Some people from Nigeria prayed for their country because they think that the economy is getting worse.
Muslim traders in Nigeria’s largest textile market, Kantin Kwari, in Kano state, left their shops to pray on the streets because they want God to help the economy.
One shop owner, Hamisu Sani, said to the media that many people are struggling because they can’t afford to buy enough food.
“We asked God for help because we don’t know what our leaders are doing to fix the economy. ”
“A poor person can’t afford a bag of rice and sugar anymore. We need God’s help,” he said.
In the last few years, the cost of food has been going up in Nigeria.
The government’s decision to remove subsidies on petrol made the situation even worse.
Author: Chris Kodo
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Nigerians pray “extra” over country’s struggling economy
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‘Russian missile boat struck by Ukraine in Black Sea’
Ukrainian forces claim they have destroyed a Russian missile boat from the Black Sea Fleet in a special operation near Russian-occupied Crimea.
The Ivanovets, a small warship, was hit directly on its side and sunk overnight, according to military intelligence.
It has released a video that claims to show the moment when the crash happened, and then a big explosion.
Russian authorities have not said anything about the incident.
However, a Russian military blogger named “Voenkor Kotenok” wrote on Telegram that the boat sank after being hit three times by naval drones.
The boat in the Ukrainian video looks like a Tarantul missile boat, which is the same type of boat that the Ivanovets is.
This includes the arrangement of the mast and sensors on the main part of the ship, and a big radar dome on top of the bridge.
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said their special unit “Group 13” destroyed the boat in Lake Donuzlav, a bay in Crimea where the naval base is located.
The Russian ship was hit several times and got damaged. It couldn’t move anymore and sank. This was reported on their Telegram channel.
A rescue mission by Russian teams in the area did not find anything.
The ship was said to be worth around $60-70 million (or £47-55 million).
Ukraine did really well in the war near the Black Sea. They were able to damage or destroy Russian warships even though they don’t have their own fleet.
In December, Kyiv destroyed a big boat called Novocherkassk in Feodosia, Crimea. Russia said the ship was broken.
Last September, a missile hit the headquarters of the Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol. Satellite pictures revealed that the Russian navy had shifted a lot of its Black Sea fleet from Crimea to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. -
Court targets March 2024 to pass ruling on JB Danquah murder trial
Presiding Judge in the murder trial of JB Danquah Adu, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, anticipates the completion of the trial in March 2024.
The proceedings had faced delays as a juror had been on maternity leave since October of the previous year.
The Court, along with the jury, prosecution, and defense lawyers, has now agreed on a schedule from February 20 to March 27, 2024, to expedite the case’s conclusion.
The trial had stalled since the beginning of the legal year in 2023/24. Asiedu, pleading not guilty to murder and robbery charges, is currently facing cross-examination from the defense.
Prosecution led by Mrs. Sefakor Batse, a Principal State Attorney will close their case after his cross-examination.
In order to ensure a speedy trial, the Court together with the jury, the prosecution, and the defence lawyers have since agreed on a series of dates beginning from February 20 to March 27, 2024, to complete the case.
“Further dates have been agreed upon for the continuation of this trial which starts from February 20 to March 27, 2024, by which time the trial would have been completed,” Justice Lydia Osei Marfo stated prior to adjourning the case to Feb 20, 2024.
Daniel Asiedu alias Sexy Don Don has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder and is standing trial. He has also denied the charge of robbery.
Asiedu together with Vincent Bossu alias Agongo have been charged with conspiracy to rob.
Both are still in lawful custody with Prosecution calling witnesses with the investigator currently in the witness box.
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EU leaders announce a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine
All 27 leaders of the European Union agreed to give Ukraine a €50 billion aid package after Hungary had initially stopped the agreement.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, is happy about the new money. He thinks it will make the country stronger financially.
Ukraine’s economy ministry said it thinks it will get the first part of the money in March.
People were worried that the Prime Minister of Hungary would once again stop the deal, like he did at a meeting in Europe last December. Viktor Orban, who is a close friend of the Russian president Vladimir Putin in the European Union, said he wants to make the EU change its policy towards Ukraine. He also questioned the idea of giving money to Kyiv for the next four years.
The package will give money to cover pensions, salaries, and other expenses for the next four years. The US Congress is delaying military help for Ukraine.
They announced the agreement shortly after the meeting started. This surprised many people because they thought the discussions would take a long time, as Mr. Orban and the other EU leaders had very different opinions.
A source who works in diplomacy told Reuters that the new agreement includes talking about it every year and checking it again in two years, if necessary.
Mr Orban wanted to vote on the package every year. But this could have allowed Hungary to stop the deal every year.
“A good day for Europe,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, on X.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the leaders of the European Union. He mentioned that the decision was made by all 27 leaders. He also said that the package would help make Ukraine’s economy and money more stable for a long time.
The money was really important for Ukraine’s finances, and it also needs Europe to keep supporting it.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Europe needs to invest in its own security. He said that Ukraine is standing up to Russia for everyone – stopping Vladimir Putin from trying to change the world by using force.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk didn’t like how Mr. Orban was acting, and said on X that maybe Viktor Orban could be convinced to change his mind. “Let’s” -
You have lost the corruption battle – Sammy Gyamfi tells Akufo-Addo
Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has declared that the fight against corruption in Ghana has been lost under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Gyamfi highlighted Ghana’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) performance over the past seven years, pointing out that the best CPI performance was achieved in 2014 under former President John Dramani Mahama.
He contrasted this with the worst CPI performance in 2017 under the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration, emphasizing a clear decline in Ghana’s fight against corruption.
Gyamfi accused the current government of institutionalizing corruption and allowing it to thrive unchecked, listing various scandals to support his claims.
“Did you know that Ghana’s best Corruption Perception Index performance was achieved in the year 2014, under the leadership of H.E John Dramani Mahama, when the country attained its highest CPI score: a score of 48?” Gyamfi questioned.
He went on to contrast this with the worst CPI performance in the last decade, which he attributed to the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration in 2017, recording a score of 40.
He also pointed out that even in John Mahama’s worst CPI performance, a score of 43 in 2016, it still surpassed Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s best score under the CPI of Transparency International.
According to Gyamfi, these figures demonstrate a clear decline in Ghana’s fight against corruption under the current government.
“Did you know that John Mahama’s worst Corruption Perception Index performance, was a score of 43, recorded in the year 2016. And that, this score remains Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s best score under the CPI of Transparency International?
“It is glaringly clear, from Ghana’s performance under the CPI in the last seven (7) years, that the fight against corruption has been lost by the corrupt and wasteful Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, who have institutionalized corruption and made it a thriving free for all venture. Never in the history of Ghana has any government enabled, facilitated, promoted and defended corruption like this government has done,” he added.
He continued to accuse the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government of institutionalizing corruption and allowing it to thrive unchecked.
He listed some scandals under this government, including BOSTGATE, PDS, PPA Contracts for Sale, “Galamsey” fraud, Ameri Novation, missing excavators, missing fertilizers, missing oil, missing tricycles, Sputnik V Vaccine, COVID-19 funds “chop chop,” Number 12, Appearance Fee, Gold Mafia, stolen rice, and the latest stinky SML scandal.
“From the BOSTGATE scandal to the PDS scandal, to the PPA Contracts for Sale scandal, to the ‘Galamsey’ fraud scandal, to the Ameri Novation scandal, to the missing excavators scandal, to the missing fertilizers scandal, to the missing oil scandal, to the missing tricycles scandal, to the Sputnik V Vaccine scandal, to the COVID-19 funds ‘chop chop’ scandal, to the Number 12 scandal, to the Appearance Fee scandal, to the Gold Mafia scandal, to the stolen rice scandal, to the latest stinky SML scandal; Jack Toronto and his younger brother and Mentee, have facilitated, perpetrated and promoted corruption, leading to unprecedented financial losses to the state.
“Jack Toronto and his younger brother and mentee have facilitated, perpetrated, and promoted corruption, leading to unprecedented financial losses to the state,” Gyamfi alleged.
He further accused the government of failing to protect the public purse, as promised during their opposition campaign, and instead, wasting state resources on what he described as “useless ventures.”
The communication officer further claimed that the government has not only failed to fight corruption, but has actively targeted corruption fighters.
He mentioned the murder of anti-corruption investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, the ousting of the former Auditor General, Yao Domelevo; the resignation of the former Special Prosecutor, Martin A.B.K Amidu; and the oppression of several journalists and critical voices, as examples.
Gyamfi concluded with a political call to action, warning the public that a vote for Vice President Bawumia is essentially a third term vote for a corrupt Akufo-Addo and his alleged “greedy cabal of family and friends.”
He wrote, “Remember, that a vote for Bawumia is a third term vote for corrupt Akufo-Addo and his greedy cabal of family and friends.
“Don’t let your vote, aid them to escape from accountability. Rather let your vote, aid the state to hold them accountable.
“A vote for H.E John Dramani Mahama (The Nation Builder) is the only way, we can hold these crooks accountable for the several crimes they have committed against our beloved nation.”
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Ex-spy dossier case against Trump dismissed by High Court
Donald Trump tried to take legal action in the UK against a former MI6 officer who made a report connecting him to Russia, but he was not successful.
The ex-president wanted to sue Christopher Steele’s company using data protection laws, but the High Court rejected the case.
Mr Steele put together a file with claims about giving money to officials and having parties with sex. These claims have not been proven.
It was shared with the media right before Mr. Trump became president.
He sued Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd because he said the file had wrong information and violated his data privacy rights.
Mrs Justice Steyn DBE said that on Thursday in London, she did not decide if the allegations are true or not, but she did say that Mr. Trump’s claim was made too late, after the six-year time limit.
She wrote that there are no good reasons to let the claim go to trial.
Mr Steele will make a statement later today.
The situation started in 2016, when a US political company asked Mr. Steele’s company to make a report about Russian involvement in the US election that year.
Hillary Clinton’s Democrats and other people who don’t like Mr Trump paid for the project.
Mr Steele, who used to lead a department in the UK’s secret service, sent his discoveries to the FBI, a British security officer, and a helper to a high-ranking US lawmaker.
BuzzFeed News got a file that said Mr. Trump had a secret relationship with Russia that might not be true.
The ex-president said in court last year that “none of the things in the Steele dossier ever happened. ”
“I want to make it clear that I never did any perverted sexual acts, like hiring prostitutes for ‘golden showers’ in a hotel in Moscow. ”
Mr Trump said that investigations proved the dossier was not true, but it still caused him a lot of harm and stress because people still believed it.
