Kanye West’s $2.2 million (£1.8 million) LA property has deteriorated.
Aerial shots of the property reveal walls have started to fall down and fences surrounding the multi-million dollar home have also collapsed.
The 45-year-old rapper not only lived on the site but is also said to have used it as a headquarters for both Sunday Service and Donda Academy.
Rubbish and abandoned items are strewn around Ye’s former home and what appears to be a 4×4 tank and barbeque smoker can also be made out in photographs.
The Power rapper left the property in 2020 and it’s seemingly remained empty since.
The $60m Calabasas mansion Ye’s ex Kim lives in with their four children isn’t too far away, and after their split, the Grammy-winner is said to have lived in the property with his then-girlfriend Irina Shayk, according to MailOnline.
The Power rapper left the property in 2020 and it’s seemingly remained empty since.
The property is eight miles from the home he used to share with ex Kim Kardashian
The outlet also reports that Ye scooped up the home, which sits on 1.25 acres, in 2018.
The inside of the residence is said to feature ‘stunning floor-to-ceiling stacked-stone fireplace, beautiful inlaid hardwood floors, huge vaulted open-beam ceilings, and spacious ground-floor master suite with a walk-in closet and spa-style bath’.
There are also ‘two detached guest units, [a] four car garage, [a] huge metal workshop or barn, corral, and plenty of space for pool or vineyard’.
Ghanaian actress Priscilla Opoku Agyemang known in showbiz as Ahuofe Patri marked her late mother’s one week celebration on Saturday, February 4, 2023. The ceremony was held at the Police Depot at Abeka in Accra, Ghana.
This comes at the back of Ahuofe Patri taking to her social media pages to announce the passing of her dear mother, Barbara Opoku-Addo, on Monday, January 30, 2023.
Many celebrities and industry players were present to show their support for the talented actress and also to strengthen her during these tough times.
Some of the popular faces that showed up were his showbiz lover Kalybos, Roselyn Ngissah, Jeneral Ntatia, Prince David Osei, and General One.
More names include, Jessica Williams, Awurabena Duchess, just to mention a few.
Below is a carousel post containing photos of some of the popular faces who were there to show their support to Ahuofe Patri.
Ghanaians send in their condolences to Ahuofe Patri as she mourns her late mother
adu_esther_ remarked:
May God gave her the strength because she will need it
dedebills said:
sorry Ahoufe, kafra wati
ruth_anane_afriyie stated:
Eiii this is hard ooo kafra obaaa
talk.withhelen stated:
Cos u don’t go to other people’s programs, see the place is very empty
iamwesleyboy stated:
Ah, but where are her celebrity friends and social media friends? When it’s time for difficulties that is when u will know social media isn’t real . my condolence to her tho
maameabamould_ remarked:
Oh Patri, my condolences dear, I pray Papa God strengthens you and the entire family ❤️
sarahoteng303 said:
Glowing regardless ❤️❤️. May God strengthen you babe
naa_okaileyokine commented:
Deepest condolences to Ahuofe Patri and the entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Beyoncé has officially become the artist with the most Grammys in her cabinet.
The 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony took place on February 5 in Los Angeles and Queen Bey collected almost all the wins she deserved. Even though she lost Album of the Year to Harry Styles, the talented artist still broke a massive record.
According to Grammy.com, Bey has now surpassed the late British musician Georg Solti, who previously held the record of being the most awarded artist, at the lush ceremony.
Check out one of Beyoncé’s emotional speeches below:
BeyHive is over the moon about Beyoncé’s new Grammy record
Calming the BeyHive that has been at war with Harry Style’s fandom after Beyoncé lost Album of the Year to the former One Direction member, @PopBase shared the amazing record on Twitter.
The loyal stans rushed to the comments to rave about how the Lemonade hitmaker is the greatest artist in the universe.
@GeauxGabrielle said:
“Shoutout to all of us who got to see her career from start to present.”
@BTSOriented shared:
“Everybody should also acknowledge that she’s probably the most robbed artist in that ceremony’s history. Nobody deserves this more than her. She’s been pushing boundaries and releasing groundbreaking projects. Respect.”
@IntrovertedKeni posted:
“It’s what she deserves!”
@stallibabie wrote:
“I’m so proud of her.”
@Dejahive reacted:
“Beyoncé is the greatest female artist in history. She will go down in history as the standard. She is the standard of this generation. Nobody will ever match her level.”
@imvanillesque also said:
“We’re so blessed to be living in the same generation with her.”
@MasonBay5 also shared:
“Now give her album of the year.”
@warholkiller replied:
“She did it again. Constantly raising the bar for us. A queen indeed. ✨⚡”
@ijustgoslower commented:
“Artist of the universe! Congratulations to Beyoncé for being iconic and humble! So well deserved!”
Plastic trash has been a “cash cow” for the manufacturing industry over time since it can be recycled into a variety of goods, including bags, furniture, and even building materials.
However, until a 20-year-old student’s experiment showed otherwise, the ‘layman’ believed that extracting diesel from plastic garbage was impossible.
With the necessary support, Emmanuel Nimo, a student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) could boost the country’s fuel sector with his latest invention.
In a step-by-step process, he adopted a more pragmatic approach of the scientifically tested ‘Pyrolysis ‘procedure, to extract the oil.
First, he squeezed the bottles into a saucepan and placed them on fire.
The bottles melted in a saucepan, leaving behind a thick black substance that he identified as crude oil.
“Plastic is a by-product of crude oil, these black things that have come out. Now let’s pour the other things in it,” he said while moving on to the next stage.
Emmanuel then added some chemicals to it, kept it on the heat a bit further and a full bottle of diesel was extracted.
That’s not all, they tested the substance by using it to power diesel engines of a car and other factory gadgets and it worked.
When he was still an active boxer, Joshua Clottey revealed that Richard Gutierez as his most challenging opponent.
Speaking on Prime Take on the JoyNews Channel with Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, Clottey, who competed from 1995 to 2019 and won the IBF Welterweight title in 2008 said opponent such us Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Zab Judah did not give him a difficult task.
“My most difficult fight was against [Richard] Gutierez; it is not [Antonio] Margarito, it is not [Miguel] Cotto, it was Gutierez,” he said
“After the fight, I could not cough because my ribs were affected.
“The guy really worked on me. He hit me so hard to the extent I peed blood, pure red blood when I got back to my hotel.”
The fight would change his perception about his choice of career, but it was the breakthrough he needed to make money in the sport of his passion.
“I said after the fight that this game is a not a joke. It was really tough,” he recalled.
Clottey’s majority decision win that launched him towards his first world title shot five months later — a unanimous points loss against American-Mexican, Antonio Margarito, for the WBO welterweight title.
2022 VGMA Artiste of the Year, KiDi was spotted at the 65th Grammys and he looked dapper in a suit as many admire his sense of style.
Taking to his official Instagram page to share the exciting news that he was also there to witness the Academy Awards, he hinted that he did have a good time at the ceremony.
He looked dapper in a neatly sewn long-sleeved suit. He paired it with bell-bottom trousers. To accessorise his look, he wore dark sunglasses.
To top it all, he wore black loafer heels which sparkled and added some spice to his entire look. The ‘Touch It’ crooner rocked his signature blonde hair as he posed in photos.
He was spotted with Ghanaian media personality Dentaa Show. She also looked gorgeous in a red gown.
The much-anticipated ceremony was held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023.
Kidi
Annual Grammy AwardsReactions as Ghana’s KiDi attends 65th Grammy Awards in style
lovemelanin2022 said:
He looks so dapper
heiressjacinta stated:
Hope say you no match anybody oh
dentaa_show remarked:
Thanks for accepting the invitation bro. You killed it #redcarpet #grammys
The actress, 57, won a Grammy award for her autobiography Finding Me in the best spoken word category, which was presented at the awards’ premiere ceremony ahead of the main event.
This means she’s joined only 17 other people in the world to have EGOT status, having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony.
The major honour has been dubbed the ‘grand slam’ of showbusiness, with stars including John Legend, Audrey Hepburn, and Jennifer Hudson also in the prestigious club.
Viola now has plenty of gongs on her mantlepiece, having previously won four primetime Emmys for leading actress, in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
She won best supporting actress at the Oscars in 2017, for her role in Fences, and has been nominated four times.
Oh, and she also has three Tony awards. What a queen.
Following his inability to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will leave Chelsea in the summer.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport the Gabon striker might go back to Milan.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will leave Chelsea in the summer after being told he is not registered with the Blues for the Champions League knockout stages. The option that has not been ruled out is a return to Milan.
According to ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’, the Gabonese striker could return to the reigning Serie A champions. The operation would be speeded up in the coming months due to the bad relationship between the player and Graham Potter.
