This call came after 1,420 commitments about disability rights were submitted by 190 governments and other stakeholders at the Global Disability Summit (GDS) with more than 7,000 participants in 2022 .
A statement issued jointly by the three organisations said “we need actions, words are no longer enough,” progress on commitments so far should be reported back by through an online platform iDa GDS Tracking system hosted by the GDS Secretariat.
The Global Disability Summit is the world’s biggest gathering of persons with disabilities, government and global leaders.
The statement said the Government of Ghana committed to do among others to ratify the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ensure comprehensive implementation of the Inclusive education policy, adopt an employment equity policy and develop a strategy for effective implementation.
It said the government also committed to increase the participation of women and girls with disabilities in decision making and set up a disability fund.
Mr. David Agyemang, Senior Programmes Manager of Sightsavers said the GDS was a huge opportunity for the government of Ghana in addressing inequality.
He said, “it was great to see them attend and make commitments on how they will address disability- inclusion. But now is the time for action. It is vital that the government continue to honour these commitments and make their actions speak louder than their words.”
Mr Agyeman said that, “Our Equal World campaign urgently calls on the government to uphold disability rights and make their summit commitments a reality.”
Mr Joseph Atsu Homadzi, the National President of GFD indicated that recommendations were put forward ahead of the GDS based on engagements with people with disabilities in the country.
He said, “One year on, we now need to know what progress has been made.”
Mr Vladimir Cuk, the Executive Director of IDA added that the world faced challenges and people with disabilities were treated unequally.
He indicated that the GDS could be used to inspire the government to act through the commitments to achieve positive and concrete results.
Mr Cuk said, “through the GDS we want to call on governments, multilateral agencies, the private sector and INGOs to report back on their commitments. Words are not enough, actions speak louder.”
The statement said the next summit, co-hosted by the International Disability Alliance and the governments of Germany and Jordan would be held in 2025.
Ato Forson noted that this is according to a report by the Bank of Ghana.
After the government announced its decision to exchange domestic debts, questions were raised about the viability of banks and how they were going to survive, since most banks were engaged in government business.
However, after the initial resistance, the Ghana Bankers Association and the Insurers association reached an agreement with the government on the terms of the programme.
According to Ato Forson, the debt exchange programme has shown that the government is looking to transfer its bankruptcy to the private sector.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on February 16, 2023, Ato Forson asked the finance minister to be cautious about how he is embarking on the debt exchange programme.
“The financial sector, don’t be surprised that by the time they are done and dusted, we will have to engage in banking sector cleanup again. Because our banks are going to obviously collapse. I have cited the Bank of Ghana report that says that 17 banks are at risk because of what is happening. I urge the finance minister to be careful in what he is doing not to transfer the bankruptcy to the private sector,” he said.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is testing a subscription service which will allow users to pay to get a blue tick verification.
Meta Verified will cost $11.99 (£9.96) a month on web, or $14.99 for iPhone users, Mark Zuckerberg announced on Instagram Sunday.
It will be available in Australia and New Zealand this week.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta chief executive, said the move will improve security and authenticity on the social media apps.
The move comes after Elon Musk, owner of Twitter, implemented the premium Twitter Blue subscription in November 2022.
Meta’s paid subscription service is not yet available for businesses, but any individual can pay for verification.
Badges – or “blue ticks”- have been used as verification tools for high-profile accounts to signify their authenticity.
The subscription would give paying users a blue badge, increased visibility of their posts, protection from impersonators and easier access to customer service, Meta said in a post on their website.
Officers earlier today closed off a road along the River Wyre after Nicola went missing three weeks ago.
According to Lancashire Police a body was found less than a mile away from where Nicola was last seen 23 days ago.
Lancashire Police said : ‘This morning, Sunday, 19 February, you may be aware of police activity around the river near to St Michaels.
‘We want to provide you with an update on that activity.
‘We were called today at 11:36am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road.
‘An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body.
‘No formal identification has yet been carried out, so we are unable to say whether this is Nicola Bulley at this time.
Nicola vanished on the morning of January 27 (Picture: Lancashire Constabulary / SWNS)Police diving teams were seen searching parts of the River Wyre hours before it was announced a body had been found (Picture: PA)Aerial searches were also carried out by helicopters close to where Nicola went missing (Picture: PA)The body was said to have been found in the river less than a mile from where Nicola was last seen (Picture: REUTERS)
Timeline of events in Nicola Bulley case
January 27
At 8.26am Ms Bulley left her home with her two daughters, aged six and nine, dropping them off at school and engaging in a brief conversation with another parent around 15 minutes later, Lancashire Police has said.
She then took her spaniel, Willow, for a walk along the path by the River Wyre at 8.43am, heading towards a gate and bench in the lower field.
She was seen by a dog walker who knew her at around 8.50am, and their pets interacted briefly before they parted ways, according to the force.
At 8.53am, Ms Bulley sent an email to her boss, followed by a message to her friends six minutes later, before logging on to a Microsoft Teams call at 9.01am.
She was seen by a second witness at 9.10am, the last known sighting.
Her phone was back in the area of the bench at 9.20am before the Teams call ended 10 minutes later, with her mobile remaining logged on after the call.
At 9.33am, another dog walker found her phone on a bench beside the river, with Willow darting between the two.
According to police, she was wearing a black Engelbert Strauss coat, black jeans and had long green walking socks tucked into her trousers under ankle length green wellington boots.
Her hair was tied into a ponytail and she was wearing a pale blue Fitbit fitness tracker.
At 10.50am, Ms Bulley’s family and the school attended by her children were told about her disappearance.
Lancashire Constabulary launched an investigation into Ms Bulley’s whereabouts on the same day and appealed for witnesses to contact them.
January 28
Lancashire Constabulary deployed drones, helicopters and police search dogs as part of the major missing person operation.
They were assisted by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as Bowland Pennine mountain rescue team and the North West underwater search team.
January 29
Local residents held a meeting at the village hall to organise a search for Ms Bulley at 10.30am on Sunday, according to reports from The Mirror, and around 100 people joined in.
Police urged volunteers to exercise caution, describing the river and its banks as ‘extremely dangerous’ and saying that activity in these areas presented ‘a genuine risk to the public’.
January 30
Superintendent Sally Riley from Lancashire Constabulary said police were ‘keeping a really open mind about what could have happened’, and that they were not treating Ms Bulley’s disappearance as suspicious.
January 31
Lancashire Constabulary spoke with a potential witness, a man who had been walking a small white fluffy dog near the River Wyre at the time of Ms Bulley’s disappearance.
Her family released a statement saying they had been ‘overwhelmed by the support’ in their community, and that her daughters were ‘desperate to have their mummy back home safe’.
February 1
Ms Bulley’s parents, Ernest and Dot Bulley, spoke to The Mirror about the ‘horror’ they faced over the possibility of never seeing her again.
Her father told the newspaper: ‘We just dread to think we will never see her again, if the worst came to the worst and she was never found, how will we deal with that for the rest of our lives?’
February 2
Lancashire Constabulary spoke with a second witness who they had identified with the help of the public using CCTV but they told police they did not have any further information to aid their inquiry.
Officers from the North West Police Underwater and Marine support unit searched the area close to where Ms Bulley’s mobile phone was found, while police divers scoured the River Wyre.
Meanwhile, Ms Bulley’s family appealed to the public for help tracing her.
Speaking with Sky News, her sister Louise Cunningham said: ‘There has got to be somebody who knows something and all we are asking is, no matter how small or big, if there is anything you remember that doesn’t seem right, then please reach out to the police.
‘Get in touch and get my sister back.’
Ms Bulley’s father said his family hoped their interview would ‘spark a light’ that would lead to her being found.
February 3
Lancashire Police said it was working on the hypothesis that Ms Bulley may have fallen into the River Wyre.
Ms Riley urged against speculation, but said it was ‘possible’ that an ‘issue’ with Ms Bulley’s dog may have led her to the water’s edge.
She urged the public to look out for items of clothing Ms Bulley was last seen wearing, and gave an extensive list.
Ms Bulley’s friends also shared heartfelt appeals via television interviews, including Emma White, who told the BBC that Ms Bulley’s daughters were continually asking where she was.
February 4
Ms White cast doubt on the police theory that she fell into a river, telling Sky News it was based on ‘limited information’.
She said: ‘When we are talking about a life we can’t base it on a hypothesis, surely we need this factual evidence.
‘That’s what the family and all of us are holding on to, that we are sadly no further on than last Friday.’
In a Facebook post, Ms Cunningham urged people to ‘keep an open mind’ as there is ‘no evidence whatsoever’ that the dog walker fell in the river.
On the same day, Lancashire Police announced it wanted to trace a ‘key witness’ who was seen pushing a pram in the area near where Ms Bulley went missing on the morning of her disappearance.
February 5
The woman described as a ‘key witness’ by police came forward.
The force insisted she was ‘very much being treated as a witness’ as it warned against ‘totally unacceptable’ speculation and abuse on social media.
Peter Faulding, leader of underwater search experts Specialist Group International (SGI), began searching the river after being called in by Ms Bulley’s family.
February 6
Ms Bulley’s friends said they hoped the help of a specialist underwater rescue team would give the family answers.
Speaking to broadcasters, Ms White said the family had asked Mr Faulding and his company for help.
She told BBC Breakfast: ‘Following the hypothesis of the police that Nicola was in the river, we need some evidence to back that up either way and I feel Peter and his amazing bit of kit… is going to come and sweep the river bed and give us answers.’
Meanwhile, Ms Bulley’s partner Mr Ansell, in a statement released through Lancashire Police, said: ‘It’s been 10 days now since Nicola went missing and I have two little girls who miss their mummy desperately and who need her back.
‘This has been such a tough time for the girls especially but also for me and all of Nicola’s family and friends, as well as the wider community and I want to thank them for their love and support.’
February 10
Police urged people to refrain from indulging in commentary and conspiracy theories about Ms Bulley’s disappearance as speculation increases online.
February 15
Police held a press conference over the case and say the mother-of-two was classed as a ‘high-risk’ missing person immediately after she was reported missing due to ‘vulnerabilities.’
They later disclosed Ms Bulley’s struggles with alcohol and perimenopause.
February 16
In a statement released through Lancashire Police, Ms Bulley’s family said the focus had become ‘distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her private life’ and called for it to end.
Lancashire Police referred itself to the police watchdog over contact the force had with Ms Bulley prior to her disappearance.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman demanded an ‘explanation’ for the disclosure of Ms Bulley’s private information by the force.
February 17
Lancashire Police announced it was conducting an internal review into the handling of Ms Bulley’s disappearance and the Information Commissioner said he would ask the force questions about the disclosure.
February 18
Ms Braverman met with police leaders to discuss the handling of the investigation after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also expressed ‘concerns’ about the revelation.
February 19
Appearing on the morning broadcast round, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt described the police disclosure as ‘shocking’ while shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, who also wrote to the force over its handling of the case, repeated her concerns about the ‘unusual’ level of private information made public about Ms Bulley.
Later on Sunday, Lancashire Police announced they had found a body.
Specialist divers were back on the River Wyre earlier today The mum-of-two has been missing since January 27
Sky News bump into dog walker who found Nicola Bulley’s phone
A police officer walks in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, as police continued their search earlier today Picture: PA)
‘Procedures to identify the body are on-going. We are currently treating the death as unexplained.
‘Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected.’
Nicola was last seen at 9.10am on January 27, taking her usual route with her dog, Willow, alongside the river.
Earlier that morning, she had dropped off her two young daughters at school.
Her phone – still connected to a work call – was found about 20 minutes later on a bench overlooking the riverbank, with her spaniel running around, but Nicola was nowhere to be found.
Timeline of events in the case of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley
Lancashire Police released a timeline of events for Nicola Bulley‘s last known movements.
Friday, January 27th
8.43am – Nicola walked along the path by the River Wyre, having dropped her children off at school
8:50am (approximately) – A dog-walker – somebody who knows Nicola – saw her walking around the lower field with her dog. Their two dogs interacted briefly before the witness left the field via the river path
8.53am – She sent an email to her boss
9.01am – She logged into a Teams call
9.10am (approximately) – A witness – somebody who knows Nicola – saw her on the upper field walking her dog, Willow. Work is ongoing today to establish exactly what time this was.
9.30am – The Teams call ended but Nicola stayed logged on
9.35am (approximately) – Nicola’s mobile phone and Willow were found at a bench by the river by another dog-walker.
10.15am – She was reported missing after a walker found her dog loose along the local river.
Nicola Bulley’s final movements – and the CCTV blackspots in the areaNicola’s partner Paul Ansell has helped in the search for Nicola Diving expert Peter Faulding (left) with Paul Ansell as Peter’s team said previously ‘if her body was in there we would find her’ after his underwater search ended last week Nicola with her partner Paul who has told of her devastation after she went missing
Police: There is no evidence of third party involvement in Nicola Bulley case
Police said the main working hypothesis was that she had fallen into the river after dropping her dog’s ball by mistake, and had drowned.
Detectives continue to maintain the stance that no third party is involved in the case.
The find follows weeks of frenzied speculation including true crime fans and social media influencers who moved in to try and crack the case while spreading conspiracy theories.
There was fury yesterday as footage emerged on TikTok of a man digging in woodland nearby. Others broke into derelict properties along the Wyre river claiming police had not searched them thoroughly. At least one person has been fined under public order laws after posting clips.
On Thursday, Nicola’s family appealed to people to stop spreading ‘wild theories’ and to focus on finding her.
Ex-Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley criticised ‘idiots’ taking the law into their own hands. ‘This is going to be a phenomenon the police have to come to terms with,’ he said. ‘There’s going to have to be a lot of learning from this.’
A day earlier Det Supt Smith led a press conference where she revealed Ms Bulley had been classed as a ‘high-risk’ missing person immediately after Mr Ansell reported her disappearance, ‘based on a number of specific vulnerabilities’. The force later added in a statement that Ms Bulley the mum-of-two had ‘issues with alcohol’ and also was ‘struggling with menopause’.
Her family said later: ‘Although we know Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop.’
But the revelations caused a storm, with interventions from home secretary Suella Braverman and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper. Lancashire Police launched an internal review.