He said he couldn’t sue in the UK before 2023 because he was too busy being president.
Antony White told the court in October that Mr. Trump agreed that the company was not to blame for BuzzFeed’s release of the document.
Orbis said that the ex-president’s case was trying to fix old problems.
Special Investigator Robert Mueller examined claims that Mr. Trump’s campaign and transition teams worked with Russian agents to influence the 2016 election to help him win.
It did not prove there was a criminal plan, but it showed 10 times where he may have tried to stop justice. -
Labour expert hints at more impending strikes
Labour consultant Austin Gamey has issued a warning to the Labour Commission (NLC), highlighting the likelihood of increased industrial actions by various groups and unions in the coming days.
Gamey attributes this potential surge to the government‘s failure to address critical issues raised by unions, particularly in financial matters.
He warned that the National Labour Commission could be overwhelmed if these issues are not promptly addressed.
Gamey emphasizes the importance of the employer’s proactive and responsive approach to prevent discontent among unions, urging effective management of human resources to avoid further strikes.
“They will join and to handle it would be beyond description because the National Labour Commission will be overwhelmed, and the consequences are very dire,” he stated.
Gamey explained that with his years of experience in the field, it appears there is a simmering discontent among various unions regarding financial matters.
“Because of the work we do, our nose smells all these types of things… we are aware that many other unions are concerned about some indebtedness this way or the other,” he added.
Gamey advised that the employer, particularly its human resource management systems, should be proactive and responsive in dealing with the issues, so that the unions would not feel neglected and resort to strikes.
“So, it’s for the employer, especially its human resource management systems, to be activated to ensure that they are very frontal in dealing with the issues so that others do not say that they will have to wait and then cash in,” he stressed.
The country is currently witnessing a wave of strikes from the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana, Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU-TUC), and Ghana Association of University Administrators, who are demanding better conditions of service and payment of their allowances.
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NDC aligns with Mahama’s stance on same-sex marriages – Sam George asserts
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has voiced its support for the position of its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, on LGBTQ+ issues.
The former President recently expressed his opposition to same-sex marriages, citing his faith and emphasizing the natural order of creation.
Samuel Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, affirmed that any decision made by the party’s flagbearer reflects the party’s stance on LGBTQ+ matters.
He noted that both past and current party leadership endorse the proponents of the anti-gay bill.
The bill, aimed at criminalizing LGBT activities, is currently at the 60% consideration stage in Parliament, with George expressing optimism about its eventual passage.
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NPP parliamentary candidate sends strong warning to Alhassan Suhuyini over NPP projects
New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Tamale North Constituency, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Alidu Abreh, has accused the incumbent MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, of wrongfully claiming credit for government-sponsored projects.
Specifically, Abreh pointed to the ongoing construction of the Kalpohin-Kanvili Kpawumo bridge, asserting that it is entirely funded by the government. He emphasized that the MP played no role in the project, criticizing him for attempting to associate himself with it.
Abreh, eyeing victory in the December elections, pledged to bring positive change to the constituency, accusing Suhuyini of neglecting the area.
“Our government cannot be championing this kind of project and our MP who has run away from the constituency will now come back and be claiming the projects”, Alhaji Abreh told journalists after inspecting the project.
“This particular project, the MP has nothing to do with it. He’s not involved in it at all”, he added.
He said the project was solely funded by the central government through the Department of Urban Roads and is being executed by Ihsan Company Limited.
While commending the Chief of Kpawumo for adding his voice to urban roads, he cautioned the MP to shy away from trying to associate himself with the project.
The NPP parliamentary candidate has promised to win the seat for his party for the first time when Ghana goes to the polls in December.
He has repeatedly accused Alhaji Suhuyini of abandoning the constituency and doing little to improve the lives of the people, a situation he has promised to change when voted into power.
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Israelis provide proof of sexual violence by Hamas to British MPs
Israelis who handled the bodies of the victims of the 7 October attacks by Hamas in Israel, have told British lawmakers that the female victims were deliberately and systematically harmed, and that some were sexually assaulted.
Kemi Badenoch, who is in charge of business and women’s issues, said that all the reports of sexual violence must be looked into and we must speak out against it. “Rape is not fighting back,” she said.
Hamas says its fighters did not sexually attack women during the attacks.
But a high-ranking police officer in Israel said they have strong proof that rape and other sexual violence were committed on a large scale, which is a serious crime.
On 7 October, many armed Palestinians from Gaza entered southern Israel. They killed about 1,300 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others as hostages.
Israel fought in Gaza and many people, mostly women and children, were killed.
Many of the lawmakers in Parliament were crying when they heard the stories of the Israelis at the meeting on Wednesday.
Architect Shari Mendes was asked to help the military identify female bodies brought to the Shura army base after October 7th.
“She said that a lot of women came with torn and bloody underwear, and many of them had no clothes at all. ”
Our leader saw a lot of female soldiers who were shot in their private parts or breasts. This was unnecessary. This was an intentional, planned, cut to the genitals.
Ms Mendes said her team has seen bodies with their heads or limbs cut off. “I’m here to speak for them,” she said.
Simcha Greiniman was a volunteer for Zaka, an Israeli group that gathers bodies to bury them.
He told the BBC that he found many dead bodies after the Hamas attack.
“In a house, there was a woman who was not with her family. ” She was in her bedroom, resting on her bed, he remembered.
“She was only wearing clothes on the top half of her body. ” She was hit in the back of her head by a bullet. She was holding a dangerous bomb in her hand.
He talked about finding a woman with nails and other objects in her private parts. He said it was something very difficult to imagine.
Mr Greiniman said that he saw some people who had been sexually assaulted.“He said definitely,definitely,without a doubt. ” “I’m the one who handled it. “”I am the eyes. “
“I want to tell you that this is how things happened, and I want the world to see it. ” We are speaking honestly, and the world needs to listen and take action.
He asked the world to acknowledge what happened and not ignore it. He also wanted the people responsible to be sent to jail. “He said they need to be punished for their actions. “
Ms Mendes and Mr Greiniman are not experts on sexual violence. But, their testimony matches the evidence that the Israeli government has collected from forensic investigations and statements from witnesses and first responders.
Chief Superintendent Mirit Ben,who leads the Israel Police,spoke to the lawmakers and said it was hard to gather evidence because the murders happened in many places and many people were killed.
She said that there is proof that the victims were raped and sexually assaulted. We are looking in to very bad crimes against people.
The BBC has found proof that women were raped and hurt. The video shows a person who saw what happened at the Nova music festival. There are also videos of women who are naked and bleeding, filmed by Hamas gunmen, and pictures of bodies from different attacks.
Agam Berger’s cousin said at the meeting that we need to bring back over 100 Israelis and other people who are still being kept as captives in Gaza.
Ashley Waxman Bakshi said she didn’t even know if her cousin wanted to stay alive after being held for a longtime.
“We are really worried while our women and girls are with these bad people. If they did something in 8 or 12 hours on October7,it’s very concerning. “”They stayed there for 117 days. ” What if they are having a baby.
Kemi Badenoch said the UK supports and stands together with all the victims. She also asked international groups to speak out clearly against sexual violence towards Israelis and to not have different rules for different people.
Israeli officials and activists are saying that the leaders of the UN and other international organizations are taking too long to respond to the allegations.
On Monday, Pramila Patten, who is a UN Special Representative,came to Israel to talk to people who have been through sexual violence in conflict. She wants to find ways to help them,like getting justice and holding people accountable. She also wants to gather and check information about what has happened to them.
The Israeli president’s office is asking victims, their families, and witnesses to speak up and not stay silent, so that those who hurt them can be punished.
“We want to make sure that the [victims] get justice so we can stop this terrible act,” she said.
Two United Nations human rights experts said earlier this month that the reported acts of sexual violence are very serious and against the law. They may be considered war crimes or crimes against humanity because of the large number of victims and the planned nature of the attacks. -
Inexperienced, wealth-seeking youngsters should not exploit Parliament as money-making avenue – Fiifi Kwetey
General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has expressed the need for a shift towards considering experience when selecting individuals to represent the public in Parliament.
He argues that Parliament should not serve as an avenue for inexperienced individuals to quickly access financial resources.
In his statement to the media, Kwetey emphasized the importance of encouraging individuals with significant experience to enter Parliament. He urged a departure from the trend where young people with limited or no work experience enter Parliament, potentially driven by a desire for quick access to financial resources.
“Parliament should stop being an avenue where young people who have never worked can get quick access to money and therefore had no experience and rushing into it. It is not bad,” remarked Kwetey.
He further asserted that public service should ideally be entered into from a position of experience, enabling individuals to contribute meaningfully by bringing their accumulated knowledge and skills to the table.
As Ghana looks toward the future of its parliamentary representation, Kwetey’s perspective raises considerations on the qualifications and experiences that should be prioritized in selecting representatives. The debate on the criteria for parliamentary eligibility continues, with a growing emphasis on the value of experience in contributing to effective governance.
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TEWU lay down their tools over unaddressed concerns effective today
Members of the Tertiary Education Workers Union (TEWU) have commenced an indefinite strike from today, February 1, 2024.
The decision comes as a response to the government’s alleged failure to address a range of concerns, including welfare needs, Tier-two pension funds, vehicle maintenance allowance, and overtime allowance.
Various services provided by TEWU members, such as cleaning the environment, setting up classrooms, providing security, and hospital services, have been withdrawn as part of the industrial action. The National Chairman of TEWU, Sulemana Abdul-Rahman, emphasized that the strike will persist until their grievances are effectively addressed by the government.
“On the lackadaisical nature of the employer, which is the government of Ghana, to address the challenges and problems of TEWU members in the traditional public universities, the TEWU of Ghana hereby declares an indefinite strike, and the strike takes effect on 1st February, which is Thursday, until further notice,” declared Abdul-Rahman.
The union’s decision reflects the frustration among its members, who feel that their concerns have been overlooked, prompting this bold move to seek resolution. The indefinite strike is expected to impact various aspects of tertiary education services, creating urgency for authorities to engage with TEWU and address the underlying issues.
As the strike unfolds, stakeholders, including the government, are urged to initiate constructive dialogue to find a mutually agreeable solution, ensuring the resumption of essential services in the tertiary education sector.
The duration and impact of the strike will depend on the responsiveness of the government to the concerns raised by TEWU.