However, a return to Barca for the former Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal man has not been ruled out either. Xavi Hernandez could give the go-ahead after Memphis Depay’s departure to Atletico Madrid.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has only played 18 games this season and has not even played 1,000 minutes. And, as fate would have it, two of the three goals he has scored this season came against Milan in the Champions League.
He claimed that the circumstance had been a setback for the policy designed to increase the availability of the good, have a favorable impact on price change, and protect the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) must be very strict to make sure that the framework provided to control the product’s pricing is a solid framework.
“And they have to ensure that they are able to monitor all those OMC’s that will take the product to ensure they reflect in their pump prices,” he said in a media engagement.
Ghana piloted the Gold-for-Oil policy with the delivery of 41,000 metric tonnes from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which arrived at the Tema port on Sunday, January 15, 2023.
He, however, called for “purposeful planning” with a clear objective of either ensuring fuel security or reduction in pump prices.
That, he said, would require a constant supply of the commodity on the market to meet the demands.
“You must be focused and know that 41 000 metric tonnes might not do the trick. So, If I am bringing 41, another cargo must come at 60, must come at 70, to be able to contain the market demand.”
“If you are going to throw a little in the ocean and expect a ripple effect, you might not get it,” he said.
The prices of fuel in Ghana are mainly determined by world market price of the commodity, cedi depreciation, taxes and levies.
As of November 2021, government had imposed 12 different taxes and levies on petroleum products while the Cedi had declined by more than 55 per cent between January and October 2022.
Mr Amoah urged the Bank to Ghana (BOG) to focus on addressing the volatility of the Cedi by, “using the gold to back the Cedi so that it can have certain semblance of stability for trading”.
Mr Alex Mould, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), said the Gold-for-Oil policy was a smokescreen by some players to enter and control the oil import and gold export market using government apparatus.
“People with the license to these things are not happy because they can be eliminated,” he stated.
The National Disaster Management (NADMO) has appealed to the government, mining companies, and other relevant stakeholders to come to their aid with relief items.
The Municipal Director of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Mr. Stephen Anane Agyapong, noted that though the government has been helping, the items provided were not adequate to effectively support the victims in case of a disaster.
“I am pleading with mining communities, philanthropists, businessmen and others to also provide us with relief items,” Mr Agyapong said
Mr Agyapong who made call in an interview with Ghana News Agency, said the major challenge confronting his outfit was insufficient relief items .
He said the government was doing its part but that it was imperative for other shareholders to come to their aid so as to help them execute their mandate effectively.
He said in the year under review, the organization recorded six fire cases in the fourth quarter of 2022 and had already recorded a number cases in January this year at Bibiani, Chirano, Surano and Sefwi Bekwai but there were no relief items to support the victims
The Municipal NADMO Director who is also the constituency financial secretary for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said several human activities such as bush fire, wrong wiring, hunting, smoking and several others , particularly during the harmattan season. contributed to fire outbreaks.
Mr Agyapong cautioned the public to avoid setting fire in the bush, smoking, and leaving their gadgets on when leaving home.
“We have to take serious precautions about some of these minor mistakes in order to avoid disaster,” he added.
He said setting fire in the bush was criminal and warned the public against behaviours, which could land them into problem.
The 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony had in attendance a host of celebrated personalities across the globe, including some Ghanaian musicians.
Dancehall singer, Stonebwoy and rapper Edem graced the prestigious music awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023.
In videos in circulation, Stonebwoy was captured sharing pleasantries with Edem at the auditorium.
They both rocked suits that were tailored to perfection.
Stonebwoy was spotted on the red carpet with some of the big stars including Taylor Shift.
The Ghanaian award-winning musician turned up to support his friends for the night.
Stonebwoy in his Instagram stories congratulated Kabaka Pyramid for winning the ‘Reggae Album’ at this year’s Grammy.
Meanwhile, Rocky Dawuni lost out on the Best Global Music Performance award, which was won by Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode, and Wouter Kellerman for their collaboration ‘Bayethe’.
Also present at this year’s Grammys was KiDi and the CEO of GUBA Awards, Akosua Dentaa Amoateng.
A cutting-edge facility will be built as a result of this strategic alliance between the two businesses, which will strengthen the local economy and give Ogun people job possibilities.
The new facility will greatly improve the nation’s production capacity and aid in meeting Nigeria’s expanding demand for building materials by having the ability to produce over 10 million metric tonnes of cement yearly.
The project is expected to drive economic growth and development, and support the government’s efforts to diversify the economy.
Born in Nigeria in 1957, Dangote is the founder and chairman of Dangote Group, a conglomerate of companies with interests in various sectors such as cement, sugar, flour, salt, and beverages.
Dangote began his business ventures at a young age, starting with trading in commodities such as rice, sugar, and cement. Over the years, he has expanded his business to become one of the largest industrial groups in Africa.
Dangote’s success can be attributed to his entrepreneurial spirit, risk-taking abilities, and deep understanding of the Nigerian market. He has a strong track record of identifying business opportunities and turning them into successful ventures.
Dangote Group operates in several African countries, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, and others, and has plans to expand to additional markets in the future.
Dangote is also the driving force behind the Dangote Oil Refinery, a massive 650,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery soon to launch in Lagos, Nigeria.
The world-class facility will be one of the largest oil vertically integrated refineries in the world and is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
The refinery is a part of the Dangote Oil Refining Company and will produce gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemicals.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is set to commission the refinery, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to develop its domestic refining capacity and reduce its reliance on imported fuel.
In addition to his business interests, Dangote is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has established the Dangote Foundation, which focuses on improving the quality of life for people in Africa by supporting education, health, and economic empowerment initiatives.
As part of measures to maintain law and order and curtail crime in the Kokompe Industrial area and its environs, the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly will construct a Police Post in the area.
In recent times, according to the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Abdul Issah Mumin, the area had witnessed a surge in crime and other nefarious attitudes making life and living in that zone, a challenging experience
The Assembly, as a first sign of commitment to combat crime in the area, has distributed 120 streetlights to the various sectional heads among the artisans to be placed in designated areas within the enclave to lighten up the area.
Another matter of concern, was the growth in the “Sodom and Gomorrah” business which according to the MCE was also fuelling crime in that area.
He said the Assembly, would initiate a process of demolition exercise of unauthorised structures housing such miscreants in the area.
Mr Mumin said: “We have been made aware of how intruders are making lives unbearable here…and as an assembly, we are also prepared to beef up security to ensure that businesses operate in a peaceful environment.”
Mr Justin Joe Ayittey, the Regional Chairman of the Garages Association said the activities of intruders and thieves in the area was making cost of doing business a hard one.
He queried: “How can I charge small money and later buy an item to the tune of 1000 plus because someone had come to steal it?”
He was therefore excited about the police post and prayed that it would be established on time to curb stealing in the area.
Mr Ayittey added that the Association was prepared to help in identifying all unauthorised structures which had become a haven for criminal activities.
Nana Asempanaye, the Director of the Takoradi SubMetro encouraged owners of businesses in the area to promptly pay their tolls and fees to enable the assembly to also meet their needs.
Tems won the award for her contribution to the hit ‘Wait For U’ by Future featuring Drake.
The Grammy Award ceremony was held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Her win at the ceremony makes her the first Nigerian female singer to win the coveted award.
Meanwhile, award-winning singer, Damini Ogbulu, known better as Burna Boy lost two nominations.
He lost the ‘Best Global Music Album’ and the ‘Best Global Music Performance’ categories.
See how Nigerians reacted
Eichiemoses31 said: “Congratulations mama…like this comment if you believe Nigeria will b great again in all aspects”
Iamjudenj wrote: “Congratulations to her, But then again, It did be nice to see her with her own personal sole Grammy Award!”
Nohpheesat commented: “Officially the queen of afrobeats”
Zill_ions wrote: “First Female Nigeria Artist to win a Grammy Award Congratulations Tems”
Davi.daisrael commented: “Blast Nigeria is not a joke. Don’t take us for granted bcos once given the chance we will dominate full stop.”
Teebeeoofficial said: “Word on the street is that Tems is also by far the most financially successful Afrobeats artiste alive, steadily cashing in from global chart-topping records, to international collabos, to songwriting royalties, to packed shows, etc. This would be very difficult for a lot of Nigerians to believe, since she doesn’t engage in brutal social media fights with other artistes, and also hardly posts material things.”
He said during the 4th Aviation Ghana stakeholder forum, held on Tuesday in Accra, “Ghana must avoid the temptation of increasing Airport charges against IATA’s norms and regulations.”
He claimed that violating IATA regulations by raising airport fees would harm the nation’s booming aviation sector.
As part of the programme, there was a panel discussion on the topic “Post COVID-19 Recovery Process and the Journey Ahead”, to consider measures to promote the aviation industry.
In his remarks, Mr Al-Awadhi said resilience had been the hallmark of the aviation industry globally since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the global aviation industry in 2020 lost $6.9 billion out of the predicted figure of $9.7 billion.
