Prince William is said to be “devastated” by claims made by his younger brother, Prince Harry, in his forthcoming memoir, Spare, and subsequent TV interviews.
In the book, the Duke of Sussex has shared details of a physical fight between him and William, and claims that the Prince of Wales was sceptical of his relationship with Meghan Markle from the beginning.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Monday, The Sunday Times‘ Royal Editor, Roya Nikkhah said: “[William] is devastated. The quote I used yesterday was ‘he’s burning inside’. That is how he’s feeling. He’s chosen not to go toe-to-toe with his brother and not retaliate, it’s not what he does.”
She added: “He’s devastated that so much personal stuff has come out, particularly given my understanding of what he knows about his brother, his experiences with his brother, how he looked after him. But I think that he feels very strongly that it’s just not right to come out and go ‘No, this didn’t happen, that happened in a different way’. That’s not how he rolls.”
Prince Harry’s interview with Tom Bradby also aired on ITV1 on Sunday evening, in which he claimed that he had never accused the royal family of racism, and that he does not think they are racist.
After his and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey last year, in which they said that a member of the royal family had asked Harry what colour their baby was likely to be, the couple were widely seen to be suggesting that some within the institution were racist.
And during Harry’s appearance on CBS’ 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper, he revealed that he is currently not speaking with William and that it had been “a while” since he last spoke to his brother and father, King Charles.
Yet there is cause for hope as British history is littered with rifts between royal brothers far worse than Harry and William’s schism. Here are six fraternal fallouts which turned really nasty.
Image caption, Getting electricity to all of Indonesia’s islands is challenging
Indonesia is a nation of more than 10,000 islands, so supplying the whole country with electricity is a huge challenge.
More than a million people are not connected to the electricity grid at all.
“Those people who don’t have electricity are living on remote islands, so in this situation it’s hard to connect a cable to them and it’s hard to install other expensive solutions such as wind turbines,” says Luofeng Huang, a lecturer in mechanical engineering at Cranfield University.
But solar farms take up lots of space – space that might be better used for housing, farming and business.
So scientists and engineers are working on ways to install solar panels on the ocean surface, providing power to those living onshore nearby.
“Floating solar is very convenient because it can just be put on top of the water, and if you need more electricity you can put on more solar panels,” says Mr Huang.
Image caption, SolarDuck puts solar panels on a raised platform to protect them
The reason is obvious: waves can easily swamp and damage solar panels.
But research and testing is under way to find ways of keeping solar panels intact and working in rough water.
Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck, for example, is working with German energy company RWE to build a floating solar plant at a North Sea wind farm.
The company says it will be the biggest offshore floating solar plant in the world, with the capacity to power a few hundred homes.
The solar panels will sit on platforms raised several metres above the ocean surface. The plant, due to be operational in 2026, will use the existing cabling for the wind farm to send electricity back to the shore.
Image caption, Ocean Sun solar panels sit on a flexible floating pad
Meanwhile, Ocean Sun has developed a floating rig, where the solar panels rest on a base which flexes as the waves pass underneath.
“It has the effect that it dampens the waves, and it prevents the breaking of the waves,” says founder and chief executive Borge Bjorneklett.
He says that, as the panels are lying completely flat, the forces acting on them are diminished. Being close to the seawater also cools down the cells, which improves their performance.
Both Ocean Sun and SolarDuck are looking at siting solar farms alongside wind turbines, which will smooth the flow of electricity when the wind is not blowing.
Image caption, The base of the Ocean Solar plant flexes as waves move underneath it
Mr Huang argues that both of these approaches have weaknesses. By lifting the panels above the surface of the sea, SolarDuck’s system could be a more expensive solution.
“If you lift it, you need some very strong support, so it’s just going to cost too much money,” he says.
SolarDuck challenges that claim.
“Delivering our technology at a competitive cost of energy is built into every step of the design process,” says Koen Burgers, the chief executive of SolarDuck.
“We are also able to adjust the technology to local environmental conditions to find the optimal balance between performance and costs,” he adds.
As for the Ocean Sun system, Mr Huang is not convinced that the approach will sufficiently protect the panels from wave damage.
Mr Bjorneklett concedes that his company’s system may not be appropriate for the North Sea with its 30ft (9m) waves. But he says the system has survived category four typhoons during a test in a reservoir.
“We believe near-shore locations, with more benign sea states, are more attractive,” he says.
Mr Huang’s team at Cranfield University is working on an alternative offshore solar plant, which he says will be robust and cheap.
With academic and commercial partners in Indonesia, they hope to have a demonstration system in the Indian Ocean in 12 months time.
Called Solar2Wave, it will have a floating breakwater upstream of the solar panels which, Mr Huang says, has the effect of reducing wave height by about 90%.
The reduced waves then travel through a buffer zone – a small enclosed area of water – which further reduces the wave power before it hits the solar panels themselves.
The key will be to keep the breakwater cheap: “Any damage will be in the breakwater part, which is cheap and very easy to replace and maintain,” Mr Huang says.
Image caption, Luofeng Huang says that engineers are competing to make an offshore solar system work
While the installation and maintenance costs of any ocean solar farm will be high, such farms will, in many cases, be the only way to supply renewable energy in some densely populated parts of the world.
“For instance, in Singapore the cost of land is very high and they have already utilised most of their rooftop surface area,” says Mr Bjorneklett.
“If they can utilise the ocean surface outside Singapore, it is actually the only way to provide affordable renewable energy, and there is a similar situation in other large parts of South East Asia as well.”
Solar farms could even be sited far out at sea where they could serve as refuelling points for electric ships.
There’s definitely a lot of potential,” says Cranfield’s Luofeng Huang. “Everyone wants to solve this, so we are working quite hard and it’s like a competition to see who can bring the first successful design.”
The Duke of Sussex has lifted the lid on all the private discussions between himself and Meghan Markle with the Prince and Princess of Wales during the first years of their romance in his new book, Spare.
From the bridesmaids’ debacle to their first awkward encounter with the American actress, Prince Harry has given royal watchers an intimate insight into their fractured bond.
The account compounds his raw accusation on Sunday night’s ITV interview with Tom Bradby that William amd Kate had never got on with Meghan. Asked why this was, Harry gave these reasons:
Discussing the reports which suggested Meghan was “Duchess Difficult” and how she left Princess Kate in tears, it has now been revealed that the former “Fab Four” held a second summit at Nottingham Cottage to discuss the growing tension between the two couples.
In his searingly open memoir, Prince Harry revealed how they arranged the get-together on their “turf” on 10 December 2018, shortly after he and Meghan returned to the UK from their first royal tour in Australia.Prince Harry accuses Prince William of physical assault
“We all gathered in our little front annexe, and this time there was no small talk: Kate got things rolling straightaway by acknowledging that the stories in the papers about Meg making her cry were totally false,” he wrote.
The Duke claims that his sister-in-law Kate confirmed: “I know, Meghan, that I was the one who made you cry.”
Meghan appreciated the apology, but they were left wondering why the papers had written this and what was being done to correct the story.
Harry then revealed how Kate was left “flustered” whilePrince William offered “supportive-sounding evasions”. However, Harry knew nothing would be done by the Palace as the monarchy “had to be protected” at all costs.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex then shifted the conversation to where had the story come from – who had leaked this to the press.
“We went around and around,” Harry explained. “The list of suspects became vanishingly small. Finally, finally Willy leaned back and conceded that, ahem, while we’d been on tour in Australia, he and Kate had gone to dinner with Pa and Camilla.”
“And, alas, [Willy] said sheepishly, he ‘might’ve’ let it slip and that there’s been strife between the two couples.
“I put my hand over my face. Meg froze. A heavy silence fell. So now we knew. I told Willy you of all people should’ve known. He nodded. He knew. More silence. It was time for them to go.”
Wikipedia, the popular online encyclopedia, has updated Davido’s marital status by providing information about his spouse.
The changes were spotted on Monday, January 9, 2023.
In the bio section, where Davido’s date of birth, place of birth, and other vital information were provided, Chioma Avril Rowland’s name was slotted in as the Nigerian singer’s spouse.
One can recall that Davido and Chioma confirmed the rumours of their marriage when they both flaunted their wedding rings during the singer’s uncle’s governorship inauguration.
Chioma was seen wearing double diamond rings, while Davido also had a ring on his ring finger.
One can recall that shortly after their son’s demise, Davido and Chioma were rumoured to have gotten married in a secret ceremony witnessed by family and close friends.
Others who questioned the rumors called the move inappropriate, especially since they were still mourning their son.
Also, there were reports that Chioma, who was completely broken by his son’s demise, lamented that nothing binds her and Davido together, so in order to prove his love, the singer took a step further and married her.
According to the Concerned Staff of the CAGD, they will advise themselves if the 2021 and 2022 honorarium are not paid
The Concerned Staff of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has called on the Regional Directors of the CAGD and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to pay its honorarium for 2021 and 2022.
According to the Concerned Staff of the CAGD, they will advise themselves if the 2021 and 2022 honorarium are not paid.
