The Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul has entreated members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to relentlessly pursue those responsible for the conflict in Bawku.
The Minister said such persons are criminals and must be treated as such.
According to Mr Nitiwul, the ongoing conflict is no longer tied to chieftaincy issues.
He thus said the government will send 500 more military personnel to Bawku next week to maintain peace.
He, however, disclosed that there are currently 400 soldiers in the community to assist with the conflict.
“What is happening today is not about chieftaincy. It is criminality. Those operating are criminals. I have asked members of the armed forces to deal with such persons as pure criminals.
Government has done what it can on its part to ensure that Bawku is peaceful. We have moved Bawku from 50 to 400 soldiers, so we are sending another 500 military task force to Bawku alone next week,” he said on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, February 8.
The Defence Minister has already disclosed that there was an attempt to blow up a bridge at Bawku by the persons behind the conflict.
According to him, this is the first time this is happening in the history of decade-long conflict in the region.
He said this attempt was made on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Bawku Central MP said if indeed the attempted destruction of the bridge happened, then it is most unfortunate.
This, according to him, is the reason he is fighting for justice to prevail in the situation.
He added that “if the youth feel that nobody is going to be held accountable for what happened, then you are easily pushing them to do what they ought not to do.”
In addition to being a fantastic football player, Christian Atsu is also a very generous and down to earth person whose charitable endeavors are well publicized online.
At the moment, the Ghanaian-born Turkish-based player is missing with no trace of his whereabouts after he got trapped under the rubble last Monday following the deadly earthquake that happened in Turkey.
Millions of Ghanaians on the internet are fervently praying to God to spare the life of the footballer because multitudes depend on him for survival.
In this article, we are going to look at some 6 heart-touching times kind-hearted Christian Atsu helped the less privileged.
Atsu settles the bail of a blind inmate
Christian Atsu settled the bail of a blind inmate in Nsawam prison named Peter Enin. Enin was convicted and sentenced to a hefty fine which he failed to pay and had to serve a prison term instead.
Kind Atsu came to his rescue and paid for his release from jail.
Atsu pays for the release of 10 prisoners
In 2018, Atsu embarked on a mission to get 10 prisoners freed by paying their court fines. The 10 inmates were found guilty of petty theft after stealing food.
However, the player was able to pay for the freedom of the prisoners at the Cape Coast prison annex
Bailing a lactating mother and two others
Atsu prevented a mother and her two daughters from spending three months in prison for taking some leftover corn estimated at Ghc 10 which did not belong to them.
A court found them guilty and sentenced all of them including the lactating mothers after being unable to pay a fine of Gc 360 slapped on them.
He came to the rescue of the convicts and through the crime check foundation donated Ghc 1,000 for their release.
Atsu bails 40 inmates
Atsu bailed about 40 inmates for an undisclosed amount of money. The player pleaded with the government to pardon some of the inmates and release them for petty theft.
Donation of boots to young players
In 2021, the footballer donated eighty pairs of football boots to former team Cheetah FC. The player donated to the club to support young players and prevent them from hustling to get boots to nurture
Donation to school
In 2017, when Christian Atsu returned from abroad, he seized the opportunity to donate to people in the central region of Ghana.
The player donated hundreds of items to Becky’s foundation, an orphanage in Senya Berekum.
Currently, there are two strong contradicting reports on the internet concerning the player’s present condition.
While some journalists claim he has been found, others also say otherwise but one thing can be confirmed without a shred of don’t which is, no one has gotten into physical contact with the player.
Following the news, Peace FM’s Dan Kwaku Yeboah paid a visit to Christian Atsu’s family house at Ogbojo in Accra.
The atmosphere in the house was one of mixed feelings as many of the family members found it difficult to contain their emotions.
In a statement, the 71-year-old woman who is the younger sister of Atsu’s late mother, strongly opined that it would have been better for her to lose her life instead her son.
“It will be better for me if I lose my life and Atsu’s lives because he is everything to us. He is our only hope. I could not sleep when I heard the news. We have been praying throughout”, she said.
Minority Leader, Ato Forson, has disclosed that he had no knowledge of his appointment until barely 24 hours to the announcement.
According to him, much like the rest of the NDC parliamentary Caucus, he had no say whatsoever concerning the decision.
Speaking in his first interview following the announcement on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, he said he was surprised by the decision after he was informed in a short face-to-face meeting by the party’s national leadership.
“I was told the night before. It’s a decision that the party had made so they were informing me not for me to make a choice as to whether I’m going to accept it or not to accept it. But I took it like a call to duty.
“In fact, it shook me, it took me by surprise. But what I told you earlier is that I adapt so easily and that’s my biggest strength, it doesn’t take me a couple of minutes to adapt so I sat back and said ‘hey…’”
Speaking concerning his relationship with the erstwhile Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, the Ajumako-Enyam-Essiam MP stated that working with him had allowed him to excel.
“Let me put it this way, if there is any person in this House who has worked so hard for Haruna Iddrissu and worked for him, I don’t think there will be two people more than me. My loyalty to him is unquestionable.
“I’ve loved him; in fact, I’m a product of his leadership because he gave me room to work and to excel. It’s not every leader that will give his ranking the opportunity to excel at that magnitude.
“And I work for him; I go to him every morning, sit him down and brief him on a daily basis. The first thing I do when I get to Parliament, mostly before 9 am, is walk straight to his office…we’ll have our small meeting, I brief him for the day and then we disperse and go to the Floor. So we have that cohesion,” he said.
According to Dr Ato Forson, he is honoured to have been the one chosen to fill the “very big shoe” of his predecessor.
He said while he has “never wished for his job” he takes the appointment as an opportunity to “also step in and to lead the party.”
“So when I was told, my first concern was is he aware of it and how will he feel? But Haruna Iddrisu knows that I’ve never wished for his job.
“However, if at a point in time, one person will have to stand up and do something for the Caucus and I happen to be the one, I think it’s an honour for me to step in the very big shoes of my predecessor, Haruna Iddrisu.
“It’s a big decision…the party took a big decision it believes is the right decision. The NDC thinks where we’ve gotten to it needs a new general to take us to that kind of war, that’s how I interpreted it.
“Haruna has done his part and done it very well, his successes are out there for everybody to see. And clearly, the time has come for a new general to step into the fire. I recognise that and honestly, I take it as an opportunity to also step in and to lead the party,” he said.
He said immediately after being informed of the decision, “I called him [Haruna Iddrisu] to inform him about it.”
“As soon as I left the place I placed a phone call to him out of respect I have for him.”
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, is displeased with the COVID-19 special Audit report which was recently published.
He says the report is “premature” and has therefore asked the Auditor-General to unpublish it.
He has consequently asked the Auditor-General to unpublish the report, pending the fulfilment of constitutional injunctions leading to the ultimate publication, including submitting the report first to Parliament.
Publishing the report ahead of its scrutiny by Parliament or a committee of it, is unconstitutional, the A-G points out.
In a letter dated February 7, 2023 for the attention of the Auditor-General, Mr. Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu, the Attorney-General referenced “various discussions between your good self and me regarding the effective implementation of reports of the Auditor-General on audits into the public accounts of Ghana, particularly with regard to the issuance of disallowances and surcharges,” and pointed out that “The matters discussed have become more pertinent in view of the intense controversy generated by the publication of the report on the special audit of Government of Ghana Covid-19 transactions for the period March 2020 to June 2022 on the website of the Ghana Audit Service.”
According to the Attorney-General, while Article 187(5) of the Constitution mandates the Auditor-General to submit his report to Parliament and in that report, draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited, Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) clearly indicates that reports on special audits and reviews, as the one conducted in respect of the COVID-19 transactions, are subject to the requirement for the Auditor-General to submit the reports to Parliament.
Again, “Article 187(6) of the Constitution requires Parliament to debate the report of the Auditor-General and appoint, where necessary and in the public interest, a committee to deal with any matters arising from it. This is repeated in section 21 of Act 584. Over the years, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) seems to be the committee designated by Parliament to interrogate issues arising out of the Auditor-General’s reports. It is only after satisfying the constitutional requirement of submitting the Auditor-General’s report to Parliament, the subsequent debate by Parliament thereon and conclusion of work by the appropriate committee of Parliament, that the report of the Auditor-General may be considered final and relevant action may be taken thereon”, the A-G argues.
“I observe that the report of the special audit on the Government’s COVID-19 transactions has been published on the website of the Audit Service. In light of the constitutional provisions pertaining to the duty of the Auditor-General after the preparation of audit reports, I consider a publication of the COVID-19 audit report or indeed any audit report particularly when same has not been either considered by Parliament or referred to a committee of Parliament, premature.”
The Attorney-General said while he is “mindful of the provision in section 23 of Act 584 which seems to mandate a publication of the reports as soon as they have been presented to the Speaker to be laid before Parliament,” “the laws governing the functions of the Auditor-General ought to be construed as a whole.”
Godfred Dame argues that the constitutional duty of the Auditor-General to submit his reports to Parliament and Parliament’s consequential obligation to debate and scrutinise same, will be grossly prejudiced by a prior publication of the report.
“The proceedings of the PAC provide an opportunity for irregularities raised by the Auditor-General to be interrogated and queried. Persons and institutions affected by the report receive a further hearing on the findings of the Auditor-General’s reports at the proceedings of the PAC in Parliament. A prior publication of the Auditor-General’s report completely undermines the purport and meaning of article 187(5) and (6) and should not be encouraged. Consequently, I advise a withdrawal of the report on the Government COVID-19 transactions from your website before same has been debated by Parliament and considered by the appropriate committee of Parliament,” said the A-G.
Idris Elba, a well-known English actor, producer, musician, and Disc Jockey (born Idrissa Akuna Elba), has admitted that he cried while viewing his own film “Beast of no Nation.”
According to the 50-year-old film maker, he is so proud of young Ghanaian actor, Abraham Attah, who starred in the ‘Beast of no Nation’ movie and has now moved on to bigger and better things.
“I shed tears for that movie because that movie is sad and Abraham Attah is incredible. Abraham Attah has now moved on to bigger and better things and I’m so proud of him,” he said.
Speaking on Kumasi-based Opemsuo FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com’s Amansan Krakye, Idris Elba said his movie in Ghana has made him aware that there are unearthed talents in Africa.
“That movie made me think that there’s a lot more talents whether in Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire or Sierra Leone and that there’s unearthed talent that people need to see on the screens,” he disclosed.
Aside from acting, Elba performs as a DJ under the moniker DJ Big Driis or Idris and as an R&B singer. In 2006, he was named in the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World.
The local manager of Christian Atsu, Abdul Hayye Yartey has urged Ghanaians to keep praying for Christian Atsu’s return.
In an interview, he urged Ghanaians to remember the former Chelsea FC forward in prayer.
“Let’s keep praying for Atsu to be back safe,” Abdul Hayye Yartey told GNA Sports in an interview.
Christian Atsu’s whereabouts have been unknown for the past three days after a tragic earthquake was recorded in Turkey.
Although reports on Tuesday suggested that the Black Stars attacker had been found, Hatayspor Board Member Mustafa Özat has clarified that it’s not the case.
“I received information that Christian Atsu was rescued from the rubble, but it was NOT true.” “I gave the same information to the press, but at the moment, the information received is that Atsu and Taner Savut are under the rubble,” Mustafa Özat said.
Ghanaians have been worried since news of the earthquake broke out and have been praying and hoping to hear good news.
The Auditor-office General’s has been asked to remove the recently released audit report on the government’s COVID-19 expenditures by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
In a letter addressed to Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, Mr Dame raised issues of constitutionality about the processes leading to the publication of the report which uncovered various financial infractions.