Mr Al-Awadhi disclosed that Africa’s aviation sector in the year 2020 lost $638 million and the loss was expected to be reduced to $213 million in 2023.
He called on governments in Africa to put measures in place to spur the growth and recovery of the sector.
“An enabling regulatory environment will help in job creation and recovery of Africa’s aviation sector,” Mr Al-Awadhi stated.
The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, who was the special guest, said the global economy depended heavily on the aviation industry.
“Aviation connects people, cultures and businesses. Indeed, the importance of the industry cannot be overstated,” he said.
He assured that the government would continue to create an environment for the aviation sector to thrive.
He said the Airport Passenger Service Charge was GH¢ 1 in 2009, and increased to GH¢ 5 in 2010, and since 2010 the levy has not been increased.
Alhaji Tampuli said Guinea Bissau and Gambia charged between $6 and $13 as Airport Passenger Service Charge, and the average in West Africa was $4.63.
He said Ghana’s Airport Passenger Service Charge in dollar terms was $0.41.
Alhaji Tampuli said the Airport Passenger Service Charge was woefully inadequate.
Last week was really a difficult time for Nigerians over the scarcity of new Naira notes and the inability to use mobile banking apps for transactions.
This is no different for Tonto as she reveals her inability to also use her bank app and her light has been exhausted.
In a post via Instagram on Sunday night, the thespian reveals she doesn’t have an ATM card and has been attempting to make a transaction for over 6 hours.
She added that the situation has subjected her to a whole new level of emotional instability and is so frustrated.
She wrote: “For the past 2 days I have been unable to open my bank app, only this evening my light unit decided to finish. I have tried opening this app for almost 6 hours and finally believe I will be sleeping in the dark today.
“I can’t buy init, I can’t buy diesel. I absolutely can’t even get a hotel I don’t use or own an ATM… I’m on a whole new level of emotional instability. Am I alone? I’m so frustrated”
The Ghana Mineworkers Union and certain civil society organizations have expressed worry about the viability of the country’s policy of exchanging its gold hoard for oil on the world market.
They contend that although while the concept is highly novel, it only seems to offer a temporary fix to the nation’s current economic problems.
More long-lasting measures need to be implemented, according to Abdul Moomin, general secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers Union.
“At the end of the day, the expectation is that, if it’s a credible avenue that we can use to leverage the rising cost of petroleum products across the globe and Ghana is not an exception, I think it’s an innovative idea that could be looked at. But it all boils down to how much gold we have in store and how much we are ready to trade,” he said.
“I see the Gold for Oil very sustainable. If you look at the data, the quantity of gold that is exported every year, particularly sector, if the government had a firmer control over it, things would have been better in this country. This policy has great benefits to the citizenry as fuel prices will stabilize which will also prevent the prices of products from skyrocketing. Again, for the past two weeks after the country took its first delivery of oil, the Cedi has stabilize against the dollar and that is good for the country.”
“Few days ago, GOIL reduced diesel price by 4% and they attributed this to the Gold for Oil Policy. If this project is continued it will have a rippling positive on citizenry and the plight of Ghanaians will be relieved from the economic hardship which they are currently facing.”
Government of Ghana a fortnight ago took delivery of 41,000 metric tonnes of the petroleum products delivered by SCF YENISEI to be sold by BOST to bulk distributing companies (BDCs) around Ghana.
Valued at $40 million, it was brokered by the Economic Management Team led by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
In November 2022, the government announced plans to buy oil products with gold rather than US dollars.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, said that the move was meant to tackle dwindling foreign currency reserves coupled with demand for dollars by oil importers, which was weakening the local cedi and increasing living costs.
“It will fundamentally change our balance of payments and significantly reduce the persistent depreciation of our currency,” Dr Bawumia said.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Empire Domus Ltd, Kojo Jones Mensah has ventured into politics. The young and exuberant Business Mogul has taken his desire to assist his community a notch higher.
The business Mogul has declared his intention to contest for a Member of Parliament, MP at the Keta Constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress, NDC.
Flyers bearing his picture and with the slogan, “JKM Gbɔna” meaning, JKM is coming were spotted on social media.
The young Philanthropist believes it’s time for more action and less talk in order to develop the Keta Constituency.
Check out the flyer below.
Who is Jones Kojo Mensah, JKM?
Kojo Jones is an Entrepreneur and a Philanthropist. Born in a business minded family, Kojo owns a real estate company and a JKM Foundation. An organisation that is focused on helping the less privileged in society.
Kojo is 34 years old. He holds an MBA in Oil and Gas Management from Coventry University, an LLB Business Law and Diploma in Business both from London Metropolitan University, all in the United Kingdom.
In November 2022, Kojo added a Doctorate Degree in Global Leadership from Rushford Business School, Switzerland to his portfolio.
President Akufo-Addo claims that even though the government’s debt swap program had a number of difficulties after being announced, the general public has generally accepted it.
When German Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner paid him a visit at the Jubilee House on Friday, he let him know about it.
“We have already taken one important step forward in concluding a staff-level agreement with the IMF. One of the steps was the domestic debt exchange programme which encountered a lot of difficulties, but it has now been virtually concluded…We are now looking towards going the full hog and concluding the agreement. We’re hoping that will be done by the middle of March,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He also called on Germany to encourage China, an ad hoc member of the Paris Club to support Ghana’s debt restructuring efforts.
This, he said, will enable Ghana to restore economic growth.
It would be recalled that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, reached a staff-level agreement with Ghana on economic policies and reforms to be supported by a new three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) of about US$3 billion.
According to the IMF, the authorities’ strong reform programme is aimed at restoring the macroeconomic stability of Ghana’s economy.
An IMF team led by its Mission Chief for Ghana, Stéphane Roudet, said Ghanaian authorities have launched a comprehensive debt operation by way of restoring the country’s public debt sustainability.
Ghana has over the past five months run to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a financial bailout after the local economy took a nosedive and has been in an unsteady position since.
The local currency – Cedi – on the other hand, depreciated against major trading currencies which led to the suffering of businesses or a large extent, the collapse of some as they struggled to remain in business.
Government implemented some measures to ensure that the Cedi was strengthened to compete against major trading currencies, especially the US dollar.
Actress Moesha Bodoung has fired back at Afia Schwarzenegger after the comedienne threatened to beat her up over some comments she made.
Moesha Bodoung during an interview with Sammy Kay, emphatically denied rumours that she’s sick and suffered from a mental breakdown.
She named checked Afia Schwarzenegger for helping spread rumours that she was sick which set Afia off.
Afia blasted Moesha over the video and said she has witnesses who were there when doctors diagnosed her, adding she even paid for a part of her treatment.
Schwarzenegger said there was a day sick Moesha slapped her but she didn’t retaliate, adding: “If not for your sickness I would have beat the sh*t out of you the day you slapped me,”
Afia added that Moesha should take her daughter’s name out of her mouth!
Moesha fired back in the comments of Afia’s post, describing her once more as a liar!
Martin Adu-Owusu, the corporation’s managing director, told the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament in Accra that initiating legal action against its creditors had become the only option if it were to recover its locked-up funds from clients and suppliers.
In its 2020 report on Public Boards and Corporations, the Auditor-General observed that creditors of the state-owned media organization have lost interest in paying off their obligation to the NTC.
“Customer balances recorded by head office showed GH¢196,603.73 and GH¢185,935.76 in respect of stopped subscription and vendors as against GH¢151,932.93 and GH¢124,807.19,” the report said.
“We have made several efforts including the Minister of Information writing to our debtors to do the needful.”
“What we have done, since last year, was to serve notices in our newspapers so that those who owe us would come and pay.”
“The deadline was February 1. I have started receiving letters from the debtors coming to arrange for payments. From this stage, we will move a step further by taking legal action against the debtors because we have done all that we could but the situation is not improving,” Mr Adu-Owusu told the Committee.”
Backing the NTC Managing Director, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, rallied individuals and organisations indebted to redeem their indebtedness to the company to enable it function effectively.
Mr George said the locked-up funds with the debtors go into the running of the publisher and that their failure could run the company aground.
“To all those owing the NTC, we are using this opportunity to urge you to pay your debts to enable the corporation function effectively,” Mr George advocated.
In the operational and profitability of the corporation, meanwhile, Mr Adu-Owusu said all efforts to access government support over the last three decades have yielded no result from successive governments.
“We have asked for support for over 30 years but we have never received the support. We have now taken our destinies into our own hands trying to do the best that we can to revive NTC,” he said.
Asked if government had any plans to support the company to turn around its fortunes, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said plans were far advanced to extend support to the NTC.
“Over a year ago, we asked the company to submit a plan to us so that we could support them. We have taken that plan upstairs and there are a number of options on how to get them the support to be a well-functioning and profitable entity for the Republic,” Mr Nkrumah said.