In a petition to the CAGD Directors and MoF, dated Tuesday, 10 January 2022, the concerned staff noted that: “Having been denied our 2021 honorarium for the first time in the history of CAGD, we the concerned staff of CAGD wish to unequivocally state that any attempts by the Management of CAGD and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to once again deny our hardworking staff of this age-old ‘solace’ would not be tolerated.”
The petition added: “All staff of the sixteen Regions of Ghana are on this date, presenting this letter to our Management and the MoF through the Regional Directors of CAGD, calling on CAGD and MoF to do the needful by paying the two years (2021 & 2022) honorarium with immediate effect to avoid the repercussions of our intended actions.”
The Director of Communications of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has said the music video shot by American rapper Meek Mill at the Jubilee House was not sanctioned by the Presidency.
”Meek Mill’s music video was not sanctioned by the Presidency. Its permission was not sought whatsoever for the use of the video. The musician has realized his indiscretion, apologised & taken down the video,” Mr Ahiagba explained in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Meek Mill has apologised for his controversial music video capturing parts of Ghana’s seat of government.
Since the video surfaced on social media, Sunday, January 8, 2023, citizens and politicians have criticised the Ghanaian government, personnel at the presidency and the artiste for the “desecration” and breach of security protocol.
Mill deleted the viral video on Monday, January 9, 2023.
Also in a series of tweets Monday evening, the Philadelphia rap star apologised in no equivocal terms.
“To the people of Ghana,” he began, “No video I drop is ever meant to disrespect the people of Ghana…”
“The fastest way to make connection[s] is [through] music and I wanted to do that with displaying [my] art…,” he explained.
“I’m in my 30’s from America and didn’t know much about the lifestyle [culture] here,” he revealed.
“My apologies to the people [in case of] any disrespect!” he stressed in the follow-up tweet.
An entrepreneur passionate about bridging the gap between Blacks in Africa and those in the diaspora, especially in America, he highlighted that: “We [are] still gonna push to [create] the connection between Black people in America and Africa… What I’m trying to do is more than a video and you should see [what’s] coming soon!”
“My apologies to the [presidential] office also!” he noted.
Meek Mill responding to a food blogger by name Zubaida A-Rahman saying he is “not the one everyone’s mad at,” explained the officials at the presidential palace that fateful day when the video was taken did not know “it was [a] video footage when we asked to shoot. [What we used was] a small camera and one kid [shot it].”
Furthermore, he stated the reason behind the footage. He and his crew, according to him, were amazed at the edifice. Prior, they did not know such architectural and developmental advancements existed in these parts.
“In America,” he said, “We didn’t know this existed and [we were] excited to show [it to others] because they don’t show Ghana on our [American] media much!”
“I’ll take responsibility for my mistake!” the Dream Chasers founder stated, adding it was “not intentional” to dishonour the apex office and Ghana.
The 35-year-old again was categorical in saying he desires no detrimental misunderstanding between Black communities on the continent and beyond. He sees the current controversial situation as a learning curve.
“I’m just not here for [anymore] separation of anything Black… We [are] already separated [by land and history] enough and don’t understand each other’s cultures… Let’s use this [situation] to help fix that and not [be] more judgement[al] towards each other!” he tweeted.
“Today has truly been a day which gives us great hope,” Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan’s minister of state for foreign affairs said at a climate conference held with the United Nations (UN) in Geneva.
“I think the message from the world is clear: the world will stand by those who go through any national calamity,” she added.
The Islamic Development Bank, the World Bank and Saudi Arabia were some of the biggest donors.
The European Union, the US, China and France also made contributions.
It came after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for major investments to help Pakistan recover from what he called a “climate disaster of monumental scale”.
IMF bailout
On the sidelines of the conference Pakistan reiterated its commitment to completing a bailout programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
It came as the IMF has yet to approve the release of $1.1bn which was originally due to be made in November last year.
The nation of 220 million people has been struggling for years to stabilise its economy.
Last week the government ordered shopping centres and markets to close early every day to help save electricity.
Pakistan generates most of its power using imported fossil fuels.
Global energy prices jumped last year, putting further pressure on the country’s already dwindling finances.
To pay for those energy imports the country needs foreign currency, especially US dollars.
However, the Pakistan government saw its reserves of foreign currencies fall by about 50% last year.
Professor Peter Twumasi, Director General of the National Sports Authority, has revealed why the authority has sought $2 million from Ghana’s World Cup funds.
Ghana’s participation in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar earned them $9 million. Ghana placed bottom in Group H at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Black Stars of Ghana won one game (South Korea) out of three group games.
In an interview, Professor Peter Twumasi acknowledged that his oufit had requested a part of Ghana’s World Cup funds from the Ministry of Youth and Sports due to its critical involvement in qualification.
“The NSA contributed immensely to the Black Stars being able to qualify for the World Cup and even the AFCON, preparation wise. All we are saying is that, $2m earned from the World Cup, so we can also prepare for other major activities to take place because we would soon play AFCON, World Cup qualifiers so we need to prepare,” he told Happy FM.
Prof Twumasi also added that they need the money to boost their maintenance operations and other activities.
“The responsibilities of the NSA are many, we operate nationwide and take care of all sporting activities in the country. The NSA handles all developments and promotions, infrastructures and everything needed for any sports activities in the country,”
“We have seen the Accra sports Stadium for instance undergo some renovations under the leadership of His Excellency President Nana Akufo Addo but there is more to be done,”
“There is a lot to be done and monies earned from GPL clubs is not enough to run affairs, monies budgeted for NSA from the National budget is not enough so we need everyone’s support,” he ended.
“We will review and repair every process to prevent or address any incidents of such unruly nature,” he said.
His statement came a day after Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson expressed “regret” and “pain” over its customers suffering due to “the condemnable acts of their co-passengers”.
The incident took place on 26 November in the business class cabin of a New York-Delhi flight. The accused Shankar Mishra was allegedly drunk when he apparently urinated on one of his co-passengers, a 72-year-old woman.
“My clothes, shoes and bag were completely soaked in urine,” the woman wrote in her complaint to Mr Chandrasekaran the next day.
The woman said she asked the crew for a change of seat, but was told that nothing was available and was instead offered a small seat used by staff. She alleged that the crew also brought the man to her – against her wishes – so he could apologise.
The woman described the flight as the most “traumatic” of her life, and said that the airline only issued her a partial refund of her ticket. Her account was supported by a US doctor named Sugata Bhattacharjee, who was sitting next to Mr Mishra on the flight.
He told news channel NDTV that he had also written a complaint to Air India on the day of the incident, but “it went nowhere”.
After the incident, Air India formed an internal committee to investigate the complaint against Mr Mishra.
Two weeks later, it imposed a 30-day interim travel ban on him – the length of the ban was among the factors that generated outrage once the news broke.
On the request of the woman’s family, the airline finally filed a police complaint regarding the incident on 28 December.
A week later, it submitted a report to India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Last week, the DGCA issued notices to the officials and crew of the flight, saying they had not complied with its rules for handling an unruly passenger on board. It also said the crew’s conduct had been “unprofessional”.
Air India has since de-rostered a pilot and four member of the cabin crew.
In his statement, Mr Wilson promised a robust reporting system for unruly behaviour on Air India.
On Friday, Wells Fargo issued a statement saying it had terminated Mr Mishra and “was co-operating with law enforcement”.
Image caption, Mishra was arrested over the weekend
Mr Mishra was arrested in Bangalore (also known as Bengaluru) on Saturday and charged with offences including sexual harassment and public misconduct. He was then brought to Delhi and produced before a local court, which sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.
Before his arrest, Mr Mishra had issued a statement through his lawyer, where he said that he had got the woman’s bags and clothes cleaned two days after the incident.
“The lady’s persisting grievance was only with respect to the adequate compensation being paid by the airline for which she has raised a subsequent complaint on December 20, 2022,” the statement said.
It added that “the statements recorded before the inquiry committee by the cabin crew show that there is no eyewitness to the incident and all the statements are merely hearsay evidence”.
“The accused has full faith in the judicial system of the country and will co-operate with the investigation process,” the statement added.
Former Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda has explained why Ghana lost the 2009 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) title to DR Congo in Ivory Coast.
He was a member of the then Black Stars B team (now Black Galaxies), which reached the final of the inaugural tournament.
The former AshantiGold goalkeeper believes Ghana lost the final because the players didn’t follow the instructions of the coach, not for lack of quality.
“Sometimes we the players are very difficult when we’ve been given assignment to go and do on the field, we’ll go and do a different thing then the coaches are having problems,” he told Joy Sports
.
“Maybe they’ll give you instructions, stay here, don’t go here; it’s about tactics, we’ll go and do a different thing but we sitting behind we say that, ‘maybe the coach didn’t do well or the technical team don’t know [anything] but most of the players we don’t listen.
“By then we have a quality coach like Milo, who was doing very well in the senior national team. I’m very sure it should be tactical and [lack of] discipline from the players that’s how I see it.”