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UK to send its former Afghan special forces elsewhere
The government says it will look again at the cases of Afghan special forces who worked with the British but were not allowed to come to the UK.
James Heappey, the Minister in charge of the Armed Forces, said that applications from people who were not eligible would be looked at again if they had good reasons to say they were connected to special units in Afghanistan.
The “Triples” were special groups created and paid for by the UK.
However, many people were not allowed to move to a different place after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021.
Activists have been advocating for them since the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021. One person called the government’s decision a very important and life-changing day.
The ARAP program started in April 2021 to help Afghan people who worked closely with the UK government.
People who qualify can move to the UK with their partner, children who rely on them, and other family members who are eligible too, according to the program.
Last month, media said that over 200 ex-members of the Triples are in Pakistan and could be sent back. British soldiers gave them good reviews but didn’t keep track of them.
Mr Heappey said that after reviewing the ARAP criteria, they found some inconsistencies. They will take action to fix this.
He said a new team in the Ministry of Defence will review the cases again. The UK is thankful to the people who served in Afghanistan with or for the British forces.
‘Deceptive or not skilled’
Commando Force 333 and Afghan Territorial Force 444 were considered to be the best soldiers in the Afghan military.
The British started them during their 20-year mission in the country, working closely with UK special forces. Former high-ranking officers told BBC Newsnight that the British paid them for many years.
When the Taliban took control of Kabul, the Triples were one of the last Afghan groups still fighting. They also helped to keep British people safe as they left the city.Some people were able to leave the country during the disorganized evacuation, but many people were not able to. They thought that because they had been with the British for a long time, they would automatically get help from the ARAP scheme. But many former Triples have gotten stuck in a process that is called “a big unfairness. ”
One person told the BBC that it was really awful.
“They were really sure they would be looked after, but it was really sad to have to hide and see their friends get killed, and not get any help or be turned away,” they said.
“We did not take care of these people like we were supposed to. We made a mistake. ” These choices were against the law. The MoD knew they were breaking the law but just tried to postpone dealing with it.
“They have been tricky. “
Gen Sir Richard Barrons, who was in the British Army in Afghanistan for more than 12 years, said it is shameful that the UK has not moved these soldiers. It shows that either we are not honest as a country or we are not capable.
Many important military, legal, political, and diplomatic people have been helping them for a long time. However, the government had not wanted to review their cases up until now.
Last month, the minister in charge of the military told the lawmakers that there was a problem with identification. Mr Heappey said it was difficult to check the work of those who served in the unit but not directly with UK personnel.
Former soldiers were very angry and said they tried to give references but were ignored.
‘Not everyone will succeed’
Thursday’s news was good for the people who wanted it, but the delay has caused some people to die. We don’t know the exact number, but there are a lot of reports about former soldiers being hurt or killed by the Taliban.
“We have lost some people already, not everyone will survive, but for those who do, this is the end of two and a half years of hiding. ” This is good news for them, because it has the chance to give them and their families a better life.Heappey said it was difficult to figure out who was eligible because the government didn’t have all the information they needed.
He also said: “We appreciate the support and advocacy for ARAP from members, and we understand how much it means to people here and in other places. ” We feel strongly about this in the MoD and the government, and we will work fast to make it happen.
Despite the announcement on Thursday, supporters of the Triples who talked to the BBC still have questions about how quickly eligible people will be brought over and why it took the government so long to change a policy they see as a betrayal. -
Sammy Gyamfi accuses Akufo-Addo govt of institutionalizing corruption
National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi Esq., has taken a swipe at the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led government, accusing it of institutionalizing and perpetrating corruption.
The post follows the release of the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI), where Gyamfi asserts that Ghana’s fight against corruption has been lost under the current administration.
Gyamfi highlighted that Ghana’s best CPI performance was in 2014, during John Dramani Mahama’s leadership, with a score of 48. In contrast, the worst performance in the last decade occurred in 2017 under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, with a score of 40. He emphasized that Mahama’s worst score was 43 in 2016, which remains the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government’s best score.
The NDC Communications Officer claimed that corruption had become a thriving venture under the current government, listing various scandals such as BOSTGATE, PDS, PPA Contracts for Sale, “Galamsey” fraud, Ameri Novation, missing excavators, missing fertilizers, missing oil, missing tricycles, Sputnik V Vaccine, COVID-19 funds, Number 12, Appearance Fee, Gold Mafia, stolen rice, and the latest SML scandal.
Gyamfi accused the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration of facilitating, perpetrating, and promoting corruption, leading to unprecedented financial losses for the state. He criticized the government for not protecting the public purse, as promised in opposition, and for allegedly shielding co-perpetrators of corruption from accountability.
The NDC official also alleged that instead of fighting corruption, the government had targeted corruption fighters, citing the murder of journalist Ahmed Suale, the ousting of Auditor General Yao Domelevo, the resignation of Special Prosecutor Martin A.B.K Amidu, and the oppression of journalists.
In conclusion, Gyamfi urged voters not to support a “third-term” for what he labeled the “Corrupt Akufo-Addo and his greedy cabal of family and friends.” He called for accountability through voting for John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming elections.
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Sam George confident in passage of Anti-Gay Bill by March 2024
A prominent advocate for the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, Sam Nartey George, has expressed confidence in the potential passage of the Bill by March 2024.
Often referred to as the anti-gay bill, the legislation seeks to criminalize same-sex relationships, including oral and anal activities, proposing penalties ranging from five to 10 years of imprisonment.
In an interview on Eyewitness News at Citi FM, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram shared insights into the bill’s current status, highlighting ongoing amendments with inputs from various stakeholders.
“They are almost 60% done with consideration. Hopefully, there will be another two weeks of parliamentary work when we resume, and they should be done with consideration. The third stage of reading is just a procedural thing. It is read, and then the bill is passed,” George explained.
Providing a timeline for the potential passage, George stated, “In fact, during the first session of the meeting we are about to start, we believe that in the first session, which is going to run from the 6th of February to the end of March or early April, I believe that we should pass the bill before Easter. I think it is something we should give as an Easter gift from parliament to the nation. So we would strive to work with the speaker and the committee chair.”
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Former NDC Comms Officer cleared of incest, defilement charges over lack of evidence
Former Central Region Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Emmanuel Kwasi Dawood Mensah, has been acquitted and discharged by a Cape Coast Circuit Court, alongside his friend and co-accused, Attah Mensah. The court’s decision, delivered on January 22, 2024, was based on insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.
The charges, which included incest, defilement, abortion, and abetment of abortion, were brought under Sections 101(2), 105, 84, 58, and 20 of The Criminal and Offences Act, 1960 Act 29. Judge Dorinda Smith Arthur, presiding at the Cape Coast Circuit Court, expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, leading to the acquittal and discharge of the accused.
During the trial, the judge highlighted the survivor’s disclosure, an eighteen-year-old identified as PW1, who revealed to her school counsellor that her biological father (A2), engaged in sexual intercourse with her since 2019. The survivor faced challenges in seeking justice, including being injected and given medications against her will.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, the court emphasized the prosecution’s failure to substantiate the charges, prompting the acquittal of Emmanuel Kwasi Dawood Mensah and Attah Mensah. The outcome of the trial underscores the critical importance of thorough investigations and compelling evidence in cases of such.
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Houthi Red Sea attacks: Group says it struck US container ship
The Houthi group in Yemen claims they have hit a US merchant ship called KOI in the Red Sea in a new attack on commercial ships.
But two sources who work at sea told the media to Verify that the Houthi claim was not true. US and UK authorities have not said if an attack happened.
Security company Ambrey said a ship near Yemen’s southern coast had an explosion on its right side, but they did not say which ship it was.
At the same time, the US started more air attacks in Yemen.
Ten flying machines called drones were going to be sent into the air, but somebody tried to attack them before they could take off.
Reuters news agency says that the KOI is a container ship from Liberia. It is operated by a company in the UK called Oceonix Services. The company owns a ship called Marlin Luanda, which was hit by a missile and got damaged on Saturday.
The Houthis think it’s okay to attack Israeli, US and British ships because of things these countries have done in the past. The US and Britain say they are attacking Houthi missile positions to protect their trade.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said on Wednesday that their armed forces attacked an American ship named KOI with some naval missiles.
He said the ship was going to the ports of a place called “occupied Palestine”, which is another name for Israel.
The industry publication Trade Winds said that the claim was not true. Instead, a crew member who was sick was taken off the ship for medical help.
Two people who work in maritime security agreed with this opinion. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has not sent any alerts about the attacks.
But Mr Sarea said again that the Houthis would not hesitate to fight back against any increased actions from Britain and America.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces consider all American and British ships in the Red and Arabian Seas as targets as long as the American-British aggression against our country continues,” said the Houthi spokesman.
The US Central Command said that 10 drones in Yemen were getting ready to be launched and they were a danger to ships and US warships in that area.
It said that all 10 were destroyed, including a Houthi drone control station on the ground.
The US said one of its boats destroyed three Iranian drones and a missile from the Houthi group in the Gulf of Aden.
Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea are making it harder to trade internationally. People are worried this will cause problems with getting supplies where they need to go.
On 7 October, many gunmen from Gaza went into southern Israel and killed about 1,300 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others as hostages.
Israel started a war in Gaza and more than 26,900 people, mostly women and children, have died. This information comes from the health ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by the Hamas group. -
Modi of India avoids large expenditures in pre-election budget
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s government, has shown its final budget before the country’s upcoming general elections.
The temporary budget will start on 1 April until the new government makes a complete budget.
It’s no surprise that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is still supporting the building of infrastructure, which has been a big reason for India’s economic growth. This year, over $130 billion will be spent on building things like roads and ports. This is an 11% increase from last year. However, it is not as much of an increase as India has seen in previous years.
Ms Sitharaman said the government will make 20 million cheap houses in the next five years, on top of the almost 30 million built already.
Shubhada Rao, an economist and founder of QuantEco Research, said that this will help the rural economy by creating jobs and building things. It will also help the government’s plan for society and the economy.
The government plans to spend a lot of money, which should keep India’s economy growing at around 7%. The fast growth has helped the government to collect more taxes and reduce its fiscal deficit by 0. 5% to 51%
This would mean less borrowing from the market, which caused a rise in India’s bond markets. “According to Ms. Rao, the finance minister has set a goal to reach a 4. 5% fiscal deficit by 2026. ”
No new tax breaks were announced for the middle class workers and Mr Modi’s spending plan before the election did not include big increases in social programs. The only exception was a program to give free electricity to 10 million households through rooftop solar projects, which was meant to attract voters.