British Actor, Idris Elba was at Manhyia Palace on Sunday to pay homage to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III at the first Akwasidae of the year 2023.
He led his movie production crew to take shots of the events for his upcoming movie.
They should also establish enabling circumstances so that employees can reap the rewards of their labor.
Speaking at the Ghana News Agency Tema Industrial News Hub Boardroom Dialogue, Mr. Abraham Koomson, General Secretary of the GFL, said that employees should not be made to suffer because of the wrongdoings of the employer.
He reminded labour unions that the Labour Act 2003 fortified workers against any acts of omission or commissions that may be at the detriment of the worker, “the act forbids any action or policy that would make the employee worse off, let us hold on to the laws and defend our workers’ interest at all times.”
Mr Koomson reiterated the call for the government to reduce its expenditure drastically to set the tone of reviving the current economic recession in the country.
He said the government debt exchange programme would push people in the middle and lower class into absolute poverty which would have a huge impact on the development of the country.
Mr Koomson said the programme would also render most of the banks vulnerable which would in the long term affect the living standard of the citizenry.
“Some banks and financial institutions including insurance companies would collapse in the next five years, as confidence in the financial sector continues to wean.
“Most people are yet to overcome the impact of the banking sector clean-up, and now we are encountering a major financial earthquake, let us be careful not to totally destroy the financial base of the country,” he said.
Mr Koomson expressed concern that the relationship between the government and organized labour has become a fragile one with no trust, “2023 is going to be a year of intensified agitations to save the country.”
The GFL General Secretary also advised the military against any adventurous intervention which would destabilize.
He said organized labour would use internationally recognise labour procedures to get redress and redeem the economy.
Former Ajax midfielder, Raphael Van der Vaart, has revealed that former Ajax director of football, Marc Overmars believed he could sellMohammed Kudus for €100 million.
According to Van der Vaart Overmars’ reason for the price tag was Kudus is his best signing since becoming a football administrator.
Van de Vaart recalled when Overmars told him Kudus could deliver Ajax a €100 million sale after he had a conversation with the latter regarding the Ghanaian’s talent.
“When I saw Kudus for the first time during a friendly, I spoke with Marc Overmars and he said to me: ‘Rafael, this is my best signing of all time, this one will deliver us €100M,’” he said after Kudus’ performance against Camburr.
Kudus provide an assist in Ajax’s 5-0 away win over Camburr on Sunday, February 5, 2023. He stunningly beat his maker in the 18-yard box before, lopping the ball for Steven Berghuis to head home from close range for the second goal.
He has now been involved in three goals in his last three games( 2 goals, 1 assist).
The assist was his second of the season as he currently has 12 goals and 2 assists in all competitions.
Mohammed Kudus joined Ajax from Denish side FC Nordsjaelland in the summer of 2020 for a transfer fee of €9 million.
To ensure debt sustainability in the shortest amount of time, the government has been recommended to utilize a three-pronged strategy of fiscal, structural, and debt restructuring.
This was stated in an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency regarding the ongoing DDE program by Professor Godfred Bokpin, Professor Peter Quarter, and Dr. John Kwakye, all distinguished Ghanaian economists.
Additionally, efforts should be intensified to change the structure of the economy from being highly-import-driven by streamlining various sectorial agriculture, manufacturing and trade policies and implementing them effectively, they said.
However, the Economists stated that DDE programme alone, requiring bondholders to trade about 80 per cent of a total of GHS137 billion in bonds for new ones, could not secure debt sustainability.
They, therefore, asked the Government, to immediately reduce the number of ministers and merge some ministries to save money in addition to intensifying efforts to change the structure of the economy with prudent and sustainable initiatives to spur manufacturing and industrial growth.
Prof Bokpin of the University of Ghana Business School said efforts by the government such as the audit of Ghana’s COVID-19 expenditure and reaching some level of agreement with bondholders signalled a sign of progress on the DDE.
However, he said: “When your debt is judged to be unsustainable, measures for sustainability must be a triangle approach, which involves fiscal adjustment, structural adjustment and debt restructuring.”
He said: “If the president decides that he is going to have to reduce the size of the government by 50 per cent and also reduce the number of ministers, and merge some Ministries, Agencies, and Departments, we could have saved more than GHS10 bn.”
Prof Quartey, Director, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) said the government, in addition to the proposed reduction in spending as put in 2023, should “go ahead and reduce the size of government.”
The ISSER Director said: “If we minimise waste, and corruption and ensure value for money in our expenditure, add value to our raw materials and support the agriculture value chain and manufacturing, we’ll be able to export more and get more foreign exchange and enhance our revenue mobilisation.”
“The Government should keep its focus, continue dialoguing and build consensus with the key stakeholders and ensure that we’re able to sign onto this IMF programme and get it running by the first quarter of this year.” He advised.
He added: “Hopefully when we sign onto the programme, we should make judicious use of the resources so, we’re able to grow the economy out of where we find ourselves. Once we do that, we can restore confidence and get our economy running.”
Dr Kwakye, Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), noted that while the government urged bondholders to make some sacrifices, it was also prudent for it to do same.
“We believe the DDEP cost should be spread across the economy to the widest extent possible, in the spirit of burden-sharing,” he said and encouraged the Government to also make some sacrifices.
“All the borrowings that the government accumulated, the Finance Minister earned GHS160 million directly or indirectly, as part of burden sharing, why doesn’t he say, I’m also refunding 50 per cent?” He quizzed.
The DDE forms part of efforts by the government to assure the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of debt sustainability through creditors’ confidence by signing up for the programme, which has so far seen four postponements in the deadline as the government continues to engage stakeholders.
Individual bondholders and pension schemes have been exempted from the programme, though the Government has made new provisions for individual bondholders to be part of the DDE.
Some students and the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the Ghana School of Law have collaborated and donate some items to the Korle-Bu Child Heath Department.
The items donated include a cash donation of GH¢8,000 to the office of occupational therapy of the Child Health Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The amount, which was raised in collaboration with the Concerned Students of the Ghana Law School, was an idea initiated by one of the students, Morris Adjei, whose son has been receiving therapeutic care at the facility for some time now.
The SRC President of the Ghana School of Law, Odupong Agyapong Atta-Agyapong, who led a team to donate, thanked Morris Adjei for bringing the need of the occupational therapy department to their attention.
“I want to sincerely thank Mr. Morris Adjei for granting the students of the Ghana School of Law the opportunity to give towards this important project to save the kids,“ Odupong said.
He also stressed how for him, children are special gifts from God, who require utmost care and attention.
He used the occasion to wish the kids on admission a speedy recovery and prayed for God’s divine healing for them.
In her remarks to receive the donation, the administrator of child health at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Esther Tetteh, expressed her gratitude to the SRC and the entire student’s body for the support.
She also singled out Morris Adjei for mention, stressing that he has led the way as a parent and that she hopes that other parents, as well as individuals, schools and other benevolent organizations, will emulate the gesture by the Odupong-led SRC.
The administrator, who was in the company of two occupational therapists, Nancy Agyei and Elizabeth Miretina Oti, as well as a representative from the public relations unit of the hospital, gave the assurance that the money will be used for its intended purpose.
She asked for God’s blessings for the SRC and the concerned students, saying they have contributed to laying the foundation for the children who are the future leaders.
There is a saying that when life gives you lemons, make lemonades out of them.
This proverbial saying is often put across to urge people to make the best of adversity and difficult situations.
Celebrated Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson, is one of many people who appears to have drawn inspiration from this saying during the starting phase of her movie career.
Recounting how she established her own production house, she told host, Kafui Dey, in an interview on GTV that she began after she was handed a one year ban from acting.
Narrating the incident, Yvonne said back then, she was a student at the Central University College, combining her passion for acting with her academic demands.
This she explained was quite a tussle and therefore she expressed her frustrations during a production where she was not made to film her role, despite leaving school to go on set.
“Something happened on Abdul Salam’s set and I complained about it. So I went to the set two days continuously and they did nothing with me.
“They didn’t shoot my scenes. And at that time I was at Central University. I remember I had quizzes, I had essays to write, I had stuff to do and Salam knew I was in school.
“But I felt like they just ignored me. No one cared whether you’re in school or whatever, there are so many girls in the line waiting to play what you’re doing on the set. So why are you even complaining? …
“So the third day I told them that listen, if I come the next day and you guys don’t film, that will be it”, she narrated.
Even though Yvonne said she did not threaten anyone, she recounted that she was given a one year ban after the said incident.
“Salam got angry and I left, but I remember Majeed Michel was on the set and he remembers everything that happened on the day.
So I went back, I went to school and all I heard was that we’re banning Yvonne Nelson. We’re not going to allow her to act for a year. So that happened”, she recalled.
Following this development however the actress said she sensed the happiness of other people who rejoiced over her sanction.
