Beauty, class and finesse in one body. The 24-year-old Ghanaian socialite Mya Jesus is having the best moments of her life.
The young lady has dominated headlines following her private wedding to one fine and rich 50-year-old man.
Their wedding photoshoots have spread like wildfire across all social media platforms. The couple looks good together indeed.
Amid their wedding conversation on social media, one thing stays true in the commentaries. Mya’s irresistible beauty.
As a result, GHPage brings to you some carefully selected exclusive photos of Mya Jesus that have got netizens, particularly the men drooling over them.
The Chief Executive Officer of Medi-Moses Prostate Centre, Dr De-Gaulle Moses Dogbatsey, who specializes in curing prostate enlargement by using natural herbs, has dispelled the myth that men with muscular bodies have better sexual strength and performance.
According to Dr Moses Dogbatsey, this assertion is not entirely true stressing his field of work and vast experience proves that how long a man can last in bed has absolutely nothing to do with six-packs.
“I have worked with about 200000 men and I can tell you that there are some men who have a protruding stomach but can sexually perform better than those with 6-packs”, he told broadcaster Abeiku Santana in an interview on Okay FM’s “Ekwanso Dwoodwoo” drive time.
The medical officer and plant medicine specialist asked ladies who share the notion that potbellied men are poor in bed to drive out those thoughts because they are purely misconceptions.
He also noted that, for one to have satisfactory sexual intercourse, the man should last for at least 10 minutes when having sex with a woman.
He emphasized that premature ejaculation is a disease and needs medical attention.
Dr Dogbatsey further encouraged men to have what he termed as ‘nocturnal erections’ in which the man’s penis rises at night or dawn stating it is a normal natural activity and shows the man is very sexually active and healthy.
Ghanaian rapper Black Sherif’s debut album “The Villain I Never Was” has been adjudged the most streamed album on Boomplay Ghana.
After it was released on November 6, 2022, the project has charted number one till date with over 200 million streams on the platform.
The 21-year-old talented artist released “MONEY”, “CRY FOR ME”, and “DESTINY” in 2020, which gained him some traction online.
Later, he dropped “MONEY” (remix), ADEA KYE, ANKONAM and garnered huge buzz on Boomplay across several countries.
He successfully headlined his own shows both in the UK and Ghana and gave out a stellar performance on the 25th “MOBO Awards” grand stage at the OVO arena in Wembley, UK.
He has gain attention of the diaspora and has made African trap and drill songs a hit in European countries.
Bullhaus Entertainment Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson has revealed that before he became an artiste manager, he was a rapper.
He quit, went to school, and had 5Five as his first music act.
Bullgod was on CTV’s Class Showbiz hosted by Sammy Flex, Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
“I’m a disappointed rapper,” he said. “I was trying my hands at rapping but I got no help.”
Sammy asked if he had no assistance because his rap talent was lacking.
“Chale, I was a top dog,” he replied.
5Five Papi asked Bullgod to mention the rap name he was using back in the day.
“Awo Sexy,” Bullgod disclosed.
Sammy joked the name was the reason behind the unsuccessful rap endeavour.
Bullgod reacted with a belly laugh.
“[Papi] was my student then. I was helping him,” he said, pointing to the star rapper to his left on the table.
Concerning why he stopped pursuing rap, Bullgod said he simply realised it was going nowhere.
“It got to a point, I knew I was never going to get a hit,” he said matter-of-factly.
Explaining himself, he likened the feeling to currently knowing and accepting that his knees are not as good as they were when he was younger.
“At the moment, when I am climbing the stairs, my knees talk to me: ‘You’re really tired. Take your time. You’re nearing your end of days. Take your time. Take good care of yourself’.” he said with a serious face.
“Even my waist talks to me,” he lifted his voice for emphasis. “You have to admit [the truth to yourself].”
“I saw it myself, I knew it [my rap career] was not going to be successful,” he stressed.
Admitting the truth to himself, he enrolled in an arts school.
After school, Papi’s mother told him she has come to notice music is all her son wants to do.
“His mother is a mother to me. We all grew up in the same [community]. I’ve known him since he was 13,” he said. “The guy is what, 40 and something now.”
Due to what Papi’s mother had told him said, “Let’s start,” the music journey. Papi became his artiste.
‘Lamiokor’ was one of the first songs they started working on, Bullgod recalled.
At this point, Papi told him he is only good at rapping and has no singing abilities but knows someone who could sing.
Bullgod confessed he first protested but Papi introduced his singing friend Killy to him anyway.
These were the formative moments of one of Ghana’s most popular Hiplife groups: 5Five.
Bullgod affirmed that his first music act as a manager was 5Five.
“IWan, Natural Face, Bertha (Yaa Yaa), Nii Soul, Rudebwoy Ranking, Koo Ntakra, VIP, Shatta Wale, Vanilla,” he listed some of the main acts he has managed.
He disclosed he registered his artiste management company Bullhaus Entertainment in 2003, adding that 5Five started serious music recording in 2004.
Ghanaian movie producer and businesswoman Yvonne Nelson has said the only way Ghanaian musicians can beat competition from their Nigerian counterparts is to work harder and produce quality songs.
Yvonne, 37, stressed that art cannot be forced on people. Only quality can win the people over, she asserted.
Yvonne Nelson was on Accra FM Ayekoo Ayekoo hosted by Nana Romeo, on Thursday, January 19, 2023.
Romeo asked for her opinion on the influx of Nigerian music and how often their hits are played at events and recreational centres in Ghana.
Noting that “I love music,” the movie star answered by saying, “I believe the only solution is for our people to keep on working and keep on giving us music that we will like.”
She revealed observing that: “When it comes to art, you cannot force the people to consume what they don’t enjoy. So, if it’s nice, they will surely listen to it and I know that if Ghanaian artists are putting in a lot of songs that are hitting the ears and people are jamming to, there’s no way they won’t listen to it and jam to it.”
Taking a moment to reflect, she argued: “Nigerians are giving us more songs that are really enjoyable and likeable, and you can’t do anything about it. You cannot log in and put all their music in one room. It won’t work.
She ended by saying, Ghanaian creatives “have to work harder.”
Yvonne Nelson is releasing a movie on Valentine’s Day, February 14.
The Yvonne Nelson Productions movie, ‘Kotoka’, stars Majid Michel, Franklin Adjetey, Solomon Fixon-Owoo Jnr, Christy N. Ukata, Darlyn Adu-Gyamfi and Yvonne herself.
Oscar-nominated actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of the Western movie “Rust,” prosecutors said Thursday.
Baldwin and the film’s armourer who was in charge of weapons on the set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter, according to New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.
“Rust” first assistant director, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to the DA’s office.
“This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,” according to a statement by Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas.
“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.”
An attorney for Gutierrez-Reed also vowed to prove his client isn’t culpable.
“Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter,” defence lawyer Jason Bowles said in a statement.
“These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts. We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury.”
Involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony and is normally punishable by up to 18 months behind bars and a $5,000 fine, prosecutors said. But a firearm enhancement on the charges could make the crime punishable by a mandatory sentence of five years in jail, prosecutors said.
“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,” Carmack-Altwies said in a statement, adding charges will be filed before the end of the month.
“On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
Halyna Hutchins at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019. Fred Hayes / Getty Images file
Hutchins was fatally shot nearly 15 months ago during the filming of “Rust” at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico on Oct. 21, 2021.
Baldwin was rehearsing with a pistol for a scene set inside a church when the gun went off, killing Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza.
No charges will be filed in connection to Souza’s wounding, the prosecutors said.
“If any one of these three people — Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls — had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today. It’s that simple,” special prosecutor Andrea Reeb said in a statement.
“The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”
Hutchins, 42, was survived by her husband, Matthew Hutchins, and their 9-year-old son, Aldous.
Shakira allegedly realized her longtime love Gerard Piqué was cheating on her when she realized her jam was disappearing.
The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer returned home from travelling and became suspicious over the missing fruit spread because the famed soccer player and their kids all hate jam, according to ShowNews Today.
Shakira appeared to allude to this tart turn of events in the music video for her and Rauw Alejandro’s single “Te Felicito,” in which she can be seen opening a refrigerator, only to discover Alejandro’s head on a platter.