According to the research thinktank, “Government’s debt restructuring exercise has highlighted the risks associated with such a strategy. If banks are too heavily exposed to government debt, they may be vulnerable to shocks or changes in government policy that could have a significant impact on their balance sheets. In the case of Ghana, the debt restructuring exercise may require banks to take hair-cuts, which could lead to losses and potentially impact their ability to lend to private businesses,”
In the statement signed by Dr. Frank Bannor and Dr. Abena Boateng, Senior Research and Policy Analyst and Director of Research respectively, CDS Africa said it is important for banks to carefully balance the risks and rewards of their investment and lending strategies, considering the specific economic and market conditions in which they operate.
While it is the case that government securities may offer some degree of safety, it said it is important for banks to also consider the dire effect that over-reliance on that may have on their balance sheets in times of policy changes – such as the current debt restructuring.
The consequence of this, the statement added, will render banks unable to support private businesses and also impact economic growth…with small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) being the most impacted.
“This preference for investing in government bonds over lending to private businesses leaves much to worry about as a nation. It has the tendency of hindering growth of the private sector and has a negative impact on economic growth and job creation, particularly in the small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.
“This is because SMEs often have limited access to credit, and the reduction in lending by banks to the private sector may exacerbate this problem. Furthermore, the increased investment in government securities by banks may lead to a crowding-out effect – whereby government borrows more from the domestic market, reducing the availability of credit to the private sector,” the statement further said.
Recommendations
Among the recommendations, CDS Africa urged banks to have a diversified portfolio of assets and investment rather than relying too heavily on any one type of investment. It is also of the view that regulators should ensure banks are adequately capitalised and have effective risk management procedures in place to mitigate the risks associated with their investments.
“The Bank of Ghana must pursue a deliberate policy of encouraging banks to increase their lending to the private sector, particularly to SMEs. In doing so, the Bank of Ghana will be supporting growth and development of the private sector, which is essential for long-term economic growth and job creation,” it further urged.
The statement also noted that data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) show the banking sector’s holdings of government securities have increased significantly; adding that in 2020, for instance, banks in Ghana held 30.6 percent of total outstanding government bonds compared to 17.2 percent in 2019.
“The data suggest that at the end of December 2019 commercial banks in Ghana had a largely-skewed investment portfolio toward long-term debt instruments, with securities making up 68.2 percent of their investments.
“This is an increase from 66.5 percent in December 2018. Conversely, the proportion of short-term bills in total investments declined from 32.4 percent in December 2018 to 30.9 percent in December 2019. The trend is more worrying when compared to 2016 and 2017 figures,” CDS Africa said.
Measures to protect the financial sector
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta – in his address to parliament on details of the debt exchange programme last week, assured of government’s willingness to protect and support banks and other financial institutions
He informed parliament of a Financial Stability Fund that is being established to cushion banks, pension funds and insurance companies, among others, to shore-up their liquidity.
“In addition, a Financial Stability Fund (FSF) is being established by government with the help of development partners to provide liquidity and solvency support to banks, pension funds, insurance companies, fund managers and collective investment schemes, to ensure that they are able to meet their obligations to clients as they fall due,” he stated.
In 2018, when singer Sister Deborah released her single ‘Kakalika Love’ amidst her messy breakup with ex-boyfriend Medikal, a section of the public, especially women, were angered.
According to Derby, her ability to move away from depression and make money out of a bad situation triggered some women, whom she describes as being angry about her happiness.
“Sadly, a lot of women were angry that I was happy, I had a hit song and was doing promotions where I was giving out GH1000 every week because we were sponsored by someone who really loved the song and believed in the brand. I saw and heard that fellow women were angry…angry that I wasn’t depressed,” she told Sika Osei on Lynx TV.
Narrating how she made lemonade out of lemons thrown at her, Sister Deborah credited her brother, Wanlov The Kubolor, for encouraging her to release ‘Kakalika Love’.
“No matter what life throws at you, make something positive from it. For example, when I went through a major public breakup and then I released ‘Kakalika Love’. Wanlov said that was the right time to release ‘Kakalika Love’… I had already recorded ‘Kakalika Love’…I was waiting for the right moment but then I didn’t want people to say I was responding and going back and forth.
She added: “I won’t join people down there, come on. There is a way to do it…Adele made a whole album about her break up…we too we made cedis and pesewas (laughs)…other people will go through a bad breakup and be depressed, sad and cry about it which a lot of people wanted to see me go through it.”
Quintessential Ghanaian musician, Okyeame Kwame, has shared his disappointment with entertainment critics for their remarks on the BBC Hiplife Rewind Documentary.
During an interview with Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz, the ‘Rap Dacta’ explained that no one should have a say on the BBC Hiplife documentary, because they decided to sit down and let someone from somewhere else come and produce the documentary.
“If someone else who has their interest, and has proven over and over again that they are best friends with us, is doing something they want to do, how dare we criticize the way they should have done it.”
Okyeame Kwame also said he didn’t have a problem with the documentary and didn’t mind that his name wasn’t mentioned in it, saying nothing stops him from shooting a Hiplife documentary from his perspective.
“I have no qualms with someone organizing a documentary and not mentioning me, my legacy is not attached to what BBC is doing, and my legacy is attached to the way I behave today.
“I mean what stops me from taking my 4G iPhone and getting a 200-dollar cordless mic, calling all my friends and shooting a story, and giving it to my editor to edit it in my favour.”
The ‘Woso’ rapper also gave some advice to Ghanaians saying they should stop expecting others to come to Ghana to tell the Ghanaian story, rather they should tell their own story.
“We need to stop expecting things from other people, it’s the same way African mentality, that’s why we have Ghanaian stories being told from the Hollywood perspective,” he said.
It has been reported that London hotels are already raising their rates by up to two-thirds in anticipation of King Charles III’s coronation in May.
On the historic day on Saturday, May 6, according to Trivago CEO Axel Hefer, hotel rates in the city have increased by more than 60% year over year.
As compared to last year at the same time, the average cost of lodging has already reached £254 for those trying to make a last-minute reservation.
Interest is huge as it’s the first ceremony of its kind since Queen Elizabeth IIwas crowned in June 1953.
Prices are going up in the capital by up to two thirds (Picture: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
As hotels increase their prices to capitalise, Trivago says many visitors may plan to avoid London during the event, explaining ‘given the very high prices, people would rather avoid traveling to the UK capital on the day of the coronation.’
Booking data shows search is actually down for London on the day, compared to the weekends before and after.
Latest London news
Searches for London are also down 8% compared with the same day last year.
King Charles III and The Queen Consort visiting Brick Lane this week (Picture: PA)
Mr Hefer said that, while coronation day is an extreme example in terms of prices this year, the accommodation site is seeing hotel prices continue to rise generally across the board.
He said hotel prices are rising by low single digits to high single digits this year, on top of increased prices in 2022.
Travellers are combatting the higher prices by switching to cheaper destinations, such as Istanbul, Morocco and Portugal, as well as domestic staycationing, while also beginning to book shorter stays.
The company has also seen trends of holidaymakers opting for lower star ratings on hotels and cheaper accommodation to help bring down costs.
Ghanaian media personality and journalist, MzGee has expressed her joy at not relying on social media validation in a recent Instagram post.
She stated that the negativity and hypocrisy on social media are not worth seeking validation from.
“Hello! It’s Monday morning. How are you doing? Charle I am super excited that, personally, I did not take my validation from social media commentary, haha.
“The hypocrisy on that street. It’s mad ooo. Have a blessed week dear. We moveeeeeeeeeeee,” she shared on February 20, 2023.
You seem to have hit a wall in your marriage. There have been ugly spats and words exchanged and the dreaded “D” word has been spoken. Despair hangs heavy over your marriage and you’re wondering if this is the end. And then, there are signs. Signs of wife changing her mind about divorce. Or so you hope. Given everything that’s been happening, you’re still uncertain and you’re wondering, “Do wives change their mind about divorce at all?”
Well, human nature is inconsistent, even about major life decisions like divorce. So yes, it is entirely possible that there are concrete signs your wife is changing her mind about divorce. With the help of psychotherapist Sampreeti Das (Master in Clinical Psychology and Ph.D. Researcher), who specializes in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Holistic and Transformational Psychotherapy, we’ve rounded up some signs your wife is rethinking divorce and is open to giving your marriage another chance, and what you can do if you spot these signs.
Will She Change Her Mind About Divorce? 5 Reasons She Might
When your wife says she wants a divorce, your whole world turns upside down. Given the enormity of the situation, your wife wouldn’t have made the decision to divorce lightly. And so, it can seem futile to hope that she will change her mind and give the marriage a second chance. But it can happen. In fact, a study suggests that half of those thinking about divorce change their mind within a year.
So, second thoughts about divorce are not uncommon at all. Even if your marriage is at a breaking point and your wife has clearly conveyed to you that she wants to separate, wondering, “Will she change her mind about divorce?”, isn’t just wishful thinking. Here are 5 probable reasons why she may choose to stay married and rethink her divorce decision:
1. She doesn’t want the family to suffer
“I’m seeing the signs my separated wife wants to reconcile. What could have brought that on?” You may wonder. Well, if you have been married a long time and have kids, her decision to stay married may have nothing to do with the state of your marriage. She may simply not want to put the children through the emotional trauma of watching their family break apart.
Perhaps, she’d prefer that you go to a family therapist or a couple’s counselor for help and see if you can find a way to stay together. Now, whether or not staying in an unhappy marriage for the kids is a wise choice is a discussion for another time. But this could very well be her reason to not get the divorce proceedings rolling.
2. Divorce is too costly for her to go through with it
This is also not exactly the most romantic reason why a woman would go back on her decision to divorce you. But it is a legitimate reason and a study shows that 15% of married couples choose to stay separated rather than get officially divorced for this very reason. Hiring professional lawyers, and getting embroiled in a legal battle over the division of assets is financially draining as it is emotionally painful.
Perhaps, your wife doesn’t have the means to foot the expenditure of the divorce process or maybe she just doesn’t consider it worth her while. Staying married may just feel like a more prudent choice than losing everything in securing a divorce.
3. She doesn’t want to lose you
Despite all the negative emotions, angry words, fights, and conflicts, your wife is not prepared to lose you. Human relationships, especially long-term relationships such as marriage, are often far too complex and layered to fit into the binaries of ‘successful’ and ‘failed’. If your wife strongly feels that even though you have your share of relationship problems, the love that brought you together hasn’t completely eroded, you may begin to see signs your wife is changing her mind about divorce.
4. She feels responsible for your marital problems
“My wife was adamant about wanting a divorce. We have been living separately for nearly six months. But recently, the ice between us seems to be thawing. She is reaching out to me and our conversations are warmer and more pleasant. Are these signs my separated wife wants to reconcile?” A reader, who wished to remain anonymous, posed this query to the experts on Bonobology’s panel.
In response, Sampreeti says, “Your wife may be having second thoughts about divorce. One of the common reasons this happens is that the person who wanted a divorce begins to realize that they too have contributed to the marital problems that drove the couple to the brink. This instills hope that if both partners put in the work, it’s possible for them to begin a new chapter in their married life.”
5. She has gone through a big life change
Sometimes external factors could be responsible for your wife changing her mind about the divorce. Maybe she has had a health scare or experienced a loss during the time that you’ve been separated. Or perhaps, she has been in therapy to work through the grief of her dying marriage. Any of these experiences could have changed her perspective on the situation and made her realize that life is too short to hold on to grudges. That’s why she doesn’t want to go through with the divorce proceedings anymore.
How Do I Know If My Wife Is Changing Her Mind About Divorce?
“We decided to end things because of how incompatible we had become. Though it broke my heart to be talking to lawyers, I tried my best to keep it together. One night, after a few nasty calls with our respective lawyers, I broke down in front of her and told her how rough it is to be going through this,” Mack told us.
“Though I never thought too much about “will my wife change her mind about divorce” and never even asked her to reconsider, I could see a few signs of second thoughts about divorce in her since then. We started talking a lot more, and we realized we might just be able to give it another shot. This time, we made sure to focus on prioritizing the things that make a relationship work,” he added. When you’re in a similar situation, dwelling over, “Will she change her mind about divorce?”, may not seem like the best idea.
Too much has been said, and too much has gone unsaid. There are negative emotions and hurt feelings. You’re hoping for sure signs your wife is changing her mind about divorce, but all you can do right now is wait, watch, and wonder. After all, if she’s the one who wanted out, you have to let your wife decide whether she wants to go through with the divorce. During this agonizing time, if you’re holding onto the hope that she will give you a second chance, we’re here to bolster your spirit a little with 9 sure signs your wife is changing her mind about the divorce:
1. Better communication
It’s been said so often, it sounds like a cliché, but a true one! Communication truly is the key to a healthy relationship, and communication problems and breakdowns are often at the root of a failing or stumbling marriage. It’s natural that your marriage got to where it is due to poor communication. It’s also possible that, of late, there have been cold silences or fights, or snarky barbs exchanged, but that’s it. And then suddenly, it changes.
If you’re looking for signs your wife is rethinking divorce, the fact that she has started communicating better is definitely a positive indicator. It means that she cares enough about you and your marriage to make an effort. This is certainly a positive step toward fixing your broken marriage and changing your mind about splitting up.
“Language conduct speaks volumes about one’s intentions,” says Sampreeti, “If a partner’s communication content and tone are changing for the better, it is entirely possible they are having second thoughts about divorce. They may not always admit to having second thoughts; instead, they could talk about common concerns such as the children, things to do with the household, and so on, showing that they’re thinking of the things that hold you together.”
2. Sudden physical intimacy
Sexual overtures, physical touch, and affection are some of the first things to go out the window when a marriage hits a rough spot. If things have gotten to the point where divorce is being brought up, we’re guessing you two haven’t had a whole lot of sexy time lately. Or even the simple gesture of holding hands or a touch on the arm.
Now, if that changes, it’s entirely possible that you’re wondering, “Is my wife having second thoughts about divorce?” To arrive at a definitive conclusion, pay closer attention to her body language, and notice:
Is she sitting closer to you on the couch when you’re watching TV after dinner?
Does she place a hand on your arm when trying to explain something to you?
Is there a lot of meaningful eye contact over the dinner table?
Has there been a sudden uptick in physical contact?
Does she appear inviting and affable?
And most of all, has she been dropping hints or making subtle overtures suggesting that she is interested in making love?
Though it might have seemed like you couldn’t change your spouse’s mind about divorce, a few positive body language signs might tell you otherwise. She’s missing the closeness she once shared with you and her attempts to bridge that gap are among the most telling signs she is rethinking the divorce. Physical intimacy is one of the foundations of any healthy relationship, and the loss of it can be a root cause for a marriage to hit a major stumbling block. So, if after months of zero physical contact and affection, your wife starts making overtures, it’s a great sign she still desires you, is interested in making the marriage work, and therefore is reconsidering divorce.
