As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 12.8936 and a selling price of 12.9065. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 12.50 and sold at a rate of 13.30.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 15.7343 and a selling price of 15.7527 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 15.7404 and a selling price of 15.7588.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 15.50 and sold at a rate of 16.30.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 13.5512 and a selling price of 13.5659 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 13.5565 and a selling price of 13.5711.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 12.70 and sold at a rate of 13.50.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.7527 and a selling price of 0.7533 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.7530 and a selling price of 0.7536.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 34.4242 and a selling price of 34.5335 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 34.4109 and a selling price of 34.5202.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 14.50 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 19.00.
For the CFA, it is trading at a buying price of 47.7192 and a selling price of 47.7706.
At a forex bureau in Accra, CFA is being bought at a rate of 18.50 CFA for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 23.50 CFA for every 1 Cedi.
According to a recent research from the Environmental Justice Foundation, widespread illegal fishing and overfishing by Chinese-owned industrial trawlers are putting the livelihood of millions of Ghanaians at danger, and a culture of corruption has allowed these crimes to go unpunished (EJF).
EJF’s investigations expose widespread corruption and intimidation that lead to shocking unlawful fishing and atrocious human rights violations on fishing vessels in Ghanaian waters.
In order to bring the industry out of the shadows, avert the ecological and social crises, and ensure sustainable, moral, and legal fisheries in the Ghanaian fleet, EJF calls on the Ghanaian Government and its international partners to collaborate and take urgent action.
Ghana is home to over 200 fishing communities, with almost 3 million people in the country reliant on small-scale fisheries for their livelihoods. These livelihoods are now at risk, in large part, because of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by the industrial trawl fleet. This is believed by EJF to be at least 90 percent owned by Chinese beneficiaries, flouting Ghanaian laws on foreign ownership.
EJF has previously documented these trawlers illegally targetting small pelagic species – including those referred to as ‘the people’s fish’ – and selling them back to the communities who would have caught them, a practice known as ‘saiko’ fishing. This illicit trade was originally conducted at sea, largely under the cover of darkness. Trawlers transferred frozen blocks of fish to specially adapted canoes which went on to sell it to local markets.
Following government action to halt the illegal trade in September 2021, this practice appeared to have stopped. However, instead of disappearing, the activity has only become more open. EJF investigators tracked large volumes of small pelagic species and juvenile demersal fish, placed in cartons and sold at the country’s major industrial port for onward distribution across the country.
The report draws on interviews with a Ghanaian crew who witnessed abuses first-hand and filmed evidence, a network of informants and analysis of vessel tracking data. All of those interviewed said that there was insufficient food on-board vessels, 94 percent had restricted access to clean water, and 81 percent had witnessed or experienced physical violence. Furthermore, 92 percent had seen fish illegally dumped at sea, 81 percent stated they had witnessed their captains illegally entering waters reserved for canoe fishers, 64 percent had seen the illegal targetting and capture of non-target species, and 53 percent testified to the use of illegally adapted fishing gears.
The picture which emerges, EJF claims, is one of systemic corruption enabling illegal fishing and human rights abuses to go unreported and unpunished in the country’s waters, with almost 90 percent of crew interviewed witnessing corruption from authorities. EJF believes that the web of corruption is so deep and entangled that sustainability and the defence of human rights is impossible without substantial reforms.
The Ghanaian Government, particularly the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, can reverse this and ensure sustainable fisheries; but it must act by building on its laudable recent positive actions to reform parts of the industry, according to the report.
Steve Trent, EJF CEO and Co-Founder, said: “In recent months, the Minister of Fisheries, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has taken several positive actions and these are to be applauded. However, the extent of illegal fishing and corruption in Ghana’s fisheries across its largely foreign-owned industrial fleets remains highly damaging, presenting a direct threat to the livelihoods and food security of millions of Ghanaians, and threatening the collapse of Ghana’s fisheries. The illegal targetting and landing of small pelagic species and juvenile fish completely undermines the livelihoods and food security of millions of small-scale fishers.
“Although the need to act is urgent, the Ghanaian Government can take practical, cost-effective measures to ensure sustainable, transparent fisheries. Stronger oversight actions to tackle illegal fishing and an end to illegal landings will have immediate, lasting benefits for all Ghanaians.”
Speaking at the third annual Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) Investment Week, Mr. Kyerematen sounded very optimistic about the sector’s prospects and the potential it has to not only transform the economy while stabilizing the local currency and reducing the country’s overreliance on imports, but also to create jobs.
“There is a need to promote exports as a nation now more than ever. As a country and a growing economy, we must be able to produce our basic needs as well as have the abundance to promote exports for foreign exchange. This is the key objective of government’s initiatives, such as the One District One Factory (1D1F),” he said.
New and updated policies
Touching on the individual policies and moves by other agencies, departments and ministries, Mr. Kyerematen pointed at the Special Economic Zones Policy which is an upgrade of the free zone programme to ensure that Ghana stays abreast with the trends. “Development of other industrial parks and special economic zones will be designed to have the full supply chains and interrelated industries to create synergy within the zones.”
He added that his ministry is implementing other sector specific programmes, such as the Automotive Assembly Programme which has seen government approve a new Components Manufacturing Policy that seeks to support the local production and supply of components and spare parts for the automotive industry.
On funding, Mr. Kyerematen said government has made considerable provision through the Development Bank Ghana (DBG). This has resulted in the establishment of a GH¢500million special credit programme called the DBG Emergency Economic Programme (DEEP) to support businesses in the agribusiness value chain over the next five years. The priority sectors are poultry, rice & cereals, pharmaceutical manufacturing, tourism, textiles & garments to help build economic resilience.
Electricity/Energy
“Access to electricity is key to industrialisation. In this regard, I am happy to report that connectivity to the national grid has seen an immense increase, with a total of 157 communities linked to the national grid as of September 2022. The Ministry of Energy will further connect an additional 400 towns under the SHEP-4, SHEP-5 and Turnkey Projects in 2023. This will also go a long way to support businesses, such as the single factory free zones enterprises located all over the country, to have access to reliable energy to produce more for export,” he said.
Transport
Connectivity through transport infrastructure is critical to development, productivity and increased export. The government, he noted, is committed to infrastructural projects – the construction of the Kumasi Lake Roads and Drainage Extension project, the rehabilitation of Assin Fosu-Assin Praso roads, the dualisation on the Tema-Aflao, and the Tema-Akosombo roads, and many others – that will help connect various companies including free zones enterprises.
GFZA Investment Week
Ambassador Micheal Oquaye Jnr., Chief Executive Officer of GFZA, noted that the Investment Week celebration, which was under the theme ‘GFZA: Championing Export-Led Industrial Growth in the context of AfCFTA and World Trade’, is an annual event to showcase the achievements of the Free Zones Programme.
“The essence of this forum is to come together to take stock and discuss issues of common interest to improve the operations of the Free Zones Authority and Enterprises as well as address any challenges you and we may be facing because of the pandemic and current worldwide economic situation. It is also to update you on new trends and policies that will have an impact on your operations”.
Currently, there are 217 active free zone enterprises. Cumulatively, the free zone enterprises have made export earnings of over US$27billion, employing about 33,000 people directly with over 31,000 being Ghanaians. “These are impressive achievements, and I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate your contribution toward the development of the Ghanaian economy.”
Amb. Oquaye Jnr. charged that with traditional supply chains from Europe, America, China, India, Turkey unable to sustain the needs of Africa, “we need to drive our own business cars and fly our own business jets all over Africa, and therefore, the AfCFTA is our only solution of self-reliance in Africa. The time to walk the talk is now and the GFZA is ready to take this charge in tandem with AfCFTA Secretariat and MOTI”.
A nurse in Longueuil, Quebechas been reinstated after she was suspended for three days for eating a slice of toast with peanut butter while on her shift.
The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de la Montérégie-Est released a statement explaining “the measure was too severe for the act committed.”
“The Montérégie-Est Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) has taken note of the whole situation and is cancelling the disciplinary measure of a three-day suspension for the nurse involved. Considering the discrepancies in the handling of this event, the measure has been invalidated and removed from the employee’s file,” the statement read in French.
They added that they met with the employee and apologized to her.
The incident took place last Friday when the Journal de Montreal reported that the nurse had been suspended for eating a slice of toast on the job. The initial investigation described the incident as “a serious breach of the obligations of loyalty and honesty.”
Once the CISSS met with the nurse and her union representative, they reversed the suspension.
The nurse, who requested anonymity, explained to the Journal de Montreal that she had eaten the toast because she did not have time to eat breakfast prior to her shift.
Sonia Bélanger, the Quebec minister responsible for senior care tweeted that she will be looking into the incident and will meet with those who were involved with the initial decision to suspend the nurse.
“I asked the CISSS for an explanation and the CEO agreed that the measure was too severe,” she said on Twitter on Monday in French. “The CISSS will meet with the nurse today to apologize and inform her that they are reversing their decision. The managers involved will be met.”
Although emergency rooms in hospitals across the province are over capacity, the number of nurses in the province is growing, according to Quebec’s professional order.
The world’s longest-serving head of state, the president of Equatorial Guinea, has been sworn in for a sixth term in office.