Shakira allegedly suspected Gerard Piqué was cheating on her when she noticed her jam was missing. Europa Press via Getty Images
Although the Colombian pop star and Piqué’s breakup began amicably in June 2022 after 11 years together, it since has soured with the release of her scalding diss track “BZRP Music Session #53,” in which she takes aim at her ex and his new 23-year-old girlfriend, Clara Chia Marti.
The pop star appeared to allude to this in the music video for her single “Te Felicito,” in which a man’s head is pictured in a fridge. Shakira/YouTube
“You left me my mother-in-law as my neighbour / Media outlets at my door and in debt with the government,” Shakira, 45, sings in Spanish in the new tune, referencing her tax trial.
Following the track’s release, Shakira allegedly turned a witch doll on her balcony and placed it facing in the direction of Piqué’s mother’s house. The athlete, 35, hasn’t responded to Shakira’s new tune.
Piqué has publicly moved on with his much-younger girlfriend, Clara Chia Marti. Best Image / BACKGRID
Earlier this month, Page Six exclusively revealed that Shakira was “devastated” when she realized Marti was in the background of one of Piqué’s Zoom calls he did from home in 2021 — when the now-former couple were still very much together.
Shakira plans to move back to Miami with her and Piqué’s children. Shakira/Instagram
A source told PageSix that the “Waka Waka” singer was “devastated to learn that this woman clearly felt at home in the house they shared with their children.”
Shakira was away travelling with her and Piqué’s kids, Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, when he conducted the interview, but “they were very much still together at that time,” according to the insider, who added, “It’s devastating for her to learn that this affair had been going on for a lot longer than she imagined.”
The exes lived together in Barcelona, Spain, for eight years, but we’ve learned Shakira and their children are moving back to Miami.
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) January 19, 2023
Gladson Awako suffered the injury during the encounter between Ghana and Madagascar last Sunday.
He will be rooting for his teammates from the stands in hopes that Ghana beats Sudan today to secure qualification to the knockout stage of the 2022 CHAN tournament ongoing in Algeria.
The head coach of the Black Galaxies of Ghana, Coach Annor Walker has named his starting eleven for the clash against Sudan tonight.
The home-based national team of Ghana will come up against their counterpart from Sudan today in a second Group C match of the 2022 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament.
Ahead of the crucial meeting that will kick off at 7 pm, Coach Annor Walker has selected Danlad Ibrahim as his goalkeeper for the game. Augustine Agyepong comes in to replace Augustine Randolph in the right-back.
Solomon Adomako, Dennis Korsah, and Konadu Yiadom are the other players completing the defensive setup.
In the midfield, Sylvester Simba, David Abagna Sandam, and Dominic Nsobila are the men selected to get the job done for Ghana.
Meanwhile, the attacking trio is made up of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Jonah Attuquaye, and Kofi Kordzi.
In the absence of Gladson Awako, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has been named captain.
Good evening and welcome to the live text coverage of the clash between Ghana and Sudan tonight.
The Championship of African Nations (CHAN) is continuing in Algeria today with action in Group C.
The home-based national team of Ghana will come up against their counterpart from Sudan today in a second Group C match of the CHAN tournament.
Ahead of the crucial meeting that will kick off at 7pm, Coach Annor Walker has selected Danlad Ibrahim as his goalkeeper for the game. Augustine Agyapong comes in to replace Augustine Randolph in right-back.
Solomon Adomako, Dennis Korsah, and Konadu Yiadom are the other players completing the defensive setup.
In the midfield, Sylvester Simba, David Abagna Sandam, and Dominic Nsobila are the men selected to get the job done for Ghana.
Meanwhile, the attacking trio is made up of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Jonah Attuquaye, and Kofi Kordzi.
In the absence of Gladson Awako, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has been named captain.
This rate indicates that between December 2021 and December 2022 (year-on-year), the PPI increased by 52.2 percent, representing a 25.9 percentage point decrease in producer inflation relative to the rate recorded in November 2022 (78.1 percent).
In a statement, the Ghana Statistical Service said the month-on-month change in the PPI between November and December 2022 was negative 13.3 percent.
The producer price inflation in the construction sector decreased to 65.7 percent in December 2022 from 94.3 percent in November 2022.
In the Services sector, the rate decreased from 12.6 percent in November 2022 to 10.0 percent in December 2022.
Mining and quarrying at 73.4 percent, manufacturing 64.2 percent, transport, and storage; 63.6 percent recorded rates above the national average, while information and communication activity recorded the lowest rate of 2.7 percent in December 2022.
According to the farmers, the inability of the factory to purchase the thousands of tons of sugarcane ready for harvest was a disincentive to their hard work and contractual agreement.
Consequently, the Association had apologized to distillers for refusing to sell their produce to them some months ago, as it anticipated to sell them to the factory, and appealing to all sugarcane distillers across the country to come over to buy their produce.
“We sold our sugarcane to the factory, but now they are no longer buying from us, and we want to engage you to sustain our livelihoods.”
The farmers questioned the inability of the factory to function after the visit by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in September 2022 and declared: “we want the management and Board of the factory to know we will not sell our sugarcane to them again for disappointing us.”
Some opposition leaders and Sonko’s supporters fear the case is an attempt by Senegal’s president to remove a potentially popular rival.
Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko will face trial on charges of rape and making death threats to a beauty salon employee in 2021, an investigating judge has said.
The judge referred the matter to Senegal’s criminal chamber for trial in a letter dated January 17 and seen by Reuters news agency on Wednesday.
Sonko’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the 48-year-old politician has previously denied all the charges.
A trial could jeopardise his intention to compete in the 2024 presidential election. Sonko, who came third in the 2019 election, has announced he will run.
It could also stoke political tensions in Senegal. Clashes broke out in the country in March 2021 when Sonko was initially summoned by the investigating judge and arrested.
Sonko is accused of sexually assaulting a woman who worked in a massage parlour and later threatening her. He and his backers say the trial is politically motivated to eliminate him from the presidential race.
He enjoys widespread support among Senegalese youth, many of who are frustrated with the government as unemployment and economic hardship have remained high, leading to sporadic and sometimes violent protests.
Cries of “Macky Sall is a dictator” rang out in Dakar during one protest in July 2022.
El Hadj Diouf, lawyer for the plaintiff, said his client was delighted by the judge’s decision.
The Minister for Road and Highways, Kwasi Amoako Atta has said that despite the fact the Tema-Motorway, has gone beyond its designed life, the government cannot put a specific date to when work will begin.
According to him, progress has been made with procedures leading to the start of work and that work will soon commence.
The Minister for Roads and Transport made this known when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee to consider the 2020 Auditor General report and was questioned on when the Tema Motorway will be reconstructed.
“…the Tema Motorway has gone beyond its designed life, you know that the motorway was constructed in the mid-60s and it was supposed to have a design life of 50 years, so they are planning to reconstruct the motorway.
“…As much as the government plans to reconstruct that road, there are a few challenges and I believe very soon we shall go over those challenges and start work. But I wouldn’t put any specific date on it but we’ve gone very far and it may not be long at all from now, work on the motorway will start and comes under the project name of the reconstruction of Motorway,” Kwasi Amoako Atta said.
The finance minister in November revealed government is seeking to secure funds from Ghana Infrastructure Investment (GIIF) for a 27.7 km of the Accra-Tema Motorway and extension project.
According to him, the project, when approved, will provide the Tema-Motorway with five lanes on each side of the stretch.
Speaking in parliament, he indicated that aside the Tema-Motorway lanes, the government will remodel the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange and there will be a reconstruction of the Apenkwa interchange and a new interchange at the Fiesta Royale crossroads and Neoplan area.
The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has asked the government to suspend its Domestic Debt Exchange programme (DDE) and pursue wider engagement with stakeholders.
The CCG in a January 19, 2023 statement signed by Rt. Rev. Prof. J.O.Y Mante said it had arrived at that position after keenly following public debates and talking to some affected parties.
Their call for engagement, the statement noted, was because they had “identified lapses in the debt restructuring programme, a major one being lack of consultation with affected individuals and institutions.”
The statement continued: “With the current economic hardships in the country and the agitations among the general public, it is in the nation’s interest for the Finance Ministry to suspend the 31st January deadline given to individuals to sign on to the program and rather propose a road map for dialogue to make the process participatory such that the outcome would be acceptable to all.”
The government has failed to secure a debt restructuring deal with domestic lenders, postponing a deadline for the DDE thrice, the latest deadline being January 31, 2023.