She added that no one was also available to put in a word to mitigate her punishment.
But in the midst of her grief, Yvonne said, “I did a lot of reflection. I registered a company; YN productions. And I’m here today”, she noted with excitement.
“And I’m like one of the few producers producing; making movies now”, she added.
Yvonne further disclosed that her ban from acting, subsequently gave her the opportunity to start acting in Nigeria.
“So it was good. It was a bad year but it became good”, she ended.
Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets could be out for 15 days after the injury he picked up against Sevilla. His presence in the first leg against Manchester United on 16 February is doubtful.
It wasn’t all positive for Barcelona on Sunday. Despite winning, seeing Real Madrid lose and extending their lead to eight points, Sergio Busquets‘ injury robbed them of full joy.
The Barca captain was forced to leave after just five minutes and, pending further tests, is suffering from a grade II ankle sprain that could keep him out for the next 15 days, according to ‘AS’.
If this period of absence is confirmed, Busquets will miss the first leg of the Europa League tie against Manchester United, unless he reduces his recovery time.
It is an important absence for Xavi Hernandez, who has always relied on the midfielder as a link between defence and attack. It was Kessie who replaced him who replaced him against Sevilla.
Xavi could opt to return to a three-man midfield, with De Jong in the ‘5’ position, and open up the flanks to Raphinha and either Ferran Torres or Ansu Fati.
As stated by the government, the policy is to permit government to pay for imported oil products with gold in a direct barter using gold bought by the central bank.
The Vice President explained the move, which was made in the midst of the cedi’s depreciation against the US dollar and the rise in fuel prices, as an intervention to help stabilize fuel product prices as well as reduce pressure on Ghana’s foreign exchange because Ghana would be able to pay for imported oil through direct gold barter rather than using up its foreign exchange reserve.
The ‘Gold-for-Oil’ programme has since been implemented with the first oil consignment arriving last month.
Below is everything you need to know about the policy:
2. The prime objective of the programme is to use additional foreign exchange resources from the BoG’s DGP programme to provide foreign currency for the importation of petroleum products for the country which currently stands at about USD350 million per month.
3. The government has begun the implementation of the Gold-for-Oil Programme where gold purchases under the BoG’s DGP Programme mainly through the Precious Minerals and Marketing Company (PMMC) and where required from aggregators and mining firms is used to purchase petroleum products.
4. This is intended to free up foreign exchange resources to meet petroleum imports of the country thereby reducing pressures on the Bank of Ghana’s foreign reserves and the banking sector emanating from the Bulk Import, Distribution and Export Companies (BIDECs) request for foreign exchange.
5. The programme also aims to procure petroleum products at very competitive prices through Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangements. The programme will ensure that the cost of importing the products from international oil traders will always be comparatively lower.
6. The consequent reduction in foreign exchange pressures, the reduction in premiums charged by international oil traders as well as efficiency gains from the value chain will translate to lower ex-pump prices in the country. The G4O Programme Process Flow and Requirements:
7. Under the programme, all the dore gold produced and exported by companies with licensed small-scale concessions including community mines through the PMMC shall be purchased by the BoG. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has issued directives towards the realisation of the programme.
8. The purchased dore gold is used for the payment of oil supply to Ghana. Payment for oil supply is to be done in two channels: by way of barter trade or via broker channel.
The Barter Channel:
• For suppliers willing to take gold in direct exchange for petroleum products, BoG will provide equivalent volume of gold. Both the Bank and the International Oil Trading Companies (IOTCs) are required to open Gold Metal Accounts in a mutually agreed gold refinery for the purpose of gold transfer.
• BoG accumulates refined gold in its metal account at a refinery nominated by a supplier to fund petroleum product shipments.
• BoG transfers equivalent amount of gold based on petroleum products supply invoice from its metal account to a supplier’s metal account on receipt of Quality Certificate (QC) of the product supplied and final invoice from Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST). The Broker Channel:
• BoG executes a Gold Supply Agreement under which it sells gold to a gold broker, which provides forex cover to pay for petroleum products.
• Gold Broker buys dore gold from BoG and deposits the proceeds in BoG gold holding account.
• BoG transfers funds from gold holding account to an Escrow Account to pay for petroleum product shipment on receipt of QC and final invoice from BOST.
9. BOST, a state company, operates as an off taker for petroleum products, and therefore executes an agreement with IOTCs for the import of petroleum products to Ghana, for onward sale to licensed BIDECs.
10. BIDECs buy directly from BOST with cash and or a letter of credit (guarantee) from a reputable financial institution.
11. BOST and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) ensure that the cedi proceeds from the sale of imported petroleum products will be collected and deposited with a collection bank in favour of BoG. The collection bank is required to transfer collected funds into BoG’s G4O proceeds account within 48-hours which is then used to fund the next cycle of gold purchases.
Pricing of Products:
12. To ensure that the price of petroleum products imported under the G4O programme reflects at the pumps to benefit the consumer, the NPA will regulate the prices of these products in the interim to correct market failure until the policy matures.
13. NPA will work with BOST to negotiate prices with the international oil traders to ensure that the landed cost of products procured under the programme are always competitive. NPA will approve the IOTC that will be selected to supply products to BOST under the programme based on the competitiveness of the offers made by them. BOST will sign supply contracts only after approval has been granted by the NPA.
14. The price at which BOST will sell the products to BIDECs will be approved by the NPA. The price at which the BIDECs will sell the products to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) will also be approved by the NPA.
15. The applicable exchange rate for pricing the products supplied under G4O will be based on the average rate at which the gold was purchased from the licensed gold exporters by BoG.
16. The NPA will put measures in place to ensure that OMCs that lift products supplied under the G4O programme pass the price on to consumers accordingly. In this respect, BIDECs and OMCs who lift and supply G4O products will sell at the ex-refinery and ex-pump prices that will be determined by the NPA. If there must be a comingling of products supplied under G4O and other sources, the ex-refinery and ex-pump prices will be computed using a weighted average.
17. All BIDECs and OMCs who wish to purchase products under the G4O programme will be required to sign off an undertaking confirming their willingness to comply with the terms and conditions for partaking in the purchase and sale of G4O products.
18. To ensure that the impact of the G4O programme on ex-pump price will be significant and effectively monitored, the number of BIDECs and OMCs who will be permitted to lift G4O products will be controlled. Payment Structure:
19. BOST will be required to pay for products supplied to it under G4O into an Escrow Account at BoG within 60 days of receipt of products from the international oil traders.
20. BIDECs will be required to pay for products procured from BOST within 15 days of loading. Payment for the products will either be on a cash basis or with a 15-day letter of credit (LC) from reputable commercial banks.
21. BOST will be required to provide BoG with copies of the LCs from BIDECs for verification and to give BoG the assurance that receipt of payments will be made on agreed dates.
Laycan allocation for product imports:
22. The NPA will ensure that adequate laycan slots are allocated to BOST to import products under the programme.
23. NPA will advise BOST on the projected demand on a monthly basis.
In the last few days, there were numerous reports alleging that Ghanaian actress Bibi Bright was facing serious problems in her marriage because she had supposedly given birth to a half-caste son.
According to rumors that were allegedly started by one of the faceless pages on Instagram, there were several family meetings to solve this problem in the house of Bibi Bright because her husband supposedly felt cheated.
The rumors also alleged that Bibi Bright was forced to move to the house of her father because her husband did no longer want to see her in their matrimonial home.
Well, after being silent on this matter all this while, the City People Entertainment Awards winner took to her social media platforms on Sunday, February 5, 2023, to react and set the records straight.
In a simple message, she denied giving birth to the set half-caste son and disclosed that she has given birth to three biological daughters.
Bibi added that the four sons she currently has were all adopted plus three other adopted daughters.
She further prayed that any woman who is praying for the seed of the woman gets this child some unknown people have falsely reported she has given birth to.
There have been attempts in recent times by the government to revive the ailing film industry in Ghana.
One of these is to provide state-of-the-art studios for film making in the country through Public-Private Partnership and government-led initiatives.
‘Joy Entertainment’ has unpacked four instances where stakeholders of the film industry have been promised the establishment of word-class studios, either directly by the government or other institutions and individuals.
On February 25, 2021 when he met the Appointment Committee of Parliament for his vetting, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Awal Mohammed said the government had allocated $20 million for the construction of film and music studios.
“We want to build a film and music studio. It’s one element that can increase the tourism potential of this country. We don’t have any serious studio in this country, so this is one of the first things that we will do. The film studio will help in music and film production and make Ghana the hub of film production in West Africa,” he said.
The National Film Authority has also announced that it signed a landmark partnership agreement with Pixel Ray Studios LLC which will lead to the construction of a full-service, world-class film studio in West Africa.
Pixel Ray Studios, a global television and film studio development, and production company, has solidified a partnership with the National Film Authority of Ghana to construct 10 sound stages on over 200 acres of property in Ghana.
