The business community and MSMEs are also looking to the government to encourage their growth and coordinate policies that will help them integrate into the value chains of large corporations operating in Ghana and on other African markets.
These are some of the findings from KPMG Ghana’s auditing and accounting firm’s 2023 pre-budget survey.
The business community is requesting Government to maintain the initiatives already in place and introduce further measures that will mainstream MSMEs into the value chains of large scale companies and markets in Ghana and across the world.
According to the survey published by myjoyonline.com yesterday, the respondents’ believed that if MSMEs received more support in the area of access to market, it would boost growth and scale up to benefit from the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to promote sustainable job creation.
“A targeted government support in terms of providing access to finance and integration into value chains and markets is very critical.The survey reflects the general sentiment of the business community on the economy and provides a platform for government to get access to some recommendations from industry players,” the report stated.
In October 2022, KPMG surveyed about 100 leading businesses in Ghana and obtained responses from 70 of them.
The questions for the survey were designed to measure their perceptions of the business environment and the fiscal regimes as they impact their operations.
The report comes at a time when the economy is facing macro-economic challenges such as rising inflation, interest rate and severe pressure on the Ghanaian cedi against the major trading currencies.
Businesses, households and individuals are eagerly anticipating the direction of government’s policy in bringing some respite amid an ongoing discussion with the IMF.
A video of the Ghanaian hitmaker Nasty circulating on social media has sparked debate about his current situation and once more exposed the harm that drug misuse has done to his life and musical career.
The artist hasn’t been mentioned much up to this point, but sources suggest that he has been begging on the streets. Numerous requests to assist Nasty in getting back on his feet have been made in response to the artist’s predicament.
Social media users have recounted tales of how the promising career of the Ghanaian musician who first gained notoriety in the early 2000s was supposedly destroyed by drug misuse.
Nasty is famed for the chorus he delivered on T-Blaze’s hit song titled ‘Wo Sisi Ye Wo Ya’.
The video of Nasty giving a freestyle of his classic tunes has been termed ‘disturbing’ by those who knew him back in the day.
Hiplife Grandpapa, Reggie Rockstone has also reacted to the viral clip and suggested that Nasty be checked into a rehabilitation centre as part of efforts to save him.
“Not a bad idea but the money raised wud have to go into his rehab and reintegration into society! It’s a cruel world and the stigma that comes with being a “junkie” is no joke. A lot of times it actually makes one give up and fall back into the drugs,” read Reggie’s comment in reaction to a Facebook user.
Check out the video shared by TikToker Niiregmac and some reactions below:
On Monday, November 28, 2022, Dr. Ernest Addison, the chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee and governor of the Bank of Ghana, is anticipated to address the media to share the conclusion reached following the Committee’s final scheduled meeting of the year.
Prior to the announcement, the IEA held that the anticipated increase was caused by the expanding gap between inflation and the policy rate, which forced commercial banks to borrow money from the BoG at higher rates while inflation was rising.
On Monday, November 28, 2022, Dr. Ernest Addison, the chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee and governor of the Bank of Ghana, is anticipated to address the media to share the conclusion reached following the Committee’s final scheduled meeting of the year.
Prior to the announcement, the IEA held that the anticipated increase was caused by the expanding gap between inflation and the policy rate, which forced commercial banks to borrow money from the BoG at higher rates while inflation was rising.
On Monday, November 28, 2022, Dr. Ernest Addison, the chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee and governor of the Bank of Ghana, is anticipated to address the media to share the conclusion reached following the Committee’s final scheduled meeting of the year.
Prior to the announcement, the IEA held that the anticipated increase was caused by the expanding gap between inflation and the policy rate, which forced commercial banks to borrow money from the BoG at higher rates while inflation was rising.
“The decision regarding the PR is rather tricky—and challenging—at this time. We note that a significant gap has opened between the PR, at 24.5%, and inflation, at 40.5%. This is not uncommon. However, it rather unusual, especially in the Ghanaian context, where the real PR has been, more often than not, positive. Similarly, the PR has fallen far behind Treasury Bill rates, which are over 35%”, the statement signed by the IEA Director of Research, Dr. John Kwakye read.
“This has caused misalignment between the rates and increased the potential for “round-tripping,” to the extent that it is possible for banks to access Central Bank funds at cheaper rates and on-lend to the government at higher rates. It is also the case that major economies, such as US and UK, have further tightened their policies, increasing the pressure on the currencies of emerging markets and developing countries”, it explained.
