Speaking to the congregation at the Divine Word International Ministries in Virginia, USA, Mr. Agyapong announced his intention to run for president and promised to use his extensive business knowledge to promote Ghana as a business hub.
On his job creation agenda, Mr Agyapong said he would focus on a massive industrialisation drive and tourism, adding that he planned to create globally competitive industries, paying attention to commercial farming to make it attractive as pertained in Cote D’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Malaysia among other industrial nations.
Ghana, he said, was endowed with numerous mineral resources and would use them to turn the fortunes of the economy around.
As a business mogul who had employed more than 7,000 workers across the globe, Mr Agyapong said he would leverage on his business prowess to help achieve the country’s development targets.
“With my experience as a businessman, I will create jobs for the youth. I’ll run Ghana like a business until an unprecedented transformation is achieved to benefit every citizen,” he assured.
“I will lead Ghana to export more and import less for economic growth and job creation,” he said.
Touting his disciplinary credentials, Mr Agyapong pledged to instill discipline, integrity, hard work and accountability in Ghanaians, especially the youth, to spur national development.
He said he believed that corruption and greed were primarily due to the absence of discipline and integrity in the national psyche of some Ghanaians, and would, thus, work as a leader to end those attitudes, which was wreaking havoc on the nation’s development efforts.
He urged all well-meaning Ghanaians, both home and abroad, to rally behind the NPP-led Government to surmount the current challenges.
Dayot Upamecano and Aurelien Tchouameni of France missed Wednesday’s World Cup 2022 semifinal against Morocco because they were both absent from practice.
Throughout the campaign thus far, Didier Deschamps has utilized Tchouameni and Upamecano frequently, with the former starting all five games for the defending champions.
The 22-year-old scored the opening goal against England in Saturday’s quarter-final victory, where Upamecano made his fourth start of the World Cup as Raphael Varane’s regular partner.
According to L’Equipe, both men were unable to take part in training on Monday, with Tchouameni suffering a knock to the calf in the quarter-final success over England, while Upamecano is understood to be dealing with a sore throat.
Kylian Mbappe, Varane, Theo Hernandez and Ousmane Dembele also did not partake in full training with the squad, but the quartet are simply believed to have been rested after Saturday’s victory.
Morocco’s clash against holders France will take place at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
Yahya Atiyatallah, a defender for Wydad Casablanca, reportedly enjoys a five-fold boost in market worth as a result of his outstanding performances for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Youssef Al-Nusairi scored the game-winning goal after Atiyatallah’s pivotal pass against Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinals helped the Arab nation advance to the semi-finals for the first time ever.
The 27-yera-old has made four appearances for Morocco and has helped his side keep four clean sheets in five matches, only denied 100 per cent record by an own goal conceded against Canada in the group stage.
Atiyatullah’s superb display is attracting interest from several clubs in Europe ahead of the January transfer window.
It believed that Wydad Casablanca will reject any offer to keep hold of their prized asset.
Morocco will face holders France in the semifinals at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
A win over France will see Morocco become the first-ever African country to reach the final of the World Cup.
Delay has again sparked rumours about her secret marriage after flaunting both engagement and wedding rings.
The media personality is seen in a new video enjoying a ride with a friend.
A heavily glammed Delayrocking a bone straight hair and shades deliberately flaunted her wedding rings.
She suddenly raised her hand and flashed her finger at the camera to capture her two piece rings; which is, her wedding ring and engagement ring.
Fans have currently gone agog with different claims about Delay.
Some social media users are of the believe that Delay is not a single woman.
According to them, Delay is that kind of Mrs who has the freedom to live life how she wants it. So she chooses when to rock her ring and when to give that Mrs vibe!
The TUC claims that its leadership has examined the scheme and recognized how detrimental it is to the pensions of its members.
As a result, it has given the government one week to remove all pension money from the program.
The General-Secretary of the TUC, Anthony Yaw Baah, stated the following at a press conference held in Accra on Monday, December 12, 2022: “According to the Minister for Finance, the Domestic Debt Operation, as they call it, involves an exchange for new Ghana Bonds with coupons of a longer average maturity.
“Existing Domestic Bonds as of 1st December 2022, will be exchanged for a set of four new bonds maturing in 2027, 2029, 2032, and 2037. Somebody said the government is shifting economic stability to 2037.”
“We’re talking about inflation of 40.4percent and you’re fixing coupon rates at 0percent, 5 percent and 10percent.”
He quizzed: “So if your coupon rate is 5percent, after 6 months do you know how much they’ll pay you, 2.5 percent.”
Referring to the TUC’s earlier press statement rejecting government’s debt exchange programme, the TUC General-Secretary stressed that upon a thorough analysis of the programme, the leadership of the union spotted some deficiencies.
“The programme will negatively affect pension funds of our members and consequently, their retirement income security. Already, pension is low and we will have thought that our government will do everything to protect even the small pension that we have, instead, they are introducing programmes inspired by IMF, to cut further, pension incomes and as we used to say, ‘We no go sit down,’ the TUC General-Secretary stated.
The General Secretary continued that: “The TUC and all our affiliates, have decided and this is a very firm decision that the pension fund of our members will not be part of the domestic debt exchange programme.”
He disclosed that the union haS sent a letter to the Minister of Finance to demand that: “All pension funds invested in government bonds should be completely exempted from the debt exchange programme.
“Within one week from today, government should publicly announce that all pension funds including SSNIT are exempted from the debt exchange programme.”
He added: “If government fails to accede to our demand, within one week, we’ll advice ourselves.”
Speakers at the biennial Islamic Finance International Conference of IFRIG made the call unanimously in 2022. (IFIC).
The event, which took place on December 4 at the Ghana National Association of Teachers, GNAT, Hall in Accra, brought together ethical finance specialists from within and outside of Ghana to interact with supporters and other ecosystem stakeholders.
Some of the speakers included: Prof. John Gatsi of the School of Business, UCC, Justice Abdulai Esq. and Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar and Alhaji Attahiru Maccido from Nigeria.
Prof Gatsi in his presentation titled: ‘Using Ethical Finance to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,’ stressed that financial inclusion remained an area that government needed to pay more attention to if a number of SDGs can be achieved by their due date.
He also stressed the role that ethical finance at the individual and the state level could boost the area of financial inclusion.
For his part, Justice Abdulai presented a review of the legal position on non-interest banking and tasked Muslims seeking to enter that area to be wary of patrons who may cause them to compromise on banking ethics and eventually land them in trouble.
IFIC has over the past three years, pooled together experts from Ghana, the West African subregion and beyond to continue sharing perspectives on the importance of non-interest banking and finance for the wider socio-economic good of Ghana specifically and the global economy.
According to Shaibu Ali (PhD), director of the institute, IFRIG will continue to build on the successes of the last two editions to continue its advocacy and practical steps towards the establishment of ethical finance in Ghana.
IFRIG is first and foremost, a research institution focused on the Islamic Banking and Finance ecosystem in the country and across the continent.
“Our efforts currently pivoted in the area of research, advocacy and capacity building has the medium to long term aspirations of leveraging on research to usher Ghana into an incremental adaptation of Islamic finance – banking and insurance,” a post on their website read.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has voiced its opposition to the government’s proposed debt exchange program, claiming that if it is implemented, it will harm employee pensions.
The TUC has made the definite determination that the Debt Exchange Programme will adversely affect member pension funds and, as a result, the security of workers’ retirement income after a thorough review of the proposal and discussion of its consequences.
In a news conference yesterday in Accra, TUC Secretary-General Dr. Yaw Baah said: “The TUC and its affiliate National Unions have determined that the pension funds of our members would not be part of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
The TUC is also worried over the lack of engagement with Labour before considering the plan, given that a substantial portion of workers’ pensions is invested in government bonds.
Dr. Baah said the TUC took special notice of the statement by the finance ministry – that the programme is voluntary – and promised its members that they will be fully protected from the programme.
Indeed, the TUC, according to Dr. Baah, has already dispatched a letter to Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta to exempt all pension funds invested in government bonds from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
The letter, dated December 12, 2022, asked government to – within a week of receiving the letter – announce that all pension funds, including SSNIT, are excluded from the programme.
The letter, which is available to the B&FT, has the TUC concluding that: “the Union will advise itself if government fails to accede to this demand”.
“I would like to remind you that the one-week ultimatum for government to announce the exemption of pension funds from the Debt Exchange Programme will expire on December 19, 2022. We’ll hold another presser on that day to update members and the public on the General Council’s decision, and actions that will be taken in the event that government refuses to accede to our demand to exempt pension funds from the programme,” Dr. Baah disclosed.
He asked workers to get ready to participate fully in any industrial action to protect pensions funds, adding: “Workers will no longer bear the consequences of any IMF-inspired policies. Government is responsible for all the consequences of its decisions”.
The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme
The Domestic Debt operation involves an exchange for new Ghana bonds with coupons of a longer average maturity. Existing domestic bonds as of December 1, 2022 will no longer be exchanged for a set of four new bonds maturing in 2027, 2029, 2032 and 2037.
The annual coupon on all these new bonds according to the MoF, will be set at zero percent in 2023, five percent in 2024, and 10 percent in 2025 until maturity. Coupon payments will be semi-annual, with the programme not affecting individual bondholders.
In a post shared on his Instagram, Sonnie Badu wrote;
“ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM was one of my most emotional concerts ever… It RAINED throughout the entire concert, but no one was willing to leave… The crowd pushed and took over the concert… One day we will break our own records again”.
Responding to a fan who believed Sonnie Badu was chasing clout for sharing his video amidst the Wizkid fiasco, Sonnie Badu responded by saying, “lol even if I never do again, the record is still yet to be broken, let’s learn to appreciate hard work .. don’t worry I will do it again…”
Held in November 2014, the concert dubbed Africa Worships With Sonnie Badu saw huge numbers showing up for the event despite a heavy downpour that last for almost 2 hours.
As part of their pre-tournament preparations, the team played a friendly match against Hearts of Oak on Sunday at the Ghanaman Soccer of Excellence in Prampram.
Annor Walker and his charges fought back to secure a 2-1 win over the Ghana Premier League side.
The side are yet to engage in any international game ahead of the tournament.
However, the assistant coach for the side, Bismark Kobby Mensah has hinted that they will camp in Europe ahead of the tournament.
According to him, they will take advantage of that to play high-profile games to strengthen the side ahead of the tournament in Algeria.
“In our program that we submitted to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), we requested that we need to camp in Europe and also play some high-profile games,” the Karela United coach said.
“We have a good squad but we need to strengthen the team and playing high-profile games will help the team and we are confident that we will be ready for the tournament after the camping in Europe,” he added.
Ghana has been housed in Group C alongside Morocco (holders), Sudan and Madagascar.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on 13 January.
“We urge all relevant parties to embrace the proposal so that we may stop the devaluation of our currency and lower petroleum product imports.
We hope that the current administration and those that follow it will share our political will in taking this measure.
“Ghana imports in excess of US$100million of petroleum products. We cannot have oil and be poor. Indigenous investors should have an unwavering appetite for risk and take advantage of an energy economy which will see the construction of refineries, petrochemical plants, storage tanks and jetties with port infrastructures,” he said at the 2022 edition of the Ghana Oil & Gas awards that saw industry leaders honoured for their work in 2022.