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who is 80, took the presidential oath before inspecting a military parade.
He declared he was – and always would be – the leader of all Equatorial Guineans.
He first seized power in a coup in 1979.
Critics say elections since then have been rigged, with the opposition largely prevented from taking part and the media controlled by the government and its allies.
A woman who witnessed her boyfriendkill six members of his own family in February 2016 has been given a 25-year prison term, sources at the Chicago-Sun Times say.
25-year-old Jafeth Ramos pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery in connection with the 2016 killings, which were committed by her former boyfriend Diego Uribe. She admitted that she accompanied Urbe to his aunt Maria Martinez’s home in 2016, where he fatally shot her after demanding money. Uribe also beat her brother Noe Martinez Jr. to death, fatally stabbed their mother Rosaura Martinez, killed their 10-year-old and 13-year-old children, and killed Noe Martinez Sr. when he returned home. Ramos and Uribe were arrested in May 2016.
Ramos was facing almost 500 criminal counts in connection with the killings, but entered the guilty plea as part of a deal with Cook County prosecutors after agreeing to testify against Uribe, who was sentenced to life in prison last month. Uribe is not believed to have directly killed any of the six victims, but she was still described by authorities as an “active participant” in the killings. The pair stole an Xbox and approximately $550 in cash.
In court, she testified that she accompanied Uribe to the family’s home, and admitted that she did not call for help or try to leave during the ordeal. When she was sentenced on Tuesday, she declined to give a statement. She told jurors she accepted the plea deal in hopes she could see her son again.
She described how Uribe killed all of the family members, although his attorneys argued that he was present when the family was killed in a robbery by four masked men gone wrong.
The man accused of killing Takeoff is requesting funding from the courtto hire a private eye, TMZ reports.
33-year-old Patrick Xavier Clark, who claimed his innocence in court earlier this week, has asked for $5,000 to hire an investigator to help with his defense. According to court documents, he said that he’s unable to cover the costs to hire someone because Clark’s family already spent their money on an attorney who has agreed to work at a reduced rate. Clark argued that he needs to hire someone to “properly investigate” and effectively prepare for the trial, and added there’s an investigator who has already agreed to work on his case for the reduced rate of $85 an hour.
The House police department confirmed Clark was arrested and charged with the murder of the 28-year-old Migos rapper last week. Takeoff was fatally shot during the early hours of Nov. 1 when an argument broke out at a Houston bowling alley and escalated to violence. While Takeoff was not involved in the argument, which authorities said stemmed from a “lucrative” dice game, he was shot in the head and back during the altercation.
In an appearance in court, Clark’s attorneys said that he wasn’t the person who shot Takeoff. His attorney Letitia Quinones said her client is “nervous” and “concerned” because he is “being charged with something that he believes he’s innocent of, so how would anyone do in that type of circumstance?”
Clark is being held on $2 million bond and is set to attend a bond reduction hearing on Dec. 14. Police have cited cellphone and surveillance footage as evidence that Clark was the gunman.
However, he argues that the domestic debt exchange program launched by Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta was an unjustified, unilateral procedure that would cause institutional investors to suffer disproportionate losses (bondholders).
On December 7, 2022, Adongo said it was time for impacted organizations to resist how the government was attempting to reorganize their investments while speaking at a press conference for the Minority Caucus in Parliament.
“We agree that Ghana needs restructuring but not an illegal, unilateral and arrogant misappropriation of people’s resources. This is the time to call on those activist investment lawyers, those vigilante lawyers to step up and claim their place in the fight to rescue this country,” he stressed.
Government is hoping to close a deal on debt restructuring at home in order to be able to access an International Monetary Fund (IMF) facility to support the failing economy.
“The Ace Ankomahs of today are called upon to rise up and protect our country, unless their mouths are already full, this is the time to make their names. Ken will not be allowed to arrogate unto himself powers he doesn’t have to shred people’s contract,” Adongo added.
Ofori-Atta on December 6 announced that government was restructuring bonds held by institutional investors, putting them into four groups stretching 15 years. With interest also spread in four tranches in four years.
Bui Power Authority (BPA), in partnership with the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), is coming out with a training model for engineering students on renewable energy.
The project is expected to enable students to better manage engineering and renewable energy facilities after school.
A proposal of about one million Euros has been received by the German Academic Development (DAD) Service to seek their support on the renewable energy capacity building project.
Stakeholders in a mini discussion during inspection.
A team from DAD and the Technical University of Berlin have assessed facilities in Ghana, including the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, a World Bank project at UENR in Sunyani, and the Bui Generation Station, as the industrial site, ahead of a training model.
The Renewable Energy Director at BPA, Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, said the partnership, involving other stakeholders, would help build students’ capacity and practicalize acquired knowledge. He also said it would further boost students’ productivity when they join the labor force.
He said the business of BPA is to generate electricity from a renewable energy source and sell it to the national grid.
Professor Samuel Gyamfi, Dean of the School of Energy
“We don’t use foreigners to run the plant for us. We use our locally trained engineers. This is why we think if we can build practical skills in them (engineering students), it will become easier,” he said.
Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo emphasized that the capacity building would mean they would not have to employ engineers before training them as “we would have already trained engineers who understand the field and would hit the ground running”.
He further noted that the proposal and the training model would also afford students, lecturers, and engineering staff from BPA the opportunity to visit Germany to experience the situation there.
Stefan Wolf, Technical University of Berlin
He spoke at the assessment tour of the stakeholder facilities in Sunyani and Bui in the Bono Region.
Dean of the School of Energy, UENR, Prof Samuel Gyamfi, said besides exposing all renewable engineering students to the project as part of their education, they are also exploring how the students can create jobs in the renewable energy sector.
He said this is because there is a lot of business in renewable energy and energy efficiency that requires that the students are exposed to them to take advantage of.
“We also want to put in entrepreneurship and innovations so that when they graduate, they must not only look for employment but be able to employ themselves”, he said.
A member of the team from the Technical University of Berlin, Stefan Wolf, described BPA as an important partner that can channel the interest of industry in renewable energy into the curriculum approach, development and reviews because of what they are already doing.
He, however, emphasized the need to find local solutions to situations. “We can share our experiences with you, like how companies in Germany do it, and then you have to find your solutions. We are only inspiring you and not giving you solutions from Germany to copy”.
German team meeting UENR Council members
The Pro VC of UENR, Prof John K.M Kuwornu welcomed the project and said it would build their curriculum and ensure that its relevant to the industry and further increase the employability rate of their students.
The team from the Technical University of Berlin also had a closed-door meeting with the UENR Council, including the foundation Vice Chancellor, Prof Esi Awuah, for further discussions on the project.
She said, in recent times, extremist attacks are pervasive and present across the nation.
Speaking to Citi News, Kathleen Addy, the chair of the NCCE, urged the government to provide resources for the commission so that it can educate Ghanaians in other regions of the country.
She also noted that “as part of the government’s effort to protect the security of citizens, it has signed an agreement with the European Union dubbed Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism to sensitize locals in the five regions in the North on the existential threat of extremism.”
“Today, we signed an agreement with the European Union where we benefit from an amount of €1.7 million that should take us eighteen months to conclude a project on preventing and containing violent extremism.
“However, we from the NCCE started working on this project last year, and we undertook the North Presec, a project also funded by the EU focused on the Northern part of Ghana to create awareness so that people will understand the nature of the threats that we face.”
“So we implore the government that though this project is focused on the Northern part of the country, we all know that the problem is all over, there are communities in different parts of the country where the threats are even more real. So we are asking that we will be resourced to be able to spread the project to other parts of the country and not limit it to the northern part and the border regions.”
A left defender for the Black Stars, Baba Rahman has reunited with his Reading colleagues to begin pre-season training for the resumption of the English championship.
Following his nation’s elimination from the World Cup in Qatar, the Ghanaian international traveled back to England.
Rahman, who is on loan at Reading from Chelsea, featured in all three matches at the tournament but Ghana failed to progress beyond the group stage.
“It was a great experience and I really loved it. It was really great,” said the defender following his return to Bearwood Park.
The 28-year-old took part in training on Thursday as manager Paul Ince prepares his team ahead of their game against Coventry on Saturday.
Rahman has been an important player for the Royals since joining the club last season, where he helped them beat the drop.
This season, Reading led by Ghanaian compatriot Andy Yiadom will be hoping to make a return to the English Premier League.
Five stone and sand quarry company managers have been detained by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality.
Paul Addai Stone Quarry is a Ghanaian-owned business, whereas the other four enterprises are Chinese: E&H Quarry Ltd., Atlantic Rock Quarry, China Railways Engineering Quarry Ltd., and Quality Quarry Ltd.
The GRA has in fact detained the managers of these businesses for a variety of VAT violations, including the selective and non-issuance of VAT receipts.
The exercise was headed by Joseph Annan, Area Enforcement Manager of Accra Central – GRA. He explained that the visit to the sites was a continuation of what started in September this year.
“Compliance really improved when we started in September, and that has been evident in our collection. This latest exercise, which puts focus on quarries across the country, is an integral part of the national economy. We have moved our focus from commerce to the quarry sector. Our test purchases have indicated that most operators at quarries do not issue the VAT invoice,” he said.
