the introduction of formal education. So you realise that the over 700 senior high schools are all within the grammar space. How many technical schools do we have, and how many people are motivated to find themselves within the technical education space? So we’ve had enough of grammar school,” he explained.
The Deputy PRO also stated that the move will not only broaden the technical and vocational space for national development, but will gradually help alleviate unemployment in the country.
“I believe you do have complaints about job seekers, and the question is what technical skills you are bringing on board. So therefore, we need to train our manpower within the technical space for the transformation and growth of the economy that we all seek. So that is why we are expanding that space. That is why we are motivating and encouraging people to find themselves within the technical space,” the Deputy PRO added.
Mr. Mensah noted that the major reason school placement controversies arise is because the students do not arrange their schools in the right order.
He also said that parents’ absence during the school-choice process, which tends to mount pressure on the teachers, is also the cause of the school placement debacle.
“Someone with a good grade will probably be pushed to the third, fourth, or fifth choice, depending on the arrangement of schools that you have done… so you are pushed out of the spot with your good grade and raw score. That is why school organisation is critical, and it breaks my heart when our staff from headquarters and the regional base go into the district, in the cluster in the community, to educate parents, and when you call, the schools tell you that even if you call parents for a meeting, only a small percentage are actual parents, and the majority just send people to stand in for them.”
The Deputy Public Relations Officer, the Education Ministry, Dr. Yaw Opoku, further urged that parents take an active part in the school selection process and collaborate with teachers to avoid future challenges.
He also encouraged students considering entering the SHS system to consider technical schools, as they will provide them with more practical knowledge and skills.
According to testimony given in court, a Nigerian street vendor who was reportedly transported into the UK for the purpose of collecting organs entered a police station and announced that he was “searching for someone to save my life.”
According to information provided to the Old Bailey, the 21-year-old from Lagos had been rough sleeping for three nights before asking for assistance at Staines Police Station in May of last year.
According to allegations, the young man was a target of a scheme to remove his kidney in preparation for a transplant operation at the Royal Free Hospital in north London.
Jurors have seen a photograph of him smiling and sharing a meal with the alleged recipient, Sonia Ekweremadu, the 25-year-old daughter of senior Nigerian politician Ike Ekweremadu.
It is claimed that he was coached before meeting doctors in London and told to say that he was Ms Ekerewadu’s cousin when they were in fact not related.
The Old Bailey heard that the proposed donor, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, ran away after doctors decided he was not a suitable candidate.
In body-worn footage shown in court on Tuesday, he appeared to be crying and distressed when he walked into the police station and spoke to a woman on reception.
He told the woman repeatedly he had ‘no papers’ having been brought into the country by a man he met in Lagos.
Nigeria’s former deputy Senate president will go on trial for alleged organ harvesting
He said: ‘He carried me to hospital to remove my kidneys. The doctor said I was too young but the man said if you do not do it here he would carry me back to Nigeria and do it there.’
On being told he was in Staines, he said: ‘I don’t know anywhere, I don’t know where I am. I was sleeping three days outside around, looking for someone to help me, save my life.’
Ike Ekweremadu, 60, his wife Beatrice, 56, Sonia, 25, and medical ‘middleman’ Obinna Obeta, 50, are charged with conspiring to arrange or facilitate the travel of the young man to Britain with a view to his exploitation.
Beatrice Ekweremadu, 56, has been charged with helping to arrange the organ harvesting
Previously, the court heard that he came from a village in Nigeria and was allegedly recruited by Dr Obeta while selling phone accessories from a wheelbarrow in Lagos.
Giving evidence, he told jurors that he thought he was being brought to the UK to work and only found out it was for a kidney transplant when he visited the Royal Free Hospital.
The young man was ‘shocked’, felt like crying, and told jurors: ‘Nobody told me about kidney transplant.’
Sonia was due to receive the kidney
In a video-taped interview, he told police he was treated like a “slave” at the house in London where he was staying.
He claimed he was told he had to go ahead with the operation in exchange for £2,000.
He said: “I was afraid because I don’t know what they are going to do to me.”