India will continue to give free food to 800 million people for the next five years.
Many people expect that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will stay in power because they won three provincial elections last year and Mr. Modi is very popular.
Although the government’s desire to please the general public has decreased, people are increasingly criticizing the government for not spending enough on health and education.
Dr Raghuram Rajan, the former governor of India‘s central bank RBI, said that India has focused too much on building things and not enough on developing its people. This was a concern because India has a lot of people without jobs.
“We don’t have good data on jobs, so we don’t know what’s going on,” Dr. He also said that in some parts of India, many people don’t have enough food to eat which is not okay because India’s economy is doing better than most others.
Economists are worried because private investment is not growing fast enough, and India’s consumption is showing uneven growth. The rich in cities are buying expensive things, while the poor in rural areas are spending less. -
5 businessmen sentenced to 60 years in prison for importing 2,200 grams of cocaine
Five businessmen arrested at Kotoka International Airport in 2019 for the importation of 2,200 grams of cocaine have been slapped with a total of 60 years in prison.
The verdict was delivered by the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.
The convicted individuals are Frank Asante (First Accused), Kweku Antwi (2nd Accused, currently at large), Alhassan Iddrisu (3rd Accused), Clifford Boakye (4th Accused), and Isaac Kwakye (5th Accused). The court found them guilty on three counts: Conspiracy to commit a crime, namely possession of a narcotic; importation of narcotic drugs; and possession of narcotic drugs.
Justice Osei Marfo imposed the minimum punishment of 10 years each on all the convicts under the old Narcotics Control Law PNDC Law 236, which has since been amended by Act 1019.
“I have listened to Counsel on both sides and I have looked at the old (PNDC Law 236) and the new law (Act 1019). And I am satisfied that, (under) the old law, the punishment for the offenses for which they have been charged is lesser in severity than the new law in the same offense,” Justice Marfo stated.
The court considered mitigation factors and the conduct of the convicts during the trial. All five individuals were sentenced to 10 years each for Conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of a narcotic, and possession of narcotic.
For the charge of importation of narcotic drugs, Asante and Antwi were separately sentenced to an additional 10 years each. The four present in court will serve their sentences concurrently, while Antwi, who jumped bail, will serve his punishment consecutively upon arrest.
Justice Marfo addressed the constitutional provisions under Article 19(6) of the Constitution, stating, “I cannot impose punishment stipulated under the new law.”
The case originated from intelligence gathered by the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), indicating that Frank Asante and his accomplices had been importing and dealing in narcotic substances from Brazil and other countries.
The intelligence team observed Asante’s activities, leading to the arrest of the accused persons at Kotoka International Airport in July 2019, with 2,200 grams of cocaine discovered in their possession.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) confirmed the purity and weight of the substances. The court’s decision reflects a strong stance against drug trafficking and reinforces the legal consequences for those involved in such illicit activities.
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My son’s blood will be on your hands if you pardon his killers – Major Mahama’s mother warns president
Mother of the late Major Maxwell Mahama, Veronica Bamford, has issued a stern warning, declaring that any future government granting parole to those convicted of her son’s murder would bear the responsibility for his blood.
Major Mahama, a serving military officer, tragically lost his life in a mob lynching incident in Denkyira Obuasi, a town that garnered national attention. Twelve out of the 14 individuals involved were recently sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the gruesome murder.
Bamford, visibly moved and shedding tears, conveyed her anguish at the Attorney General’s office, where she had paid a courtesy call on Godfred Dame.
She expressed her gratitude for the successful prosecution of her son’s murderers but strongly rejected proposals to name a street after Major Maxwell Mahama in Denkyira Obuasi.
“May they rot in hell, may they never come out, and any government that should come into power and give any of them parole, that government will have my son’s blood on their hands,” Bamford passionately stated, emphasizing her unwavering stance against leniency for the convicted individuals.
The verdict, delivered on January 29, 2024, saw a unanimous guilty verdict for 12 of the accused, including the local assemblyman William Baah, Bernard Asamoah (aka Daddy), Kofi Nyarko (aka Abortion), Akwasi Baah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim, John Bosie, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, and Kwadwo Anim. Two individuals, Bismark Donkor and Bismarck Abanga, were acquitted and discharged.
Major Maxwell Mahama’s death remains a tragic chapter in Ghana’s history, and the recent convictions have been a significant step towards justice.
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I don’t pity politicians – Ben Ephson says as he blames politicians for monetisation woes in politics
Renowned Ghanaian pollster, Ben Ephson, has expressed his lack of sympathy for politicians grappling with the issue of monetization in the country.
Ephson, known for his insightful analysis of political dynamics, made these remarks following the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary primaries on Saturday, January 27, 2023.
Ephson unequivocally laid the blame at the feet of politicians for the rising trend of monetization in politics, stating, “As for the moneyocracy, it is the politicians who have brought it, so they should deal with it.”
When pressed on whether he pitied politicians in light of the challenges posed by the monetization of politics, Ephson responded with a resounding, “Not at all, politicians I don’t pity them; they have brought it.”
The issue of monetization has been a prominent concern in Ghanaian politics, especially in the aftermath of the NPP’s parliamentary primaries, where 28 sitting parliamentarians lost their bids for re-election. Additionally, over a dozen others decided against seeking re-election, with various reasons cited, including personal considerations and the increasing financial burden of running for public office.
Politicians across the spectrum have faced criticism for the perceived influence of money in electoral processes, with concerns about the potential distortion of democratic principles. Ephson’s straightforward perspective sheds light on the internal challenges within political circles and underscores the need for self-reflection and accountability among politicians.
As Ghana navigates its political landscape, Ephson’s commentary adds a crucial dimension to the ongoing discourse about the role of money in politics, challenging politicians to address the root causes of monetization and its impact on the democratic process.
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NPP has a lot to celebrate – Gabby Otchere-Darko on Akufo-Addo’s tenure
Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and Senior Partner at Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Gabby Otchere-Darko, has highlighted the substantial achievements of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during President Akufo-Addo’s tenure.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show, Otchere-Darko emphasized the party’s success in several areas and stressed the importance of effective communication to celebrate these accomplishments.
Despite acknowledging existing challenges, Otchere-Darko expressed confidence in the positive impact of the current government’s initiatives. He particularly commended President Akufo-Addo’s dedication to shaping the country’s future through significant investments.
“Maybe when he [Akufo-Addo] leaves and he’s gone, then we will miss him. We will notice it, but not now. After he’s long gone, they’ll say it,” stated Otchere-Darko, suggesting that the full extent of the President’s leadership will be appreciated in retrospect.
Gabby Otchere-Darko urged the NPP to effectively articulate and communicate their achievements to the public, emphasizing that the party has much to celebrate when the deeds of the government are better understood. As the nation looks towards the post-2025 era, the discourse on the Akufo-Addo administration’s legacy gains significance.
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Sadc refuses to declare health emergency due to cholera
Health ministers from Southern African countries have said no to a plan to say cholera is a big health problem in the area.
Sylvia Masebo, who is in charge of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) board, said on Wednesday that each country should decide on its own if they want to call the cholera outbreak a health emergency or not.
Speaking at a meeting in Ethiopia, Ms Masebo, who is Zambia’s health minister, asked countries to take action to stop the current outbreak from spreading.
She said that the outbreak had impacted around 15 Sadc member countries.
Zambia has been hit hard by a big outbreak of disease. Almost 600 people have died and over 16,000 people have gotten sick since last October.
The country has had 30 cholera outbreaks since 1977. A charity called WaterAid says the most recent outbreak is the worst since 2017.
The current outbreak of cholera has also affected Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Sadc leaders will have a meeting on the computer on Friday to check how ready they are and how they are dealing with cholera outbreaks in the area. -
Akufo-Addo will be missed after he leaves office – Gabby Otchere-Darko
Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and Senior Partner at Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Gabby Otchere-Darko, has predicted that Ghanaians will come to appreciate the leadership of President Akufo-Addo once he concludes his term in January 2025.
Mr Otchere-Darko emphasized the importance of recognizing the current government’s accomplishments while acknowledging existing challenges.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday, January 31, Otchere-Darko stated, “Maybe when he [Akufo-Addo] leaves and he’s gone, then we will miss him. We will notice it, but not now. After he’s long gone, they’ll say it.” He underscored President Akufo-Addo’s dedication to the country’s future, evident in the investments made during his tenure.
Despite acknowledging challenges faced by the current administration, Otchere-Darko highlighted the significant achievements of the NPP government over the past eight years.
He stressed the need for effective communication to articulate these accomplishments, stating, “There’s been challenges; there’s no two ways about it, but in recognizing the challenges, also recognize the work that has been done. I think they [the NPP] have a lot to celebrate if they can articulate their deeds better.”
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Former president of Ghana against LGBTQ activities
Ghana’s former president John Dramani Mahama does not support LGBTQ practices because they go against his Christian beliefs.
Mr Mahama said he can’t accept men marrying men and women marrying women because of his faith, according to Reuters news agency.
“I don’t think anyone can just decide to change their gender from female to male,” he said, talking to a group of religious leaders in Ghana on Wednesday.
Gay rights are a big issue in Ghana.
The government in West Africa is thinking about a new law that could make life harder for LGBTQ people. If it passes, LGBTQ people could face tougher punishments.
The law says that people in Ghana can’t say they are LGBTQ. It also makes the punishment for same-sex activities longer, from three years to five years.
The bill also stops people from promoting LGBTQ rights.
Mr Mahama was the president of Ghana from 2012 to 2017. He wanted to be president again in 2016, but he lost to Nana Akufo-Addo.
The 65-year-old is running for president again in the December elections for the National Democratic Congress. -
Dafeamekpor promises to bring Gabby Otchere-Darko out of premature political retirement
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Dafeamekpor, has responded to the claim by NPP stalwart Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, that he has retired from local politics.
Reacting to the news, the South Dayi MP, boldly promised to bring Gabby out of what he termed “premature retirement.”
In a tweet dated January 31, 2024, MP Nelson-Dafeamekpor expressed his interest, stating, “Gabby, we shall bring you out of your premature retirement & renew your contract in Domestic Politics. We are not done at all yet, snr.”
The MP’s response adds an intriguing layer to the unfolding narrative surrounding Gabby’s decision to step back from domestic politics.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a cousin of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, recently announced his retirement during an interview on Asaase Radio.