3. She’s paying attention to your needs
It’s the little things, they always say. The little but oh-so-significant things that make up a relationship. And when a marriage is on the rocks and divorce is in the air, these little things are usually neglected, which only makes things worse.
For Will and Lorraine, it was almost like a return to the early days of marriage. “We’d been hit hard,” Will says, “Our marriage seemed to be getting more and more difficult to sustain by the day. We barely had anything to say to each other, let alone make any loving gestures. We didn’t even say ‘good morning’ or ‘good night’ any longer. We just went about our lives like two strangers who happened to be sharing a home. I could see the signs divorce is coming our way and didn’t know what to do about it.”
But it seemed Lorraine was changing her mind about letting her marriage go. “She started doing things she’d do when we were first married,” Will adds, “She’d make sure my vitamins were laid out on the breakfast table. If I had a big meeting at work, she knew I wouldn’t have time to step out for lunch, so she’d pack leftovers for me. She wasn’t saying much, but her actions were there for me to see.”
“Small changes in behavior can mean all kinds of things. Maybe they’re being more considerate or suddenly more adaptable to your routine. It’s also possible they start apologizing more naturally when they think they’ve messed up, rather than withdrawing into silence or blaming their partner. Sharing a marriage and a home is all about the small romantic gestures and thoughtful things we do for our partners. When this thoughtfulness returns to a marriage, it’s possible to reconcile even after a wife says she wants a divorce,” Sampreeti explains.
4. She’s stopped bringing up the “D” word
We talk a lot about love languages but there are a lot of different languages in marriage. There’s fight language and “our marriage is over” language. Articulating that you want to separate from a partner, using words like “split” or “divorce”, isn’t done lightly. If your wife has been vocal about her desire to divorce in the past but hasn’t brought it up lately, it’s definitely an encouraging sign. You may notice that,
Even though you’ve talked about ending the marriage, she hasn’t served you with divorce papers yet
She no longer responds to anything and everything you do with, “God, I can’t wait to divorce you!”
She hasn’t hired an army of professional lawyers to make sure she get her due in the divorce
She hasn’t initiated any conversation/negotiation about division of assets, alimony, custody rights, and so on
Basically, the divorce process is on hold and there’s a chance that things are getting better. However, this doesn’t mean that the good times will automatically roll. You still have a lot of work to do in making sure you’re on the same page about what not going through with the divorce means. Listening can improve a relationship. Make sure you listen to your wife and together find common ground on which you can rebuild your marriage.
5. She shows signs of jealousy
When love dies, you no longer care who your partner is spending time with, or wonder about late-night phone calls, or why they’re working late so many nights a week. In fact, this kind of apathy is one of the first signs divorce is coming your way. On the flip side, care, concern, and even a little bit of jealousy in a relationship are all strong indicators that not all hope is lost.
“My wife, Sue, and I were pretty much estranged,” says Sean, a reader from Taos, “It was the usual – silences, screaming matches, and mostly, an utter lack of care about what the other one was up to. We’d stopped asking each other any questions about our whereabouts for months.” When Sean took on a new project at work, there were several nights he had to stay late. Sue started noticing this.
“One night, she texted, asking how much later I’d be. The next night, she asked if I’d be home for dinner. Soon, she was staying up till I got home and asking me all about the project and who I was working with. I think I made up some extra women’s names, just to see her reaction,” grins Sean, adding, “Will my wife change her mind about divorce? I’m not too sure about that, but as of right now, it feels pretty good to see she cares again.”
6. She wants to spend time together
Time is both a friend and an enemy of love. We want more of it and never seem to have quite enough. When you’re fighting and convinced that you want to end your marriage, one of the first things you cut off is time with the other person.
In fact, if things have gotten really bad, you probably avoid spending time with your partner as much as possible, since being together only means yelling and blame games and other unpleasantries. So, what does it mean when your wife, who for months has been staying as far away from you as possible or has been living separately, suddenly wants to spend time with you?
Well, this could be her way of testing the waters and assessing if your fractured marriage has a shot at survival. This is her trying to reach out to you and communicating that she still likes being with you. Now, the idea of spending time together may be different for different people. But you can be sure she’s extending an olive branch if:
She’s making sure you eat at least a meal together every day
She asks if you’d like to go grocery shopping with her
She suggests getting dinner together somewhere (maybe on the pretext of spending time together as a family if you have children)
She’s asking you to accompany her to social events
She’s being more pleasant and affable in her social media interactions with you
Sampreeti says. “If there were friends and well-wishers who had a role in the divorce plan, take note of whether your wife is pulling away from them. Changing dynamics in social relationships, a revised list of friends and well-wishers, or a different pattern of engagement and social habits could be signs that she’s changing her mind about divorce,” she explains. Do wives change their mind about divorce is a tough question to answer, but if she’s giving you her time and asking for yours, we think you’ve got your answer.
7. She remembers your preferences
A friend had been separated from her husband for a while, but they hadn’t finalized the divorce yet. A few weeks into their separation, I met her for lunch and noticed she’d left her hair open instead of in its usual topknot. When I commented on the new hair, she looked rather sheepish and said her husband liked it that way. She’d just met him to go over some details of the divorce papers, and well…
Needless to say, that divorce never went through, and she’s still floating around with her hair loose and flowing at the peak of summer! So, when a wife, even an estranged wife, suddenly starts wearing things she knows you like or making your favorite dishes, or humming your favorite tunes around you, she’s probably not thinking of the best divorce lawyer in town.
In fact, she’s thinking about you, and what you like, and things that make you happy. She’s remembering things that make you smile and bring you joy. Sure, her wearing her hair the way you like doesn’t mean she’s screaming out, “I filed for divorce but changed my mind”, but it’s still a stepping stone. These are her ways of showing affection and conveying her desire to give the marriage a second chance.
We’d say that’s a pretty safe bet and a sure sign that she’s rethinking whatever divorce thoughts she was having. Don’t take it for granted, though. Make sure you return the favor and pay attention to things she likes too!
8. She wants your attention
Don’t we always want attention from our loved ones? Don’t we fight with them, buy new outfits, and do so much more to get attention from our significant others? Don’t get us wrong, we’re not suggesting that your wife wanting to divorce you is her way of trying to get your attention. Quite the opposite, actually. We’re saying, if she’s suddenly trying to grab your attention, it could be one of the signs your wife is changing her mind about divorce.
So, take a moment to reflect on her behavior patterns, and see if she has been trying to tell you attention in the relationship. Here’s what it could look like:
Asking your opinion on things that are important to her
Telling you about a new restaurant that’s opened in town and very obviously waiting for you to respond
Discussing the day’s headlines with you, hoping for a discussion
Playing a movie or song you hate on a loop to get a reaction out of you
If this is happening after a prolonged time of your wife ignoring you and making it clear that you don’t matter to her at all, you can take it as a sign that she’s trying to initiate reconciliation. And she’s making sure you pay attention to what she’s doing. So, if she’s looking for a reaction or just an opening to a conversation, we’d recommend you take it. When you’ve been pondering on questions like, “My wife wants a divorce, how can I change her mind?”, know that attention, the good kind, is an excellent tonic for an ailing relationship.
9. She’s paying you compliments
This is kind of an obvious sign. Let’s say for months your wife’s been telling you that she can’t stand your face, the way you breathe and that the sound of your chewing makes her want to stab you. Then, things calm down, and slowly, she starts saying nice things about you.
“That shirt looks great on you.” “That stew you made for dinner was delicious!” “That’s a great presentation you made – the client will love it!” Yeah, you’ll probably be super suspicious at first, but if it continues, and if she’s being sincere, she’s appreciating you and is changing her mind about divorcing you.
Appreciation and sincere compliments in a relationship are balms to the most wounded partners. It’s also her way of showing you that while there are lots of things she would like you to change (she’s probably yelled out a list at you by now!), she does in fact realize that you have some wonderful qualities that she’s ready to embrace all over again. If you want to save your marriage, this is your chance to reciprocate and meet her half-way.
What To Do When Your Wife Changes Her Mind About Divorce?
You have noticed the signs your wife is changing her mind about divorce. Divorce may have been very much on her mind, and maybe she’s still on the fence about it but she no longer thinks that it’s the only way forward. Perhaps, she’s even toying with the idea of giving the marriage a second chance and starting afresh. The question is, what should you do in such a situation? As is the case with most things involving human relationships, there are no clear-cut right or wrong answers here. Here are a few things you can do to make the right decision about your future as a married couple:
1. Understand her reasons for changing her mind about divorce
Whether or not your wife having second thoughts about divorce is a good thing or not depends on her reasons behind this change of heart. If she wants a reconciliation because she is scared of being alone or the idea of going through with the divorce seems too daunting, then getting back together may not be the most sustainable choice. Unless you’re both ready to put in work to deal with your issues and make some positive changes, you will find yourself standing back at the same point sooner or later.
2. Figure out what you want
When your wife says she wants a divorce, it’s possible that your panic-stricken mind instantly goes into damage-control mode. You may spend a lot of your time and energy figuring out how to get your wife to change her decision of divorce. Or fixating on questions like, “Will she change her mind about divorce?” It’s possible that in all this, you’ve not taken the time to figure out what it is that you want. So, before you respond to her overtures, check in with yourself and be sure that you want the same thing as her. Unless you’re on the same page about starting over, you won’t get far in repairing your relationship.
3. Are your issues fixable?
If a relationship is broken beyond repair, no amount of apologies or olive branches can fix it. There are marriages where one or both partners have cheated, or where abuse has prevailed, or that were maybe just a mistake between two people who were never compatible in the first place. If that’s the case, the likelihood of building a happy marriage together can be slim. Ask yourself, do you want to go down this rabbit hole all over again or would it be better to walk away now?
4. Get the necessary help to rebuild your marriage
If you do decide that your marriage is worth another shot, know that you have your work cut out for you. You have to build a new relationship with your spouse while working through the emotional trauma you may have caused one another and carefully steering clear of old, problematic patterns. This requires a great deal of patience, understanding, and maybe some couple’s therapy.
“Note if your wife takes the initiative to take on and share more responsibilities with you. Also, if she suggests seeking professional help or therapy, that could be an expression of hope for reconciliation,” Sampreeti says. If you’re looking for help, Bonobology’s panel of experienced counselors can help you get your marriage back to its former glory.
Key Pointers
Noticing that your wife is changing her mind about divorce is an encouraging sign that your marriage has a shot at survival
The reasons why a woman may change her mind about divorce can be practical – not wanting to break up the family or bearing the expenses of divorce proceedings – or emotional – not wanting to lose you or understanding her role in the marital issues
From better communication to hints of affection, paying compliments, and paying attending to you needs, the signs a woman is changing her mind about divorce reflect in her softened stance toward you and the relationship
Just because she has changed her mind about divorce doesn’t mean you have to rush into getting back together. Take your time and assess if it’s the right decision for you, both individually and as a couple
Whatever it is, it’s a boon when an unhappy partner decides to reconsider divorce and give the marriage another chance. Recognize this, read the signs, and ensure you do your bit to repair your relationship as well. Marriage is a two-way street, bringing it back from the verge of divorce needs all your strength as well.
You don’t see the Gary Coopers, the Chuck Norris’, and the Clint Eastwoods’ of the world letting their guard down, talking about what’s been bothering them and their relationship fears, do you? This conditioning is precisely why men correlate vulnerability with weakness, and ironically, that’s also why when a man is vulnerable with a woman, it ends up being a beautiful thing. That’s not to say that all men are the splitting images of the stoic, mustachioed, “serious” men that we mentioned.
According to research, contrary to what most people think, vulnerability in men is actually a strength. In order to be a strong and healthy individual, vulnerability must take place with the people that you have built trust with. In doing so, one strengthens relationships, improves mental health, and improves the quality of life.
Some men tend to be more emotionally vulnerable than others, but the point remains that vulnerability is essential to be able to connect with someone on a deeper level. Why would a guy be vulnerable with you? Is he hinting at a deeper connection, or does his vulnerability not mean much? Let’s take a look at what’s going through his mind when he is finally opening up in a relationship.
What Does It Mean When A Man Is Vulnerable With A Woman?
Before we get to what it means when a man is vulnerable with a woman, let’s talk about what we mean when we say vulnerability. No, there is a fine line between trauma dumping and letting it all out. Furthermore, when someone opens up and expects something in return for “letting them in,” or when a person inconsiderately trauma dumps on someone and leaves the listener feeling distraught since they weren’t ready to handle the intensity of the conversation.
It’s also not when a person shares their pain and hopes their partner will fix them, or when they try to gain sympathy so that their bad behavior can be excused, or when they can coerce their partner into doing something by playing the victim card. Simply put, vulnerability is when a person, without any ulterior motives, opens up about their fears, weaknesses, emotions and flaws. It’s when a person lets their guard down, only to foster a stronger connection with whoever they’re talking to.
As Paulo Coelho puts it, “The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.” That’s what being vulnerable means. When a man is vulnerable with a woman, he’s letting her know that he is letting his guard down, and he’s not afraid to appear fragile in front of her, despite how fragility in men is often associated with weakness.
When a guy is being vulnerable with a woman, it almost always results in a deeper connection. You get to know someone better – their fears and ambitions, their inhibitions and insecurities – and just because you’ve been listening, they feel closer to you. If you’re wondering what makes a man vulnerable to a woman, in most cases (assuming that it’s not a toxic coercion technique), It’s because they feel the need to unburden themselves to someone they can confide in, trusting that the listener won’t think any less of them for doing so.
Now that we have a clearer picture of what it means, let’s talk about what happens when a man is vulnerable with a woman, and why he chooses to be so.
Some people can find it difficult to admit to being vulnerable, even to themselves. Admitting that there are some unresolved issues in a dark corner of your mind means that you’re making them real, and that you’ll have to deal with them.
In an attempt to protect ourselves, we may often ignore the things we know we need to deal with. That’s why, for those who find it difficult to open up, finally doing so with another person who they might feel deeply in love with, can change a lot of things for them. Let’s take a look at what happens when a guy shares his vulnerabilities with you, what’s running through his mind, and what changes the relationship might possibly go through.