In October 2020, government passed the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation bill, an initial step in the development of a refining and petrochemicals complex that will see Ghana become a central refining hub for the West African region. The development is set to provide a boost for local companies and allow Ghana to best take advantage of new regional trade opportunities.
Despite the growing excitement and enthusiasm about the project, which has potential to take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. Abbey urged government to avoid bureaucracies and adhere to championing local content – which will offer highly skilled jobs to Ghanaians.
Support initiative to curb cedi depreciation, reduce import of petroleum products – Abbey Jnr.
When it comes to the man known around the world as “CR7”, the numbers speak for themselves. He has played more than 1,000 professional football matches and scored more than 800 goals. He guided Portugal to their first major international trophy, lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy five times and is a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or.
He has scored 115 international goals, more than any other male player.
Which begs the question: is Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest footballer of all time?
The beginning of the legend…
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on 5 February 1985 in Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean.
He was the youngest of four children, the son of a cook and a gardener.
His father was kitman at local side Andorinha; when Ronaldo started training with the youth team, his speed and diminutive stature earned him the nickname Abelhinha (“Little Bee”).
He moved to Nacional and was soon scouted by Sporting Lisbon.
At the age of 12, Ronaldo had to leave Madeira for the Portuguese mainland.
At Sporting, Ronaldo impressed his coaches not only with his natural talent, but also his work-ethic and determination to succeed.
He made his professional debut in 2002, at the age of 17, and word of his ability began to spread around European clubs.
In August 2003, Ronaldo put on a dazzling display in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United, and the English club immediately signed the young winger with the lightning-fast feet for £12.24 million.
During the 2009 close season, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a then-world-record fee of £80 m ($130 m).
In Spain, he showed that he had become the complete centre-forward: fast and strong, superb in the air, and a deadly finisher with either foot.
He developed a fierce rivalry with Barcelona’s Argentinian maestro Lionel Messi, with both players striving to outdo the other in a quest to be recognized as the world’s best player.
Between 2008 and 2021, between them the pair were awarded the Ballon d’Or a staggering 12 times in 13 years.
Ronaldo’s presentation as a new Real Madrid C.F. player in 2009
Ronaldo’s remorselessness in front of goal saw him become Real Madrid’s highest-ever scorer, racking up an incredible 450 goals in just 438 appearances.
He won two La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey and three Club World Cups.
In the UEFA Champions League, Ronaldo continued to set the standard, adding four more titles to his collection and scoring the most goals in a Champions League season in 2013/14, when he hit the net 17 times in just 11 matches.
To date, he remains the only player to have scored in three finals in the competition.
Following his departure from Madrid in 2018, Ronaldo spent three years in Italy playing for Turin giants Juventus, where he reached a century of goals and claimed the Serie A league title two seasons in a row.
In 2021, Ronaldo made an emotional return to Old Trafford, where he finished the season as top scorer and extended his Champions League records for most goals (140) and most appearances (183).
Type of Goal
Number
Left foot
26
Right foot
61
Head
28
Open play
89
Direct free kicks
10
Penalties
16
International Icon
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in a friendly against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003, and the following year he scored his first international goal, against Greece during a group-stage match at UEFA EURO 2004.
Despite making an impact on the competition, Ronaldo’s tournament ended in tears as Portugal lost out in the final – once more to Greece, the hosts and surprise winners.
Few could have predicted at that moment that Ronaldo would go on to become to the first player to play in five EURO finals, and grab the tournament records for both appearances (25) and goals (14).
At EURO 2016, Ronaldo led his team on a battling run through the tournament to the final.
In the showpiece match against France, Ronaldo was left in tears once again, as an early injury forced him from the field – but Portugal held on to win 1–0, allowing their talisman to lift the trophy.
It was his country’s first major international title.
Success in the FIFA World Cup was harder to come by, although in 2018 Ronaldo equalled the record for most World Cup tournaments to score in – four, previously achieved by West Germany’s Uwe Seller, the Brazilian legend Pelé and Seller’s compatriot Miroslav Klose.
As Ronaldo continued to find the net, one further landmark record came steadily closer in view: the most goals in men’s internationals.
It had previously been held by Iran’s Ali Daei, who struck 109 times between 1993 and 2006.
Ronaldo equalled Daei’s mark at the delayed UEFA EURO 2020 tournament, where he scored five times.
On 1 Sep 2021, during a World Cup qualifying game against the Republic of Ireland at the Estádio Algarve, Ronaldo scored two late headers to claim the record for his own. By the end of the qualification process, he had increased his tally to 115.
As of the same date, he had made 186 international appearances, placing him third on the all-time list, just nine behind Malaysia’s Soh Chin Ann.
Ronaldo may now be in his late ‘30s, but few would bet against him going to break even more records.
It is clear that, whenever he does decide to hang up his boots, CR7 will leave a legacy behind that will take some matching.
“When you play with Ronaldo on your team, you are already 1-0 up.”
– Zinedine Zidane
Favorite opponents
Number of goals
Luxemburg
9
Lithuania, Sweden
7
Andorra, Hungary
6
Armenia, Latvia
5
Estonia, Faroe Islands, Netherlands
4
Ronaldo is also breaking records outside of the football field, and especially on social media.
He holds the record for most followers for an athlete on Twitter, as well as most followers on Instagram for an athlete.
His Instagram account has been the overall most followed account on Instagram since 2017. His official account currently counts 478M followers, but the remarkable number keeps increasing.
As of April 2021, he received the most likes for an athlete on Facebook, racking up a record-breaking 124,726,150 thumbs up.
As a legend of international football, Ronaldo’s Wikipedia page is also the most viewed Wikipedia page for an athlete (male).
In 2003, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said of Ronaldo: “He is one of the most exciting young players I’d ever seen”.
Today, he’s the top-scorer player in the world, a pluri-record holder and one of the most famous names ever in the football industry.
The crowds chant his name and his kick strikes true to score goal after goal, but that may not be enough for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has an ambitious heart and the skills and tenacity to reach unimaginable heights.
“Let’s keep trying to set the numbers even higher!” the football champion writes on his social media, and we certainly can’t wait to see.
“Given the situation, the bank authorized the creation of a commemorative coin and offered to help with the acquisition of the coin via the proper channels.
The gold coin will have no monetary value, which means it won’t serve as legal tender or a medium of exchange, he said.
The governor of the Bank of Ghana added: “As a result, the commemorative coin is not expected to display any face value to avoid the risk of being confused with legal tender in circulation. Your Royal Majesty In recognition of the invaluable role and your remarkable achievements, the preservation of peace in the safeguarding of life, the development of Ghana, and ensuring the peaceful coexistence of the citizenry of Ghana, the Bank of Ghana proudly associate itself with the launch of this commemorative gold coin to climax your Majesty’s 20th year as the Asantehene.”
Read the full story originally published on December 13, 2021, by GhanaWeb
A commemorative gold coin has been launched in honour of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
According to him, the Bank of Ghana has been following Otumfuo’s exploits since he was enstooled as the Asantehene over two decades ago.
Dr Ernest Addison explained at the launch of the gold coin in Kumasi on Sunday, December 12, that, “the Bank of Ghana has followed with keen interest the painstaking effort of his Majesty in the mediation of peace in Dagbon and also in ensuring a peaceful transition of power from different political administrations over the past twenty years.
“Under the circumstances, the bank approved the issuance of a commemorative coin and offered to assist to procure the coin through appropriate channels. The gold coin will be of no monetary value, by that we mean it will not be a medium of exchange and not exactly a legal tender.”
The governor of the Bank of Ghana added: “As a result, the commemorative coin is not expected to display any face value to avoid the risk of being confused with legal tender in circulation. Your Royal Majesty In recognition of the invaluable role and your remarkable achievements, preservation of peace in the safeguarding of life, the development of Ghana and ensuring peaceful coexistence of the citizenry of Ghana, the Bank of Ghana proudly associate itself with the launch of this commemorative gold coin to climax your Majesty’s 20th year as the Asantehene.”
About the commemorative gold coin
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Sunday, December 12, 2021, launched the 24-carat commemorative gold coins as part of celebrating 22 years of his contribution to the peace, stability and development of Ghana.
The launch was under the authorization of the Central Bank, the Bank of Ghana, for Gold Coast Refinery Limited to mint the commemorative gold coins to celebrate the Asantehene.
This is the first time in the history of this country that non-circulating commemorative coins meant to celebrate and honour people, places, events and institutions are being issued.
The commemorative gold coin was issued at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Sunday marked the last celebration of the Akwasidae festival. The auction of the gold coins will be used to establish a multi-purpose Cultural Resource Centre in Kumasi to promote activities related to traditional and customary conflict resolution in the country.
Key features of the commemorative gold coins
The coins are of 99.99 per cent assay at 24-carat fine gold, with a diameter of 37mm and weight of 31.104 grammes each. It is described by the organizers as the ‘treasured collectors articles’.
“The face of the gold coins bears the image of the Asantehene, with the Adinkra symbols ‘Bi Nka Bi’ and ‘Mpatapo’, which symbolise peace, harmony and reconciliation.
“The reverse bears an image of the Golden Stool (Sika Dwa),” a statement from the organisers said.
Stéphane Roudet, the IMF’s Ghana Mission Chief, said in a statement posted on the website of the Fund: “I am pleased to announce that the IMF team reached staff-level agreement with the Ghanaian authorities on a three-year program supported by an arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) in the amount of SDR 2.242 billion, or roughly US$3 billion.
The economic agenda intends to establish the groundwork for higher and more inclusive growth while restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.
“The Ghanaian authorities have committed to a wide-ranging economic reform program, which builds on the government’s Post-COVID-19 Program for Economic Growth (PC-PEG) and tackles the deep challenges facing the country,” the statement read in part.
“Key reforms aim to ensure the sustainability of public finances while protecting the vulnerable. The fiscal strategy relies on frontloaded measures to increase domestic resource mobilization and streamline expenditure. In addition, the authorities have committed to strengthening social safety nets, including reinforcing the existing targeted cash-transfer program for vulnerable households and improving the coverage and efficiency of social spending,” it added.
“Structural reforms will be introduced to underpin the fiscal strategy and ensure a durable consolidation. These include developing a medium-term plan to generate additional revenue and advancing reforms to bolster tax compliance. This will help create space for growth-enhancing measures and social spending. Efforts will also be made to strengthen public expenditure commitment controls, improve fiscal transparency (including the reporting and monitoring of arrears), improve the management of public enterprises, and tackle structural challenges in the energy and cocoa sectors. The authorities are also committed to further bolstering governance and accountability.
“To support the objective of restoring public debt sustainability, the authorities have announced a comprehensive debt restructuring. Sufficient assurances and progress on this front will be needed before the proposed Fund-supported program can be presented to the IMF Executive Board for approval.
“Reducing inflation, enhancing resilience to external shocks, and improving market confidence are also important program priorities. Accordingly, the Bank of Ghana will continue to strengthen its monetary policy framework and promote exchange rate flexibility to rebuild external buffers. As part of the authorities’ debt strategy, a domestic debt exchange has been launched. The authorities are committed to taking the necessary mitigation measures to ensure financial sector stability is preserved.