He cited frustration with prevailing narratives and expressed disappointment with the governing New Patriotic Party’s lack of recognition for the government’s achievements.
While acknowledging the substantial progress made by the Akufo-Addo-led government in navigating the challenging economic landscape between 2021 and 2022, Otchere-Darko emphasized his frustration with the current political discourse.
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Kade Magistrate Court rejects Police plea to compel Kadehene and others to sign peace bond
An application by the Ghana Police Service seeking an order to compel the Chief of Kade, Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II, and four others to sign a bond pledging to keep peace in the town has been dismissed.
The decision was taken at the Kade Magistrate Court on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
The police had approached the court, expressing concerns that Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II’s attendance at multiple funerals in the area between February 2 to 4, 2024, could potentially lead to chaos, breaching public order and peace.
ASP Lois Konadu Bonti, representing the police, urged the judge to allow the application, citing the urgency of the matter. However, Captain Nkrabeah Effah Dartey (retired), counsel for Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II, argued against the application, asserting that the case pertained to a chieftaincy matter over which the court lacked jurisdiction.
Dartey pointed out that recognizing his client’s legitimacy as the chief of Kade, the police had separated him from the other respondents in the suit, suggesting that the police could provide security if needed.
In response, ASP Konadu Bonti informed the court that the police service lacked the personnel to provide the required security, justifying the need for the respondents to sign a bond.
The lawyer for the remaining respondents, Asare Twe II, Abusapanin Otibu Asare, Krontihene Nana Banchie Darko Ampem, and Asafoatse Yaw Danso, noted the short notice given by the police for the application and requested an adjournment. Magistrate George David K. Ofori concurred with the short notice argument and further agreed with Dartey that the matter was a chieftaincy case beyond the jurisdiction of the magistrate court.
Magistrate Ofori urged the police to seek the high court’s intervention, as the case is pending before a High Court, and dismissed the application. In response to the ruling, Dartey emphasized that Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II remains the legitimate chief of Kade, as ruled by a Kumasi High Court.
“The law is that as of today, the Chief of Kade is called Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II. His name is in the register of chiefs, and the legal battle surrounding his status has been resolved to the extent that the matter is pending at the Supreme Court,” Dartey stated, highlighting the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the chieftaincy matter.
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UK to assist Ghana in getting back all stolen money that went through London
UK Minister of State for Dev’t, Hon Andrew Murrison, has revealed to the Royal African Society that London is the preferred location for corrupt individuals and illegal financing. He also mentioned the government’s plans to collaborate with overseas territories in order to enhance financial transparency.”Respected” Andrew Mitchell said.
He states that the UK is ready to help Ghana in recovering any stolen funds that pass through London.
The white paper talks about dirty money or stolen funds. This happened when David Cameron was the Prime Minister of Britain, and is now the Foreign Minister. As Prime Minister, he focused on fighting world wide corruption and stopping the illegal movement of money.
“I want to say that our two countries are very close and help each other in all areas. If money is stolen from Ghana because of corruption, Britain will support Ghana in trying to get it back. “Around 40% of stolen money and dirty funds from around the world usually go through London or British Overseas Territories. Britain wants to help Ghana if Ghana need sit, the President said in an interview on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on January 31.
Alfred Ocansey and Mr Mitchell sat on the sidelines of the ninth UK-Ghana Business Council meeting in Accra. They both helped to lead the meeting with Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The Council members talked about how money is used to help with climate issues around the world. They were happy that Ghana is working to get money to support projects that help with things like reducing carbon emissions,electric vehicles,shipping, and using hydrogen as a fuel. -
London is the main route for global illicit funds – UK Minister
Hon Andrew Murrison, has revealed to the Royal African Society that “London is the destination of choice for corrupt individuals and illicit finance. ” He also said that the government will be working with the overseas territories to improve financial transparency. “Respected” Andrew Mitchell said.
He says the UK is willing to assist Ghana in getting back any stolen money that goes through London.
The white paper talks about dirty money or stolen funds. This happened when David Cameron was the Prime Minister of Britain, and is now the Foreign Minister. As Prime Minister, he focused on fighting worldwide corruption and stopping the illegal movement of money.
“I want to say that our two countries are very close and help each other in all areas. If money is stolen from Ghana because of corruption, Britain will support Ghana in trying to get it back. ” Around 40% of stolen money and dirty funds from around the world usually go through London or British Overseas Territories. Britain wants to help Ghana if Ghana needs it, the President said in an interview on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on January 31.
Alfred Ocansey and Mr Mitchell sat on the sidelines of the ninth UK-Ghana Business Council meeting in Accra. They both helped to lead the meeting with Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The Council members talked about how money is used to help with climate issues around the world. They were happy that Ghana is working to get money to support projects that help with things like reducing carbon emissions, electric vehicles, shipping, and using hydrogen as a fuel. -
South Africa refutes allegations Iran financed Israel’s ICJ case
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said that the ruling ANC party did not get money from Iran to take Israel to court.
During a meeting with reporters on Wednesday, the minister said that Israel and its allies are making accusations in response to being accused themselves. This is similar to what President Cyril Ramaphosa said earlier, that his country might face consequences for taking legal action against Israel.
Last week, the ICJ made a decision in the case, stating that Israel has to do everything it can to stop genocidal actions in Gaza.
The minister said she complained to the International Criminal Court about how slow they were in doing something about South Africa’s request to take action against Israel. This included the delay in issuing an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ms Pandor also said that all countries must stop giving money and help to Israel’s military in Gaza because it could be supporting genocide.
The minister recommended that South Africa ask other countries from the southern part of the world to help Palestinians with aid, because they have had less help lately. -
CODEO, parties demand release of Election 2024 timetable from EC
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to promptly unveil the timetable for the upcoming December 2024 general elections.
This appeal aligns with concerns raised by political parties, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party, emphasizing the importance of a released roadmap for effective planning by all stakeholders.
Albert Arhin, the National Coordinator of CODEO, emphasized that the timely release of the election timetable would not only demonstrate the Electoral Commission’s readiness for the polls but also foster confidence among political parties and other stakeholders.
During an appearance on JoyFM’s TopStory on January 31, Arhin stressed, “The timetable for the 2024 election has not come out, and I believe that is the reason why a lot of the smaller parties and the bigger opposition party are dragging their feet.” He urged the Electoral Commission to take this step to dispel any concerns and ensure that preparations are on track.
Arhin highlighted the significance of the Electoral Commission assuring all parties of its preparedness, especially given the proposed change in the election date to November 7. He asserted that clarity on the electoral plans, backed by a released timetable, is crucial for gaining the support and agreement of all political parties.
In response to concerns about the EC’s ability to meet the proposed November 7 date, Arhin suggested that the release of the timetable would address these doubts. “I will appeal to them that they should come out now and immediately with the timetable and convince everybody that they will be able to deliver,” he stated.
Arhin also referenced the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, where the consensus was in favor of initiating the electoral process. He noted that despite potential challenges, starting the process would contribute to building a foundation for future elections.
The call for transparency and timely communication from the Electoral Commission reflects the collective desire for a well-planned and smoothly executed electoral process in December 2024.
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ECG’s nationwide meter audit commences today, Feb. 1
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has officially announced the commencement of a nationwide meter audit, effective February 1, with the exercise set to span throughout the entire year.
In a statement released by the ECG, the audit is described as a comprehensive examination of both post-paid and prepaid meters across the operational areas of the company. The primary objective is to verify the integrity of the meters, ensuring accuracy and reliability in electricity consumption measurement.
Asserting their authority under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s LI 2413 (2020), the ECG emphasized its mandate to access all installations at any time and anywhere within its operational jurisdiction.
“Therefore, any attempt to physically prevent or deliberately frustrate ECG teams to assess your assigned meter will lead to the disconnection of the service to your house,” the statement warned.
The nationwide audit aims to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the electricity metering system, addressing concerns related to accuracy and reliability. ECG customers are urged to cooperate with the audit teams to facilitate a smooth and thorough examination of the meters.
To ensure the credibility of the ECG teams visiting customer premises, the company has encouraged customers to inspect the identification cards of the personnel conducting the audit. This precautionary measure is intended to safeguard customers against potential encounters with impostors.
The ECG reaffirms its commitment to providing reliable and accurate electricity services to its customers and assures that the meter audit is part of ongoing efforts to uphold transparency and accountability within the company. Customers are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
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Journalist queries Akufo-Addo on why Domelevo was forced to retire while GRA boss remains at post
A broadcast journalist at Peace FM, Kwabena Marfo, has raised concerns over President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s decision not to dismiss Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah, the head of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), despite having surpassed the retirement age two years ago.
Speaking on Neat FM’s Morning Show on January 31, 2024, Marfo drew attention to what he perceives as a selective approach by the president, citing the removal of former Auditor General Daniel Domelevo for similar reasons.
Marfo highlighted the apparent inconsistency in President Akufo-Addo’s actions, emphasizing that the president swiftly compelled Domelevo to retire, based on age-related grounds.
“The age that he (Owusu-Amoah) is talking about now, they should have a recheck. When such things happen, I direct it to the president straight,” Marfo expressed.
He continued, “Because we were in this country, and he told us that Domelevo, who was the Auditor General, was sixty years, so he should go on retirement. We argued and argued, but he forced Domelevo to go on by forced retirement.”
Marfo pointed out the repercussions of such actions, stating, “When Domelevo went to court, he won the case, proving that the way he was removed wasn’t correct. Look at this one; his tenure in office has lasted for a very long time, but he is still in office.”
Questioning the president’s decision, Marfo added, “If you do such things, you open yourself up for criticism, because you are being selective. Why is this particular person still in office when his retirement is due, while Domelevo was relieved of his duties?”
During a recent session with the Public Accounts Committee, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai, the GRA boss, disclosed that his tenure had expired three years ago. However, in contrast to the former Auditor General, he continues to hold his position without an official contract.
The journalist’s remarks underscore growing scrutiny over the perceived inconsistency in the president’s handling of retirements based on age within government agencies.
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Zuckerberg issues apology to families during heated US Senate session
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, said sorry to families who say their kids were hurt by social media, in a heated meeting at the US Senate.
Mark Zuckerberg, who is in charge of Instagram and Facebook, told them that no one should experience what they went through.
He and the leaders of TikTok, Snap, X and Discord were asked questions by senators from both political parties for nearly four hours.
Legislators wanted to find out how they are keeping kids safe on the internet.
New rules are being made by Congress to make social media companies responsible for what people post on their websites.