1. He becomes his authentic self
When he lets his guard down and admits that he’s worried about the path his career is headed toward, he is showing his true nature. He’s not thinking about portraying a favorable image of himself to you. He is being his true self, complete with a few anxious, imagined, worst-case scenarios he has been replaying over and over in his head. If you see the signs of vulnerability in a man or see that a guy friend is vulnerable with you, consider it an indication that he feels comfortable enough to be himself with you.
We all have fears, and when someone is hesitant while opening up in a relationship, it often indicates these things:
A lack of emotional connection
Trust issues in the relationship
Ulterior motives like being interested in someone else or we are afraid of being judged
2. When a man is vulnerable with a woman, it enhances emotional intimacy
Brene Brown Ph.D., author of Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead is a research professor who is an expert in the field of vulnerability. She’s looked at those who have a strong sense of connection and belonging and those who don’t. Her research has found that the difference between the two groups was that those who had a strong sense of love and belonging believed they were worthy of it. People who believed they were worthy of connection experienced greater connectedness.
That’s why it is important to understand that when a guy shows his vulnerable side and when a guy shares his insecurities with you, it means he is ready to freely express his fears, secrets, and opinions. He is after all a human being who wants to feel connected to the woman he has fallen in love with. Furthermore, if a guy is vulnerable with you, he is ready to have healthy relationships in his life.
When a person is comfortable enough to let their guard down and tell you what’s been going through their mind, it’s bound to lead to the development of emotional intimacy in your bond. However, it’s important to note his intentions behind his venting. Is he doing so, hoping that you’ll have the answers to his problems, or is he doing so because he wants to establish a deeper connection with you?
Figuring that out is easy. If you reciprocate his vulnerability by being vulnerable yourself, the way he listens to you will tell you what his intentions were. If it seems like he couldn’t be bothered, he’s probably just talking to you to rant and doesn’t care much about how you’re doing. On the other hand, if he’s listening as intently as you were, looking into your eyes and giving a few nods every now and then, that signifies a wholehearted attempt at fostering a unique connection.
3. Sexual vulnerability can lead to better physical intimacy
Due to past experiences or the “in control” image men think they’re supposed to have in bed, he may not open up during sex. He might not talk about the insecurities and fears he deals with, which essentially means he’s withholding his emotions. Unless you bare yourself – in all aspects of the word – you won’t achieve true sexual intimacy.
When a man is vulnerable with a woman in bed, he’s shrugging off all the performance anxiety, all his past fears and all his insecurities, as if to say, “I love you, and I’m not afraid to be myself with you, even during this intimate act.” The signs of vulnerability in a man in bed will in turn prompt his partner to be vulnerable, which can lead to an explosive yet safe space that you two create and share.
It takes courage to be vulnerable and let your partner know the crazy inner world of insecurities you are living in. But once you feel emotionally connected to someone and want to let them in on your vulnerabilities, it will lead to the two of you having great sex. Here are some tips to enhance your vulnerability if you want to have better sex:
Sex isn’t just about intercourse. It’s not wham-bam-thank you-ma’am. Be involved with each other
Don’t focus on your own body. Pay attention to what your partner likes and enjoys
Listen to the sounds they make
Look at their facial expressions and body language
If he/she freely expresses their sexual desires, fulfill them
4. He will confide in you more often
Why would a guy be vulnerable with you? It’s because he knows that you’re someone he can be himself with and he won’t be judged for it. If you reacted favorably to the last time he put his guard down, he knows he can count on you emotionally and he’ll do so again when he wants to. That’s also probably when he thinks you’re “the one” for him. A confession during those long drives or just an admission of guilt during those late-night phone calls can be all it takes to know that he trusts you.
How does a man show vulnerability? By trusting you. He will tell you all about his traumas and his deepest fears. He will confess why his past relationship didn’t work out. real him will make you fall for him even harder. However, here are some things you need to keep in mind when he places his trust in you and shows you his vulnerable side:
Be empathetic
Be a good listener
Don’t interrupt him when he is talking
Ask follow-up questions
Don’t be judgemental
Don’t ever use his vulnerable emotions against him or use his personal things like flaws and insecurities to attack him
5. You’ll be more empathetic
Vulnerability begets trust, compassion, support, and respect. Hence, when a man shows vulnerability, and she’s vulnerable with him, it can result in both of you being more empathetic in your relationship. When two people are more empathetic toward each other, there’s more compassion and kindness in the dynamic. By walking a mile in your partner’s shoes – which is a tall order if you’re both upset – you’ll inadvertently make sure you’re not making any harsh decisions or saying hurtful things.
Now that you are aware of his true feelings, you will find your own emotions changing. If you were earlier rude to him, you will find yourself becoming a lot more empathetic and patient with him. You will end up consciously choosing the relationship’s betterment rather than being selfish. You will develop stronger bonds with him and his family members. He has emotionally exposed himself to you, there is no bigger sign than this that he wants a lasting relationship with you.
6. Communication will improve
When you’re not afraid of letting your guard down and opening up to someone, the resulting conversations won’t feel forced or pressured. Think about it, when he’s talking about his anxieties and the things that he fears, he’s going to be his truest self, not worrying about the kind of persona he needs to maintain.
And when it’s reciprocated by the listener, it’s going to result in improved communication that will be honest, empathetic, and devoid of judgment. Talking to someone, especially a romantic partner, becomes easier, and ironing out any differences or future conflicts will be smoother too. So, how does a man show vulnerability? Communication will be a close search when you look for the answer to this question. His communication style won’t just improve. He will also make it clear how he wants to be loved and what love languages he prefers.
This is coming from my own personal experience. The longer he dodges to show his true personality, the more difficult it is to have a lasting relationship with him. So, if a guy is vulnerable with you, you will have effective conversations with him. You won’t be walking on eggshells around him and he won’t be offended by your perspectives and thoughts.
7. When a man is vulnerable with a woman, he makes her feel heard
Validation is one of the most important things for a relationship to be healthy and harmonious. When a man starts to share his innermost thoughts and feelings, he will listen to you in return. He will make you feel seen and heard just as much as you make him feel seen, heard, and valued. This will lead to the development of stronger bonds. You won’t even feel insecure if he talks to other women because you know you are the only one he feels safe with. You are his safety net and you are his special person.
An equal conversation is one that doesn’t make it seem like he’s waiting for you to talk so he can continue talking. When a conversation entails vulnerability and reciprocity, you’re not going to feel that way. If you decide to open up to him, he’s going to make sure he listens to you intently, just as you listened to him. As a result, you feel heard, validated, and respected. What makes a man vulnerable to a woman? It’s the desire to establish a deeper bond and establish mutual respect with someone he trusts.
8. He starts to value you in his life
As we’ve already mentioned, it’s not easy for some people to let others see their vulnerabilities. Especially in the case of some men, who have grown up believing that the only way to get through la vida loca is to appear stoic and unphased by whatever life throws at you. Hence, when a man is vulnerable with a woman, it’s almost an admission of the fact that he values her presence in his life.
He knows that if something bad were to happen, this person can be trusted to lend an ear and have his back. He will do things for you to express his care for you. Even if he’s someone who finds it very easy to be vulnerable with a lot of people, he still values and trusts you enough to let himself be that way around you. Men feel like becoming vulnerable when they are in love. Here are some more signs he is vulnerable with you, loves, and values you:
He celebrates your flaws and vice versa. When you celebrate his flaws, it triggers emotional attraction in a man
He respects your boundaries and doesn’t invade your privacy
He does romantic gestures for you like cooking for you and sending you good morning messages
He resolves conflicts in a healthy way and doesn’t punish you by giving you the silent treatment
He wants to see you grow in life
9. You (potentially) move one step closer to a healthy bond
Establishing a “healthy” relationship depends on a myriad of factors. There needs to be mutual respect, trust, compassion and a lot of effective communication. When a man is vulnerable with a woman, you move one step closer toward achieving such a bond, by being able to effectively communicate with each other and trusting each other. When a guy shows you his vulnerable side, you often feel closer to that person than most of your other friends, don’t you? Though romantic relationships and friendships are very different, it’s still a step in the right direction.
Key Pointers
Being vulnerable means showing a person’s true feelings and speaking one’s heart out without any filters
When a guy shows you his vulnerable side, he will trust you more than ever
When a man starts to be vulnerable with you, it means he is ready to make this relationship exlcusive
Now that you have a better insight to the question, “Why would a guy be vulnerable with you?”, you really know what’s going on during those late-night conversations. A vulnerable conversation can lead to more empathy, better emotional intimacy and a better sex life among other things. The next time he opens up about his fears with you, please know that it probably took some courage for him to be able to do so. Acknowledge this act of vulnerability by giving him your undivided attention. He deserves it.
After dropping off her two girls at school on January 27, the 45-year-old went missing more than three weeks ago while walking her dog in the community of St Michael’s on Wyre.
A corpse was discovered on Sunday morning a mile from the location where she was last seen 23 days ago, according to Lancashire Police.
Peter Faulding, who joined the police search for three days as a volunteer, had previously insisted: ‘If Nicola was in that river, I would have found her. She is not there.’
But he has now said it is ‘totally unfair’ to suggest he had given her family ‘false hope’, the Sun reported.
‘If I gave them false hope, then what about the police search teams there every day? I was there for three days as a volunteer,’ he said.
Forensic expert explains why he didn’t find body in river in search for Nicola Bulley
A map shows where a body in search of Nicola was discovered
‘I think that would be totally unfair to be honest with you, and I would sling the hook and give up searching.’
In an interview with Sky News, Mr Faulding said: ‘I would like to make it very clear that Lancashire Police had searched that area thoroughly with divers, their sonar and their bank search officers.
‘If this is Nicola’s body, then she was not found in the river. She was actually found in the reedbed to the side of the river.
‘Our task was to clear the river, and at the time I can categorically say – and I have the data to prove it – there was no body in the river at the time when we were searching.
‘Our search was not in the reedbed. My focus was around the bench area, and we searched for four hours in that stretch.
His team using sonar equipment to search for the missing mum-of-two Nicola was last seen on the morning of Friday, January 27Police officers walk along a footpath in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire
‘Hand on heart, I can say we did out best. But the body was not on the river bed, we would have seen it clearly.’
Police were called to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road, with officers sealing off the area.
A helicopter was seen circling above an outcrop of undergrowth in St Michael’s on Wyre.
The body was found on a stretch of the river, just past a slight bend, a mile or so outside the village, close to where a tree had fallen on its side half in and half outside the water, with branches and undergrowth partially submerged.
A statement from the force said: ‘An underwater search team and specialist officers subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body.
‘No formal identification has yet been carried out, so we are unable to say if this is Nicola Bulley at this time.
‘Procedures to identify the body are on-going. We are currently treating the death as unexplained.’
Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has called for the support for midwives in Ghana to improve the quality of their delivery.
He also called on the general public to come together to work with the health sector and the midwives in Ghana to ensure quality healthcare delivery.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye stated that the year 2030 was only seven years away for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and that if midwives were supported, it would be possible to change the narrative towards quality improvements.
Dr Aboagye made the call in a speech read at a stakeholder’s consultative meeting on the theme: “Leaving no Woman and Newborn Behind: Midwives’ Advocacy Agenda Towards Quality Care.”
The programme was organised by the Centre for Health Development and Research (CEHDAR), an NGO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, GHS, and the White Ribbon Alliance, a global advocacy network for women.
It was to deliberate on Midwifery-related issues and the policy agenda based on the findings from the Midwives’ survey conducted in Ghana from August to mid-October 2021.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye said Midwifery was an ancient profession that began during biblical times, where the Matriarchs, Shiphrah, and Puah saved hundreds of Israelite babies from death.
He stated that midwives in Ghana were recognised for their life-saving roles and thanked them for all their efforts in the past and their commitment to do more in the future.
“Today, we have thousands of midwives graduating from many institutions ready to impact our maternal and newborn indices to achieve the SGDs,” Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said.
He added that, “all countries also aim to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye acknowledged the majority of midwives’ call for better service conditions, quality health care with appropriate technology, professional international exchange programs, and early posting on completion of education to improve the profession.
Dr Jemimah Dennis-Antwi, the Chief Executive Officer, CEHDAR, said the call for action for the “Midwives Voices: Midwives Demand” advocacy campaign was born out of the outputs of a global survey by WRA in 2019 where over one million women from 114 countries made their voices heard through the “What-Women-Want” campaign.
Dr Dennis-Antwi said since 2021 a survey had been replicated across the 16 regions of Ghana, covering over 10,900 practising and student midwives from educational institutions, teaching hospitals, and Ghana Health Service facilities.
She said the findings of the survey reflected a wide array of needs, which were paraded with four priorities emerging as the topmost.
They are the need for good conditions of service for midwives in rural postings to live and work, adequate logistics and supplies, functional modern technology to aid in the provision of quality care, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to practise midwifery for maternal and newborn health improvements and quality, and higher and diversified education for career advancement.
Dr Dennis-Antwi said evidence from many studies had shown that where a midwife was well-trained, regulated, resourced, and supported, she was able to address over 80 percent of the pregnancy-related complications that arise.
Dr Elizabeth Juma-Bio, a Representative from the World Health Organization, said the 72nd World Health Assembly designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife to celebrate the accomplishments and importance of nurses and midwives in providing care.
She said in the African Region, the last five years had witnessed the most improvements in the density of nurses and Midwives, with 34 countries, equivalent to 73 percent, showing a positive trajectory.
Dr Juma-Bio said Algeria, the DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, and South Africa accounted for nearly 66 percent of the headcount of nurses and midwives in the African Region.
The King will be installed on May 7 at Westminster Abbey, with a subsequent ceremony taking place at Windsor Castle.
But, it’s assumed that the two international superstars were ‘too busy’ to perform for royalty.
According to a source, The King had a list of performers he would like to see, and Adele and Ed were included.
‘He was very keen that they were part of the concert.’
They added to Mail on Sunday: ‘There is a team set up to get the talent signed up so they approached the two of them, but got replies saying that they were unavailable, which was a massive disappointment.
The King’s Coronation takes place on May 7
‘They are titans of the showbiz industry and are quintessentially British but also known across the globe.’
‘It’s such a shame,’ the insider claimed.
Thinking Out Loud hitmaker Ed, 32, does in fact have commitments around the time of the Coronation.
A representative for Ed also told Metro.co.uk that neither the star nor his team has even been ‘approached’ about a possible performance.
Ed actually has a show in Texas the day before the Coronation gig, meaning it would be pretty hard (not to mention tiring) for him to make the trip back home.