The DDE is seen as a crucial requirement to secure a programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following a torrid 2022 in which the economy suffered from rising inflation, massive depreciation of the Ghana cedi and the rising cost of living.
The government has repeatedly blamed the crisis partly on the aftershocks of the COVID pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war but has promised to turn around the economic fortunes of the country after sealing a Staff-Level Agreement with the IMF late last year, with hopes that funds from the US$3 billion facility will be released early this year.
The government is hamstrung by hurdles as it attempts to secure a debt restructuring programme at home. Processes are underway to restructure external debts too, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed to Accra-based Joy FM on January 18.
Organized labour successfully fought off plans to include pensions in the DDE; now individual bondholders are also rejecting plans to include them with talks ongoing on a mutually acceptable way forward.
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has asked the government to review the current guarantor system used to support workers to pursue higher education.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, most of the beneficiaries do not comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement after completing their programmes, adding that this situation makes it difficult for the State to recover the investment made in these workers.
James Klutse Avedzi was of the view that government could allow interested applicants to use banks as guarantors instead of individuals so that defaulted workers can easily be tracked.
Mr. Avedzi made this known at the ongoing public hearing of the Committee when the Ministry of Health and their various agencies appeared before them to respond to a number of infractions cited in the Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana, Ministries, Departments and Other Agencies (MDAs) for the year ended 31st December 2020.
When the Minister of Health, Kweku Agyeman Manu, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Chief Director and Senior Officers of the Health Service appeared before the Committee, the Chairman ordered the arrest of two guarantors of two former staff of Korle-bu Teaching Hospital for failing to fulfill bonds after being sponsored to pursue their higher education.
According to the report of the Auditor-General, the former workers of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital have failed to honour their bonds or refund an amount to the tune of Gh 98,546.00, which was spent on their studies abroad.
Members of the Committee asked questions relating to the queries cited in the Auditor-General’s Report and officials from the Ministry of Health and agencies including NTC-Pantang, Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, Nurses Training College Damongo among others.
The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Godfred Dame, has said that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is in pole position to win power for an unprecedented third consecutive term.
According to him, both the NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) want to set a new record in the 2024 election, with the NDC seeking to bring a former president back to power, but his party has the upper hand.
Speaking in a Good Evening Ghana interview on Tuesday, (January 17, 2023), which was monitored by GhanaWeb, the attorney general said that Ghanaians will choose the NPP over the NDC in the 2024 elections because of the record of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.
“I think the NPP has always been in a better position to break the 8. And indeed in 2008, President Akufo-Addo nearly broke the 8… so we have always stood the chance of breaking the 8.
“And I think that now on account of the human resources at our disposal, on account of the record of the government indeed we stand a better chance of breaking the 8.
“Breaking the 8 has not been done before but so is the return of a former president to power. We want to break the 8, they want to reignite the past. And I think that the people of Ghana will reject it with every ability that they can command,” he said.
Dame stated that the NDC has nothing new to offer and that Ghanaians will reject them.
He went on to say that the NDC’s new national executives are people the NPP has previously defeated and will do so again.
The debt exchange program is voluntary, according to the Minister. No bondholder is required to accept the terms of the scheme, he said.
He was speaking to members of the press and bondholders who had met with him to discuss the issue. He stated that the administration aims for an 80 percent program participation rate.
“It is a voluntary programme and the expectation is that we have an 80 percent participation and so, that should be factual for everybody,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.
The debt exchange programme seeks to encourage bondholders to voluntarily exchange GH¢137 billion domestic notes and bonds of the Republic including ESLA and Daakye for a package of new bonds.
The energy research group argued that the degree of increase in end-user electricity bills, as published this week by the regulator, was influenced by the PURC’s projection that hydro will make up 26.11 percent of the power generation mix.
In its projection, which is contrary to the PURC’s, water elevations for Bui and Akosombo generating stations (GS) have improved and are capable of producing close to 38 percent of power in 2023. This, the IES, believes should have considerably lowered the rate consumers have been asked to pay, effective February.
“Although the IES has anticipated that the average electricity end-user tariff (GH₵/kWh) covering residential, non-residential and special load tariff electricity consumers will see an increase within the year, the expected increase in tariff was anticipated to be marginal should more of hydro-electric power be produced from the generation mix,” IES said in a statement to the B&FT.
While agreeing to the other variables – cedi depreciation, inflation rates and the Weighted Average Cost of Gas (WACoG) – as factors which informed the end-user tariff increment of 29.96 percent for electricity to all consumer groups, it however disagreed with the generation mix factor that has been pegged at 26.11 percent for hydro and 73.89 percent for thermal.
“The IES is concerned in particular about the assumption used in establishing the new electricity tariffs beginning February 1, 2023. On the four key variables, the IES believe the rates for cedi/dollar exchange rate and inflation rates reflect market conditions.
“The IES however considers the assumption used by the PURC for the electricity generation mix of 26.11 percent hydro and 73.89 percent thermal as baseless. That assumption amounts to giving priority to thermal power generation over hydro, given that water elevations for Bui and Akosombo generating stations (GS) have improved and are capable of producing close to 38 percent of power in 2023, in IES’ estimation,” a portion of the statement read.
Explaining why it believes PURC has been very modest in its estimation of hydro power generation for the period, it said data from Akosombo and Bui indicate elevations at the beginning of 2023 compared to previous years are in a better positions to produce more electricity than the thermals.
For instance, it said with a year-start Akosombo water level elevation of 83.10 metres (272.66 feet), it is estimated that total energy production from Akosombo GS could fall between 7,500 and 8,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) for 2023, with the Kpong GS producing roughly 990 GWh of electric energy over the period.
“The Institute agrees with the expectation that the bulk of capacity generation for 2023 will come from thermal sources if natural gas supply is sustained and planned plant maintenance schedules are strictly adhered to. However, with improved water-head levels, hydro-power generation is estimated to produce close to 38 percent of 2023 capacity, should hydro-electric have dispatch priority over thermal in the generation mix.”
Also, Bui GS’ year-start elevation of 178.99 metres above sea level (masl) is enough to possibly produce an estimated 1,056 GWh of electricity in 2023, IES said.
“IES, therefore, calls on the PURC to reconsider the energy mix assumption used in the tariff adjustment (to reflect improved water-head levels), as that has an impact on the Weighted Average Cost of Gas – which has been reviewed to US$6.0952/MMBtu from US$5.9060MMBtu.
This, the IES believes, will bring down the 29.96 percent tariff increase for all electricity consumer groups, thus introducing some relief to the already burdened citizens in the face of the current economic crisis.
A little over 40% of the funds were distributed to women-owned businesses as part of the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP). The goal of the World Bank-funded project is to encourage private investment and strengthen growth in the economy’s non-resource-based sectors.
Commenting on the disbursements’ impact during the SME High Growth Programme launch, Chief Executive Officer-GEA, Kosi Yankey Ayeh said: “Overall, the scheme has chalked up an over-90 percent satisfaction rate based on an online survey conducted in March 2022. This is because the application process is transparent and fast”.
And this has impacted greatly on gross sales – with 66 percent of beneficiaries indicating that the average value of gross sales increased by approximately 4 percent, according to Mrs. Yankey Ayeh. “Grant disbursement started in August 2021, hence 2020 is considered an appropriate base year. A gross sale value of GH¢104,805 was recorded in 2021, representing an about-52 percent increase compared to the 2020 baseline,” she said.
Meanwhile, a new SME High Growth programme was launched by the GEA to deepen the sector’s participation in the country’s recovery efforts – and also provide the training and capacity building necessary for SMEs’ operational efficiency, which will boost their competitiveness and scale-up their operations for further job creation.
With a grant support of US$20million earmarked for the programme’s implementation – targetting high-growth SMEs in the agribusiness/agro-processing, construction, education, food and beverage, healthcare and/or pharmaceutical industries, ICT, manufacturing, textiles and garments, among others – the initiative is expected to transition these enterprises into the next stage of growth; thereby improving their ability to increase sales and exports.
Expected programme results and impact
In a short presentation at the nationwide programme launch, Mrs. Yankey Ayeh said the initiative and its grant support will help about 2,000 SMEs become investment-ready, capable of attracting both local and foreign capital into their business; increase sales; and more importantly, build their capacities to export and “culminate in job creation and job sustainability”.