“IMF staff held meetings with Vice President Bawumia, Finance Minister Ofori-Atta, and Bank of Ghana Governor Addison, and their teams, as well as representatives from various government agencies. The IMF team has also continued to engage with other stakeholders. Staff would like to express their gratitude to the Ghanaian authorities, Parliament’s Finance Committee and all the private sector, trade union, and civil society representatives for their open and constructive engagement over the past few months.”
Ghanaian afrobeats and afro pop singer Kuami Eugenehas dropped a new single titled, ‘I Feel Nice’.
This song marks the third single from EMPIRE’s new compilation album Where We Come From (VOL. 1).
“You attract the energy that you give off. Spread good vibes. Think positively. Enjoy life like I enjoyed making this music.” Kuami says as he talks about the new project.
Kuami Eugene’s ‘I Feel Nice’ is a celebration of the explosion of African music into mainstream airwaves. EMPIRE is the top label in Nigeria and this compilation project is a body of work that’s set to highlight the rising talent from their ever-growing roster on the continent.
The first single from the project, ‘Cough,’ by Kizz Daniel dropped on 10/14 and is currently #2 on the Global Shazam chart.
“What inspired the song is the vibe that we all have when we’re in the studio together. And I was thinking about how close it’s getting to Christmas and Holiday times, how excited they will be. I was also thinking about how nice I would want people to feel when they listen to this music. So I was in a nice mood myself, and I think that’s actually what helps with the vibe when creating I Feel Nice. The song is ultimately about how people need to forget their troubles in life and focus on the fun part for a while.” says Kuami.
Listen to the new song here:
The album was created during the writing camp at EMPIRE’s headquarters in San Francisco directly following their first showcase “The New Africa” during the second night of SXSW. During the writing camp, the crowd saw performances by BNXN FKA Buju, Cheque, Fireboy DML, June Freedom, L.A.X. Wande Coal, and other trailblazers signed to the label. Artists set to be spotlighted on the upcoming project include Fireboy DML, Olamide, BXNX fka BUJU, Black Sherif, Kizz Daniel, L.A.X, and more.
The Israeli State Cup match between SC Ashdod and Hapoel Beer Sheva ended in a 2-1 victory for SC Ashdod thanks to a goal from young Ghanaian Ebenezer Mamatah.
To assist his team come back from being down and secure a crucial victory at the Yud-Alef Stadium and advance to the next round of the competition, Mamatah put on an incredible performance.
The 21-year-old has netted three goals in 12 matches in Israeli Premier League so far this season, including two goals in the Toto Cup and the State Cup.
Hapoel Beer Sheva took the lead in the 41st minute through Israeli forward Ramzi Safuri.
After the recess, Mamatah bagged the equaliser for the home side in the 49th minute of the game.
Mohamad Kanaan converted a penalty kick seven minutes from the final whistle to send Ashdod through to the next stage of the State Cup.
Mamatah joined Ashdod from Ghanaian Division One side Skyy FC in August and has since been a key cog of the team.
* The authorities’ strong reform program aims at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while protecting the vulnerable, preserving financial stability, and laying the foundation for strong and inclusive recovery. To support the objective of restoring public debt sustainability, the authorities have launched a comprehensive debt operation.
* In addition to a frontloaded fiscal consolidation and measures to reduce inflation and rebuild external buffers, the program envisages wide-ranging reforms to address structural weaknesses and enhance resilience to shocks.
Accra, Ghana: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Mr. Stéphane Roudet, Mission Chief for Ghana, visited Accra during December 1 – 13, 2022, to discuss with the Ghanaian authorities IMF support for their policy and reform plans.
At the end of the mission, Mr. Roudet issued the following statement:
I am pleased to announce that the IMF team reached staff-level agreement with the Ghanaian authorities on a three-year program supported by an arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) in the amount of SDR 2.242 billion or about US$3 billion. The economic program aims to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while laying the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth. The staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Management and Executive Board approval and receipt of the necessary financing assurances by Ghana’s partners and creditors.
“Key reforms aim to ensure the sustainability of public finances while protecting the vulnerable. The fiscal strategy relies on frontloaded measures to increase domestic resource mobilization and streamline expenditure. In addition, the authorities have committed to strengthening social safety nets, including reinforcing the existing targeted cash-transfer program for vulnerable households and improving the coverage and efficiency of social spending.
“Structural reforms will be introduced to underpin the fiscal strategy and ensure a durable consolidation. These include developing a medium-term plan to generate additional revenue and advancing reforms to bolster tax compliance. This will help create space for growth-enhancing measures and social spending. Efforts will also be made to strengthen public expenditure commitment controls, improve fiscal transparency (including the reporting and monitoring of arrears), improve the management of public enterprises, and tackle structural challenges in the energy and cocoa sectors. The authorities are also committed to further bolstering governance and accountability.
“To support the objective of restoring public debt sustainability, the authorities have announced a comprehensive debt restructuring. Sufficient assurances and progress on this front will be needed before the proposed Fund-supported program can be presented to the IMF Executive Board for approval.
“Reducing inflation, enhancing resilience to external shocks, and improving market confidence are also important program priorities. Accordingly, the Bank of Ghana will continue to strengthen its monetary policy framework and promote exchange rate flexibility to rebuild external buffers. As part of the authorities’ debt strategy, a domestic debt exchange has been launched. The authorities are committed to taking the necessary mitigation measures to ensure financial sector stability is preserved.
“IMF staff held meetings with Vice President Bawumia, Finance Minister Ofori-Atta, and Bank of Ghana Governor Addison, and their teams, as well as representatives from various government agencies. The IMF team has also continued to engage with other stakeholders. Staff would like to express their gratitude to the Ghanaian authorities, Parliament’s Finance Committee and all the private sector, trade union, and civil society representatives for their open and constructive engagement over the past few months.”
“Fix all issues preventing the firm from operating the Accra rail lines because, if we don’t, wear and tear will accumulate and we’ll have to spend more to restore the lines to their initial condition,” he continued.
According to him, even though the Accra rail lines have been completed, it’s not being used compared to that of the Takoradi rail lines that have been operationalized.
Nasir Alfa Mohammed said, “even though the rail lines in Accra are equally completed like those in Takoradi, those in Accra are not being used while those in Takoradi are already being used and that we think is not appropriate”.
“Resolve all matters holding the company from operationalizing the rail lines in Accra because as we are not using it, wear and tear will be sitting in and we will have to spend more to restore the lines to their original state,” he added.
The vice chairman of PIAC said this during the inspection of some projects partially funded with oil funds in the Greater Accra Region.
He advised that there is a sustainable maintenance regime to help the country rake in more revenue.
Meanwhile, project engineers say the rail lines need some fixing before it can be operationalized.
The world’s tallest man living, Sultan Kösen (Türkiye), turned 40 old on December 10th.
Sultan celebrated this milestone a few days early, by visiting Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Orlando, USA, where he was overjoyed upon being presented with his birthday cake (which looked more like a cupcake in Sultan’s record-breaking hands).
The 251-cm (8-ft-2.8-in) tall birthday boy also posed next to a life-size statue of Robert Wadlow, the tallest man ever, who, at a height of 272 cm (8 ft 11.1 in), was the first person Sultan has ever had to look up to!
After blowing out his candles, Sultan didn’t keep his birthday wish a secret – he hopes to “travel the remaining countries which I have not visited so far.”
“And to keep my record title. I hope there will be no one taller than me,” he added, jokingly.
Sultan is now a cultural ambassador for Türkiye and recently participated in a cooking show on Romanian TV before travelling to the USA.
“I am trying to do my best to promote my country, my province, my people, my culture,” he told Anadolu Agency last month.
Sultan has now visited 127 countries in total; a feat he once thought impossible, given his extreme height and humble background.
Sultan Kösen (8 ft 2.8 in) standing next to a life-size statue of Robert Wadlow (8 ft 11.1 in). Credit: AP Images for Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Growing up, Sultan’s supersized stature was somewhat prohibitive. He couldn’t attend school and he was even deemed too tall to play basketball!
Thus, he resigned himself to the life of a farmer in order to support his family. However, that all changed in 2009 when he was officially recognized as the tallest man on Earth.
“After that day, I was born,” Sultan recalled.
“Before that, I was a very silent person. Now, I can talk. I’m happy. I’m funny. I enjoy my life.”At the time, we hadn’t measured anyone over 8 feet tall in more than 20 years.
Credit: AP Images for Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Sultan’s life changed for the better over the following decade. Most importantly, he received free life-saving surgery to stop his endless growth, which was caused by a condition known as pituitary gigantism.
In Sultan’s case, his pituitary gland was damaged by a tumour, leading to excess production of growth hormone. Interestingly, his huge growth spurt didn’t start until he was 10 years old.In 2016, Sultan fulfilled a life-long dream by making his Hollywood debut in Achieving the Impossible, before going on to tour with the Magic Circus of Samoa.
Credit: AP Images for Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Despite his success, Sultan says he misses his village, Dedeköy, when he goes on his travels.
However, the money he has earned has enabled Sultan to adapt his home in Dedeköy to accommodate his superlative stature. Although many countries have offered him citizenship, Sultan says he is proud to be a citizen of the Republic of Türkiye.
We’re wishing Sultan a very happy 40th birthday and hope his wish comes true (even if he broke tradition by saying it out loud!)
Gospel Musician, MOG has disclosed that he nearly gave up on music at a point in his life.
Speaking on EVibes with Becky, MOGsaid he had to empty his accounts to fund his career, but the money was not sufficient.
According to him, he had to leave Ghana to go and work in a different country as a security man for months to be able to repay a loan he took from his father and fund his third album, ‘Better Me’
“It got to a time, I was worn out and felt that this was not the right thing for me to do. After recording my first album which worked or didn’t really work, the second album totally didn’t work. I spent money and everything went down the drain. I decided to do a third album, that’s ‘Better me’.
“During the project, I literally gave everything that I had, emptied my savings account, my investments accounts, my accounts were nil. It couldn’t finish the project. I was there thinking about how to raise money for the mixing and mastering because I was not getting any freebies again, everything had to be paid for.
“I realized I had 3 months visa to one of the European countries in my passport. So I called my dad and I took a loan from him and went to that country and went to work for two months as a security officer,” he told Becky.
He noted that his Personal Assistant at the time encouraged him to pursue the career because his music inspired lots of people.
“And around this time, I was not getting invitations, nobody was calling me for programs here and there. I was just sitting at home. I just called my PA and told her to go to my office, pick up my laptop and delete every song on my laptop. I didn’t want to hear any music. She asked me what was wrong and I told her I don’t want to do music again and that I think I am going to look for a job and then settle quietly somewhere. She was like you have no idea the inspiration your music gives us and that was the ice breaker for me,” he added.
He said the turnaround in his life “was just God’s mercy. For God proved that when you are about to give up, that’s where he comes in.”
EVibes is on JoyNews every Saturday at 8:30 am. Viewers will get the chance to catch playbacks on Sundays at 10:30 am and Fridays at 6:30 pm. On Joy Prime, E Vibes airs on Saturday at 4 pm.
The US has imposed financial sanctions on four Zimbabweans, including the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It accuses Emmerson Mnangagwa Junior of being linked to the businessman, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who is already under US sanctions for alleged corruption.
