Scores have been rendered homeless after fire destroyed some homes at Sofoline in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
The incident happened late Friday night.
A three bedroom house and two units of one bedroom apartments were destroyed by the fire.
About five shops in the area were also affected.
It took intervention of the Ghana National Fire Service to prevent the fire from spreading.
Public Relations Officer for the Fire Service in Ashanti Region explains, “when we got there we realised the fire was well alight, so we had to quickly call in another fire station to help douse the fire”.
He explains investigations have commenced to establish the cause of the fire.
“Information we have gathered from the ground suggests it started from cooking that was left unattended”, he explained.
Persons who lived in the homes are stranded.
Kwame Asare who is a carpenter in the area explains the impact on his busines, “I was called to come back to work because the place had caught fire.”
We lost sets of furniture which was due for delivery and other materials we had bought”.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo left Accra on Saturday, January 14, 2023, for the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is a global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar to accelerate sustainable development and advance economic, social and environmental progress.
Established in 2008, ADSW brings together heads of state, policy makers, industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and youth – who all have a stake in the future of the planet – to discuss and engage on bold climate action and innovations that will ensure a more sustainable world for future generations.
President Akufo-Addo will depart Abu Dhabi on Thursday, January 19, 2022 for London for a six-day private visit.
The President was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway; Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh; Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor; Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, officials from the Presidency and Foreign Ministry.
President Akufo-Addo will return to Ghana on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, and, in his absence, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.
The Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that the 2023 school placement exercise will begin with the verification of students’ school choices.
GES in a release signed by the Head of the Public Relations Unit, Cassandra Twum Ampofo explained the rationale behind the new procedure.
According to the release, ”this verification process is to ensure accuracy in students’ choice information before they are placed in their selected Second Cycle Schools.”
The verification exercise which commenced on 14th January, 2023 will end on 22nd January, 2023.
GES noted as part of the verification exercise, “Students, parents/guardians will receive SMS message from the CSSPS which contains web portal: https://csspsverify.com and USSD short code number *899*88# with 4digit token number.”
“Students who may have errors in their initial selection should call 0556541525 or click on the edit button available on the web portal after their selection details are displayed with a copy of the original selection form.
“Students can also send an email with the copy of the original selection form to cssps2021@gmail com,” it added.
GES cautioned students that the verification exercise is not to change schools but to confirm the initial choices selected.
Two-time TotalEnergies CHAN winners, DR Congo were held to a goalless draw by neighbours Uganda in a highly contested match at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba on Saturday in front of thousands of Algerian fans that came out to watch the action.
The result was a true reflection of the two sides who had a couple of chances in front of goal but were wasteful on several occasions and unlucky on others.
Adam Bossu Nzali had the game’s first real chance at goal with a well-taken freekick on target, but it went straight into Ugandan goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi’s hands in the 10th minute.
On the other end of the pitch, Cranes playmaker Moses Waiswa had the same opportunity to give Uganda the lead but he sent his attempt into the stands much to the frustration of his colleagues on the bench.
Nzali, who was red-hot with attacking zeal down the left side, made a fast-paced run into the box but sent his shot into the side of the net as the Ugandans hi-fived each other for avoiding the goal that could have given the Congolese the lead.
The midfield had a busy outing on the night with both sets of players trying to control the tempo of the game which also turned out to be physical but it was the Congolese who had the most ball possession – 53%.
In the second half, Uganda came close to finding the back of the net but Gift Fred’s header hit the post and was cleared by the Congolese defence.
Congolese substitute Jean-Marc Makusu almost scored within five minutes of coming on but his attempt went into the side of the net and minutes later forced Alionzi to pick up the ball from his powerful shot.
Both coaches Otis Ngoma and Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic made necessary changes but their efforts did not alter the result of the game.
DR Congo and Uganda sit at Group B ahead of the Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal fixture at the same venue.
The move, which prompted a 4% fall in Tesla’s shares in pre-market trading, came after CEO Elon Musk warned that the prospect of recession and higher interest rates meant it could lower prices to sustain volume growth at the expense of profit. Shares are down 65% since the start of 2022.
The lower pricing across Tesla’s major markets marks a reversal from the strategy the automaker had pursued through much of 2021 and 2022 when orders for new vehicles exceeded supply. Musk acknowledged last year that prices had become “embarrassingly high” and could hurt demand.
The US price cuts, announced late Thursday on its global top-sellers the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover SUV, were between 6% and 20%, Reuters calculations showed.
The basic version of its Model Y now costs $52,990, down from $65,990 previously.
That is before an up to $7,500 federal tax credit that took effect for many electric vehicle models at the start of January.
Tesla also cut prices for its Model X luxury crossover SUV and Model S sedan in the United States.
In Germany, it cut prices on the Model 3 and the Model Y by between about 1% and almost 17% depending on the configuration. It also cut prices in Austria, Switzerland and France.
For a US buyer of the long-range Model Y, the new Tesla price combined with the US subsidy amounts to a discount of 31%. In addition, the Tesla move broadened the vehicles in its line-up eligible for the Biden administration tax credit.
Before the price cut, the five-seat version of the Model Y had been ineligible for that credit, a designation Musk called “messed up”. After the price cut, the long-range version of the Model Y will qualify.
The cuts may make EV cars affordable to people who may have been previously priced out of the market.
In France, customers buying the Model 3 for €44,990 ($48,773) will now get a further price reduction through a government subsidy of €5,000. The threshold for the EV subsidy is €47,000.
“This should really boost 2023 (Tesla) volumes,” Gary Black, a Tesla investor who has remained bullish on the company and its prospects through the recent, sharp share price decline, said in a tweet. “It’s the right move.”
Still shares in US pre-market trading were lower, as investors worried the move might erode margins, particularly as competition intensifies.
“Tesla is an outlier because it’s still got eye watering valuations when it comes to the number of cars that it actually sells. But ultimately there are all the other providers that sell a hell of a lot more cars overall,” said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.
Some users on Tesla fan forums online also complained the price cuts disadvantaged those who had recently bought their vehicle, leaving them with a lower second-hand value.
“Just reducing 10,000 euros like that – definitely makes you feel that you just paid far too much,” one user wrote on a ‘Tesla Drivers and Friends’ forum.
In China, where Tesla cut prices last week by 6% to 13.5%, owners protested at delivery centres, calling for compensation.
Before the cuts, Tesla inventory in the United States, as tracked by models its website shows as immediately available, had been trending higher. Prices on used Tesla models had also been dropping, increasing pressure to adjust new-car prices.
For 2021, the United States and China combined had accounted for about 75% of Tesla sales, although it has been growing sales in Europe, where its Berlin plant has been ramping up output.
Tesla cut prices in China and other Asian markets last week in its first major move since appointing its lead executive for China and Asia, Tom Zhu, to oversee U.S. output and sales.
Analysts had said the Chinese price cuts would boost demand and increase pressure on its rivals there, including BYD (BYDDF), to follow suit in what could become a price war in the largest single market for electric vehicles.
Tesla’s Model 3 was the best-selling electric vehicle in Germany last month, followed by the Model Y, beating Volkswagen’s all-electric ID.4. Volkswagen recently raised the price of its entry-level ID.3, putting it at parity with the now-discounted Model 3.
Tesla missed Wall Street estimates for fourth quarter deliveries. Full year growth in deliveries was 40% – also short of Musk’s own forecast of 50%.
Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan says his childhood club used JUJU in some of their games at the colt level when he was a juvenile footballer in Ghana’s capital, Accra.
The all-time Ghana top scorer who is the African player with the highest amount of goals at the FIFA World Cup says their juvenile club, Cedar FC made all of them engaged in bathing with some concoction all in the name of looking for a win in a colts league match.
According to Gyan, during his colts football days, there were days they were taken to places to engage in activities that will help them win games.
He also added that a lot of players engage in juju but that is their secret.
“Yes, it is there, anything that has a name exists. We all like in colts we all go together and they tell us to get this and bath with it do this and that. And if you don’t do it and the team loses you caused the defeat. With Cedar we went once or twice we played Liberty we were beaten four,” he said on Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV.
“I remember another colts game, a man told us to do something for two goals. Sometimes with a padlock, they will tell you if you score one that is it.”
“You can get an empty net and shoot wide when the one goal enters that is it. When someone scores a goal people usually say this is a mallam goal they know it (juju) is there,”
“We all have what we believe. Someone will close from church and pass by a mallam. There are a lot of players if they will tell the truth they do those things.”
“Someone will not tell you their secret but if you are very observant you will see that something is going on. That person will not tell you there is something going on but if you are observant there are certain things you will see,”
“You can’t mention names, someone’s secret, nothing goes on in the dressing room but if the person is going to sleep do you know what they do.”
“If a pastor stands behind the pulpit you don’t know what he has done before coming so your secret is your power. There are those who are very deep into juju but will come and behave like they are holy,” he concluded.
That came to a screeching halt during the Covid pandemic, as China virtually sealed its borders.
Now, the Southeast Asian nation is back on the welcome wagon — and telling the world it’s open for business.
Three government ministers headed to Bangkok’s international airport earlier this week to personally greet the first group of Chinese tourists to arrive after China lifted travel restrictions.
Bill Barnett, founder and managing director of C9 Hotelworks, a hospitality consultancy in Phuket, said the move underscored the economic significance of Chinese tourists, who were embraced with “arms wide open.”
In 2019, Thailand was the most-visited international destination by Chinese travelers, welcoming around 11 million tourists — over a quarter of the country’s overseas arrivals. Only Hong Kong and Macao, two special administrative regions of China, received more Chinese visitors.
Speaking to reporters at the airport Monday, Thailand’s deputy prime minister and minister of public health, Anutin Charnvirakul, said it was important to send a strong signal to revive its economy.
“The arrival of tourists from China, as well as from countries around the world, to Thailand is expected to increase continually. This is a good sign for Thailand’s tourism sector,” he said.
“If every Thai person welcomes these tourists with warm hospitality, and we also take good care of our health, it will accelerate the economic recovery after our suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic for three years.”
China scrapped its quarantine requirements on Sunday after three years, prompting businesses around the world to prepare for the return of the world’s largest outbound travel market.
In Thailand, that’s been no exception, with travel companies beginning to reactivate Chinese social marketing campaigns and increase staffing, according to Barnett.
“Hotels now are scrambling. They’re trying to get Chinese-speaking staff, they’re trying to get Chinese salespeople back on onboard,” he said. “I think we’ll start seeing salespeople start to organize sales trips back into China.”
The Golden Dome Cabaret Show in Bangkok is usually a must-see for Chinese tour groups.
“I am happy to hear the news that China has opened its country,” CEO Boonchai Tongprasert told CNN, adding that his team was also anticipating a pickup in business.
Boonchai said his income was completely wiped out during the worst of the Covid crisis.