“I advise a withdrawal of the report on the Government COVID-19 transactions from your website before same has been debated by Parliament and considered by the appropriate committee of Parliament,” the Attorney General said.
Grounding his request on Articles 187(5) and 187(6) of the 1992 Constitution, Mr Dame noted that the A-G’s office failed to submit the report to parliament for scrutiny as directed by the law.
“It is only after satisfying the constitutional requirement of submitting the auditor general’s report to Parliament, the subsequent debate by Parliament thereon and conclusion of work by the appropriate committee of Parliament, that the report of the Auditor-General may be considered final and relevant action may be taken thereon,” the Attorney General said.
“I observe that the report of the special audit on the Government’s COVID-19 transactions has been published on the website of the Audit Service. In light of the constitutional provisions pertaining to the duty of the Auditor-General after the preparation of audit reports, I consider a publication of the COVID-19 audit report or indeed any audit report particularly when same has not been either considered by Parliament or referred to a committee of Parliament, premature,” he added,
The report on Government of Ghana’s Covid-19 transactions for the period March 2020 to June 2022, uncovered several infractions relative to expenditures in the fight against the global pandemic.
The report published on the website of the Auditor General has generated controversy with calls being made for a full-scale parliamentary probe to be made into the uncovered infractions.
Read the full letter by the Attorney General below:
RE: AUDIT OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS OF GHANA
I refer to various discussions between your good self and me regarding the effective implementation of reports of the Auditor-General on audits into the public accounts of Ghana, particularly with regard to the issuance of disallowances and surcharges.
The matters discussed have become more pertinent in view of the intense controversy generated by the publication of the report on the special audit of the Government of Ghana’s Covid-19 transactions for the period March 2020 to June 2022 on the website of the Ghana Audit Service http://www.audit.gov.gh. I find it compelling to lay out a few points which I hope will guide action to be taken after the preparation of your reports.
1. Article 187(5) of the Constitution mandates the Auditor-General to submit his report to Parliament and in that report, draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited. Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) clearly indicates that reports on special audits and reviews, as the one conducted in respect of the COVID-19 transactions, are subject to the requirement for the Auditor-General to submit the reports to Parliament.
2. Article 187(6) of the Constitution requires Parliament to debate the report of the Auditor-General and appoint, where necessary and in the public interest, a committee to deal with any matters arising from it. This is repeated in section 21 of Act 584. Over the years, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) seems to be the committee designated by Parliament to interrogate issues arising out of the Auditor-General’s reports. It is only after satisfying the constitutional requirement of submitting the auditor general’s report to Parliament, the subsequent debate by
Parliament thereon and conclusion of work by the appropriate committee of Parliament, that the report of the Auditor-General may be considered final and relevant action may be taken thereon.
3. I observe that the report of the special audit on the Government’s COVID-19 transactions has been published on the website of the Audit Service. In light of the constitutional provisions pertaining to the duty of the Auditor-General after the preparation of audit reports, I consider a publication of the COVID-19 audit report or indeed any audit report particularly when same has not been either considered by Parliament or referred to a committee of Parliament, premature.
4. I am mindful of the provision in section 23 of Act 584 which seems to mandate a publication of the reports as soon as they have been presented to the Speaker to be laid before Parliament. However, the laws governing the functions of the Auditor-General ought to be construed as a whole. The constitutional duty of the Auditor-General to submit his reports to Parliament and Parliament’s consequential obligation to debate and scrutinise same, will be grossly prejudiced by a prior publication of the report.
The proceedings of the PAC provide an opportunity for irregularities raised by the Auditor-General to be interrogated and queried. Persons and institutions affected by the report receive a further hearing on the findings of the Auditor-General’s reports at the proceedings of the PAC in Parliament. A prior publication of the Auditor-General’s report completely undermines the purport and meaning of article 187(5) and (6) and should not be encouraged. Consequently, I advise a withdrawal of the report on the Government COVID-19 transactions from your website before same has been debated by Parliament and considered by the appropriate committee of Parliament.
5. Further, as pointed out in previous letters by the Attorney-General to your office over the years, there has been a glaring omission to indicate in the notices served on the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, satisfaction by the Auditor-General of the mandatory procedure enjoined by section 17 of Act 584, in order to be able to execute a disallowance and surcharge.
6. As you would recall, I have, in previous communication with you, indicated that in accordance with section 17 of Act 584, certain steps ought to be complied with by the Audit Service after an audit report has been subjected to the scrutiny of the PAC. These steps border on the issuance of disallowances and surcharges by the Auditor-General.
i. the relevant head of department or institution to whom the amounts stated in the notice of surcharge or disallowance are due, must be notified of the surcharge or disallowance, the reasons for the surcharge or disallowance as well as when this was done. Please see section 17(1) of Act 584
(ii) notices served on the Attorney-General must indicate whether the affected individuals and institutions have been served with the notice of surcharge or disallowance and, if so, when this was done. Please see section 17(2) of Act 584.
iii. Information confirming compliance with the statutory steps and when same was done is crucial for the Attorney-General to institute legal action against specified defaulters.
7. By letters dated 21st December 2017, 14th December 2018 and 21st January 2019, the Attorney-General informed the then Auditor-General about lapses in the notices of disallowance and surcharge served on the Attorney-General in order for him to remedy same. Unfortunately, to date, some have not been remedied.
8. It is only through due process, particularly the observance of the processes stated above, that we can realise the true import and effect of article 187 of the Constitution. There ought to be enhanced cooperation between the Audit Service and the Office of the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Justice. These two institutions are at the forefront of the quest for public accountability, probity, the rule of law and the rooting out of corruption and malpractices in Ghana, and therefore are left with no option but to collaborate. In this regard, I have set up a special team in my Ministry, jointly headed by the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, specifically charged with coordinating with your outfit in order to promptly act, in accordance with law, on established irregularities contained in the Auditor-General’s reports.
I would appreciate if you could set up a similar team to work with my office. Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.
Ato Forson, Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, formally started his duties as Minority Leader on February 7, 2023 when Parliament resumed sitting after the Christmas break.
“I was told the night before. It’s a decision that the party had made so they were informing me not for me to make a choice as to whether I’m going to accept it or not to accept it. But I took it like a call to duty.
“In fact, it shook me, it took me by surprise. But what I told you earlier is that I adapt so easily and that’s my biggest strength, it doesn’t take me a couple of minutes to adapt so I sat back and said ‘hey…’” he said on PM Express programme on Joy News on February 8.
He also spoke extensively about how he did not wish for the job, suggesting that it had been given to him because of the party’s own considerations which he believes were justified.
On his relationship with Haruna Iddrisu, the former Minority Leader, Ato Forson said it remained cordial and that Haruna was the first person he contacted when he received news of the party’s decision.
“Let me put it this way, if there is any person in this House who has worked so hard for Haruna Iddrissu and worked for him, I don’t think there will be two people more than me. My loyalty to him is unquestionable.
“I’ve loved him; in fact, I’m a product of his leadership because he gave me room to work and to excel. It’s not every leader that will give his ranking the opportunity to excel at that magnitude,” he stressed.
English actor Idris Elba wants to see creative arts education in the country being more functional apart from his quest to build a film studio in Ghana.
Idris, in an interview with Opimsoɔ FM in Kumasi, said it is imperative that people who seek places in the creative industry get educated.
“Part of the plan that we have, which is building a studio, is policy. Policy comes from government and it makes sure people can find a way to industrialise filmmaking,” he said.
He, however, added that apart from the studio, education on creative arts related activities should be taken seriously.
“Education is key. Young people get educated. It is important that if you want to be an actor, a storyteller, if you want to be a cameraman, you have to go to school. School is a good entry point,” he said.
“So what we are hoping to do apart from our film initiative is to boost the education process,” he added.
Idris Elba explained that they would also find a way that when they are bringing the film studios to Africa, they get an education component.
“We are encouraging the government of Ghana to really push education in creative arts,” he noted.
On Friday, February 3, 2023, the actor announced he was going to build a film studio in Ghana when he paid a courtesy call on the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.
He has been spotted in parts of Kumasi, shooting scenes for a new movie.
About thirteen years after Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson was banned by the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), she has recounted how almost all her colleagues failed to support her.
She told George Quaye on Showbiz A-Z on Joy FM, Saturday, that it was only Majid Michel who stood by her in those trying times.
According to Yvonne, after she was banned, she hatched the idea of producing her own movies. But some of the actors who did not support her in the FIPAG ban said it was a bad idea, because she may not get cast in movies by other producers.
“I just wanted to do something on my own and I remember I spoke with a couple of my colleagues (my close friends at the time) and they all said ‘no it’s a bad idea Yvonne. Because when you become a producer no producer will call you to be in their movies so don’t do it’,” she said.
“And during the ban, they all did not support me oo. It was just Majid. Majid was the one who would follow me, we would go here, go and beg small. So it was just Majid at the time and we were not even that close,” Yvonne added.
The actress and film producer was banned by the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) in 2010 for a year.
She was banned for reportedly showing disrespect on several occasions to her fellow actors, producers and crew members.
The award-winning actress is premiering her new movie titled ‘Kotoka’ at the Silverbird Cinema in Accra on February 14, 2023.
The movie stars Yvonne Nelson, Majid Michel, Franklin Adjetey, Kweku Elliot, Darlyn Adu-Gyamfi, and Christy Ukaka.
US actress Danielle Deadwyler has claimed the film industry is “deeply impacted by systemic racism”, after no black women were nominated for best actress at this year’s Oscars.
Deadwyler was expected to be recognised for her performance in the drama Till.
But she missed out on a nomination, as did Viola Davis, who was also widely tipped to be in the running.
Deadwyler said there is a “trickle-down effect” of racism in society on many institutions in American life.
In Till, the actress plays the mother of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black boy who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of whistling at a white woman.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Deadwyler said: “Cinematic history is 100+ years old. I would dare say the system is deeply, deeply impacted by systemic racism that has shaped our country.
“And if we’re still dealing with systemic racism in this country that is leading us to the loss of a Tyre Nichols, that carries us from the loss of Emmett, there is a trickle-down effect of how racism impacts our lives – from the educational system to the film industry to everything, any part of quotidian American life.”
Deadwyler (right) plays Mamie Till-Mobley in the film, the mother of Emmett Till, played by Jalyn Hall (ORION PICTURES)
Deadwyler was widely praised for her performance in Till, and was considered one of the favourites to be nominated in the leading actress category at this year’s Academy Awards.
After she was snubbed when the nominations were announced in January, Till writer and director Chinonye Chukwu accused Hollywood of “unabashed misogyny towards Black women”.
Referring to those comments, Deadwyler told Radio 4: “Yes there is value to what [Chukwu] said, and it’s imperative that every quality of our life begin to truly, deeply interrogate and shift and rupture and radically shift the way they seek to actually be an equitable institution.”
Asked whether the Oscars or wider society needs to change, Deadwyler replied: “It’s from both ends… It’s got to come from every angle.”
The Academy has increased the number of female and black and ethnic minority voters since the #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2015.
‘Critical questions’
Deadwyler noted that very few black women had been recognised at the Oscars, and there were often “numerous decades in between” those who had.
She referred to Hattie McDaniel’s supporting actress win in 1940 and Halle Berry’s leading actress win in 2002, which remains the only victory in that category for a black woman.
“You have to begin to question why there are these gaps,” Deadwyler said. “Before I was even in consideration for anything, these are the things that I witnessed.
“So these are critical questions of, how do you begin to actually bring equity to spaces which have long been led or deeply impacted by white supremacy, ideologies, thoughts and practises?”
Halle Berry, pictured with Denzel Washington in 2002, is the only black woman to have won best leading actress at the Oscars (GETTY IMAGES)
This year’s best actress nominees are Michelle Yeoh, Cate Blanchett, Ana De Armas, Michelle Williams and Andrea Riseborough.