The Black Galaxies will be looking to win Ghana’s first-ever CHAN title in Algeria when they kick off their campaign on January 15 against Madagascar.
RuffTown Records signee, Wendy Shay, born Wendy Asiamah Addo, has recounted how some industry players wanted to block her shine by telling Bullet, her manager, that she cannot make it to the top.
“There are big people in the industry who Bullet listens to; so just imagine some big man telling Bullet that she is not going to make it,” Wendy Shay recounted on Bryte TV in an interview.
She was responding to controversial celebrity Afia Schwarzenegger who at a point in her career said she (Wendy Shay) was not going to make it to the top.
“She (Afia Schwarzenegger) is not the first person who had said that. I have people who told me the face to quit music and venture into something else.”
She disclosed adding that, these people went further to her manager and said “Bullet she is not going to make it, don’t waste your money.”
“But now, if I have blown in excess then you only have to give thanks to God,” She observed.
According to Wendy Shay, her success has taught people that looking down on others is not the best thing to do.
Ghanaian musician, M.anifest, has claimed that Black Sherif isn’t afraid of depth.
Explaining his assertion in an interview with Pulse One on One, the rapper said Black Sherif is one of the few artistes who isn’t scared to be himself, which is why the public has embraced his music.
“It’s already happening, Black Sherif. No doubt. I mean he is one of one, it’s very obvious. Besides being gifted he is clearly following his destiny and has an awareness.
“For his age, I have listened to him speak on interviews, and I can see a steady growth, and he is really following his destiny. He is not afraid of depth, he is not afraid to shy away from being himself, and that always resonates with people you know,” he said.
M.anifest added that while other artistes are trying to impress their listeners, the ‘Kwaku the Traveler’ composer doesn’t conform.
“A lot of people do what they think a lot of people like and want to hear. It seems like it comes from his soul and it resonates. Much love to the man,” he added.
The ‘mene woa’ hitmaker however said, he expects more success for the music Industry as it moves onto the global stage.
According to him, artistes are steadily projecting Ghana’s name across the world, thereby, causing the music business to take a flourish turn.
“I see that there is going to be more Ghana Music creatives doing some of the most astonishing things globally. We are already seeing that, it’s happening. I am already saying there will be more people. There will definitely be more success stories globally for us to look at,” he stated.
“It addresses a long-running issue for farmers and ranchers when it comes to accessing tools, information and resources, while protecting John Deere’s intellectual property rights and ensuring equipment safety,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said.
Under the agreement, equipment owners and independent technicians will not be allowed to “divulge trade secrets” or “override safety features or emissions controls or to adjust Agricultural Equipment power levels.”
The firm looks forward to working with the AFBF and “our customers in the months and years ahead to ensure farmers continue to have the tools and resources to diagnose, maintain and repair their equipment,” Dave Gilmore, a senior vice president at Deere & Co. said.
Farmers are part of a grassroots right-to-repair movement that has been putting pressure on manufacturers to allow customers and independent repair shops to fix their devices.
In 2022, Apple launched a “self-service repair” scheme giving customers the ability to replace their own batteries, screens and cameras of recent iPhones.
“Consumers have long been complaining that products not only tend to break down faster than they used to, but that repairing them is often too costly, difficult to arrange for lack of spare parts, and sometimes impossible,” according to the European Parliamentary Research Service.
Some US states like New York and Massachusetts and have passed similar measures. President Biden signed an executive order in 2021 calling on the Federal Trade Commission to draw up a countrywide policy allowing customers to repair their own products, particularly in the technology and agriculture sectors.
However, it would mean existing shareholders, including the mining giant Glencore and the industrial equipment group Ashtead, would see their stakes heavily diluted.
Image caption, Britishvolt has produced designs of how its “gigafactory” would look but is yet to begin construction
The £4bn gigafactory – which would supply batteries for electric vehicles – has been delayed several times and has struggled to cope with rising costs.
Last year, Britishvolt narrowly avoided going into administration after running out of money, before existing investors stepped in with extra support.
The project has been promised £100m in government funding from the Automotive Transformation Fund, but this is conditional on project “milestones” being met.
Battery packs are major components of electric cars and represent a significant chunk of their value.
Experts have said gigafactories will be vital for the future of the British car industry, as petrol and diesel-powered vehicles are phased out.
However, aside from the Britishvolt project only one such factory is under construction in the UK. It is being build by Japanese firm Envision adjacent to Nissan’s car plant in Sunderland.
Ghanaian rapper, Kwaw Kese, has been trolled by a presidential staffer, Samuel Bryan Buabeng, after the former took to social media to share his thoughts on the Meek Mill brouhaha.
A disappointed Kwaw Kese, in a Twitter post, added his voice to the countless netizens lambasting the presidency for allowing Meek Mill to shoot a video at the Jubilee House.
“Ghana is not for Ghanaians, remember that,” his post read.
Shortly after that, a popular presidential staffer, Samuel Buabeng, took to Kwaw Kese’s comment section and dropped some comments which have been tagged as distasteful and uncalled for.
Describing the rapper as a ‘wee smoker’ who had never made efforts to project the image of the country globally, Bryan Buabeng wrote;
“When you had an opportunity to promote Ghana, you were more interested in the wee you smoked! Opro!.”
Although Kwaw Kese is yet to respond to Bryan’s comments, some individuals on social media have attacked the latter for disrespecting the musician.
Others are peeved about what they describe as his ‘unapologetic’ attitude in tackling the Meek Mill situation.
Meanwhile, there have been massive outbursts on social media after the American rapper’s music video recorded at the Jubilee house went viral.
In the said video, Meek Mill was spotted at different locations at the Jubilee House, from the frontage, through the main corridors, in the main conference hall, at a point positioned behind the presidential podium, and later in a sitting area rapping.
Some individuals who have been appalled by the development, have described it as a complete desecration of the seat of the president.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the country owe the government more than ¢400 million, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has stated.
The debts, he said are in the form of taxes stressing it was rather unfortunate that “the OMCs don’t want to pay taxes.”
Dr Abdul-Hamid said this when he inaugurated the newly refurbished 60-seater capacity conference hall of the Bono Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Sunyani, funded by the NPA through the Authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility fund.
He said although God had blessed the country, the bad attitudes of many Ghanaians remained the bane of the socioeconomic development of the nation.
“Change of attitude is required if we can build our nation,” Dr Abdul-Hamid stated, saying “we all have no choice but to contribute as little as we can because individual commitment is needed towards the holistic development of the nation.”
Comparing Ghana to other advanced countries, he said it would be a sign of ingratitude to “God and our forefathers if Ghanaians continue to speak ill of a country which offers all levels of education partially free to our people”.
“So, let’s all try and change our attitudes and rededicate ourselves to the development of our country because everybody, including the clergy, chiefs and queens, politicians and academia, has our share of running the country down.”
The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene expressed appreciation to the Management, Board and entire staff of the NPA for renovating the conference hall, which she added was left to deteriorate.
“The renovation of the conference hall is a testament of the good work of the NPA and for that matter Dr Abdul-Hamid,” she indicated, saying the facility had now been put in good shape to facilitate effective work of the RCC.
He also highlighted his view that face-to-face collaboration is key to “a creative business like ours”.
The announcement comes two months after Mr Iger’s shock return to Disney.
“Nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe, and create with peers that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors, Mr Iger said in a memo to employees seen by the BBC.
Like many other big companies, Disney allowed employees to work from home during the pandemic to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
Also like other major firms, Disney has now moved to bring staff back into its offices.
In recent months companies including Snap, Tesla and Uber have announced similar changes to their their working policies.
Since September employees of technology giant Apple have been required to work for three days a week in the firm’s offices.
In November, multi-billionaire Elon Musk ordered Twitter staff back to the office for 40 hours a week, ending the company’s permanent “work from anywhere” policy.
The decision by Mr Musk, who bought the social media platform in a $44bn (£38.7bn) deal, reportedly caused large numbers of staff to quit after he called on them to sign up for “long hours at high intensity” or leave.
Iger’s return
Mr Iger was brought back by the company’s board to steer it through a tough period after its share price plummeted and the Disney+ streaming service continued to run at a loss.
His return came less than a year after he had retired from the company. He previously headed Disney for 15 years.
Mr Iger replaced Bob Chapek, who took over as chief executive in February 2020.
Mr Chapek’s tenure as the boss of Disney included the shutdown of its theme parks due to Covid restrictions.
Wales captain Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football at the age of 33 after a glittering career.
The nation’s most-capped male player and record men’s goalscorer announced his decision on social media.
Bale, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, is arguably Wales’ finest-ever footballer.
“After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football,” Bale said.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love.”
Cardiff-born Bale’s club career took him from Southampton to Tottenham Hotspur and a world-record transfer to Spanish giants Real before his move to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC in June 2022.
He was his country’s talisman as they reached the 2016 and 2020 European Championships before he led Wales at their first World Cup since 1958 at Qatar 2022, ending his international career with 41 goals in 111 appearances.