His vibrant theater went from receiving up to 4,000 Chinese visitors a night to roughly 100. After dipping into personal savings to help pay his staff, Boonchai suspended operations for two and a half years, only reopening last September.
But the influx of business is also being met with apprehension. Many Thai people remain concerned about the risks of Covid-19 outbreaks as more tourists come back, Boonchai said.
Barnett, too, warned there was a massive “fear factor” in local communities about whether the virus would spread as inbound travel recovered.
Balancing economic needs with local concerns will be a key challenge for Thailand in the coming months, he said.
The government is also facing calls to help restaff the travel industry.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said labor shortages were top of mind for many businesses as the sector gradually comes back to life.
The “tourism sector has been heavily damaged,” he said. “Those who had gone out of business, probably have changed their professions. And I am not confident if they would come back.”
Wittaya Chaimongkol, a cabaret dancer who has worked with the Golden Dome troupe for nearly 15 years, said she was excited about the return of Chinese tourists.
“I was missing the show very much,” she told CNN. “After two and a half years, I am now seeing light at the end of the tunnel.”
Former Deputy Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, has blamed Ghana’s current economic situation on the employment of hundreds of people into various government institutions.
In a Facebook post, the former deputy minister said this numerous employed people enjoy emoluments which is putting pressure on the local economy.
From Ministers to presidential staffers, spokespersons and chief executive officers, Mr Ato Forson averred that these persons enjoy better conditions of service as well.
He further cited the impact of new agencies created by the government as one of the reasons behind the country’s economic woes.
Read Ato Forson’s full post below:
Folks,
I know some of you might still be wondering how we got into this economic mess! Here are a few reasons,
1. The NPP has the largest size of government in the history of Ghana! Find out how many ministers they’ve appointed from 2017. At one point, they had over 125 ministers!
2. This government has over 1000 presidential staffers paid as article 71 office holders at the jubilee House!
3. They’ve also appointed soo many special assistants to ministers with emoluments close to that of deputy ministers at the various MDA’s. Take also into consideration:
4. The number of spokespersons at various MDA’s paid above the pay of Directors!
5. The number of CEO’s at various State owned Enterprises (SOEs) and their pay packages! Many of these SOEs now employ 3 or 4 deputy CEOs with fat conditions of service!
6. The impact of the Over 50 new agencies with zero output, eg. CODA, NADA, MBDA, free SHS secretariat, 1D1F secretariat, petroleum hub development authority, Ghana cares secretariat, etc
7. The unconscionable decision to send over 100 Databank staff to the finance ministry as special assistants and paid as customs commissioners on GRA’s payroll!
Afia Schwarzenegger has reacted to claims that the man who she is currently mourning isn’t her biological brother.
Earlier, Nana Tonardo, stormed social media with claims that Afia Schwarzenegger and the deceased weren’t in anyway related by blood.
In a video shared on Instagram, Tonardo also claimed that Afia has an agenda to solicit public sympathy and make money from the gentleman’s death, just as she did with her father.
“She uses the least opportunity to beg for stuff. I have seen that Afia Schwarzenegger is going round peddling some heavy lies. She is claiming that her brother is dead and I have seen that some shallow minded people are also falling for it.
“They have started sympathizing with her and it’s sad. You’re doing all these because of public sympathy. Do you have a brother? We’ve been together for more than 14 years and you don’t have any brother,” Tonardo said
But in a lengthy Instagram post meant to subtly refute such claims, Afia Schwarzenegger, among other things, has recalled an instance where the deceased once protected her from death.
“Let me tell you about my Bestie that will take the bullet so I can live, he was shot in South Africa in the arm just because I wanted Ghana food and he took it upon himself to go out in the night just to satisfy my cravings…so yes he took a bullet for me,” parts of the post read.
Eulogizing him, Afia disclosed how her brother played many vital roles in her life, which includes being a protector, nurse, manager, teacher and so on.
Read her full post below:
“If you have a minute let me tell you about my brother Richard Osei Bonsu. The man that dedicated his life to serving me, driving me, taking care of my children, managing some of my companies…Let me tell you about the man that won’t tolerate any form of disrespect on me.
“The one that will smell your bad deeds from a very long distance. Let me tell you about my Bestie that will take the bullet so I can live, he was shot in South Africa in the arm just because I wanted Ghana food and he took it upon himself to go out in the night just to satisfy my cravings…so yes he took a bullet for me.
“Let me tell you about my brother who was also my nurse, bathing me and feeding me on my hospital bed for 6 months. Let me tell you about my blood that has something funny to say about any situation…oh gosh, the day we took dad to the morgue, everyone couldn’t stop laughing.
“Let me tell you about my wisdom box, my akan and my cultural teacher…Let me tell you about my Partner in crime..the one that got a very nasty name for each of my haters…Oh Naa Bonsu wa ha me.
“Aaahh Kwadwo I just want to hear your voice. Rest in Peace,” she wrote.
2020 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has come under intense backlash over his recent comment on one of government’s flagship programme, Agenda 111.
In a post sighted by GhanaWeb on micro-blogging platform, Twitter, Mahama mentioned that although the Agenda 111 programme is in its fourth year, the Akufo-Addo-led administration has nothing to show for it.
“The ‘Agenda 111’ hospitals promise is in its 4th year, yet not a single hospital has been completed to support quality health care delivery. This is contrary to the lofty promise made in 2020. The NPP must learn to take Ghanaians seriously. Enough of the slogans, ” John Dramani Mahama wrote on his Twitter page.
Reacting to this, some netizens have described Mahama’s comment on the Agenda 111 project as false.
According to the users of the bird app, the former president’s statement that Agenda 111 is in its fourth year is inaccurate because the initiative was announced in April 2020 during President Akufo-Addo’s 8th COVID address to the nation.
They subsequently noted that the sod-cutting ceremony for the programme was held in August 2021.
Others, on the other hand, accused Mr Mahama of lacking new messages for Ghanaians.
There he goes again engaging in propaganda sophistry. How did the ‘Agenda 111’ hospitals promise get to its 4th year? Prez Akufo-Addo first announced it in May 2020 during his 8th COVID address to the nation. Sod-cutting was done in August 2021. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/dfvfffdezR— ????????????-???????????????????? ???????????????????????????? (@dtadomako) January 14, 2023
President Akufo-Addo first announcement on the “ Agenda 111 Hospital “ was in May 2020 during his 8th COVID address to the nation and the sod-cutting was done in August 2021. John Dramani Mahama ankasa no, ɔwɔ Maths problem fri titi. https://t.co/jyDGi54qbhpic.twitter.com/7CklY0FqgK— Charles N.T. Tagoe (@royaltcafe2012) January 14, 2023
Dear JM
This is one of the agenda 111 hospital constructiona ongoing at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua. Phase1 of this new hospital project involves the construction of a two hundred and eighty-five (285) bed facility, out of the total capacity of 600 beds. pic.twitter.com/O7Ue4CuAgq
You don’t have a message and you’re not capable to lead or become the next president of Ghana. What actually did you leave behind that you want return and and pick it up?? Another 4years for you?? Ohk Ghanafo) Mahama wants to come again but wei de3 tweaaaaa— Gob3Hemaa???? (@Demostwanted_) January 15, 2023
Mr. Former President; You shall remain former since you have decided to decend into the gutters! Well Agenda 111 on records had it sodcutting done last year and one thing for sure is that; At Gomoa Central; the project is steadily progressing and the local people are happy! Ayeko— David Essandoh (@SamToys_NPP) January 14, 2023
As a biomedical engineer, hospitals take time to build properly. This is normal. I should expect a few to be completed between this year and next year— MKSN (@MichaelsagoeN) January 15, 2023
The University of Michigan’s closely watched consumer sentiment index rose to 64.6 in the preliminary January survey, according to data released Friday. It’s the highest reading since January 2022 and up 8.2% from December’s 59.7 reading — but it’s still 3.9% below where it was 12 months earlier.
Economists were anticipating the index to measure just 60.5, according to consensus estimates on Refinitiv.
Some of the biggest boosts in optimism came from consumers’ feelings on the current state of the economy: That index jumped 15.5% from the end of December to 68.6.
“Consumers expect their incomes to be strong,” she said, adding that they also expect the labor market to weaken this year.
The survey also showed consumers’ inflation expectations for this year and five years out were 4% and 3%, respectively. The year-ahead inflation expectations reading is at its lowest since April 2021.
Inflation expectations are crucial data points for the Federal Reserve. If consumers believe prices will remain high, that could factor in to increased wage demands, which could cause businesses to raise prices.
The Fed is especially keyed in on the long-term expectations, which has bounced around the 3% range for 17 of the past 18 months, Hsu said.
“I do think consumers are still waiting to see sustained improvements [in inflation] and that uncertainty over global factors like China and Ukraine do not worsen.”
The Conference of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) Eastern Regional Chairman, Elder Peter A. Gyamfi, reports that the government has released funds to Senior High Schools under its perishables and recurrent expenditure for the 2023 academic year.
According to him, the funds were divided into three lodgements: perishables for current forms two and three students and recurrent expenditure for form three students who recently graduated from high school.
Elder Gyamfi said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the preparedness of the 90 senior high schools in the Eastern Region following the commencement of the 2022/2023 academic year early this week.
“The perishable is GH¢1.50p per student per day and the recurrent expenditure is used for maintenance and the general running of the school,” he said.
However, he stated that only 15 schools out of the 90 SHSs had received the three “itemised food items” to begin the new academic year, which was not encouraging.
“As we speak Bufferstock has given contracts to suppliers to supply us with food items. 10 school received only beans, three school received beans and maize and two schools received beans and gari out of 18 itemized food items”, he said.
The 18 “itemized food items” are beans, gari, rice, millet, maize, soya beans, tom brown, sugar, sardines, mackerels, milk, peanuts, flour, margarine, vegetable cooking oil, hot chocolate and tin tomatoes.
He said that schools were still waiting for the supply of the 18 “itemized food items” to be able to feed the students.
Elder Gyamfi, who is also the Headmaster of Pentecost SHS in Koforidua, added that about 650 students had reported to school as at the close of Tuesday, and expressed the hope the number would increase in the coming days.
“You will be marveled at how students are excited to report back to school. About 650 students out of a population of 1,300 boarding students had reported, ” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the Church of Pentecost for supporting the school with some food items as authorities wait for supplies from the bufferstock company. Koforidua Senior High Technical School (Koforidua SecTech) and Adonteng Senior High School told the GNA that students were reporting for the 2023 academic year.
Mr Samuel Batarema, Koforidua SecTech’s Assistant Headmaster in charge of Administration, indicated that all students were expected to return to school by Thursday to partake in a resumption examination.
He explained that the purpose of the exam was to urge all students to arrive on time so that school activities could begin as soon as practicable.