British actress Riseborough scored a shock nomination following a campaign driven by a number of Hollywood A-listers.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences conducted a review into the campaign and said some tactics “caused concern”, but her nomination was not revoked.
Williams was recognised despite a debate in Hollywood over whether she should have been nominated in the supporting actress category.
No black men are nominated for best lead actor this year. Two black performers – Angela Bassett and Brian Tyree Henry – are in the running in the supporting categories. The winners will be announced on 12 March.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COLIBA Recycling Company, Prince Kwame Agbata, has called on food vendors to opt for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics to curb environmental degradation.
He explained to the B&FT that the environmental cost and human health implications of improper disposal of single-use plastic wastes is immeasurable, and deserves urgent attention.
He said: “The single solution to single-use plastic waste is to invest in collection infrastructure and ensure that we are introducing biodegradables and recycling what is already in the value chain”.
COLIBA’s aim is to make it easy for people to segregate their waste and have them recycled.
While urging food vendors to switch from single-use plastic takeaway packs to eco-friendly alternatives, such as processed banana leaves, the COLIBA CEO reiterated the need for sensitisation and awareness campaigns so as to educate Ghanaians on the importance of adopting proper waste management practices.
Regarding its health implications, he said evidence abounds that there already exist some micro-plastics in or bodies, a causative factor for several forms of cancers while other micro-plastics also find their way into the soil from plastics, such as takeaway packs.
“Some amount of these plastics are also used for packaging vegetables once they are harvested, so it is really a big problem if we don’t address the packaging issue and ensure that it is done in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner,” Agbata added.
He described the plastic economy as a huge one, and that it will take at least 50 years for Ghana to recover plastic that is already in its value chain. “We have so much plastics in the value chain and so we have to invest in recycling while we begin to introduce cost effective biodegradable alternatives”.
He further revealed that the plastic sector in the country has grown by 200 percent over the last 11 years, citing plastic bottle recycling which has seen exponential growth from 2 percent to 12 percent as a case in point. “That is more than 1000 percent increase in the recycling market,” Agbata explained as he painted a picture of the size of Ghana’s plastic economy.
He stressed the need for the plastics economy to be formalised, detailing that as plastic-making companies continue to expand, there is the need for the right infrastructure to be put in place to ensure that things are done right.
“Most of the plastic sector is highly informal and they are scared of getting formalised because of taxation, so it is important that all stakeholders get on board – the Ghana Revenue Authority, Environmental Protection Agency and the likes – if we really want to solve this plastic problem,” he noted.
From a food vendor’s perspective on single-use plastics, the B&FT also spoke with Boakyewaa Mary, who operates the God is King mini restaurant – a fried-rice vending outlet at Oyarifa, and she has this to say: “I am aware of the environmental and health implications of the single-use plastic materials I use in packaging food for my customers because I am fortunate to be educated, but the truth is that I have no alternative but to do what everybody is doing. I am told the eco-friendly packaging materials are expensive and besides, I don’t even know where to get it to buy”.
She, however, expressed willingness to transition from the single-use plastic packaging culture to a sustainable alternative should she get the packs at a comparatively cheaper cost.
To minimise the environmental implications of single-use plastic materials from food vendors, Mr. Agbata said it is imperative that standards regulatory agencies in Ghana begin to work with food packaging companies and stakeholders, such as the recyclers association, to ensure that packaging materials meet the required standards.
Furthermore, he noted that there is the need to ensure that the right amount of plastic is used for the right material type of packaging, indicating that while some materials are very easy to recycle, others are complicated because they are a mixture of different types of plastics which he said makes recycling expensive. “Even pickers cannot pick these mixture of plastics because their value is lower for them, so they will rather do cherry-picking – selecting the good plastic from the bad ones.”
Notwithstanding their eco-friendliness, Agbata stated that biodegradable materials also have limitations including; cost and the technology to develop them, revealing that, “not all biodegradables are environmentally and ecologically-friendly and so it is important to find the right material type which also comes at a cost”.
While calling on waste management companies to invest in collection infrastructure to ensure that single-use plastic waste materials are properly shredded so that they can come back as recycled end-product, he said it is about time people started segregating their waste at home.
Consumption of packaged food has risen substantially in recent decades. With a 5 percent annual growth rate, the worldwide packaged food market was valued at US$1.9trillion in 2020, and is expected to reach US$3.4trillion by 2030.
However, environmentalists are concerned about the increased plastic pollution generated by the food industry. For the past 70 years, it has been outlined that around 8 billion tonnes of plastic has been generated.
Ms. Earle, Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in America, in an interview with Africa Renewal, seen by the B&FT, warns that sea life is being destroyed from every direction by a combination of rising temperatures and plastic waste. She notes that since the 1950s, the world has lost 50 percent of its global coral reefs and 90 percent of its big fish to plastic waste.
“Oceans are choking on plastic junk — millions of tonnes of water bottles, soda bottles, drinking straws and single-use plastic bags. 99 percent of all seabirds will have ingested plastic by 2050 if nothing is done to reverse the trend,” she said.
Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng, aka Ebony Reigns, an Afro-dance hall artist, died unexpectedly on February 8, 2018. Today marks exactly 5 years.
Ebony Reigns died tragically in an accident while returning from the Bono Region after visiting some members of his family.
One soldier, Vondee, and a close friend all died as a result of the crash that sent the car they were in into a ditch. Only the driver, reportedly, made it out alive.
Many Ghanaians are still reeling from the untimely death of the budding musician, who was on the verge of becoming the face of Ghanaian music at the time.
Her death broke many hearts. It felt like a dagger had been drawn through the feeble hearts of Ghanaians and her fans.
On the fifth anniversary of her death, many people took to social media to remember Ebony Reigns and share their favourite memories of her.
A group has mounted fresh pressure on the Energy Commission to lift the ban on the importation of used second-hand electrical appliances.
The Concerned Home-Used Dealers Association in Kumasi is asking the Energy Commission to consider their plea, since they are running out of business.
The Energy Commission has announced a ban on the importation of used and substandard electrical appliances, but the traders fear they are being pushed out of business.
The Energy Commission in a statement said 19 used electrical appliances and renewable energy products will be affected by the ban.
These include, TV sets, air conditioners, washing machines and computers.
After a series of press conferences and engagements with the Energy Commission, the dealers fear they have been left in a limbo.
Ashanti Regional Deputy Secretary of the Concerned Home Use Dealers Association, Abdul Malik said they are worried the Energy Commission has discounted their concerns.
“They issued a press statement. They alleged all we said in our press conferences were false. This means the government has banned the importation of home use appliances.
“We were not informed. They failed to engage us the way we wanted. It is as if they have passed a law without a stakeholder concern,” he said.
According to the Energy Commission, the new regulation is to save consumers from buying unsuitable appliances as well save the economy from high energy demands and cost.
But the home-used dealers argue such high electricity consumption appliances are longer in the system.
They claim the newly-imported appliances do not consume much electricity as purported by the Energy Commission.
“Personal effect means personal electrical appliances that one carries over to a country to be used. That is allowed. But when the appliance is to be sold here, it is disallowed. They say it consumes electricity. But won’t the personal appliances from overseas also consume electricity,” Evans Senyah, a dealer quizzed.
Despite the Energy Commission’s quest to safeguard the health of citizens from the hazards of used electrical appliances, consumers remain adamant and patronise second-hand electrical appliances.
Some say it is affordable and more durable compared to new appliances.
Tiwaa says “The brand-new electrical appliances are expensive. The home-used appliances are affordable. It does not consume much electricity as they say. I bought a standing fan from this store. I have used it for over 5 years. It has not developed any fault. Neither have I sent it to a repairer,”
“It is difficult getting the parts of brand-new appliances when they are faulty. The home use appliances are durable. It is easy getting the parts in almost every electrical shop. It does not consume much power,” Phillip Amoah said.
Maame Ama added “The refrigerator I use is second hand. I have used it for almost 18 years. I only filled the gas recently. It is working perfectly,”
The Concerned Home Use Dealers Association has called for a resolution to their grievances.
“We have no issue with the Energy Commission. We only want the government to hear our plea. The Energy Commission influenced parliament to pass the law. They may have told the government they had a meet-up with us. But that is not the case.
“The Energy Commission did not engage us in any way. We only had 1 meeting with them, including GUTA, our parent body. We never saw them again,” Abdul Malik said.
Some 43 Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) will be sued by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) if they fail to comply with the directives of the NPA.
In a statement the NPA cautioned the OMCs that are indebted to Primary Distribution Margin Fund to settle their debts or face legal action.
According to the NPA, “the Authority shall publish the names of the Directors and Shareholders of the defaulting OMCs who fail to settle their debt within the said period as well as take any legal action without further recourse to them.”
The OMCs include Apex Petroleum Ghana Ltd, Black Rock Energy Ltd, Petra Energy Ltd, Rich Oil Company Ltd, and Santol Energy Ltd.
The statement from the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the NPA said the 43 Companies would also face all regulatory laws.
The world economy is predicted to contract this year before picking up the next year. By historical standards, growth will continue to be modest as the conflict in Ukraine being fought by Russia and the battle against inflation weigh on the economy.
Despite these headwinds, the outlook is less gloomy than in our October forecast, and could represent a turning point, with growth bottoming out and inflation declining.
Economic growth proved surprisingly resilient in the third quarter of last year, with strong labour markets, robust household consumption and business investment, and better-than-expected adaptation to the energy crisis in Europe. Inflation, too, showed improvement, with overall measures now decreasing in most countries—even if core inflation, which excludes more volatile energy and food prices, has yet to peak in many countries.
Elsewhere, China’s sudden re-opening paves the way for a rapid rebound in activity. And global financial conditions have improved as inflation pressures started to abate. This, and a weakening of the US dollar from its November high, provided some modest relief to emerging and developing countries.
Accordingly, we have slightly increased our 2022 and 2023 growth forecasts. Global growth will slow from 3.4 per cent in 2022 to 2.9 per cent in 2023 then rebound to 3.1 per cent in 2024.
For advanced economies, the slowdown will be more pronounced, with a decline from 2.7 per cent last year to 1.2 per cent and 1.4 per cent this year and next. Nine out of 10 advanced economies will likely decelerate.
US growth will slow to 1.4 per cent in 2023 as Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes work their way through the economy. Euro area conditions are more challenging despite signs of resilience to the energy crisis, a mild winter, and generous fiscal support. With the European Central Bank tightening monetary policy, and a negative terms-of-trade shock—due to the increase in the price of its imported energy—we expect growth to bottom out at 0.7 per cent this year.
Emerging market and developing economies have already bottomed out as a group, with growth expected to rise modestly to 4 and 4.2 per cent this year and next.
The restrictions and COVID-19 outbreaks in China dampened activity last year. With the economy now re-opened, we see growth rebounding to 5.2 per cent this year as activity and mobility recover.
India remains a bright spot. Together with China, it will account for half of global growth this year, versus just a tenth for the US and euro area combined. Global inflation is expected to decline this year but even by 2024, projected average annual headline and core inflation will still be above pre-pandemic levels in more than 80 per cent of countries.
The risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside, even if adverse risks have moderated since October and some positive factors gained in relevance.
On the downside:
• China’s recovery could stall amid greater-than-expected economic disruptions from current or future waves of COVID-19 infections or a sharper-than-expected slowdown in the property sector.
• Inflation could remain stubbornly high amid continued labour-market tightness and growing wage pressures, requiring tighter monetary policies and a resulting sharper slowdown in activity
• An escalation of the war in Ukraine remains a major threat to global stability that could destabilise energy or food markets and further fragment the global economy.