Mr. Annan said on-the-spot assessments alone done since September this year has realised more than GH¢800,000, though a lot more assessments are yet to be done.
“We have collected all these for the state, and there is a lot more to collect. Through these enforcements, we have the public also giving us alerts on fake invoices. These are great collaborations that the authority does not take for granted,” he said.
Key items intercepted in the five companies were idle VAT invoices, waybills, company invoices, computer system units, laptops and company documents.
“The CDIs would conduct their investigations as we do our preemptive assessment and recommend them for full audits. After the investigations, they would face the authority’s legal unit for possible prosecution,” he added.
Last week, five Chinese firms – Top Stone Quarry, Uniafrika, Derby Quarry, Orient Quarry, Massaike & Sabbagh Company Ltd. – and Twin Rock Quarry, a Ghanaian company located at the Shai Osudoku District Assembly, were clamped down for various infractions, including non-issuance and selective issuance of VAT receipts.
These companies had their officials arrested and are currently undergoing investigations for possible prosecution.
Since September this year, GRA has invigilated more than 175 taxpayers, all in a bid to meet its GH¢80.3 billion revenue target.
The authority had earlier disclosed that it will enforce compliance in the hospitality sector during the festive season to boost revenue.
Terrence Howard claims that he is truly prepared to hang up his hat this time.
The Oscar-nominated actor announced his decision during a red carpet event for The Best Man: The Final Chapters, an upcoming Hulu series in which he reprises his role as Quentin Spivey. Howard told Entertainment Tonight that the show will serve as his swan song, as he plans to formally retire.
“This is the end for me. I don’t know if it’s the end for the rest of them,” he said. “I retired two years ago, for the most part. I was done. … I asked Sidney Poitier 10 years ago, does he want to do any more work, and he said, ‘Why would I spend my last 10 years doing an impersonation of myself?’ And that’s what I’ve gotten to.”
Howard made similar comments back in 2019, claiming he would step away from acting after the conclusion of Fox’s hit series Empire. However, the 53-year-old has appeared in multiple projects, including the 2021 drama Triumph, 2022’s The Walk, and the aforementioned The Best Man series, which premieres Dec. 22 on Peacock.
“I’ve gotten to the point where now I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor,” Howard continued, before praising the younger generation of talent. “Now I’m enjoying watching other new talent come around, and I don’t want to do an impersonation of myself. … Yes, there’s some better actors out there that can do things that I was never able to do. So I want to applaud them, I want to be excited about what they do.”
Howard began his acting career in the early 1990s, landing small-screen roles in All My Children and The Jacksons: An American Dream miniseries.
The Chicago native would go on to appear in critically acclaimed films like Dead Presidents, Crash, Iron Man, and Hustle & Flow.
The latter of which earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 78th annual Academy Awards.
A Georgia man has been arrestedafter he commented “how about me” on a sheriff’s post detailing the county’s most wanted list.
Per WSBTV, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office shared a poster with the ten “most wanted” criminals in the county last week, which prompted 40-year-old man Christopher Spaulding to ask, “How about me?” In a comment responding to his question, the social media account for the office replied, “You are correct you have two warrants, we are on the way.”
Later that same day, the office shared a photo of Spaulding showing that he had been arrested. “We appreciate you for your assistance in your capture!” the post announcing his arrest read. “Special thanks to our Fugitive Unit for being active and efficiently apprehending Mr. Spaulding who has 2 warrants for Felony Violation of Probation.” Authorities explained that he was on the list because it’s comprised of criminals facing more severe charges, such as armed robbery or kidnapping.
“Our Top 10 is compiled based off of the severity of the charges only,” reads the post. “By not being on this list does not mean our Fugitive Unit is not looking for you if you have an active warrant.” Spaulding is currently being held on two charges of felony probation violation.
Jail records show that Spaulding was booked in Rockdale County Jail on Dec. 2.
The bizarre arrest comes not long after alleged criminal Charles Dion McDowell’s mugshot went viral due to his noticeably wide neck.
Unlike Spaulding, however, he didn’t effectively remind authorities that he’s a wanted man.
Pete Davidson and New York Giants legend Eli Manning have collaborated and created a joint Instagramaccount.
It appears the unlikely pair launched the account pete_eli10 on Wednesday.
“Hello Instagram, I have decided to come back, but only with the GOAT,” 29-year-old Davidson said in their first post, below, before showing Eli as he lies next to him.
“What’s up? Your bed is so comfortable,” Manning, 41, responded.
Pete gave the two-time Super Bowl champion a tour of his apartment in the latest episode of the Eli Manning Show—viewable here—and showed off his room featuring every piece of Eli memorabilia imaginable. Among Davidson’s most prized possessions was a photo of Manning with former Giants teammate Shaun O’Hara and “random kids” at a Dunkin’ location.
“Those are my kids,” Manning informed Davidson, to which he jokingly responded, “Those are your kids? I should do research.”
Pete then suggested he and Eli create a joint Instagram account, which leads us to where we are now. The account has already racked up over 55,000 followers.
All of the posts seem to be taken during their time together in Davidson’s “douchey” apartment where they played Madden, tried on clothes from his closet, and hung out with the comedian’s live-in best friend, actor Simon Rex.
Davidson returned to Instagram earlier this year, but stuck around for about a week before deleting the account. According to People, Pete previously left social media in 2018 over his mental health.
Dr. Johnson Asiama, a former second deputy governor, and Raymond Amanfu, a former head of the banking supervision department, have both been charged with wilfully inflicting financial loss to the state, according to the charge sheet submitted to the High Court.
Also, Head of Treasury of the UT Bank, Catherine Johnson; former Chief Executive Officer of UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng; and Robert Kwesi Armah, General Manager of Corporate Banking of UT Bank and UT Holdings – the parent company of UT Bank, have been charged with various offenses such as dishonest appropriation of US$7million and other deposits of customers and fraudulent breach of trust, among other charges.
The trial judge is His Lordship Justice Bright Mensah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, sitting as an additional High Court judge.
So far, the prosecution has called Eric Nana Nipah, the Receiver of UT Bank (in receivership), Stephen Afotey, Registrar of the High Court (Commercial Division) and Stephen Antwi-Assimeng, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the defunct UT Bank to testify on its behalf.
In his testimony, the first Prosecution Witness, Eric Nana Nipah, informed the Court that several investments placed by various companies such as, SSNIT SOS Fund, Forestry Commission, ECG Staff Fund, WAICA-Re and the National Communications Authority with UT Bank were moved out to UT Holdings without proper authorization.
The second Prosecution Witness, Mr. Afotey, testified that an amount of US$7 million was deposited with UT Bank on the instructions of the Court. However, this amount could not be traced when UT Bank was taken over by GCB Bank.
In November, the Court heard the testimony of the third Prosecution Witness, Stephen Antwi-Assimeng, the Chief Executive Officer of UT Bank at the time of the revocation of its license. He testified that UT Bank was already on liquidity support from BoG at the time he joined the bank.
Mr. Antwi-Assimeng intimated that UT Bank relied heavily on borrowing from BoG to deal with its liquidity challenges.
In his testimony, Mr. Antwi-Assimeng indicated that UT Bank established letters of credit in the total sum of GH¢141million for some customers of the bank and these letters of credit were maturing in May and July of 2016. He further informed the Court that the customers did not provide funds for the Letters of Credit and neither did UT Bank have liquidity on maturity.
Testifying further, Mr. Antwi-Assimeng stated that the bank had situations where a number of international lenders were calling in their loans because UT Bank had defaulted and some of the loans had reached maturity.
He testified further that UT Bank was experiencing an average of GH¢40million loss of customer deposits, one of the bank’s key sources of liquidity. This, according to him, resulted in acute liquidity shortage, with UT Bank forced to pay higher interest rates to attract new depositors.
Proceeding further, Mr. Antwi-Assimeng informed the Court that UT Bank, on application to BoG, received liquidity support of GH¢460million with the instruction not to use any part of the additional liquidity support for unapproved purposes. He also informed the Court that the bank also applied to BOG for an unsecured liquidity support of GH¢30million.
He explained that UT Bank applied for the unsecured liquidity support because it did not have adequate securities to provide collateral for this facility.
The matter has been adjourned for further hearing in mid-December this year.
Accusations that the beleaguered Minister of Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, is exclusively to blame for the current economic crisis have been met with vehement denials from him.
A motion of censure was filed to have him fired as Minister of State as a result of the claims made by several Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly the Minority caucus.
The Committee was set up to give the Finance Minister an opportunity to be heard before the Motion, filed and seconded by Haruna Iddrisu and Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak respectively, is considered.
After the report was presented, Mr Ofori-Atta had his last take on the grounds for which he is being censured.
In a calm and soft voice the Finance Minister authored “If I say I am innocent, they won’t believe me and if I ask for the truth and proof, they won’t be able to provide it.”
Kwaku Adinkra, a 43-year-old pastor at Divine Favour Ministry in Asante Bekwai, has been detained in police custody on suspicion of stealing goods valued at GH2,500.00 from his girlfriend, Ms. Sophia Yeboah, a hairdresser from Assin Atonsu in the Assin Fosu Municipality of the Central Region.