She said the beneficiary SMEs will be given technical assistance by KPMG on business management capabilities, productivity-enhancing improvements and utilisation of the soft skills acquired – leading to a generally improved business operating culture among Ghanaian SMEs, thereby enhancing competition and growth.
“The new SME High Growth Programme is designed to build on and consolidate the successes achieved so far. And in this regard, we intend providing SMEs with all the relevant tools needed in business development, including digital marketing tools necessary to enable them take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“This makes the programme-design very relevant to the vision of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for SMEs through the GEA – that is, to optimise their potentials so as to enable them contribute meaningfully in growth and development of the national economy and poverty reduction,” Mrs. Yankey Ayeh said.
A genuine 843,000 CFA and 110,500 Naira were also found in the aforementioned briefcase, according to the Acting Commissioner of Customs, Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah.
When describing the event to the B&FT in Accra yesterday, Commissioner Iddisah stated that two of the perpetrators were stopped on a motorbike by customs officers on an illegal route intended only for locals of that area of Aflao.
He disclosed that the main suspect who was in possession of the luggage is a Nigerian citizen. “He is a 57-year-old man and his name is Arimo Timothy Adigbo, with a Nigerian passport in his possession,” the Customs chief noted.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at Aflao, and according to the Customs Division, the case has been handed over to the Customs investigation department for further interrogation. “Upon receiving the news, I ordered that the suspect be brought to Accra to enable us to carry out a detailed investigation into the matter,” Iddisah disclosed.
“The understanding is that the suspects were arrested in Ghana’s territory and not in Togolese territory. The crime was carried out in Ghana, and that informed our decision to pursue the case at the Customs headquarters. If we have to contact Nigerian Customs during the investigation, we will do that. We have that collaboration in place,” he said.
But for the arrest, Commissioner Iddisah said, the culprit would have changed the monies into dollars and Naira and gone back to his country, leaving behind fake currencies circulating in both Ghana and Togo.
This, he said, may not only lead to losing foreign exchange but has other criminal implications as well. “The first law in breach is lack of declaring of goods per the laws of Customs, and the fact that the suspect was plying an unapproved route with such contents in the briefcase are all criminal,” Commissioner Iddisah emphasised.
He dismissed assertions made by some government officials that former President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC would have caused more harm had they been in power.
“Nonsense, instead of Nana Addo and the NPP accepting responsibility for the worst economic crisis ever as a result of their careless borrowing, flagrant mismanagement, and overt corruption, their pathetic and untenable justification is that “oh, it would have been worse if JM or the NDC was in charge” really, Nonsense!”
“Shouldn’t consultations and negotiations with stakeholders have been done way back to inform the way forward in terms of the debt restructuring? The Nana Addo and NPP government you will agree, has a penchant for doing consultations only when there is a push back or resistance,” Mr. Apaak stated in a tweet.
The government has set up a joint technical committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Finance and leaders of individual bondholders after some agitation from the Individual Bondholders Forum.
The team is expected to commence work on Thursday, January 19, 2023.
“The engagement will be continued to make sure that we all understand where we are and what we have to do to go forward and as we indicated, get on a common path as we mentioned. A technical committee will be set up and will consist of two members from the individual bondholders’ forum, and we will have our first meeting on January 19, 2023,″ the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta stated.
As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 10.3410 and a selling price of 10.3514. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 12.40 and sold at a rate of 13.00.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 12.8373 and a selling price of 12.8523 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 12.6988 and a selling price of 12.7136.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 11.2352 and a selling price of 11.2473 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 11.2051 and a selling price of 11.2162.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 12.60 and sold at a rate of 13.60.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.6119 and a selling price of 0.6124 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.6048 and a selling price of 0.6051.
At a forex bureau in Accra, South African Rand is being bought at a rate of 0.50 and sold at a rate of 1.10.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 44.5086 and a selling price of 44.5434 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 44.5507 and a selling price of 44.5864.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 13.50 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 18.50.
Following the SEC’s earlier notice that the Bank has voluntarily stopped acting as a Trustee in the Ghanaian capital market and securities business, this has happened.
However, the SEC stated in a different statement that “the Bank continues to hold a Custodian license issued by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Industry Act, 2016 (Act 929) and remains an active operator in the Ghanaian Securities market and banking industry.”
Although SEC did not state the Bank’s reasons to cease its Trustee services for one of its schemes, insider sources say the bank’s decision has nothing to do with the Debt Exchange Programme of government.
According to Daniel, his family is very controlling, therefore, he decided to go on a trip to Nigeria to visit his girlfriend without telling his family but his father found out has intercepted his journey after he reached Togo.
“When I got to the Togo border, my dad made a call to the security people and they detained me and told me lies about how I came up in their system and I was red listed because my name is a threat name,” Daniel said.
Because i decided to travel alone withought informing my family (which is my own choice) due to this exact reason. I have been detained by police and doctors and put in a psychiatric ward for nothing. @ArchbishopNick i will have my justice. My God will arise. It is well 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/BVM0IY9nP8
In a video shared by Daniel, popularly known as Deewills, he disclosed that he has been locked up a hospital with claims that he is sick.
“I was detained for 3 hours, they waited for my dad’s personal security team to get to the border, they came to pick me up and dropped me at a hospital saying that I am in insane” he said.
According Deewills in the video below, he still has his phone because he didn’t show off when he was picked up. he is calling for justice, saying that “I need justice, they do this too much. Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, this is not how you treat your son,” he said.
A faulty air-condition is suspected to have caused the inferno that killed the late Sergeant Owusu Asante Baafi at Apromase near Kumasi on Monday dawn.
The deceased security officer, said to be 35 years old, was unfortunately burnt beyond recognition together with his wife, Yaa Achiaa, and their three months old child.
The IGP and the other security chiefs in the country rushed to the disaster scene on Monday to inspect the extent of damage but they did not readily state the cause of the fire.
But addressing section of the media in Kumasi on Tuesday afternoon, head of the Ashanti Regional REGSEC, Simon Osei Mensah, said an air-condition may have started the fire.
“Preliminary investigations are alluding to an air-condition that he (Asante) fixed in the room recently that caught fire and led to the unfortunate situation on Monday dawn,” he said.
Osei Mensah, who doubles as the Ashanti Regional Minister, visited the disaster scene. He, however, said the investigators were yet to come out with their final findings.
According to him, Sergeant Asante Baafi tried his best to open the door to his room and save himself, his wife and their child but all his efforts proved futile in the end.
“His charred body was found right behind the door, the key was also broken in the door. He made every effort to open the door and save his wife and baby but to no avail.
“It is suspected that the China door expanded when it caught the fire and that made it impossible for him to open it and flee with his family from harm’s path,” he said.
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family and the police service, he advised the public to always consider their security and safety, in their homes to avert deaths and injuries.
A mother has died after waiting for nearly two hours for an ambulance, after complaining about severe pain and shortness of breath, before her heartbroken nine-year-old daughter spent hours trying to wake her up.
Victoria Louisa Maame Yamphet, 40, died in her home in Dagenham, east London, last week, in front of her terrified daughters aged 9 and 18.
Her daughter Emmanuela, 18, said her mother came home with a flu on Sunday, January 8, and rapidly declined.
She said: ‘My mum complained about her ribs and belly hurting. I offered to call an ambulance because she isn’t really a sick person and I knew it was bad.’
During the night, Maame, as she was referred to by friends and family, got more severe and at 6.09am on Tuesday, January 10, her daughter called for an ambulance.
She was initially told the ambulance was six to ten minutes away, but 20 minutes later there was still no ambulance, despite the ambulance strike only happening the next day.
‘I called again and all of a sudden it was an hour wait’, she said.
‘I told them my mum can’t wait that long. I was in distress because I didn’t know what to do.’
She was told at 7.15am that a taxi would be send to her house to take her mother to the hospital.
However, the taxi didn’t reach them in time: ‘Before the taxi got to us, her pain got worse. She just stopped breathing in front of me and my little sister.
‘I put her in a recovery position, I did CPR on her. I called the ambulance screaming and crying for them to get here quicker.
‘They literally got here within a minute, and it made me feel like when I really need them to come, they can, but they didn’t until I started screaming and crying.
‘When they came, they did everything they could but it was a bit too late. Because my mother was left for an hour and 45 minutes to be in pain, sadly … she didn’t make it.
‘She suffered from cardiac arrest due to her not being able to breathe properly.’