He initially set off on foot from London not knowing where he was going and asked any black people he saw for help.
Even though he was given money, he had nowhere to stay so decided to ask for directions to a police station, the court was told.
The Ekweremadus, who have an address in Willesden Green, north-west London, and Obeta, from Southwark, south London, deny the charge against the.
Afia Schwarzenegger has called for Ghanaians to celebrate the great people whilst alive and not wait for them to die before coming out with accolades.
Afia released a video complaining bitterly over how Ghanaians wait for people to die before celebrating them.
Her comments come in the wake of the death of footballer Christian Atsu, who perished in the earthquake that recently struck Turkey.
Following his death, numerous reports have surfaced revealing the number of philanthropic works he was involved in which he kept out of the public eye.
Atsu has thus been celebrated as a hero.
Harping on that, Schwarzenegger said Atsu should have been celebrated before he died.
She said Ghanaians should learn to celebrate our heroes when they’re around – naming Asamoah Gyan, Fadda Dickson and Bola Ray as examples of heroes worth celebrating.
However, netizens asked her why she doesn’t practice what she preaches. Delay is also a hero and media pioneer who discovered Afia but Afia usually insults her rather than celebrate her.
“Who has herself celebrated… even delay who made her koraaa she insults her at every given opportunity. Let us think,” a netizen fired.
TheNational Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority has reiterated its call for the dismissal ofKen Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, for alleged incompetence in the management of the economy.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, speaking at a press conference in Accra, said: “The President must spare Ghanaians the agony of waking up tomorrow to see Ken Ofori-Atta still in charge of the economy.”
The press conference was held on the back of a directive from the NDC that the party’s minority parliamentary caucus should not approve the president’s ministerial nominees.
The party attributed its decision to the economic hardship Ghanaians were facing and the large size government.
Dr Forson said the NDC minority caucus would participate in the vetting of the President’s ministerial nominees but would not subscribe to a consensus vote at the level of the appointments committee.
This, he said, would ensure that the matter was brought before the full House for a vote to be taken in secret.
“We in the Minority wish to make it clear that we remain committed to ensuring greater scrutiny and will spare no effort to protect the public purse,” he said.
“In line with this, we are taking part in the vetting process so that at the very minimum, we can scrutinize the president’s decision in bringing up those nominees.”
Dr Forson said Ghana was currently going through the worst economic times in its history, stating that six years of economic mismanagement by the Akufo-Addo regime had rendered life unbearable, in fact, almost impossible, for millions of Ghanaians who struggle daily to make ends meet.
“Many people struggle to afford even one meal a day. The situation in respect of feeding in Senior High Schools across the country is even more disturbing,” he said. “We are burdened with unsustainable debt. Currently, standing at over GHS 600 billion representing about 103 per cent of our gross domestic product (GDP), this is the highest level of indebtedness in the 4th Republic.”
He said inflation was galloping at hyper levels, and that Ghanaians were confronted with daily price increases beyond the reach of majority of the people.
Touching on the size of Government, Dr Forson urged the President to take immediate steps to reduce the number of political appointees at the Office of the President.
He appealed to the President for reduction in the number of Ministers from the current 86 to 65.
The Minority Leader also advocated the merger of Ministries, citing the merger of Information and Communication, Transport and Railways; Chieftaincy and Tourism; and Sanitation and Local Government.
He also asked for the immediate reduction in the number of political appointees at the Office of the President.
For an additional 30 days, self-described sexist influencer Andrew Tate will be detained in Romania.
Authorities in the nation of eastern Europe are still looking into accusations of rape, human trafficking, and joining an organised crime ring made against Tate and his brother Tristan.
The two men have maintained their innocence on all the charges.
Tate, a former kickboxer, was taken into custody on December 29 last year alongside his brother.
This is the third time their detention has been extended: they were initially detained for 24 hours, which became 30 days. Another 30 days were added last month.
Earlier this month, Tate, 36, said as he left court: ‘Ask them for evidence and they will give you none, because it doesn’t exist.’
Prosecutors say the pair recruited their alleged victims by seducing them, and then forced them to produce pornographic content under duress.