• A sudden repricing in financial markets, for instance, in response to adverse inflation surprises, could tighten financial conditions, especially in emerging markets and developing economies.
On the upside:
• Strong household balance sheets, together with tight labour markets and solid wage growth could help sustain private demand, although potentially complicating the fight against inflation.
• Easing supply-chain bottlenecks and labour markets cooling due to falling vacancies could allow for a softer landing, requiring less monetary tightening.
Policy priorities
The inflation news is encouraging, but the battle is far from won. Monetary policy has started to bite, with a slowdown in new home construction in many countries. Yet, inflation-adjusted interest rates remain low or even negative in the euro area and other economies, and there is significant uncertainty about both the speed and effectiveness of monetary tightening in many countries.
Where inflation pressures remain too elevated, central banks need to raise real policy rates above the neutral rate and keep them there until underlying inflation is on a decisive declining path. Easing too early risks undoing all the gains achieved so far.
The financial environment remains fragile, especially as central banks embark on an uncharted path toward shrinking their balance sheets. It will be important to monitor the build-up of risks and address vulnerabilities, especially in the housing sector or in the less-regulated non-bank financial sector. Emerging market economies should let their currencies adjust as much as possible in response to the tighter global monetary conditions. Where appropriate, foreign exchange interventions or capital flow measures can help smooth volatility that’s excessive or not related to economic fundamentals.
Many countries responded to the cost-of-living crisis by supporting people and businesses with broad and untargeted policies that helped cushion the shock. Many of these measures have proved costly and increasingly unsustainable. Countries should instead adopt targeted measures that conserve fiscal space, allow high energy prices to reduce demand for energy, and avoid overly stimulating the economy.
Supply-side policies also have a role to play. They can help remove key growth constraints, improve resilience, ease price pressures and foster the green transition. These would help alleviate the accumulated output losses since the beginning of the pandemic, especially in emerging and low-income economies.
Finally, the forces of geoeconomic fragmentation are growing. We must buttress multilateral cooperation, especially on fundamental areas of common interest such as international trade, expanding the global financial safety net, public health preparedness and the climate transition.
This time around, the global economic outlook hasn’t worsened. That’s good news, but not enough. The road back to a full recovery, with sustainable growth, stable prices and progress for all, is only starting.
Ghanaian tiktoker Asantewaa is the latest celebrity to see her lookalike. She is also the by far the socialite who seems proud to see her lookalike.
Unlike others, Asantewaa has shared a video of a lady who shares a striking resemblance to her.
One could mistake the lookalike for Asantewaa herself if critical attention is not paid to knowing the true difference between them.
The Asantewaa lookalike, identified as Akosua, recently got married and had her videos emerging online.
The videos showed her rocking colourful kente with short hair looking just like Asantewaa.
Asantewaa shared the video on her Instagram page while expressing her surprise and described the resemblance as a ‘serious’ one also stating that she thought it was her own wedding when she saw the video.
Ghanaian fashionista and businessman, Osebo The Zaraman has dominated social media conversations following a post made on him by singer and radio presenter, Blakk Rasta on February 7.
Blakk Rasta in a viral tweet, according to tweeps, mocked Osebo’s fashion sense when he shared two photos of the businessman rocking what is termed women’s clothing.
Blakk’s move of sharing Osebo’s photos on Twitter was to spite Nana Aba Anamoah, the ex-partner and baby mama of the fashionista following a banter he (Blakk Rasta) had with the female broadcaster.
Osebo has subsequently shared a post to educate the public on the need to be slow to anger when provoked.
In a video shared on his Instagram story, Osebo hammered that it is only a fool who makes stupid statements, but a wise man is always measured.
In the video sighted by GhanaWeb he said: “Kwame Preko, I want to remind you of your father’s wise saying and advice to you…the words of a man will determine whether or not he is wise. So Kwame, don’t be foolish. This is my advice to you, don’t be quick to speak when angry.”
He added: “Think before you speak because, in the heat of the moment, you will spew nonsense…so don’t be a fool who speaks foolishly.”
About the Blakk Rasta, Nana Aba altercation
When Blakk Rasta termed rapper Sarkodie’s verse on the re-make of ‘Stir It Up’ as “one-way rap” adding that the feature was a total disrespect to Bob Marley, Nana Aba Anamoah and a couple of personalities condemned his statement.
The broadcaster rebuked Blakk Rasta for belittling and thrashing rapper Sarkodie’s verse.
The two were engaged in banter on Twitter with both parties throwing shots at each other.
However, on February 7, Blakk decided to involve Nana Aba’s former partner in their feud.
Entrepreneurs in the country have been urged by Nana Akwesi Bonsu, a business consultant to refrain from doing projects that are no longer relevant in today’s dynamic world.
He wants them to keep themselves from endeavors that are no longer relevant in today’s dynamic world order to remain relevant.
Rather, Mr Bonsu — who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of My Story Magazine — said entrepreneurs must be adaptable with the ability to deliver new products and services, or to build new systems and structures that could strengthen their operational capacities.
Speaking to the media in Accra, Mr Bonsu stated that innovation and technology adoption were no more an option but a must for entrepreneurs.
“Create a niche for your business, adjust to current or future innovations, relearn new inventions, and build up new systems and structures for your businesses.
“Don’t underestimate the tool of technology, and above all have the mental capacity,” he said.
Mr Bonsu said entrepreneurship was not a rosy journey, but instead required tough-mindedness to create an avenue that would help society.
“Nonetheless, mental fortitude, a wealth of knowledge, understanding your essence for the establishment, and having the wisdom to ride your idea are very essential in this instance.
“Amid the current economic crisis and global recession, there is also a place for individuals who have mastered their craft to also survive,” he said.
Govt support
Mr Bonsu urged the government to support entrepreneurs by creating opportunities such as tax exemptions on specific consumable goods and services.
He said there should be a system to financially support business owners to help them to expand their businesses.
He said the government must take deliberate steps to patronise small-scale businesses, especially locally-produced goods and services.
He underlined the need for the development of policies that could attract more investors into the country.
He explained that mentorship for entrepreneurs was now very essential and, therefore, start-ups, and that anyone interested in business must take note to have mentors in their life.
“Individuals who are giants in our industries must also avail themselves to teach upcoming entrepreneurs.
“They shouldn’t see them as a threat or competition, but rather as a medium to pour out their experience to help the upcoming ones become more productive and efficient.
“Partnership, on the other hand, is also key. Most people from our side of the world do not consider partnerships in business. People must come together to create businesses that will profit all. It is in this that we will see growth and expansion,” he said.
Focus
Mr Bonsu’s My Story Magazine is noted to be focused on telling stories and putting the spotlight on entrepreneurs, start-ups and change-makers across Africa.
He said the firm ultimately gives people an opportunity to tap into the brains and experiences of business leaders, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and technical leaders to learn their strategies, their motivation and challenges.
“By telling the stories of individuals and organisations from different perspectives, and from across the entire regions of the continent, we believe it is only by collective action and innovation sharing across the regions that we can help Africa to solve its deepest challenges,” he added.
The study by the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) has revealed that fuel remains the most expensive item facing businesses in the country.
The study also said cost of power, machinery and technology are beyond the budgets of businesses.
Fuel remains the most expensive item facing businesses in the country, a survey has revealed.
It said the situation exerts further pressure on the already constrained operations and funds of businesses.
The emergence of fuel as the costly item comes at a time when crude oil prices have skyrocketed following the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict..
The findings were contained in a research finding by the chamber’s Annual Ghana Business Environment and Competitive Survey 2022 released this week.
According to the survey, these assertions mirror opinions held in previous surveys, and suggest a shape for advocacy, which is to focus Government’s policy on direct business assistance interventions that would make the business and operating environment a lot more attractive to private sector investors.
Respondents suggest that the costs incurred to acquire skilled labour was among the most affordable their businesses incur – a consistent pattern over the years.
Local marketing costs, certifications and quality control costs, as well as locally sourced raw materials were also seen to be affordable in the Ghanaian business environment.
It appeared respondents classified these costs as being affordable in the previous survey as well.
Ghana’s available telecom facilities, cost and availability of potable water as well as availability of logistics partners were business components respondents believed were favourable to their businesses.
Respondents in the previous survey largely held the same view suggesting these to be some of the strengths of doing business in Ghana.
In similar fashion, respondents also see the availability of telecom facilities as the most improved business component over the past five years with the availability of advanced technology closely following – much like perceptions from the last survey.
Government has projected that the export of cocoa beans will rake in $4.1 billion for the country in 2025.
According to Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, revenue from cocoa production has been on an upward trajectory since 2019, hence the optimism that the industry would grow some more.
However, total exports from cocoa stood at $2.213 billion in 2022, a decline from the $2.83 billion recorded in 2021
Speaking at the launch of the 2023 National Chocolate Week, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah further indicated that revenue garnered from the cocoa sector plays a critical role in the economy by stabilising the cedi.
“On the average we’re producing about 700,000 metric tonnes of cocoa per year since 2012. It is estimated that the contribution of cocoa to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will rise to about $4.1 billion by 2025.”
“Cocoa is the third largest foreign earner for the country after gold and crude oil; and revenues from the industry have been on the upward trajectory since 2019. Specifically in 2019, we earned about $2.2 billion, $2.3 billion in 2020, $2.8 billion in 2021 and we’re hoping to grow some more. The cocoa industry is playing a significant role in stabilising the local currency among many other things,” he said.
The National Chocolate Day Celebration was instituted in 2005 to coincide with Valentine’s Day which falls on February 14 every year to boost the domestic consumption of Ghana’s chocolate and other cocoa-based products, promote domestic tourism and give a healthy orientation to the celebration of Valentine’s Day. Chocolate Day celebration was extended into a full week celebration dubbed Chocolate Week in 2022.
Present at the launch, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Emmanuel Ray Ankrah, called for a holistic approach to scrap the 35 % tax on cocoa processing companies.
According to him, this is a disincentive to startups.
“We have realised that some current tax regimes are affecting efforts to get more entrepreneurs into cocoa processing and value addition, especially those who are into small-scale cocoa processing. In order to overcome this challenge, we have initiated discussions at Ghana Cocoa Board with relevant state agencies to review and take a holistic approach to the tax regime that affects artisanal chocolate processors.”
“This is the view of reducing the impact of tax on businesses as a way of cushioning them and make them more competitive,” he intimated.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has pledged its continuous support to the National Chocolate Week celebration.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey said, “We have managed to establish a high degree association between tourism and cocoa based products, one of which is chocolate and positioned it as a veritable component of the Ghana tourism experience. The socio-economic benefits of the increased local consumption of chocolates are many and the Ministry of Tourism will continue to actively support the National Chocolate Week celebration”.
This year’s National Chocolate Week celebration is themed, ‘Eat cocoa, Stay healthy and Grow Ghana’.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has entreated multinational companies opposing the imposition of the ‘back tax’ penalties to do so through legal means.
The authority in recent exercise imposed ‘back tax’ penalties on MTN, Tullow, Goldfields and Kosmos Energy. The companies have all indicated their positions to contest the claims by the GRA.
But answering some questions sent to the GRA by Joy Business, the authority said the companies have the right under the GRA Law to object to the tax imposition, after which the GRA will determine the case in 30 days.
If not satisfied, the authority insists the companies can appeal to the Independent Tax Appeals Board after making 30 percent payment of the surcharged back tax.
“We at the GRA welcome the decisions by some of the multinational companies to contest the back-tax penalties imposed on them. The law allows such remedies through layers of appeal to the GRA”, a source at the GRA told Joy Business.
Per the law, companies that appeal to the Independent Tax Appeals Board are required to make 30 percent payment of the taxes imposed on them.
Background
The GRA in a special auditing exercise has asked some multinational companies to pay millions of dollars in back taxes.