The accused was charged with theft in violation of section 124 (1) of the criminal and other offenses Act 29 before the Assin Fosu District Court, which was presided over by Mr. Abdul Majid Illiasu (60).
He admitted to the accusation, and the case was postponed until Monday, December 12, 2022, when the verdict would be rendered.
The complainant visited her parents in Kumasi on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022, according to Inspector Benjamin Doe Kuwornu, the prosecution, and when traveling back, she saw the defendant in an Assin.
The accused proposed love to the complainant and she agreed and the two exchanged contacts.
The accused paid a visit to the complainant’s house and workplace and the two started living as lovers.
During his stay, the accused told the complainant that he had a bad dream concerning where she worked.
He later asked the complainant to buy a spiritual oil for him to perform some rituals so that the complainant could attract more customers to her workplace.
On Saturday, November 26, 2022, while the two were at the complainant’s shop, the accused told his lover that he was going to town.
Unknown to the complainant the accused secretly took one key belonging to her, went home, and stole five pieces of wax print cloths, one piece of Kente cloth, three new towels, one Iphone six plus, one home theatre system, a standing fan, a bag of five kg rice and five sachet spaghetti valued at GH¢2,500.00 and left for Bekwai.
The complainant, upon arrival at home, discovered that the said items had been stolen and when she contacted the accused, the accused confessed to the complainant that he was the one who stole the items.
On Saturday, December 03, 2022, at about 14:00 hours, the accused was spotted in town by a friend of the complainant who informed her, and they lodged a complaint to the Police leading to his arrest.
The Police, during investigation, retrieved the Kente cloth, home theatre system and the iphone six plus from him.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced plans by government to put a ceiling on tons of manganese and bauxites that will be mined and exported.
Nana Akufo-Addo said the move has become necessary following plans to place value on raw materials, especially minerals.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new state-of-the-art Dry Bulk Terminal and the Atlantic Terminal Services Multipurpose Container Terminal, as well as the Prime Meridian Dock Company’s Floating Dry-dock at the Takoradi Harbour in the Western Region, Nana Akufo-Addo said more of such expansions works will be taking place.
“As part of strategies to promote value-added products and sustainable mining, government has put a 5-million ton limit on the quantities of manganese to be mined in its raw form. We also intend an annual volume limit on the export of raw bauxite, as part of the integrated aluminium development projects,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He explained that the Floating Dry-Dock and Ship Maintenance facility, which is being introduced in partnership with a wholly-owned Ghanaian company, Prime Meridian Dock Limited (PMD) is estimated at US$137 million.
He added that the project which is being financed by Prime Meridian Docks Limited is meant to carry out maintenance works on vessels which, otherwise, would have had to call at Las Palmas, Carina, and other ship repair facilities in other countries for maintenance works.
The initiative he stressed, “will enhance cargo handling capacity, maintenance and repairs of ships, and also meet the demands of the rigours of the oil and gas service sector within the Takoradi Port enclave.”
The President indicated that the Dry Bulk Terminal, which will be completed at a total cost of US$85.0 million has been equipped with modern ship loaders and eco-hoppers for the safety of both workers and members of the Port community.
Kojo Bonsu, a former football official, has pleaded with Ghanaians to refrain from criticizing Andre Ayew for missing a penalty against Uruguay in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet saved the Al Sadd forward’s penalty kick in the 21st minute after Mohammed Kudus was fouled.
Uruguay went on to win the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Giorgio de Arrascaeta in the 26th and 32nd minutes of the game but it was not enough as teams went out of the tournament.
“Dede Ayew has really done well for the country looking at his achievements for the country since he joined the National Team,” Bonsu said as quoted by Pulse Ghana.
“But honestly, he is weak [not in the best shape] now, so the country should give him a good testimonial or farewell game to retire him and avoid accusing him for the penalty miss. Should we continue with this attack, it will affect the next generation.
“We have a good team, we should calm down and avoid the unnecessary insults we rain on them.”
A group of lawmakers in Niger has backed a motion seeking to criminalise same-sex relationships in the country.
The vast majority of Niger’s population is Muslim, but it has a secular government and there is currently no specific law on same-sex relationships.
The MPs say same-sex relationships are against the religious and cultural beliefs of the people.
The proposal was presented to the Speaker of parliament by Nana Djibou Harouna, a lawmaker from the southern region of Maradi.
She told a press conference on Thursday in the capital, Niamey, that the move was meant to protect the “rights and interest of the public”.
Mrs Haruna described homosexuality as a “problem affecting our society”.
She said they had carried out wide consultations and that the proposal had received the support of Nigerien citizens as well as nearly all MPs.
It’s not yet clear when the matter will be formally debated in parliament. It is also unclear what sort of punishment they want stipulated in the legislation.
The move comes just weeks after a court in Maradi acquitted two young women of charges relating to lesbianism because there was no clear legislation criminalising same-sex relationship.
They were instead jailed for two years after being found guilty of posting their nude videos on social media in which they were seen allegedly in a lesbian act.
A UN investigation has found that at least 131 civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo died in a November attack by the M23 rebel group.
The UN report said the massacre took place in two villages – Kishishe and Bambo – in the Rutsuhuru district of the eastern North Kivu province.
Investigators said the attack appeared to be a reprisal for a current government offensive on the rebels.
M23 denied the massacre, blaming “stray bullets” for just eight deaths.
But the UN’s Monusco peacekeeping mission in the country said 102 men, 17 women and 12 children were “arbitrarily executed” by the rebel group “as part of reprisals against the civilian population”.
At least 22 women and five girls were also raped, the report said
“This violence was carried out as part of a campaign of murders, rapes, kidnappings and looting against two villages in the Rutshuru territory as reprisals for the clashes between the M23” and other armed groups, including the FDLR, the statement said, adding that the true number of those killed could be even higher.
It also said that M23 fighters then buried the bodies of the victims in “what may be an attempt to destroy evidence”.
The government had initially said that over 300 civilians were killed in the attack, which took place between 29-30 November. But its spokesman Patrick Muyaya accepted on Monday that it was difficult to arrive at a firm figure as the region was under M23 occupation.
Congolese authorities have described the killings as war crimes and called for deeper investigation, while protests have been organised in the capital, Kinshasa and Goma, the main city in North Kivu.
Investigators said they couldn’t access the villages where the massacre occurred, but they interviewed 52 victims and direct witnesses who fled the attack in the town of Rwindi about 20km (12 miles) away.
Witnesses told the UN’s team that members of the rebel group broke down doors, shot civilians, looted property and burned villagers out of their homes.
“MONUSCO condemns in the strongest terms the unspeakable violence against civilians and calls for unrestricted access to the scene and the victims for emergency humanitarian assistance,” the investigators said.
An M23 spokesperson rejected the UN’s findings and insisted that it had “asked that there be investigations together with us in Kishishe but the UN never came”.
“The UN is under pressure from the government to come up with a figure, even if it is false,” spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said.
The M23 group was formed a decade ago. It says it is defending the interests of ethnic Tutsis living in DR Congo against Hutu militias and has been involved in a long-running conflict against the central government.
After lying dormant for several years, it took up arms again last year and has been leading an offensive in eastern DRC against the Congolese army.
The massacres in Kishishe and Bambo followed clashes with the FDLR militia, which includes some of the ethnic Hutu leaders of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda who fled across the border into what is now DR Congo.
The M23 has meanwhile accused pro-government forces of “genocide and targeted killings” against the Tutsi community. It said its positions in Bwiza were attacked on Tuesday, despite the current ceasefire agreement.
The M23 has said it is ready to withdraw from some of the territory it controls. It made the announcement on Tuesday following peace talks in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, even though it did not attend the talks.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has accused neighbouring Rwanda of seeking to destabilase the country by providing weapons to the rebels, an allegation recently endorsed by UN experts. However, this has been denied by the Rwandan government.
More than 100 different armed groups operate in the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo, which has been ravaged by conflict for about three decades.
Several countries have sent troops to DR Congo this year as part of an East African Community (EAC) taskforce to try and disarm the groups and bring peace to the area.
Following his arrival at Reading FC, Ghanaian international Baba Rahman practiced alongside his colleagues.
One of the 26 players Ghana marched to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup was the defender.
In Group H, the full-back participated in all three games for the Black Stars, starting the games against Portugal and Uruguay but coming off the bench for the second match against South Korea.
With Ghana losing two games and drawing one, the Black Stars, unfortunately, could not advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Following the exit of the team last Friday, Baba Rahman has had a short time off to relax before finally returning to training with his Reading FC teammates.
He was very active in training on Thursday, December 8 as the club continued training for the return of the English Champions over the upcoming weekend.
Baba Rahman is in line to start for his side in the match against Coventry on Saturday, December 10.
S&P Global Ratings has downgraded Ghana’s long-term local currency bonds to “selective default”.
This follows an initial downgrade from B-/B to CCC+/C in August, which was attributed to increasing financing and external pressures on Ghana’s economy.