Mr Peter Danquah Kpakpo-Atsem, Secretary of the Eastern Regional Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), urged teachers to observe the teachers’ code of conduct.
The new academic year for both Junior High Schools (JHS) and Senior High Schools (SHS) began on January 10, 2023, with many students, particularly SHS pupils, eager to return to school.
Rightly so, American comedian of Ghanaian descent is getting plaudits for building a modern school complex in his hometown of Agona Nsaba in the Central Region.
The facility with its beautiful structure and aesthetics has impressed many Ghanaians who have lauded the comedian for giving back to his mother’s hometown.
The newly-built facility during the official launch spotted neatly painted white walls, terrazzo slabs, and ultra-modern furniture.
Each of the spacious classrooms has a 12-seater capacity with neatly tiled washrooms; not forgetting the exterior which has an incredible and fancy lighting system at night.
But do you know the man who designed the project? 28-year-old Wisdom Afedzi is the architect behind the structure that won the hearts of many Ghanaians.
Wisdom Afedzi has roots in the Volta Region but grew up in Dasoman, a suburb of Accra.
Wisdom had his high school education at the Mfantsipim before going to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science of Technology (KNUST) where he bagged his first and second degrees in Architecture.
A Sunday school teacher, Wisdom describes himself as someone with an innate desire to share knowledge and inspiration for children.
Wisdom Afedzi prides himself as an architect with special interest in works that solve specific social problems. For him, the purpose of the project comes first before the money.
“I’ve come to accept that the era of the brick architecture is fading away. The world is now looking for great architects. There are a lot of good buildings out there but we are leaning towards a direction where we look out for the good in these projects where the project is solving a problem and inspiring people. That is where I feel the architecture is heading towards now,” he said in the Tales of Africa podcast.
For him, working on the project for Michael Blackson was a dream and surreal moment as he never for once thought he will be working with the man whom he spent hours watching on YouTube.
Wisdom who is currently the Project Manager at Complete Properities Solution details the role the company played in getting the gig to work with the award-winning comedian.
He described the moment he discovered Michael Blackson as the owner of the project as a nervy one but was quick to add that the nerves gave way for a confident and relaxed mood after his first meeting with the ace comedian.
“The first time I met, I didn’t think he was the client I was going to work for. It was all fun. I was nervous when I first found out that I was going to work with Michael. I had the doubt that what if things don’t go well. When I met him, we had a long conversation and he asked me a lot of questions. I was frank with him that I hadn’t done this before but after doing the site walking and reporting to him about my observation, he was impressed.” For Wisdom, the first meeting set him and Michael Blackson on the path of success and they never looked back again.
He believes that the project represents the brand Michael Blackson and also highlights the values of education and the community.
He also credited some local artisans who commenced the project before he took over and gave it the professional and beautiful look that is seen now.
And while inflation has cooled in recent months, the typical household spent $371 more on good and services in December than a year ago, according to Moody’s Analytics.
The good news is that the cost-of-living shock appears to be easing and paychecks are starting to catch up.
At the inflation peak last June, the typical family spent an additional $502 per month compared with the year before, according to Moody’s.
So where is sticker shock hurting the most?
Families are spending an estimated $82.60 more per month on shelter and $72.01 more on food, Moody’s said.
Other items that are costing families more per month include utilities (up $47.33), health care ($17.97 higher), entertainment ($15.27) and alcoholic beverages ($2.67), according to Moody’s.
The bright spot is gasoline, where the typical family saved $1.55 per month compared with the year before.
Some of the pain from inflation is being mitigated by a significant shift in recent months: Wages are finally growing at a faster pace than inflation.
And, at the same time, the pace of inflation has clearly slowed. Consumer prices increased by 6.5% year-over-year in December, the slowest pace since October 2021.
“Meaningful progress in the US economy’s fight against elevated inflation was made in the closing months of the year,” Matt Colyar, an economist at Moody’s Analytics, said in a report on Thursday.
According to Dr Nduom, the NPRA has also deprived Groupe Nduom of the management of its Tier Three Pension Scheme unduly.
Dr Nduom said, “I have been reviewing what’s been going on in my absence these past three years and cannot bear to watch the indignities being visited on my former employees by those who have wrapped themselves with regulatory powers to punish innocent former employees. They are doing so with impunity on the blind side of high authorities in the current Administration.”
This is contained in a post on Facebook on Friday January 13, 2023.
He asked, “How was the Groupe Nduom Tier Three Pension Scheme given to Negotiated Benefits Company Limited? Which process was used by the NPRA to take a Scheme developed and managed by a Pension Trustee, a private company at great cost and effort and hand it over on a silver platter to another Trustee? Is this another case of taking business away from an indigenous Ghanaian Pension Trustee to give to a foreign company allegedly being fronted by well-connected Ghanaians? Is this another case of “giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it”? Why destroy another Ghanaian company in the financial sector?”
The founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) also lamented the fact that the staff of this company have been denied monies due them.
“Why are former GN employees being denied money due to them from this fund by the NPRA especially when the money has been paid by the GN Bank Receiver and is available?” he wondered.
The team remains the only side in the competition’s brief history to make it to the finals twice without any silverware to show.
Despite the disappointments, optimism is increasingly growing that this is the year the home-based team will finally get it over the line.
And that objective will discernibly not be a stroll in the park for Ghana as previous winners like DR Congo, Morocco (should they participate), and Libya will provide stern tests.
But is this the edition that the Black Galaxies clinch the prestigious trophy for the first time?
Preparation breeds confidence
“By failing to plan, you are preparing to fail” is a famous quote conceived by the Founding Father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin and it is essential in every endeavor. Without planning or preparation towards a goal, success cannot be achieved. Ghana have been to the finals twice (2009, 2014) and the cornerstone of those feats is good preparation.
The CHAN 2009 which is the maiden edition of the championship saw eight nations compete for the trophy and the “Local Black Stars” as they were called, engaged in several friendlies on the local scene with an available coach in Milovan Rajevac who doubled as the senior national team’s trainer back then. Before the friendlies, the Serbian had his team in camp for three weeks, dealing with the assessment and conditioning of the playing body.
Same happened five years later under the tutelage of Maxwell Konadu who had over a month to put his side in shape for CHAN 2014 such as playing against the Namibian senior national team, team B of African giants, Mamelodi Sundowns after camping in Chloorkop and Windhoek respectively.
Ghana endured their worst performance at the CHAN tournament with inadequate preparation. The 2011 edition ended in a calamitous fashion as the team got booted out of the tournament with zero point from the group stage.
Just two weeks of camping coupled with the divided attention of the head coach Herbert Addo who had a job of leading club side Aduana Stars in the CAF Champions League did not do the nation an awful lot of good.
“I take responsibility for the results in this tournament. It’s a young team and we have not been together for a long period,” said Addo to CAF media after Ghana’s exit.
If Milovan Rajevac and Maxwell Konadu had ample time to prepare, current Black Galaxies coach Annor Walker has had tons of it.
Head Coach Annor Walker (Middle) with his assistants, Prosper Nartey Ogum (Right) and Kobi-Mensah (Left) preparing for CHAN 2022 opener
The matches certainly place the national home-based team in good stead to making the country proud in Algeria.
Ghana’s high-profile friendlies ahead of CHAN 2022
Black Galaxies 2-1 Hearts of Oak
Black Galaxies 2-0 Legon Cities
Black Galaxies 2-0 Egypt U-20
Black Galaxies 3-1 Al Ahly
Black Galaxies 0-0 Algeria
Black Galaxies 0-1 Mozambique (match halted after 75 minutes after Mozambicans were adamant to continue for a penalty awarded against them)
“The FA has done enough by giving them all the good preparation that they should have. Getting the chance to play Al Ahly SC is a very big platform,” Ghana’s CHAN 2009 qualifiers top scorer, Eric Bekoe eulogised the Ghana Football Association in an interview with Joy FM.
Unanimous objective
Ghana players in delirium after beating Nigeria 5-4 on penalties in Abuja
Ghana’s unwanted record of being the first nation to lose the finals on two occasions in the competition’s nine-year existence is excruciating. It is even mortifying that the nation has failed to qualify for the last three editions after starring in two of the first three.
From the get-go in the qualifiers, the squad looked much determined to get back on track. The 4-0 aggregate flawless victory over Benin in the first round was the beginning of their course. A comfortable 2-0 win over Nigeria followed up in Cape Coast and when the tide seemed to be turning in the second leg as the CHAN Eagles levelled the result, the team showed confidence and resilience to secure triumph in a 5-4 shoot-out in Abuja.
Now that qualification is secured, what is next on the agenda is to win the trophy.
“Sure they should expect the trophy and they expect a good game at least, a good position in the tournament from us,” Afriyie Barnieh, the nation’s top scorer during the qualifiers (4) told the GFA media.
“We are here with clear intentions and our aim is to win the trophy. It’s one trophy that Ghana has not won. We are not here to avoid any team including the hosts Algeria. We are ready to show all countries that we are also here to win,” Coach Annor Walker was categorical during a press conference.
Can the Black Galaxies crack the jinx code?
Time will definitely tell as to whether the team will clinch the trophy for the very first time in the nation’s history. But upon showing massive team spirit and mental fortitude in the qualifiers and the friendlies, Ghana cannot be written off.
“It is possible if the boys come together, believe in themselves and listen to the coach’s instructions. Winning it is possible. The boys have some character and if they should keep it, they can bring the trophy home,” Former Galaxies and Black Stars goalkeeper Fatau Dauda said on Joy FM’s flagship sports show Sports Link.
Despite passing the Nigeria test on penalties, Maxwell Konadu who last led Ghana to the final nine years ago and lost to Libya on spot-kicks sees shoot-outs as Ghana’s kryptonite and encourages more practices.
“I want to see this team win the tournament at all cost. What Annor Walker and his staff must be doing at the moment is after every training sessions, they let majority of the players practice the shoot-out. Definitely, to win this tournament, you may go into such situations. Before you can win a tournament majority of the time, once or twice you play penalties,” He told Joy News.
Momentum is building, and a win over Madagascar in their first game – or possibly the way it will be achieved – will further amplify it.
Noble Uzuchi, who is 17 years old, and Chigozie Ogbonna, who is 29, have been arrested by the police. They are accused of working for a baby factory that pays N500,000 per baby born. The deal involves marathon sex with 10 girls who are pregnant.
Two women, Favour Bright, 30, and Peace Alikoi, 40, who was thought to be the leader of the group, were also arrested, and the 10 girls who were pregnant were saved.
The four suspects are said to have worked in the Rivers councils of Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre.
Grace Iringe-Koko, a spokeswoman for the State Police, said in a statement from Port Harcourt that the arrest was made because the command got a tip.
“On Saturday, January 7, 2023, around 4:45 p.m., C4I Intelligence Unit agents raided two homes in the Igwuruta and Omagwa communities where victims of child trafficking were being kept,” she said.