Gold Fields Ltd., Kosmos Energy Ltd. Tullow Oil and MTN Group Ltd were directed to pay back taxes. MTN was asked to pay $773 million while Tullow as ordered to pay $300 million.
It is not clear the fines imposed on Gold Fields and Kosmos.
Some students of the University of Ghana, Legon are helping save the environment through innovative means.
The students from the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, have started converting plastic wastes into three different kinds of fuel.
It is producing petrol, diesel, and gas from plastic waste.
This is done by reprocessing them into high-value fuels and chemicals for households or small running engines.
Professor David Dodoo-Arhin, the Director of the Institute, told the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a five-day workshop on Monday.
The reactor yields three litres of fuel when fed with three kilograms of waste plastic depending on the conditions the waste was subjected to.
“The fuel is up to standard and is usable. We have been cooking with gas and our cars are running the petrol and diesel,” he said
The model, he said, included all the people in the value chain, especially the collectors, and could be a good avenue for job creation for many people.
Prof. Doodo said the project was under the plastics-to-fuel initiative, which started in 2018 with initial funding support from the University of Ghana BANGA Africa seed grant programme.
He said it was followed by two-year funding in 2021, through the University of Ghana Research Fund “multidisciplinary category” and in 2022, another two-year co-funding by the French Embassy’s “FSPI NYANSAPO programme.
Prof. Doodo said the initiative was in line with the Ghana National Plastic Action Partnership to support the public and private sector transition to a plastic circular economy thereby, ensuring sustainable plastic management.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, in a statement delivered on her behalf, said the plastic waste menace continued to pose challenges to the environmental and socioeconomic well-being of the country.
She said there was a need for sustainable waste management systems to help stem the debilitating consequences of plastic waste nationwide.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the 20th Anniversary team of the School of Engineering Sciences and the 75th Anniversary of the University of Ghana.
It was funded by the French Embassy and on the theme: “Strengthening research and innovation capacities in sustainable energy production”.
Mr. Jules Armand Aniambossou, the French Ambassador to Ghana, said ensuring access to higher education and research were high priorities of his country and reiterated the country’s commitment to the project.
He said it was the aim of the French Government to increase the collaboration between the educational institutions of the two countries
through new partnerships, exchanges, joint curricula, double diplomas, joint research programmes, and joint research facilities.
“All these activities and programmes should focus on the priorities of our partner countries and aim at contributing to their development through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Gospel musician, Perpetual Didier, has poohpoohed the post-mortem examination results and further communication put out by the Ghana Police Service that stated that the cause of her brother’s death was Asphyxiation and Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body.
The police, in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, and signed by Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Director, Public Affairs, had said due process was followed in the conduct of the post-mortem.
“On 7th February 2023, a post-mortem examination was conducted on the deceased’s body in the presence of Alfred Boafo, father of the accused, Dr Rosana Polinicio Segborwortso Pathologist of GA East Municipal hospital representing the accused, Mr Francis Xavier Sosu lawyer for the deceased, Louis Melabah Edeafor, uncle of the deceased, Isaac Anim Anno, father of the deceased and Anna Cobbina sister of the deceased.
“The pathologist gave the verbal cause of death as Asphyxiation and Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body. He also retrieved from the throat of the deceased, eight (8) zipped bags containing dry leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs tied in a piece of black polythene.
“The retrieved, suspected narcotic substances tested positive for cannabis when submitted for forensic examination, in the presence of all the interested parties,” the statement read.
However, in her interview with JoyNews, Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Perpetual, clad in all-black attire, vehemently rejected the report and accused the police of attempting to conceal the truth and distort the narrative.
“If they’re saying they’ve done investigations, and that he swallowed weed which is wrapped in rubber and they found eight folded weed inside, I want to ask Ghanaians, is weed okro? Can someone swallow weed with ease? Have they given us a footage of the time he swallowed the weed?” a visibly incensed Perpetual retorted.
According to the musician, attempts to get a medical doctor to represent them during the post-mortem, ended up being an exercise in futility as the police hurriedly facilitated the process before the scheduled time.
“When we went to the morgue together with two MPs, they wanted to start the autopsy and I told them that we need a medical doctor so they should give us a chance to find one which of course we got one who is out of Accra. He gave us his colleague who begged us to tell the police to allow him to come today [Wednesday]…” she recounted.
She also noted that the police later went ahead without the said medical doctor to represent the family.
“Because they didn’t wait for our doctor to come inside the room. I will not accept; my family too says they will not accept whatever they are telling us,” she explained, reiterating her initial comment that the police at the West Hills Mall contributed to the death of her brother, amid serious accusations.
“The police did not include how he was brutalized in their statement; that means they have swept away everything. They’re indicating that it is only the weed that caused his death. It could be that when they took the body to the police morgue, somebody planted the weed inside his throat so that our lawyer [who was with them during the autopsy process] will say he saw weed. They should provide how he was swallowing it,” said Perpetual.
Background
Gospel musician, Perpetual Didier alleged in a viral video that her brother was killed by some police officers.
According to her, the incident happened at the West Hills Mall in Accra on January 30, 2022.
The musician explained that her brother, was brutally assaulted by the uniformed policemen, leading to his untimely death.
NEWS RELEASE:
UPDATE ON POLICE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF SHADRACH ARLOO AT THE WEST HILLS MALL pic.twitter.com/zRRyLviHsg
“Someone should tag the IGP. I need justice for my brother. Tell him that this is a crime one of his men has done to my family by killing my brother. We are all Ghanaians with equal rights and freedom. Why will you use your position to take someone’s life?” she said in her Facebook Live video, amidst tears.
How the incident came about
In her narration, her brother (the deceased) had gone to the West Hills Mall to withdraw money in order to purchase some items intended to be sent to his sister in Germany.
She added that, from what an eyewitness told her, the police demanded that her brother hand over his bag to be searched, but he refused.
This then led to the police officer getting agitated and then hitting and pushing him to the ground.
Perpetual added that her brother fell to the ground and hit his head on the floor, breaking his neck in the process.
He is said to have lost consciousness, at which time the police officer tased the motionless man on the floor.
It is believed that this worsened the state the young man was already in, leading to his death.
Convener of the Individual bondholders’ Forum, Senyo Hosi, has described as illegal and unethical pressure from the government compelling banks to force customers into accepting the domestic debt exchange programme.
According to him, banks are under pressure to coerce their customers to sign onto the programme for the government to achieve its target for participation.
“Unfortunately on the market, we see some conducts that are unethical and also illegal. We see pressure coming from different quarters compelling banks to try and force customers to try and tender or accept the DDE, that is illegal, that is unethical and immoral,” he was quoted by citinewsroom.com.
He added that “the risk of that is that tomorrow the same customer will come and say he accepted that under duress. Who is really going to take responsibility for that?”
Senyo Hosi, therefore, bemoaned the government’s unilateral posture concerning suggestions that have been made concerning the programme.
“Up until now, we have essentially seen only unilateral proposals. None of the conversations that were entered into by the technical committee between the government and the individual bondholders has reflected. All the proposals that we made that we talked about almost 83 billion cedis, none has been discussed by the government,” he argued.
The Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei-Asare, has stated that so far, the government has about a 50% participation rate as far as the debt exchange programme is concerned.
This is away from the intended 80% participation rate for the successful start of the programme.
“As of yesterday, when we decided to extend and grant that administrative window, we had done above 50 percent,” she was quoted by citinewsroom.com
Afia Schwarzenegger has reacted to the autopsy report of the young man who was allegedly brutalized to death at the West Hills Mall, Kasoa.
Earlier, reports stated that Shadrach Arloo (the deceased), was scheduled to travel to Germany on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, but 24 hours before that journey, he had an encounter with a policeman and private security personnel that resulted in his death.
He was allegedly beaten and tased to death by one of the said men, according to some eyewitnesses.
Following the incident, the family of the deceased, specifically his ‘grief stricken’ sister Perpetual Didier, had taken to social media on several occasions to demand justice.
However, in the latest update, the police have released a statement that provides a different twist to what allegedly led to his death.
They shared the results of a pathology examination on social media that disclosed that Shadrach Arloo was choked by narcotics found in a black polythene bag.
“On 7th February 2023, a post-mortem examination was conducted on the deceased’s body in the presence of Alfred Boafo, father of the accused, Dr Rosana Polinicio Segborwortso Pathologist of GA East Municipal hospital representing the accused, Mr Francis Xavier Sosu lawyer for the deceased, Louis Melabah Edeafor, uncle of the deceased, Isaac Anim Anno, father of the deceased and Anna Cobbina sister of the deceased.
“The pathologist gave the verbal cause of death as Asphyxiation and Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body. He also retrieved from the throat of the deceased, eight (8) zipped bags containing dry leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs tied in a piece of black polythene. The retrieved, suspected narcotic substances tested positive for cannabis when submitted for forensic examination, in the presence of all the interested parties,” parts of the statement read.
This development has since stirred massive reactions from netizens including some individuals who have sensed foul play.
Afia Schwarzenegger, who also habours doubts about the pathology report, left some remarks under UTV’s post, where the police’s press statement was spotted.
“What a story!!” she wrote with laughing emojis attached.
Participation in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme is steadily progressing according to the Finance Ministry.
According to Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei-Asare, the government so far has about a 50% participation rate as far as the debt exchange programme is concerned.
This is away from the intended 80% participation rate for the successful start of the programme.
“As of yesterday, when we decided to extend and grant that administrative window, we had done above 50 percent,” she was quoted by citinewsroom.com
However, the government has acknowledged bondholders who have signed on to the programme, whiles encouraging those who are yet to sign on to do so before the new February 10, deadline.
The Finance minister had earlier stated that the February 7, deadline was the final deadline but made a U-turn on the night of February 7 to issue another deadline due to “technical difficulties”.
The press statement said the bondholders encountered “technical glitches as they tried to complete the online tender process.
“As a result, the government is providing bondholders with a window to complete processes for tendering their bonds, in response to the terms of Exchange as amended pursuant to the 2nd Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum. This window ends on Friday, 10th February 2023 at 4:00 p.m. (GMT),” the Finance Ministry announced in a statement signed by Ken Ofori-Atta.
A-2,000 metric tons Warehouse, constructed under the government’s One-District-One (1D1F) Warehouse project has been handed over to the Techiman Municipal Assembly.
The warehouse at Nkwaeso was handed over by LEDing Construction Ghana Limited.
It has rest and washrooms, laboratory and offices, and in-house fabricated grain warehouses with other axillary facilities that would store and process maize, rice, beans and groundnuts and other grains.
Mr Benjamin Yaw Gyarko, the Techiman Municipal Chief Executive said the facility would motivate farmers to produce more, saying farmers could now access the facility to store and even process stuff.
He said with the facility, food security in the municipality would be guaranteed, indicating that as a business hub, the facility would also provide the opportunity for other traders who sell at the Techiman Central market to store their produce there.
Mr Gyarko expressed the hope that the warehouse would promote business and local trade to improve the local economy.
Mr James Adu, the Techiman Municipal Director of Agriculture lauded the government’s One-District-One-Warehouse initiative, which would help address post-harvest losses during bumper harvest.
Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG) is resisting government’s proposed 20 percent excise tax on sweetened fruit juice, spirits, and water.
The group wants government to withdraw the proposed excise tax on the aforementioned products since it can aggravate challenges in the Manufacturing sector.
as that can aggravate challenges in the Manufacturing sector.
“Manufacturers are already laboring under staggering multiple taxes, which has led to a massive decline in sales and are surprised that, instead of Government lessening these taxes, they rather decided to increase same”.
This was in their petition signed by Samuel Stop Aggrey, Executive Secretary of FABAG to Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and copied to Parliamentary Committees of Trade and Finance.