According to the American credit rating agency, Ghana’s foreign currency debt has now been cut from “CCC-plus” to “CC” with default being a “virtual certainty”.
This downgrade further reduces Ghana’s creditworthiness and ability to attract more foreign investors.
The government’s decision to launch a domestic debt exchange programme appears to have played a significant role in S&P’s current assessment of Ghana’s economy.
“We lowered our LC long term rating on Ghana to “SD” following the Ministry of Finance’s offer of a domestic debt restructuring, with the objective of lowering interest costs and back-loading refinancing requirements. We view Ghana’s debt restructuring as distressed rather than opportunistic due to the government’s weak market access and the very high level and cost of debt in LC terms,” the report on December 6, 2022, said.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on December 5, 2022, announced a debt exchange programme tailored towards a comprehensive agenda to restore debt and fiscal sustainability.
The government has made an invitation to “holders of domestic debt to voluntarily exchange approximately GH¢137 billion of the domestic notes and bonds of the Republic, including E.S.L.A. and Daakye bonds, for a package of New Bonds to be issued by the Republic.”
The move has been regarded as a clear admission of a probable default on its bonds.
This comes after Ghana’s second-biggest bank,GCB Bank, was downgraded by international rating agency, Moody’s.
GCB Bank’s long-term local currency deposit rating was downgraded to Caa3 from Caa2 and is one notch higher than the bank’s Ca long-term foreign currency deposit rating.
Again, its long-term foreign currency deposit ratings have also been downgraded from Ca to Caa2, its long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings (CRRs) to Caa3 from Caa2 and its long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment (CR Assessment) to Caa3(cr) from Caa2(cr).
The rating follows Moody’s action on December 2, 2022, to downgrade Ghana’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings from Ca to Caa2 and place them on review for downgrade on November 29, 2022.
This is the second time in two years that Moody’s has downgraded the indigenous bank.
In 2022 alone, Ghana has faced about five downgrades by rating agencies, including Fitch.
44,000 out of the 120, 000 teachers who wrote the 2022 Ghana Teacher Licensure Examinations, have failed.
This was disclosed by the Registrar for the National Teaching Council, Dr Christian Addai-Poku.
He said the results of the examinations were worrying, considering the poor performance of the teachers who were supposed to be imparting knowledge to children.
Dr Addai-Poku made these remarks at the 2022/23 Cohort – Leading Girls’ Learning Programme town hall meeting organised by the Institute of Teacher Education and Development (INTED).
The Leading Girls’ Learning Programme enrolled by INTED with support from USAID, seeks to address attitudes and barriers against girls in second cycle school to improve their learning environment.
The programme also builds the competences and skills of teachers in second cycle institutions to improve the teaching and learning outcomes in schools.
Dr Addai-Poku said the knowledge and capacities of teachers needed to be continually developed to enable them excel in their profession.
He stressed that the continuous professional development of teachers enable them to sharpen their skills and upgrade their teaching profession.
Dr Addai-Poku said there was the need for female teachers to be encouraged to climb up the teaching ladder into second-cycle institutions, saying, their numbers at that level was not encouraging.
He indicated that out of the total population of teachers at the second cycle level, only 26 per cent were female.
“Having more female teachers at the second cycle level would enable the girls in the schools to have role models they can look up to in these female teachers,” he added.
Mr Divine Ayidzoe, Chief Director, Ministry of Education, said very soon an entrance examination for persons who wanted to enrol in the various Colleges of Education would be instituted.
He said with this intervention, Colleges of Education would have bright students to enrol in them to enhance the teaching profession in the country.
Mr Kwabena Amporful, Executive Director, INTED, said INTED over the past decade had worked with development partners to improve the quality of teaching and leadership practices in Senior High Schools.
He added that they had provided professional development programmes to over 3,500 teachers in over 70 schools in the country.
The Ad-hoc committee which was established and mandated to probe allegations in a censure motion filed against the Finance Minister, Ken ofori-Atta, has exonerated the Finance Minister, KenOfori-Atta of any wrongdoing.
According to a Co-chair of the Committee, K.T Hammond, the committee did not adduce any evidence that suggest that Mr Ofori-Atta is guilty of the claims leveled against him.
He made this known on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, December 8, 2022, when the House sat to debate on the report presented by the Committee.
“The committee was not able to come out with any findings,” he said.
This claim however contradicted that of his co-chair, Dominic Ayine’s.
Making his case on the floor of Parliament, Dr. Dominic Ayine, who was also a co-chair of the ad-hoc committee insisted that they had “unassailable evidence” but were compelled to build consensus on the motion.
“In terms of substantive content, we could not make definite findings of facts and recommendations on the censure motion. I had thought that the mandate of the committee was a fact finding committee and therefore we could make findings of fact [but] that was vehemently opposed by the Majority, and because of that you’ll notice that in terms of its substantive content, the report does not have real findings of fact definite findings of fact as well as recommendations,” Dr Ayine contended.
This follows a censure motion that was filed by the Minority in Parliament On October 25, 2022, against Ken Ofori-Atta.
Some Members of the Majority caucus, numbering about 80, also made a case against the Minister, calling for his dismissal from office due to the economic hardships.
The committee presented the report to the House and the debate on the report commenced yesterday, December 8, 2022.
Making his case in Parliament on Thursday, Dr Ayine maintained that the committee obtained “unassailable evidence” of misconduct on the part of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
He explained that on ground one – which is the funding of the National Cathedral – it was very clear that the minister exceeded what was appropriated.
“In other words he engaged in expenditure in excess of appropriation. That’s because according to the Minister (in the report) he took money from other government obligations and it was a contingency vote. Now if you look at the other obligations and the vote that this house passed on government obligations for that fiscal year, it was very clear that the Minister by his own evidence that he submitted to us exceeded appropriation,” he said.
He also mentioned that the Minister spent GHC 339 million on the Cathedral and that was far in excess of the envelope of resources that we appropriated for other government obligations.
Also speaking on the report of misreporting of data to Parliament, he said the committee found out that “the Minister misreported matters to Parliament.”
Ghanaian rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer, Kwame Ametepee Tsikata, popularly known as M.anifest has partially satisfied the curiosity of the Ghanaian populace who might have wondered why the son of one of Ghana’s prominent Lawyers, Tsatsu Tsikata would venture into music instead of following his father’s footsteps.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, M.anifest disclosed that coming from a family of lawyers, he has been curious about the legal profession.
“It’s not too late. If I wanted to be a lawyer, I will not be an Entertainment Lawyer. I will be a different kind of Lawyer” he said.
Although he had been curious about the legal profession, M.anifest also disclosed that for over a decade, he has never harboured the desire of becoming a Lawyer.
“I’ve never detested the law. It was just not my path necessarily but never rule it out. One might just have a different mindset”.
According to him, people will not always have their lives going on smoothly without any challenges and offered a piece of advice to those in the creative industry.
“To all the creatives out there, it is important as much as you do things that you love and you do it over and over again. You take breaks before you become monotonous before you go on autopilot,” he added.
Veteran Ghanaian actressMadam Grace Omaboe, known as Maame Dokono, shared her biggest regret with Delay. She mentions how she wishes she did not divorce her first husband. Citing that she was too immature to appreciate his kindness.
An old video of the actress detailing her past marriages has resurfaced again, with many sharing it, hoping her message will reach the masses.
“I have been married twice, but I suffered very much during the last one. I always say that if I knew how my second marriage would have turned out, I would have stayed with my first husband,” Maame Dokono told Delay.
Maame Dokono added that pressure from her differences with her first husband’s family and her ignorance pushed her to leave a good man. She revealed that although he is married to someone else, they have maintained a cordial relationship where he supports her when the need arises.
According to Mame Dokono, her second husband came with all the superficial things but did not treat her well.
“I always say that if I knew the intricacies of marriage that I know now, I wouldn’t have left him ( her first husband).
“After leaving these two marriages, I want to devote my life to helping underprivileged women and children.”
Before ending the interview, Maame Dokono had some advice for Delay and single women all over. She said: “Be patient and marry a man who will understand you. A man who loves you. Not someone who will use his money and handsomeness to deceive you.
“Communicate with him so that you can understand each other. Don’t be too proud. Time changes. Be humble and find a good man. Good men are scarce, so when you find one, cherish him like an egg.”
The son of Ghanaian millionaire, DrKwaku Oteng, made headlines Tuesday following a leaked document of his suspension and demotion as the CEO of Angel Broadcasting Network (ABN).
Samuel Kofi Acheampong, popularly known as Bronzy Teflon, has been running the affairs of his company comprising many conglomerates for many years.
As part of his career path, he has won a number of awards including emerging the Best CEO of the Year and Media Icon of the Year in 2022.
Even though he’s quite popular in the media, many people do not have an idea who he is.
As a CEO of such a big brand, its unsurprising that he’s affluent. He is enjoying the luxury his wealth can permit and he goes all out to showcase it.
Teflon loves to step out looking fresh and clean. Apart from that, he drives some of the expensive cars his wealth can afford.
Shatta Wale is currently holding his ‘Shaxi’ float and it’s all fun and enjoyment at the event.