Bale was twice named footballer of the year while at Tottenham, in 2010-11 and 2012-13, and moved to Real for what was then a world-record fee of more than £80m in September 2013.
During his time in the Spanish capital, Bale helped Real win three league titles and five Champions League titles – a number no other British player has matched – along with three Club World Cups, three Uefa Super Cups and a Spanish cup.
“It [football] has truly given me some of the best moments of my life,” added Bale.
“The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.”
From St Mary’s to the Bernabeu
Bale had joined Tottenham in a deal worth a reported £10m in 2007 having played 45 times for Southampton, scoring five goals.
Having been used primarily as a left-back in his early career, he really began to thrive in a Spurs shirt when operating further forward, catching the eye, especially with a scintillating hat-trick in the Champions League at the San Siro against European champions Inter Milan.
Bale’s scintillating Spurs form secured the move to Real, where his spell was not always positive despite the fact he scored 104 goals in more than 250 appearances for the club, including two in a match-winning performance in the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool.
That was one of five European titles with Real, but injuries and inconsistent form leading to fewer first-team opportunities as his time in Spain went on.
In 2019, Bale looked on the verge of moving to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning but the proposed transfer broke down, with the forward saying at the time that Real had “blocked” the move.
His relationship with the Spanish giants was further impacted after he celebrated Wales’ qualification for Euro 2020 with a Welsh flag emblazoned with the words ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order’.
He returned to Tottenham on loan in 2021-22 – and scored 17 goals to give him an overall Spurs record of 72 goals in 237 games at a club where he is still adored – before making just seven club appearances for Madrid in the following campaign, his last as a Real player.
After his Real contract expired, Bale joined LAFC on a 12-month deal, though his spell in the US was blighted by fitness issues.
Bale managed 13 appearances – including only two starts – for LAFC, though he did help the club lift the MLS Cup for the first time in November by scoring a last-minute equaliser in extra time to set up a penalty shootout which his side won.
‘Opportunity for a new adventure’
“To show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey feels like an impossibility,” Bale said.
“I feel indebted to many people for helping to change my life and shape my career in a way I couldn’t have ever dreamed of when I first started out at nine years old.
“To my previous clubs Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC, all of my previous managers and coaches, backroom staff, team-mates, all the dedicated fans, my agents, my amazing friends and family, the impact you have had is immeasurable.
“My parents and my sister, without your dedication in the early days, without such a strong foundation, I wouldn’t be writing this statement right now, so thank you for putting me on this path and for your unwavering support.
“My wife and my children, your love and support has carried me through. Right beside me for all the highs and lows keeping me grounded along the way, you inspire me to be better and to make you proud.
“So I move on with anticipation to the next stage of my life, a time of change in transition and opportunity for a new adventure.”
Ending Wales’ 58-year wait
While he faced criticism at times from Real fans, Bale’s contribution was never questioned by Welsh fans.
Wales went out of the recent World Cup at the group stage, with their loss to England proving to be the final appearance of Bale’s career.
It was not a fitting end for a player who achieved extraordinary feats with his country.
Bale made his Southampton debut as a 16-year-old in April 2006, and his first senior cap followed a matter of weeks later.
That made Bale Wales’ youngest international – although that record has since been broken.
That first appearance, in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in May 2006, marked the start of a Wales career in which Bale inspired his country to the best spell in their history.
Having ended a 58-year wait for a major tournament appearance by qualifying for Euro 2016, Wales produced a sensational run to the semi-finals, only losing to eventual winners Portugal.
They also made it to the knockout stages of the next European Championship before last summer’s play-off final win over Ukraine saw Wales clinch their long-awaited return to the World Cup.
“My decision to retire from international football has been by far the hardest of my career,” Bale said.
“How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me? How do I articulate the impact it has had on my life? How do I put into words the way I felt every single time I put on that Welsh shirt? My answer is that I couldn’t possibly do any of those things justice simply with words.
“But I know that every person involved in Welsh football feels the magic and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel without using any words at all.
“My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. The fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales has given me something incomparable to anything else I’ve experienced.
“I’m honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the Red Wall and together have been to unexpected and amazing places.
“I shared a dressing room with boys that became brothers and backroom stuff that became family.
“I played for the most incredible managers and felt the undying support and love from the most dedicated fans in the world. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me.
“So for now I am stepping back but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins after all the dragon on my shirt is all I need.”
It launched legal action against Mr Easterbrook, accusing him of lying about sexual relationships with staff.
In December 2021, Mr Easterbrook returned the money and apologised for failing to uphold the firm’s values.
On Monday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States said that he had made “false and misleading statements to investors”.
It added: “Easterbrook knew or was reckless in not knowing that his failure to disclose these additional violations of company policy prior to his termination would influence McDonald’s disclosures to investors related to his departure and compensation.”
McDonald’s was also charged by the SEC with “shortcomings” in its public disclosures related to Easterbrook’s firing.
However, the agency said the firm had “substantially co-operated” with the investigation and would not be hit with any fines as a result.
McDonald’s said the SEC order reinforced the fact it held Mr Easterbrook “accountable for his misconduct”.
“We fired him, and then sued him upon learning that he lied about his behaviour,” it said.
“The company continues to ensure our values are part of everything we do, and we are proud of our strong ‘speak up’ culture that encourages employees to report conduct by any employee, including the CEO, that falls short of our expectations.”
Mr Easterbrook, a UK citizen who grew up in Watford, Hertfordshire, led McDonald’s from March 2015 to November 2019, after previously leading its UK operations.
He was widely credited with revitalising the firm’s menus, remodelling stores and using better ingredients. The value of its shares more than doubled during his tenure in the US.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has issued a press release to mourn the death of Mark Addo, the Director of Competitions of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The Ghana FA on Monday, January 9, confirmed the passing of the football administrator.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports has learnt with shock and grief the demise of Mr. Mark Addo, the Director of competitions at the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
“The Ministry led by the sector Minister, Hon Mustapha Ussif wishes to commiserate with the family and leadership of the GFA,” parts of a statement issued by the Sports Ministry said on Tuesday.
It continued, “We express our sincere condolences to the bereaved family, the GFA, and the entire football fraternity for this loss.
“The Ministry would like to use this opportunity to assure the family and the GFA that our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult period of grief. May the soul of our departed brother rest in peace.”
Below is a copy of the release from the Sports Ministry:
Some winners questioned the worth of the cans and complained after discovering they were gold-plated.
Mr Watt admitted he “falsely thought” the cans were made from solid gold.
The co-founder and chief executive of the Scottish Brewer said he “misunderstood the process of how they were made” and made a “silly mistake” by telling customers in initial promotional tweets that the cans were “solid gold cans”.
“Those were 3 very expensive mistaken tweets that I sent out in my enthusiasm for our new campaign,” Mr Watt said in a post on LinkedIn on Saturday.
Mr Watt said that because it was his error, he had contacted all 50 gold can winners to offer them the “full cash amount” as an alternative to the prize if they were unhappy”.
“All in all, it ended up costing me around £470,000 – well over 2 and a half years’ salary,” he added.
Image caption, James Watt founded Brewdog in Fraserburgh in 2007
In his post, the Brewdog boss revealed he now owned 40 of the gold cans.
After conducting its investigation, the ASA said it received 25 complaints in relation to three social media adverts stating its can prize was made from “solid gold”.
As well as complaints over the prize’s authenticity, some questioned how much the can was worth, with Brewdog claiming it was valued at £15,000.
The ASA said Brewdog told investigators that a single 330ml can, made with the equivalent 330ml of pure gold, would have a gold value of about $500,000 (£363,000) at the time in October 2021.
But the watchdog considered a general audience was unlikely to be aware of the price of gold, “how that would translate into the price of a gold can, and whether that was inconsistent with the valuation as stated in the ad”.
Mr Watt reiterated in his LinkedIn post on Saturday that the “valuation of £15,000 per can was accurate”.
Brewdog has faced criticism for its marketing campaigns in the past, as well as its workplace culture.
It made a number of allegations, including that Brewdog fostered a culture where staff were afraid to speak out about concerns.
Mr Watt previously apologised to former staff and said their complaints would help make him a better chief executive.
Urinary Tract infection, popularly known as UTI, is a bacterial infection that affects the Urinary tract and components involved in urine production. This happens when bacteria get into the wrong tract of the body.
Speaking on the Health Segment of GTV Breakfast Show, a Pediatrician at the Korle Bu Hospital, Dr Annie Owusu stated that the major cause for UTI in children and especially in girls is when they are cleaning themselves after using the restroom due to improper cleaning.
”Pre-Schoolers are the ones much prone to this infection, mostly as a result of neglect”.
Dr. Owusu noted that UTI can be attributed to some symptoms that indicate other illnesses including fever, constant vomiting and diarrhea, sluggishness and lack of appetite to toddlers whilst Pain in urination or frequent urination, cloudy urine and colorization is common in the older children.
She advised that although some illnesses could be swept under the carpet, Parents should endeavor to treat UTI with urgency as neglection could lead to extreme cases such as kidney failure in kids.