Ed has a show in the States the day before the Coronation gig Adele is currently performing in Vegas, but her May diary is unknown
However, since Ed has used a private jet in the past, insiders claim it would be possible for him to do so again for the nine-hour journey.
Meanwhile, it’s unknown what Adele, 34, will be doing around the time of the Coronation.
She is currently performing her Las Vegas residency, Weekends With Adele, which have been sell-out hits.
But, these shows come to an end on March 25, with no public events listed in her May diary at the moment.
The Mail also claims the King would like Harry Styles – who is also in the midst of a world tour – to perform, adding that Lionel Richie is ‘close to agreeing’, as are the Spice Girls. It’s unknown whether Victoria Beckham has been involved in the supposed conversations.
The young lady of Nigerian origin, who is obviously a vociferous content creator, set the internet on fire after she said in the trending clip that any lady who asks her boyfriend for money is an ashawo.
According to her, most ladies feel entitled to their boyfriend’s money and that’s why they want to date financially stable men and not struggling young men who are trying to get out of the trenches.
Speaking in the video, she said she cannot fathom why some ladies expect to derive sexual pleasure from a man and also collect money from them after the enjoyment.
In the latter part of the video, the woman insisted that in this age and time, a woman who hopes to depend on a man 100% for her finances is nothing but an ashawo and should find her way to Italy where she can be paid for such services.
The video has been circulated extensively and has elicited mixed feelings among social media users.
While some tend to agree with her loathe, many hold divergent views to share.
jehni_coco – Na only 2 of her type remain, guys protect her biko? She spoke the truth sha… the responsibility shouldn’t be on only the man Abeg… especially those nails and transport money!!! Those are stuffs that he’ll volunteer to do… Putting a price on yourself all in the name of “I know my worth” makes you an ashi sissy It’s all love don’t come for me
nazstudiosng – If I gotta pay you to be my friend, it’s not worth it. Na the problem wey I get with babes be that. A young promising young man with charisma and confidence makes no sense to them anymore. U God plan date, pay for date still carry her return fare for pocket she go still expect make you pay her. Its fucked
neena.kalu – Ladies wake tf up!!! Stop waiting for a man to do shit for you It’s more fun when you do stuff for yourself too
finest_kida – ??? Truth tho , Responsible ladies are not that demanding.. dey are more concerned about how you treat them
What started as a discussion nearly resulted in a fistfight between two Ghanaian celebrities, KK Fosu, and Elikem Kumordzie, during UTV’s United Showbiz on Saturday, February 17, 2023.
Elikem Kumodzie was invited as a guest for United Showbiz following issues regarding an alleged ridiculing post that he shared about Sarkodie on Instagram.
‘The tailor’, shared a picture of Sarkodie’s two-pieced outfit, where he highlighted some parts he believed were shabbily done.
The topic was tabled for discussion once again, and Elikem shed more light on his reasons for posting such a thing on social media.
A displeased KK Fosu, who felt Elikem disrespected Sarkodie, interrupted him and also jumped to the rapper’s defense.
KK Fosu tagged the fashion designer a ‘disrespectful clout chaser’ and this sparked a heated exchange between them.
This is what ensued;
KK Fosu: “Sometimes your comments kill our souls. We wear our outfits, and you tell us what you like. There are opinions, but we have a way of saying it.
Elikem: Not everyone will like what you do, and you can’t impose that on people. You KK Fosu, not everyone likes your music and you can’t force us.
KK Fosu: “Learn the good things and not the bad”
Elikem:” Why why? Who are you? And why should people learn your good side? People chose to be a fan. You cannot force people to like you?
KK Fosu: Oh, what are you talking about? Why are you asking who I am? For instance, I can say what you are wearing is cheap. If you want attention for yourself, stop dissing people in the process. Do you think Sarkodie is stupid to wear this? Do you know where that guy has reached? Or you think it’s easy?
Elikem: “KK Fosu, you can’t expect everybody to respect people. So calm down. You can’t talk to me like that.”
KK Fosu “Age wise, I am older than you. I am also wiser than you.”
Elikem: “This is it. I am done! I am not having this conversation.”
KK Fosu: “How dare you tell me you are done? How can you disrespect me like that? It means you don’t respect me.”
420 years have passed since Queen Elizabeth I passed away, but researchers now think they know how she died.
After losing her adviser and several close friends, the ‘Virgin Queen‘ was said to have experienced depression in the final weeks of her life.
She was also dealing with other excruciating conditions, such as rotten teeth that had caused abscesses in her mouth, pus-filled glands, a swelling hand that required the removal of her coronation ring, and mental health issues that caused her to withdraw from public life.
However, a modern-day autopsy carried out by Home Office pathologist Dr. Brett Lockyer has concluded that it was pneumonia that ultimately killed her.
In the second and final episode of the Sky History series Royal Autopsy, Professor Alice Roberts had previously helped investigate the cause of death for King Charles II, with tonight’s episode focusing on the last Tudor ruler.
Investigating the clues that had been left behind, they looked at several health issues that could have killed her.
The ‘Virgin Queen’ died aged 69 in 1603
Before this investigation, Elizabeth I’s cause of death aged 69 was unclear, and while it was suspected it could be blood poisoning, she made her wishes very clear before she died that she did not want a post-mortem carried out.
Explaining how obsessed Elizabeth was with projecting an appearance of youth to maintain power, Professor Roberts investigated how the white make-up she used, a trend at the time, could have been dangerous.
‘She pasted this onto her face day in day out for years…it was a toxic metal,’ she explained in the episode.
Although it didn’t kill her, Dr. Lockyer did say that the Queen had been suffering from the effects of chronic lead poisoning, which had caused significant hair loss and rotting teeth.
‘They were in terrible condition and there was some dental abscess and gingivitis,’ Dr. Lockyer explained.
‘The Queen’s final months must have been agony,’ Professor Roberts added.
Home Office pathologist Dr. Brett Lockyer and Professor Alice Roberts lead the series (Picture: Sky)
The two did also speculate that bacteria from infections in her mouth could have contributed to her death.
‘It does cause a lot of pain because infection was building up and it was not going to have made talking or swallowing very easy for her,’ Dr. Lockyer said.
‘It’s an end-of-life condition effectively. Her body is slowing down and closing down.’
Although it was a sign that she was dying, it was not the cause. A swelling to her left hand also indicated her heart was not functioning properly.
Linda Marlowe plays Queen Elizabeth I in the series (Picture: Sky/Paul Olding)
After 45 years on the throne, her coronation ring had to be cut off because of the severity of the swelling, also leading the two experts to consider if sepsis developed because of this.
Thin and emaciated by the time she died; the autopsy carried out based on the symptoms she was displaying showed that Elizabeth had a fluid build up in her lungs and her heart was not pumping effectively.
But when it came to making his conclusion, Dr. Lockyer said he was sure that what had killed her on March 24, 1603, was pneumonia.
‘That was the reason she died. I think the infection in her lungs possibly entering into her system gave her blood poisoning,’ he said.
‘The heart failure could have very well of been tipped over. Her heart was working to a point until it encounters something which meant it had to work harder to get blood around the system, so the cause of death is going to be the bronchial pneumonia, without a shadow of a doubt, but the heart failure had an added role.’
As Professor Roberts explained there had been some ‘red herrings’ in the investigation, but that hundreds of years later, we now know what killed the last monarch of the House of Tudor.
Just a few metres away from the location of the “viable” explosive are more than 20 people.
Following a failed hijack attempt in the city on Friday, police conducted a large-scale security operation and found the device.
Four men, aged 54, 29, 34 and 32 have since been arrested, and they remain in custody pending further enquiries.
Derry City and Strabane area commander, chief superintendent Nigel Goddard said the bomb has been taken away for further examination.
‘A number of cordons remain in place as police continue to search the area as part of our investigation,’ he added.
‘We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding during this time.
‘This explosive device was recklessly left in a public area, just metres away from houses and a sports area where a number of children were playing football.
‘Four people have been arrested and a number of searches have been carried out by detectives investigating this incident and an attempted hijacking on Friday.
‘They remain in custody assisting us with our inquiries.’
Mr Goddard added: ‘Our focus remains firmly on keeping people safe against the threat posed by violent groups.
‘No matter what level of involvement people have with any criminal or terrorist activity, we will investigate and where appropriate, put people before the courts to answer for their actions.
‘Our investigation into this incident is ongoing, and we strongly urge anyone with information, suspicions or concerns about dangerous and illegal activity in our community to contact us on 101.’
In the quest to unravel the many puzzles surrounding the death of celebrated Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, Abeiku Santana is seeking some answers to his questions.
The whole country has been thrown into a state of mourning since news of the Black Stars winger’s demise broke.
Tons of good testimonials have been pouring in from all angles in a bid to eulogize the popular international football player.
Christian Atsu’s philanthropic nature and what has been described as a ‘heart of gold’ runs through all the statements from individuals who have had an encounter with the late 31-year-old footballer.
Until his demise, he was said to have been paying for the release of prison inmates who had been sentenced due unpaid fines and so on.
That’s not all, orphanages, and all kinds of people he had encountered hailed his ‘kind heart’.
But analyzing all these, Abeiku Santana had wondered why good people do not last on earth.
“Are our good deeds the basis for long life or what exactly is?” He also asked,
In a tribute to the late Christian Atsu during his opening message on the United Showbiz, Abeiku Santana said,
“Nothing can stand in place of death, death is inevitable. With a heavy heart we mourn the death of our brother, Christian Atsu. Job asked God whether man will live again after he dies and God answered him, yes, he will live again.
“In times like this, the testimonies are overwhelming. His colleagues footballers, musicians, journalists, prisoners, orphans, family, everyone, everyone is mourning. So, I ask, why do good people never last on earth? Are our good deeds the basis for long life or what exactly is it? These are the nagging questions we ask ourselves.”
Nearly two weeks after the earthquake, which has claimed close to 50,000 lives in Turkey and Syria, Christian Atsu was officially confirmed dead on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
After his club, Hatayspor, confirmed his passing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement confirming the arrival of his remains in Ghana on Sunday, February 19, 2023.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are touring Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand as part of their official 16-day Autumn trip.
According to reports, the royal couple is concerned of the response they will receive if they travel.
According to reports, the Duke of Sussex is debating whether or not to attend his father’s coronation, and there are “a million different variables” at play.
According to reports, Prince Harry is eager to stand by King Charles’ side on “very much the most significant day” of his life.
But he and his wife Meghan have little idea of how their relatives and the British public would react if they did fly to London to make an appearance.
It comes after a string of allegations were made in their Netflix show and in Harry’s memoir Spare.
Coronation day, on May 6, is also their son Archie’s fourth birthday – an issue that is important in their decision, although it isn’t expected to be the deciding factor, The Telegraph reports.
‘It’s complicated’, a friend reportedly said. ‘There are a million different variables. Anybody could understand the predicament.’
The two are expected to be invited to the coronation, with invitations arriving in the next few days.
But tensions will likely be high, as other members of the Royal Family are left ‘on edge’.
King Charles’ coronation will take place on May 6 (Picture: Getty Images)
They are believed to be ‘wary’ of speaking to them in case the conversations end up in Harry’s next book or TV show.
The friend added that the California couple is waiting for their invite to arrive before they make their decision.
‘They’ll cross that bridge when they come to it’, they said. ‘They do not have any insight. They’re in limbo.’
If they do decide to come, it’s understood their visit to the UK will be brief – as it was with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
He also appeared to confirm reports of a rocky relationship between his wife and the Princess of Wales by sharing texts showing a tense exchange over a bridesmaid dress.
Charles was accused of putting his own interests above his sons and allegedly didn’t hug Harry after telling him Diana had died in a car accident.
Speaking about his stepmother Camilla, Harry also claimed she ‘sacrificed me on her personal PR altar’ to ‘rehabilitate her image as a villain’, after Princess Diana referred to her as the ‘third person’ in her marriage.
Asked last month if he would go to the coronation, Prince Harry told ITV News: ‘There’s a lot that can happen between now and then, but you know, the door is always open, the ball is in their court.
‘There is a lot to be discussed and I really hope they are willing to sit down and talk about it.’
The Royal Family has declined to comment on claims from Harry and Meghan.
Evangelist Patricia Oduro, formerly known as Nana Agradaa, has publicly criticized musician Slim Buster for granting an interview to her supposed enemy, Amankrado.
In a video shared on Instagram, Agradaa accused Slim Buster of using her name to gain more followers.
“Some people don’t respect themselves. What I always say is that when you meet two people fighting and you can’t separate them, pass by.
“Slim Buster, do you see the stupid things you have done on your page? You are a fool. Let this be your first and last time using my name to boost your page and allow yourself to be used by village men like Amankrado, who has no use for social media,” she screamed.
She claimed that the interview Slim Buster conducted with Amakrado was going to get a response from her, and she wasn’t going to let it slide.
“In that interview you conducted, do you think I would have left you alone or let you be? Stupid man. That stupid interview that you did, do you think you were doing it to get away with it?
“Come for me to speak sense into your head. If you don’t think, I will force you to think this evening. Some people don’t respect themselves,” she expressed.
Agradaa and Amakrado’s current situation hasn’t been made explicit, but based on the current circumstances, it appears that the two former best friends are having problems.
He said this during the commissioning of phase one of the SuCasa O’Grantson No. 1 Community at East Legon Hills, while also cutting sod for the commencement of phases two and three.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Asenso-Boakye, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Bantama Constituency in the Ashanti Region, said the private sector had a major role to play in bridging Ghana’s housing deficit.
“The commissioning of this project is a confirmation that the desired environment is being created by the government to attract private sector investments into the housing sector. The government recognises the importance of investing in this industry, as it holds the key to the sustainable development of our dear country.
“Indeed, the industry contributes to our country’s socio-economic development by providing significant employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labour.”
“I am particularly happy to learn that the company endeavours to transact business in the Ghana cedi, which has enormous benefits for our local economy and also ensures compliance with regulations of the Bank of Ghana,” he stated.
Mr Asenso-Boakye used the opportunity to enumerate some of the initiatives the NPP government had undertaken to transform the housing industry.
“My Ministry is presently focused, among other
things, on the review and enactment of legislation and addressing the institutional gaps to create the appropriate platform for best practices within the industry.
“For this reason, the Ministry of Works and Housing has initiated the process to establish the Ghana Housing Authority, which will have the mandate to regulate, plan, and manage housing developments in Ghana, in collaboration with private sector developers.