Controversial cross-dresser, James Brown, has taken to social media to appreciate fans and followers for their support.
Taking a trip down memory lane to becoming famous, James Brown noted that he is glad that he now uses his craft to put smiles on the faces of people who may be going through a lot.
According to him, his goal for the year 2023 is to have good times with some of his favourite celebrities which include; Kim Kardashian, Drake, and Naomi Cambel among others.
He made this known while sharing footage of his arrest in November 2019 on charges of homosexuality.
He wrote;
“I want to thank God almighty for every moment, every second, every breath because a Nation come against me but now All want me, love me, appreciate me and watch me because I put a smile and laughter on their faces due to the fact that a lot of people are going through ALOT and my experience of A lot is what A lot of MEN can Dle through.
I want to use this platform to THANK GOD ALMIGHTY and everyone lover of Every Moment of James Brown I put to their Faces. SPECIAL THANKS To MY NATION (NIGERIA)”
“My new aim for 2023 is THE GLOBE chilling with KIM KARDASHIAN, NAOMI CAMPBELL, DRAKE, NIKITA DRAGON, the love of my life CHRIS BROWN and my Crush WIZKID with my big Auntie TIWA SAVAGE thanks to my late Queen Mother her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth.”
“Right now it’s kind of sunny, things are doing fine. Everyone thinks the Fed can handle this,” Dimon said at a Bernstein conference. “That hurricane is right out there down the road coming our way.”
“We just don’t know if it’s a minor one or Superstorm Sandy. You better brace yourself,” Dimon said, adding that JPMorgan Chase (JPM) is preparing for a “non-benign environment” and “bad outcomes.”
But the Fed is in a bind. Dimon said the central bank must raise rates because of surging housing prices and other inflation pressures. He stressed that he still thinks the US banking system is in “great shape” and can withstand these challenges.
Dimon also said that JPMorgan Chase is going to do all it can to attract talent to stay on top of the financial world. The CEO said the bank will be “religious” about paying well to keep its best workers.
Dimon’s more cautious outlook comes just a few days after he sounded a little more upbeat about what’s next for the markets and the economy.
Speaking at an analyst meeting at the end of May, Dimon said that there were “big storm clouds” on the horizon for the economy but expressed hope that they may “dissipate.”
“If it was a hurricane, I would tell you that,” Dimon said at the analyst meeting, adding that current conditions also aren’t like the “tsunami” that banks faced in 2007 and 2008 when the mortgage market was melting down and several large financial institutions collapsed.
Dimon may not be predicting a tsunami just yet. But a hurricane is bad enough, and certainly more damaging than a regular storm. Dimon said he is also worried about the conflict in Ukraine and the impact it will have on oil prices, predicting on Wednesday that it’s in the cards for crude prices to eventually spike as high as $150 to $175 a barrel.
“Wars go bad. They go south. They have unintended consequences,” he said, adding that this conflict will continue to roil the commodity markets around the world, impacting the prices of oil, gas and wheat.
He argues that the competition is necessary to give local players the platform to exhibit their talents amid opposition to the tournament from some quarters.
Some people are of the opinion that the CHAN, for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues, is unnecessary, but the Hearts of Oak midfielder has different views.
“It is a big competition and an opportunity for players in the local leagues to exhibit what we can do,” he said at Ghana’s pre-Madagascar presser.
“It will help show players on the African continent to exhibit our talents to the world and I believe we are fortunate to be at this tournament.”
Ghana will kick off their campaign against the Island nation this Sunday before encounters against Morocco and Sudan.
Awako is confident the Black Galaxies can emerge victorious if they can translate their pre-tournament form into the competition.
“We are very confident and looking at the camp, the boys are all in good shape. The pre-tournament preparations and the friendlies have really helped us,” he added.
“If we are to carry the same momentum into the tournament, we will be successful. We are ready as a team.”
Trading was choppy, with most bank stocks falling at the open before rebounding. Shares of JPMorgan Chase (JPM) were up about 2.5% in late afternoon trading while BofA (BAC) was up 2%. Wells Fargo (WFC), which reported earnings that missed Wall Street’s targets, reversed earlier losses and was up 3%. Citi (C) was up 2% while BlackRock (BLK) was flat.
“The earnings were solid, but the market is concerned with recession fears,” said John Curran, managing director and head of North American bank coverage at MUFG.
Investors might have been concerned by the downbeat tone of the big banks. Executives are clearly still worried about inflation and the threat of a recession this year following several big interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said in the bank’s earnings statement that although the economy is still strong and that consumers and businesses are spending and healthy, “we still do not know the ultimate effect of the headwinds coming from geopolitical tensions including the war in Ukraine, the vulnerable state of energy and food supplies, persistent inflation that is eroding purchasing power and has pushed interest rates higher.”
The bank added in the earnings release that it now expects a “mild recession” as a base economic case. CFO Jeremy Barnum added during a conference call with reporters that in addition to the slowdown that has already started in its home lending unit, it is starting to see “headwinds” in auto lending.
Banks are clearly worried about a looming recession, and Wall Street has taken notice.
Moody’s Investors Service analyst Peter Nerby noted in a report that “credit provisions are rising” at JPMorgan Chase and that Citi “built capital and reserves in anticipation of a slowdown in core markets.”
The Fed’s rate hikes aren’t helping either.
“Higher than expected interest rates pose a significant risk to the outlook for credit quality, loan growth and net interest margins,” said David Wagner, a portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors, in an email.
Concerns about the economy were one reason why stocks plunged in 2022, suffering their worst year since 2008. As a result of the Wall Street slump, there was a major slowdown in merger activity and initial public offerings.
That hurt the investment banking businesses for the top banks. JPMorgan Chase and Citi each said that advisory fees plummeted nearly 60% in the quarter.
Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) will give more color about the health of Wall Street next Tuesday when they both report their fourth quarter results.
Goldman Sachs, which has aggressively built up a consumer banking unit over the past few years, has struggled to make money in that division. Goldman Sachs disclosed in a regulatory filing Friday that it has lost more than $3 billion in its consumer business since 2020.
There were some signs of optimism though. BlackRock, which owns the massive iShares family of exchange-traded funds, reported a rebound in assets under management from the third quarter to the fourth quarter as stocks soared in October and November.
“The current environment offers incredible opportunities for long-term investors,” said BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in the earnings release.
The Black Galaxies of Ghana will be in action at the CHAN 2023 tournament for the first time today, Sunday, January 15.
This year’s Championship of African Nations commenced two days ago on Friday, January 13 when host nation Algeria defeated Libya 1-0 in Group A at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
Today, it will be the turn of the Black Galaxies to get a taste of the action when Ghana takes on Madagascar later in the evening.
In what will be a Group C encounter, the Black Galaxies are keen on recording a win to stand a good chance of advancing to the knockout stage of the CHAN 2023 tournament.
Before today’s game, the Black Galaxies had very good pre-tournament training camps.
Coach Annor Walker played a number of friendlies with his team and is confident that they will make Ghanaians proud at the CHAN 2023 tournament.
Today’s contest between Madagascar and Ghana will kick off at 7pm.
Veteran sound engineer, Appiah Dankwah, popularly known as Appietus, has urged musicians who record their music to get expert advice to create high-quality compositions.
He claims that since most musicians are not proficient in mixing and mastering, they need the help of professionals like himself.
In a Graphic Showbiz report, he said “musicians who record, mix and master have problems with their sound when the final product comes out. I don’t want to mention names but the evidence is clear.
“It is not bad for a musician to record because they have studios in their homes but I just want them to do the right thing by employing competent people to polish up the final job.”
Contrary to popular belief, he said, he commented in order to guarantee that the proper steps are taken when it comes to music creation, not out of concern for his continued relevance in the music business.
“I have more than 20 years experience in music production and have recorded musicians in Ghana and beyond and still get jobs. When it comes to mixing, many musicians can do that. However, those who want to have quality works always seek experts’ input for the final product.
“Those who are keen on quality works approach me to mix and master their songs after recording. It is not a new thing that most musicians all over the world have home studios but they always add a professional touch,” he stated.
Nigerian skit maker Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi Adefolarin popularly known as Mandy Kiss has revealed that she is ready for anything this year as she lost out on a lot of opportunities last year.
Mandy in a recent video she shared on her Instagram page disclosed that in 2022 she was worried about what bloggers would say about her so she pretended to be a good girl to escape criticism.
However, the content creator said this year is her year and she is up for anything that comes her way.
She said: “Last year I threw away a lot of opportunities to sleep with rich men because I was acting good girl, been shy and afraid of what bloggers will post about me but this year I’m ready for anything.”
The video received diverse reactions from social media users after it was shared.
Here are some:
nkechi_blessing_sunday: “My dear ,you do ooo,you no do oo,dem go talk..Kuku do make everybody rest????????♀️????????♀️”
osas_kelvin03: “I really did not know why portable did not marry this lady? Both of them will really make a good mad couple????????????”
konktech: “Who con hold u. Shey u ge Shame before ni ????”
dollywizy: “U be olosho normally so no dey do like saint who hold u not to knack”
bianca_billz_: “My dear anything wey go make u dey happy do am ????”
skillful_tailor: “Ashawo dey her eye normally ????”
The fifth edition of the list, according to Martin Ayisi, the commission’s chief executive officer, was released at a time when investments and mineral revenue receipts totaled $10 billion, which he revealed to the Daily Graphic yesterday.
while mining companies produced about four million ounces of gold at a value of about $7 billion last year and were on course to deliver same this year, investments to expand mines and start new ones reached about $4 billion.
Mr Ayisi said since mining companies spent three times more on goods (inputs) and services than what they paid in taxes and royalties, the increase in the items on the list would boost the local economy through local content and participation in the mining industry.
He explained that the 50 items on the list were items that the commission’s research had established were the most regularly procured by the mines over the years.
While they had been mostly imported in the past, he said, local companies had built capacity and expertise to be able to deliver or supply them, hence the passage of the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2431), which came into force on December 22, 2020 to help support local companies to secure contracts in the mining industry.
For instance, contract mining, service operation, as well as the supply of fuel to the mines, were all reserved for local companies, while others, such as underground mining services, had percentages that should be given to Ghanaian companies, he said.
He said while Ghanaian companies grew capacity in the area, the percentage of work or contracts they should execute would also be increased.
Mr Ayisi explained that the more mining companies invested in their operations, the more inputs and services they would procure, and that would stimulate local participation and growth, especially as the merchandise exports were bigger than the taxes and royalties the companies paid to the state.
Background
The implementation of the new procurement list of 50 items, effective January 1, this year, replaces the fourth edition the commission published early last year.
Its purpose, among other things, is to promote job creation using local expertise, goods and services in the mining industry and their retention in the country.