The Treasury Department says over the last five years, Mr Tagwirei has used a combination of opaque business dealings and his ongoing relationship with the president to grow his business empire dramatically and rake in millions of dollars.
President Mnangagwa is already under US sanctions.
In a statement, the Treasury Department urged Zimbabwe’s government to address what it called the root causes of many of the country’s ills, including corrupt elites abusing institutions for their personal benefit.
A Ghanaian professional boxer, Briamah Isaac Kamoko, often known as Bukom Banku, has been remanded into Police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for one week on the charge of abetment of crime.
He is said to have abetted with one Prosper Quaye to cause harm to one Ismael Quaye at Bukom in the Greater Accra Region.
Bukom Banku was in the dock with one Mustapha Kamoko, his son, who was also facing the charge of causing damage.
Bukom Banku, aged 50 and his son Mustapha Kamoko, have pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, their accomplice, Prosper Quaye, a 32-year-old unemployed man, who is being held on the charge of causing unlawful damage, failed to appear before court for his plea to be taken.
The Court, therefore, issued a warrant for his arrest.
Mr Godwin Amoah, counsel for the accused person informed the court that Prosper Quaye was at the court earlier but told him that his tummy was paining him and that he was going to buy some drugs.
Mr Amoah prayed the court for bail for his clients saying that they were family and had people of substance to stand as sureties.
He said they had fixed places of abode and that they were not “flight risk.”
The prosecution opposed the bail application because it was not the first time they had committed such a crime and if granted bail, they would interfere in police investigations.
It also prayed for a bench warrant for the arrest of Prosper Quaye.
The Court presided over by Mrs Adelaide Abui Keddey, therefore, remanded them into Police custody for seven days to reappear on December 19, 2022.
Police Chief Inspector Maxwell Ayim, prosecuting, told the Court that the complainant, Mr Ishmael Neequaye is a footballer residing at Bukom while accused persons (Bukom Banku and his son) were boxers and Prosper Quaye was unemployed.
The prosecution said all the accused persons were residents of Bukom, near Jamestown.
The prosecution said on November 25, 2022, at about 1730 hours the complainant was in his room sleeping when he heard an unusual noise around his house.
Chief Inspector Ayim said the complainant woke up and saw the accused persons seriously attacking some friends of his, including one Julius Tagoe, a witness in the case.
The prosecution said that the complainant approached them and calmed the situation.
Chief Inspector Ayim said Bukom Banku on seeing the complainant, broke a bottle and gave it to Mustapha to inflict wounds on him.
The prosecution said Mustapha took the advice of the Banku and inflicted a deep wound on the abdomen of the complainant who bled profusely.
Chief Inspector Ayim said Prosper also took a stone and hit a 32-inch television belonging to one Tagoe.
The prosecution said the complainant was rushed to the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital where he was admitted.
Chief Inspector Ayim said the accused persons were pursued to be arrested but to no avail.
The prosecution said criminal summons were prepared and served on them to appear before Court.
Dr. Daniel Kasser Tee, national president of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), has urged professional associations that have already decided to oppose the government’s debt exchange program to change their minds. This is necessary in order to facilitate the ongoing negotiations with the IMF and speed up the process of reaching a staff-level agreement, he said.
Even if the suggested agreements are rejected, he emphasized that the government is currently unable to pay its loans back according to their original terms.
According to him, available data show that government is now no longer in a position to meet its domestic debt servicing obligations on both interest payments and principal amortisation upon maturity; therefore, even if businesses sue and secure a court judgment against government it would still default on payment.
“Many professional associations have publicly declared that, on behalf of their members, they will outrightly reject government’s proposed debt exchange programme. They are, understandably, unhappy with the sheer depth of haircut they and their members are being asked to accept.
“However, my advice – based on what I have heard experts say – is that they take a step back, control their anger and emotions, and take a good hard look at the situation they are faced with,” he said. He advised them to put their trust in the hands of their respective pension fund managers to determine what would be in their best interest and not stampede them into taking any rush decisions that would rather jeopardise the future of the pensions of their members.
Dr. Kasser Tee made these remarks at the 32nd CIMG President’s Ball held in Accra, where he was speaking on the theme ‘Creative marketing and innovation in a volatile global economy’.
Providing some statistical background to the fiscal environment, he cited the world bank as reporting that in the first quarter of 2022, Ghana’s overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.3 percent year-on-year, down from 3.6 percent over the same period of 2021. Unfortunately, the fiscal pressures have remained high, affecting government’s revenue mobilisation drive as some of its flagship revenue policies, such as the e-levy, faced major implementation challenges. The nation ended June 2022 with its public debt reaching 78.3 percent of GDP, while interest payments reached 54.4 percent of revenues over first-half of the year. Inflation is currently at a high of more than 40 percent, which was occasioned by the depreciating currency and soaring global commodity prices, including fertiliser – 40 percent of which is usually sourced from Russia.
Govt’s responsibility
The CIMG president, on the other hand, emphasised that it is not good for government to simply be admonishing and encouraging Ghanaians to adjust their belts while government does not show how much contribution and sacrifice it is prepared to make in return.
“The promise by the President of the Republic to cut salaries of ministers, and some appointees by 30% was a laudable one. Beyond the promise, however, most Ghanaians are yet to know how this is being done and how much savings we have made as a people.
Many political and governance experts have called on the president to scale down the number of appointees, particularly ministers, but these calls have yielded nothing. Similar calls for a reshuffle of ministers – based on performance to bring in dynamism and fresh ideas – have also not been heeded,” he said.
Dr Kasser Tee then urged Marketers to find innovative ways of promoting the interest of their organisations in hard times, such as Ghana is presently facing.
“As professional marketers, our first point of call is for us to look critically at all available and workable organic growth strategies. We must, as a matter of necessity, be proposing less risky and less costly ways of pursuing market penetration, as well as market and product development strategies. We must emphasise on value creation, from our knowledge of buyer behaviour and also take advantage of effective target marketing. The products we offer must deliver unmatched value to buyer, in terms of inherent utility and service quality. The cost of procuring those products, the channel choice, the processes involved, etc. must be far below the intrinsic benefits to be derived by the buyer and/or user”, he concluded.
In his remarks, the Chairman for the event, Deputy Minister of Education and MP for Assin South Constituency, John Ntim Fordjour challenged Marketers to rise up to the occasion to show how innovatively they can work to promote their companies and by extension, Ghana, as a corporate brand. He emphasised that: “It has become necessary for us to project the good sides of Ghana to the rest of the world. We have a lot to show, as a country, and we need your expertise in the packaging and delivery, targeting the right audience, in the wake of donor fatigue, consumer sophistication, and intensification of competition among industry players, for their product and service brands, and among nations for global attention”.
The Deputy Minister concluded by saying: “It has become exceedingly important that Marketers today leverage Technology and the wider digital resources, including artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, as well as data, in the practice of marketing, customer service, advertising, etc. to ensure that you are able to reach the right customers and to make informed decisions for your various organisations and for mother Ghana as well”.
The CIMG inducted 15 new applicants as full members,8 as associate members, 4 as emerging members and 3 corporate members – totalling 33 new inductees.
Artiste manager, Bullgod has asked critics to cut Ghanaian artistes some slack now that Nigerian singer, Wizkid, has proven that he cannot fill up the Accra Sports Stadium.
He said the usual slamming of Ghanaian artistes for not being able to organize sold-out international concerts at some much-rated venues such as the 02 Arena, Madison Square, and so on has to end.
This according to him, is because Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid, who has conquered all these venues, particularly the 02 Arena which has a 20,000 sitting capacity, could not pull the crowd needed to fill the 40,000 Accra Sports Stadium.
His comments are in reaction to reports that Wizkid did not show up on stage at the Accra Sports Stadium concert where he was billed as the headliner.
Following the development, social media went agog with a series of criticisms from disgruntled patrons who waited for 12 hours just to watch Wizkid perform.
But sharing his thoughts on the ongoing subject during a discussion on Hitz FM, Bullgod said;
“Now that Wizkid has proven successfully that he cannot fill the stadium, nobody should worry our artistes about filling 02 Arena. He also wasn’t able to fill here. Make dem no come worry anybody. We dey bg. Forget the 02 Arena, Madison Square, and let them come and try the Accra Sports Stadium. Then we can have a conversation.”
He however eulogized International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) founder, Rev. Mensah Otabil, for being the only one who has so far been able to fill the Accra Sports Stadium with his usual 31-watch night service dubbed “Crossover”.
“Otabil is still on our chat. The only person to do it.”
Trevor Noah on Thursday, December 8, 2022, announced his departure from The DailyShow (December 8). After seven years as the show’s presenter, the comedian said his audience a tearful farewell in his final speech.
After seven years as the show’s presenter, the comedian said his audience a tearful farewell in his final speech.
Noah thanked everyone who has ever watched the Comedy Central show and giving particular praise to Black women for their support.
“I’m grateful to you every single one of you. I remember when we started the show, we couldn’t get enough people to fill an audience,” he said, noting that’s how comedy has always worked.
Noah succeeded Jon Stewart in 2015, who quit the show after 16 years. He said, “When I started this show, I had three clear goals. I was like, ‘I’m gonna make sure Hillary gets elected. I’m gonna make sure that I prevent a global pandemic from starting, and I’m gonna become best friends with Kanye West.’”
Several Comedy Central correspondents said goodbye to Noah in the final episode, in which he also invited comedian Neal Brennan.
The farewell episode also featured a segment of goodbyes from notable names such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Nick Offerman and Jesse Williams.
Before signing off, Noah said he has learned three lessons during his tenure as The Daily Show host; “politics is an invented way to solve issues, never forget that context matters, and never forget how much context matters.”
He added, “Please don’t forget that the world is a friendlier place on the internet and the news will make you think.”
Noah announced he was leaving the show during a September 29.
Instagram influencer and model, Ivy Ifeoma, the new lover of Nigerian singer, PaulOkoye, has slammed those criticizing her relationship with the singer.
The father of three via his Instagram story on Sunday, December 11, 2022, shared several clips of himself and his new lover in church for thanksgiving.
He captioned the video with an appreciation post to God. The couple also enjoyed a sumptuous meal together thereafter.
This earned them several criticisms online, especially as rumours made the rounds that Paul was cheating on his wife, Anita before their marriage crashed.
Responding to trolls, Ivy took to her Instagram page to share a video of herself, gesticulating about how people are talking about their relationship.
She further described the trolls as bitter souls who are hovering around the earth but she would ignore them.
She wrote: “Bitter souls hovering around earth but its between you and your God”.
The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Dr. Mathew Adu Gyamfi, has advised members of the reconstituted Bono Regional Peace Council to be neutral and have no commitment towards any political party during their four-year term.
He mentioned their neutrality as part of the pillars he has identified for the establishment and guarantee of peace in the region.
Bono Region is relatively one of the peaceful regions in Ghana, though there are many protracted and intractable conflicts ranging from chieftaincy, land, and electoral violence, which requires council members’ help to prevent and manage for sustainable peace.
He said, “Even though you are constitutionally established, try to be apolitical in the resolution of all things (conflicts)”.
Most Rev. Adu Gyamfi, also the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, said truth is the first pillar in resolving conflicts.
He entreated them to always establish and uphold the truth in the discharge of their functions.