Mr Michael O’Grantson-Agyapong, the Chief Executive Officer of SuCasa, said the sole aim of the company was to tackle the housing infrastructure deficit through the provision of affordable housing units for Ghanaians.
“As a business, we are consciously keeping the prices of our houses affordable because we believe affordable housing is a must-have for every Ghanaian.
“The grand vision of SuCasa is to build 2,000 houses by the end of 2023. We expect to complete
phase two of the O’Grantson Community Project in March, commission it in April, and complete phase three by the end of the year,” he stated.
The event was attended also by Nii Laryea Afotey- Agbo, Samuel Amegayibor, Senior Management and Staff of SuCasa, among other dignitaries.
Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has assured that his ministry will keenly monitor every step in the Gold for Oil programme value chain from the ship that brings the oil, through delivery to the BDCs, to the OMCs and to the pumps.
This, according to Dr Opoku Prempeh will ensure that the purposes for which the programme was birthed, which are stable prices, lower prices and removing the foreign exchange conundrum are not defeated by the defects in the system.
Dr. Prempeh was speaking at the 2023 energy sector retreat at Senchi in the Eastern Region, where the Ministry of Energy and its agencies have gathered to strategise for the year.
The Minister said the programme will ensure the fuel security of the country and further charged the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) to collaborate seamlessly with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) regulator of the downstream space to ensure robust implementation.
The Minister further bemoaned the deliberate distortions in the media space around the policy and urged the NPA to keep updating the public on the nuances of the programme.
The Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South said under the programme, the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors will not be allowed to negotiate on behalf of the Bulk Import Distributing and Export Companies (BIDECS) and thus said BIDECS who want to participate in the programme must apply to BOST
“This programme, with stakeholders such as the Energy Ministry, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Bank of Ghana, PMMC being led by the Vice President to all intents and purposes will provide the needed cushion to Ghanaians. We are taking steps to ensure that the premiums charged by the International Oil Traders are reduced, achieving some efficiency gains”
The energy sector retreat which started on Friday 17th February will end on Monday, 20th February and is expected to further deepen efforts at ensuring reliable power supply and fuel availability for the Ghanaian people.
Television presenter Kafui Dey has expressed concern over the lyrics of most local rap music, which he states only talks about money or highlights how an artiste is more affluent than his colleagues.
In his recent tweet, he showed his followers how a majority of Ghanaian rappers channel their energies into talking about money in their songs.
Kafui Dey quizzed whether rap music is all about “money,” as it has become common for artists to announce to the whole world their wealth.
The tweet sighted by GhanaWeb read: “Listening to some Ghanaian rap on radio and all the songs are about making money, how much money they have, how they will make money by all means, how they have money more than other people etc.”
“Every verse has ‘sika’ or ‘money’ Is that all there is to rap about?” Kafui quizzed.
Kafui is not the first to bring public attention to the new trend.
It is, however, unclear whether or not ‘money’ sells when it comes to the rap industry or whether music lovers love to hear about money motivation in lyrics.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has appointed Josephine Anan-Ankomah, a Ghanaian Banker as the Managing Director of Ecobank Kenya.
The announcement of her appointment follows the approval from the Central Bank of Kenya.
She replaces Cheikh Travaly who retired at the end of 2022 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years in accordance with Ecobank Group policy.
By the appointment, Mrs Anan-Ankomah would also serve as the Regional Executive, Central, Eastern and Southern African (CESA).
She will be responsible for leading and growing the Bank’s business in Kenya and the wider CESA region constituting 18 out of 33 Ecobank affiliates and one representative office.
Profile
Josephine Anan-Ankomah is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology, both from the University of Ghana.
She has served the Bank for the past 30 years in various capacities until this appointment.
Her career in Ecobank began at Ecobank Ghana in 1992 following her appointment as a Treasury Officer.
She has also held other senior positions within the bank, such as Managing Director for Ecobank Gambia, Regional Treasurer – (Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and The Gambia), Chief Operating Officer – (Ecobank West African Monetary Zone/East & Southern Africa), Head of Corporate Strategy and Business Development (Ecobank Ghana) and Head – Investment Banking Group (Ecobank Ghana).
Josephine wields a wealth of experience in treasury management, commercial banking, investment banking and possesses a sharp business acumen that will immensely benefit the Bank.
Ayisha has undergone body enhancement surgery in recent years to lose weight and also shape up her body – and she’s not shy about bragging about it because it was for health pruposes.
She’s loudly claimed publicly that she spent close to $40,000 on it. She has said it in multiple interviews and says she is very proud of how she currently looks.
However, Diamond Appiah has attacked her over this same body, claiming she’s unable to flaunt it in a bikini because her skin is filled with krodoso and ugly stretchmarks.
Taking to her page, Diamond wrote: “They can never wear bikini and show their ‘nyamanyama krodoso’ stretch marks skin; no wonder even a rat doesn’t want to date them.
Diamond and Ayisha have a long-standing beef ongoing, stemming from the fact that Diamond scammed her out of about $40,000 in a land deal gone wrong.
Instead of paying back the money, Diamond has decided to troll and body shame her.
In the latest report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that men earn higher salaries than women who work in the public sector.
The report pointed out that men have a higher average monthly net salary of GH¢2,669 while women have an average of GH¢2,504.
According to GSS, the difference between the average net salary of men and women was GH¢165.
The report, themed Ghana 2022 earnings: Inequality in the public sector, noted that the gender pay gap stood at 6%.
“The difference between the average net salary of men and women is GH₵165. This means that the gender pay gap is 6.0 percent. Men have a higher average monthly net salary, of GH¢2,669, while women have an average of GH¢2,504. The average monthly net salary of women is lower than that of men in all 16 regions,” the Ghana Statistical Service stated in its report.
“The difference is highest for employees in the Upper West Region, with men earning on average GH¢348 more than women. This is a gender pay gap of 13 percent,” it added.
The report also indicated that men in the Upper West region earn GH¢348 more than women, representing 13% more than what women earn.
According to the GSS, employees more than 60 years also earn an average salary more than persons belonging to other age groups.
Meanwhile, public sector workers in the Greater Accra Region earn more than those in the other regions nationwide, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) revealed.
The partnership between the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) and Development Bank of Ghana (DBG) under the latter’s Emergency Economic Programme (DEEP) is set to provide a boost to the agriculture sector with the availability of GH¢300million for 2023.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of GIRSAL, Kwesi Korboe, GH¢500million has been made available for participating banks to lend to agric value chain actors at preferential rates to improve their work for the next five years. The funds will target four key value chains including rice, maize, soya bean and poultry.
“This year, we are targetting GH¢300million of loanable funds to participating banks for on-lending to their clients. The interest rate is far lower, and that is a way to encourage businesses,” the GIRSAL CEO said in an exclusive interview with the B&FT.
The move forms part of public-private partnership efforts geared toward medium-term development of the sector which employs over 50 percent of the active workforce, he added.
Funding woes
The sector however contributes only about 20 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in part due to low direct funding – often at high-interest rates – and over-perceived associated risks; a phenomenon GIRSAL seeks to remedy.
Last year, data from the Bank of Ghana revealed that direct lending from universal banks to the sector stood at only 4 percent. This is expected to be exacerbated by the ongoing Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), as it is anticipated to have a material impact on the profitability of banks and their ability to extend credit.
Already, official figures show that provisions across the industry also increased by 184 percent in December 2022 compared to a contraction of 4.7 percent at the end of 2021. This was attributed to the strong uptick in credit growth, as well as elevated credit risks and impairments on investments.
Furthermore, the central bank’s indicative policy rate and Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) currently stand at 28 percent and 33.25 percent respectively, with average commercial lending rates at around 35 percent.
Despite the marginal slowdown in rate of increase for prices, the recent utility tariff adjustments and fuel price hikes are expected to drive inflationary pressure – keeping the aforementioned rates high and compounding woes of the sector across the board, as there will be reduced access to competitively-priced funds.
Enabling environment
While some have called for more direct interventions by the state – for instance, with the recent announcement by the Ministry of Food & Agriculture that it is pursuing legislation that will mandate Financial Institutions to allocate a minimum 20 percent of their loan offerings to the agriculture industry – Mr. Korboe believes the biggest contribution the state can make to the sector is the provision of an enabling environment, and not to pursue such policies; which in his view are not realistic or practicable.
He emphasised the public sector’s need to listen to the private sector and converge in order to meet their requirements. He also stressed the importance of the Agric Ministry creating a conducive environment and taking the necessary measures to make the sector more competitive and attractive.
He stated: “For me, that is the way we are going to ensure banks are in a position to lend money to clients in agribusiness who want funds to expand their business”.
This comes as growth in the sector is projected at 2.6 percent in the year, and is expected to average 4 percent over the medium-term (2023-2026) following the marginal 0.7 percent growth expected for 2022.
The GIRSAL and DBG partnership is focused on three main objectives: including building the capacity of DBG in agriculture and agribusiness through training programmes; supporting DBG’s efforts to assess agribusiness project submissions from commercial banks; and providing participating financial institutions with a better understanding of the agricultural sector.
Following claims that he unfairly lambasted Kojo Antwi on social media over a GoFundMe post, Kofi Abban has thrown more light on his statements.
Earlier, the popular Ghanaian businessman cum investor lashed out at Kojo Antwi for opening a GoFundMe account, targeting a whopping £1,000,000 in memory of his late father, who died on January 7, 2023.
In the midst of funeral preparations, a link to a GoFundMe account purportedly created by the high-life singer was circulating on social media amid reactions from netizens online.
The description box of the fundraiser indicated that proceeds would be used to fund a scholarship and disability scheme for the less privileged.
But Mr. Kofi Abban angrily called out Kojo Antwi for what he described as soliciting money for his father’s funeral.
“Kojo Antwi is a complete joke!!! You want £1,000,000 to bury your late dad, have you ever done a free concert for your loyal fans in Ghana??? Sell three of your properties in Accra to fund your dad’s funeral,” his comment read on Twitter.
Kofi Abban’s post has since generated several responses from individuals who have asked him to refer to the details in the description box, which highlight that the proceeds will be used for a different purpose.
He was criticized for ‘blindly’ attacking Kojo Antwi without paying attention to the description box.
But in the latest development, Mr. Abban said his comments were directed to an earlier post Kojo Antwi shared and deleted.
Clarifying issues in a text shared by his aide with MzGee during a discussion on UTV, Kojo Antwi was said to have shared a first post about the GoFundMe account where no philanthropic intent was listed in the description box.
“For every sunrise for work, there comes a sundown for rest. Damirifa due. Opanyin Kojo Asiamah Tano, Asubonten Odikro II. Audacious grandson from Nana Adonten from Kumasi Amakom. Mr. Music man with elders and family cordially invites you to participate,” parts of Kojo Antwi’s first post about the GoFundMe read.
Explaining further, MzGee, the recipient of the message from Kofi Abban’s camp said,
“According to him, at a time Kofi Abban responded, this was what was there. There was no purpose or explanation for the GoFundMe account. It means, per what is here, Kojo Antwi’s first post was targeted at the funeral. That is what is here. This was the first one before the second one that talks about the scholarship,” MzGee who read the messages out loud, said.
However, the GoFundMe post targeted at £1,000,000 has since realized $700 from four donors.
On January 14, 2016, in Atlanta, President Juan Carlos Varela of Panama presented former President Jimmy Carter with the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero. Carter grinned as he received the honour.
Once it was revealed that the 98-year-old statesman would seek hospice care at home following a recent string of brief hospital stints, tributes to former President Jimmy Carter began pouring in online.
Politicians, celebrities, organizations and more have been heaping praise on the one-term Democrat who continued leading a life of public service long after he left the White House.
“Jimmy Carter is one of the kindest most thoughtful people I’ve ever had the honor of meeting,” comedian and writer Jon Stewart said. “He’s the best of us.”
Former comedian-turned-senator Al Franken simply said Carter was the “greatest ex-president. By far.”
A number of current politicians — both Democrats and Republicans — also celebrated Carter’s accomplishments.
Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee called Carter an “American treasure and icon” and said he was one of the country’s most caring presidents.
“From the time he began his service in the United States military and through his presidency, he showed a consciousness of caring,” Jackson Lee said.
Carter became the 39th U.S. president after he defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the 1976 election.
Over the weekend, presidential historian Michael Beschloss shared a series of photos of Carter on social media, including one during his presidency of Carter in the Oval Office with Joe Biden.
Harvard University history professor Annette Gordon-Reed, who wrote The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family, said she was too young to vote for Carter but supported his campaign by helping to run the group Youth for Carter.
“I went door-to-door handing out pamphlets, made calls. Thrilled when he won. Knew all his cabinet, watched all his press conferences. Devastated when he lost,” Gordon-Reed added.
Carter failed to win a second term as president, but his defeat by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980 did not knock him out of public life.
In 1982, he and his wife Rosalynn founded the nonprofit Carter Center, and the one-time president also helped to build homes for the housing organization, Habitat for Humanity — even into his mid-90s.
“All of us at Habitat for Humanity are lifting up President and Mrs. Carter in prayer as he enters hospice care. We pray for his comfort and for their peace,” the organization said.
Outside of work, Carter and his wife were also dedicated birders, a hobby the family hatched after a trip to Tanzania in 1988, he told the National Wildlife Federation.
The magazine BirdWatching said it was “wishing peace and love to President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, who have been avid birdwatchers since the late 1980s.”
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The Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Friday, February 3, 2023 released the second Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum offering to issue new bonds for institutional and individual bondholders invested in Government of Ghana (GoG), ESLA Plc and Daakye Trust Plc bonds to the tune of GHS130 billion.
The debt exchange programme comes in the wake of challenging economic conditions in 2022 which, according to the finance minister, has left Ghana’s public debt unsustainable. Data from the Bank of Ghana’s Summary of Economic and Financial Data shows that the cedi depreciated by 30% against the US dollar in 2022 while inflation reached 54.1%, a rate not recorded since the 1990s.
Prospects for an economic recovery largely hinge on the receipt of board approval for a $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Disbursements from the fund will provide both budget support to the government and balance of payments support to the central bank.
This, in addition to a successful debt exchange programme, will contribute to the reopening of access to the international capital markets for the country and hopefully place the public debt of GHS 575 billion (93.5% of GDP) back on a sustainable path.