The law is also to achieve the minimum in-country spend for goods and services and create mining and mineral related industries that will sustain economic development.
Pursuant to Regulation 7 of L.I. 2431, the commission is required to publish a local procurement list, which stipulates the goods and services with Ghanaian content which are to be procured in the country, while Regulation 7(3) of L.I. 2431 further enjoins the commission to review the procurement list annually.
Receipts, investments in mines
Throwing light on investments in the mining sector, Mr Ayisi cited four new projects, with investment of about $1.7 billion.
“The new projects are the $850 million Ahafo North gold mine project by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited; the $500 million gold project currently under construction by Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region; the $200 million gold mine to be constructed in the Upper West Region and the $125 million lithium project at Ewoyaa in the Central Region,” he said.
He added that some mines were undertaking expansion and redevelopment.
The CEO further explained that the Ahafo South mine of Newmont had been expanded to include the Subika underground, while Golden Star Wassa was spending about $1 billion to expand the Wassa underground mine.
The mines being redeveloped were the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, where $1 billion had been expended, and Mensin Gold Ghana Limited’s Bibiani Mine, which started production in the last quarter of last year, he said.
“It is the expectation of the Minerals Commission that these investments will support the growth of the economy and boost local participation under the new procurement list,” Mr Ayisi said.
Premier League leaders Arsenal are keen to maintain their lofty standing by adding reinforcements this winter, with Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde thought to be in their sights.
The 19-year-old full-back has enjoyed a breakthrough year at Camp Nou and even featured once for Spain at the World Cup this winter.
The Gunners have also been intensely linked with Shakhtar Donetsk starlet Mykhaylo Mudryk — who now appears Chelsea bound — suggesting they are keen to enter the market this month.
Ahead of their North London derby clash with Tottenham this afternoon, we take a look at how Balde would bolster Mikel Arteta’s defensive options.
Versatility
One of the most sought-after traits in a modern defender is versatility and that is why Arsenal have dipped into the market to sign Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in recent windows.
England international White, 25, is a centre-half by trade but now features regularly at right-back for the Gunners, while 24-year-old Japan international Tomiyasu can play anywhere across the defensive line.
This could be why Arteta has taken a liking to Balde, who has played 617 minutes at left-back and 437 at right-back in LaLiga this term.
That versatility would not only be an asset for Arsenal but could help Balde in his search for minutes, should he make the switch to London.
Alejandro Balde has performed well on both flanks for Barcelona
Xavi’s approval
Speaking in September, Barcelona manager Xavi was full of praise for his young starlet.
He said: “I am happy for [Balde]. He has great quality and character.
“It never ceases to amaze me that a teenager can play at that level. Physically, he is amazing and he is going to give us a lot.”
The Blaugrana boss is clearly a big fan of his young gem and is unlikely to let him leave without a fight.
Quality in the final third
Balde has broken into the Barcelona side this season, accumulating 1,062 minutes in LaLiga so far.
He has impressed in the final third, registering three league assists — the joint-third most in the Blaugrana’s ranks.
That is an even more impressive feat given the abundance of talent at the club.
The left-back is level with Ansu Fati (three), one behind Robert Lewandowski (four), and two behind Ousmane Dembele (five) — certainly not bad company to be in.
Arsenal require technical excellence from their full-backs and Balde possesses that quality in spades.
Alejandro Balde has racked up three LaLiga assists from full-back this season
Defensive solidity
Balde is a modern, attacking full-back but has been solid defensively this campaign as well.
He has made the most tackles of any defender in the Barcelona squad this season (21), only bettered by the midfield trio of Frenkie de Jong (23), Pedri (24) and Sergio Busquets (25).
La Blaugrana have enjoyed a fantastic start to the LaLiga season and are locked in a title race with rivals Real Madrid.
Incredibly, Xavi’s side have only conceded six goals so far this term — and Balde has certainly played his part in that impressive record.
Suitability
Despite Balde’s clear talent, it is difficult to imagine him establishing himself as a regular starter immediately with the Gunners.
At left-back, Arteta can call upon Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney — two players of real quality and differing profiles.
Meanwhile, at right-back, White is virtually undroppable, though Tomiyasu has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving.
However, strength in depth could be crucial in the coming weeks and months as the Gunners eye a shock Premier League title.
If the opportunity to acquire someone of Balde’s calibre arises, they would be foolish to turn it down.
Hopeson Adorye has said people who discuss his wife, Empress Gifty’s, body and how she dances on social media, do so foolishly.
In an interview with blogger Sammy Kay, the politician encouraged people not to listen to detractors while citing Shatta Wale as an example.
He claims that when gospel musicians engage in activities like listening to secular music, they are frequently subjected to harsh criticism, however, Shatta Wale can go to church and perform secular songs, and no one attacks him.
“It’s foolishness, don’t mind them. You like Shatta Wale, Sunday he goes to church, and you are okay, and when he sings, the Christian dances to them, but then someone who is a gospel musician doesn’t have the right to dance to his songs.
“I mean, that’s bad, I don’t understand. I visited a Pastor, and they were playing Shatta Wale’s song, and he was tapping his feet and shaking his head to the music. He loves the song. I mean is he a devil? It’s just a song, and songs are lovely,” he said.
He further added that, it doesn’t make sense that when secular songs are played, a Christian isn’t expected to dance to it.
“So, why will someone say you are a gospel musician, and you shouldn’t dance? If they play secular songs and you can’t dance, it doesn’t make sense,” he added.
In an interview with JoyNews’ Richard Kwadwo Nyarko, the public toilet operator who is the eyewitness, explained that the robbers attacked them minutes after the mobile money vendor arrived at the scene.
Black Galaxies boss, Annor Walker, believes the cold weather in Algeria will not affect how his boys play when they take to the pitch against Madagascar in their 2022 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) opener today.
He admits the weather conditions in the host country are different from those in Ghana, but they must cope and perform at their maximum.
“The weather in Ghana is very different; it only changes during the rainy season. In Cairo, we experienced a different weather but we managed to cope with it,” he said in his pre-match interview.
“Algiers also had cold weather conditions but again we were able to manage it.”
“It’s quite colder in Constantine but we are here to do our job. The players understand that this is their job and they have to cope and work in it.
“We are managing in the weather conditions and we are prepared to play. Psychologically, when the players get to the pitch, they will play their normal game irrespective of the weather.
“We will do our job.”
The game against Madagascar will take place at Stade Chahid-Hamlaoui, with kick-off set for 7 pm Ghana time.
Bibiani GoldStars will be looking to protect their eight-game unbeaten run in the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League when they welcome Asante Kotoko to Dun’s Park Monday in week 13.
GoldStars enter the game on the back of a thrilling 2-2 draw at Great Olympics in midweek while the Porcupine Warriors were held to a 1-1 draw by Tamale City far up north.
Michael Osei’s side sits fifth on the league with 19 points, one behind Seydou Zerbo’s Reds.
The two sides have all drawn their last three games, with Bibiani GoldStars keeping four clean sheets in their last six games in the league.
Meanwhile, the Porcupine Warriors have kept just one clean sheet in their previous six games.
The hosts have lost just once in their last six games in the league, the first against Dreams FC at the start of this run, winning three and drawing twice.
The defending champions lost, drew, and won two games each in their recent six away league games.
It is going to be an interesting clash on Monday as Bibiani GoldStars will be looking to get their first goal/s and points against the Porcupine Warriors.
The record Ghanaian champions did the double over GoldStars in their only official meetings last season; winning 5-1 at Baba Yara Sports Stadium before edging them 0-1 at Dun’s Park.
Furthermore, the market value of new bonds can potentially be higher than the value of the Old Bonds. Accordingly, to permit individual investors to benefit from these potential advantages of the new bonds and to address their concerns, the government has amended the Invitation to Exchange to allow individual legal holders of record of Eligible Bonds to participate in the exchange.
Question. What if I only hold a small amount of eligible bonds?
Ans: Offers to exchange any of the Eligible Bonds may be submitted in a minimum principal amount of GH¢1.00 and integral multiples of GH¢1.00 in excess thereof, in order to allow every holder to participate to the exchange, given the expected higher value of the new bonds compared to the old bonds after the exchange. Any new bonds to be issued to any eligible holder in the invitation to exchange will be in a minimum principal amount of GH¢1.00 and integral multiples of GH¢1.00 thereof.
Question. How can an individual legal holder of record of Eligible Bonds participate in the amended Invitation to Exchange?
Ans: Individual investors, as all Eligible Holders which are not Central Security Deposit (CSD) direct participants can participate in the Invitation to
Exchange by sending an exchange instruction to their respective CSD Direct Participant (the Depositary Participant), in the form and via the channels agreed between them. In particular, they can use any of the following avenues to participate in the Invitation to Exchange:
• Send an Offer or Exchange Instruction to the CSD Direct Participant (the Depositary Participant) via email (within the email cover),
OR
• Send an Offer or Exchange Instruction to the CSD Direct Participant (the Depositary Participant) via an internal communication platform they use (if any), OR Download an Exchange Form from the website of the CSD (www.csd.com.gh/dde), also included as Appendix 3 in the Exchange Memorandum, complete and send it to the CSD Direct Participant (the Depositary Participant) via email or via any internal communication platform they use (if any), OR
• Obtain a hardcopy version of the Exchange Form from such holder’s bank, broker or custodian (the CSD Direct Participant/ the Depositary Participant), complete it and send it back to the CSD Direct Participant (the Depository Participant) via email, via any internal communication platform, or physically to the CSD Direct Participant’s branch. CSD Direct Participants are required to make copies of the Exchange Forms at all their branches nationwide, OR
• Send an instruction in the format, or via any other standard mean of communication available, accepted by the CSD Direct Participant (the Depositary Participant).
Question. Why are the holders of the 2023 bonds receiving an additional fee?
Ans: The 2023 eligible bonds represent one third of the total bonds eligible to participate in the exchange. As such, a large number of Eligible Holders hold 2023 bonds and would therefore benefit from this fee.
• In addition, the 2023 eligible bonds were scheduled to mature during this year, similarly to T-bills which are excluded from the exchange. Given that the holders of these bonds are being asked to extend the maturities of what are now effectively short- term instruments, the Government believes it is fair to grant them an additional fee to compensate for the maturity extension.
Question. What is happening with the Pension Funds?
Ans: Negotiations on the specific terms of an agreement with the pension funds are continuing and will be made public once an agreement on the details is reached.
Question. Why has the coupon rate structure of the new bonds changed after 2025?
Ans: The amended coupon structure for the new bonds has been designed to ensure a pricing that is closer to the face value for all new bonds on the secondary markets once the yield curve would have recovered a standard shape, thus addressing a concern raised by certain banks.
Question. Why are there 12 new bonds in the amended exchange instead of 4 new bonds in the initial exchange?