The firm said the new warehouses would be “state of the art” robotic facilities located in Peddimore, West Midlands, and Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.
“We’re always evaluating our network to make sure it fits our business needs and to improve the experience for our employees and customers,” the company said.
Amazon, which launched in the UK in 1998, expanded rapidly during the pandemic.
It currently employs about 70,000 people in the UK, including 400 workers at the Doncaster centre, 500 at Hemel Hempstead and 300 at Gourock.
The firm operates two other warehouses in Doncaster as well as one in Dunstable, about 20 minutes drive from Hemel Hempstead, which Amazon said may be able to absorb staff affected by the closures.
‘Kick in the teeth’
But Steve Garelick, GMB union officer for Hemel Hempstead, called the moves a “real kick in the teeth for Amazon staff who worked themselves into the ground during the festive rush”.
It may be difficult for workers to take roles further away from their homes, he added.
“Hard-up Amazon workers can’t suddenly be expected to up sticks and move to a different fulfilment centre which may be many miles away,” he said.
Katy Clark, Labour MSP for West of Scotland, called the decision to shut the Gourock warehouse after 19 years in the area “appalling”.
She added: “This is devastating for the local community and the 300 workers who may find themselves out of a job.
“These workers have been heroic supporting households and providing vital supplies throughout the pandemic and holiday periods.
“The Scottish Government needs to intervene as a matter of urgency to support these workers back into employment.”
Amazon has faced growing pressure over workers’ rights since the pandemic.
Hundreds of workers at a warehouse in Coventry voted last month to stage what is believed to be the first strike action at the company in the UK. The walkout, part of a row over pay, is set to happen on 25 January.
The people of Bornya-Nnyerede in the New Juaben South Municipality of the Eastern Region, have organized a grand durbar to climax the week-long celebration of their maiden edition of the Huemsɛm Festival to witness the entering or migrating into the forest.
The maiden festival is aimed at generating funds in order to build a Police Post to enhance safety and security in the Community.
The Assistant Community Chief of Bornya-Nnyerede, Nene Darnor Dutornu noted that the festival which will be celebrated every year is also to remember their forefathers who came from Somanya-Bornya in Yilo Krobo Municipality to establish the Community in the New Juaben South Municipality.
He noted that the Community that started with less than five people can now boast of over five hundred people hence the need to build a police post and hospital in the Community.
He further called on the government through the MCE for New Juaben South, Isaac Apau-Gyasi and MP for New Juaben South Constituency, Michael Okyere Baafi to help them establish the police post and CHPS Compound or Clinic in the area.
Nene Dutornu also appealed to philanthropists, well to live Ghanaians in and around Bornya-Nnyerede to support the course. The Chairman for the programme and the General Secretary of the Ga-Dangme Council of Chiefs, Francis Opai Tetteh showed his appreciation for the people of New Juaben, Okere, Akyem, Asante among others across the country who gave their lands to Krobos to farm and ply their trade. He noted that Krobos cherish that peaceful coexistence and moving forward such peaceful relationship should be strengthened.
Nene Opai Tetteh also advised Ga-Dangmes to hold themselves in high esteem wherever they find themselves. He advised that the next celebration of the Huemsɛm festival should be expanded to include all Krobos living in and around the New Juaben land.
The 2020 NDC Parliamentary Candidate for New Juaben South, Martin Otu Ofei pledged support for the establishment of the Police Post and the Community Clinic.
Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate (ARPAD) of the University of Ghana Miss Pascaline Songsore, has indicated that the security of the students is paramount to the University. However, aggrieved students can seek redress on issues through appropriate institutions established by the institution.
Speaking on GTV’S Breakfast Show via Zoom in rebuttal to some allegations raised by some alumina of the school on the recent happenings at the University of Ghana, Miss Sangsore explained that the University is governed by “statutes” and they will not take any decision without going through the obligatory process.
Commenting on the recent actions by the students, she said the actions of the two Traditional Halls (Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah Hall) of the University of Ghana in recent times have brought nothing, but, chaos to the University and cost so far as the “time and resources” are concerned.
She explained that management has not refused anyone who follows the residency process correctly.
”The University only gives admission, and students are later allowed to go online to look for residency, even with that residential board is doing everything best to assist students in their endeavors”, Miss Songsore noted.
Going further, she stated that the University has the right to amend its constitution. And New Policies passed are to facilitate teaching and learning which is part if not the most important aspect of the University’s curriculum.
Therefore, aggrieved students must follow procedures for redress.
Ukraine war: Russia controls most of destroyed salt mine town, Soledar, says UK
Image caption, Ukraine’s president has said there is “almost no life left” after fighting in Soledar (picture taken 5 January)
Russian troops and the mercenary Wagner Group have made advances in the past four days, the UK says.
Soledar is near Bakhmut, where Ukraine is also locked in a bloody battle.
President Zelensky said there was “almost no life” in Soledar, with “no whole walls left”.
He also said “the whole land near Soledar is covered with the corpses of the occupiers”.
“This is what madness looks like,” he added.
Soledar – which had a population of around 10,000 before the war – may be seen mainly as a stepping stone to capturing Bakhmut, and its strategic value is questionable.
The UK said part of the fighting had focused on entrances to the 200km-long disused tunnels and that both Russia and Ukraine “are likely concerned that they could be used for infiltration behind their lines”.
Mr Prigozhin has confirmed his interest in the mines, calling them “the icing on the cake” in the strategic importance of the Bakhmut area.
He described them as a “network of underground cities” that can hold “a big group of people at a depth of 80-100 metres”, and can also allow tanks and other military vehicles to move freely.
However, Britain believes Russia is “unlikely” to take Bakhmut itself immediately due to Ukraine’s “stable defence lines”.
Meanwhile, a senior military official from the US Department of Defense said on Monday there was a “good portion” of Soledar in Russian hands.
Fighting around Bakhmut has been going on for months, and the US official described the most recent exchanges as “savage”.
Two British nationals have gone missing in the region and were last seen heading to Soledar.
Image caption, UK nationals Andrew Bagshaw (L) and Christopher Parry (R) were doing voluntary work, police said, but have not been heard of since Friday
In his nightly address, Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his thanks to soldiers defending Soledar, saying their resilience “won additional time and additional strength for Ukraine”.
According to a Facebook post by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, soldiers on Monday repelled attacks near 13 population centres – including Soledar and Bakhmut.
Serhiy Cherevaty, spokesman for Ukraine’s eastern forces, said in a television interview that Soledar had been struck 86 times by artillery over the past 24 hours.
He claimed Wagner’s best fighters were being deployed and that Russia was using World War One-style tactics, while suffering heavy losses.
“This is basically not a 21st Century war,” he said.
What is Russia’s Wagner Group of mercenaries?
Defying Russia in the city ‘at end of the world’
Despite the long and intense battle, Oleh Zhdanov – a highly respected military analyst in Ukraine – believes that neither Soledar nor Bakhmut are especially important from an operational point of view.
Mr Zhdanov said in an interview on Monday with the Ukrainian newspaper Gazeta that Russia “is trying to prove to the whole world that its army is capable of winning”.
Russia has suffered several setbacks in Ukraine since its invasion nearly a year ago – including losing control of the only regional capital it had managed to capture.
Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think-tank, has said that Mr Prigozhin “will continue to use both confirmed and fabricated Wagner Group success in Soledar and Bakhmut to promote the Wagner Group as the only Russian force in Ukraine capable of securing tangible gains”.
Both teams were not able to control the game in the early minutes which resulted in the goalkeepers not being forced into any save at the Trico Stadium.
Bernard Mensah with down in the 12th minute after a Bedford Town player jumped over him. He was treated and allowed to continue.
In the 24th minute, Redditch United came close to scoring the game’s first goal. Flanagan’s short corner was curled to the back post, Ryan Wollacott headed downwards and the ball bounces off of the underside of the crossbar, Mensah reacted quickly to push the ball into the net but the ball was cleared off the line.
Before the break, Mensah again had a chance but his shot was blocked. He then tried again after the block but the ball went wide.
Redditch United broke the deadlock in the 68th minute through Bernard Mensah. Max Sheaf slipped the ball to Mensah who hits the ball beyond Eve into the bottom left corner.
The Reds added the second goal in the 72nd minute Ryan Wollacott headed home from a Flanagan corner.
Max Sheaf smashed home Redditch United’s third goal after Bernard Mensah’s shot was blocked. Bedford Town’s Dreyer was sent off in the 87th minute after a foul on Mensah.
After this result, Redditch United is 7th on the league table with 36 points after 25 games and Bedford Town is 16th with 28 points.
The 1.7% growth figure would be the lowest since 1991, with the exceptions of the recessions of 2009 and 2020, which were caused by the global financial crisis and the Covid pandemic.
“Over the past two decades, slowdowns of this scale have foreshadowed a global recession,” the bank warned, adding that it anticipated “a sharp, long-lasting slowdown”.
If a global recession were to occur, it would be the first time since the 1930s that there have been two global recessions within the same decade.