While every significant investment decision one takes should involve a licensed financial advisor, as someone who has closely followed a wide range of investments in Ghana, I believe I can share some insights that would prove useful to people who are wondering what options are available to them on the Ghanaian market and beyond.
The debt exchange has unsettled many investors (domestic and international) who considered government securities as the best form of investment in Ghana. Billions flowed into government bonds and for good reason – the minimum capital required was low, the returns were generous, and the risk was (supposedly) non-existent. However, the debt exchange has shown that bonds are not without risk and they may not be the gold standard for investment that they had hitherto been viewed as.
Treasury bills are fixed interest government securities ranging in maturity from 91-days to 364-days. These are also popular forms of investment, with well over GHS1 billion invested in them every week. Nevertheless, treasury bills in the past several months have lost their inflation-protection quality as the interest rates of about 35% they return are far below the inflation rate of 54.1%. Also, the government’s fiscal struggles have dented the perception of treasury bills as a risk-free investment.
Another popular investment in Ghana is the shares of companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). However, stocks as measured by the GSE Composite Index have yielded negative returns in 4 of the 5 years from 2018 to 2022. This is not even accounting for inflation or currency depreciation. The current difficult economic conditions unfortunately does not augur well for the future of the bourse.
Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) such as mutual funds and unit trusts pool funds from several investors to purchase a wide range of assets. However, regulations have ensured that Ghanaian collective investment schemes are invested in the same government securities and shares available to individual investors and they have therefore suffered a similar fate to the investments already discussed.
Investing in foreign stocks, particularly in US stocks, is gradually becoming popular with a section of investors. However, this is not a fool proof investment. Apart from the high transaction fees one would pay to get invested, there are also taxes on capital gains and a volatility which does not make it suitable for just any investor. Also, 2022 was a bad year for US stocks as the S&P 500 (a measure of the top 500 publicly traded US stocks) declined by more than 19%.
Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have also been considered by younger investors as an exciting new investment opportunity. However, these are even more volatile than stocks. For example, the price of Bitcoin reached an all-time high of US$65,000 in November 2021 and has since declined by 66% to be trading at around US$22,000 as at the time of writing.
As for fixed deposits and savings accounts, it is clear that their returns are insufficient to counter the harsh economic realities that investors are up against. It is an unfortunate reality that many of the investments usually considered by investors as low-risk, inflation-protecting or lucrative have been through a rough patch and failed to deliver the returns that investors sought.
There is a desperate need for an investment which is not correlated with all these other investments and can deliver superior returns in both good and bad times. And in this article, I will explain why real estate is exactly that investment vehicle.
Ghana’s housing deficit is estimated to total about 1.8 million housing units. Despite what may seem like a construction boom, there’s still a huge demand for housing to shelter a population that now has more than 50% of people living in urban areas. Adding to this demand for real estate has been Ghana’s emergence as a destination for people in the diaspora seeking to establish some form of permanent presence in the country. This healthy demand has ensured that despite the economic downturn, real estate prices have remained on the ascendancy, delivering healthy returns to investors.
Investing in real estate serves several purposes beyond just the lure of immediate financial returns. The ownership of property, whether as an individual or a business, is one of the cornerstones of wealth building and capital preservation. It is also one of the biggest financial commitments anyone can make. It is therefore essential that in securing property, you do not compromise in the selection of a credible, experienced, and trusted partner. And Devtraco Plus Properties is such a partner.
Devtraco Plus Properties is an industry leader in the development of exclusive premium housing units in the prime areas of Accra. As part of the larger Devtraco group, we have a foundation of excellence that we have relied on to provide suites, studios, 1-2-3 bedroom apartments, and 5 bedroom townhouses with a quality to match the highest standards. When you buy property from us, you are buying a top-end asset built with comfort and security in mind.
When you invest in real estate through Devtraco Plus Properties, you are acquiring a steady cash flow because of the high demand for rental of our properties. Whether you want to rent out for short stays or longer leases, your property ensures that you have a reliable source of income which you can plan with. Apart from being a source of steady passive income, the returns from investing in real estate compares favourably with other investments. This is because the returns are negotiated by the owners themselves through the rent they charge to tenants. These rents can also be adjusted to match with the cost of living, thus providing an in-built inflation hedge that other investments cannot provide.
According to the Global Property Guide (2021), gross rental yield in property in Accra is about 8% to 11%. This means that the rental income on property is about 8% to 11% of the value of the property each year. And as the value of the property increases (due to a burgeoning urban population, inflation, currency depreciation, and demand from foreign investors) the rental income grows at the same rate. This would mean that even as the value of your property appreciates, rental income will be able to generate nominal returns equal to the value of the whole property in anytime between 9 to 11 years.
Even if you do not intend to use your property as a cash-generating asset, the appreciation in the value of the property over time is an excellent protection against inflation and currency depreciation. Owning a property from Devtraco Plus also provides you an advantage when you are seeking credit facilities. This is because valuation of the property can be ascertained with relative ease, and any institution would consider the property as acceptable collateral.
As the icing on the cake, consider that if you are acquiring residential property through a mortgage from a recognized financial institution, the mortgage interest is deductible from your income for the purposes of tax assessment. Essentially, the government promotes the acquisition of property by not taxing the portion of your income that is used in paying interest on your mortgage. One can hardly find other investments which the government subsidises in such a manner.
So why not take a major step today towards securing your financial future, diversifying your investment portfolio and building a solid foundation for wealth? Visit devtracoplus.com and take a look at our exciting projects in Cantonments, Labone, Roman Ridge, Dzorwulu, Airport Residential area, and other prime locations in Accra. Talk to Devtraco Plus Properties on +233 (0)27 000 0004 and let’s get you started on this exciting wealth-building journey.
Amidst a chaotic cash shortage in Nigeria, where citizens are forced to wait for hours to withdraw a meager $43 from their savings in banks, causing a disruption in business activities for millions of people, Africa’s wealthiest man Aliko Dangote has seen a significant increase in his wealth since the start of the year.
The Nigerian billionaire, who has built his vast fortune from several businesses in the country, has seen his net worth increase by $541 million, cementing his status as the richest man in Africa, ahead of Johann Rupert, Nicky Oppenheimer, and Abdul Samad Rabiu.
Dangote’s net worth stands at $19.2 billion, an increase of $541 million from his previous net worth of $18.7 billion at the beginning of the year. According to Bloomberg, he now ranks as the 86th wealthiest person globally.
While Nigerians face cash shortages that have disrupted financial transactions and overwhelmed the digital payments system, Aliko Dangote has seen his net worth surpass the $19-billion mark, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The development has occurred amid the political backdrop of the country’s upcoming presidential elections, where a candidate has suggested that the redesign of the naira is an attempt to impede or postpone the polls, and amid the controversial decision by Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele to replace N2.7 trillion ($5.85 billion) of cash outside the banking system.
The billionaire businessman’s impressive $541-million wealth gain so far this year can be attributed to the success of Dangote Cement Plc, Africa’s largest cement manufacturer, in which he holds an 86-percent stake.
The company’s share price has increased by single digits from N261 ($0.568) on Jan. 1 to N270 ($0.588), boosting its market capitalization beyond the N4.6 trillion ($10 billion) mark and pushing the market value of Dangote’s stake above $8.5 billion.
Dangote’s wealth is expected to soar even higher, potentially making him the first African and Black person to amass a fortune of $30 billion, as he prepares to commission his 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd. later this year. The completion of this project is set to provide a whopping $18 billion boost to his net worth.
The legendary stand-up comic Richard Belzer, who played the iconic detective John Munch in the television series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: SVU, has passed away. He was 78.
Belzer passed away on Sunday at his house in Bozouls, southern France, according to Bill Scheft, a close friend of the actor. His passing was originally reported on Twitter by comedian Laraine Newman. Rest in peace, Richard was written by Belzer’s cousin, the actor Henry Winkler.
For more than two decades and across 10 series — even including appearances on 30 Rock and Arrested Development — Belzer played the wise-cracking, acerbic homicide detective prone to conspiracy theories. Belzer first played Munch on a 1993 episode of Homicide and last played him in 2016 on Law & Order: SVU.
Belzer never auditioned for the role. After hearing him on The Howard Stern Show, executive producer Barry Levinson brought the comedian in to read for the part.
“I would never be a detective. But if I were, that’s how I’d be,” Belzer once said. “They write to all my paranoia and anti-establishment dissidence and conspiracy theories. So it’s been a lot of fun for me. A dream, really.”
From that unlikely beginning, Belzer’s Munch would become one of television’s longest-running characters and a sunglasses-wearing presence on the small screen for more than two decades. In 2008, Belzer published the novel I Am Not a Cop! with Michael Ian Black. He also helped write several books on conspiracy theories, about things like President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
“He made me laugh a billion times,” his longtime friend and fellow stand-up Richard Lewis said on Twitter.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Belzer was drawn to comedy, he said, during an abusive childhood in which his mother would beat him and his older brother, Len. “My kitchen was the toughest room I ever worked,” Belzer told People magazine in 1993.
After being expelled from Dean Junior College in Massachusetts, Belzer embarked on a life of stand-up in New York in 1972. At Catch a Rising Star, Belzer became a regular. He made his big-screen debut in Ken Shapiro’s 1974 film The Groove Tube, a TV satire co-starring Chevy Chase, a film that grew out of the comedy group Channel One that Belzer was a part of.
Before Saturday Night Live changed the comedy scene in New York, Belzer performed with John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and others on the National Lampoon Radio Hour. In 1975, he became the warm-up comic for the newly launched SNL. While many cast members quickly became famous, Belzer’s roles were mostly smaller cameos. He later said SNL creator Lorne Michaels reneged on a promise to work him into the show.
Former president John Dramani Mahama believes that the country’s fiscal space will be severely restricted by any incoming government after the 2024 elections.
“I know that if we do come into office in 2025, the fiscal space is going to be very narrow because of the economic crisis in which we are. And so, I do think that the next phase we should look at is a change in our governance system,” he said in an interview over the weekend.
He continued by outlining a number of processes that can help the economy for the new government.
“A review of our constitution, a strong fight against corruption, those are the kinds of things young people are looking for, but at the same time raising investments and putting them in areas where young people can get opportunity to develop their full potential.
“And so, I think that would be the agenda for the next NDC administration. It might be me, it might be one of our members,” he stressed.
Mahama also explained the importance of infrastructure as shown by the last NDC government. Asked what new he would do when he finds himself in office again, he responded:
“I keep getting asked this question a lot of time, we did a lot in our time and at the time our focus was in infrastructure,” he said adding that because of degraded infrastructure, the NDC built roads, interchanges, airport terminals, habours, schools, hospitals, clinics etc.
Ghana is currently engaging the Fund for a $3 billion loan facility to complement its economic mix which was worsened by the two events even though the opposition blames mismanagement of the economy for the downturn.
On May 9, 1942, a photograph of the USS Albacore was taken in Groton, Connecticut.
After going missing over 80 years ago, the remains of a World War II-era US submarine were discovered off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan.
The USS Albacore, credited with sinking at least ten adversary ships throughout the conflict, was discovered by Tamaki Ura of the University of Tokyo and positively recognised by the Naval History and Heritage Command, the Navy announced on Thursday.
Albacorewas long assumed to be lost forever. According to Japanese records, the submarine, with a crew of 85 men on board, likely struck a mine just off the shore of Hokkaido on Nov. 7, 1944, the NHHC said.
“Most importantly, the wreck represents the final resting place of Sailors that gave their life in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave,” read the Navy’s press release.
The NHHC said its archaeologists used underwater imagery provided by Ura’s team to confirm the remains were those of the Albacore. Data from the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records mentioning the loss of an American submarine steered Ura to the site of the wreckage. Ura’s team used data collected from a remotely operated vehicle to verify the historical records.
Six of the Albacore’s enemy sinkings were enemy combat ships, making the vessel one of World War II’stop combat submarines, according to the Navy.
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A collaboration between the downstream petroleum unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), a revenue and assurance audit firm, has saved the country GH¢3 billion in petroleum revenue from June 2020 to June 2022.
Since the introduction of the technology, the average volume per month recorded by SML metres for the white product is 400 million litres, which has resulted in extra revenue for the government.
Mr Christian Tetteh Sottie, Managing Director for SML Ghana, who disclosed this, said the collaboration was helping the GRA to meet and exceed its annual targets.
He was speaking at a stakeholder engagement held in Tema last week with the leadership of the downstream petroleum unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division to discuss new initiatives and solicit opinions on how both sides can improve the successes chalked and further improve the country’s revenues. This meeting forms part of regular stakeholder engagements.
The GRA, last year, mobilised GH¢75.5 billion domestic revenue, which is GH¢3.60 billion more than it was tasked to collect. The collection was a five per cent increase over last year’s target of GH¢71.94 billion.
The feat also meant the domestic revenue the GRA mobilised was 31.5 per cent more than what was collected in 2021. The Customs Division, which includes the petroleum downstream sector, collected GH¢22.26 billion as against a target of GH¢20.20 billion, also exceeding the target by GH¢2.06 billion.
The stakeholder engagement brought together the various Customs heads in charge of downstream petroleum depots across the country’s 16 regions.
SML Ghana took the Customs officials through the latest technologies such as scanning of way bills and purchase orders, and reconciling them with metre volumes at the depots in real time and introduction of level sensors to monitor, manage, and measure the petroleum stocks.
Mr Sottie stated that the engagement was to take the officials through a detailed method on how SML Ghana was leveraging technology to improve the sector and remove any misconceptions while establishing the foundation of both sides as partners.
“We have had this collaboration with the GRA Customs Division since 2020, which comes with regular stakeholder engagements and the team from Customs is really pleased with the work we are doing. The next step is the installation of level sensors on all depot sites which is currently ongoing. This will stop Customs officials from climbing the tanks to manually check the level of stock in the tanks on a daily basis,” he revealed.
Meshach Kwame Danso, Acting Head of Petroleum Unit, Customs Division at the Ghana Revenue Authority, said the deep collaboration between both parties was a step in the right direction as it seeks to improve the efficiency and accountability to the government.
“We need to know the right figures to help work smoothly. Working closely with SML Ghana has given us room to monitor the petroleum figures so we can report to government accurately. Thanks to their technology, we are now able to account for every litre of petroleum product. This collaboration is really good for government’s petroleum revenue position,” he said.
Sampson Anim, Assistant Commissioner, Petroleum Downstream at GRA Customs Division, lauded SML Ghana for its transformative technology to maintain transparency while enhancing the sector and increasing revenues.