Andrew Tate, wearing the navy blue hoodie, was escorted to the Court of Appeal while handcuffed to his brother Tristan on February 1
The two women are alleged to have been their accomplices by helping to ‘coerce’ and ‘control’ at least six women.
According to Romanian news site Gandul, the men’s lawyer Eugen Vidineac said they would ‘challenge’ a decision for them to remain in detention.
Tate’s arrest came just 24 hours after he got into a high-profile spat with environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg on Twitter.
Speaking about the matter for the first time yesterday, Greta told ABC News: ‘There are many, many problems in the world that we need people dealing with.
‘But it seems like they feel so threatened or they feel like their worldview is so threatened by people like me – climate activists and environmental activists – speaking up that they feel like they need to silence us and mock us.’
Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who have Parliamentary and Presidential ambitions can file their nominations from today, February 22, 2023.
The National Democratic Congress has opened nominations for the election of its Presidential and Parliamentary candidates for the 2024 General Elections today.
Aspiring Parliamentary candidates have been advised to purchase nomination forms on the official website of the party at www.ghanandc.com.
Meanwhile, aspiring Presidential candidates are to pick their forms from the Office of the General Secretary at the Party’s Headquarters at Adabraka, Accra effective 8 am today.
The Functional Executive Committee of the party has however put the opening of nominations for parliamentary primaries in some constituencies on hold. These constituencies are:
1. Ayawaso Central
2. Amasaman
3. Afram Plains South
4. Akwatia
5. Efutu
6. Gomoa Central
7. Amenfi East
8. Evalue Gwira
9. Assin North
10. Pusiga
11. Tarkwa Nsuaem
12. Ayensuano
13. Adansi Asokwa
14. Offinso North
15. Ahafo Ano North
16. Sekyere Afram Plains
17. Ahafo Ano South West (Aduagyman)
18. Bosome Freho
19. Asante Akim Central
20. Manso Adubia
21. Manhyia South
22. Subin
23. Fomena
The Functional Executive Committee will in due course announce the date for the opening of nominations in the above constituencies, the party statement read.
On February 13, an accident involving Daniel Davies, 21, Jonny Day, 32, and Jon “Tommy” Miller, 36, resulted in their deaths in Eastbourne, East Sussex.
They were all from Berkshire, the county.
A silver Citroen Berlingo was found to have perhaps collided with their car just before the event, according to an inquiry.
A grey Range Rover Sport has been located and recovered and two men from Eastbourne, aged 38 and 40, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Jon ‘Tommy’ Miller was described as ‘one of a kind’ (Picture: Sussex Police)
His loved ones released the following statement.
‘We as a family would like to pay tribute to our dear brother who has sadly left us. Our hearts are broken.
‘Our Tommy was truly one of a kind – he was funny, smart and had the biggest heart. He was loved by so many and he impacted everyone who knew him.
‘Tommy donated his kidney to his sister which saved her life. He will forever be our hero. We would like to be given the respect and space to grieve our devastating loss.’
Daniel Davies
The best friend of Daniel Davies described him as being like a ‘brother’ (Picture: Sussex Police)
Daniel Davies’ family said Daniel was ‘always going to be missed’.
They added: ‘Rest in peace angel, we love you so much – sleep tight. We all loved you so much, precious Dan Dan.’
His older brother said: ‘Fly high, little bro. I hope Heaven gives you the best bed up there until we meet again – your big bro, Smallz.’
And his best friend, who he had known for 16-years, said: ‘Since the day I met you 16 years ago, you have been my brother and my best friend. I love you with all my heart brother, and we’re always thinking of you.’
Jonny Day
Jonny will be ‘missed endlessly’ his distraught family said (Picture: Sussex Police)
‘Jonny was the person who lit up any room. He was so loved by everyone that met him’, his family said in a statement.
They added: ‘A loving partner, father, son and brother, we will miss him endlessly. As his partner I have lost my whole life.’
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision, which took place at around 11.10pm on Monday, February 13 on Decoy Drive.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, saw any suspicious driving in the area around that time or has relevant CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage, is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Brinmore.