Ans: There was a tradeoff between fewer and larger bonds (the previous structure) with more liquidity bond or more numerous bonds with bullet structures and lower amounts. Eligible Holders indicated a preference for the latter which has been reflected in the amended exchange.
Question. What is the treatment of accrued interest in the amended exchange?
Ans: Eligible Holders indicated that they had already accounted for the receipt of accrued interest on the Old Bonds in their 2022 financial accounts and the tendering of the Old Bonds would require adjusted accounting treatment.
In order to address these concerns, the Government has decided to proceed with paying accrued interest up to 24 January 2023 to all Eligible Holders participating in the Invitation to Exchange, in a capitalized form.
Question. What happens if I do not participate in the domestic debt exchange?
Ans: The government invites each eligible holder to voluntarily tender their holdings. The success of this operation is critical to restoring macro-economic stability. The government is confident that all Ghanaians concerned will fully contribute to the collective efforts required to resolve the current crisis and put the economy back on a solid footing. Where the participation to the domestic debt exchange too low, the perennity of the Government’s efforts to resolve the current crisis and the expected international financial support would be jeopardised, thus putting amendment to further strains on the Government’s capacity to honor its commitments and repay its debt non-participating eligible holders will keep holding their old bonds, but at a deteriorated value. Indeed, the market value of new bonds is expected to be higher than the value of the Old Bonds for several reasons:
• Secondary market liquidity for Old Bonds will be limited, hence affecting market prices.
• On the contrary, the regulators have adopted a series of measure aiming to enhance the liquidity of the new bonds and supporting their market prices (access to repurchase window, access to the newly set up Financial Stability Fund, 0-risk weighting of the new bonds compared to 100% risk-weighting forthe Old Bonds).
Nigerian musician, Davido and his wife, Chioma Rowland Adeleke, have both gotten tattoos of each other’s names on their ring fingers.
In a video shared by Linda Ikeja’s Instagram handle, the couple were captured getting their tattoo inked and filmed.
However, it is uncertain if Davido 30, and Chioma, 27, got their inking done by the same tattoo artist and if this was done in their house or at the tattoo artist’s shop.
The inking of their names comes after it was confirmed a month ago that the couple had gotten married in a private ceremony following the demise of their son.
On October 31, 2022, it was rumoured that Davido and Chioma had lost their three-year-old son when he drowned in their pool at their Banana Island house.
This was confirmed by the Lagos Police Department on November 1, 2022, but the couple have still not commented about their son’s passing since the news broke.
To mark their wedding anniversary, celebrity couple Adekunle Gold and his wife Simi showed off their versions of tattoos inscribed on the same side of each of their arms.
This is coming just a few hours after celebrity couple Chioma and Davido shared a video showing their matching tattoos on their ring fingers.
Taking to his Instagram page, Adekunle Gold shared photos of tattoos.
While he was a fully bloomed flower, Simi’s read: The flower bloomed in April”.
The duo got married in January 2019.
Recently, singer Davido and his wife, Chioma tattooed each other’s names on their wedding finger.
Skit maker, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, popularly known as Sabinus, has taken a swipe at musician Omah Lay for accusing his colleagues of not supporting his music career.
Earlier, the “Understand” crooner, had taken to his Twitter account to express his frustration about people who have failed to support him out of “fear.”
Reacting to this, Sabinus in a tweet, wrote that people only get the support they gave out to others, suggesting that Omah Lay had not helped any of his colleagues so it was impossible for him to get the support he seeks. He wrote;
“Let everyone receive the same support they give out if you don’t support so forget getting it back.”
Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan says that why did former Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah apologize to him if the decision to strip him of the captaincy was right.
On the eve of the African Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2019, the coach of the Black Stars Kwasi Appiah decided to strip Asamoah Gyan off the captain’s armband.
Instead, coach Kwasi Appiah handed the captain’s armband to Gyan’s deputy Andre Ayew creating a storm even before the tournament began.
The former Sunderland player believes former Black Stars gaffer Kwasi Appiah had the time wrong and habours regrets about that decision but adds that the reasons given him were not coherent.
“Of course, I didn’t agree but if you think you’ve taken the decision why do you call me to apologise? My team met his team at Holiday Inn,” Gyan told Dan Kwaku Yeboah on YouTube.
“They spoke to me and apologised and told me not to be angry. Why do you have to apologise if it’s your decision? If it’s the right decision, why do you call my team and sit down to talk about it? Why? If it’s because of the relationship we had then I understand.”
He added: “He gave me the captain. He flew to Dubai but when he wanted to take the armband back, it wasn’t the right time. He had to give me a tangible reason. Somebody was the captain before me and I don’t have a problem with coach but I felt the timing was wrong. And also the explanation for the reason why he did that wasn’t coherent. That was why I got angry.”
“I told home I was angry and suggested that he leaves me out of the squad so that he could work with a sound mind. He told me I should rethink it because I’m in his plans.”
Asamoah Gyan retired abruptly after the incident and it had to take Presidential persuasion from the head of state Nana Addo for him to rescind his decision in a tournament he was on the periphery.
Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals has not called time on his storied career but has been unattached for close to two years now.
In-form Ghanaian attacker, Antoine Semenyo, was on the score sheet again in the English Championship on Saturday afternoon against Birmingham City.
The Sharp-Shooting striker also provided the assist for the fourth goal of the match as his team beat the visitors 4-2 at home at the Ashton Gate stadium.
He grabbed the opening goal of the match to put the hosts 1-0 up after 17 minutes with a beautiful strike.
Nahki Wells added the second goal for the home team after 21 minutes but Troy Deeney halved the deficit to one on the 34th-minute mark from the spot.
Nahki Wells added the second goal for the home team after 21 minutes but Troy Deeney halved the deficit to one on the 34th-minute mark from the spot.
Mark Sykes made it 3-1 to the home team two minutes after the break and received a pass on the plate after 66 minutes to make it 4-1 getting the assist from Semenyo.
Reda Khedra reduced the deficit to two as he scored for the away team to make it 4-2 at full-time.
The 22-year-old Ghanaian forward has five goals and three assists to his name this season in 22 games.
The Ghana Grid Company, (GRIDCo) says it has resolved the power outage that occurred earlier on Saturday.
GRIDCo in a statement in the evening of Saturday noted that it’s National Interconnected Transmission System has also been fully restored and is stable.
“The Ghana Grid Company, (GRIDCo) wishes to inform the Ghanaian public that as of 17:57GMT power has been restored to all areas earlier affected by the outage to its Transmission Lines,” it said.
The power transmission company early on announced that the power outage which occurred on Saturday, January 14 around 11:57 am was due to a systems disturbance.
According to them, the power outage occurred as a result of a trip in its 330kv Aboadze-Anwomaso line.
The statement added that this resulted in a system disturbance causing all thermal plants, Bui generators and customer loads to trip.
GRIDCo said the cause of the trip in the power lines was as a result of a raging bush fire under its high-voltage lines near Tarkwa.
GRIDCo extended “its appreciation to the Ghanaian public for its patience as efforts were made to restore the NITS and power to Ghanaians.”
“Once again GRIDCo apologises for the inconvenience caused by this incident,” the statement concluded.
Prince Kojo Hilton is a multitalented artist who breaks barriers in the art industry and puts Ghana on the map.
The young artist has had a hand in a number of famous movies, including working with renowned actors.
One of such popular personalities is Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme in the movie “Sense 8.”
Mr. Hilton was the scenic artist, and he created the aesthetic impression for the main character in the movie.
“I also had the chance to work with Hollywood in 2012. I was employed by Jean-Claude Van Damme. On that set, I worked as a scenic artist. I created the look and feel of the main characters in the film. The film is called Sense 8. It was shot in eight countries, and I happened to work on the Kenyan version of the Sense 8.
So if you watch the film, that was my idea as to how the car should look like; the main character’s car should look like for the film,” he said.
The renowned artist made these revelations on The Doreen Avio Show, which airs on Saturdays on Joy Prime.
He added that “I created the fake bullets that were used in the movie. That was the movie in which I transformed a donkey into a zebra.”
Also, in the 2015 war drama movie, Beast of No Nation, Mr. Hilton was the scenic artist, a role he played so well that the film won multiple awards.
Mr. Hilton has worked as a film director, scenic and set designer, and special effects artist on different projects around the world.
In his early days in the movie industry, the versatile artist worked as art director on “The Dons of Sakawa” which featured Majid Michel, John Dumelo, and Prince David.
Again, he was responsible for designing the look and feel of the 2010 Ghanaian direct-to-video thriller film Chelsea, directed by Moses Inwang, and starring Majid Michel, Nadia Buari, and John Dumelo.
Mr. Prince Hilton was appointed Pan-African Ambassador for Painting in 2019 based on his work and projects.
According to him, his guiding principle as a painter is to solve problems with his paintings.
He also wants the young artists, especially in Africa, to be inspired to be creators and inventors rather than mere painters and sculptors.
“We need to encourage our young folks, our kids, to understand that art is not only about drawing and painting. But artists must be dynamic, You don’t have to learn to be a sculptor or a painter. You must learn to be a creator or an inventor. I don’t just paint. I paint to solve problems,” he said.
Mr. Hilton revealed that his works make him feel good, but he is not resting on his laurels in achieving more for himself, the art industry, and his country, Ghana.
He urged the government to pay more attention to the art industry and treat it as one of the sectors that can propel Ghana’s development.
The $8 million office complex was built to house offices for supporting policy, financing vehicles, facilitating investments and customs, training and skill development, and testing and certifying vehicles.
Additionally, it features a showroom where vehicles made in the area can be seen.
At the event, a 19-member council, composed of stakeholders from both the private and public sector, was also commissioned with members drawn from both public and private sector entities.
Some private sector organisations with representatives on the council included the Ghana Automobile Dealers Association, the African Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Ghana National Association of Garages and the Vehicle and Asset Dealers Union of Ghana.
State institutions such as the Ghana International Trade Corporation (GITC), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) as well as the ministries of Trade and Industry, Transport, Finance Employment and Labour and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), are all part of the council.
The council was inaugurated as a requirement under the Ghana Automotive Development Policy, with the mandate to develop an effective economic consultation structure to effectively address any issues related to automotive assembly activities and to provide input into any policy review exercise.
The council is further required to promote the harmonious and integrated development and growth of vehicle assembly, automotive components manufacturing and their related trading activities in Ghana and externally, in collaboration with the key stakeholders in the industry.
Also, the council will make recommendations to government on the implementation of the Ghana Automotive Development Programme, including but not limited to the incentive and regulatory framework, access to industrial infrastructure, vehicle financing, training, technology upgrading, supplier development, as well as standards and safety.
Strategic sector
Mr Kyerematen said the automotive assembly and component manufacturing industry was universally recognised as a key strategic sector for stimulating economic growth and transformation, aside being “a powerful driver of employment, foreign investment, innovation and technology transfer”.