Image caption, Economic growth is being stunted by inflation, which has been driven higher by food and energy prices in many countries
The US, the Eurozone and China are the three most influential parts of the world for economic growth, however the report said they were “all undergoing a period of pronounced weakness”. It said that was making the problems faced by other, poorer, countries, worse.
The aim is to tackle the cost-of-living crisis that millions are suffering, but it has also stifled business investments, and the report warned that more companies were struggling with their debts.
Food and energy have been two of the biggest contributors to inflation, which could become more “persistent”. Media caption,
Why are things so expensive? The BBC’s Faisal Islam answers your inflation questions in 90 seconds
The World Bank said it expected the global pace of price rises to slow from 7.6% to 5.2% this year. However, that would remain significantly higher than the 2% rate many central banks work towards.
Central banks including the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England are trying to navigate a delicate path to curb inflation while not tipping their economies into recession.
Energy prices are “expected to ease” in 2023, the Bank said, thanks to an increase in global production and less demand in Europe, where an energy crisis has led businesses and households to reduce their use of gas.
But it warned that some “prices spikes are possible”.
Crop prices are forecast to fall 5% this year but they will still be significantly higher than they were a few years ago, having risen by 13% in 2022.
Popular American radio and TV host, Charlamagne tha God, has been speaking about his experience in Ghana during the Christmas holidays.
According to Charlamagne, although he thoroughly enjoyed Ghana his time in Ghana, especially the nightlife, he had some reservations about the quality of service in the country’s hospitality industry.
According to him, his visit with his wife and kids was to specifically see the Door of No Return but the service at some restaurants left a lot to be desired.
Charlamagne said he spent three hours waiting for food at some restaurants but got used to it after a while.
“Let me tell you something about service in Ghana, it is the nicest most terrible service you will ever receive,” Charlamagne said on the Brilliant Idiots comedic podcast with Andrew Schulz.
“The service is terrible but they are so nice about it that you can’t even be mad.”
He further suggested that the poor quality of service could be responsible for some of the country’s economic challenges.
Charlamagne said during his stay in the country, he heard some Ghanaians complain about the poor quality of service and asked for it to be improved.
“Other than that it was an incredible experience and I think that everybody should go, whether you are black or white”.
Incredible place
The Breakfast Club radio host also described Ghana as an incredibly peaceful place with petty theft as the only crime issue. He revealed that his Yeezy slides were stolen but he got them back in 25 minutes.
He also spoke about the similarities between Ghana and his home state of South Carolina in the 1980s, adding that he will be visiting the country again.
Charlamagne also clarified confusion surrounding his ownership of a beachfront property in the country and his wonderful experience at a Ghanaian strip club.
Vice President of Imani Africa, Mr. Kofi Bentil, has stated that the role of a Deputy Minister is not necessary.
According to him, the Chief Director of the Ministry can perform the duties of a deputy minister just as well.
Therefore, he has demanded that the position of Deputy Minister be completely abolished.
“I am of the full View that Deputy Ministers are needless !!Chief Directors must do their work! Abolish the post,” he said in a Facebook post.
Mr Bentil, in a a sperate radio interview, also raised raised concerns against a large government size.
To him, a large government size is not the solution to the economic challenges.
he stated “If you have competent people, you don’t need that many people.”
“The largest government in the history of this country has given us the worst performance.”
“When the president set up the largest government we’ve ever had in this country, many people said this is wrong signaling. If you have competent people, you don’t need that many people. We said a lot on that issue but the president responded that they would make sure that their numbers justified themselves over time.
“Today, we have suffered the lowest rating in our economy ever. Our economy has crashed to the ground and many things have been flushed down the toilet. The largest government in the history of this country has given us the worst performance.” Kofi Bentil said.
A statement issued by the Association described Ken Ofori-Atta as grossly incompetent amid seeking IMF bailout and the country defaulting on its external debt payments.
The Association further said, “his incompetence has been clearly written on the walls and Ghanaians feel the brunt of the outcome which is an unprecedented economic hardship.
“His gross incompetency has sunk Ghana’s economy into a ditch. We are battling with the situation of a frail currency, high inflation rates and unstable prices for petrol. All these are factors that have made it difficult for us to live and take proper care of our families,” the statement from the Association added.
“We expect that you ensure his removal before the end of this month [January 2023]. Any failure on your part to effect the finance Minister’s removal shall be deemed as a compromise,” the Association stressed.
Ken Ofori-Atta was last year hauled before parliament by the Minority caucus under seven grounds of a censure motion against him.
The motion subsequently failed after the Majority caucus staged a walkout before a vote was taken by the House to censure the Finance Minister.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo on January 6, 2023, assigned Ken Ofori-Atta to take over as caretaker minister at the Ministry of Trade of Industry. This comes after Alan Kyerematen resigned from the position on January 5, 2023.
The appointment of Ofori-Atta is until a substantive minister is assigned for the position.
Politicians, he claimed, are to blame for the cedi’s rapid devaluation since they are said to be hoarding dollars for their own gain.
Prior to strengthening a bit in December 2022, the Ghana cedi lost approximately 60% of its value.
On January 10, 2023, it is, nevertheless, being sold for GH 12.20.
“One thing that causes big demand for dollars is corruption. All the money they are making and stealing is not in cedis but in dollars. They must change dollars. So, they hide it under their beds, and when they get the opportunity, they put it outside,” he is quoted by myjoyonline.com.
“Ghana’s exchange rate regime is a pathetic one. The so-called politicians are the ones hoarding the dollars, but it’s seen out there as if they are not the cause of all this. Corruption is part of our problem, and we need to work on it.”
“The importation of goods is too much. So, we need to make bold decisions that stop all of this. We owe so if that’s the case then it’s fine, but we have to work on some areas of the economy for sustainable growth,” he added.
He emphasized that the fact that “the OMCs don’t want to pay taxes” was regrettable and that the debts were in the form of taxes.
When he opened the newly renovated conference room for the Bono Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Sunyani, which had been paid for by the NPA through the Authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility fund, Dr. Abdul-Hamid made this statement.
“Change of attitude is required if we can build our nation,” Dr. Abdul-Hamid stated, saying “we all have no choice but to contribute as little as we can because individual commitment is needed towards the holistic development of the nation.”
Comparing Ghana to other advanced countries, he said it would be a sign of ingratitude to “God and our forefathers if Ghanaians continue to speak ill of a country which offers all levels of education partially free to our people”.
“So, let’s all try and change our attitudes and rededicate ourselves to the development of our country because everybody, including the clergy, chiefs and queens, politicians and academia, has our share of running the country down.”
Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, expressed appreciation to the Management, Board and entire staff of the NPA for renovating the conference hall, which she added was left to deteriorate.
“The renovation of the conference hall is a testament of the good work of the NPA and for that matter Dr. Abdul-Hamid,” she indicated, saying the facility had now been put in good shape to facilitate effective work of the RCC.
A 10-year-old boy has been electrocuted to death at Beppoh, a community in the Prestea Huni Valley municipality.
Emmanuel Owusu Ampoma, a fourth-grade pupil at Beppoh Methodist Primary School, was playing with his friends when the unfortunate happened on the afternoon of Saturday, January 7, 2023.
Speaking to GhanaWeb, the Assembly member for the area, Thomas Yaw Enyam, explained that, “someone tapped electricity with a 2.5mm cable from a store for his business, but the cable got torn with one side of the cable hanging in the middle of the road. So, while the children were playing, the boy held the cable, which electrocuted him by lifting him up and landing him on the ground. He was quickly rushed to the Beppoh Clinic but unfortunately died on the way to the health centre.”
He explained that he informed the Bogoso Police Command, who came there for investigation.
The Assembly member disclosed to GhanaWeb that Emmanuel Owusu Ampoma was a guide to his visually impaired mother, but his demise has brought a lot of challenges to the mother as to who would help her in all the things Ampoma was helping her to do because of her impairment.
In a video, the woman is seen crying bitterly, calling for her son to come and guide her to a place.
Information gathered by GhanaWeb indicates that Ampoma made sure he put food and water in a place that would be easily accessible to the mother anytime she was ready to eat. He always came to the house during break time to ensure that the mother was okay before he finally left from school.
The assemblyman attributed the death of Ampoma to negligence and ignorance.
According to him, people who had been using the road in that area knew that the cable was hanging, but did not report it to any authority, so the right thing was done.
“After the incident happened, I heard some of the folks in the community say they saw the hanging cable but did not know it was live cable,” he added.
He said he has informed the Electricity Company of Ghana to come into the community to educate citizens on how to use electricity so that this unfortunate event does not happen again.
The Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana Fire Service says it recorded 23 incidents of fire outbreaks in the first week of 2023.
In a release published on the Facebook page of the Fire Service, the institution said the region also recorded three incidents of traffic accidents in the first week of the year.
“From the 1st of January 2023 to the 7th of January 2023, the Eastern Region has recorded twenty-three (23) fire outbreaks and three (3) accidents.