The Director General of Ghana Health Services (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has emphasized that cost-effective tools are needed to reverse malaria death trends in the country.
He said such measures would complement the existing interventions by the GHS in the malaria fight.
He revealed that 5.7 million malaria cases were confirmed in Ghana in 2021, with 275 deaths. This, he said, includes 1.6 million cases involving children under age five, with 125 deaths.
Speaking at the National launch of the Expansion of the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program (MVIP) in Sunyani in the Bono Region, Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said the GHS has targeted a 90% reduction in malaria mortality and a 50% reduction in malaria incidence by 2025.
Some eligible children waiting to be vaccinated
He emphasized that they are working to achieve the target through prevention and control interventions such as “the Mass distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets, Indoor Residual Spraying, Larval source management, Intermittent Preventive Treatment for pregnant women, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention, Case Management, and the latest tool on the block – Malaria Vaccine.”
Since 2019, the GHS has administered a total of 1,359,199 doses of malaria vaccines as part of the piloted MVIP.
The phased vaccination in 42 districts in seven regions is said to have recorded substantial progress toward reducing childhood morbidity and mortality.
The Director General of Ghana Health Services, Dr. Kuma-Aboagye, said: “The Service, together with the Food and Drugs Authority, through its robust pharmacovigilance system, has established that the malaria vaccine is safe, feasible to deliver and reduces deadly or severe malaria”.
He said on the evidence of the progress and the recommendations by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and their partners, including WHO, the MVIP has been expanded from the current 42 districts to 93 districts in Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, Central, Oti, Upper East, and Volta regions.
Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu observing the vaccination
According to the GHS, the expansion would further help in the reduction of the number of children hospitalized due to malaria and an overall decrease in children under-five deaths.
The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, who performed the launch, said eligible children would receive the malaria vaccine at 6 months, 7 months, 9 months, and 18 months.
He emphasized the need for children to receive all four doses of the malaria vaccine for the best protection while sustaining all other existing malaria interventions, such as sleeping under insecticide-treated nets.
Mr. Agyemang Manu urged all parents, relatives, caregivers, community leaders, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to ensure that all eligible children are vaccinated against the deadly childhood disease.
The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye further called for the support of the media and other stakeholders for a successful exercise.
He said, “It is, therefore, necessary to provide accurate information from credible sources, including the GHS and other health partners. In addition, the country relies on using your media platforms to assist in generating demand for all doses, including the 4th dose given when a child turns 18 months.”
The national launch of the expansion of the MVIP had in attendance religious leaders, students, and some health partners, including the WHO, PATH, and Gavi, among other stakeholders from the national, regional, and district levels.
The Health Minister and the Director General of the GHS also observed the vaccination of some eligible children at the launch.
On March 25 of last year, the couple—who had been dating for six months—went to the Drawing Room wine bar after a few drinks.
A woman walked and sat down where they had been when they had left to use the jukebox.
Luke went over and asked her to move, which she did.
But then a second person sat there and when he went over to speak to her Downs marched over and asked ‘what’s going on?’.
Bronwyn and Luke were in ‘a happy relationship with few difficulties’ prior to the attack
Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said: ‘The groups started to become abusive towards each other and someone picked up and threw a glass. A melee broke out and door staff came over to break it up.
‘A member of the door staff put [Downs] in a headlock and [Luke came over to try and get in between them and help her. It ended with him ushering her out of the venue.
‘When the pair got outside the venue the defendant told the complainant that she had left her bag inside.
‘He said he would sort it out but as he said this he realised that the defendant had clamped down onto his nose with her teeth and pulled.’
She spat the end of his nose, including nostrils, onto the floor before running off.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard Downs blacks out and ‘hits people and doesn’t know anything about it’ (Picture: Bronwyn Downs/ Cavendish Press)
Police later found her drifting in and out of consciousness.
Mr Wilcock said: ‘She said she hits people and doesn’t know anything about it. She said that her mother had something very similar.’
Luke did not support the prosecution, saying that Downs needed help rather than punishment.