Maame, the name she went by, worked as a support worker for over 20 years. Her daughter said: ‘It’s very unfair. My mum was a support worker, she always looked after people, but when it was her turn, she wasn’t taken care of.’
The young woman said on top of her disappointment in the ambulance service, she was very distressed when her mother’s body was left at the house with her and her nine-year-old sister Emily for six hours.
She said: ‘My little sister was on the floor next to our mum the whole time. She was crying, shaking her and trying to wake her up.’
Their father, who works in the NHS, rushed home to his partner and children and when he was told his partner ‘didn’t make it, he literally started breaking down’, his daughter said.
Maame’s daughters, who are both receiving councelling via their schools, are currently staying with their aunt Sally Andrews in south London as she doesn’t want her nieces to stay where their mother died. Maame’s death comes as ambulance services have just announced further walkouts in February that are due to bring futher chaos amid the recent outrage over long NHS waiting times.
Dr Fenella Wrigley, Chief Medical Officer for London Ambulance Service, said:
‘We are deeply sorry for the delay in responding to Mrs Yamphet.
‘We are investigating our response to this 999 call and the care provided, and as part of this thorough review, will contact Mrs Yamphet’s family to understand the circumstances of this incident.
‘On behalf of London Ambulance Service, I offer my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mrs Yamphet.’
The cause of Mrs Yamphet’s death is yet to be determined. In the meantime, her daugher Emmanuela has set up a fundraising page for her mother’s funeral: ‘We want to give her a befitting burial’, she said.
Ghanaian musician, Samini has called on the leadership of the country to provide modern equipment to the Ghana National Fire Service.
In the wake of a recent fire outbreak that claimed the life of a police personnel and his family at their residence in Apromase, Ashanti Region, a video has emerged to prove that most fire stations lack the tools needed to quench fire in emergencies.
A disturbing footage of a burning car that couldn’t be saved by some personnel from the Fire Service despite being present at the time has raised concerns.
In reaction to the clip, Samini expressed his disappointment in Ghana’s slow progress.
“Who’s been doing the thinking? From our great grand fathers to us men of today. Priority has been misplaced. How can a fire engine be in this condition and you expect to save lives and property with it? Question for the Gods. #ghanafireservice needs help Chale. Markets burn oo,” his tweet read.
Samini called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to equip the service and complement their effort in saving lives and properties.
In response to a tweep who urged him to openly call out the president, Samini wrote: “You mean tag the president… why not? Good morning me president @NAkufoAddo streets are calling for a lot of changes in various aspects of society…they’ll be tagging you with their issues please. Thanks for your audience.”
Check out the posts below:
Who’s been doing the thinking ? From our great grand fathers to us men of today.Priority has been misplaced. How can a fire engine be in this condition and you expect to save lives and property with it ? Question for the Gods. #ghanafireservice needs help Chale. Markets burn oo😡 https://t.co/TbemspeEdP
You mean tag the president… why not ? Good morning me president @NAkufoAddo streets are calling for a lot of changes in various aspects of society… they’ll be tagging you with their issues please. Thanks for your audience. https://t.co/jvuSSw930i
The CCG in a January 19, 2023 statement signed by Rt. Rev. Prof. J.O.Y Mante said it had arrived at that position after keenly following public debates and talking to some affected parties.
Their call for engagement, the statement noted, was because they had “identified lapses in the debt restructuring programme, a major one being lack of consultation with affected individuals and institutions.”
The statement continued: “With the current economic hardships in the country and the agitations among the general public, it is in the nation’s interest for the Finance Ministry to suspend the 31st January deadline given to individuals to sign on to the program and rather propose a road map for dialogue to make the process participatory such that the outcome would be acceptable to all.”
The government has failed to secure a debt restructuring deal with domestic lenders, postponing a deadline for the DDE thrice, the latest deadline being January 31, 2023.
The government has repeatedly blamed the crisis partly on the aftershocks of the COVID pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war but has promised to turn around the economic fortunes of the country after sealing a Staff-Level Agreement with the IMF late last year, with hopes that funds from the US$3 billion facility will be released early this year.
The government is hamstrung by hurdles as it attempts to secure a debt restructuring programme at home. Processes are underway to restructure external debts too, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed to Accra-based Joy FM on January 18.
Organized labour successfully fought off plans to include pensions in the DDE; now individual bondholders are also rejecting plans to include them with talks ongoing on a mutually acceptable way forward.
Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand says Casemiro is an intelligent and a better player than Thomas Partey when the two midfielders are compared.
Both players have been pivotal for their respective clubs in the ongoing Premier League season.
The aforementioned midfielders faced each other several times in the Madrid derby in Spain, when Partey played for Atletico Madrid and Casemiro lined up for Real Madrid.
Partey, who is Ghana’s deputy captain is expected to feature against Manchester United on Sunday at the Emirates as Arsenal hope to continue their fine run with Casemiro expected to sit out due to suspension.
Ferdinand acknowledged the importance of both players to their teams but said Casemiro is on another level.
“I think the importance to their teams…you could argue both sides quite equally. But then, when you through the stats in Casemiro wipes him away,” the former Manchester United defender said on his podcast, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“No, no no. I don’t think Partey is good enough defensively to do what Casemiro is doing, I don’t think he has the impact defensively for Man United, on the ball he’s doing more.”
“On the ball, he’s [Partey] doing more. He’s dictating play for Arsenal. He’s actually playing passes I didn’t know he had. His passing has been unbelievable.”
Arsenal are currently eight points above Manchester United on the Premier League table and could further extend their lead at the top if they beat the Red Devils this weekend.
The SWAG Awards is held annually to honour distinguished Ghanaian sportsmen and sportswomen, and over 40 athletes who excelled and brought honours to the country in 2022, will be honoured by SWAG on January 28, 2023.
An aide to the Vice President, Tamimu Issah, presented Dr Bawumia’s Ghc50,000 support to the President of SWAG, Kwabena Yeboah, and Secretary General, Charles Osei Asibey on Wednesday.
Out of the total amount, Dr Bawumia is donating Ghc10,000 each to winners of two award categories; the Female Footballer of the Year and the Sports Journalist of the Year, with the remaining Ghc30,000 going to SWAG to aid its organization.
Last year, Vice President Bawumia also supported the 46th SWAG Awards with Ghc50,000 and similarly presented Ghc10,000 Cedis each to the Female Footballer of the Year and the Sports Journalist of the Year.
Speaking at the 46th SWAG Awards as the Special Guest, Vice President Bawumia explained that his financial support towards the two special award categories is to encourage female footballers. On the Sports Journalist of the Year, the Vice President explained that his support is to encourage sports journalists to continue to make meaningful contributions to the development of sports in the country.
After receiving the support, the President of SWAG, Kwabena Yeboah, expressed the Association’s gratitude to Dr Bawumia for his support, once again.
The Vice President has often earned plaudits for his benevolent support to sports organisations, with beneficiaries including RTU, King Faisal, Hasaacas Ladies, Ampem Darkoa Ladies, SWAG, etc
The 47th MTN/Adamus SWAG Awards comes off at the Accra International Center on January 28, 2023.
The average performance of the local currency has been one of the finest in previous years, he claimed, despite the cedi being under pressure.
“External factors have been the main cause of the cedi’s pressure, as we have witnessed. The average performance of the dollar has actually been among the greatest in recent years, notwithstanding the high volatility seen this year, according to Ken Ofori-Atta.
View the complete article written by dailyguideafrica originally on July 19, 2018
The cedi hit a record low in May and June this year touching GHC4.8250 to the dollar.
Presenting the mid-year budget review before parliament on Thursday, 19 July 2018, Ofori-Atta said the depreciation of the cedi in the first six months of 2018 has been the best since 2012.
He said: “We have seen the cedi come under pressure primarily due to external pressures. In fact, aside from the strong volatility recorded this year, the average performance of the dollar has been one of the best in recent years.
“A further interrogation of data from the Bank of Ghana showed that the depreciation of the first-half, six months of 2018, has been the best since 2012. It is instructive to note that from January 2018 to June 2018, the depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the dollar was 2.4% as against 17.2% in 2012, 3.6% in 2016, 3.7% in 2017.
“If this is anything to go by, it means that the 2018 performance of the Ghana cedi is likely to be better than even the 4.9% we experienced in 2017 which was an all-time low compared to the four years of the Mahama administration.”
This comes after a number of bondholder groups publicly stated their disapproval of the scheme and their desire to be left out of it.