“The system is perfect. What we previously had was a very manual system of auditing but this is a digital system that captures all our lifting from the depots through delivery to the filling stations and whatever destinations the product is supposed to be, so we are able to monitor in real-time how much is being loaded at any depot and it grants us the assurance that indeed whatever we have captured for revenue purposes is accurate,” he said.
Founder of defunct UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, had his licence to operate a financial institution in Ghana revoked by the Bank of Ghana in 2017.
This led to the collapse of his bank which subsequently had dire consequences on his finances.
In an interview on GTV, the once-vibrant businessman noted that he was no longer wealthy.
He declared his financial status as broke while speaking to Kafui Dey on GTV.
Mr Amoabeng noted that he currently has in possession a watch and a pair of shoes.
“I don’t have wealth, I’m broke and Ghanaians (those who don’t like people who progress) should be happy [about that],” Mr Amoabeng said.
“But Ghanaians…tend to think I’ve got some wealth stashed somewhere because they are putting themselves in my shoes: they think if they were like me, if they had owned a bank then they would have a lot of money outside but my wealth was in the bank and in the company, so, while the company and the bank were doing very well, I was worth a lot of money but the bank went through losses and so on and so forth, therefore, my capital went with the bank. I think it’s not difficult to understand,” he added.
But Mr Amoabeng had in an earlier interview on TV3 on October 4, 2022, said he had to sell his mansion to prevent himself from getting broke.
Background
The BoG revoked licences of UT Bank Ltd and Capital Bank Ltd and approved a Purchase and Assumption (P&A) transaction with GCB Bank Ltd that transferred all deposits and selected assets of the two banks after they were found to be deeply insolvent.
The Central Bank subsequently revoked the universal banking licences of five banks including UniBank Ghana Limited, Construction Bank, Sovereign Bank, Royal Bank and Beige Bank and issued a licence to a newly created bank – Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited – which is wholly owned by the Government of Ghana.
BoG further revoked the licenses of 23 insolvent savings and loans and finance house companies.
The companies are GN Savings and Loans Ltd., Ideal Finance Ltd., IFS Financial Services Ltd., Legacy Capital Savings and Loans Ltd., Midland Savings and Loans Company Ltd., Sterling Financial Services Ltd., uniCredit Savings and Loans Ltd., Women’s World Banking Savings and Loans Co. Ltd., Accent Financial Services Ltd. and Adom Savings and Loans Ltd.
Others are AllTime Finance Ltd., Alpha Capital Savings and Loans Ltd., ASN Financial Services Ltd., CDH Savings and Loans Ltd., Commerz Savings and Loans Ltd., Crest Finance House Ltd., Dream Finance Company Ltd., Express Savings and Loans Company Ltd., the First African Savings and Loans Company Ltd., First Allied Savings and Loans Co. Ltd., First Ghana Savings and Loans Co. Ltd., First Trust Savings and Loans Ltd. and Global Access Savings and Loans Company Ltd.
Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Education, Kwesi Kwarteng, says majority of students received automatic placement under the Computerised School Selection Placement System (CSSPS).
According to him, the system was able to place about 69.24% of students.
He made the remark on Monday, February 20, 2023, while responding to questions about the Computerised School Selection Placement System (CSSPS).
The remaining 30.76% of students who qualified are expected to undertake self-placement to secure a school.
Speaking on other matters, he noted that it is impossible for students to be placed in schools that they didn’t choose.
“When you miss your first choice, the system will consider you for the second choice,” adding that his outfit examines the available slots and “match it up with the number of remaining students who have to be placed.”
He further noted that there has to be transparency and audit in the protocol system.
A video of a little girl happily dancing at her mothers funeral circulated on social media .
Clearly, the innocent child is still too young to understand the implications of the passage of her mother because she’s naive and doesn’t even understand the concept of death.
The way she played throughout the whole event clearly showed she was unable to figure out what was going on correctly.
Almost anyone who has come across the clip on Tiktok got emotional after viewing the video.
Some even shared their experiences when they lost their mother at her age.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi, a Ghanaian international, played for FC St. Gallen on Sunday when the squad faced FC Luzern in the Swiss Super League.
In a home game that served as Week 21 of the ongoing 2022–23 Swiss top-flight league season, the Black Stars goalkeeper began for his team.
FC St. Gallen had a strong start to the game and took the lead in the 13th minute on Jeremy Guillemenot’s goal.
Seven minutes later, the hosts suffered a big blow when goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi committed a bad foul which attracted a straight red card, forcing the side to play the rest of the match with 10 men.
Shortly after the red, FC Luzern equalised to restore parity to the game when Martin Frydek found the back of the St. Gallen net.
In the second half, the away team landed the second blow in the 62nd-minute courtesy of a strike from Beloko Nicky.
Fortunately, for the hosts, Matek Maglica scored in the 79th minute to force the match to end in a 2-2 draw.
After his red card today, Lawrence Ati-Zigi is set to miss the next two league matches in the Swiss Super League.
CEO of Bullhaus Entertainment, Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, also known as BullGod has commented on the subject of performers giving free performances at events.
In a myjoyonline.com report, he agreed that performers should not be paid for every event they attend, but he also thinks that such agreements should ultimately benefit the artiste.
“I will allow my artistes to perform at a show for free when it is beneficial to them,” he said in a Twitter Spaces conversation by Joy Entertainment on Friday, February 17, 2023.
BullGod explained his stance and referred to an incident in which Shatta Wale declined to participate at the 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards due to unpaid fees.
He suggested that in such cases, there may not have been options to promote the singer beyond the appearance at the awards show.
“Today, you can say that if Vanilla comes on and performs for free he will go global and might get global presence and translate into other opportunities that will come to them,” he stated, acknowledging the current change in the promotion of events as a result of the amplification of new media.
“So until this era, you ask yourself what are the benefits for this artiste and that is the first thing any artiste manager or team would ask. Once they look into the benefits and they know that it will go a long way to elevate their craft, it will open new doors for them, it will take them places that ordinarily it will take a while for me to get there, if you check all the boxes and it makes sense to you and you don’t jump on, then it might be a no-brainer,” he added.
BullGod also dispelled the notion that Ghanaian artists do not understand the concept of performing for free, pointing out that they often perform at each other’s shows for free.
He stressed the importance of effective communication between artists and event organizers to reach mutual agreements on “no fee” deals.
The artiste manager has managed several artists such as Iwan, 5Five, Nii Soul, Yaa Yaa, Natural Face, VIP, Koo Ntakra, Rudebowy Ranking, and Shatta Wale. Currently, he manages Vanilla, who has released a new song titled ‘Ewo.’
BullGod is an experienced industry professional with valuable insights on the subject.
Ghanaian songstress,Sista Afia, has said that she has ears for only good music, which is why she will not bother to listen to Efia Odo’s latest singles.
The year 2023 witnessed Efia Odo, a Ghanaian socialite and actress, venturing into the music scene with two singles: ‘Getting To The Bag’ and ‘Roll Over’.
According to Highlife singer Sista Afia, both songs do not cut it in the industry considering their low quality. In her view, the actress can not be described as a musician.
“I haven’t listened to any of her songs, and I don’t regard her as a musician. I mean Efia is somebody I wouldn’t listen to her music. Maybe she is probably doing it for fun or something,” Sista Afia stated in an interview with blogger Zionfelix in February 2023.
The singer, who has been involved in several social media spats with the new artiste, stated that she will only listen to Efia Odo once she has mastered her craft.
“We all know what we wanna listen to and am not sure I’ll listen to her. Maybe if she comes up with a good song, then I will try to listen but for now, it is a no,” she explained her stand.
With the demise of the Ghanaian international, Abdul Hayye Yartey, the former local manager of Black Stars winger Christian Atsu, claims that the winger was always driven to succeed.
Following an earthquake that hit Turkey two weeks ago, the 31-year-old remained buried under debris for 12 days.
The Football Administrator claimed that ever since the occurrence, it had been difficult for him.
The manager recalled the promises and conversations he had with Christian Atsu when he had the opportunity to fly to the Portuguese side, FC Porto for his trial on January 20, 2010.
“He sent me this message, ‘Thanks Mr Yartey, I appreciate you, I told Isaac my brother that I dreamt that you were the only person who can help me, as I travel for trials, I want to tell you that I will not return, I will succeed, I will play football to the highest level, the world will hear of me, I will make you proud’, he said.
Atsu, known as Ghana’s Messi for his splendid skills sent Ghana to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals where Ghana lost to Ivory Coast on penalties. He was later named the best player of that tournament and also the MVP in the 2017 AFCON.
Also, he won the goal of the tournament in the 2015 AFCON and made the team of the tournament in that same year.
At the club level, the 31-year-old won the Vitesse Player of the Year in the 2013/2014 league season, the Primeira Liga winner, and the EFL Championship winner in the 2016/2017 season.
Social media users have reacted after Hajia4real posted her boyfriend.
Hajia real is seen in a video drooling over her alleged fraud boyfriend Richard Quaye.
The mother of one reacted to a photo of her boy who was looking handsome in some designer outfit.
Hajia4real is heard confessing that she is never going to leave the guy’s side.
The video is currently causing a stir on IG – it’s quite shocking that Hajia who has still not returned from her UK trip due to her alleged fraud case has the time and inner peace to actually gush over a man who reportedly left her in the UK when she got arrested.
Angry social media users are roasting her for acting dumb!
On her alleged fraud case, Hajia4real is still in the U.K. She has not been released but nothing about her case has been publicised!
A company in Chengdu, China has been praised for asking both job applicants and recruiters to wear masks in order to avoid discrimination based on looks.
Chengdu Ant Logistics recently made news headlines after a video showing its recruitment process went viral on Chinese social media. Shot by one of the interviewees, the short clip shows several masked people waiting to be interviewed by a recruiter, who was reportedly also masked.
The company has since put out a statement on the matter, claiming that the video was shot at its recent biannual recruitment fair and that the masked were introduced to eliminate bias based on looks.
The Chinese logistics company said that the bizarre recruitment method was implemented to reduce the job candidates’ stress levels and also to emphasize the fact that it values people’s individual abilities over their appearance.
The video doing the rounds on Chinese social media got generally positive feedback from millions of people, many of whom said that they wouldn’t mind wearing a mask when applying for a new job.
“As a person with social phobia, I would really enjoy such a job interview,” one person wrote on Douyu.
“This is equality, good looks should not count,” another person added.
However, there were those who expressed doubts about the authenticity of the explanation offered by the company. While the footage was indeed shot by an actual job applicant, the masks were allegedly issued to protect people’s identities because the interviews were live-streamed.
Some claim that after the video went viral, Chengdu Ant Logistics simply turned the interview into a publicity stunt.
International player for Ghana Kamaldeen Sulemana has paid respect to the late Christian Atsu, who unfortunately perished in an earthquake in Turkey.
The deadly earthquake that struck Turkey early on Saturday morning stole numerous lives, and the 31-year-death old’s was confirmed shortly after his body was found in the ruins.
“Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.” This news makes me feel incredibly sad. Sincere condolences go out to the family of @christianatsu20. Legend, rest easy,” he tweeted.
Atsu had been trapped under rubble for over 11 days before his passing, with the earthquake claiming the lives of over 45,000 people.
The Ghanaian had recently scored his first goal for Hatayaspor just hours before the natural disaster struck.
During his career, Atsu played 65 matches for Ghana, scoring nine goals. Two of his most famous goals came in the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Egypt and in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, quarter-finals clash against Guinea, where he scored an absolutely breathtaking goal.
Former Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor wants the government’s economic management team has to be disbanded and reorganised.
The team, led by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with Finance MinisterKen Ofori-Atta as a member, takes crucial decisions on how the Ghanaian economy should be managed.
Dr. Duffuor says government’s handling of the recently concluded domestic debt exchange programme is evidence of the need for new hands to manage affairs.
He argues that the same people he believes are responsible for the current mess cannot fix it. He made these comments in an interview with JoyNews’ Joseph Ackah-Blay.
Dr. Duffuor was responding to a question on whether he agrees with former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo that Ken Ofori-Atta’s performance as Finance Minister has not been impressive.
The retired judge had told Joynews’ Raymond Acquah that the current state of Ghana’s coffers is a testament to the Minister’s poor performance.
“For 8 years as a nation, we borrowed over $15 billion. That’s huge money. If this had gone into projects which should pay for themselves, we would have been in a better position now. So the former Chief Justice has a point,” Dr. Duffuor stated.
Asked directly whether he was surprised that Ken Ofori-Atta was still at post, Dr. Duffuor stated that change is necessary.
“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness,” he explained.
Dr. Duffuor was further asked whether he thinks the Minister should be sacked.
“The team, not just him, the management team (Economic Management Team), including the Finance Minister, they are the ones who created the problem. Can they solve the problem? Especially when I hear some of them say that, oh but for the fact that we were kicked out of the financial market, we could have gone to borrow 2 or 3 billion.
“This means the same level of consciousness that created the problem, they haven’t seen that we have a problem yet”, he replied.
Ghanaian musician Stella Aba Seal spent her recent birthday by visiting the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu for prayers.
Some believers were against the move but she has come out to defend her actions.
Stella in an interview with blogger Zionfelix explained why she settled on an Islamic leader to bless her with long life.
“Is there something wrong with celebrating my birthday with National Chief Imam?… I personally chose him because he’s the oldest spiritual man in Ghana and, I want to live long. We have other religious leaders but they are all young. In their 60s and 70s and I wanted someone who is old and has lived long enough on earth…someone who has seen it all, that was who I wanted to celebrate my birthday with. “I said to myself that I want this man to pray for me. He asked me what I want and I told him long life. I want to live long on this earth and I also asked for wisdom. These are the two things I asked because all other things are by-products,” she said.
Stella Aba Seal lamented how religion, which she described as man-made has divided and brought enmity among the human population.
According to the gospel singer who identifies as a Christian, she is more spiritual than religious adding that God is not religious.
She explained: “I am glad that I did and I don’t regret it…I was so touched by his accessibility. It is so unfortunate how you’ll have to struggle just to see some of these people. You’ll be made to book an appointment and for 2 months you’ll still be in waiting but the Chief Imam, he is accessible. I will love to say that we are first Ghanaians and the Bible makes us understand that we are all descendants of Abraham…I gear towards spirituality because God is not religious. He does not belong to any religion, He created everything on earth. Religion is man-made and it is good.”