He also observed that freedom, love, and justice are the other pillars necessary for peace.
Members of the reconstituted Bone Regional Peace Council
Though the task may look daunting, the Bishop pleaded with them to help initiate, build, and prepare a generation of peaceful people who love and can appreciate what is peaceful.
He assured the council members of the support of all religious bodies and the backing of the government to achieve their task to ensure peace in the region.
The Catholic Bishop offered the advice during the inauguration of the council members at a brief ceremony at the Regional Coordinating Council in Sunyani, witnessed by other stakeholders on Monday, December 12, 2022.
In all, thirteen (13) individuals took the official oath, the oath of allegiance, and the oath of secrecy, administered by Nana Agyakoma Dufie II, a member of the governing board of the National Peace Council (NPC).
Nana Agyakoma Dufie II administering the oaths of office
The composition of the members of the Regional Peace Council is derived from the NPC Act, 2011, article 9 of Act 818.
The Bono Regional chairperson is Prof. Mrs. Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa Derkyi from the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani.
Other members are Very Rev. Seth Afful Sackey (Christian Council), Peter Damoah-Afari (African Tradition Religion), Imam Mohammed Issaka (Tijaaniya Muslim), Apostle Dr. Jackson Nkansah (National Council for Christian and Charismatic Churches), Nana Yaa Ansuaa II (Queenmothers Association) and Nana Bofo Bene IV (Regional House of Chiefs).
Prof. Mrs. Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa Derkyi from the University Of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani
The rest are Mamaa Afari-Gyan, (RCC, Attorney General’s Department), Major Edith Gyamera (RCC, 3BN, Liberation Barracks), Imam Ibrahim Saeed Abdul-Rahman (Al-sunnah Muslims), Ahmed Opoku (Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission), Rev. Alex Gyabaa (Ghana Pentecostal Council), and Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Oppong-Febiri (Catholic Bishops Conference).
Nana Agyakoma Dufie II noted that resolving Ghana’s perennial conflicts require the need to identify the root causes and ensure that the national capacity to identify and resolve them is improved.
She reiterated the great task ahead to the new council members, adding, “It is very essential to our survival and development as a society”.
She, however, expressed optimism about their capability to deliver their mandate and move the bar a notch higher from where their predecessors left it, due to their profiles, enthusiasm, and the support received over the years from the people of Bono.
Nana Agyakoma Dufie II
While thanking the previous members for their sacrifices, dedication, and services, Nana Agyakoma Dufie II, also assured that the NPC will collaborate more with the chiefs to ensure stable and relative peace in the region, especially in dealing with chieftaincy disputes.
Briamah Isaac Kamoko, often known as “Bukom Banku,” is a professional boxer from Ghana. An Accra Circuit Court ordered him to spend the next week in police jail on the accusation of aiding criminal activity.
According to reports, he helped Prosper Quaye hurt Ismael Quaye at Bukom in the Greater Accra Region.
Bukom Banku was in the dock with one Mustapha Kamoko, his son, who was also facing the charge of causing damage.
Bukom Banku, aged 50 and his son Mustapha Kamoko, have pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, their accomplice, Prosper Quaye, a 32-year-old unemployed man, who is being held on the charge of causing unlawful damage, failed to appear before court for his plea to be taken.
The Court, therefore, issued a warrant for his arrest.
Mr Godwin Amoah, counsel for the accused person informed the court that Prosper Quaye was at the court earlier but told him that his tummy was paining him and that he was going to buy some drugs.
Mr Amoah prayed the court for bail for his clients saying that they were family and had people of substance to stand as sureties.
He said they had fixed places of abode and that they were not “fright risk.”
The prosecution opposed the bail application because it was not the first time they had committed such a crime and if granted bail, they would interfere in police investigations.
It also prayed for a bench warrant for the arrest of Prosper Quaye.
The Court presided over by Mrs Adelaide Abui Keddey, therefore, remanded them into Police custody for seven days to reappear on December 19, 2022.
Police Chief Inspector Maxwell Ayim, prosecuting, told the Court that the complainant, Mr Ishmael Neequaye is a footballer residing at Bukom while accused persons (Bukom Banku and his son) were boxers and Prosper Quaye was unemployed.
The prosecution said all the accused persons were residents of Bukom, near Jamestown.
The prosecution said on November 25, 2022, at about 1730 hours the complainant was in his room sleeping when he heard an unusual noise around his house.
Chief Inspector Ayim said the complainant woke up and saw the accused persons seriously attacking some friends of his, including one Julius Tagoe, a witness in the case.
The prosecution said that the complainant approached them and calmed the situation
Chief Inspector Ayim said Bukom Banku on seeing the complainant, broke a bottle and gave it to Mustapha to inflict wounds on him.
The prosecution said Mustapha took the advice of the Banku and inflicted a deep wound on the abdomen of the complainant who bled profusely.
Chief Inspector Ayim said Prosper also took a stone and hit a 32-inch television belonging to one Tagoe.
The prosecution said the complainant was rushed to the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital where he was admitted.
Chief Inspector Ayim said the accused persons were pursued to be arrested but to no avail.
The prosecution said criminal summons were prepared and served on them to appear before Court.
Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons has dismissed reports that he “hooked up” with MeganThee Stallion in the past by posting the following clip of Rick Ross to his Instagram Stories:
The clip—featuring Ross shouting “false accusations!”—comes from a promo for Rozay’s appearance on AEWDynamite earlier this year:
According to the Instagram account lawyerforworkers, Simmons’ name was mentioned when Tory Lanez’s attorney George Mgdesyansaid the rapper confronted Megan Thee Stallion’s former friend Kelsey Nicole about their relationship prior to the shooting. Mgdesyan claims Lanez questioned why Nicole would defend Megan knowing the rapper has hooked up with the same men as her.
The conversation allegedly occurred after a party where Megan and Kelsey were bothered by the sight of Lanez and Kylie Jenner together in a pool. Mgdesyan alleges Jenner eventually told Megan that it was time for them to leave.
TMZ reports Mgdesyan is looking to prove that Kelsey was the one who shot Megan in the foot, claiming the two got into an argument before the incident occurred.
Lanez has been charged with discharging a firearm with gross negligence, in addition to an assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying an unregistered firearm in a vehicle charge.
South Africa’s parliament is expected to hold a special sitting on Tuesday to debate a report by a panel of legal experts which found that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have broken his oath of office.
This is in connection with the Phala Phala farm scandal hanging over the president, in which Mr Ramaphosa has been accused of a cover-up following the theft of foreign currency at his private game farm back in 2020.
President Ramaphosa’s fate will be in the hands of MPs as they vote on whether he should be impeached.
Evidence of potential misconduct after allegations that he concealed the theft of foreign currency from his game farm has fuelled calls for him to step down.
Mr Ramaphosa has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
The governing ANC party has instructed its 230 lawmakers, including those known to be against the president, to reject the report because its findings have been challenged in court.
But some could break ranks and side with opposition parties for impeachment proceedings to get under way.
If Mr Ramaphosa survives the encounter in parliament, he is likely to be re-elected as ANC president at the party’s elective conference which starts on Friday.
Since the 2022 FIFA World Cup got started on November 20, the Ghanaian top division has been suspended.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) put the league on hold for this year’s mundial especially when some players had been selected from clubs in the Ghana Premier League.
Per the arrangement of the GFA, the 2022 Ghana Premier League will resume on December 19.
Today, Legon Cities FC have resumed training to prepare for the return of the league campaign.
Checkout pictures of the team’s training at the El Wak Stadium below:
Already, giants Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak have been training to be ready for the return of the league. This week, all 18 clubs are expected to be back in training to prepare for the continuation of the league season.
Following the news that YNW Melly could posiblly face the death penalty if convicted, the incarcerated rapper has shared a pair of messages in which he said he fears for his life.
“As of this moment today I am officially in fear of my life,” wrote the rapper alongside his mugshot. “A new Captain named Hubert and XO Jenkins have taken over the jail for two weeks now and have handed out even harsher punishments for me then the previous ones in place. Since December 1 I have been moved and housed on a unit that holds 24 inmates at once. I am the only inmatebeing housed on the vacant unit, with no phone privilege, no television and no access to a newspaper.”
Melly alleged that the jail he’s currently being held at—Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—is surveilling him 24/7 and stopping him from publicly sharing how he is being treated. “When I come out of my cell for the 1 hour a day, all other inmates in the adjoining dorms must go back in there cell. I am being subjected to cruel and unusual treatment at the hands of deputies and high-ranking staff of the Broward Sheriffs Office,” he wrote.
He has accused Sergeant Anthony Kidd and Lieutenant Jean Baptiste, two employees of the Sheriff’s office, of threatening to “hide” him and “beat [his] ass.” He added that he currently believes “the next step is them beating [me] half to death like they do to other inmates almost daily.”
In his second post, he stressed how much he wishes to be moved to another jail as he awaits his trial on two charges of premeditated first-degree murder. “I cant call my family or lawyers to notify them if I have been beaten or harassed,” he continued. “I am housed and surrounded in the care of power struck deputies and captains of high authority that even have told me to my face that ‘they don’t like me’ and ‘I pissed them off.’ I am not safe in the hands of these people especially if the highest in command in the jail ‘doesn’t like me.’ I am in fear of my life. My family is in fear of my life. I can not do another day here. Someone please help me get moved to another county jail until my trial. PLEASE!”
Last month, Florida’s District Court of Appeal overruled Judge Andrew Siegel’s decision to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. Philip R. Horowitz, who is Melly’s attorney, said he and his client were “disappointed in the ruling” and were looking “forward to our opportunity to argue our position before the justices.”
Melly and Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry were arrested and charged in 2019 with two counts of first-degree murder each. They are accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. and 21-year-old Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams in October 2018 and staging the scene to look like a drive-by shooting.
ABC News president Kim Goodwin said that T.J. Holmes and AmyRobach will remain off the air until an internal review is completed, per CNN.
The GMA3 co-hosts were taken off the show last week following the revelation of their relationship, and in a memo shared on Monday, Goodwin confirmed they will stay off the air for the time being. The top executive at the Disney-owned news company said a rotating group of guest hosts will cover for the pair as the review is carried out.
“I want to take a moment to address the on-going matter involving GMA3 anchors T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach,” the memo reads. “I understand that the continuing coverage can be distracting from the incredibly important work our team does here at ABC News. Amy and T.J. will remain off-air pending the completion of an internal review, and there will be a rotation of anchors at GMA3 for the time being. It is my hope that we will continue to focus our energy on what we do best, and I want all of you to know how immensely proud I am of your hard work and professionalism.”
News of their relationship broke at the start of the month, when photos of them holding hands in upstate New York surfaced online. Robach is still married to actor Andrew Shue, while Holmes is married to lawyer Marilee Fiebig. They’ve both reportedly separated from their partners, but it’s not clear when that happened.
CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King has described the situation as “messy,” and expressed concern over how the families and kids involved might feel about all the media attention.
Fellow TV host Don Lemon, meanwhile, has offered support to Holmes, with whom he previously worked. “I don’t know about their situation, I’m not privy enough, but I just like to offer people love and support and I hope that they’re OK and hope that they continue to prosper,” Lemon said.