Recorder Michael Blakey told her: ‘This was an unwarranted attack – a nasty attack. Perhaps you were drinking more than you can cope with.
‘The use of teeth is a weapon and the complainant has had to receive surgery as a result of this incident.
‘You know that drink and drugs don’t mix, you’ve got to take your pills but do not drink in excess once you have taken them.’
He handed her a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 16 months and must carry out 100 hours of community service.
As global markets recover from a lackluster 2022, the world’s wealthiest billionaires have had a strong start to the new year with sustained increases in share prices, resulting in significant gains in their net worth.
Similarly, the top five African billionaires have experienced a remarkable increase in their net worth, although it is still lower than the year-to-date wealth gains of their counterparts in developed economies.
Within the first 45 days of this year, the collective net worth of the world’s top five wealthiest individuals, namely Bernard Arnault, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett, has surged by an impressive $93.89 billion. This amount surpasses the combined net worth of the top five African billionaires by a staggering 70 percent.
According to data tracked by Billionaires.Africa, the top five African billionaires have collectively gained $3.052 billion in net worth since the start of the year, increasing from $52.12 billion to $55.18 billion. This rise can be linked to the performance of their stakes in publicly listed companies.
Notably, South African luxury magnate, Johann Rupert owes his year-to-date gains of $1.52 billion—pushing his net worth from $10.9 billion to $12.4 billion — to his stake in Richemont. While, Nicky Oppenheimer’s diversified private equity investments have caused his net worth to increase from $8.03 billion to $8.63 billion — a $600-million bump.
Nigerian billionaires Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu have experienced a significant increase in their net worth since the beginning of the year. Dangote’s net worth has risen by $504 million to $19.2 billion, while Rabiu’s net worth has increased by $100 million to $7.6 billion.
The growth in their wealth can be attributed to their cement businesses, Dangote Cement and BUA Cement Plc. In addition to his stake in BUA Cement Plc, Rabiu has also benefited from his 98 percent stake in his food conglomerate, BUA Foods Plc.
Additionally, Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris has seen his net worth rise by $328 million to $7.35 billion, thanks to the 8.6-percent increase in Adidas shares since the beginning of the year, which boosted the market value of his 6 percent stake in the German sportswear company.
The demise of the Overload of Gonja, Yagbonwura Prof. Tuntumba Bore Essa I, has officially been announced to President Akufo-Addo.
Vice President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area, Buipewura Jinapor II, on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, led a delegation to break the news to President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The Buipewra said the Overlord’s demise occurred on Saturday, the 5th of February, at about 2am at the Jakpa Palace in Damongo.
He added that the King of Gonja Land was laid to rest on the 6th of February, 2023 at the Royal Mausoleum at Mankuma in the Bole district of the Savannah Region according to the custom and tradition of the Gonja Kingdom.
The Gonja Kingdom, he said, has a good record of laid down system of chieftaincy succession according to custom and tradition especially when it comes to the Yagbon skin.
The Buipewura therefore assured President Akufo-Addo of a smooth and peaceful process of selecting a new Yagbonwura.
He touted some of the good works of the late King saying “His Majesty served his whole life in the local government sector and in the chieftaincy institution. He was a member of the three Eminent Chiefs who found lasting peace to Dagbon. His Majesty was a peace loving Overlord and father for all in every aspect of the life he lived”
Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor officially invited President Akufo-Addo to the 7th day Adua of the late Overlord of Gonja which he said is slated for the 25th and 26th of February, at the Jakpa Palace.
“Mr. President, your presence will be highly anticipated on the 26th of February to join the people of Savannah Region to mourn our late Overlord.”
The President on his part, assured the King and his delegation that he will be present at the funeral and also expressed heartfelt condolences to the family and the Gonja Kingdom, adding that the whole country is mourning with the Chiefs and the people of the Savannah Region.
Heaven’s Gate Ministries founder and leader, Prophet Nicholas Osei alias Kumchacha has stated that he would have let someone die in place of Black Stars player, Christian Atsu if he had the power.
According to Kumchacha, whiles one cannot question the decisions of God, there are some people in Ghana who do not merit to live if they were to be compared to the late player and his deeds.