“Bushfires topped the category of fires with eleven (11) incidents (due to the harmattan season that has set in), followed by domestic fires with four (4) incidents, and then commercial fires with three (3) incidents. Vehicular fires were two (2), refuse dump fires (others) also two (2) and industrial fires one (1). “Six (6) casualties were recorded as a result of the three (3) accidents recorded,” the release said.
According to the report, the Eastern Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Jennifer Naa Yarley Quaye, has expressed disappointment over the development.
She has assured that her command is ready and committed to dealing with fires and fire-related incidents throughout the year.
Incidents of fire outbreaks in Ghana are usually at their highest during the harmattan season.
Media personality, Akumaa Mama Zimbi, says hookup culture is a clear form of prostitution.
According to her, regardless of the fanciful names – hookups or slay queens – individuals offer casual sex in return for a fee or favour.
The marriage counsellor made these comments as a guest hostess on the 6th Sense Show on Joy Prime.
“It is prostitution. Crystal clear prostitution, and you can’t say anything about it. Then there’s the threesome and the foursome. The lady alone can hook the guys. It has gone to the next level,” she said.
There are concerns over the practise of hooking up girls and boys in our society and how it is eroding Ghanaian values.
Despite being a criminal offence in Ghana, people are finding ways and means to engage in illegal activity for various reasons.
Akumaa Mama Zimbi said prostitution takes different forms, and one does not need to be in an obscure location or wait until the night to be able to engage in the act.
She mentioned that hookups are largely done on social media and that the proliferation of cell phones, websites, and hookup apps has modernised the practice, which is gradually gaining popularity in Ghana.
The guest hostess revealed instances where ladies are flown to Dubai just for one-night stands, as well as hookup girls taking their trade into churches to lure unsuspecting pastors.
“We even have those who go to the church places and then lure some of the pastors who are not really godly. Their dressing alone; their makeup alone; and the kind of perfume…I will see the man of God after church for consultation’ and if you don’t know God and you’re not strong, in your office, that lady, that woman, will rape you beautifully, nicely, and romantically,’ the host of Adom TV’s Odo Ahomaso Show indicated.
Mama Zimbi also suggested that there are ten forms of prostitution, and hookup is just one of them.
She is of the opinion that individuals who engage in hookups to earn money are lazy.
She, however, advised ladies, especially, not to engage in such culture, as it has the potential of jeopardising their lives.
Kwame Goka, the owner of a nightclub in Accra, has refuted allegations that his bouncers injured Stacy Thiru, an American influencer, and left her with a bleeding nose.
In an Instagram post, blogger Gharticles shared a screenshot of a private conversation with the CEO outlining how the event happened.
The club owner said that an older guy who had entered the club with a younger woman didn’t like being taped and seized the influencer’s phone.
“It was an older man that tried to grab her phone because she recorded him with a girl he had with him,” he said.
He added, “He tried to take her phone and got hit her face with her own phone. She hit her own face with her own phone. People were there. No one touched her.”
According to Kwame Goka, the influencer chose not to call the police when the media offered to assist, and he is curious as to her decision.
He also added that she was completely aware that the man who struck her with her phone was not one of his employees.
“She was aware that the person who hit her didn’t work at his nightclub. Ask why there is no police case. She begged when FM wanted to take it all to the police. Her brothers said that’s the way she gets when she drinks. She was drunk.
“Lol. I don’t sweat bs. She knew the guy was not with us. She knew. He had a girl. He spoke to her. Even those that she claimed helped,” he added.
On January 20, 2023, the Boston-based influencer posted on her social media pages about an assault, specifically on Instagram and Twitter, with the caption, “Got beat up by a bouncer last night at a t***t night club in Ghana.”
24 hours later, she posted a video, ostensibly from the incident the previous night. She had blood oozing from her nose as she spoke in an almost sobbing voice.
She captioned the post thus: “This is so embarrassing but it is what it is, don’t go to T***t night club is Ghana.”
“It’s not fun, and the bouncers are extremely abusive. This isn’t the first time I’ve experienced it at that club, but it’s definitely my last,” she added.
On Monday, January 9, the price of crude oil soared as a result of China, one of the largest economies in the world, opening its borders.
China is one of the biggest crude oil importers, so when their borders were opened again, demand increased and the price of crude oil rose from US$74.67 to US$79.47 a barrel.
The government will benefit from the increase in commodity prices since it will increase government revenue.
On the other hand, the rise, coupled with the recent depreciation of the cedi is also expected to lead to increased prices of finished petroleum products at the pumps which would put pressure on consumers.
Nana Odeneho Kweku Kyeremanteng, the president of the Konongo Odumase Senior High School (Anuanom) Old Students Association, is mobilizing support for the endowment fund.
According to him, it had become crucial for the school to have a dependable source of funding that would support academic and infrastructure improvements in the institution in light of the economic issues facing the nation.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic on a plan to raise $5million for the fund to help improve upon facilities in the school, Odeneho Kyeremanteng said after 70 years of producing quality education and raising people who had gone on to play significant roles in the nation’s development, it was time the school was also given a befitting facelift.
“People may think the $5 million is an audacious amount, but we say it is realistic because it is possible to raise the money and I’m calling on all Anuanom (as old students of KOSS are called) as well as friends to help raise the money to support the school,” he said.
“The school will be celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and as part of the celebrations, we will have to get to the various year groups to be better organised to serve as the base for both the celebrations and galvanise contributions into the Fund,” Odeneho Kyeremanteng explained.
He said that already, a 17-member Board of Trustees had been inaugurated to spearhead the management of the fund and to mobilise resources into it.
Dubbed, “Koss Endowment Fund”, it will be used to support the school through the acquisition of teaching and learning materials to enhance the academic performance of the students.
It will also be used to support brilliant financially challenged students who want to pursue programmes in the school.
Fundraisers
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Reverend Sampson Kwaku Baofo, said the board would work closely with the 70th anniversary planning committee to come up with activities to raise funds and ultimately meet the set target of $5 million.
He said it would be a collective effort and since it was going to be a revolving fund, the board would ensure that they put in place the structures for the fund to meet its objective.
“We are here to work as a team for the benefit of our great school so there is no room for individualism.
“Our goal is to raise $5 million and that is what we will do,” he said.
In his defence, the artiste manager cum entertainment critic said he never intended to threaten the President or breach the peace.
Rather, he said he wanted to appeal to the President’s conscience to help the customers of Menzgold.
However, in her sentence, the judge was of the considered opinion Bulldog could not had intended to appeal to the conscience of the President due to the gravity of his statement.
The judge said the statement clearly threatened the President and was meant to incite people against the First Gentleman of the land.
“What he said could have serious security implications as it put the President in danger,” the judge said.
Considering that the Finance Minister [Ken Ofori-Atta] has performed appallingly during the present economic crisis, which is now seeking an IMF bailout and just defaulted on its foreign debt payments, he thinks the decision is particularly risky.
“There are a lot of reasons why this Finance Minister can be described as selfish and greedy. Go and find out the faces behind the Enterprise Insurance Company and go and look out for the number of contracts they have gotten from the Finance Ministry. Go and find out how Databank has suddenly become a major player in borrowing in this country,” he is quoted by citinewsroom.com
“If he [Ken Ofori-Atta] is not a greedy person and selfish, why is he still in office when his own Members of Parliament are saying he should resign? If he thinks that he is offering us something good, can’t he resign if he has a conscience?” the MP queried.
“When incompetence and arrogance meet, it becomes very dangerous. One may be incompetent and is ready to learn and listen, and it may be well for us, but once the person is arrogant and incompetent, it is very dangerous for our country and that is where we find ourselves now,” Mintah Akandoh said.
Meanwhile, on January 6, 2023, President Akufo-Addo accepted the resignation of Alan Kyerematen as Trade Minister. The outgoing minister becomes the longest serving minister for the position in the 4th Republic.
A statement issued by the Presidency on the same date directed Ken Ofori-Atta to take over as caretaker minister of Trade and Industry until a substantive appointment is made.
A 60-year-old man who was mauled to death over the weekend by his own dogs in the South African town of Lichtenburg, has been formally identified as Zambian football star, Philemon Mulala.
Mr Mulala’s wife is reported to have found him lifeless in the garden of their home and quickly called for the emergency services who pronounced him dead at the scene, according to a statement by the South African Police Service.
Tributes have been pouring in with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) leading the way. FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala told South Africa’s Times Live newspaper; “We remain with wonderful memories that the late Philemon honoured us with on the pitch.”
Mr Mulala moved to South Africa in the 1980s to play for the Kaizer Chiefs and later, the Cape Town Spurs.
The South African Police Service has said that an inquest docket has been opened and investigation into the matter continues.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have removed the three dogs from their home and put them in shelters.
Sadik Maulid, a native of Kaliua District in Tabora Region sensed something was wrong when he recently returned home for a three-week holiday. In the past, donkeys were frequently seen in the region but he did not see any this time around.
The resident of Tabata in Dar es Salaam has not seen the beast of burden since 2012 when he moved to the commercial city.
His two children, aged six and four, have never seen a donkey because they were born and raised in the city, and even when they go to Tabora, they do not see the animals.