After a crucial discussion with the Individual Bondholders Forum and other pertinent organisations, Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta told journalists that the committee will start meeting on January 19, 2023.
He explained that the engagement will entail the investigation and possibility of finding fiscal space in the 2023 budget to allow for the exemption of certain categories of bondholders in the debt restructuring exercise.
“The Committee will be meeting tomorrow because we do not want to miss the deadline… It is urgent, it is important, and we must signal to the country that we can resolve the issues and work within our limitations but ensure that we all come out ahead somewhat,” Ken Ofori-Atta told journalists.
“Some are more vulnerable than others, therefore, some will contribute more than others, but we will find a way to get a formula that protects the most vulnerable, and ensure that we end up being able to secure an agreement with the Fund in a way which will have an orderly adjustment to our macros and fiscals so that we can build a stronger country,” he added.
Prior to this, Ken Ofori-Atta has hinted at the exemption of pensioners from the DDEP as part of efforts to protect the elderly in society who are already saddled with critical health expenses and reliance on coupon payments.
“As in any society, as I say, our key issue is that a society that does not protect the elderly is not the type of society we want,” he said in opening remarks prior to the closed-door session.”
The debt exchange programme has come under intense resistance as government is being forced to extend the deadline for the invitation to sign on to the programme by bondholders.
However, the resistance has led to the extension of the deadline to January 31, 2023.
He continued by saying that President Akufo-pledge Addo’s to revive the economy was a far far from becoming a reality.
“People have offered the president a variety of proposals to prevent the economy from collapsing completely, but the president is not heeding to all of these advice,” he stated.
His comment was on the back of the economic crisis in recent times.
Read the full story originally published on August 19, 2022 by ClassFM.
Jonathan Asante Okyere is of the view that the president is not in charge because he does not pay heed to many of the suggestions and ideas that have been thrown at him by all level-headed and well-meaning personalities in the country.
“People have made all manner of suggestions to the president to help save the economy from total collapse yet the president is not heeding to all these advice,” he said.
He explained that the way the economy is going down by the day does not even suggest there is an Economic Management Team in place.
Mr Okyere said many level-headed people have suggested to the president to as a matter of urgency sack his Finance Minster but he is unrelenting.
The university don said these on Accra 100.5 FM’s mid-day news on Friday, August 19, 2022.
According to the agreement, the Chamber recommended that the nation acquire petroleum products in bulk rather than having Bulk Oil Distributors (BDCs) aggregate the necessary volumes over time.
Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary of COPEC, claimed in an interview with the Ghana News Agency that the proposed policy will also lessen the need for foreign exchange on the side of BDCs and contribute in slowing the depreciation of the Cedi.
“We should aggregate our volumes and auction it to the oil traders. Once the oil trader knows that for this quarter Ghana is requesting for a million tonnes, if you ask them to give you quotations, you are likely to get a more efficient pricing system,” Mr Amoah said.
After weeks of recording consistent decline, fuel prices shot up again on Monday, January 16, 2023, owing to the about 10 per cent depreciation of the Cedi in the last two weeks.
Currently, petrol is selling at an average GHC13.90, from GHC12.40, whilst diesel is selling at about GHC15.60 per litre, from about GHC13.70.
On Monday, the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) took delivery of the first consignment of petroleum products delivered under the Government’s Gold for Oil Policy.
The about 41,000 metric tonnes of the petroleum products is valued at about $43 million.
The Government announced the Gold for Oil Policy in November last year as an innovative measure to exchange gold for petroleum products instead of US Dollars.
The Government said the move was intended to reduce the demand for dollars for the importation of petroleum products and by extension reduce the rate of depreciation of the Cedi.
It is estimated that the country required about $400m to import petroleum products monthly.
Mr Amoah said the Gold for Oil Policy was not the solution to the instability in fuel prices, adding that the Policy may create additional layers in the value chain that could compound the problem.
He urged the Economic Management Team and the Bank of Ghana to use the sale of the gold to rather stabilise the Cedi so that every sector that relied on Dollars would benefit.
“Every single active actor that we are introducing along the chain in the Gold for Oil deal is likely to come out with one cost or the other and that would probably add to the cost of the oil,” he said.
The FDA reminded media outlets, social media influencers, and celebrities that “endorse products” that it is illegal to advertise any food as a preventative or cure for a disease, condition, or abnormal physical state under Section 100 of Act 851.
It also added that drug advertisements for the treatment, prevention or cure of diseases such as “sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, hypertension, sexual impotence etc are prohibited under law.”
As we begin a new year, the FDA wishes to assure the general public of its continuous commitment to safeguard public health and safety.
To this end, the Authority hereby reminds manufacturers, importers, exporters and the public that it is an offence under the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851, to manufacture, prepare,import, export, distribute, sell, supply or exhibit for sale any of FDA’s regulated products namely-food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and household chemicals which have not been duly registered with the Authority.
Media houses as well as social media influencers and celebrities who endorse products are to note that it is an offence under Section 100 of Act 851 to advertise any food as a preventive or cure for a disease, disorder, or an abnormal physical state. Furthermore, drug advertisements for the treatment, prevention or cure of diseases listed in the Fifth Schedule of Act 851 such as sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, hypertension, sexual impotence etc are prohibited under law.
Media presenters are to note that Live Presenter Mentions intended to advertise or promote any FDA regulated products are not allowed.
It is also to be noted that all approved advertisements are valid for one year and must be renewed thereafter.
Pursuant to Section 129 of Act 851, persons who contravene the above provisions are liable to “a summary conviction and/or a fine of not less than 7500 penalty units and not more than fifteen thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than fifteen years and not more than twenty-five years or both”.
The Authority encourages the public to continue to take advantage of the Progressive Licensing Scheme to expand the scope and reach locally manufactured products.
We also urge the public to return any unused and expired medicines to designated pharmacies as part of the Take Back Unwanted Medicines project aimed at protecting public health and safety.
Thank you for reporting any unscrupulous activities that compromise public health and safety.
The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Godfred Dame, had said that the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has brought unparalleled improvement to the justice delivery system of Ghana.
According to him, not only has the government brought a much-needed improvement in the human capacity of his ministry and its agencies, but it has also equipped them with the tools to ensure effective justice delivery.
The minister, who made these remarks in a Good Evening Ghana interview monitored by GhanaWeb, went on to list some of the New Patriotic Party government’s achievements in his ministry.
Human Capacity:
Godfred said that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has boosted the human resource capacity of his ministry by recruiting about 200 attorneys since 2017.
“Last year, 70 attorneys were recruited, the year before 2021, another 70 were recruited. During Madame Gloria Akuffo’s time, another 60 or 70 were recruited… and this year I have applied for financial clearance to recruit about 50 or 60 more,” he said.
He added that the government has also been offering regular training to state attorneys both locally and internationally, with about 5 of them currently undergoing training abroad.
Infrastructure:
He stated that the Law House would be completed within a year and used as office space for the minister and its agencies.
“When I came, I ensured that there was an earnest construction of the project, and I am sure that in about six months or so the Law House will be done… from a state where it was 35 percent complete when I assumed office,” he said.
Equipment:
In the area of tools and equipment, he said that some of his agencies did not even have vehicles to run their operations, but between 2017 and 2023, the government procured a lot of vehicles for these agencies.
“My predecessor Madame Gloria Akuffo, believed there were 27 vehicles. Last year, in 2022, on account of the support of the minister of finance and the president’s decision at cabinet, I delivered 91 vehicles.
“The Law Reform Commission had only one vehicle, which was way back in 1997; Legal Aid had only about three or four vehicles… I doubled the stock of vehicles available to each agency and each regional office,” he said.
Reorganizing the fully funded women in agriculture mechanization training program is Agro Kings Ltd., a significant Ghanaian agricultural company, in collaboration with The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) through the Sustainable Employment through Agribusiness (AgriBiz) and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI).
All 12 participants who attended the training programme received internship offers in diverse sectors with two of these trainees who have been employed and promoted to serve as the Mechanisation Lead and Farm Administrative Lead at Agro Kings Farms respectively.
The programme will run for four weeks at Agro Kings Farm with a mandatory three-month internship after the intensive training. It will aim to bridge the skills gaps among youth, especially women.
The African Centre for Economic Transformation cited a study that showed that Ghana’s 46.7% female workforce has skills gaps as a possible barrier to employment in the future world of work in Ghana. Also, the rapid increase in unemployment rates further buttresses the need for support for more young ladies in agriculture.