The float is intended to create a buzz for his ride-share company, Shaxi, which has been in operation for a while now but is yet to capture a significant market share.
To rectify that, Shatta Wale has organised a float which is currently going down.
The float started from the Accra Mall near the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout and will make a procession through the principal streets of the capital.
Ghana’s longest-serving and most vibrant music groupR2Bees is back with a big bang.
Virtually a year after releasing their much-acclaimed album Back 2 Basics which debuted at number one on Apple Music and several charts across the continent, the cousins are here with a new single.
Titled Su Mo Mi, the duo does what it does best on a groovy Amapiano-influenced beat produced by renowned in-house producer Killbeatz.
Su Mo Mi which translates to Love Me is a Ga word (language spoken by the southern people of Ghana). It’s a love song that calls on the partner to give him some love if she really loves him.
Typical of Mugeez, the smooth-voiced crooner makes it easy for music lovers as he delivers extraordinarily with a catchy sing-along hook.
Omar Sterling on the other best represents himself as a singjay delivering excellently on the new single.
Su Mo Mi comes a few months after the duo tapped new music star Gyakie for Need Your Love.
Su Mo Mi is a feel-good song that should get party-goers jiggy on the dance floor as it brings lovers closer to each other.
Ghanaian socialite, media personality and former beauty queen, Akua GMB has stirred controversy following her birthday message to former President Kufour.
According to Akua, Kuffour has been a good father and grandfather to her and her children and so she will forever love him.
She went on to appreciate the former President for the love he’s been showing her, and also for his good counsel.
Akua GMB wrote on Instagram;
‘You have been a great father and grandfather to my kids. I appreciate your counsel and the love you keep showing me Papa. May God bless you with abundance grace and long life. You will forever be the best president this country can ever have. I celebrate you today Papa. Happy birthday!!!! You are a father to all. I love you ‘
Her birthday message to the former President has sent social media users talking; fans are reading all sorts of meanings to her write-up trying to make sense of every word she used.
It’s a simple straightforward message but social media users, as usual, are playing mischief.
Meanwhile, former President Kuffour turns 84 years today, December 8th 2022.
Celine Dion has revealed she has been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder with features of an autoimmune disease.
The French Canadian singer told her 5.2m Instagram followers the condition makes her muscles spasm uncontrollably.
It has also left her with difficulties walking and singing, she said, meaning she will be unable to play planned shows in the UK and Europe next year.
“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time,” said Dion.
“And it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through,” the 54-year-old continued in an emotionally-charged video.
“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects something like one in a million people.
‘While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms I’ve been having.”
She added: “Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to.
“It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February”.
In 2014, the diva – whose ballad My Heart Will Go On, from the Titanic soundtrack, won the Oscar for best song – said she was putting her career on hold “indefinitely” as her husband René Angélil battled cancer.
Although her performances resumed a year later, she stepped away from the stage again in early 2016, following the tragic deaths of both Angélil and her brother, Daniel Dion.
She eventually returned with the 2019 studio album Courage, which featured collaborations with Sia, Sam Smith and David Guetta.
‘It’s been a struggle’
The star supported the record with a world tour, large portions of which had to be postponed due to the Covid pandemic. She was forced to reschedule the dates again this year after developing “severe and persistent muscle spasms”; which also delayed the return of her Las Vegas residency.
Several of those shows – including nights in Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and London – have now been pushed back again, while others have been cancelled.
On Thursday, Dion reassured her fans that she had “a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better” while her “precious children” were “supporting me and giving me help”.
The singer said she had not been ready to talk about her disorder until now (Getty Images)
She explained: “I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.
“All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most.
“I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you [and] being on the stage, performing for you.
“I always give 100 per cent when I do my show but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now.”
No longer holding back the tears, the singer signed off by thanking fans for their support, stressing that she had no choice but to focus on her health right now, and hoped she was on the “road to recovery”.
What is Stiff Person Syndrome and is there a cure?
SPS is a very rare condition and not well understood.
According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders, it is characterised by “fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs and a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.”
“Abnormal postures, often hunched over and stiffened, are characteristic of the disorder,” they also note.
“People with SPS can be too disabled to walk or move, or they are afraid to leave the house because street noises, such as the sound of a horn, can trigger spasms and falls.
“Most individuals with SPS have frequent falls and because they lack the normal defensive reflexes; injuries can be severe.”
While there is no cure for SPS, there are treatments – including anti-anxiety medicines and muscle relaxants – that can slow down its progression.
A story too often told is one of the tales of two lovers, separated because of the racist beliefs of one family.
One woman, Jeanne, had met the love of her life when she was a student in college. She was white and the man she fell in love with, Steve, was not white.
So because of that their love fell apart — but 40 years later, they were able to meet again.
40 years after her family forced her to end her interracial relationship, she found Steve.
On December 6, Steve Hartman reported on CBS News about a woman named Jeanne Gustavson, who suffered from “chronic regret.”
“I can’t turn back the clock. I wish I could,” said Jeanne.
Hartman asked Jeanne if she would have done anything differently, to which she replied “I would have married him.”
But just because it was legal, doesn’t mean it changed attitudes.
This was demonstrated in Jeanne’s family when they found out that she was dating Steve, “a guy she met in the German club” at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.
In the news report, she pointed out herself and Steve in the back of a college photo.
She noted that it was “Spring of 72’” and that Steve “would’ve made the perfect husband”.
Jeanne revealed that her family was not happy with her when she started to date Steve.
Jeanne’s mother was “absolutely livid” at the fact that she was dating a man who wasn’t white. Her family shamed and demeaned her for daring to love someone different from them.
When asked how her family responded to the news, Jeanne revealed that her mother believed she “disgraced” the family.
“It was not pretty,” said Jeanne.
Due to those family pressures, she broke things off with Steve and never saw him again. That is, until she tracked him down at a Chicago nursing home.
What Jeanne found, she said, “was sort of a broken man.” The life that Steve led after their separation was drastically different from the one that Jeanne did.
Hartman reported that Steve “was homeless,” “had two strokes”, and was “almost unrecognizable” to Jeanne.
Despite his hardships, Jeanne said that he was “still the wonderful, gorgeous man” she used to know
With teary eyes, she revealed that all those feelings came “rushing back” for both her and Steve when they reunited.
Jeanne had made “arrangements” to move Steve from the nursing home to her home in Portland.
She got a second chance at love.
Jeanne expressed that she felt “terribly lucky” to have another chance with her love, Steve.
Though he is bedridden, Jeanee described his mind as “sharp” and his heart as “young.”
Steve told Jeanne with teary eyes, that he had always loved her.
“43 years after her mom laid their love asunder”, Steve and Jeanne had had the happy ending they dreamed of by getting married.
Hartman ended the report with “Newlyweds, now well on their way to making up for a lifetime of lost time”.
Per the account of leaked audio circulating on Instagram and first shared by Tutugyagu, the infamous Mafia Gang comprising of Afia Schwarzenegger, Diamond Appiah and Tracey Boakye is officially nonexistent.
A whistleblower who is apparently close to the trio revealed how Diamond, who turns out to be the antagonist of the group all the time gossipped about Tracey to a third party.
Diamond, according to the information contained in the audio, mentioned that her friend Tracey is jealous of Nana Ama Mcbrown and despises her so much.
Unfortunately, when she finished tarnishing Tracey’s image and was sending the voice note to the recipient, she mistakenly sent it to Tracey which marked the begging of their animosity.
The source revealed that following the development, Tracey decided to bar Diamond from attending her wedding with Frank Badu Ntiamoah but it was Schwar (aka Bara, Toto Be Cheap) who intervened.
Ultimately, the source added that this is the more reason why Tracey does not have time for the duo as she is solely concentrating on her marriage.
She made the comment immediately after some netizens argued that her previous post where she thanked the judiciary of Ghana was a way of celebrating the court sentence ruled against Afia Schwarzenegger in her defamation case against Chairman Wontumi.
Recall that a High Court in Tema, on Thursday, December 1, 2022 fined Fadda Dickson Narh, Felicity Nana Ama Agyeman aka Empress Nana Ama Mcbrown, Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa, alias Afia Schwarzeneger, Kwame Asare Obeng, alias Kwame A Plus and Emmanuel Barnes alias Mr. Logic who have had issues with the law, based on a panel discussion held on United Showbiz, a television entertainment discussion programme on UTV.
She is to spend 10 days in prison when arrested while the others were slapped with a ¢60,000 fine each.
Not too long after, Akuapem Poloowrote on her Instagram page, “Last Year December by this time, I was on my way to Nsawam Prison. Thank You, Allah Thank, you the judiciary thank you Ghana ?????????? thank you the world.”
On the back of this, people insustated that she was jubilating over the misfortune that has befallen her antogonist Afia. However, she issued a disclaimer instantly distancing her from the fallcy shaping people’s perspective.
“I didn’t even know Afia Schwarzenegger will be jailed. I was just happy I am free and December 1 marks a year I was in Jail. Ghanaians should be happy for me instead of reading meanings into my post. Although Afia Schwarzenegger said unpleasant things about me when I was in jail, I will never wish bad for her,” she stated.
Ghanaian comedian Michael Blackson has lamented the high rate of customs duties in Ghana.