Also, against the concern of minors’ participation in the lottery, he noted that deliberate efforts continue to be made to stop them – including public sensitisation on responsible gaming as well as discouraging multiple plays and addiction.
However, the other pressing issue, he said, is the activities of illegal lottery agents who he urged to try and register with the NLA to avoid prosecution upon being arrested.
He further recognised that responsible gaming is very important to the development of lotteries on the continent.
Given this, he urged the Directors-General and leadership of lottery institutions to commit to implementing resolutions that will be agreed upon to uphold best practices – particularly for protecting minors from the game and in advertising responsibly.
“While generating revenue for national development and giving back to our communities through a Good Causes Foundation, we should all take a keen interest in the lives of those individuals whose stakes bring in our funds to enable us to help them,” he stated.
Mr. Awuku added that formulating responsible gaming policies, setting up an advisory bureau, and consistently educating patrons should be part of the measures instituted to advance the cause.
Also, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame – who was a guest speaker at the seminar, said the country’s gaming industry has evolved to be one of the most innovative in the world; becoming one of the most profitable industries with unprecedented growth and success.
Among other things, he noted responsible gaming enjoins the development and application of policies and requirements to the gaming industry in a manner that offers a safe user environment and also protects people from the possible negative consequences of gambling.
“The duty to make gaming responsible and create a secure environment for participants is a common enterprise for all service providers, online operators and regulators of the industry. We cannot relent on same. A strict adherence to these principles will avert unnecessary losses,” he stated.
The seminar brought together gaming officials from over 18 African countries, including leadership of the World Lottery Association and African Lotteries Association. There were various delegations also from Canada, the USA, the Caribbean, Lebanon, South Africa and the UK among others who participated.
The Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GhCoPS) has announced that beginning next year, fellowship training programmes for postgraduate doctors will be carried out in regional hospitals across the country.
According to the Rector of the College, Professor Richard Adanu, the College has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ghana Health Service for fellowship training programmes to be carried out in regional hospitals.
Rector of the College, Professor Richard Adanu
Speaking at the induction ceremony and 19th Annual General Scientific Meeting of GhCoPS on Wednesday, December 7, he said this will bring fellowship training closer to doctors.
“One thing that we are doing to bring Fellowship Training closer to our members is that we are working on developing Fellowship Training programmes that would primarily be housed in regional hospitals.
“Such programmes when successfully launched, hopefully, next year, fellowship trainees for the general specialty areas can have their training in the regions where they practice and still provide service in their parent hospitals as part of the training. In such cases, there will be no need for study leave or a gap between membership qualification and the start of fellowship training,” he said.
He lamented the low percentage of doctors who pursue postgraduate fellowship training to the highest level.
This, he admitted has been a challenge in the health sector.
“The rising population and health care needs are also going to lead to an increase in medical schools in the years ahead. So, if an overwhelming majority of our members do not take up fellowship training, these medical schools might end up being staffed and led by non-Ghanaians who have fellowship qualifications,” he added.
Prof. Adanu noted that fellowship training enhances doctors’ practical knowledge in their specialty and makes them more competent in managing health problems, the reason more doctors should yearn to pursue postgraduate fellowship programmes.
The Rector assured the new members and fellows that the College will work to resolve issues making fellowship training unattractive including minimal salary.
A total of 294 doctors were inducted into the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GhCoPS) as new members and fellows at the 19th Annual General Scientific meeting.
Out of the number, 212 of the doctors are new members while 40 of them are new fellows who have completed their training and passed the required examinations.
The other 42 are new fellows who have been elected by different faculties based on their qualifications and contributions to training postgraduate doctors.
This will result in 212 additional members and 82 additional fellows of the College.
Addressing the audience on behalf of the Health Minister, Deputy Health Minister, Alhaji Mahama Asei Seini said cabinet has approved a policy document that would improve the rate at which the College produces fellows and the waiting time between the completion of house office rotations and the start of residency training.
The policy, he noted will be implemented with the next intake of trainees.
“I am happy to inform you that the policy document has been approved by cabinet and would start being implemented with the next intake of trainees.”
He admitted that the current economic challenges have taken a toll on the government’s remuneration of postgraduate training at the College.
However, Alhaji Seini assured that the Ministry will ensure some significant payment is made to the postgraduate trainees before the end of this financial year.
British High Commissioner to Ghana and Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony, Harriet Thompson stated that the UK has partnered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons to address four areas in Ghana’s health sector.
British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson
These include; the strengthening of postgraduate medical training through partnerships between the College and four UK Royal Colleges in Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia, Pathology, Psychiatry and health workforce and governance leadership programmes.
The rests are; a partnership between the Health Ministry and the UK hospitals to decentralise postgraduate medical education in Ghana by expanding the number of accredited medical teaching sites outside of Accra and the deepening of research capacity by the UK on Ghana’s postgraduate medical education training.
The College held its membership and fellowship examinations in March and September this year with a total of 1,099 candidates sitting for the exams.
A total of 850 candidates passed the exams with a pass rate of 81% at the membership level and 82% at the fellowship level.
Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, described fuel prices in Ghana as absurd.
In an interview with JoyNews, the legislator said that driving to Tamale and back in his Land Cruiser costs him GH7000.
He claims that as a result, he has been forced to use an airplane to travel to Tamale.
As a result of the tariffs levied on aviation fuel, he said that flight costs from Accra to Tamale and Kumasi are both equally expensive.
In order to lower the debilitating prices, he claimed that the government must immediately abolish tariffs on fuel used by domestic aircraft.
“If I am going to Tamale now with Land Cruiser, I need about ¢3000 to fill my tank and you will have to top up in Techiman, And when you top up, the least you can spend is ¢500.
“So you need ¢3500 in and ¢3500 out, making ¢7000. So now, we decided to go buy air. The air ticket now, you need no less than ¢3000 return ticket for Tamale. It is absolutely ridiculous.
“I think that the taxes that are imposed on the fuel airline use, the state could help people. If the state could subsidise it, there will not be any justification for the airline to increase their fares.”
The government has, however, started making measures to get cheaper petroleum for the Ghanaian market in the meantime.
To discover less expensive gasoline, a government team has already met with significant petroleum product providers.
The Chief Executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Sultan Al Jaber, was met in November by the Deputy Energy Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, the Managing Director of Bulk Oil Storage Transportation Limited, Edwin Provencal, and the Boss of the National Petroleum Authority, Perry Okudzeto, to discuss how the government might be able to secure a less expensive fuel for the Ghanaian market.
The action is anticipated to address the nation’s growing petroleum product costs.
The government has not yet disclosed the specifics and status of the initiatives in this area.
As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 12.5517 and a selling price of 12.5643. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 12.10 and sold at a rate of 13.15.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 14.1264 and a selling price of 14.1417 as compared to Friday’s trading of a buying price of 15.3872 and a selling price of 15.4038.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 12.1319 and a selling price of 12.1440 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 13.2192 and a selling price of 13.2324.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 12.70 and sold at a rate of 13.60.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.6540 and a selling price of 0.6546 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.7234 and a selling price of 0.7241.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 38.5774 and a selling price of 38.7487 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 35.3767 and a selling price of 35.4993.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 15.00 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 19.00.
Checks show that the club’s management was unimpressed with the gaffer’s performance and opted to look for a new head coach.
“Kotoku Royals Football Club have relieved Seth Ablade from official duties as head coach. The club would like to thank coach and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” part of a statement from Kotoku Royals said in a statement on Monday.
While the club makes the arrangements to bring in a new head coach, Kotoku Royals say assistant coach Raphael Akakpo Patron will be acting until the new coach is appointed.
“Assistant coach Raphael Akakpo Patron will take temporary charge as first team coach until a new coach is appointed,” the Kotoku Royals statement added.
The club currently sits bottom of the Ghana Premier League table and needs to bring in a top coach to turn things around to avoid relegation.
According to data from Africa, some of the 10 richest African-American billionaires’ businesses performed better in 2022, increasing their net worth by $910 million, from $24 billion to $24.91 billion.
The highest rise in net worth was recorded by Robert Smith, the richest Black man in America, who gets the majority of his wealth from his ownership of Vista Equity Partners.
At the same time, Kanye West, now known as “Ye,” lost his billionaire status during the year after German sportswear company Adidas severed ties with the African-American multi-industry creative following a series of offensive and antisemitic comments he made in October.
1. Robert F. Smith
Source: Private Equity
Net worth: $8 billion
Robert F. Smith is America’s wealthiest Black man. He is the founder of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on software investments that Smith founded in 2000 and has grown to more than $50 billion in assets with annual returns of 22 percent since its inception.
Almost all of Smith’s $8-billion fortune stems from his stake in the Texas-based private equity firm, which Forbes ranks 252nd in the world.
2. David Steward
Source: IT
Net worth: $6 billion
David Steward, America’s second-richest Black person, is the founder and chairman of Worldwide Technology, one of the largest African-American-owned businesses.
His company has evolved from a technology equipment reseller in 1990 to a leading provider of technology solutions. In 2020, the company’s revenue was $13.4 billion.
According to Forbes, Steward’s net worth has increased from $5.8 billion to $6 billion since the start of the year.
3. Oprah Winfrey
Source: Media
Net worth: $2.51 billion
According to Forbes, “The Queen of Talk,” Oprah Gail Winfrey, is the wealthiest Black woman in America, with a net worth of $2.51 billion. Oprah has turned her 25-year-long hit talk show into a media and business empire.
To preserve and grow her fortune, the leading media mogul has reinvested profits from her show, as well as profits from films such as “The Color Purple,” “Beloved,” and “Selma,” into key assets and entities in the media industry.
4. Michael Jordan
Source: Charlotte Hornets, Endorsements
Net worth: $1.7 billion
Michael Jordan earned $90 million in salary during his career, but according to Forbes, he has pocketed $1.8 billion (pre-tax) from corporate partners such as Nike, Hanes, and Gatorade.
Jordan is the chairman and principal owner of the Charlotte Hornets, an NBA team based in North Carolina. In 2019, Jordan agreed to sell a minority stake in the NBA team for $1.5 billion. He also owns a NASCAR team and a stake in DraftKings, a sports betting company.
5. Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty
Source: Cosmetics, Music
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty, the world’s youngest Black billionaire and renowned musician, is the second-richest Black woman in the United States.
Her net worth has dropped from $1.7 billion at the start of the year to $1.3 billion at the time of writing this report.
The majority of her fortune is derived from her ownership of Fenty Beauty, a rapidly expanding cosmetics company that sells her makeup and skincare products on Sephora shelves in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East, as well as online to more than 150 countries.
6. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter
Source: Liquor, Music Streaming
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, an African-American businessman worth $1.3 billion at the time of writing, has seen his net worth increase by $300 million since 2021, when Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) acquired a 50-percent stake in his Champagne brand, Armand de Brignac.
He made $297 million last year when he sold a majority stake in Tidal, his high-fidelity music streaming platform, to Jack Dorsey’s Square.
The rapper turned businessman and investor’s net worth has increased from $1 billion to $1.3 billion since February 2021, when LVMH signed a partnership deal with his Champagne brand.
7. Tyler Perry
Source: Films
Net worth: $1 billion
Tyler Perry is an African-American writer, producer, director, and actor who has amassed a fortune through his work. Perry owns 100 percent of his creative output, which includes more than 1,200 TV episodes, 22 feature films, and at least two dozen stage plays, as well as a 330-acre studio on the outskirts of Atlanta.