This second edition will include adequate soft skills training which will enable the young women to build a holistic, value-driven, and successful career in Agriculture. The course will cover topics including health and safety management in agricultural machinery (tractor and heavy-duty machines) operations, drone piloting and basic Excel, record keeping, task management, and budgeting.
Trainees at the end of the training are expected to acquire the necessary knowledge and practical skills to manage, operate and maintain tractors and their related equipment.
To be eligible, applicants must be women between the ages of 18 and 35 who possess basic literacy and numeracy skills. Participants must demonstrate a desire for agriculture and must be willing to work on the farm. Interested applicants must register by 22nd January 2023 by contacting Agro Kings Limited at 0. Participants recruited are expected to report on 4th February 2023 for training to begin on 4th March 2023.
Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has revealed plans to boost tourism in the country if he is elected president after the 2024 elections.
He outlined his tourism plans in an interview with cross section of journalists during his recent tour of the Central Region where his constituency is located.
Talking about potential of tourism
The owner of Ken City Media addressed how he will tackle the perennial issue of dealing with the pollution of the Odaw river located in Accra.
The river canal which connects to the sea has become a major headache when it rains heavily, triggering flooding in the center of the city.
Agyapong lamented that whiles other places in the world benefit from the sea, Ghana is yet to fully tap into that area. He cited Dubai, South Africa’s Cape Town, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Bahamas, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, as places making money from the sea.
Dealing with the Odaw River the Trump way
On the matter of the Odaw, he said: “Look at the Odaw River, the amount of dirt seeping into the sea, I will be like Donald Trump, I will build a long wall on both sides, so that nobody from his home will throw refuse into the Odaw which will end up in the sea.
“We will prevent it and clean the whole Odaw River and put boats on it, so that people will ride from Circle all the way to the sea, Jamestown,” he stressed.
He also spoke about plans for other tourist sites like Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.
Exit Parliament, presidential plans
Agyapong has through his campaign for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stressed that tourism and mechanized agriculture are the two main levers he will leverage to transform the economy.
He has been MP for Assin Central for over 20 years and has stated that he will not be seeking reelection.
His presidential ambition is barely a year old but his candidature is deemed to be one of the most popular along with that of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen.
The Founder and Apostle-General of Royalhouse Chapel International, Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah, has prayed a passionate, heartfelt prayer for God to visit the president of Ghana and his advisers with the spirit of compassion.
Calling on the angels of Heaven to arrest the hearts of the politicians in leadership, the veteran preacher prayed that God would open the minds of the leaders so that they would know that it is wrong for them to touch the savings of the poor.
Praying during the 2023 version of the annual Week of the Altar, a 21-day fasting and prayer period of the church, Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah stressed that politicians should understand that being in power doesn’t mean they should take advantage of the finances of the vulnerable.
He prayed to God to bring all such leaders to their knees and humble them, especially if they fail to listen to anyone.
“If they lose their livelihood, who will they turn to, and where do they go. Our God and our father, we bring the president of this country, his vice, and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, and all those who sit and take decisions, Father, bring them on their knees and humble them; humble them.
“If they will not hear any voice, let them hear the voice of Jehovah God Almighty, and warn them, Oh God, then when you are in power and authority, you don’t touch the savings of the poor, because when the poor people decide to cry, there will be judgment from Heaven. Lord, push them away from the savings of the poor. Push them away from the savings of the needy, for there are families who depend upon these savings
“I send you, holy angels, go and arrest the hearts of the president, his vice, and the finance ministers, and their advisers,” he prayed.
The Apostle-General continued to pray that God would make the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and other decision-makers of his, including the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, sensitive to the plights of the poor.
He also prayed for God’s help to shore up the economy and the country, committing the breadwinners to the safe hands of the Almighty.
“Make them sensitive to the needs of the people. Bring them on their knees. Let them hear the voice of righteousness, and the poor, and the vulnerable, give us help – help our nation from collapsing, help our nation from sinking, bring our finances back to life, let the economy work again, let families feed their children and their houses, sustain breadwinners, keep fathers and mothers,” he prayed.
The Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has come under further criticism and attacks over its decision to initiate a Domestic Debt Program that is affecting all bonds except pension funds in the country.
Charlie Dior shot into the limelight after criticizing the looks of some Ghanaian celebrities in a couple of viral videos.
The US-based style critic is well-noted for his outspokenness and the confidence with which he attacks the fashion sense of these celebrities.
In recent times, he has trended back-to-back for spewing harsh comments about the appearances of some celebrities, including Xandy Kamel, Osebo the Zaraman, Nana Ama Mcbrown, Tracey Boakye, Sarkodie, and many others, on red carpets.
Not forgetting how his recent interview with Zionfelix has since been topical on social media.
Let’s take a look at other things you probably do not know about Charlie Dior
He was a Sunday School teacher
Charlie Dior declared his love for God and commitment towards the Christian faith in an interview with Zionfelix.
He disclosed how he used to play active roles in the church until the members started showing ‘toxic traits’.
“I used to be very active in church. I like religion and believe in God but I don’t like the church. I used to sing in church, I was a Sunday School teacher. But I noticed the church can be very judgmental. They are talkatives and gossips. They will make you feel like an outsider,” he told Zion.
Charlie Dior’s real name is Charles Tamakloe and hails from the Volta region
Born Charles Tamakloe, the popular fashion critic disclosed that he hails from Hevi, a village closer to Dzodze in the Volta region.
“I’m from the Volta region. My actual name is Charles Tamakloe and I’m part of the Tamakloe clan in Ghana. I’m from Hevi, a small village around Dzodze. I was born in Ghana but I grew up in America. I have two sisters and I am the middle child,” he stated.
He attended High School and Tertiary in the United States
Charlie Dior had his Senior Secondary School and Tertiary education in the United States.
The outspoken style coach who moved to the states 16 years ago, asserted that he currently holds two degrees.
““I lived in New York for a very long time but now I’m based in Jersey. I attended Datus for a while and I furthered my high school and tertiary education in the states. I have two degrees. The first one is in Radio production and the second one is in Broadcasting and Mass Communication,” he noted.
He worked with top American blogs including ‘Shaderoom’ and ‘Industry on Blast’
Asides from his active fashion career, Charlie Dior also established that he has worked with some top media blogs in the United States.
“I used to write for big bloggers in US. I wrote for Shaderoom, Industry on Blast and co. I was a secret writer for all of them,” he stated in an interview with Zionfelix.
He loves make-up and wears both male and female clothes
Charlie Dior has expressed how comfortable he feels when rocking female outfits and make-up.
According to him, just like male clothes, female clothes also make him feel better.
“I’m very genderless when it comes to clothes. For me, everything works. These are comfortable outfits and I love them.
“I wear make-up because I want to look good all the time, especially on camera. I love lipstick because I don’t want crusty lips. It’s called self-care. I love the fact that I have both male and female energies,” he stated.
Ablakwa has since last year waged a dogged campaign for accountability on the construction of the facility which is currently officially estimated to cost US$350 million.
He is concerned particularly by the amount of public funds dedicated to the project despite earlier government communication that it will be funded by the Christian community.
“My analysis is that this project is more than a billion dollars, it is more than a billion dollars by the time we are done paying for the recklessness of president Akufo-Addo,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Radio Gold (January 18).
Meanwhile, Ablakwa has praised Bishop Dag Heward-Mills for his candour in addressing issues related to the project in his leaked resignation letter of August 2022 as a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral.
The lawmaker added that even if there was a national consensus on the need to build the facility, “will the wisest thing to do be not to look for a greenfield, an unencumbered land?” he asked lamenting how public and private structures were demolished to make way for the project.
Head coach of the Black Galaxies of Ghana, Coach Annor Walker has indicated that his team must fight to beat Sudan at all costs on Thursday.
The experienced tactician was disappointed last Sunday when Ghana lost the first match at the CHAN tournament in the opening Group C match against Madagascar.
Ahead of the second match tomorrow, Coach Annor Walker says his team will approach the encounter with the mentality of winning at all costs.
“Of course, it’s a must-win game. We played against Madagascar last Sunday and we lost. It was a painful defeat which has worried us so much. Tomorrow is our next game and it’s a must-win. Tomorrow we are going into this game with all that we can to win the match,” Coach Annor Walker said.