“I say that if death could be swapped, I would have swapped Atsu’s death with someone else. I would have done just that but one cannot understand the work of God,” the prophet said during an interview on Onua TV.
Kumchacha added that “We are all in this country where people have purchased government bond for five to 10 years and out of nowhere someone has sworn to take it away from pensioners regardless of whether they will get money for medication or they will die, and that they will receive their money in 15 years’ time. How can all these people be around while Atsu is gone, if only it was possible to swap death. How can you comprehend this?”
Speaking about the personality of Christian Atsu, Kumchacha said the various tributes that has poured in following the demise of the player bears testimony to his life including his benevolence.
“Even the charity that he engaged in, we pastors cannot measure up to that. Because we pastors plant certain things in the minds of our members. We ask them to build their wealth in heaven whiles we are building our own right here on earth. The Bible teaches us in Hebrews 11:5 that when Enoch was going to be lifted up to heaven, they were testimonies about how pleasing he was to God. Today, across Ghana, the young and old are mourning the death of Atsu and bearing testimony to his benevolence,” he said.
Christian Atsu died from the impact of a massive earthquake that hit parts of Turkey and Syria over a week ago.
The body of the former Black Stars player was found under rubble after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that stuck on February 6, 2023.
Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced a drastic decline in the number of advertised jobs in the country.
The total number of advertised jobs in selected print and online media in 2022, which partially gauges labour demand in the economy, fell by 5.3% to 32,651, the Bank of Ghana has revealed.
This is against 34,484 recorded during 2021.
But the number of jobs advertised increased in December 2022 relative to a year ago.
According to the Bank of Ghana, 3,277 job adverts were recorded as compared with 2,588 for the same period in 2021, an increase of 26.6% year-on-year.
On a month-on-month basis, the number of job vacancies in December 2022 went up by 17.9% from the 2,779 jobs advertised in November 2022.
Media personality, Toke Makinwa has spoken about her romantic relationship with broke men.
The media personality while speaking with BBNaija’s Neo Akpofure in her podcast, Toke Moments, revealed that being in a relationship with a man who isn’t rich is amazing.
Toke Makinwa stated that poor guys provide better sexual experiences since they have nothing to contribute and instead focus their energies on making love.
She continued by saying that 80 percent of Nigerian men, even the wealthy ones, lack the ability to please women.
She said: “80% of Nigerian men do not know what it is to please a woman. I can always know what come up next. Many of them just want to get in and get out and say it was good.
“The wealthier the guy is especially Nigerian men, the worse.
“I feel like sex with broke men is amazing because they have nothing to offer. You are sleeping with a broke man he gives you everything”.
Ghana’s 66th independence anniversary celebration has been officially launched.
The event which is scheduled to be marked in the Volta Region was launched by the National Planning Committee.
The celebration which would be under the theme: “Our Unity; Our Strength; Our Purpose”, would be honoured by thousands from across the country and the world.
The 66th independence anniversary logo was also out-doored at the ceremony hosted at the residency conference hall in Ho on Tuesday.
Head of Communications of the National Planning Committee, Jefferson Sackey.
The Head of Communications of the National Planning Committee, Jefferson Sackey, indicated that embedded in the logo is the figure 66, which rests on Mount Afadza, the highest mountain in Ghana.
The logo which is designed in red, gold, green and black, according to Mr. Sackey, symbolizes the blood of the fore-bearers of the country, mineral wealth, rich forest and natural vegetation and the lonestar of African freedom respectively.
66th independence anniversary.
It also embodies the Volta River; the main river which has served the nation with water, electricity and tourism potentials, the Sabala, an Adinkra symbol; representing coexistence and tolerance, and the independence arch; to symbolize Ghana’s independence.
The Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Lord Commey, disclosed that the event would sell the Volta Region to the world as about 5,000 invitations have been extended to “very very important personalities from across the world“ to attend the independence day parade, on the 6th of March, scheduled to be held at the Volta Regional Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu.
He said that the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló would grace the parade as the special guest of honor.