In June, 2022, The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, announced that his Ministry was in talks with American film company, Tyler Perry Studios to provide a studio facility in Ghana.
Okraku-Mantey’s statement came after Yoofi Grant, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), led a delegation from Ghana to visit Tyler Perry’s Studios.
“We are pitching to the Tyler Perry team to consider Ghana if they have to build a studio outside the USA, that is the conversation now. The business development manager met the team and because of this conversation, he is coming to Ghana next month,” the Deputy Minister said in a radio interview.
On Friday, February 3, 2023, English actor Idris Elba met with the President, Nana Akufo-Addo and announced his plans to build a film studio in Ghana and parts of West Africa.
“We have been working at this for three or four years to raise a plan that puts a facility at the centre of African film making,” he said.
According to the ‘Beast of No Nation’ actor, “there is a lot of film making, but the facility is what is lacking.”
“In South Africa they have a big facility and a lot of film making goes there. We realised that policy is where the actual groundwork needs to be laid. We’ve studied the models of South Africa, incredible incentive packages. Greece, Morocco and these are all places where they realise the value of the filmmaking and they’ve brought that policy into play,” he further noted.
Highlighting preparations towards the project, Idris Ebla indicated that the National Film Authority has put together a very comprehensive plan to facilitate the process.
“It needs to be robust and competitive to the rest of the world. We believe for sure that Ghana should step up in terms of attracting those filmmakers. I’ve come and seen you and presented to you essentially, just the parameters of what we need to do,” he said.
In the meantime, people in the creative arts sector are anticipating that these plans come to fruition sooner or later.
Martin Ayisi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, said that the plantings were a component of the Commission’s attempts to stop illegal mining in the Municipality and were part of the Alternative Livelihood Project (ALP) that was being carried out by the Commission.
He stated that approximately 3,000 people have been directly employed thus far, while another 6,000 have benefited indirectly, at a meeting in Accra yesterday that included Board Members of the Commission and beneficiaries of the project to discuss the prospects of the project in the Birim Central Municipality.
Since 2020, he stated that 438,000 oil palm seedlings have been supplied to the farmers in the area, resulting in the cultivation of 2,628 hectares of land.
Mr. Ayisi said the Commission was undertaking similar projects in some other mining communities in the Eastern, Central, Western, Ashanti, and Upper East regions.
“This arrangement will ensure that farmers have a market for the oil palm produced while the Minerals Commission intensifies efforts to partnerships for the establishment of a mill factory for the area,” the Chief Executive Officer noted.
In the meantime, he said, the Commission would make available the needed resources and collaborate effectively with all stakeholders to ensure alternative livelihood projects were tailored for the communities to encourage participation.
The Director of the Department of Agriculture, Birim Central Municipal Assembly, Isaac Mann, said, the ALP had been critical in dealing with illegal mining in the area by serving as an alternative source of livelihood to the beneficiaries.
He noted that seven communities within the Municipality partaking in the plantation programme would be grouped into farmer groups to strengthen their bargaining power.
Additionally, he said, the Assembly would seek certification for them to supply mills in the country for increased income.
Nana Amoah Daadom, Akyem Asene Gyasehene, said, the project had led to the eradication of illegal mining in the area saying that “all our lands have been used for oil palm production.”
He stated that Ghana stands to effectively end illegal mining if oil palm cultivation was expanded to all mining communities across the country.
He asked the government to expedite work on plans and strategies to establish a mill factory to enable the processing of oil palm in the country.
One of the beneficiaries, Ama Henewaa expressed gratitude to the Commission for implementing the initiative saying “the oil palm plantation has been a relief to us and given us the opportunity to earn some income.”
It appears she has triggered the nerves of the fans of other female musicians.
Some critics said, Efya doesn’t deserve a spot in the best 10 female musicians in the country currently, adding that it is amusing to crown herself in that light.
Others are of the view that she has remained consistent and relevant for more than a decade, thus, she holds the bragging rights as the #Landlady of Ghana music.
Former IBF World Champion, Joshua Clottey, has admitted that his defeat to Manny Pacquiao was deliberate.
In 2010, the Ghanaian was beaten by the Filipino boxer at the Cowboys Stadium in the USA at a time when he seemed to be in the best time of his career.
Clottey was unlucky to have been on the losing end of the bout through a unanimous decision from the officials in the big-money fight.
The performance on the night was far from what boxing fans had seen from Clottey with many criticising his performance despite not suffering a knockout against Pacquiao, who had also been on the scene.
Speaking exclusively on Prime Take, which airs on Joy News, the Ghanaian revealed negotiations in the build-up to the fight with his manager led to him deliberately losing to his opponent.
“The manager [Vincent Scolpino] had already accepted $1 million as payment. I came in and negotiated $1.350 million. It was a fight I was supposed to get $2 million as the pay,” he told Muftawu Nabila Abdulai.
“The Pay-per-view was $100 for each viewer but he negotiated $3 on my behalf out of the $100. Even with the $3, I could only earn my share after 300,000 buyers. So if 300,001 people buy, I will earn only $3.
“I tried negotiating but they claimed if I can’t fight I should leave so I had to take the fight. Meanwhile, the manager was making 33% profit from each pay-per-view income including the fight money.”
Adding to his earlier submission, the 45-year-old detailed his disappointment in not utilising the fight to make more money and expressed regret over his decision to heed the advice of his trainer for Scolpino to negotiate for him.
“I regret signing with that manager. I regret listening to the trainer but it made me strong not to allow anyone to negotiate on my behalf. I was supposed to make more money,” he continued.
“I was not happy about the Pacquiao fight because I had three years on my contract with my manager so I decided to blow it up. I even went to his office to negotiate for him to take 25% so I take 8% but he said no.”
Multiple award-winning musician, Kuami Eugene, joined the hall of fame in 2019 when he won the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) New Artiste of the Year.
It was a big dream come true; a dream the then 23-year-old artiste has had for many years.
Speaking on The Doreen Avio Show, he recounted that “I once had a dream. It was the new artiste of the year. It was myself, KiDi, Darko Vibes, King Promise, Kwesi Arthur, and Kurl Songx. It was a tight competition. Two days before the awards, I had a dream that I didn’t take the award. I woke up. I didn’t feel good at all. I have to pray against all the boys. I told my mom to assist me in praying. The boys don’t want me to win.”
According to him, it was difficult letting go of what appears to be the biggest feat in his music career, so he had to fight the battle in prayer.
In his dream, the award went to King Promise.
The Angela-hitmaker said that upon waking up, his prayers were mainly targeted at KiDi and King Promise, who gave him a tight competition.
He wanted to have a good story to tell his children one day – the story of being the first among his age mates to win the New Artiste of the Year.
“It was my first time on the VGMA platform, so the whole VGMA effect was on, and Kuami Eugene on that platform for the first time was on my brain. I had a difficult time letting it go. The new artiste of the year, I actually needed that award because it was a tight competition.”
“It wouldn’t have been bad if it went to King Promise or KiDi or some of my brothers, but at the end of the day, this was New Artiste of the Year. I wanted to be remembered for that in our year; I mean, I have to tell my kids that I beat KiDi and King Promise. I have to be able to tell my kids that. That was what I was thinking, and in my dream, someone is taking it away. I think it was King Promise. I wasn’t happy, at least it should be a taller person,” he told Doreen Avio on Joy Prime.
However, the Lynx Entertainment cum EMPIRE signee was quick to add that all his colleagues who were nominated equally deserved the award.
He further revealed that his greatest fear in life is to lose the fame he has earned in the music industry.
Convener of the Fix The Country movement, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, has recounted how a 13-year-old girl was saved from the rigours of the law after she fatally stabbed a man who attempted to rape her.
Oliver recounted last Thursday (February 2) that the case before the Ada District Court was dropped after the state filed a nolle prosequi against his client.
In giving a brief of the case via a Facebook post, he said police had opted to charge the unnamed client after she stabbed an aggressor who had attempted to rape her on multiple occasions.
He had been contacted by an acquaintance who was following the case and he opted to take it on a pro bono basis: “A child had been attacked by a guy who had tried on a couple of occasions to defile the kid.
“He had been caught on a couple of occasions undressing the girl deep in the middle of the night in her own home.
“In the struggle, she ended up stabbing him with scissors. It was not intentional, but she was fighting for herself as one does. The guy ended up losing his life and the police charged the kid with murder,” he stated.
He said as a lawyer, the nolle prosequi came as a relief to himself and the family of the accused, stressing his belief that there were many more such cases where people are being held over lack of representation.
“I just left the Ada District Court on a pro bono brief. The murder charges against my 13-year-old client have been discontinued by the State after a nolle prosequi.
“Huge relief. And I am just grateful to see such burden lifted off a family, and this child,” his post read in part.