The statement added: “It has come to our attention that the Minister of Finance has presented a proposal to the Parliament of Ghana to increase the excise duty on existing excised products and introduce the same on new products including sweetened beverages and fruit juices.
It said the Minister for Finance, explained that the purpose of the Bill was to among other objectives amend Act 878 to implement the ECOWAS Directive on the harmonization of excise duties and raise revenue to mitigate the harmful effects of excisable products.
The statement said although the manufacturing sector catered for about 35 per cent of the direct private labour force in the country, they were not consulted for their opinion on the potential effects and impact of the proposed tax on the industry.
“The Government just increased VAT by 2.5 per cent from 12.5% to 15% just last December in the Budget. Electricity and water tariffs effective 1st February, 2023 have also been increased by 30% and 48% respectively for industry.
“The 30% discount we used to enjoy on raw materials imports have also been withdrawn. While we are yet to recover from these massive shocks, the Ministry of Finance has without any consideration to the plight of industry tabled this Bill to again increase excise duties which will definitely snowball the anticipated price increases by manufacturers”.
The statement said apart from Nigeria which introduced excise duty on sweetened beverages and fruit juices in 2021 amidst fierce opposition, no other ECOWAS country had excise duty on sweetened beverages and fruit juices.
“Even the rate in Nigeria translates to 2.4% on Ex-Factory and not 20% as being proposed in the Bill. The inclusion in the reasoning that sugar consumption is harmful hence the introduction of the duty is untenable and cannot be justified. For instance, when one looks at the World per Capita Consumption of sugar, Africa has the lowest of 15.3% and Ghana has 11.3%. The world’s average is 22.8. Evidently, the assertion that sugar consumption in Ghana is high thereby influencing introduction of excise duty on sweetened beverages and juices cannot be correct. Ghana’s sugar consumption ranks a low 124th out of 161 countries being tracked”.
The statement said the sweetened drinks were mainly patronized by children and as such any further increase in prices because of added taxes would make them totally not affordable.
The bare fact is that Government needs money, which we admit, but increasing taxes on already highly priced products would compel manufacturers to increase prices of their products which could lower patronage and lay off workers.
“Many of us in this sector are already considering our workforce under this high tax regime and will be forced to shut down if this proposed tax is passed by parliament due to its anticipated rippling effects on industry and when this happens, the economy may lose massively in terms of SSNIT, PAYE, Electricity and water bills payments, Salaries, withholding taxes and all other contributions that we make to the State. Indeed, we cannot wait for the woes of a pending social and economic disaster, when we can prevent it from happening.
“Mr. Speaker, it is our sincere plea that, you consider our prayer and halt the passage of this bill for further deliberations. We are available for further deliberations.”
The beautiful Ghanaian couple has gone viral with their plush wedding videos. The calm and radiant northern bride dressed modestly and stylishly for her lavish traditional wedding which has gone viral on social media.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen wore easily spotted as they rocked matching outfits and shoes for the grandiose event.
The dazzling bride’s first look
The wealthy northern couple looked regal in their matching kente colours for their traditional wedding.
The bride left us awestruck with her well-detailed beaded gown and ‘gele’ style. The melanin bride wore mild makeup to compliment her sleek look.
Some social media users have commented on the bride’s elegant look
akatasia_couture
Look at modesty hahh
sherry_cooco
Omg this is beautiful ❤️❤️❤️
omohlaraeni
Is the modesty for me
lamisi_1
Northerners are beautiful ❤️❤️
timewithzipporah
Wow! Decently beautiful!
agyeiwaacrentsil
What a beautiful bride
The young gorgeous bride’s second look
The bride looked radiant in a blue corseted gown styled with matching bridal gele. The beaded gown was also designed with unique embroidery designs from the hips to the shoe level.
An elderly Ghanaian woman living abroad is trending on TikTok after a video of her lamenting about money owed by a deceased person surfaced online.
In the footage sighted by YEN.com.gh on the TikTok handle of @madleyappiah, the woman looks angry and asks her kids not to film her because she is not in the mood.
Asked why she looked so sad, the elderly woman said she had just learnt that a man who owed her money had just died.
The woman said her debtor owed her €3,000, equivalent to GH¢39,000 cedis. She wondered how she would get the money now that the man had died.
She added that the man’s death doesn’t bother her as much as losing her money under the guise of bad debt.
“I am crying because of my money, as for death, everyone will die, it we those alive now that matter” she said with a straight face.”
Netizens who saw the video laughed off the woman’s gesture with some saying she was right because losing such a massive amount under such circumstances must be painful.
Netizens share their thoughts
At the time of writing the report, the video had raked in over 9000 likes and 400 comments.
Shaweddy commented:
I love Ghanaian parents
Kwasi said:
She’s thinking about her money and not the dead man gangsta mama right there lol.
Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has entreated Ghanaians to consume and process more cocoa.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch of this year’s National Chocolate Week Celebrations in Accra on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, Mr Nkrumah said while continuing with efforts to boost domestic production of cocoa, it is important to take advantage of this year’s celebration to step up efforts to increase processing of cocoa locally.
“One of the ways to do this is to guarantee the light crop for the local producers so that they do not have to buy the main crop for domestic processing. As we know, the main crop is comparatively more expensive. If we are serious about boosting local production then we must move quickly to ensure that local processors are able to fully meet their bean needs from the light crop,” he said.
Mr. Nkrumah charged COCOBOD to use policy instruments to ensure that financing support is provided for domestic processors.
“The financial sector should be incentivized to provide financing for the domestic processors using the cocoa beans as security and escrowing into an account of the off-takers. The challenge of financing domestic processors will be lightened via this channel,” he added.
He said although the incentives offered by the Ghana Free Zones Authority are endearing enough to attract more domestic processors, they aren’t well known. These incentives should be better highlighted by the Free Zones Authority and COCOBOD to attract more processors to set up in the freezones area and then process.
On the matter of stimulating domestic consumption of cocoa products, Mr. Nkrumah suggested the following:
“We need to promote more chocolatiers to join the value chain. The more domestic chocolatiers and nuanced products there are on the local market, the better our chances of deepening the local taste and demand. The red carpet of incentives as we would give a foreign direct investor should be rolled out for local chocolatiers as well.”
“Secondly, the thirty-five percent (35%) tax on butter and liquor (raw materials for chocolatiers) should be re-considered. This will make it less expensive to finance operations. It will also make the final products more affordable on the market.”
“And finally, we should support initiatives across Africa to stimulate consumption among school children. Sectors of our economy making super profits can be encouraged to finance such initiatives which will serve as an investment for the growth of a future market in Africa for our cocoa.”
The core purpose of the Chocolate Week Celebration is to promote local consumption of chocolate and other cocoa-based products among others.
The Information Minister who is also the MP for Ofoase Ayirebi praised stakeholders on the cocoa value chain for their respective roles in working to build a robust cocoa economy.
The National Chocolate Day Celebration was instituted in 2005 to coincide with Valentine’s Day which falls on 14th February every year to boost the domestic consumption of Ghana chocolate and other cocoa-based products among others. What used to be a day celebration, was transformed into a week-long celebration in 2022 due to the numerous benefits the country stands to gain if the cocoa industry is nationally promoted.
Convener for the Individual Bondholders Forum, Senyo Hosi, do not want to commit any blunders with the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) that will ultimately lead to their doom in the future.
According to him, individuals are better off than signing up for the new offer the government wants them to sign onto.
Government has given a three-day window for bondholders to complete tender processes as part of the controversial domestic debt exchange programme.
The deadline for signing up for the programme expired today, Tuesday, February 7, 2023, but government in a late-night press statement said some of the bondholders faced “technical glitches as they tried to complete the online tender process” hence the window to enable such persons to complete the process.
“As a result, government is providing bondholders with a window to complete processes for tendering their bonds, in response to the terms of Exchange as amended pursuant to the 2nd Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum. This window ends on Friday, 10th February 2023 at 4:00 p.m. (GMT),” the Finance Ministry announced in a statement signed by sector minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Commenting on the DDEP on the Morning Starr with Francis Abban, Mr. Senyo Hosi however welcomed the assurance by the Finance Minister that he will honor the old bonds.
“There are variations that clearly indicate that individuals are better off with the old bond than taking on the new bond. The challenge really has to do with legal structure when the government is taking immunity from the execution of judgment using assets that belong to the State. You can get judgment against the government but you can’t enforce it, you will surely be at the mercy of the government.
“In this highly polarized environment you realize that the current offer for individuals will expire because the payment is due beyond the tenure of this government. The next government comes in and can give you a thousand and one excuse and keep rescheduling it and you can’t do anything about it,” Mr. Hosi stated.
He continued: “But with the old agreement they are obliged to honor because there are enforcing rights to the old agreement. Unlike institutions like banks that have the Central Bank to protect their interest, individuals have nothing. We will be subject of oppression of our own government.”
Ghana spent a total of GHS 6.8billion (equivalent to US$560 million at current market rates) on rice imports last year.
This is according to data from IDH Sustainable Trade, a foundation headquartered in The Netherlands.
While total rice consumption stood at 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2022, imports valued at US$560 million accounted for 800,000 metric tonnes (mt) of the consumption figure, with domestic production catering for the remaining demand – according to data from IDH Sustainable Trade, a foundation headquartered in The Netherlands.
Similarly, according to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, between 2010 and 2020 the country’s rice imports hit a staggering US$8billion. This, in addition to imports of other food items that can be produced locally, has been a major source of concern for stakeholders.
This high dependence on imports of food staples like rice, despite vast untapped domestic potential, however comes with ramifications for the cedi and local job prospects, warns Country Director for IDH, Robert Asugre.
Just like many other industry watchers and economists, Mr. Asugre is of the view that rising consumption of the grain presents huge opportunities for real value creation and jobs if the right investments and policies on local production are prioritised.
“The rice value chain in Ghana, when supported, will lead to increased commercialisation and improved production of high quality and quantities that are competitive,” he said. This, he added, will help to reduce the impact of rice imports on the economy.
Mr. Asugre spoke on the sidelines of the National Rice Fair held in Walewale in the North-East Region, and called for greater commitments from government and the private sector to ease the import burden on the economy of rice and other foodstuffs which can be produced locally.
Buttressing his point, he said northern parts of the country alone, for instance, have potential to meet the rice needs of Ghanaians if the right investments into infrastructure – including irrigation systems, milling machines and storage facilities as well as suitable policies – can be put in place.
He added that the result of such investments will have far-reaching impacts on the economy, as it will retain value within as well as creating sustainable jobs for the country’s teeming youth.
Rice has become the second staple food consumed in the country after maize, with production increasing from 48,800mt in 1970 to 925,000mt in 2019; growing at an average annual rate of 9 percent, according to the Food and Agriculture Ministry.
Though the figures depict high potential for growth in local production, challenges including access to finance, skilled labour, shortage of combine harvesters, milling machines and storage infrastructure continuously threaten the crop’s production.
Though one of the first countries in the sub-region to launch the National Rice Development Strategy, challenges still persist – with Ghana having already missed out on its local rice production agenda as part of the Coalition for African Rice Development policy.
That strategy, which was unveiled in May 2008 as the National Rice Development Strategy for the period 2009-2018, aimed at increasing domestic production up to 70 percent and promoting consumption through quality improvement, targetting both local and international markets.
The strategy ended almost four years ago, albeit rather achieving an opposite figure of 70 percent imports with the Ghanaian consuming public still largely dependent on imported rice brands.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been summoned by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to appear before the House on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
This followed calls for some exemptions from government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) by some Members of Parliament (MPs).
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Tuesday, February 7 endorsed a call from both sides of parliament for the minister to brief the House on the policy statement and issues emerging since its introduction.