His “Madea” franchise, which has grossed over $660 million, accounts for a sizable portion of his $1-billion fortune.
He recently signed a four-film deal with Amazon Studios, a television and film producer and distributor based in the United States and one of Amazon’s subsidiaries.
8. Tiger Woods
Source: Golf, endorsements, real estate
Net worth: $1 billion
Tiger Woods, the world’s greatest golfer, has won more prize money than any other professional golfer in history, totaling $121 million. The majority of his fortune is derived from endorsements with companies such as Nike, Gatorade, Rolex, and Monster Energy.
Woods also has a golf course design company as well as a live production company. He is also a shareholder in Nexus Luxury Collection, a global hospitality real estate development and asset management firm. He also has a stake in a luxury mini-golf experience with multiple Florida locations, as well as a hospital software startup.
9. LeBron James
Source: Basketball, Endorsements, Investments
Net worth: $1 billion
LeBron James is the first active NBA player to reach the billion-dollar mark. His pretax earnings with the Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers, total more than $385 million. Off the court, he has amassed well over $900 million (pretax) in earnings from commercial initiatives and endorsement deals with companies such as PepsiCo, Walmart, and his long-time sponsor, Nike. He also has a stake in Beats by Dre and the Blaze Pizza fan base.
10. Sean “Diddy” Combs
Source: Ciroc Vodka, Music, Investments
Net worth: $1 billion
The majority of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ wealth stems from his partnership with Diageo to create Ciroc Vodka, a move that saw him take the helm of Ciroc in 2007, guiding the brand from obscurity to multibillion-dollar status.
The African-American businessman became a billionaire on the same day that Kanye West, now officially known as “Ye,” lost his billionaire status due to the termination of his lucrative contract with Adidas. Since 2019, Combs’ net worth has risen from $740 million to $1 billion.
Palm wine is the sap of a palm tree (family Palmeae) obtained as the fermentation product of a 24-hour tapping. Palm wine contains potassium which has been proven by research to improve heart health and reduce hypertension.
Palm wine contains vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin. Riboflavin helps in the fight against free radicals
There is more to this drink. It’s loaded with nutrients and has a bevy of health benefits. It is often added to various herbal medicines or products and is said to be a nourishing drink that promotes lactation and improves eyesight due to its yeast content.
The yeast contained in palm wine has been reportedly used for industrial purposes such as baking and the production of alcoholic drinks or potable ethanol.
Palm wine has many health benefits, especially when consumed fresh. It is good for our health if it is taken in pure form. The point needs to be made that commercial palm wine is regularly adulterated with narcotic agents obtained from the regular herbal source. Preservatives and sweeteners distort the originality of the wine, therefore making it not good for our health. However, in its natural form, it has the following scientific backings:
Palm wine, Science
Lowers blood sugar levels
One recent study by Erukainure et al.(2019) examine the effects of palm wine as an antidiabetic agent and reported that drinking palm wine could support blood sugar levels.
Another study led by Prof. Shahidul Islam of UKZN’s School of Life Sciences, together with two postgraduate students of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria, have collaborated on research showing that the consumption of raffia palm wine may help fight Type 2 diabetes which affects male sexual organs. The study was conducted on animals and found that palm wine lowers blood glucose levels and has less evidence of oxidative stress on testicular tissue. They concluded that raffia palm wine has therapeutic potential to protect against erectile dysfunction or impotence in men with Type 2 diabetes, thus it can be used in traditional medicine. However, they advised on moderation as excessive could also harm our health.
Eyesight: Some schools of thought argued that our grandparents in the village have better eyesight than us because palm wine is their beverage.
Cardiovascular diseases
Studies have affirmed that drinking moderate amounts of palm wine have been associated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure. This study was conducted by Lindberg and Ezra (2008). Palm wine contains potassium which has been proven by research to improve heart health and reduce hypertension.
Additionally, another study conducted by Ogunro and Ologunagba(2012) evaluate the effect of the level of palm wine consumption on cholesterol levels among rural dwellers. In this study, fifty-eight male volunteers between the ages of 28-69 yrs were recruited. They were divided into two groups; 28 moderate drinkers with an intake of 20-70 grams/day and 30 heavy drinkers with an intake of >70 grams/day of palm wine at a sitting for 3 to 4 days per week with a minimum duration of 5 years. Thirty controls of the same age groups with the same socioeconomic status were recruited. Their lipid profiles were tested. They revealed that heavy consumption of palm wine may promote cholesterol factors, but the benefits of moderate consumption recorded need further investigation.
Fight cancer: Palm wine contains vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin. Riboflavin helps in the fight against free radicals.
Healthy hair, skin, and nails: The iron and vitamin B complex found in palm wine is needed for healthy skin, hair, and nail. Iron is essential for the development, growth, and functioning of some cells in our body. This property of palm wine makes it helpful in promoting wound healing by repairing our tissues and promoting the growth of healthy cells.
Lactation: When nursing mothers include coconut oil in their diet, it induces breast milk production. But it has also been said that palm wine is used by many natural healers in Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, and other parts of Africa to help lactating mothers when they have limited breast milk production.
Sperm production:
Hearsay evidence attests that palm wine is credited for increasing sperm count in men. Also, Palm wine is combined with other herbs to fight malaria attacks.
Stomach disorders
In folk medicines, palm wine is mixed with other herbs and used for treating stomach disorders. For instance, one old study by Ibu et al.(1986) examined the effect on 40 albino rats of both sexes. It was found that palm wine orally caused a 21.8% decrease in gastric acid secretion. But 4% ethanol caused a significant increase, while 12% sucrose caused a significant decrease in gastric acid secretion in rats. This inhibitory effect of palm wine may be of clinical significance in the management of peptic ulcer patients and ulcer-prone subjects in this region.
However, another study on humans did not find any positive effect on ulcers though it contained ethyl alcohol (5%). The study was conducted by Osim et al. (1991) and used only seven volunteers.
Take home
Palm wine is nutritionally important because it is an excellent source of probiotics, nicotinic acid, thiamin, vitamin C, protein, and riboflavin. It contains sugar, protein, carbohydrate, amino acid, Vitamin C, yeast, potassium zinc, magnesium, iron, and vitamins B3 and B6. Studies on stomach ulcer treatment appear mixed. Animal studies confirmed that palm wine is an antidiabetic agent, that lowers cholesterols and many more. We need more human studies on the effect of palm wine on our health.
NB:
Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.
Following Ghana’s early elimination from the current World Cup, Black Stars defender Tariq Lamptey has resumed first-team training with Brighton and Hove Albion in England.
With 21 points after 14 games, seventh-place Brighton and Hove Albion is getting ready for the second half of the league.
Tariq Lmaptey was a member of the Black Stars squad that failed to go past the group stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Lamptey only started one of the Black Stars’ three games as they finished last in Group H with just three points.
The Black Stars of Ghana won one game against South Korea and lost two games against Portugal and Uruguay.
Before switching nationality to Ghana Lamptey made three appearances for England’s U18, nine appearances for England’s U19 (scored one), six appearances for U20, and two appearances for England’s U21.
This season the 22-year-old has played 11 games for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League.
In the second episode of the Vodafone Healthline Spin-off show, Dr Paul Yegbe, a prominent urologist, discussed various signs that may signal prostate problems in men.
He explained that one of the most prevalent concerns that men face is prostate gland enlargement.
According to him, the enlargement of the prostate can produce a block in urine flow because the tube that transports urine from the bladder through the centre of the prostate is restricted by the enlargement.
He mentioned that this illness can cause urinary symptoms that can worsen over time.
“Because there is a narrowing as a result of the enlargement of the prostate, there may be some urinary problems such as a delay in urination, intermittency in urination, and the straining of urine by pressing against one’s abdominal walls,” Dr Yegbe told host Frema Asiedu on the Vodafone Healthline spin-off show.
He warned that if left untreated, men with enlarged prostates could develop issues such as urinary tract infections, which can cause pain during urination, and kidney failure due to urine retention.
Dr Yegbe cautioned that when these signs and symptoms develop, it is critical to get medical assistance.
Aside from prostate illnesses, the show emphasised ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, as well as its capacity to improve digestion, relieve nausea and vomiting, aid in weight loss, and help with arthritis.
Vodafone Healthline has been on the air for over a decade and is still regarded as the country’s most important and informative health and wellness platform.
Through the Vodafone Healthline show, Vodafone Ghana has provided free medical education and interventions to the Ghanaian public. The show keeps giving out useful information through interesting content on selected media outlets and social media.
The Vodafone Healthline Spin-Off edition airs on Mondays from 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The IMF board will then negotiate and presumably adopt a program for the nation after that.
A settlement between Ghana and the Fund could be achieved shortly, given the cedi’s value has been rising recently versus the US dollar.
As a significant step toward achieving an agreement with the IMF to launch a program, the administration has started restructuring the nation’s debt as of Monday, December 5. Domestic debt served as the program’s foundation.
Since December 1, an IMF delegation has been in Ghana to continue discussions with Ghanaian authorities about the country’s post-COVID-19 economic growth program and related policies and reforms that could be financed by a new IMF lending arrangement. The delegation is led by Stéphane Roudet, Mission Chief for Ghana.
In July 2022, Ghana requested assistance from the IMF once more so that it could pay its debts to the rest of the globe and repair the soundness of its public finances.
It is the second time in the past three years, and 17th since independence in 1957 that Ghana has turned to the IMF for help.
The conference was scheduled to take place at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, starting at 10 am, according to the press announcement.
GhanaWeb sources have intimated that the three parties are prepared to reveal a specific resolution following months of negotiations as the government looks for a bailout, despite the fact that virtually little more was divulged regarding the matter to be discussed.
According to our sources, the IMF delegation visiting Ghana is anticipated to declare that it has secured a staff-level agreement with the government of Ghana for a FUND program.
The sources, stressed that as at yesterday, there remained some critical issues that needed to be “ironed out” before today’s formal announcement.
Government recently announced a Domestic Debt Exchange programme, which is laregly aimed at stabilizing the economy. The move which constitutes a domestic debt default status is seen by experts as part of conditionalities to access the FUND support.
What is a Staff-Level Agreement?
According to Ghanabusiness.com, a Staff-Level Agreement is reached between a country requesting for Fund and the IMF Mission subject to the approval of the IMF Management and Executive Board and receipt of the necessary financing assurances before loans are granted.
The IMF expatiates further on modalities from the agreement through to eventual approval of the agreement.
End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country.
The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board.
Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.
Ghana’s economic headwinds:
The economy is facing major headwinds that have been characterized by galloping inflation, consistent depreciation of the cedi and general high cost of living and of doing business.
The government is hoping to reach a deal with the IMF for an economic support programme aimed at shoring up the economy and easing the burden on ordinary Ghanaians.
President Akufo-Addo and his government have come under heavy scrutiny for failing to address the current economic challenges in the country.
The prices of goods and services have been continuously rising all year round, with inflation currently at over 40 per cent.
The Ghana cedi has been ranked the worst currency in the world among 148 currencies tracked by Bloomberg, overtaking Sri Lanka’s rupee, having depreciated by nearly 50 per cent so far in 2022.