Find the full post below:
I just left the Ada District Court on a pro bono brief. The murder charges against my 13-year-old client have been discontinued by the State after a nolle prosequi.
Huge relief. And I am just grateful to see such burden lifted off a family, and this child.
A couple of months ago Golda Naa Adaku Addo reached out about a peculiar case. I was in Tamale at the time. A child had been attacked by a guy who had tried on a couple of occasions to defile the kid. He had been caught on a couple of occasions undressing the girl deep in the middle of the night in her own home.
In the struggle, she ended up stabbing him with a scissors. It was not intentional, but she was fighting for herself as one does. The guy ended up losing his life and the police charged the kid with murder.
I must say that but for the fighting spirit of Golda this matter would not have reached me. I am grateful that after the discharge of the girl, Golda has committed to find therapeutic support for the girl.
The girls family expressed a lot of appreciation for Golda and just finding them in their hour of need.
A lot of times, folks are asked to donate to support causes. Many of those times, you never realise the end impact of your donations. This is because a lot of these stories you don’t find on social media.
Golda is doing great work in the Ningo prampram communities. Some people are cursed by the stars to fight for others. Even if it means setting themselves on fire to keep others warm. We need them. But they too need you. Reach out to her to know how to support! Shalom.
The group claims that attempts to have their investment excused from the program have failed, which is why they have decided to picket outside the Finance Ministry until their requests are granted.
“We have as of today not been granted the exemption we requested. To further press home our request, we have notified the Police that about 50 of our members intend to converge at the premises of the Ministry of Finance on every working day from 10 am-11 am, beginning from Monday 6th February 2023 till our request is granted by the Minister.”
The deadline for the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme has been set for Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
Senegal won the 7th Championship of African Nations (CHAN) on Saturday night after defeating Algeria, the tournament’s host nation, to reaffirm their newly discovered continental dominance.
The Lions secured the historic win through a penalty shoot-out which saw them win 5-4 over host nation Algeria, after regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time at the Nelson Mandela Sports Stadium in Algiers.
Senegal last year won the Africa Cup of Nations for the time after years of elusion, and made it double by winning the second-tier competition on the continent made for locally based players.
Both sides converted their kicks successfully until Algeria player Kendouci hits the crossbar to hand the west Africans their first win.
They became the first West African side to win the competition since its inception.
Artistes Manager, Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, popularly known as Bulldog said Ghana is will be the ‘Hell‘ on earth if there’s anything like that.
Bulldog on United Showbiz this Saturday spoke about how to bridge the gap between Ghana and Nigeria or the Diaspora in terms of promoting musical talents.
Speaking on the issue, Mr Hanson said Ghanaians by nature are evil people. He continued to say if there’s any hell on earth, Ghana will be the perfect fit.
According to Bulldog, Ghanaians, are not united, they are ungrateful and are not intentional about their work.
He said Nigerian Artistes are intentional about their work and anytime they use Ghana as a gateway to fame, they work diligently.
Bulldog said unlike Nigerian Artistes, Ghanaian musicians have the attitude of we already have the gift therefore fail to put in the work.
He advised that Ghanaian Artistes take their work seriously and be intentional about it if they want to attain the level of Nigerians.
She says the ordeal put the fear of men in her and that drove a lot of men away from her.
“After the issue with Ernest, I was now afraid of men. I decided not to get involved with any man,” she said.
However, she indicated that she fell for her Borga husband because she was introduced to her by Broda Sammy’s wife and thought he was the one for her.
“The reason why I accepted him was because of where he was coming from and the fact that he’s Broda Sammy’s wife’s friend. I thought she knew him and that was my mistake. I should have asked,” she told Deloris Frimpong Manso.
Actress Nayas said when she contacted her father for the list for her marriage, her father advised that she gets to know the man very well but she didn’t pay heed.
The bonds, which will also pay the interest owed to the Bank of Ghana, would be issued by the finance ministry, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
There are no specifics regarding a schedule for the securitization, but the government wants to finish restructuring its public debt this quarter in order to receive board approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the end of March.
The securitized central bank loan will be added to the list of domestic debt under restructuring, according to the sources. The new bonds would bring the central bank into Ghana’s ongoing debt restructuring process, under which the government is asking investors to swap out 137.3 billion cedis ($11.2 billion) worth of local government securities into new notes with less attractive terms. The voluntary exchange has a February 7 deadline.
The restructuring is a key condition for Ghana to qualify for a desperately needed $3 billion bailout from the IMF. However, the IMF has also urged Ghana to stop borrowing from the central bank in order to secure the bailout, as previously reported.
Besides restructuring its local bonds, Ghana is also in talks to restructure its bilateral and external debt.
A spokesperson for the central bank declined to comment, while a spokesperson for the finance ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to Ghanaian regulations, Section 30 of the Bank of Ghana Act permits the central bank to lend to the government. However, if repayment is “unduly delayed,” the Bank may transfer the debt to the public through the sale of treasury bills. Securitizing the loans would head off the central bank issuing treasury bills to recoup its money.
Ghana has been shut out of international markets after suspending interest payments on $13 billion of Eurobonds.
The country is facing fiscal and economic challenges, and the securitization of central bank loans could help it avoid further difficulties as it seeks to secure a much-needed bailout from the IMF.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has intimated that he is not against the work of God.
He insists the work he is doing by way of pushing for accountability and transparency in the construction of the National Cathedral is not an agenda against the church.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, in a Citi TV interview (December 2022), emphasised the importance of religion (Christianity) on his past and present.
Ablakwa has over the last few months published instances of corporate governance and alleged financial infractions on the part of government and trustees in the building of the Cathedral.
The dogged nature of his advocacy has led people in some quarters to question his real motives, but he insists: “This is not an agenda against the church, I am not seeking to bring down a religion that I will be nobody without.
“I have said time without number that where would I be without Christianity? Belief in the saving power, the salvation grace of Jesus, the Christ,” he stressed.
He recounted how former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Oquaye, had mentored him through his Sunday school days as well as his role in religious groupings during his Senior High School days.
“I am not a pagan, I am not anti-Christ or whatever they say,” he added.
The Member of Parliament has since January 2023 disclosed statutory documentation purporting to prove that Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, is operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi for criminal purposes.
The MP has so far released a number of passports, drivers’ license, Tax Identification Number data and details of company registration that Kusi Boateng (Adu Gyamfi) has used in the past and some he continues to use.
In the latest installment of his posts, Ablakwa said a statement by the NIA on the Ghana Card status of Kwabena Adu Gyamfi confirmed that in their records, Victor Kusi Boateng did not exist, a claim he made last week.
He has justified his publications of Kusi Boateng’s documents with the view that the clergyman was using two names because he was engaging in criminal activities with one of the identities (i.e. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.)
Ablakwa has stood by an accusation that the pastor’s company (JNS Talent Center) was paid an unmerited sum from the National Cathedral kitty, even though the secretariat has explained that the GHC2.6 million paid to Rev Kusi Boateng was a loan repayment.
According to Ablakwa, the Board of Trustees never discussed acquiring a loan facility, and at the time the loan was acquired, the Cathedral had about $6 million in its bank accounts.
Ghanaian Dancehall Artiste, Stonebwoy born Livingstone Etse Satekla says it’s imperative that the people of Ghana work on their mentality.
He says in the current dispensation, there is the need for one to put conscious effort into building relationships.
Stonebwoy indicated that it is expensive to build networks across the globe but it is a necessity in the current dispensation.
He was speaking to Berla Mundi at the GRAMMYS in the United States of America.
“It didn’t take me two minutes or I didn’t just fly to New York to get into that studio. I’ve been working over the past years ready for opportunities and when you’re prepared, when any opportunity comes you’re overqualified.
Continue to work whiles they are not watching and by the time they turn an eye on you, you’ll be over qualified and that’s how come you get to wherever you’re going within a twinkle of an eye to some people but they would not remember that you put in the work,” he said.
He continued ” Stonebwoy has been opening doors. Networking is expensive and it’s not cheap no matter at what level it is. You have to put in resources. Whatever the resource be, financial resources, however, you want to describe the resource, it’s expensive. The thing is again I want to bring the thing about the mindset. Naturally where I come from you’ll hear a thing like “)ye aho she sh3″ but you need to get out of that kind of mindset. It’s called networking, you need to connect to grow. These are simple nuggets we play with”.
Because of this urgent necessity, landlords frequently use renters as leverage to demand astronomical rent payments.
While the average earnings of a Ghanaian youth allows for some variation in rent payments, depending on the locality, they are nevertheless need to come up with enormous rent advances covering an average of two years.
She also bemoaned the amount imposed by rental agents who provide and lead potential tenants to prospective places of rent – something that is described as ‘viewing fee’ and ‘agent fee’
In addition to this, the young lady lamented the associated bills needed to pay for survival in a rented place coupled with making a living.