The Black Galaxies have trained well in the last couple of days with players confident of doing better in the Sudan game to secure the needed result.
A defeat could force the Black Galaxies to exit the 2022 CHAN tournament at the end of the group stage.
The cost of power will increase by 29.96% as of February 1, 2023.
However, in an interview with Starr News, Nana Amoasi, Executive Director of IES, adamantly asserts that the increment might have been lower if PURC’s predictions for the composition of the energy generation mix had been accurate.
We can force PURC to reevaluate its assumption between now and then in order to correct them. Consumers won’t be required to pay the predetermined 29% or 30% if they make the correction.
He pleaded with African academics and decision-makers to intensify measures that would foster prosperity and growth and make Africa wealthy and resilient.
Read the entire article as it appeared on ClassFM on July 31, 2018.
Wednesday, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urged African scholars and decision-makers to intensify initiatives that would lessen the Continent’s reliance on foreign aid.
In order to achieve prosperity and progress and make Africa prosperous and robust, they should follow a road of self-respect and take concrete actions.
“The time to pursue a path of prosperity and self-respect for the African Continent is now,” he said at the opening of the 22nd Academy of African Business and Development (AABD) Conference, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra.
The six-day conference, on the theme: “Sustainable Development Beyond Aid: The Focus for Africa,” is being attended by researchers, business practitioners, consultants, community leaders, and policy makers.
The AABD annual conferences aim at facilitating multidisciplinary research by stimulating collaborations between Africa based researchers and professionals and their counterparts around the world, by broadening and deepening global understanding of various issues relevant to Africa’s business and development, as well as advancing solutions to some of her challenges.
Africa must chart the path of self-dependence and her countries must engage with each other competitively through trade and investments and cooperate for enhanced regional and global peace and security, he said.
The Continent ought to move more towards the efficient and effective mobilisation and use of resources to grow out of the dependence on aid rather than a rejection of aid, he stressed.
“We seem to have missed out on many opportunities to make Africa the continent she deserves to be, rich and resilient. But it is not too late to right the wrongs, it is time to catch them now.”
“It is time to create the future we want for our continent, and it is time to start building that future inspired by the imperative to transform our economy from raw material producing and exporting economies to value adding industrial economies.”
The President, thus, urged the conference to ensure its deliberations helped Africa’s quest to get to the point beyond aid.
The proceedings of the meeting, he implored, should contain actionable proposals for consideration.
He urged participants to also focus attention on the IMF’s unprecedented Special Drawing Rights reallocation, for which Africa shared some 30 billion dollars, much less than 100 billion dollars promised in the 2019 Paris Summit, intended to provide additional financial resources to address the vast surging inequities the pandemic has revealed.
President Akufo-Addo asked the conference to articulate policies that would help strengthen African financial institutions like the African Development Bank, AfriExim Bank, and the Africa Finance Corporation, to enable them to take over greater responsibility for the financing of Africa’s development.
They should advocate debt cancellation for African countries to provide a sound foundation for the continent’s future progress.
The President asked the meeting to propose measures to help significantly increase Africa’s capacity for domestic revenue mobilisation to finance its development potential, create opportunities for the Continent’s vibrant and dynamic youth, and develop and deliver improved livelihoods for the people.
They should re-evaluate the role of foreign credit rating agencies, which acted as gatekeepers to global capital markets and their modus operandi, including the fixing of the so-called Africa risk premium.
Additionally, participants must examine the measures available to Africa to check the illicit outflow of capital from the Continent, which is currently estimated around 100 billion dollars per year.
The conference should also place the development of Africa at the centre of the preoccupations of the African diaspora, President Akufo-Addo said.
The conference is expected to deliberate on issues relating to over 14 thematic areas: Accounting, Finance, and Investment; International Aid, Economic Policies and Strategies; Entrepreneurship, Small Business and the Informal Sector Exporting, Internationalisation and Foreign Direct Investment; Information and Communication Technology, Digital Transformation; and COVID-19 and Business in Africa.
James Kwesi Appiah has confirmed that he has applied for the vacant Black Stars coaching job.
The national team has been without a substantive gaffer following the resignation of Otto Addo after Ghana’s early elimination from the 2022 World Cup.
The Black Stars exited with three points having finished at the bottom of Group H.
However, Appiah, who has had two stints with the team and steered the team to a World Cup qualification in 2014 speaking in an interview confirmed he has applied for the job.
“It is true,” he told Kumasi-based Sompa FM.
“When it emerged that no Ghanaian coach has applied for the job, I felt being a Ghanaian, I feel I can also do something and that is the reason why I have applied for the job,” the Asante Kotoko legend added.
Appiah was recently relieved off his duties in December 2019 as Black Stars coach after his contract expiration by the Ghana FA.
Meanwhile, Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association [GFA], Henry Asante Twum speaking in an interview hinted that over 60 coaches have applied for the vacant job.
But reports in the local media suggest the Ghana FA has shortlisted three foreign coaches for the senior national team job.
Chris Hughton, Manchester United assistant coach Steve McClaren and Hector Cupper are said to be on the list.
A new trainer for the team is expected to be named this month.
The Black Stars will be reassembled in March for their doubleheader against Angola in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers.
The Southern Zone of Researchers, Staff Association of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (RSA-CSIR) plans to hold a COVID-19 screening and blood donation event in Accra on this year’s Valentine Day on February 14.
The programme aims to promote preventive healthcare by providingCOVID-19screening at a discounted charge of Gh200.00.
Mr. Abubakari Mohammed, Chairman of the Southern Zone RSA-CSIR Publicity/Visibility Committee, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the COVID-19 screening would be free for students who would attend the event.
Positive cases, according to Mr. Mohammed, would be immediately reported to relevant government agencies for follow-up through Sormas, a national surveillance software programme.
“A positive case input on the system will automatically prompt the Ghana Health Service Disease Control Department in the district of the affected person. The team will follow up and refer the carrier of the virus to a nearby treatment centre,” he said.
Mr Mohammed said in terms of blood donation, it would allow individuals to lower their high blood counts to healthy levels while also saving lives.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Researchers Staff Association aspires to be leaders in Ghanaian science, technology, and innovation.
Manchester United and Chelsea are ready to battle it out with Tottenham to sign Brentford keeper David Raya at the end of the season.
The Bees are currently eighth in the Premier League and the ever-present Raya, 27, has kept six clean sheets in 19 appearances.
Spurs had hoped to lure him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the long-term successor to Hugo Lloris but their pulling power is set to be tested by United and big-spending Chelsea, according to The Telegraph.
Raya is in the final 18 months of his deal and could be available for a cut-price fee this summer.
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has recovered GHS89,725.56 out a total of GHS97,182.00 being salary advances paid to staff.
Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Hospital, testifying before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Wednesday, said out of the recovered sum of GHS89,725.56, at the time of verification, the auditors had verified GHS66,221.56.
The CEO was responding to issues concerning the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital raised in the Report of the Auditor-General on Public Accounts of Ghana: Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the Year Ended 31 December 2020.
Regulation 32 of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378) states, among others, that the Principal Spending Officer of each covered entity shall take effective and appropriate steps to collect money due to the covered entity.
The auditors observed that although the Ministry granted advances to staff, it did not have a robust control mechanism for the recovery of those advances.
Their examination of the Salary Advances Ledger disclosed that salary advances granted by 15 BMCs (Budget Management Centres) of the Ministry of Health to 183 staff, totaling GH¢236,903.82, remained unrecovered as at 31 December 2020.
The auditors recommended that the Heads of the respective BMCs should recover the outstanding advances from the affected staff, failure to which the amount should be recovered from the Heads of the BMCs.
They further recommended that the Ministry of Health should desist from granting such advances.
Dr Ampomah said after the auditors’ verification of the amount recovered, the Hospital also recovered GHS23,514.00, which was yet to be verified by the auditors.
He reiterated that the outstanding balance of those salary advances was GHS7,457.00, which Management was still recovering.
Dr James Klutse Avedzi, the Chairman of PAC and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ketu North, questioned Dr Ampomah on the way forward.
“So, you are still recovering the balance of GHS7,457.00,” he asked.
Dr Ampomah: “Yes, Mr Chairman.”
Dr Avedzi: “Are you still granting salary advances to the staff?”
Dr Ampomah: “We’ve stopped granting.”
The Chairman urged the CEO to continue with the efforts to recover the outstanding balance and provide the auditors with the evidence of recovery.