In a tweet, he revealed that he had shipped things from the United States of America to Ghana in order to help his cousins who don’t have jobs.
Michael claims that the clothes he bought were worth $10,000, but customs asked him to pay another $10,000 for clearance fees or the items would be auctioned off.
“I have cousins in Ghana with no jobs and no income. Because the country lacked jobs, they wanted to open a store if I could help.
“I purchased about $10k of items and when they arrived thru DHL, customs said they will need to pay $10k to retrieve them. IT MAKES NO SENSE @GhanaRevenue,” he fumed.
I have cousins in Ghana with no jobs and no income. Because the country lacked jobs, they wanted to open a store if I could help. I purchased about $10k of items and when it arrived thru DHL, customs said they will need to pay $10k to retrieve. IT MAKES NO SENSE @GhanaRevenue
While lamenting his ordeal, he advised people abroad to be prepared to spend so much on shipping to Ghana.
“If you are planning on shipping anything to Ghana, be prepared to pay a duty fee as high as the thing you shipped and if you don’t pick them up in a timely fashion they will auction your belongings. Why @GhanaRevenue?
Under the Hollywood star’s post, a user said, “I’m sure is the kind of items you are bringing to the country. You could have bought it here to promote local business instead of shipping $10k worth of items here. Pay $10k to retrieve so we can use it to support local businesses.”
Another added, “100% tax is extremely high. No matter how we try to justify the tax, it will only encourage more tax evasion and avoidance.”
“Well that is how they do in Ghana and is all nonsense because one will receive an old phone from the US and they will still charge almost the amount at the post office here,” a third added.
Popular Ghanaian socialite, Adu Safowa,has claimed that she has confirmed from a reliable source that Dr. Kwaku Oteng has not demoted his son, as earlier reported.
Adu Safowah, said she had a lengthy chat with the Angel Group of Companies founder, where he confirmed that nothing of that sort happened.
Earlier in a viral document signed by Dr. Kwaku Oteng, the Board of Directors of Angel Broadcasting Network (ABN) announced the suspension of the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Kofi Acheampong.
Samuel, who doubles as the son of Ghanaian businessman, Dr Kwaku Oteng, was said to have been relieved and demoted from his post as the CEO of Angel Broadcasting Network to the General Manager of Angel FM in Kumasi.
“Please be informed that, the Board of Directors at its meeting held on 28 November 2022 at Adonko Factory, Kronum-Abuohia in Kumasi took a decision to suspend Mr. Samuel Kofi Acheampong, the Chief Executive Officer of ABN for a month without pay effective December 02, 2022. Further, the Board has relieved him of his role as the CEO of ABN to General Manager, Angel FM – Kumasi. His new role takes effect from January 02, 2023,” parts of the letter read.
This development has since sparked various reactions from concerned individuals on social media, who have wondered the extent of crime that could have triggered Dr. Oteng to demote his own son.
But wading into the subject, Adu Safowah, a self-styled ‘goddaughter’ of Dr. Kwaku Oteng, said the former labelled the reports as untrue.
In a phone-in interview with GHPage monitored by GhanaWeb, she said;
“When I first heard the news, I looked for Dr. Kwaku Oteng’s number because it has been a while since I communicated with him. I called someone at Adonko Bitters and took the number from him. I called him twice and he didn’t pick up. So he later called back and I told him I was the one.
“I told him I had heard some news about his son and that I wanted to confirm how true it is. I told him that if the rumours were indeed true, then it is not a good thing. I told him that it is not right to place his son on such a pedestal, as a CEO and later demote him to a General Manager of one of the FM stations. He was quiet throughout the call and after I finished making my submissions, he said nothing of that sort happened. He said all that happened were just rumours.”
Ghanaian actress cum Socialite, Xandy Kamel, has once again sent signals of a possible intention to commit suicide if the harassment and trolls from Ghanaians do not cease.
Earlier, after Charlie Dior, a fashion critique, lambasted Xandy and likened her body stature to a flower pot, she poured out her frustrations while hinting that the development added to her already existing state of depression.
Xandy who appears fed up with being constantly dragged on social media said she will be compelled to end it all if care is not taken.
“I know I have no fans. I know I have no support. I know I have no one to speak up, encourage or stand for me. But I believe I have God who sees all the hate I get from you guys
who keep pushing me into depression, keep forcing me to commit suicide. One day the anger of God will come upon you all,” she wrote on Instagram
However, statements of suicide once again crept into her submission during her latest interview with Ola Michaels on Neat FM.
Responding to accusations by a former Date Rush contestant, Bella, that she (Xandy Kamel) once accused the former of sleeping with her husband, Xandy said;
”Why all these? Is it because my name has already been tagged with all forms of negativity? Why do people want to frustrate me to the point where I commit suicide? It was in a playful manner. After my marriage ended, I was having a conversation with her and I said in a playful manner that she and her friends wanted my husband. She even said, ma it’s not true and everything died there. All these were on a lighter note. Even on that very day, we spoke in the evening before I went to bed so where from all these? This was a girl I once helped. If this is all she has to say about me, then that is fine. Is she saying I never did anything for her?
Afia Schwarzeneggerhas continued to keep her social media pages active with videos and photos which suggest that she is not behind bars despite the court order.
As reported by GhanaWeb, a High Court sentenced the actress and comedienne to 10-day imprisonment in relation to a lawsuit by Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.
Afia and four others Fadda Dickson Narh, Nana Ama McBrown, A Plus, Mr Logic were cited for contempt of court.
The host of United Showbiz, Nana Ama McBrown, and two of her guests, were made to pay a fine of GH¢65,000 each.
Afia Schwarzenegger was not in court last Thursday when the case was called, however, her sentencing was made in her absence.
The subject of her whereabouts has dominated social media conversations with some informants who claim to know her ‘hiding place’ providing information to police on social media.
The outspoken comedienne who has a significant social media following on Thursday morning took to her TikTok page to clap back at haters and informants.
Afia borrowed the lyrics of Kofi Kinaata’s song ‘MalaFaka’ to convey her message.
Ghanaian radio personality Ohemaa Woyeje announced the birth of her second child, a girl, in an Instagram post that has been welcomed with hundreds of congratulatory messages.
The new mom has been missing in action for the greater part of this year. The popular presenter’s long absence has finally been explained.
The second-time mom has been congratulated by one of her very good friends, actress Afia Schwarzenegger, who initially broke the news and confirmed the gender of the newborn.
“And it’s a girl II Congratulations Yaa Maame @ohemaawoyeje,” she captioned an image of Ohemaa glowing in her baby bump.
The broadcast journalist is married to Emmanuel Yaw Owusu Kusi.
The couple’s first child, Maame Akosua Sarpomaa, was delivered three years ago.
At Tuesday night’s Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala, Meghan Markle was the center of attention. The Duchess of Sussex arrived with Princess Diana‘s exquisite aquamarine ring and a white off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton gown.
It had been four years since Markle, 41, reached for the special piece; she memorably debuted it as her “something blue” at her wedding reception with Prince Harry in 2018, and later wore it during the pair’s royal tour of Tonga that same year.
And this week, the duchess may have gravitated toward the bauble for more than just a pop of color.
“It’s interesting to know that the aquamarine’s light blue color symbolizes feelings of sympathy, trust and friendship – particularly ahead of the couple’s upcoming Netflix docuseries,” Maxwell Stone of UK jeweler Steven Stone said in a statement shared with Page Six Style.
Adding that the ring — which features an emerald-cut aquamarine flanked by small solitaire diamonds — “carries a great deal of sentiment” for the royals, Stone explained, “The eye-catching aquamarine was given to Princess Diana by her friend, Lucia Flecha de Lima, and created into a ring by Asprey in 1996.”
And while the jeweler described the stunning sparkler as “no doubt priceless,” he said that an aquamarine ring of equivalent size would be worth “around $98,000.”
he late Princess of Wales first wore the ring — whose center aquamarine is said to weigh in at a whopping 13 carats — during her 1996 tour of Australia. Some have speculated the spectacular stone was intended to stand in for her famous sapphire engagement ring from Prince Charles, following the couple’s highly publicized divorce.
Sadly, Diana only wore it on two occasions before her tragic death in 1997, according to Stone.
In addition to sympathy, trust and friendship, aquamarines are also associated with “tranquility, serenity, clarity, and harmony,” per the jeweler, along with “transformation and rebirth” and “purity, loyalty, hope and truth.”
That made it a fitting choice for the duchess ahead of the premiere of the Sussexes’ much-anticipated Netflix docuseries, “Harry & Meghan,” the first three episodes of which drop Thursday, Dec. 8. (The following three will stream on Dec. 15.)
He contends that even though government aims at raking in some economic benefits the timing is wrong considering the nurse-to-patient ratio in the country.
Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu has disclosed that there is an ongoing bilateral discussion between the Government of Ghana and the British Government to send Ghanaian trained Nurses to the United Kingdom (UK) in exchange for financial considerations.
The Minister, who doubles as the MP for Dormaa Central constituency made this known today, Monday, December 5, on the Floor of Parliament during the 2023 Budget debate on health.