According to him, this should be treated as an urgent matter by Mr. Ofori-Atta, particularly in the wake of protests by pensioners at the Ministry of Finance.
“Honourable Members, my understanding is that both sides agree that the Minister be scheduled to come and brief the House on the policy statement and some details about the debt arrangement …Parliament has spoken that is the end of the case,” the Speaker said.
“Parliament is ever prepared to assist the government to get out of this quagmire. So, what I can say now is that parliament has spoken and that is the end of it. The Minister must be scheduled by the business committee as early as possible because this is an urgent matter because the pensioners are picketing at the Ministry.
“We need to do this as quickly as possible. Business Committee should schedule the Minister to appear before the house for a brief on the state of affairs,” he added.
He proposed 14th February, 2023 for the appearance of the Minister.
Background:
The Pensioner Bondholders Forum has asked the government to exempt them entirely from the debt exchange programme.
The bondholders’ demand comes after the new terms the government has introduced after various consultations with stakeholders.
Wielding placards whiles picketing the Finance Ministry on February 6, 2023, the bondholders insisted that until a meeting is granted them and a resolution is given to their plea, they would picket the premises every day.
According to the group, attempts to have their investment exempted from the programme have proved futile reason for their decision to picket at the Finance Ministry until their demands are met.
The deadline for the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme has been extended to Tuesday, February 10, 2023.
A man has confessed to contacting a hit man with the intention of murdering a 14-year-old in exchange for $20,000 in Bitcoin.
The New Jersey man admitted he paid a hit man $20,000 in bitcoin to kill a 14-year-old boy in an effort to prevent him from testifying in his child sex abuse case, NBC News reports.
31-year-old John Michael Musbach pleaded guilty in Camden federal court last week to an indictment that charged him with hiring a killer online. He pleaded guilty to “one count of knowingly and intentionally using and causing another to use a facility of interstate and foreign commerce, that is the internet, with the intent that a murder be committed,” per the press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
Musbach was initially accused of exchanging sexually explicit material with a victim who was 13 during the summer of 2015. According to prosecutors, the victim’s parents learned of the exchange and alerted authorities. Musbach was identified by police in March 2016, and was arrested on child pornography charges following a search warrant on his home in Galloway, New Jersey.
As the criminal case was pending, Musbach attempted to hire the killer through the use of cryptocurrency. Between May 7 to May 20 in 2016, he “repeatedly communicated with the administrator of a murder-for-hire website” on the dark web. “Musbach asked if a 14-year-old was too young to target, and upon hearing that the age was not a problem, paid approximately 40 bitcoin (approximately $20,000 at the time) for the hit,” the release reads.
The administrator of the website was contacted by Musbach multiple times, who was asking when the hit would happen. The admin then asked for $5,000 more, and Musbach attempted to cancel the transaction in an attempt to get a refund. They revealed to him that the site was a scam, and said they would reveal his attempt to hire a killer to authorities.
Musbach is currently facing a potential decade behind bars, and a fine of $250,000. He is set to be sentenced on June 13.
“Mr. Musbach decided to put this matter behind him and accepted his responsibility without a trial,” said his attorney Rocco C. Cipparone. “The more limited sentencing range negotiated in this plea agreement appropriately limits Mr. Musbach’s sentencing exposure for reasons which will be expounded upon at sentencing. We now look forward to putting forth in context at sentencing, detailed mitigating information, and positive information, about Mr. Musbach.”
Ghanaian hip hop artist, Mohammed Ismail Sherif known professionally known as Black Sherif has gained reactions of many social media users related to his preferred outfit worn for a scheduled video shoot of Sarkodie and Black Sherif’s Country side.
Country Side is listed on as the sixth song and the fifth featured song on Sarkodie’s recently released album JAMZ, with Black Sherif being the third featured artist on the album after King Promise and Cina Soul.
Blacko, in a photo, was spotted in a marine blue t –shirt and a knee-ripped vintage trousers accompanied with blue and white colored sneakers, accessorized with a couple of silver chains on his neck; a couple of rings and bracelets on both his left and right arm.
Netizens after seeing Ghana’s rap land Lord, Sarkodie who was also spotted in a tortilla-colored shirt with matching pants accompanied with black and white colored shoes and accessorized with dark shades and golden armlets, could easily figure out the Country Side based agenda.
A video circulating on social media captures the two industry players behind the scenes of Country Side visuals whetting the appetites of fans and admirers for the video of the featured banger.
“Yo Country Side BTS; K.K Rasta x Land Lord; A strange matter over on this side.” Black Sherrif exclaimed.
“Are you watching?”, a question he posed to anticipators. His finger gestures in the video acknowledged the presence of a thrilled Sarkodie inquiring of fans’ readiness for the video and casually barred one of his famous mantras. “You guys ready? You already know what time it is.” he stated.
Snoop Dogg is distressed over his lack of Grammy wins despite several nominations.
On Monday, one day after the 2023 edition of the Recording Academy’s annual ceremony, Snoop shared an Instagram post highlighting a list of fellow rap artists’ career wins, including Jay-Z (who has 24 Grammy trophies to his name) and Kendrick Lamar (who has 17).
“20 nominations. O wins,” Snoop wrote in the caption alongside a trio of emoji.
A number of fans and fellow artists subsequently hopped into the comments to express their disbelief, including Jamie Foxx.
“You deserve that [and] more my G!” Foxx said.
Image via Snoop Dogg on InstagramImage via Snoop Dogg on Instagram
To be clear, the Recording Academy says that Snoop has received 16 nominations throughout his prolific run of releases. The most recent of these nominations was for Snoop’s involvement in Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly. At this Sunday’s ceremony, Kendrick took home the Best Rap Album award for his latest release, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.
This isn’t the first time Snoop has pointed out his lack of Grammys. Just last year, for example, he shared an IG update in which he blithely told that year’s nominees to “have fun” at the ceremony while noting his numerous winless nominations.
Ahead of this year’s broadcast, Snoop performed as part of the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective event in honor of Dr. Dre. Others honored at the pre-Grammys party included Missy Elliott and Lil Wayne.
The Lynx and EMPIRE signee Kwabena Kidi was speaking at the +44 show on Amazon Music when he said this.
“This year [2023], the album is coming,” he assured his fans. “I’m working on it. [It’s] like 60 percent done,” he revealed.
The singer’s debut album, ‘Sugar’, was released in 2019. It packed multiple hits like: ‘Gyal Dem Sugar’, ‘Sugar Daddy’ featuring Mr Eazi, ‘Come Thru’ featuring Stonebwoy, ‘Thunder’, ‘Adiepena’ and others.
In 2021, he released his sophomore: ‘The Golden Boy’, which housed hits such as the viral ‘Touch It’, ‘Mon Bebe’ and ‘Spiritual’ featuring Kuami Eugene & Patoranking.
Dennis ‘KiDi’ Dwamena also informed +44 that his favourite songs to play in his car currently are Black Sherif’s ’45’, Asake’s ‘Terminator’ and Sarkodie’s ‘Country Side’ featuring Black Sherif.
Concerning ’45’, he commented: “It’s just a spiritual song to me.” He also mentioned his upcoming North American tour as well, and prayed “again to Sky Daddy who’s listening [that] this year we want an elevation.” Check out dates for the Ghanaian Afrobeats/Highlife superstars North American tour dates below:
After a thrilling three weeks of end-to-end action in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 in Algeria, the CAF Technical Study Group has compiled the best starting line-up of the whole tournament. As expected, the team is predominantly comprised of Senegalese and Algerian players who inspired their teams to the final of the CHAN seventh edition as well as the debuting Malagasy players that were the talk of the town.
The winning formula here is a modern-day 4-3-3 setup.
GOALKEEPER: Pape Sy (Senegal)
Standing tall within the goalposts with confidence and an authoritative aura about him, Sy was exceptional for the Local Teranga Lions throughout the tournament.
The Generation Foot custodian kept five clean sheets conceding only once against Uganda in their second Group B tie before playing a crucial role in the final against hosts Algeria in a tense penalty shootout.
Sy denied the tournament’s highest goal scorer Aimen Mahious who attempted the Panenka from 12 yards to secure the CHAN title to Senegal – literally.
RIGHT BACK: Mamadou Sané (Senegal)
Sané was one of the most influential players for the Senegalese outfit in this competition. The 19-year-old Teungueth de Rufisque star provided defensive cover for the Lions of Teranga while also showcasing impressive attacking prowess upfront to supply the forward line with passes, especially to talisman Papa Amadou Diallo.
RIGHT CENTRAL DEFENDER: Ayoub Abdellaoui (Algeria)
Shining throughout this CHAN, the “Cobtan” (note: captain in Arabic) of the Desert Foxes was a thorn in the neck of opposing forwards. His tackles were timely, and careful and he fought for every second ball. He had a superior aerial presence that was key to Algeria’s defense that saw them become the first team in the history of the tournament to keep six clean sheets.
LEFT CENTRAL DEFENDER: Chouaïb Keddad (Algeria)
Keddad rewarded Bougherra for the confidence he showed in naming him in the CHAN squad. He was dominant in duels with opposing players and was consistent throughout the whole tournament. He communicated well with Abdellaoui and this was very visible, especially against Ethiopia and Niger. The 29-year-old CR Belouizdad star is the complete central defender.
LEFT BACK: Cheick Sidibé (Senegal)
In a Senegalese team where defensive rigour is a decisive aspect of Pape Thiaw’s game plan, the strength of the Teungueth player was his ability to balance his defensive and attacking contributions to the team. A decisive passer against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d’Ivoire, he was able to contain the attacks of his opponents very well too.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: Lamine Camara (Senegal)
A new star is born! For someone who was playing in his first CHAN tournament, Camara came off as one who had been on this stage in the past. He was at the heart of the Local Teranga Lions doing everything you need in a player in this role.
He gave Thiaw’s team a soul on a journey that earned the native of Tivaouane fans in Algeria and across the world – social media platforms can attest to that. He was consistent in every game for Senegal and for his age – a 19-year-old playing like that, Camara was extraordinary. He is the ultimate revelation of this tournament.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: Houssem Mrezigue (Algeria)
Some will say that Mrezigue was the revelation of the tournament, but others will say that his performances were a confirmation of what has been long known at least in the past year since his incredible performance as Algeria won the FIFA Arab Cup in December 2021 in Qatar.
The CR Belouizdad player shone in the midfield of the Desert Foxes. A great craftsman who understood the assignment. He pressed when his team did not have the ball and when he won it back, he orchestrated the team’s counterattacks.
His prowess was seen clearly in the semi-final against Niger when he walked away with the TotalEnergies Man-of-the-Match Award following Algeria’s 5-0 victory.
Dax, as he is nicknamed, excelled in keeping the ball. His deflection on the Malagasy opener against Ghana is just one example of all his fabulous tactical awareness at this tournament. He was very valuable in recovery by putting pressure on the opposing midfielders as the Mozambicans can testify in the quarter-finals. Dax distinguished himself by a sensational technical quality as well which allowed him to make all the Malagasy supporters dream and some called him the “Messi” of the Big Island.
RIGHT WINGER: Solomampionona Razafindranaivo Koloina (Madagascar)
The future of Barea upfront in attack is stunning. Playing at his first CHAN, Koloina was so good that he was signed by Algerian outfit MC Alger.
As the second-highest scorer at the tournament with three goals, the Malagasy is the go-to man of his team. At 22, Koloina has everything from a great, silky touch on the ball to an unparalleled vision of the game and an ability to withstand pressure.
LEFT WINGER: Papa Diallo (Senegal)
At only 19 years old, the Generation Foot player dazzled his skills at this CHAN with his acceleration. The Senegalese number 10 fascinated all with his leadership, especially his ability to lead his side’s attacking moves. Ultra-important in recovery through his pressing and counter-pressing, Diallo was also effective defensively.