“The forward and backward linkages within the industry trigger an integration with other industrial sectors that lead to economic growth, creation of sustainable jobs and enhancing value addition to local resources,” he said.
He said it was on that score that the Ministry of Trade and Industry commenced the design of the Ghana Automotive Development Policy in 2018 aimed at making Ghana the automobile manufacturing hub in the sub-region as part of the government’s implementation of industrial transformation agenda.
Mr Kyerematen said the implementation of the automotive policy had strategically positioned Ghana as an emerging hub in West Africa.
“Ghana is on the path of becoming the vehicle manufacturing hub within the sub-region through the implementation of the Ghana Automotive Development Policy which has led to the attraction of six of the top ten leading original equipment manufacturers of the world to invest in Ghana.
The out-going minister said the government was currently working on a comprehensive auto-financing scheme that would ensure that “the ordinary Ghanaian” was able to afford a vehicle.
Mr Kyerematen added that as part of the government’s efforts to develop an integrated automotive value chain, the Trade Ministry had drafted the Ghana Automotive Component Manufacturing Policy to provide incentives and a regulatory regime to attract component manufacturers into Ghana’s automotive industry while taking advantage of the existing resource.
“I believe that with the indigenous expertise operating from Suame Magazine in Kumasi, Kokompe in Accra and other artisanal hubs in Tamale, Takoradi, Koforidua and other parts of the country, Ghanaians will enjoy the significant benefits an integrated auto industry offers,” he said.
Chelsea fans are trolling Arsenal fans after the club successfully hijacked Arsenal’s move for Ukrainian winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Arsenal had been locked in negotiations with his club Shakhtar Donetsk for weeks with the North London side unwilling to meet Shakhtar’s €100m valuation of the player.
Earlier in the week, reports from credible journalists indicated that Arsenal were on the cusp of agreeing a deal for the player only for Chelsea to jump in on Saturday and quickly seal a deal.
According to Italian journalist, Fabrizio Romano, a member of Chelsea’s board flew to Poland where the club are on a training tour to seal the deal by meeting Shakhtar’s valuation.
Chelsea it is reported also offered more money to the player and have agreed a seven-year deal with the Ukrainian winger.
A Shakhtar statement confirming the deal reads “FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer to Chelsea FC today. Parties are very close to agree on player’s transfer to the club.”
The deal has excited Chelsea fans who mocking their London rivals for missing out on yet another good player.
Chelsea fans claim they have done the double over Arsenal as they also beat the Gunners to the signing of Portuguese player, Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.
Below are some comments
Mudryk (after joining Chelsea): “I was waiting, waiting for Arsenal to decide. Chelsea had shown interest but it wasn’t firm at first. I almost went to Arsenal. My agent said, ‘Chelsea just called me and they want you’. I said, ‘OK, I want to go there!’.” ????
In response to consumer complaints, a press release claimed that power failures had a negative impact on the Achiase booster station’s operations as well as production at the Barekese water treatment facility.
It expressed regret at the inconvenience the situation has caused the public and assured that, supplies will be restored as soon as ECG rectifies the problem.
“Management of Ghana Water Company Limited, sincerely apologize to our cherished customers and the public, as Engineers of GWCL and ECG are working assiduously to rectify the challenges as soon as possible,” part of the release read.
A 26-year-old woman has allegedly been murdered with a cutlass by her husband.
The suspect, Micheal Abeiku Hagan, a commercial bus driver is currently on the run and wanted by the Police.
The deceased’s family members learned about the tragedy on Friday, January 13 at their residence in Oyoko New Site in New Juaben North Municipality.
The deceased was found dead in the bedroom of their apartment at Oyoko New Site with several cutlass wounds on her legs, hands, fingers, head, forehead, and back.
The Police were notified immediately and they quickly reported to the scene for investigations. The Eastern Regional Police Command is yet to effect an arrest as the search for the suspect progresses.
According to family members, the suspect and the deceased had three children. They say they have no idea as to what might have resulted in the incident.
Meanwhile, it has been alleged that there were instances of marital conflicts.
The man is said to have reported a marital issue to a third party who supposedly was to help resolve it.
According to the third party, Pastor Eric Addo, the woman had travelled and therefore he was waiting for her return in order to help resolve the issue.
He said he was shocked to hear about the demise of the woman.
The deceased’s body has now been deposited at St. Joseph Hospital’s morgue for an autopsy. Investigation into the incident continues.
The country in recent times has landed itself in an economic downturn.
Presently, the country’s inflation stands at 54.1 percent, the cedi is currently appreciating against the major foreign currencies after a free fall in December last year.
Generally, there is a high cost of living.
The government is currently seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Meanwhile, to sustain the country’s debts, government introduced a debt exchange programme, which has been widely rejected.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has enumerated reasons why he thinks the country “got into this economic mess.”
Find the 7 reasons below:
1. The NPP has the largest size of government in the history of Ghana! Find out how many ministers they’ve appointed from 2017. At one point, they had over 125 ministers!
2. This government has over 1,000 presidential staffers paid as article 71 office holders at the jubilee House!
3. They’ve also appointed soo many special assistants to ministers with emoluments close to that of deputy ministers at the various MDA’s.
Take also into consideration:
4. The number of spokespersons at various MDA’s paid above the pay of Directors!
5. The number of CEO’s at various State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and their pay packages! Many of these SOEs now employ 3 or 4 deputy CEOs with fat conditions of service!
6. The impact of the Over 50 new agencies with zero output, eg. CODA, NADA, MBDA, free SHS secretariat, 1D1F secretariat, Petroleum Hub Development Authority, Ghana cares Secretariat, etc.
7. The unconscionable decision to send over 100 Databank staff to the Finance Ministry as special assistants and paid as customs commissioners on GRA’s payroll!
Mikel Arteta is making memories at Arsenal he says he will never forget as he saluted the Gunners’ “incredible dressing room” ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham.
Following a blistering start to the season, in which they have won 14 of their first 17 games, Arteta’s side can move eight points clear at the Premier League summit with victory over their bitter rivals on Sunday.
Arteta endured a testing start to life at Emirates Stadium, but the pendulum has certainly swung in his favour this term, and he is enjoying himself now.
“It’s just an incredible dressing room. It’s just a joy to work with [the players] every single day,” said Arteta, who won the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award for December.
“Some of the things that we’ve done together, I’ll probably never be able to do them with any other team or with any other group.
“Especially on match days and the things that we do together, that will stay in my brain for the rest of my life.”
The maturity of this young Arsenal team has particularly impressed Arteta, who has noted the way his relationship with the players has changed this season.
“[The players] are certainly more mature,” he said. “I think the demands have changed as well and my role and what they, in my opinion, need from me is different as well.
“And that’s why we always have to be evolving and trying to be ahead of what is coming, to give to the players and the rest of the staff what is going to make everything click to be more efficient and to win more games.”
On the pitch, that has translated not only to better results but also better performances.
Arteta said of the changes at Arsenal: “We win more games, which is the most important thing and the thing that changes everything, and I think we play better.
“We deserve to win in the games that we have won, and probably that’s the most relevant thing.”
The Association’s general secretary, Stephen Boakye, who made the disclosure, said that some employees are forgetting to pay contributions for their staff, a horrible scenario.
After the Trust announced a 25% rise in pensions, he was speaking to reporters at Accra’s SSNIT Pension House.
He also advised Ghanaian workers to take a keen interest in the payment of their contributions so they don’t retire without pension benefits.
”There are several companies that have regused to contribute so0f their workers. We have decided to visit these companies and ensure that they pay the contributions. Retiring without a pension is a threat to the well-being of an individual. As an individual, you should be concerned about your retirement. Make provision for that so you would be a burden on others,” he said.
In our series of letters from African journalists, Sierra Leonean-Gambian writer Ade Daramy pays tribute to a man whose death nearly seven years ago arguably changed history in The Gambia.
Ebrima Solo Sandeng was not in the traditional mould of an African freedom fighter. He was not an Amílcar Cabral, liberator of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, or a Thomas Sankara, the anti-imperialist revolutionary who led Burkina Faso – two men slain before their life’s work was done.
But as an opposition politician in The Gambia he stood up against tyranny when very few dared to do so. This week – nearly seven years after his murder – he was honoured at a state funeral.
Image caption,A state funeral was held for Ebrima Solo Sandeng last Tuesday in the capital, Banjul
Sandeng’s fight was against the small West African nation’s electoral laws – legislation designed to perpetuate oppression and unfairness, allowing then-President Yahya Jammeh to remain in office indefinitely, having initially come to power following a coup in 1994.
He was angered that the fee to contest as a presidential candidate had risen from 10,000 Gambian dalasi ($161; £132) to 500,000 dalasi ($8,050).
In addition, opposition candidates were only given two weeks to campaign and feature on the national broadcaster, while the president’s nationwide meet-the-people tours were given blanket coverage.
In April 2016, armed with nothing more sinister than a megaphone, the 57-year-old led a march demanding change
.
But in full view of the public, and caught by mobile phone cameras, he and some other marchers were manhandled, arrested and bundled into a vehicle.
News soon emerged that they had been beaten, tortured and, in Sandeng’s case, it was feared he had been killed by members of the notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Two days after his arrest, when he had not been produced in court and with the rumours gathering pace, his family and members of his United Democratic Party took to the streets, demanding that they wanted him back “dead or alive”.
Disappearances and killings were not uncommon for those considered a thorn in the side of Mr Jammeh’s regime.
Image caption,President Jammeh (R) enjoyed blanket coverage on the national broadcaster and opposition politicians barely featured
It could be argued that his death and the march that took place two days later were the pivotal events – they lit the spark that eventually led to Mr Jammeh losing the presidential election eight months later.
People had simply had enough.
After initially refusing to budge, Mr Jammeh finally went into exile after his defeat and the repressive measures used during his 22 years in power were exposed by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) set up by the new government.
Forensic evidence gathered
Evidence given at the TRRC led to the discovery of Sandeng’s body in Tanji, a small fishing village.
The corpse was exhumed in 2017 and, at the request of the attorney general, forensic experts were employed to analyse the remains.
Image caption,Ebrima Solo Sandeng’s widow, seen here in white, and his family have tirelessly fought to bring his killers to justice
They built a case against his killers, with evidence that the abrasions and traumas on the remains proved he had been tortured to death and had not died of “shock and respiratory failure”, as a fake death certificate that later emerged stated.
In July last year, the High Court convicted five members of the former NIA – and the doctor who provided the death certificate – for their role in his killing.
Sandeng’s widow and his six children never let his memory fade and were in court when they were convicted.
NIA chief Yankuba Badjie and four of his operatives were sentenced to between five and 10 years for various offences. The doctor was sentenced to 10 years for forgery.