Due to muscle issues, Timothy Fosu-Mensah missed the beginning of training in early December and has since joined Bayer Leverkusen. The right-back went back to the practice field on Monday.
On January 13, 2021, Fosu-Mensah transferred from Manchester United to Bayer Leverkusen. On February 28, 2021, he had another knee ligament injury, ending his 2020–21 season.
Fosu-Mensah made his first appearance in 321 days on January 15, 2022, coming off the bench in the second half of a 2-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach.
This season the 24-year-old has played seven games in the German Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso will be pleased to see Timothy Fosu-Mensah back in training because of his ability to as a defensive midfielder, centre-back, or full-back.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah lasted played in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 victory against Stuttgart on the 12th of November. He replaced Dutch-born Ghanaian defender Jeremie Frimpong.
Bayer Leverkusen is 12th on the league table with 18 points after 15 games. Bayer will play Borussia Monchengladbach when the league resumes in January.
Annor Walker, the head coach of the Black Galaxies, has said that his team is still working on getting there as the CHAN Tournament in 2022 gets underway.
In a friendly match on Sunday at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram, the Galaxies overcame a deficit to defeat Hearts of Oak 2-1.
Ghana are housed in Group C and will take on Madagascar on January 15 before playing Sudan (19th) and Morocco (23rd) in the other group C matches.
“I’m not looking at the goals (in friendly games) I’m looking at the performance and our game plan that we are strategizing to play and to me, it’s working but we’ve not got there yet.
“We continue till the final day that we leave here” Annor Walker said.
The Black Galaxies are likely to play one high profile international friendly before the tournament in Algeria.
The Galaxies will be seeking to restore Ghana’s glory in the competition having played in two finals in 2009 and 2014.
Ghana will be featuring in the tournament for the first time in 8 years having missed out on the last three editions.
On Monday, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia praised the Audit Service and Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu for the outstanding execution of their mandate.
The Vice President observed that the most recent report had been the finest in the preceding ten years since the Auditor-General began providing Parliament with reports on the audited finances of public sector entities.
Delivering a speech at the Second Annual District Auditors’ Conference in Accra, said “the Audit Service is doing an excellent job. The Board, Management and Staff deserve commendation,” Dr Bawumia added.
He reiterated the Government’s resolve to provide the necessary logistical support to the Service in order to operate independently as required by the Constitution of Ghana.
“Disallowance and Surcharge – The Role of the District Auditor” was the theme for the conference.
It provided a platform for the Service to discuss the mandate of the Auditor-General under Article 187 of the 1992 Constitution to disallow and surcharge public officials implicated in financial misappropriation and recover the money to the State.
In the 2021 Auditor-General’s Report to Parliament, it came to light that the State lost some GHS17.5 billion after the A-G audited the accounts of public boards, corporations and other statutory institutions.
The irregularities were mainly in the form of cash, tax, payroll fraud, debts and loans, stores infraction, procurement and contracts abuse among others.
The report compelled some civil society organisations and individuals to protest against the Auditor-General and demanded that he should surcharge those involved in financial malpractices to pay the lost amounts to the State.
For government to tackle the issue of bribery and corruption in the public sector, Vice President Bawumia said the Akufo-Addo administration rolled out various digitisation initiatives at some public sector institutions and cited the online vehicle registration and licensing at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority as a classic example.
Public sector institutions that witnessed extensive digitisation of their operations included the Passport Office, Tema Port, National Health Insurance Authority, and Registrar General’s Department.
The introduction of the Ghana.gov portal, which enabled individuals and corporate entities to access government services and make payments electronically, was another measure to check bribery and corruption, he said.
The government, Vice President Bawumia said, had increased the budgetary allocations to some anti-corruption institutions including the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Parliament of Ghana, Economic Crime Office, Ghana Police Service, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Those interventions, he said, were intended to boost the fight against corruption and enhance productivity in the public sector.
Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, called for closer collaboration between his office and the Auditor-General to recover financial losses suffered by the State.
For instance his office has established a special team to coordinate and follow up with the Auditor-General’s Office on relevant information towards recovering public funds.
In an era of digital technology, Mr Dame urged the Audit Service to embrace digitisation across its district and regional offices to enhance operations.
He lauded the Service for initiating an “Audit Implementation System”- a digital platform that reduces human intervention in auditing.
He said when fully implemented, the system would facilitate the data handling of auditors and significantly improve service delivery.
The mere title “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” announces that this stop-motion animated movie reflects the keen eye and visual style of the directing auteur, with a healthy dose of revisionism and reimagining baked into that. Yet despite its beauty, several of those narrative touches don’t fully work, leaving behind a movie that’s aesthetically lovely but narratively uneven.
Seeking deeper emotional resonance and adopting a darker maybe-not-for-kids tone, this “Pinocchio” opens with a prologue about Geppetto (voiced by “The Strain’s” David Bradley) having lost his young son, leaving him not merely lonely but grief-stricken. His story is still narrated by an anthropomorphic cricket (Ewan McGregor), although here, the bug is a traveling novelist before being tapped as the wooden boy’s conscience.
Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) turns out to be another interesting visual choice, resembling a creature carved out of wood more than the puppet from the Disney classic, whose shadow lingers over this production in a number of ways. Perhaps foremost, del Toro makes the ill-advised decision to incorporate songs into the story, although he keeps interrupting them, which might speak to a certain lack of conviction about that particular aspect.
There is, again, a fairy (Tilda Swinton) who seeks to ease Geppetto’s suffering – referring to him as a “poor, heartbroken man” – by giving the wooden boy life. Here, the old man is initially resistant, announcing, “You’re not my son!,” gradually coming around as the cheerful lad embarks on a series of harrowing adventures, including his involvement with a puppet show whose proprietor, Count Volpe (Christoph Waltz), makes the fearsome Stromboli seem cuddly by comparison.
It’s around that point where del Toro (who shares directing credit with animator Mark Gustafson) appears determined to connect this “Pinocchio” to larger and more ambitious themes. Setting the tale in Italy during the rise of Mussolini, he shows other young boys being drafted to serve the fascist state. It’s an intriguing but ultimately muddled departure, grounding a story associated with fantasy in grim historical reality.
Not surprisingly given his track record, del Toro fares better in creating a rich visual template, with the fairy and the sea monster bringing to mind the inventiveness of his landmark film “Pan’s Labyrinth” through an animated filter.
As it happens, this version of the story follows Disney+’s live-action rendition featuring Tom Hanks, which inadvertently gave the word “wooden” a workout. While del Toro’s take is much more interesting, nor can it be viewed as an unqualified success, making one wonder whether everyone might have been better off simply leaving the 1942 classic alone.
Obviously, the intent was to make a movie that isn’t your granddad’s “Pinocchio,” and del Toro – who also put his possessory brand on the recent Netflix anthology “Cabinet of Curiosities” – has accomplished that mission.
“Pinocchio” surely has its moments. But beyond answering the streaming giant’s wish for another marquee attraction carved from a beloved property, any praise comes with a few strings attached, depriving it of the consistent sense of wonder that would qualify as a dream come true.
Iran says it has publicly hanged a 23-year-old in what is the second execution linked to the recent anti-government protests.
Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, was hanged early on Monday in the city of Mashhad, the judiciary said.
A court convicted him of “enmity against God” after finding he had stabbed to death two members of the paramilitary Basij Resistance Force.
Rahnavard was hanged just 23 days after his arrest.
They allowed #MajidRezaRahnavard’s mother to visit him, and didn’t speak of execution at all. She left smiling and hoping that her son would be released soon.
This morning she arrived when her son’s murderers were burying his dead body alone.#StopExecutionInIranpic.twitter.com/9n2k02uE60
Human rights groups have warned that protesters are being sentenced to death after sham trials with no due process.
His mother was not told of the execution until after his death.
His family were then given the name of a cemetery and a plot number. When they turned up, security agents were burying his body.
Opposition activist collective 1500tasvir tweeted that the family were telephoned by an official at 07:00 local time and told: “We have killed your son and buried his body in Behesht-e Reza cemetery.”
The judiciary’s Mizan news agency said Rahnavard was hanged “in the presence of a group of Mashhadi citizens” and posted several pre-dawn photographs reportedly showing the execution.
In the images a man could be seen hanging from the cable in front of onlookers – it is not clear how many people attended the execution, or who they were.
Rahnavard was denied a lawyer of his choice for his trial. The lawyer he was given did not put up a defence.
Mizan had previously reported that he was accused of stabbing to death two members of the Basij on a street in Mashhad on 17 November. The Basij is a volunteer force often deployed by Iranian authorities to suppress dissent.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Norway-based Iran Human Rights, said on Twitter that Rahnavard’s sentencing was based on “coerced confessions, after a grossly unfair process and a show trial”.
“This crime must be met with serious consequences for the Islamic Republic,” he said, adding that there was a “serious risk of mass execution of protesters”.
The women-led protests against Iran’s clerical establishment were sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police on 13 September for allegedly wearing her hijab, or headscarf, “improperly”.
They have spread to 161 cities in all 31 provinces and are seen as one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.
Iran’s leaders have portrayed the protests as “riots” instigated by the country’s foreign enemies. However, the overwhelming majority of protesters have been unarmed and peaceful.
A video broadcast by state TV after his arrest on 19 November showed Rahnavard blindfolded and with his left arm in a cast. In the footage, he said he did not deny attacking the Basij members, but did not remember the details, because he had not been in the right state of mind.
State TV also showed on Monday what it said was his subsequent “confession” before a Revolutionary Court.
Activists say Iranian state media routinely broadcast false confessions by detainees that have been coerced through torture and other ill-treatment.
Later on Monday, the EU sanctioned Iranian state TV and its director for broadcasting forced confessions. It also imposed sanctions on Iran’s army chief and regional commanders of the Revolutionary Guards over the repression of protesters.
Iran has said it plans to sanction several German and British political figures who have denounced Tehran’s actions.
The first execution of a protester took place last Thursday, triggering international condemnation. Mohsen Shekari, 23, was convicted of “enmity against God” after being found to have attacked a Basij member with a machete in Tehran.
BBC Persian’s Kasra Naji says it is not clear whether the executions will help end the protests that have been sweeping the country or pour fuel on the fire.
So far, at least 488 protesters have been killed by security forces and 18,259 others have been detained, according to the Human Rights Activists’ News Agency (HRANA). It has also reported the deaths of 62 security personnel.
Iran is second only to China in the number of executions carried out annually.
Yassine Bounou of Morocco won the 2022 FIFA World Cup’s best goalie award thanks to his outstanding exploits, according to Italian icon Dino Zoff.
Bounou was crucial in helping Morocco defeat Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinal and shock Spain 1-0 in the Round of 16.
By virtue of the result, the Atlas Lions became the first African country to progress to the last four.
“Who is the best goalkeeper in this World Cup? So far, Bounou has made a good impression, he made a very notable contribution,” the 80-year-old told Tuttosport.
“There is a lot of him in the Morocco surprise.”
Bounou has won two consecutive Man of the Match awards following his match-winning performances against Spain and Portugal.
He has kept four clean sheets in five matches, only denied 100 per cent record by an own goal conceded against Canada in the group stage.
Morocco will face holders France in the semifinals at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