“Ghana is going to benefit from the little money that the UK government will pass on. For every single nurse that goes away, when we finish the agreement, it is likely we will get over 1000 pounds to come and support the health system in Ghana. ”
But in an interview with Starr News, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh who’s also the Member of Parliament for Juaboso, said the government must first think about how to ensure there are adequate health professionals to take of the health needs of Ghanaians.
“The health of the people is paramount, let’s look at how we can get health professionals to take care of our people then the exportation of nurses is a secondary matter. In principle, I’m not against it. But I’m against it when we don’t have enough, we have a high attrition rate but we are thinking and planning toward exporting those in the system. Why will you be discussing the exportation of health professionals when indeed you have not fulfilled the fundamental needs of the health sector in this country,” he asked.
Ghanaian musician cum businessman, Criss Waddle, has taken to social media with a list of reasons why he will never lend a helping hand to the Church of Pentecost.
According to the AMG boss, the Pentecost church is one establishment he would never support and this is a result of some ill-treatment they meted out to him and his family sometime back.
Unclear what necessitated the rants, Criss Waddle, in a Snapchat post recalled an instance where the Pentecost Church’s Tema Community 5 branch, blatantly refused to offer them assistance when they had nowhere to lay their heads.
Criss Waddlesaid the church sent him and his family back to the street, although they had some empty rooms in the manse and this bitter experience still lingers in his memory.
Looking back at all the ordeal the church put him through and the fact that he now has the financial capacity to refurbish the church and its manse, Waddle said he would rather spend his money on a strip club.
He shared a picture of the church and wrote;
“This is the community 5 Pentecost church that told my mum and me that rooms available are for senior pastors so we should sleep at the school park till morning, maybe we will find help 2 rooms Dey empty but e be for senior pastors when there is a Convention.
“Today I fit to break down this church then rebuild am with 30plus rooms, but I no go do, I go rather take go strip club go watch curvy women, built a mosque 14 years ago and the prayers from those Muslims has always been enough for me, go ask Alhaji Tanko.”
Criss Waddle’sclaims come on the back of reports that the Church of Pentecost has inhibited its members from the production and sale of alcohol and cigarettes.
It appears Chairman Wontumi and Nana Tonardo’s newfound friendship is intensifying each passing day, as the two have been spotted touring one of the former’s uncompleted estates.
The NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman and Nana Tonardo’s friendship was built on a seeming common enemy, Afia Schwarzenegger, and now that she has seemingly landed herself in trouble, the men are having a swirl of a time.
Asides from going after anyone who slanders Chairman Wontumi, Tonardo has been spotted on several occasions showering praises on the politician whom he has tagged as generous, in a bid to spite Afia Schwarzenegger.
It can be recalled that when the feud between Afia Schwarzenegger and Chairman Wontumi first started, Tonardo took sides with the NPP Chainman while constantly attacking Afia on social media.
He was later invited to the politician’s media house where he was taken on a tour.
However, in the latest development, Chairman Wontumihas been captured in a viral video, hanging out with Nana Tonardo again.
Mr. Wontumi embarked on a tour around his new, unfinished building project in Kumasi with Tonardo and this has sparked some reactions on social media.
This comes after Wontumi was granted victory in a court case where his nemesis, Afia Schwarzenegger, has been slapped with a ten-day jail sentence after he filed a defamation lawsuit.
“So much of what Meghan is and how she is, is so similar to my mom,” Harry said in the first episode of the highly anticipated docuseries. “She has the same compassion, she has the same empathy, she has the same confidence. She has this warmth about her.”
During the episode, in which Harry repeatedly slams the press for “harassing” him his entire life, he expressed his deep concerns that Markle was going to suffer the same fate as Diana, who died in a car accident while being chased by paparazzi in 1997.
“I was terrified of her being driven away by the media,” Harry admitted.
It’s not the first time that Harry has brought up the parallels between his mother — who died in a car accident while being chased by paparazzi in 1997 — and Markle.
“My biggest regret is not making more of a stance earlier on in my relationship with my wife and calling out the racism when I did,” he said on the AppleTV+ series, “The Me You Can’t See.”
“History was repeating itself. My mother was chased to her death while she was in a relationship with someone that wasn’t white, and now look what’s happened.
He added, “You want to talk about history repeating itself — they’re not going to stop until [Meghan] dies. It’s incredibly triggering to potentially lose another woman in my life, but the list is growing. And it all comes back to the same people, the same business model, the same industry.”
The “Spare” author, 38, reportedly believes Markle, 41, is also similar to Diana in other ways too.
Two royal Christmas sweaters were made by London-based Notjust Clothing, and they’re sure to please any royal lovers on your list this year.
The socially minded retailer’s 2022 Christmas collection include two British-made items: a commemorative Queen Elizabeth II style ($44) and a holiday-themed take on Princess Diana‘s famous black sheep sweater ($44).
The black sweater honoring the late monarch features a white illustration of a young Queen Elizabeth wearing her tiara along with a snowflake pattern and the words “Merry Christmas.”
On the back, the design says “1926 – 2022” above a festive Corgi wearing a Christmas hat and the message “Thank you for everything Ma’am.”
For Diana fans, Notjust has taken the late Princess of Wales’ famous black sheep sweater and given it a Christmas look, replacing the sheep with holiday reindeer — and of course, like the princess’ design, one of them stands out in bold black amongst a parade of white reindeer.
The sweaters are crafted from acrylic yarn made from recycled waste and, according to the brand, half of proceeds will go to youth sports charities Football Beyond Borders and Bloomsbury Football.
A representative for the brand — which has raised more than $100,000 for charity since 2017 — said Notjust chose to help organizations that “use the power of football to change the lives of young people” amid this year’s World Cup.
Princess Diana famously rocked her black sheep sweater to several polo matches in the early 1980s, causing women around the world to rush to copy the playful look.
The style has remained so popular over the years that in 2020, Warm & Wonderful re-released the iconic sweater ($295) in its original red, along with pink, baby blue and green shades.
While neither Princess Diana or Queen Elizabeth are with us this holiday season, fans can represent the late royals at their celebrations.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) announced the arrest of a man who posed as a top military officer at Burma Camp in Accra on December 7, 2022.
The suspect according to a release signed by GAF, was arrested after making an attempt to access a military installation using forged credentials.
After the arrest of Rufai Abubakar, a search conducted at his two residences led to the discovery of among others, military accoutrements, fatigues and other forged documents purporting to help recruit people into the army.
Whereas he has since been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service for further investigation and prosecution, the story is different on social media where people are mocking the suspect for his daring attitude.
Users of social media platforms – especially Facebook and Twitter – have weighed in on the incident making funny takes of the daring nature of the fake soldier.
For a number of them, they were enthused that of all places, he chose Burma Camp to conduct his illegal affairs whiles for others, it was the fact that he had clearly bitten more than he could chew.
Burma Camp, one of the major military installations in the country was also in the trends since the Armed Forces issued the statement concerning the arrest.
It remained in the trends till the morning of December 7, 2022 according to GhanaWeb checks.
See some reactions below:
The guy that allegedly impersonated a high rank military officer and went all the way to Burma camp to book a flight to Tamale is the most courageous Ghanaian man of the century!
An imposter dressed like a military officer, entered Burma camp to access some security information and thought you he could get away with it, sia you think say this be money heist 😂😂😭
People are stupid. It’s one thing faking as a military man, it’s another thing to enter Burma camp as a fake military man. What was he thinking the outcome will be? https://t.co/464Kt41W2x
But some people fool for Ghana here oooo😹 you didn’t get anywhere to impersonate as a Military officer than Burma Camp 😹😹😹 Some people get vhim for Ghana here ooo 😹 pic.twitter.com/GBYoGUD5yo
“Military Police personnel have arrested one Rufai Abubakar for posing as a Senior Military Officer and trying to access a military installation inside Burma Camp. The suspect who was dressed in a military camouflage uniform, decorated with fake Lieutenant Colonel ranks, claimed he was stationed at Northern Command Headquarters and was proceeding to the Air Force Base to book a flight to Tamale.
“The suspect who entered Burma Camp in a commercial vehicle was closely monitored as he alighted at a bus stop and headed to the Air Force Base. The guards on duty noted his suspicious behaviour, questioned him and after some incoherent answers, he confessed he was not a service Personnel,” the statement said.
The suspect according to GAF admitted to using his assumed identity to defraud several persons seeking to be recruited into the military.
He is alleged to have defrauded one Mr Abdallah Abdul Fatahu of Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS3,000.00) “under the pretext of recruiting him into the Ghana Armed Forces,” the statement added.
At the time of his arrest, Rufai had in his possession fake military identification and business cards and other documents bearing his name.
The Military Police followed up to his two residences at Ablekuma Fan Milk and Olebu where documents including several certificates and fake Ghana Armed Forces recruitment application summary reports, “military uniforms and accoutrements and a toy pistol,” were retrieved.
However, GAF noted that more people may have fallen victim to his fraud considering the fact that his two wives lived under the assumption that their husband is a real military officer.
“Such persons are entreated to contact the Police CID to help in investigations and to support GAF and the Security Services in weeding out the miscreants within the service,” the statement added.
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