On Wednesday, US senators got a chance to ask tech bosses some questions, which does not happen often.
Mr Zuckerberg and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said yes to testifying, but the leaders of Snap, X (formerly Twitter), and messaging platform Discord said no at first. So, they were forced to with government subpoenas.
Five tech bosses were sitting with families who said their children had hurt themselves or died because of things they saw on social media.
They showed how they felt by booing when the CEOs came in and clapping when the lawmakers asked hard questions.
The meeting mainly talked about keeping kids safe from being hurt on the internet. The senators asked a lot of different questions to the executives who were there.
TikTok, a company owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance, was asked if it shares American users’ data with the Chinese government. The CEO, Mr. Chew, said they do not.
US Senator Tom Cotton asked a person from Singapore if they were ever a member of the Chinese Communist Party.
“Senator, I am from Singapore. ” “No,” Mr Chew said.
Mr Cotton then asked, “Have you ever been connected or involved with the Chinese Communist Party. ”
Mr Chew said: “No, senator. ” Once again, I am from Singapore.
He said that as a father of three young kids, he knew the problems being talked about were “awful and every parent’s worst fear”.
He said his kids don’t use TikTok because in Singapore kids under 13 are not allowed to have accounts.
Mr Zuckerberg, who runs Meta, had to answer a lot of questions when he appeared before Congress for the eighth time.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz asked Mr. Zuckerberg “What were you thinking. ” when he showed him an Instagram prompt that warns users they may see child sexual abuse material, but asks if they still want to see it.
Mr Zuckerberg said the “basic idea is that instead of just blocking the bad stuff, it can be more useful to guide people towards something helpful. ” He said he will check it himself.
During a conversation with Senator Josh Hawley, Mr. Zuckerberg was asked to say sorry to the families who were sitting near him.
He got up, faced the people and told them: “I apologize for all the bad things you have experienced, it’s really awful. ”
“No one should have to experience the same pain and hardships that your families have gone through.
Senators annoyed over things not moving forward as they hoped.
The main topic of the hearing was the companies’ opinions on the new online safety laws Congress is working on.
This was seen during a heated argument between Jason Citron of Discord and Republican lawmaker Lindsey Graham.
Mr Graham talked about some bills in Congress that are about keeping people safe online. He asked Mr Citron if he agreed with those bills or not.
“Mr Graham didn’t let Mr. Citron talk much, and the Discord boss seemed to have doubts about most of Mr. Citron’s ideas”
Mr Graham said: “If we are waiting for these guys to solve the problem, we are not going to make it. ”
Before the meeting, Meta said they will now make it so kids on Instagram and Messenger can’t get messages from people they don’t know.Social media expert Matt Navarra told the media that he believed the hearing looked like many other confrontations, with a lot of US political showmanship and a great chance for Mr. Zuckerberg to apologize and have his photo taken.
He said that even though senators agreed on the need for both political parties to work together to make rules for websites, it’s still not clear what will happen next.
He said we’ve had these hearings many times before, but they haven’t really resulted in any important rules or regulations.
It’s 2024 and the US barely has any rules for social media companies, as was mentioned during the hearings.
The bosses also said how many people they hired to check content on their websites.
Meta and TikTok have the most users, and they each have 40,000 moderators. Snap has 2,300 moderators, X has 2,000, and Discord, which is smaller, has “hundreds” of moderators.
Discord is a messaging app and people have asked how it keeps kids safe from harm on its platform.
After the meeting, some parents went outside and held a gathering, asking lawmakers to make laws that make companies responsible.
Joann Bogard said that many parents still don’t think that the bad things we’re talking about today will hurt their families, just like she did before her son Mason died in May 2019. She said he had joined a TikTok trend where people pretended to choke themselves.
“She said that our normal kids are getting hurt during the night. ” “We have the evidence from people who witnessed it. ” It’s time for our lawmakers to approve the Kids Online Safety Act.
Arturo Béjar, who used to work for Meta and spoke to Congress in November 2023, said to the BBC that the company is not taking responsibility for keeping teenagers safe. He said they won’t even add a button for teens to report unwanted advances.
“How can they keep teens safe without it. ”
Today, Meta said they have brought in “more than 30 tools” to help keep teenagers safe on the internet. -
NPA streamlines LPG importation methods for cost reduction and enhanced efficiency
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has made a paradigm shift in its LPG importation methods.
The strategic overhaul is intended to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency, underscores the NPA’s commitment to fostering a more robust and streamlined energy sector.
The NPA held its inaugural bidding competition for LPG importation on January 29th, 2024.
The company that won the bid offered the cheapest price of US$30. 39 per metric ton for the four lots that were up for bidding from March to June 2024.
The price is going down a lot from the current price of between USD67 per metric ton to USD98 per metric ton.
Each lot weighs about 20,000 metric tonnes.
The NPA wants to save money and make things work better by using open competitive tenders to import LPG.
The open competition proposal got approved after talking to many Bulk Import, Distribution and Export Companies (BIDECs) and most of them agreed with it.
The Authority said that the amount being offered each month is about 70 percent of the LPG that Ghana uses each month, and the Ghana National Gas Company provides the rest.
The NPA suggested using Open Competitive Tenders to bring LPG into Ghana more efficiently and make it cheaper through competition.
This was one idea to make LPG cheaper to help the Cylinder Recirculation Model. The model needs to be affordable for it to work well.
We talked about the proposal a lot to see if it would work. We decided it would help save money on importing LPG. So we can go ahead and talk to the BIDECs to get their approval before we start it.
There were many interactions with BIDECs in 2023.
These discussions led to most of the BIDECs agreeing with the proposal, even though a few had some concerns.
The boss listened to the worries of some people but decided that they weren’t enough to stop the new rule from being put into action.
The information the Authority has about LPG imports by BIDECs over the years shows that there is a big difference in the extra money paid to the International Oil Trading Companies.
This happened because the BIDECs imported less LPG in smaller amounts.
The Authority thinks that if they buy a lot of LPG at once through a competitive process, it will cost less and make importing LPG more efficient. -
Opposition leader in India detained in corruption case
India’s agency for catching people who do bad things with money has taken a top leader from the other political party into custody. This happened just a few hours after he quit his job as the main leader of Jharkhand state.
Hemant Soren from the JMM party is being accused of doing something wrong for money. He says the accusations are not true.
He was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday evening after being questioned for seven hours.
His political party has chosen Champai Soren, who is currently the transport minister, to be the next leader of the eastern state.
Mr Soren is fighting against his arrest in India’s highest court, saying it is based on politics. The issue will be discussed on Friday.
He is the newest of many opposition leaders being investigated by India’s main agencies.
An Indian person who fights against corruption is trying to prove his innocence.
The government in India removed a very outspoken member of parliament amid allegations of taking bribes.
The problem with Mr. Soren is about a piece of land he is said to own in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand.
The ED says he bought the property using money from illegal activities, like selling land that belonged to the Indian army.
Mr Soren says he didn’t do it and says the property was wrongly said to belong to him.
The ED officials asked Mr Soren to come for questioning several times but he didn’t go.
On Monday, officials went to Mr. Soren’s house in Delhi but he was not there. The agency took 3. 6 million rupees ($43,381; £34,202) and a car from the house.
The next day, Mr. Soren appeared in Ranchi and said he would give his statement to the agency on Wednesday.
A rule was made that people are not allowed to be out around the chief minister’s house and the ED office in Ranchi after a certain time.
A few hours later, Mr. Soren quit his job. Then his loyal supporter Champai Soren was chosen as the next leader. Hemant Soren got arrested last night.
The JMM said the investigation against Mr Soren was unfair and driven by politics, like a “witch-hunt”.
The party said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP is using central agencies to go after opposition leaders before the general elections. The BJP says it did not interfere in politics.
India’s main opposition party, Congress, also criticized Mr. Soren’s arrest, saying it is a “threat to federalism”. JMM is a group of opposition parties in India that wants to challenge the ruling BJP-led alliance in the elections.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the BJP is very corrupt and is trying to ruin democracy.
Many other top government officials and political leaders are being accused of stealing money or being dishonest.
In November, the ED asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to appear in connection with a case about a liquor policy that was no longer in effect in the state. His friends from the party, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have already been taken into custody in the matter.
The police are looking into claims that the leaders of three southern states – Telangana, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh – are involved in illegal money activities. All the leaders said they did not do the things they were accused of. -
EU leaders and Hungary’s Viktor Orban to debate Ukraine aid
European bosses are having a meeting on Thursday in Brussels to try to solve a disagreement over giving money to Ukraine.
Hungary’s leader Viktor Orban said no to giving Ukraine 50 billion euros in aid last December.
Many people thought he made his decision because the EU didn’t give Hungary 20 billion euros due to worries about human rights and corruption.
Lately, there have been rumors about the EU taking strict action.
Leaders are getting frustrated with Hungary’s position, which is stopping money from reaching Ukraine as the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion gets closer.
At the recent meeting of EU leaders, Mr Orban reluctantly agreed to let Ukraine become a candidate for EU membership.
However, his position on Ukraine has always been clear. Orban, who is really close to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the EU, has been cautious about criticizing Russia for attacking Ukraine. He has also disagreed with the EU’s decision to put sanctions on Russian oil and gas many times.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the EU will find a way to help Ukraine, even if some countries like Hungary don’t agree.
Earlier this week, The Financial Times said that officials in Brussels might harm Hungary’s economy if Prime Minister Orban chooses to stop the aid package for Ukraine once more.
MrOrban’s political boss, Balazs Orban, said on X, which was previously known as Twitter, that Brussels is trying to force Hungary to do what it wants by using threats.
A few days after the last meeting, Mr. Orban said that EU countries could give money to Ukraine from sources other than the EU budget. He said he might use the budget and remove the veto on the money plan if they vote on it every year before giving out more money.
EU leaders probably won’t agree to this idea because it would make them vulnerable to Hungary’s veto every year.
The summit is happening while farmers have been protesting for weeks in many European countries.
Farmers are upset about new rules from the EU that are supposed to make farming more environmentally friendly. They are also unhappy that the EU is allowing Ukraine to export more grain.
Many leaders in Europe are worried about the big and long-lasting protests by farmers. They will probably ask the EU for solutions when they go to Brussels.
On Wednesday, the European Commission seemed to listen to some of the farmers’ worries and problems.
It suggested a change to a rule about leaving land uncultivated, and said the EU would put in place a way to put taxes on goods from Ukraine if there were too many coming in and it caused problems for the market.