For those wanting to bring international attention to Sandeng’s case, he was hailed as The Gambia’s Steve Biko, a reference to South Africa’s renowned anti-apartheid activist who died in detention in 1977.
But for most Gambians he is remembered as an ordinary man who showed extraordinary bravery.
His cousin said he had been warned that his march could be dangerous, but Sandeng had replied: “Please don’t advise me; I will fight to the end. This is a point of no return.”
Thousands of mourners
The turnout at his funeral this week attests to this courage. It was attended by his family and many other dignitaries, including senior cabinet ministers.
Though a couple of ironies were noted on the day he was laid to rest.
Image caption,Thousands of people lined the streets of Banjul to pay their respects to Sandeng at his funeral
The funeral rites in the capital, Banjul, were conducted at a monument originally built to commemorate Mr Jammeh’s coup. Known as Arch 22 (the number being a reference to the date of the coup, 22 July 1994), it has since been renamed Never Again Arch.
And for all the fine words and the eulogies, the electoral laws Sandeng fought to change and died for are still on the statute books.
The most fitting memorial to the man considered a hero in The Gambia would be to repeal them.
According to a press release from the ORC dated November 14, 2022, the increase is in accordance with the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 Act 1080, which was passed by Parliament.
“From the 1st of June, 2023, the ORC would, for the very first time be fully implementing section 126(7) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992)”, the statement said.
Read full statement below
PRESS RELEASE CHANGE IN FEES AND CHARGES
The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) informs all Company Officials, Business Owners and the general public that there have been changes in the Fees and Charges on all transactions, including the Incorporation and Registration of Businesses, Amendments and the filing of Annual Returns effective 1st January, 2023. This is in accordance with the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 Act 1080 as passed by Parliament and earlier indicated in our Press Release dated 14th November, 2022.
The changes in Fees and Charges would apply to the registration and amendment of Business Names, Subsidiary Business Names, Partnerships, External Companies, Professional Bodies as well as the Incorporation of Companies Limited/ Unlimited by Shares and Companies Limited by Guarantee. Please visit www.orc.gov.gh/www.rgd.gov.gh or our Front Offices in Accra and The Regional Offices for further details on these new Fees.
From the 1st of June, 2023, the ORC would, for the very first time be fully implementing section 126(7) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) which states that ‘where a Company defaults in complying with the filing of Annual Returns and Financial Statements, the Company and every officer of the company that is in default is liable to pay to the Registrar an Administrative Penalty of Twenty-Five penalty units for each day during which the default continues’.
A penalty unit is established by the Fines (Penalty Units) Act 2000 (Act 572) and the current monetary value per penalty unit is GHC12.00. This means that effective 1st June, 2023, an administrative charge of GHc300.00 would be charged for each day the default continues against the Company and EVERY OFFICER of the Company until section 126 (7) is complied with.
The full implementation of the Companies Act, 2019 Act 992 by this section is being proposed now by Management and the Board to ensure Companies take the compliance of this requirement in the Act more seriously than they have done previously. Company Secretaries and Auditors should therefore kickstart the processes in getting these mandatory documents ready and on time to avoid paying this very punitive Administrative Penalty and sanction and push their Companies into a state of inactivity.
The ORC from June 2023 is also going to fully enforce the penalty for failure to comply with the statutory provision on Annual Renewal of Partnerships registration.
The Incorporated Private Partnerships Act,1962 (Act 152) section 8 (1) states that: ‘‘Once in every year, the Partners of a Partnership SHALL deliver to the Registrar for registration a Statement in the Prescribed Form renewing the registration. Section 9(1), in the event of default in complying with sections 4,5,7 or 8 of Act 152, (a) Every Partner SHALL be liable to a fine not exceeding five (5) pounds for each day during which the default continues; The cost of five (5) British Pounds in Ghana Cedis per the current Bank of Ghana Foreign Exchange rate is Ghc60.00.
Partnerships, especially Auditing Firms on the Register, are to note accordingly and put their Books in order to renew the Partnership Registration and avoid paying this punitive penalty.
Additionally, the ORC is going to enforce section 5A (2) of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1962 (Act 151) on Annual Renewals. This states that “without prejudice to any other liability prescribed by this Act, a registration which is not renewed in accordance with this section shall LAPSE and the Registrar may remove from the Register the Business Name of the person whose Registration has lapsed after the expiration of the period prescribed for the renewal”.
From this year, failure to renew a Business Name (Sole Proprietorship)/Subsidiary Business Name for a period of 3 months after the year has ended would lead to the Lapse of the Business Name/Subsidiary Business Name. To avoid such Business Names falling into the public domain and for anyone of interest to use it after it has been struck off the Business Names Register, Business Name owners can electronically renew their Businesses by dialing the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) Code *222# and follow the prompt to make payment with their Mobile Money wallet on the Ghana.Gov payment platform.
The ORC would also be introducing expedited/express services this year. This is to ensure that patrons of the services get their documents within forty-eight (48) hours. The expedited/express services would be available at the Head Office in Accra and some Regional Offices when it commences after the first half of this year.
All Company Secretaries who are yet to comply with the directives issued by the ORC on the Name Changes in the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) are to submit a Special Resolution for a change of their Company Name by adding the appropriate ‘suffix’ to the end of their Company Name. Companies who have not as yet adopted a Registered Constitution reflecting the changed name in place of their Company’s Regulations are also being reminded to do so by the end of June, 2023.
The ORC wishes to remind its cherished clients that payments on transactions are ONLY to be made at its in-house Fidelity Bank or any other Fidelity Bank Branch. The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) does not operate a Mobile Money Account or authorize same on its behalf. Under no circumstance should ORC clients transfer money to any Mobile Money Number in the name of the Office, Staff or a Lawyer. Please be vigilant against fraudsters calling Company officials and Business Owners to make transfers to certain mobile numbers. We urge the General Public to ignore such calls or messages and cross check its validity with us through our official numbers.
Jessie Clark Funk, the American woman whose viral video about her experiences in Ghana riled Ghanaians has apologized for her statements in the video.
Jessie Clark came under sustained attacks from Ghanaians after a video of her detailing her experiences in Ghana was posted on Instagram and subsequently across other platforms.
In the video, she referred to Ghanaians as poverty-stricken, hungry and living in filth.
Led by broadcaster Nana Aba Anamoah, social media users took her to the cleaners questioning her account of the state of Ghana.
In an apology via her Instagram handle, Jessie Clark Funk who is believed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint explained that her words have been taken out of context.
She stated that she has been to the country twice, once with her daughter and has huge admiration for Ghana.
She claims to have learned a lot from the Ghanaian culture and will at no point run it down.
“A video I made talking about my experience in Ghanaian was taken completely out of the context and there are many upset people from Ghana which breaks my heart because I love and respect the people of Ghana and their beautiful country so much.
“I have been there twice, once with my daughter. We learned so much from their amazing culture and deep wisdom. I cherish my experience there and I’m sorry that something I said didn’t reflect my love for your country. I sincerely ask for forgiveness,” she said.
Her apology was shared by Nana Aba Anamoah who took exception to her earlier description of Ghana and for that matter Ghanaians.
Nana Aba’s clapback read: “Here you are, @jessieclarkfunk. I knew I’d find you. Those lies you spewed about Ghana made you look less intelligent. That we hate the Mormons? Madam, are you okay? No one resents your temple. The area your temple (the church of Latter-Day Saints) stands in Accra (Ridge) is one of the richest, most peaceful and prestine neighborhoods. “
“I’ll forgive your imbecilic comments about the poverty stricken and hungry people you claim you saw around that temple and assume you just wanted to appear relevant. You looked pathetic instead.”
Nana Aba also took time to educate her on the realities of living in Ghana.
“Indeed, we do have poor people here just as your country does too. There are so many Americans who call cars, shacks, tents and boxes their homes. It’s 2023. Grow up. It’s time to unlearn the truckload of lies you’ve been fed by some of the painfully lazy media platforms in your country about Africa.”
She added, “ I’m willing to help you speak sensibly next time about a country that’s been kind to your ilk, church and any other organisation from your country. To be honest, they’d be shocked to the marrow to hear you speak this way about Ghanaians. You lot need to stop making Africa a victim of your incredibly dumb agenda,” parts of her post on Instagram read.
Rabiu’s net worth has increased by more than $2.4 billion in the last year, from $4.9 billion to $7.6 billion at the time of writing this report. He is currently Africa’s fourth-richest man, behind fellow Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and two South African billionaires, Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer.
Sawiris, who ranks as the richest man in not only North Africa but also the Arab world, derives the majority of his wealth from his stakes in Adidas and OCI N.V.
Rabiu, who ranks as Nigeria’s second-richest man and now Africa’s fourth-richest man, derives his $7.6 billion fortune from his manufacturing conglomerate, BUA Group, which ranks as one of the fastest-growing manufacturing groups in Africa.
The Nigerian billionaire holds the majority stake in the publicly listed BUA Cement, his flagship cement business, and BUA Foods, which went public in 2022.
BUA Foods operates as the unified food business segment of the Nigeria-based BUA Group. Its operations include the activities of BUA Sugar Refinery Limited, BUA Oil Mills Limited, IRS Flour, IRS Pasta, and BUA Rice Limited.
Since the company’s shares were listed a year ago on the Nigerian Exchange, Rabiu’s net worth has risen from $4.9 billion to $7.6 billion at the time of this report.
BUA Foods thrives despite adversities in operating environment
Despite challenges in its operating environment, particularly a surge in raw material prices, BUA Foods’ profits at the end of the nine-month period of its 2022 fiscal year rose by more than 17 percent from N58.7 billion ($133.6 million) in the corresponding period of 2021 to N68.8 billion ($156.5 million).
The double-digit increase in the group’s earnings can be attributed to a surge in food demand as both household and industrial consumers stocked up on food items in anticipation of further price increases.
An accident, serious or not, is a misfortune that no one wants to be a victim of.
The accident occurred at 8:45 am on the morning of January 29, 2016 in Esereso, off Lake Bosomtwe Road prior before the road construction.
When you see the accident, you can describe how it happened. The incident happened at a repair shop across the street. The mrchanic shop is known as Paa Joe Mechanics.
The vehicle involved was a Toyota Tundra, which the owner brought into the garage to fix a minor issue.
We all know that a machine shop has always consisted of master craftsmen and apprentices. After the pickup was serviced, the master instructed one of his apprentices to park the vehicle in a safe area.
At the workshop, they think there is no point in going to a driving school to practice driving. Thry will learn to drive in the course of an apprenticeship.
A car with an automatic transmission is slightly faster than a car with a manual transmission. The pickup was aligned with the cable supporting the electricity pole.
He reversed the car and hurriedly put his foot on the accelerator. Witnesses described the accident as peaceful as there were no injuries, or deaths.
The utility pole belonged to the Ghana Power Company, so they helped the garage owner unload the car.
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