“Frankly speaking, this animal is becoming rare,” he says, adding; “This is not normal.”
“In the past, you would easily see the animals because most of our neighbors kept donkeys,” he says.
The donkey is a working animal that is said to be in danger of extinction if appropriate measures are not taken by various countries, including Tanzania, where the animal has become rare in recent years.
The areas where donkeys are mostly found include Singida, Dodoma, Siha, Bomang’ombe, Shinyanga, Longido, Simanjiro, Kiteto, Same, Morogoro, Tanga, and Iringa Rural.
One of the reasons cited as to why the domesticated animal is in danger of extinction is the large-scale harvesting of donkey meat and skin that was previously taking place in Dodoma, Singida, and Shinyanga.
Investors from China opened slaughter factories in Dodoma and Shinyanga, and were slaughtering up to 500 donkeys per day.
The population of donkeys was estimated at 657,000 in 2018/19 with activists calling for their protection.
The government has already banned the slaughter of donkeys for commercial purposes and closed all donkey meat factories.
Risk of extinction
Commenting on the animals being in danger of extinction, the executive director of the Tanzania Animal Welfare Society (Taweso), Dr. Thomas Kahema, says they realized this in 2014 in Dodoma Region after some Chinese set up a donkey meat factory.
According to him, the animal welfare society started raising awareness of the importance to protect animals by championing the closure of the factory as well as educating the public about how to protect the animals.
“The challenge has been there, as donkeys are hardworking animals, whose reproduction rate has also been low. They may reproduce once every three to four years, and their lives are shortened because of the hard work that they do,” he says.
Based on this, he claims that when donkeys are harvested in large numbers, there is a high risk of extinction. This is not the case in Tanzania only, but also in other African countries that use donkeys as working animals.
He points out that the people of Asia, particularly the Chinese, who use donkey skin to make traditional medicineto slow aging, heal cancer, and boost men’s sexual prowess, is what drives the industry to flourish in the world.
“In such circumstances, the possibility of preventing donkeys from being slaughtered becomes less likely. Even if we manage to do so, they can still be smuggled to other countries and slaughtered.
“The protection of donkeys requires joint international efforts, without which the situation will be worse. So, it is important to protect them from being smuggled to countries where they would be slaughtered,” says Dr Kahema.
In order to ensure that the animals are protected at the community level, the director says they have sensitized residents to form groups of donkey owners so they can cooperate in protecting the animals and taking good care of them as is the case with other animals.
He notes that the donkey is a useful animal and insists that society should be sensitised on the importance of protecting the animal.
“There are communities that slaughter donkeys for meat. We have noticed that these communities eat a lot of donkey meat. They should stop eating donkey meat as it is not on the list of animal meat that is usually inspected for consumption,” he says.
Dr Kahema goes on to say that Tanzania has its Animal Welfare Act of 2008, which clearly explains how to protect animals. However, he says its implementation has been slow.
“The government should make sure there are meat inspectors throughout the country. These should be able to deal with the matter. The legal system is sound, but policy implementation has been difficult,” the director says.
He advises the government to join forces with other countries so they can come up with joint strategies that will help save the animals.
He also advises African countries to have talks with China in order to stop the large-scale slaughter of animals.
Government’s intervention
The Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Prof Hezron Nonga, says the government is aware of the problem and that it has taken various measures to protect and breed the animal.
He says 2018/19 statistics show that Tanzania has a total of 657,000 donkeys. Prof Nonga says the slaughter of donkeys increased rapidly following investments by Chinese companies in Shinyanga and Dodoma for the purpose.
“At that time, these companies could slaughter 500 donkeys per day, and if you look at the level of harvesting compared to the actual keeping of donkeys, it means that if this situation continued, it would lead to the complete extinction of donkeys,” he says.
Prof Nonga points out that donkeys could become extinct not because they are slaughtered a lot but because their breeding takes a long time.
“The gestation period for donkeys is around 14 months, and they give birth to a single foal, and a female donkey can give birth once or not at all in her lifetime, especially when living in a difficult environment, with a lot of work, little food, and poor care,” says Prof Nonga. The vet says after realizing the situation, the government banned the slaughter of donkeys in October 2021.
He explains that the commercial slaughter of donkeys is prohibited in Tanzania.
Prof Nonga says the second step that the government has taken is to ban the trade of donkey products such as meat and skin. He says people were exporting these to China.
The third step that the government took was sensitizing the citizens about the need for large-scale donkey farms in order to enhance the animal’s reproductive rate and prevent extinction.
“In the next financial year of 2023/24, we expect to allocate a special budget to facilitate the reproduction of donkeys in a bid to increase their number.”
He says this is important because the donkey is like an alternative tractor for the villagers who cannot buy a tractor.
Ghanaian dancehall musician, Shatta Wale, is among the few who have risen to the defense of American rapper Meek Mill, who came under attack for ‘disrespecting’ the Jubilee House in his music video shoot at the presidency.
Earlier this week, Meek, who was in Ghana for a performance in December 2022, published a video that captured him at the residence and office of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after photos of his meeting with Ghana’s leader circulated on social media.
The scenes sparked outrage on social media, with many questioning his audacity to freely shoot a video at the presidential palace in Accra.
A section of the public called for the heads of those who permitted him to shoot what has been described as a distasteful video, but on the account of Meek Mill, it was done on the blindside of authorities.
“I don’t think they knew it was video footage when we asked to shoot; its a small camera and one kid,” parts of his tweet dated January 9 read.
In the rapper’s public apology to Ghanaians and the Office of the President, he wrote: “My apologies to the people if any disrespect! We still gonna push to make the connection between black people in America and Africa … What I’m trying to do is more than a video, and you should see coming soon! My apologies to the office also!”
Ghana’s famous singer, Shatta Wale, was on a rant on social media for the unwarranted attack on Meek Mill, which he believes pushed him to tender an apology to citizens.
Shatta said to critics on Monday, “The apology you want Meek Mill has done… Now leave your phone and go work …your rent catch .”
In a separate tweet, the singer, who described Ghana as a village, added: “Meek Mill in fact, thank you for making the world see how beautiful and welcoming our country is …We love you including our president We are all your fans Forget everybody and do your ting!”
“I know what you want, The president should come and explain so you will use that to chop banku.”
Any attempt by the firm to “forcibly take over their grounds,” which are currently home to cocoa and other food and cash crops, “would arouse their anger,” claim the visibly incensed farmers, who claim they have not given their properties to Perseus Mining.
Addressing a press conference in Denkyira Breman in the Central Region recently, the Chief Farmer of the town, Emmanuel Boapong (aka Bojers), who acted as the Spokesperson for the farmers, cautioned that they will “set ablaze any mining equipment of Perseus found on their farmlands,” especially when they have not leased out their lands to the company.
He stressed that the over 100 farmers in Denkyira Breman who have no reason to sell their lands to Perseus cannot fathom why the mining company was hell-bent on taking possession of their lands.
“Our warning to Perseus is that we will burn any of their machines found on our farmlands. We have told them time without number that we will not give our lands to them for mining, and that we are content with our farming business, yet their machines are often found on our lands” the chief farmer stated.
According to the chief farmer, they have already informed both the Police Commanders at the Diaso District Police Command and the Dunkwa Divisional Police Command about their resolve to do everything humanly possible to protect their lands from the prying eyes of Perseus.
He questioned the motive behind the recent deployment of about 17 armed police officers from the Central Regional Police Command to the farmland of a widow, Madam Esther Konadu, who is also a farmer.
“In fact we have reason to believe that Perseus is ready to go the extra-mile to take the lands of especially farmers who are unwilling to lease out their lands to them,” he noted.
Winfrey is not only the wealthiest Black woman in America, but also ranks 1,169th on the list of the world’s richest people and 24th on Forbes’ list of the world’s 100 most powerful women as of 2022, with a net worth of $2.5 billion.
In addition to her successful media ventures, Winfrey has also demonstrated her expertise in investing in high-end real estate.
In September 2022, she sold her Montecito estate in California for a profit of $6.6 million. Winfrey purchased the 2.1-acre estate, which includes a Mediterranean-style main house and two small cottages, for $10.5 million in 2020 and made additional renovations.
Winfrey’s diverse investments and businesses in the media industry have contributed to her impressive net worth and position as a powerful woman and as a beacon of hope to many, especially people of ccolor
As the host of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” for 25 years, Winfrey used her platform to create unforgettable moments through conversations with her guests and audience.
Her $2.5-billion net worth and diverse investments and businesses make her not only one of the world’s richest Black people and the richest Black woman in America, but also a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.
When he submitted the 2023 budget statement to parliament last year, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta proposed a change of the rate for electronic transfers, dropping it from 1.5 percent to 1 percent.
The increased E-Levy rate was then discussed and approved by Parliament prior to the House’s adjournment in December 2022.
The Chamber further assured the public that its members are making frantic efforts with the Ghana Revenue Authority and other key institutions, to ensure a seamless implementation of the revised Electronic Transfer Levy.