However, the Copa-Cogeca, which represents farmers in the EU, has already stated that the safeguard mechanism will not give enough help to producers. -
Cameroonian socialite detained following claims of sexual abuse
Hervé Bopda, a famous person from Cameroon, was arrested because people were very upset about abuse claims against him.
Earlier this month, a journalist accused Mr. Bopda and his friends of committing many crimes against about 200 people.
Many people on social media have posted new claims of being hurt in sexual and physical ways. They are using the hashtag #stopbopda.
Mr Bopda, who travels a lot, says he did nothing wrong.
On Wednesday, Mr Bopda’s lawyer said the accusations against him were “shocking” after he was arrested.
In an interview with the media, Mr. Ojong Ashu admitted that his client was arrested because of abuse accusations, but he said it was for Mr. Bopda’s own protection.
On January 19, a journalist from Cameroon named N’zui Manto started sharing stories from people who said they were attacked by Mr. Bopda and his friends.
These were claims of rape, kidnapping, bullying, and violence.
The claims from people on social media, mostly women, led to demands for Mr Bopda to be looked into by the police.
By Monday, the hashtag #stopbopda was the most popular topic among people from Cameroon on X, which used to be called Twitter.
Famous people have also said they are worried. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, who is in charge of helping women in Cameroon, said the accusations are very serious in a statement she made last Friday.
Ms Ondoa wants all victims to speak up and not stay quiet. Speaking up can help stop the violence and give the authorities the information they need to punish the people who did the crimes.
She also praised a group of lawyers from Cameroon who had filed a complaint against Mr. Bopda with the police.
Celebrities from Cameroon and other parts of Africa are asking for action, along with the lawyers and Ms.
Famous Nigerian singer Ayra Starr wrote “#StopBopda. ” on social media last Thursday.
Mr Bopda is well-known in Cameroon as a socialite, businessman, and the son of the late construction magnate Emmanuel Bopda. -
Highly educated men have multiple sexual partners – GSS Report
A recently released Ghana Statistical Service’s Ghana Demographic and Health Survey report has uncovered a fascinating correlation between education levels and sexual behavior, particularly among men.
The findings suggest that as men ascend the academic ladder, the likelihood of having multiple sexual partners increases.
Among men without formal education, 14.5% reported having more than two partners, and 18.6% engaged in sexual relations with someone other than their wife or cohabitant.
The percentages rise progressively with each educational level attained, with 15.1% of secondary school graduates and 15.4% of men with tertiary education reporting having more than two partners.
In a remarkable contrast, the survey reveals a reverse trend for women. As their education levels increase, the reported number of sexual partners decreases. For uneducated women, only 1.0% had more than two partners, compared to 2.8% for those with basic (primary level) education, 2.4% for secondary school graduates, and 1.5% for women with tertiary education.
The data also sheds light on the percentage of women engaging in sexual activities outside of marriage or cohabitation. Among uneducated women, 6.9% reported such instances, which dropped to 21.5% for those with basic education, 27.3% for secondary school graduates, and 25.2% for women with tertiary education.
These findings open a window into the complex interplay between education and sexual behavior in Ghanaian society. While men with higher education appear more likely to have multiple partners, women with advanced education levels tend to report fewer sexual partners.
As debates on the relationship between education and societal norms continue, this report provides valuable insights into the diverse dynamics that shape intimate relationships and behaviors in contemporary Ghana.
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Recovery in economy at the end of 2023 may delay rate reductions in Cananda – Expects
Canada’s economy did better at the end of 2023 than experts thought it would. This might mean that interest rates won’t be lowered as soon as they were supposed to be.
Statistics Canada said on Wednesday that the economy increased by 0. 2 per cent in November, which is the first growth in six months.
An early guess shows that the total value of goods and services produced in the country went up by 1. 2 percent in the last three months of the year, after going down by about the same amount in the previous three months.
StatCan said the economy will grow by 1. 5%
Those numbers are higher than what the Bank of Canada expected. The central bank thinks the economy will grow by 0. 7% at the end of this year and by 1% next year.
The Canadian economy has been growing more slowly in the past year because people and businesses are having to pay more for borrowing money. This means they are spending and investing less. But it has not had a recession yet.
Douglas Porter, who is the chief economist at the Bank of Montreal, says that the report on Wednesday shows that the economy is doing better than expected. This means that we may need to change our predictions for how the economy will do in 2024 to show that it will be even better than we thought.
If the economy improves this year, the Bank of Canada can wait before lowering interest rates.
“This good result comes after a long time of slow growth. It allows policymakers to slowly stop talking about making things easier, while they wait for inflation to go down,” Porter wrote in a note to clients.
But, economists are looking at Wednesday’s report carefully and still think the economy will not do well in the future.
Statistics Canada gives an idea of what it thinks will happen, but the actual results can be very different.
RBC economist Claire Fan says the report might not be completely accurate.
Additionally, she said that the increase in the real GDP in November was caused by temporary reasons, like a bounce back from factory closures in the manufacturing industry.
She said that it’s not a big change in how much people are buying at the end of 2023.
StatCan said that in November, the economy grew because of increases in industries that make and sell products, like manufacturing and wholesale trade.
At the same time, schools and education services got smaller because of strikes in Quebec.
The Bank of Canada and other experts think the economy will not grow much in the beginning of 2024, but will get better later in the year.
Slower economic growth and less price increases could lead to cuts in interest rates. The people who work in finance think that the interest rate might be lowered in April.
The fan says RBC still expects the central bank to start reducing its main interest rate in June.
“High prices have been making people spend less money. ” She said that things will still be the same and will stay the same because rates will be high in the first half of this year.
At the recent meeting, governor Tiff Macklem said that the governing council is now talking about when to lower interest rates.
The main bank’s basic interest rate is now at five percent, which is the highest it has been since 2001. -
Family of popular US-based Ghanaian pastor frantically seeks 22-Year-Old son missing since Wednesday
The 22-year-old son of a popular Ghanaian pastor based in the United States of America (USA), Reverend Maxwell Appiah who is the lead pastor at Revelation City Church in the USA, has gone missing.
The family’s distress has intensified as they make a public plea for assistance in locating their son, Darius Appiah.
Darius Appiah was last seen on Wednesday, January 23, 2024, leaving work at 2:22 pm after placing an order for pickup. According to an official complaint filed with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, his phone was turned off approximately an hour later, complicating efforts to trace his whereabouts. Since then, there has been no contact with Darius, and his phone remains inactive.
In a heartfelt plea shared on social media, Reverend Maxwell Appiah and his wife have called upon intercessors and watchmen to unite in prayer for the safe return of their son. The family is mobilizing a collective effort to amplify the search for Darius, urging the public to share the message widely.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is actively involved in the investigation. Darius Appiah was last seen wearing a blue winter coat, blue jeans, and brown hiking boots. He is reported to be driving a dark green 2004 Lexus RX330 SUV with Virginia license plate VBT8217.
The family is appealing to anyone with information about Darius’s whereabouts to contact the Sheriff’s Office promptly. They are also encouraging individuals with relevant connections or insights to come forward and aid in the search effort.
This unsettling situation has prompted an outpouring of support from the community, with prayers and well-wishes flooding social media platforms. As the search intensifies, the Appiah family remains hopeful for Darius’s safe return and expresses gratitude for the collective efforts being made to reunite them with their missing loved one.
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Desist from spreading rumours – Late Dr Grace Boadu’s family urges
Family of the deceased CEO of the Gracegift Herbal Clinic and Laboratory Services, Dr Grace Boadu, has confirmed the death of their beloved.
In a statement, the family said Dr Grace Boadu, died on Monday, January 29, 2024, at her residence in Accra. Dr Grace Boadu had just returned from a 2-week health course in South Africa on Sunday, January 28th, before her death, the family further disclosed.
Although they did not indicate the exact course of death nor confirm viral reports on what killed her, the family and staff of the Gracegift Herbal Clinic and Laboratory Services asked the public to refrain from spreading rumors about her death and to join them in mourning.
They further indicated that the burial and funeral arrangements for Dr. Grace Boadu will later be announced.
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I told God I will abandon my Bible he allows COP Mensah win the NPP primaries – Peace Watch Boss
Executive Director of Peace Watch Ghana, Madam Nyonkopah Daniels, has ridiculed COP Alex Mensah for his unsuccessful attempt to secure the parliamentary candidature for the Bekwai constituency.
She claimed that the retired police officer’s defeat was the will of the Lord.
Madam Daniels prayed that God would not let the retired officer win the primary, describing him as lacking integrity and being a dishonest individual.
During an appearance on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, she asserted that she had informed God that she would cease to serve Him if the man had emerged victorious.
She told host Kwabena Agyapong that a person who engages in lying or fabricating allegations about others should not be elected as a parliamentary candidate to represent constituents in Parliament.
“I was excited when he lost, and he will continue to lose in every election he contests until he offers an apology to the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
“You have lost the election. You want to go to Parliament with this character. You will not go to parliament with this terrible character of yours because Ghanaians are discerning people and know the evil you plotted,” she said.
“They know the quality of work your IGP has done. They appreciate him. He is humble and human-centred. He is human and may not be perfect, but he is an exceptional human being.
You will never win an election in Ghana unless you apologise to the IGP. You have lost, and anytime you contest an election, you will lose unless you apologise because the level of prayers we invoked against you was serious. I, therefore, advise you to go to him and also come to me and apologise. I told God I would abandon my Bible if COP had won. I will therefore continue to pray and thank God for what he has done,” she added.
Retired Police Officer COP George Alex Mensah faced defeat in his attempt to represent the Bekwai constituency in Parliament. He was outperformed by his competitor, Ralph Poku-Adusei, in the New Patriotic Party’s primary.
Mensah secured only 245 votes, while Poku-Adusei emerged victorious with 662 votes.
The other contenders, Henry Opoku Ware and Kingsley Opoku Agyemang, garnered 30 and 1 vote, respectively. The total number of votes cast in the primary was 938.
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Meet Evans Adusei Jnr, son of timber merchant behind the shady $100m SML-GRA deal
Evans Adusei Jr is named after his father Mr. Evans Adusei, CEO of Evans Timbers and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), the same company fingered outrageous shady deal that entitled SML to over $100 million every year for the next 10 years.
Mr Evans Edusei is timber merchant, but Evans Adusei Jr is a Ghanaian-born American software engineer and CEO of Hello World Organisation.