22 contingents from the security agencies, 12 schools among other institutions would participate in the parade.
He congratulated the regional organizing committee and promised Ghanaians and revellers an exciting 12-day celebration, urging the host region to position itself to reap the benefits.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, appealed to stakeholders to support the organising committee to deliver a successful independence anniversary celebration.
Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa.
“This anniversary is for all Ghanaians, this anniversary is not going to see any party colours, we are going to see the colours of the Republic of Ghana. So all of us are going to come together as a region, the chiefs, the queen mothers, the youth, political parties, opinion leaders, everybody in the Volta Region is going to come on board to support us so that we can host this important anniversary.
I believe that the people of this region are ready and that they have shown signs and enthusiasm and commitment to this course”, he said.
Chinedu Ikedieze, a popular Nollywood actor known as Aki, has warmed the hearts of many fans on social media with his heartfelt birthday wishes to his long time friend and colleague, Osita Iheme, also known as Pawpaw.
On February 20, 2023, Pawpaw turned 41 and Aki made sure to make the occasion a memorable one.
He took to his official Instagram page to share a touching video that featured a compilation of their hilarious throwback photos.
In the video’s caption, Aki referred to Pawpaw as his partner in crime and brother for life, wishing him a happy birthday and congratulating him for turning 41.
“Happy birthday to my partner in ‘crime’ …my brother for life ❤️ 88 years is not easy. Age gracefully bro” See the heart warming video below,” he wished.
The video quickly went viral on social media, with fans and colleagues showering both actors with love and admiration for their friendship and contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Aki and Pawpaw have starred in several popular Nollywood films together, and their on-screen chemistry and comic timing have won them a legion of fans across the globe.
A son of NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Charles Asiedu, has declared his intention to contest in the party’s Tano South parliamentary primaries.
The former NDC Organizer for the Ahafo Region said his contributions to the party’s electoral fortunes in the region and the constituency make him the best candidate for the position.
Although the other 4 persons are lacing their boots to join the race, Asiedu believes his constant touch with the people in the area will get him the position.
If successful, Charles will replace Dr Hanna Bisiw who has been the parliamentary candidate for the area since 2012.
In an interview with 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.”
His aim is to maximise the NDC’s fortunes in Tano South and serve as an agent of development that will transform lives in the area.
Charles Asiedu has been a two-term branch organizer who rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Organizer of the NDC.
He is the immediate past Ahafo Regional organizer for the party.
Asiedu was the National Campaign Coordinator for Dr Hanna Bisiw’s campaign for the position of National Women’s Organizer in 2018 and 2022 when she was re-elected.
Asiedu holds a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership and Governance from the University of Ghana Business school.
He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies (PR) from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).
He has a certificate in Political Leadership and Party Organisation from the Ghana Institute of Social Democracy (GISD).
Charles Asiedu’s areas of expertise are communication, political marketing and branding, research, governance, strategic planning and human resource development.
He made the long-awaited disclosure on February 21 after meeting members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament at his residence in Accra.
GhanaWeb sources say even though not all the MPs were present at the said meeting, it was intended to assure Mahama of their support in upcoming party primaries.
Mahama assured the lawmakers that he will contest for the flagbearership contest and that an official announcement of his bid should be expected soon, the source added.
Two MPs have since confirmed that they were part of the said meeting. The MP for Wa Central Constituency, Rashid Pelpuo confirmed Mahama’s declaration whiles Clement Apaak of Builsa South tweeted the development.
“JM met with us, NDC MPs, earlier today (21/2/2023) at his office. He informed us of his intention to contest to be Flagbearer of the NDC and ultimately the Presidency. We assured him of our full and unflinching support. #JM2024!” his tweet read.
Mahama’s political roots date as far back to the days of Ghana’s independence when his father served in the Nkrumah government.
He is reputed to be one of the most thoroughbred politicians of the Fourth Republic having served from the local level (Assembly) through to becoming a Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
Mahama held deputy minister and ministerial portfolios under the Rawlings government before rising to become vice president under John Mills and president when he took over from Mills then won his first full term in 2012.