“It’s rather serious that I have been in a rented place for about two years where I’m paying GH¢8,000 and now I’m supposed to be paying GH¢9,600…yet the landlord is demanding a two-year rent advance, not even for a year,” she lamented.
She continued, “I was under the impression that rent payment should cover between six months to a year and now it seems like we are just working to earn money, not for ourselves but just to pay landlords. The youth of this country are suffering and rent is killing us all.”
“For instance, in Dansoman, you won’t even get a single room to rent at the cost of GH¢600 but the landlord will instead demand a two-year rent advance. This is rather too much for the youth.”
Lothar Matthaus has said Manuel Neuer can no longer be Bayern Munich captain amid the ongoing saga surrounding the goalkeeper’s criticism of the club.
Germany veteran Neuer is out for the rest of the season after a freak skiing injury sustained during a post-World Cup holiday, with Yann Sommer signed from Borussia Monchengladbach as a replacement.
The arrival of Switzerland international Sommer coincided with the dismissal of long-term Bayern goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic, a move Neuer criticised in an interview with The Athletic.
His comments have sparked widespread backlash, including from coach Julian Nagelsmann, and Germany’s most-capped player Matthaus has added his own voice to the chorus of disapproval.
“Manuel Neuer is no longer acceptable as Bayern captain,” he wrote in his Sky Sport Germany column. “He skied negligently and now vehemently attacks the club. Didn’t he say a few weeks ago no one was above the club?
“He is an icon of world football, one of the greatest to ever play for Bayern and Germany. I was the biggest fan you can imagine of him, but it is his own fault, the skiing accident and this interview.
“He did his club such a disservice, they have to do without his irreplaceable class for months, maybe even forever, and continue to pay his lavish salary.
“Bayern were more loyal to Neuer than to any other player. Serge Gnabry was publicly thrown at hell and Manuel didn’t say a bad word to the outside world.
“Bayern had to sign Yann Sommer for a lot of money and now [they] have to read that they ripped out [Neuer’s] heart.”
In Neuer’s absence, Bayern defeated Wolfsbur
g on Sunday in a 4-2 victory as Nagelsmann’s side leapfrogged unlikely title challengers Union Berlin at the Bundesliga summit.
Pensioner Bondholders Forum, a group for the protection of the pensioners with investment in government bonds has served notice to picket at the premises of the Finance Ministry until its members are exempted from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
According to the group, attempts to have their investment exempted from the programme have proved futile reason for their decision picket at the Finance Ministry until their demands are met.
“On 10 January 2023, we submitted a petition to the Minister of Finance to exempt all pensioners holding Government Bonds from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on the same basis used for the exemption of Pension Funds from the programme, as the impact of the programme on pensioners who are bondholders will be very severe.
“We have as of today not been granted the exemption we requested. To further press home our request, we have notified the Police that about 50 of our members intend to converge at the premises of the Ministry of Finance on every working day from 10 am-11 am, beginning from Monday 6th February 2023 till our request is granted by the Minister.”
The deadline for the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme has been set for Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
Konkombas have reacted to wild speculations that they are “violent people.”
As the indigenous of the North-Eastern part of Ghana commenced an image-cleansing campaign, they disputed the long held stereotype that Konkombas are violent people.
Years of conflicts have left Konkomba tribesmen suffering the shame of being tagged as violent and warlike.
The Konkombas have had a checkered history ridden with tribal conflicts and land disputes.
Notable among these have been the inter-Komkomba-families land disputes at Saboba; the Konkomba – Bimoba clashes; the Komkomba – Chokosi feud in Chereponi and the infamous Kokomba – Nanumba Guinea Fowl barter war that claimed over a thousand lives and valuable property.
Addressing a durbar in Kumasi; the Komkombas enumerated several of their kith and kin serving productively in various capacities both in private and public life
“We have komkombas who have served in the past and present government. We have nine MPs, five from the NDC and four from the NPP. In this government, we have the Defense Minister, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways and the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs,” the Konkombas stated.
“It is an enviable record that apart from the Ashanti’s, there is no other tribe aside Komkombas that dominate in over 30 constituencies and we decide who wins as an MP in those constituencies.”
The tribesmen reiterated hundreds of Konkombas who had risen through academia to lecture and head major departments of tertiary institutions and boasted of producing the first and youngest black managing director of Multinational shipping Company, Maersk.
“Apart from that, we have yam markets all over the country and those markets generate a lot of revenue in taxes for the nation,” they added.
President of the Kumasi Komkomba Youth Association John Womborti appealed for their tribe’s men to be accepted as peace-loving and productive members of the society.
“We want to tell the world that Konkombas are a peace-loving people, hardworking and trustworthy but people always associate us with our violent past. We want to remove this stigma. Things that happened in the past is regrettable but we shouldn’t be seen as violent.” John Womborti pointed out.
The leaders encouraged their relatives to participate actively in politics but warned they will not countenance any Komkomba tribesman engaging in any acts of electoral violence as the country gets closer to its campaigning and electioneering period.
The impacted residents of the mining community of Gbani, located in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, accused Mr. Tampoare, a fictitious regional chairman of the Small-scale Miners Association of Ghana, of wasting $150,000 that was supposed to be split among eight members of the Unique Mining Group.
At the news conference, the acting Chairman for the Unique Mining Group and member of FOAEJU-GH, Abdulai Amaligo, last Friday, called on the Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, to ensure that Mr. Tampoare gives members their fair share of the compensation.
He said that the minister handed $150,000 to Mr. Tampoare at the office of the minister, at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), in Bolgatanga, in July 2021.
Acting Chairman for the Unique Mining Group, said the group did not sanction any negotiation between Mr. Tampoare and the Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited on the ‘trespass’ monies paid by the company.
He said that Mr. Tampoare after defying advice to desist from his unilateral negotiations with the company, acted together with the Upper East Regional Minister, and the duo reached a $150,000 deal with the company.
“Our financier, Boyak Kolog Zongdan told us that the said amount ($150,000) was paid to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Stephen Yakubu. Surprisingly, the Regional Minister chose to pay the monies to Robert Boazor Tampoare in person without our consent,” Mr. Amaligo alleged.
He said the group has given Mr. Yakubu a two-week ultimatum to impress upon Mr. Tampoare to pay the compensation or risk facing the wrath of members.
Mr. Amaligo said Tampoare, the man at the centre of the accusation, has been arrested by the Bolgatanga Divisional Police Command, and subsequently handed over to the Regional Police Command, to assist with investigations.
Meanwhile, the Development Research and Advocacy Centre, a Bolgatanga-based civil society organisation, has petitioned the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, to investigate the Regional Minister for allegedly abusing his office and engaging in false representation, and “using his office to get the lump sum compensation paid into the bank account of the RCC, with account number: 9011130014513, for onward disbursement to the concession owners.”
However, Mr. Yakubu in his response, denied all allegations levelled against him, describing them as vexatious, baseless and unfounded.
According to him, the people styled themselves as aggrieved small-scale miners, who had not received their share of the compensation, and were only sponsored by his detractors to drag his name into disrepute.
According to Mr. Yakubu, he had no authority to compel Mr. Tampoare to pay disgruntled members their monies and asked the accusers to have faith with the police who had already commenced probe into the matter.
Ghana international Bernard Tekpetey has been adjudged as the Best Foreign player in Bulgaria for 2022 at the just ended 62nd football awards held in Sofia.
Tekpetey has been instrumental for Ludogorets, who currently sit second on the league table with 47 points after 18 games. They are one point behind log leaders, CSKA Sofia.
The 25-year-old has scooped the best foreign player award in Bulgaria for his outstanding performance in the top-flight.
He has scored 10 goals and provided 7 assists in 33 matches for Ludogorets.
The enterprising forward joined the Bulgarian giants in 2021 from German side Schalke O4 on a two-year deal.
Despite his exploits in 2022, the forward was omitted from the Black Stars for the World Cup tournament in Qatar.
Ghanaian musician Kuami Eugene has finally spoken about his weight gain.
In the interview on Joy Prime’s new ‘The Doreen Avio Show’, Kuami Eugene said he had tried not to gain weight.
“I don’t need flesh. I try as much as possible now not to get flesh because I know a time will come I will probably get the flesh I need because now I am able to afford this pizza, buy lasagna and I am eating good. That means if I don’t take good care of myself, by the time I am 40 I can’t be like Okyeame Kwame”, he quipped.
Kuami made the statement when the host Doreen Avio expressed hope that he would gain weight one day, after going through hard times while growing up and subsequently in pursuit of his music career.
For the past few months, there have been a barrage of comments on social media regarding the Rockstar’s weight gain. While some have described his new look as attractive, others have cautioned him not to lose control of maintaining a healthy body shape.
The Lynx Entertainment signee sealed a deal with American record label Empire in 2022 and released ‘Single’ to that effect.
He has also announced he will soon be releasing his next album.