With his son’s IT background, it now making more sense why a timber merchant will venture into IT business.
Mr Evans Edusei, was first awarded a contract to inspect import data in 2017, with entitlements averaging US$35 million a year.
In 2020, SML’s operations expanded into the petroleum downstream sector through an undisclosed contract, effectively duplicating the functions of both GRA and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). The obscure nature of this arrangement is underscored by the reported annual payment of about US$25 million to SML for its role.
A particularly troubling aspect of this saga is the alleged involvement of an ex-adviser to the Commissioner General of GRA, Christian Tetteh Sottie, who is said to have swiftly transitioned from an advisory role to securing deals from the former employer, GRA and operating as the front of the Finance Minister to lead the revenue assurance business of the new “Private GRA” as Managing Director of SML. This confirmed information raises ethical questions about the integrity of the procurement process.
Meanwhile President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has extended the period within which KPMG is to complete its audit on the transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) from the initial date of Tuesday, 16th January 2024, to a new date of Friday, 23rd February 2024.
This follows a request made by KPMG to the President, requesting an extension of the two weeks deadline originally given to the company to undertake the assignment.
Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Office of the President, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said, “KPMG is to submit its final report no later than Friday, 23rd February 2024.”
He said President Akufo-Addo had also taken note of the request made by GRA, asking for his permission to allow the monitoring system installed and used by SML to continue, notwithstanding the suspension of its GRA-related operations.
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Grandad arrested in Dubai over dispute between parties
An old man from Aberdeenshire is stuck in Dubai because of a fight with his neighbors over noise, and now he has to go to court.
Ian Mackellar, who is 74 years old, and his wife, were visiting their daughter and young granddaughter in the United Arab Emirates. While they were at a New Year’s Eve party, Ian went to complain about the loud music.
He was told to the police and charged with trespassing. He couldn’t leave the country because of the investigation.
The family wanted the problem to be solved so he could come home. But his wife, Carol, told the media that the police said it will go to court.
Mrs Mackellar said: “The police finished looking into things. ”
“Ian has a new case number now, and they said the complaint will be going to court. ”
“We are very sad. ” I want him to come back home.
She said: “His sister has made a plan to come visit him because we are very concerned about his mental and physical health. ”
The parents went to help their daughter move to a new country last month.
But things went bad when Mr. Mackellar asked his neighbors to lower the music on New Year’s Eve because his family was trying to sleep.
Mrs Mackellar said her husband went to talk to their neighbors to ask them to be quieter.
However, she said that some people got “hostile”, and one person threw a drink.
Two days later, the police came to our door and told us about the trespass complaint.
‘Determined to make things fair’
Andrew Bowie, the representative for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, said he is working to help the people who live in his area.
“We are very focused on making sure that Mr. Mackellar gets fairness and is set free,” he said.
The British government is helping a British man in Dubai.
The Dubai government media office was asked to give a comment. -
NDC is Ghana’s public enemy – Kwamena Duncan
Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, has openly criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC), labeling the opposition party as “the only public enemy of democracy.”
The critique comes at a time when the political landscape is still charged with political analyses and discussions given the upcoming 2024 elections.
Mr Duncan in an interview on PeaceFM, pointed to what he perceives as unfulfilled promises by the NDC, accusing the party of neglecting the welfare of Ghanaians. He emphasized that the NDC’s actions are indicative of a power-hungry agenda rather than a genuine commitment to serving the people.
“If there’s any public enemy of our democracy, no Ghanaian should be left in doubt who they are… NDC does not care about Ghanaians, they are just power sick,” he said.
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Police in Sweden demolish objects outside Israeli embassy
Swedish police destroyed a “dangerous object” found near the Israeli embassy in Stockholm.
According to local reports, there was a big reaction to the incident. An area of 100 meters (328 feet) around the embassy was blocked off to keep the public safe.
The police told the media that it was too soon to give more information about the object. They said that nobody got hurt.
The ambassador from Israel to Sweden said that someone tried to attack the embassy and the people who work there.
Ziv Nevo Kulman said on X that we are not scared of terror. He said thank you to the Swedish authorities for acting quickly.
Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said in her own post that she was very upset and scared by the strong dislike of Israel. We need to stop violent extremism.
Police were called around 1:10pm local time (12:10pm GMT), as reported by TV4.
The thing was later blown up by the national bomb squad, according to TV4. The journalist heard a loud noise at the location.
Sweden’s main TV station SVT said that the police with guns went to the place and brought sandbags with them, apparently to help get rid of the object.
The police are looking into it.
The embassy is in a rich neighborhood by the water in the middle of Stockholm.More update on this story soon.
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Meet Kwaku Bediako, Cheddar’s elder brother who’s building the $250m BoG’s new head office
Kwaku Bediako is the Founder and Group Executive Chairman of the CH Group of Companies located in Accra Ghana. He is a multi-millionaire and senior biological brother of leader of the New Force Nana Kwame Bediako alias Cheddar or Fredom Jacob Caesar.
One of this companies, Goldkey Properties, a real estate companies which won the contract to construct the controversial $250 million Bank of Ghana new headquarters.
Through Goldkey, Mr Bediako holds massive properties for sale and rent in prime locations around Accra, including, Cantonments, Airport Residential Area, Ridge, Labone, East Legon and Abelemkpe.
As a child, Mr Bediako’s father preferred that he study science courses, however he differed in opinion. Therefore while studying at Mfantsipim School, he purposely underperformed, receiving E and F grades in those subjects.
“My father and I did not speak for two years because of it,” he told Lexis Bill on Personality Profile last Thursday. “It pained me and I began to go off track.”
Fast forward over 20 years later, the philanthropic arm of his business, the CH Group Foundation, recently donated $100,000 to the Ghana Covid-19 Private Sector Fund.
The donation is to help complete the construction of Ghana’s first infectious disease isolation and treatment facility, fully equipped with 100 beds.
The donation came after of Mr Bediako and his team decided to feed the needy during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, which according to him was very successful, having served 150,000 meals throughout the country.
Several weeks after the outbreak, it was announced that CH Group would make a hefty donation to build a facility in efforts to support the fight against Covid-19.
Kwame, a husband and father of three children has overcome many obstacles in his journey to becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. He recounts how the divorce of his parent’s divorce affected him.
“I did not see my mother for 10 years,” he explained. “My father served as my mum and dad at the same time.”
He acknowledged that while he had a terrific relationship with his father, his inability to deal with the divorce and his failing grades drove a wedge between himself and his father, pushing him into the company of bad friends.
After word went around that his son was not performing well academically, Mr Bediako’s father introduced him to his business in the oil sector, and that is how Kwaku Bediako’s career took off.
In 1997, he founded Chase Petroleum, a market-leading oil trading and bulk distributor.
Two years later, he tapped into the real estate market and established Goldkey Properties, a development and management firm that specializes in building upscale residential and commercial properties in prime locations across Accra.
As of today, Mr Bediako’s company oversees eight subsidiaries across Ghana, including the Tema Tank Firm Limited, Chase Petroleum and Barton Homes.
According to him, the biggest challenge he overcame thus far was choosing to focus on a specific industry in business.
“When the success came, there was so much going on,” he said. “I was in oil and there was a lot of money in it. I had to decide whether to buy big cars, chase women and misbehave or whether I should stay quiet and invest.”
He chose the latter, although he admits it was challenging to earn the amount of money he made at such a young age. “It can be easy to make mistakes,” he added.
Mr Bediako believes that a large part of his success is attributed to his drive to keep growing. “If I stand still I will sink. That is what keeps me going.” he disclosed.
Furthermore, he advises that success comes from building trust with people over time.
“I could have taken advantage of people but I never did. Cheating will always catch up with you so I always look at the big picture.”
Always focusing on the “big picture,” he concluded, has never let him down. “Think big. Don’t be distracted by the little things and you will go far.”
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Facebook creator has “blood on his hands” – Senator
Every CEO in the IT sector is publishing a written statement about their organisation. Mark Zuckerberg has just started speaking.
Let’s remember when Senator Lindsey Graham said that social media companies are harming people’s lives and putting democracy in danger.
Graham talks about a young man who was threatened on Instagram and then killed himself.
He then talks to Mark Zuckerberg, who owns Instagram through his company Meta.
Message:Zuckerberg, you and the companies before us – I know you may not realize it, but you are responsible for causing harm. Your product is causing harm and even death, according to Lindsey Graham, a Republican Senator.
Dear Zuckerberg, you and the companies before us- I know you didn’t mean for it to happen, but you are responsible for harm. Your product is causing harm and death to people.
Lindsey Graham is a senator for the Republican party.
Lots of people in the crowd are shouting and clapping. -
Archbishop Duncan Williams recounts 1hr 45mins encounter in Heaven
A prominent religious figure, Archbishop Duncan Williams, has stirred controversy by claiming to have visited Heaven for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
In a video recording making rounds on social media, the Archbishop is captured narrating his extraordinary experience in one of his Sunday sermons.
The revelation has ignited a flurry of reactions on social media, with netizens expressing a spectrum of opinions on the credibility of such claims.
Archbishop Duncan Williams, in the video, shares, “When I went to Heaven… I went to Heaven for 1 hour 45 minutes, I was taken out of my body to Heaven for 1 hour 45 minutes and I saw some very interesting things…”
While some individuals have taken the Archbishop’s account at face value, others have expressed skepticism and raised questions about the authenticity of such experiences. The video has prompted comparisons to similar claims made by other religious figures, both locally and internationally.
Social media users have engaged in debates over the nature of the Archbishop’s alleged visit, with questions ranging from the existence of multiple heavenly planets to the more lighthearted observation of the presence of cars in Heaven.
Notable reactions include @shyynez, who pointed out parallels with statements made by other pastors, stating, “Because we are not serious as a country… whatever he said in that video has been said by another fake pastor Jesse Duplantis in the US… what’s the difference between these saying and what we know Obinim for…???? Jeremiah 14:14.”
Another user, @march_bills, questioned the specific heavenly location, asking, “There are multiple heavenly planets, so which one is He talking about?”
@sugar_selassie, intrigued by the Archbishop’s account, humorously remarked, “Wow cars dey heaven.”
Meanwhile, @Qwabenasocket1 expressed a more lighthearted view, stating, “This man is funny… He went to heaven like seriously.”
As the video continues to circulate on social media platforms, it has become a focal point of discussion, highlighting the diverse perspectives within the online community. The authenticity and significance of such spiritual claims remain subjects of ongoing debate among netizens.