FORWARD: Aimen Mahious (Algeria)
Brilliant and impressive, these two words describe Aimen Mahious very well. Top scorer in the competition with five goals, his brace against Niger will remain one of the highlights of this tournament. His missed penalty in the final against Senegal in no way belittles his achievements at the continental tournament.
Khaled said this to a media personality while on the Grammys red carpet on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
The record producer and disk jockey was asked who he would like to work with currently.
Having mentioned legendary rapper Andre 3000, the music mogul quickly and ecstatically added: “I want to work with Tems. I want to do something special with her. I really want to work her. I love her. I love her energy. I love what she’s about. I love her music and I love how pure and real she is.”
He met Tems thereafter and jabbered in excitement.
“Yo, I’m your biggest fan. I don’t know if you know it,” DJ Khaled said holding Tems’ hands and taking a bow. “No, really,” he stressed and informed the star singer that he had just spent “20 minutes straight” talking about her in an interview.
After telling her, “I love you,” he asked for a hug. That done, he exclaimed to Billboard on the red carpet that: “I just met Tems. She’s my favourite. She’s amazing.”
Tems was featured on fellow Nigerian Wizkid’s ‘Essence’. The remix featuring Justin Bieber won the Best Collaboration trophy at the 2022 BET Awards to become the first African song to win in a major category at the BETs.
In October 2022, Rihanna praised Tems for her writing skills on her comeback piece for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack; ‘Lift Me Up’.
On Sunday, at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, USA, she became the first Nigerian female musician to win a Grammy when ‘Wait For U’ on which she and Drake were featured by Future was declared the winner for the Best Melodic Rap Performance award.
Chief Executive Officer of defunct UT Bank Prince Kofi Amoabeng has disclosed that Sarkodie is his friend because he was brought up well.
He says the Sark Natives boss is a great personality who is humble.
Kofi Amoabeng who was speaking on Accra-based OKAY FM said comparatively, Sarkodie is different.
“He is a great guy I must say and he is one of the guys who was brought up properly, he respects old age, parenthood and things like that.
“He came to me we decided to do tours in the Universities again on the same note of trying to give hope to the students and things like that.
“We used to call it X mentor, so we went on about three or four campuses and then we spent time together. Evening outings, in my house, at his parties, so Sarkodie is a very good friend. Sark all the way,” he said.
A sex scandal probe has resulted in the dismissal of five other officers, including La Vergne Police Chief Burrel “Chip” Davis, NBC affiliate WSMV-TV reports.
An outside investigator confirmed that Davis was aware of some of the actions, in which officer Maegan Hall allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with fellow officers Patrick Magliocco, Larry Holladay, Juan Lugo-Perez, Sgt. Lewis Powell, Sgt. Ty McGowan, and Det. Seneca Shields.
“The third-party investigator concluded Davis was aware of the sexual misconduct within his department and never reported or disciplined any of the officers involved,” the release stated. “The conclusion also states that Davis impeded the initial investigation into sexual misconduct, ‘contrary to City policy and permitted – if not encouraged – conduct potentially contrary to state and federal law.’”
Deputy Chief Brent Hatcher has been named as interim chief of police, according to WSMV.
Davis is now the sixth Lavergne police officer that’s been fired over the scandal. Officers Maegan Hall, Juan Lugo‐Perez, Henry Ty McGowan, Lewis Powell and Seneca Shields were all fired in early January.
“There aren’t words to describe the disappointment and frustration felt by myself and other city leaders. Officers are held to a higher standard, even more so is their chief,” Mayor Jason Cole said in a statement, per WSMV.
“We take the health, safety, and well-being of every employee at La Vergne extremely seriously, and a culture similar to the one uncovered in these investigations is not acceptable,” Cole added. “We will continue to do what needs to be done in order to do what’s right for our officers, our city employees, and our community.”
The Speaker suggested Tuesday, 14th February, 2023 for the briefing.
According to him, Parliament is ever prepared to help government to come out from the quagmire. Therefore it is necessary for the programme to be presented before the House.
“Honourable Members, my understanding is that both sides agree that the Minister be scheduled to come and brief the House on the policy statement and some details about the debt arrangement …Parliament has spoken that is the end of the case,” he said.
He added that pensioners picketing at the Finance Ministry make it an urgent matter.
This follows weeks of agitations by individual bondholders and pensioners who are all up in arms against the policy and urging the government to exempt them.
Prior to the directive, the North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga raised concerns on the floor insisting Parliament must approve of the details of the exchange programme before implementation.
According to Mr Ablakwa, he is disappointed that the programme was not added to the business statement for the week Parliament reconvened.
In light of this development, he called for the Minister to appear before Parliament.
“Mr Speaker, I appeal to you respectfully to instruct that the Minster for Finance appears before us, so that we have a full briefing, and we can debate this matter,” he pleaded.
The Bawku Central MP added that Article 181 clause 3 of the 1992 Constitution is clear that “this [DDEP] is borrowing on behalf of the state and section 55 and 56 of the Public Financial Management Act 2016 is also very clear that this is borrowing, adding that “the terms and conditions of the borrowing ordinarily must be laid before the House and must be approved by a resolution of this House.”
He stated that not only did the Finance Minister miss out on that, but he went ahead to define his own terms to negotiate with bondholders with terms and conditions that have not been approved by the House.
But, Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei-Asare responded to the concerns of the MPs.
She insisted that the broad policy underpinning the exchange programme has been approved by the House in the 2023 budget, but explained that the House had not been briefed because of the recess.
“Last week when we met the leadership of the Business Committee of the House, we mentioned that once Parliament comes through, we will come and brief the House on how far and steps that we have taken to get to where we are,” she added.
Despite this explanation, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin directed Minister for Finance Ken Ofori-Atta to cause to be laid the details of the programme before the House and make a presentation on same to MPs.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been called before parliament to answer questions surrounding the impact of the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) on pensioners and to discuss possible solutions to ease their financial burden.
Speaker of the House, Alban Bagbin, on Tuesday, February 7, urged the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to meet with lawmakers to address the policy statement that has yielded mixed results since its introduction and to take immediate action in light of the recent demonstrations by senior citizens at the Ministry of Finance.
“Honourable Members, my understanding is that both sides agree that the Minister be scheduled to come and brief the House on the policy statement and some details about the debt arrangement …Parliament has spoken that is the end of the case,” the Speaker said.
“Parliament is ever prepared to assist the government to get out of this quagmire. So, what I can say now is that parliament has spoken and that is the end of it. The Minister must be scheduled by the business committee as early as possible because this is an urgent matter because the pensioners are picketing at the Ministry.
“We need to do this as quickly as possible. Business Committee should schedule the Minister to appear before the house for a brief on the state of affairs,” he added.
He proposed 14th February, 2023 for the appearance of the Minister.
Background
The Pensioner Bondholders Forum has asked the government to exempt them entirely from the debt exchange programme.
The bondholders’ demand comes after the new terms the government has introduced after various consultations with stakeholders.
Wielding placards whiles picketing the Finance Ministry on February 6, 2023, the bondholders insisted that until a meeting is granted them and a resolution is given to their plea, they would picket the premises every day.
According to the group, attempts to have their investment exempted from the programme have proved futile reason for their decision to picket at the Finance Ministry until their demands are met.
The deadline for the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme has been extended to Tuesday, February 10, 2023.
Nana Yaa (Nayas) stayed in Germany with her husband, Nana Sarfo Kantanka, for eighteen months after selling her belongings to foot her travel expenses although she was unsure why she married him. While the Ghanaian actress and singer kept her hopes high, the narrative turned sour four months into the marriage.
“I regretted it after four months because my Visa was for just three months. About a week to its expiration, I began having regrets but I was hopeful things would turn around.
“When I cast my mind back to the time I was in Ghana, how I was able to eat what I wanted and survived as an independent woman who even took care of my family, I realized I had made a mistake. No help was underway so I decided to stay,” she told Deloris Frimpong Manso on The Delay Show in the Twi language.
With a determination to make it, Nayas started working as a cleaner. While she did that, her husband discouraged her from dressing nicely as he insisted cleaners were not to wear fancy or attractive clothes, she claimed.
Nayas recalled becoming the breadwinner of the nuclear family after her husband fell ill and despite making money from her daily struggles, she had no right to “even buy sanitary pads” without his approval.
“We relied on my salary. Even with that, I never touched it without his consent. A number of people gave me money but whenever they did, he took hold of it,” she claimed in the interview monitored by GhanaWeb.
On why her husband sacked her from the house, Nayas said that was her reward for complaining about the manner she was treated.
She said: “He ordered me not to talk to anybody. He claimed all the women are depressed and none of the men is of good behavior so he was the only one I should be engaging. I got bored sometimes.”
“He complained I was disturbing him whenever I played songs on my phone, it was more like I had to sleep even when I was not sleepy. I go out to work and when I’m back, I must sleep. It was frustrating and when I complained, he sacked me.”
According to her, she was sacked on four occasions. In one of the instances, she reported her husband to the police with the hope that he would change but that was an exercise in futility.
“When he sacked me for the first time, I went to the police station. I didn’t go there to report him; I thought they’d bring me home so he wouldn’t sack me again. But they told me it’s not done in Germany,” she narrated.
She mentioned that the police officers told her “That, if he angrily sacked me, nothing good could be guaranteed when I go back. So, they gave me accommodation and I spent about three days there. He later came and begged me so I went back. He sacked me on four occasions.”
Nayas got married to Nana Sarfo Kantanka in 2019 at a private ceremony in Kumasi. The marriage, however, collapsed in 2021.
An insider has rebutted claims that American actor and film producer Leonardo DiCaprio is dating a 19-year-old girl.
Last week, reports surfaced that the Titanic actor was dating 19-year-old model Eden Polani after the two were spotted hanging out together at a music release party in Los Angeles. However, a source has told TMZ they’re not romantically involved.
According to the outlet, DiCaprio and Polani coincidentally sat together at the party, and “were hanging in the same group.” The source went on to say “just because Leo might be talking to or sitting with a girl doesn’t mean he’s dating her.”
The last time DiCaprio was in a serious relationship was with Camila Morrone. The two called things off after four years of dating, as reported last August. Throughout the course of their time together, the former couple kept things private. It wasn’t until February 2020 that they made their public debut as a couple, attending the Oscars. The reason for their split remains unclear.
In December 2019, Morrone defended their 22-year age gap, saying others shouldn’t be worried about their business. “There’s so many relationships in Hollywood—and in the history of the world—where people have large age gaps. I just think anyone should be able to date who they want to date,” she explained.
Since Morrone, DiCaprio has had multiple flings, including Gigi Hadid and Victoria Lamas. The actor is not looking for anything serious at the moment, a source told TMZ. In fact, he was recently spotted on a luxury yacht in St. Barts with a number of different women by his side.
Nollywood actress turned politician Funke Akindele has lost her mother. Dr R. B. Adebanjo-Akindele passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
The older sister of the actress, Olubunmi Akindele, broke the news on her Instagram page, on Tuesday evening.
Sharing a picture of their mother, she wrote “it is with heavy hearts, but in total submission to God Almighty that the ADEBANJO and AKINDELE families announce the passing of their daughter, mother, grandmother and sister, DR. R B ADEBANJO-Akindele, which occurred on Tuesday 07 February 2023.”
“May her gentle soul begin its rest eternal in peace. Amen. Obsequies in honour of her passing shall be announced in due course,” Olubunmi Akindele added.
She however did not reveal the cause of death.
Meanwhile, the actress is also yet to make a public statement following the announcement.
Until her demise, Funke Akindele’s mother was a licensed medical doctor.