He has been widely expected to contest for the presidency come 2024 as he seeks a final term in office on the back of two straight defeats to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016 and 2020.
Is harmattan back? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the hazy and dense weather plaguing Ghana in late February is part of the harmattan season.
This harmattan-ish weather has significantly affected air quality and visibility, raising concerns for motorists and individuals with respiratory issues.
Poor air quality can have dire consequences for your health, especially if exposed to it for an extended period of time. Here are some tips for avoiding poor air quality:
5.Stay informed.
Keep an eye on the air quality index in your area and avoid going outside if it is poor. Check the air quality index on websites, apps, or local news. If the air quality is poor, try to limit your time spent outside.
4.Wear a mask.
President Nana Addo wearing a face mask
Wear a mask if you must go outside during this high-pollution period.
Masks with N95 or higher ratings are designed to filter out tiny particles.
3.Maintain a clean indoor space.
This is the time to clean your homes on a regular basis to reduce the amount of dust and other pollutants that can accumulate.
We recommend using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean carpets and upholstery and an air purifier to improve indoor air quality. During periods of poor air quality, keep your windows and doors closed to prevent polluted air from entering your home.
2.Avoid outdoor exercise.
Consider staying indoors as much as possible on days with high pollution. Avoid exercising outside when the air quality is poor. Try working out at a gym with good air filtration systems.
1.Stay away from smoking and smokers.
Smoking increases the risks you face during extreme air pollution
Smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke exposure can exacerbate the effects of air pollution.
If you smoke, think about quitting and avoid being around other smokers.
Other long-term practices to reduce air pollution includes regularly maintaining your car to help to reduce pollutants emitted by your vehicle and encouraging green practices like planting and shrubs to absorb pollutants and improve air quality in your neighborhood.
Even if you don’t notice any immediate effects from poor air quality, long-term exposure can have serious health consequences, including respiratory problems, eye irritation, skin irritation, decreased lung function, fatigue and dizziness.
Therefore it’s critical to take precautions and limit your exposure to pollutants.
The body of Hatayspor’s Sporting Director, Taner Savut, was found on Tuesday, more than two weeks after two devastating earthquakes struck in Turkey and Syria.
Savut had been missing since February 6, and his body was found close to where Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu, of the same club, was discovered last week.
Atsu was confirmed dead on Saturday with his remains being flown to his family on Sunday with the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internal Relations.
However, days after the death of the Ghanaian was confirmed, Hatayspor also announced they have seen the lifeless body of the club’s Sporting Director.
“We feel the deep sorrow of losing our Sporting Director Taner Savut,” Turkish side Hatayspor said on Twitter on Tuesday.
Başımız sağ olsun
Sportif Direktörümüz Taner Savut'u kaybetmenin derin acısını yaşıyoruz. Hocamıza yüce Allah'tan rahmet, ailesine ve sevenlerine başsağlığı diliyoruz. Seni unutmayacağız Taner hoca. Mekanın cennet olsun. Her zaman kalbimizdesin.#AtakaşHataysporpic.twitter.com/RSpFjnV0YZ
Media personality, Toke Makinwa has staked a claim that wealthy Nigerian men are not good at pleasing women in bed.
The fashion enthusiast, on the other hand, believes that the broke counterparts understand the dynamics of pleasing a woman.She said this in a recent sitdown with ex-BBNaija housemate Neo Akpofure.
According to the media personalities, 80 percent of Nigerian men are not good at making love to the level of making their women feel good. She claimed that the wealthier they are, the less good at sex they are.
Makinwa opines that wealthy men think other aspects of their lives can make up for poor sex, money, good looks, etc., while broke men, on the contrary, do it with all their lives because they know they have nothing else to offer.
In her words, “80% of Nigeria men do not know what it is to please a woman. I can always know what come up next. Many if them just want to get in and get out and say it was good. The wealthier the guy is especially Nigerian men, the worse. I feel like sex with broke men is amazing because they have nothing to offer. You are sleeping with a broke man he gives you everything.”
Neo, who seems to share the same opinion with Makiwa, agreed with her all the way.