The IEA however pointed out that the government and the Bank of Ghana are not adopting the adequate intervention measures aimed at controlling inflation which has been spiraling and resulting in policy rate hikes throughout the year.
“Already, interest rates have reached prohibitive levels and hurting the real economy as the cost of doing business has escalated. Reducing the growth projection for 2022 from the original 5.8% to 3.7% in the Mid-Year Budget attests to a slowing economy”.
“Our view is that inflation may go up further in November [2022], reflecting the pipeline pressures, before possibly slowing in December [2022], reflecting the slight decrease in fuel prices and a measure of stability on the foreign exchange market”.
Further making a case for the policy rate hike, the IEA noted that the move become necessary in order to “consolidate the incipient stability and reassure the markets of the strong commitment to fighting inflation. From that standpoint, I [IEA] expect the PR to be increased by 200 basis points to 26.5%”.
Meanwhile, the MPC at its last meeting in October this year hiked the monetary policy rate by 250 basis points from 22 percent to 24.5 percent.
The move according to the central bank was to stem inflation which has been soaring in recent months due to the depreciation of the cedi, upward adjustments in tariffs and Ghana awaiting to access an IMF-supported programme.
Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof. Godfred Bopkin, has demanded further information regarding the recent announcement of a ban on the use of V8 by all government appointees in the capital.
He worries that the directive contained in the 2023 Budget, which was delivered to Parliament on November 24, may be disregarded until clear guidelines are provided.
The economist, who has long supported austerity in light of Ghana’s current economic crisis, issued a warning that government austerity measures must be made explicit in order for the public to understand them.
“We must be very careful we don’t push people beyond the point where they will not be able to tolerate. That is the part that we are getting towards and especially when you don’t see greater commitment in internalizing that austerity.
“So, if you tell me that don’t drive V8 in Accra, who monitors that? If I see V8 leaving from East Legon, do I conclude it’s going to Central Region?” he quizzed in an interview on Joy FM, November 25.
What Ofori-Atta said about V8s
Under the section of the budget on “Implementation of the Cabinet directives on expenditure measures,” the Minister said:
Mr. Speaker, as a first step toward expenditure rationalisation, Government has approved the following directives which takes effect from January, 2023:
● All MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs are directed to reduce fuel allocations to Political
Appointees and heads of MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs by 50%. This directive applies to all methods of fuel allocation including coupons, electronic cards, chit system, and fuel depots. Accordingly, 50% of the previous years (2022) budget allocation for fuel shall be earmarked for official business pertaining to MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs;
● A ban on the use of V8s/V6s or its equivalent except for cross country travel. All government vehicles would be registered with GV green number plates from January 2023;
● Limited budgetary allocation for the purchase of vehicles. For the avoidance of doubt, purchase of new vehicles shall be restricted to locally assembled vehicles;
● Only essential official foreign travel across government including SOEs shall be allowed. No official foreign travel shall be allowed for board members. Accordingly, all government institutions should submit a travel plan for the year 2023 by mid-December of all expected travels to the Chief of Staff;
Twitter’s widely criticized premium service is coming back.
Company CEO Elon Musk announced the move on Friday, weeks after suspending paid verifications. The previous service allowed all users to purchase the coveted blue check for $8 a month; however, Twitter paused the option shortly after its rollout, as a growing number of accounts started abusing the offer to impersonate celebrities, athletes, and companies.
Musk explained the updated service will have a color-coded verification system that distinguishes notable people and entities that are of public interest.
“Gold check for companies, grey check for government, blue for individuals (celebrity or not) and all verified accounts will be manually authenticated before check activates,” Elon tweeted, adding the change was “painful, but necessary.”
Sorry for the delay, we’re tentatively launching Verified on Friday next week.
Gold check for companies, grey check for government, blue for individuals (celebrity or not) and all verified accounts will be manually authenticated before check activates.
Musk said the service was “tentatively launching” on Dec. 2.
The update comes a day after Musk confirmed he would grant “general amnesty” for some suspended accounts. He shared the news after conducting a poll in which the majority of users supported reinstating accounts that have not “broken the law or engaged in egregious spam.” More than 72 percent of respondents voted in favor of the move.
“The people have spoken. Amnesty begins next week,” Musk tweeted, adding “Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” a Latin phrase that means “The voice of the people is the voice of God.”
Earlier this month, Musk reinstated the accounts of several polarizing figures, including Kanye West, Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson, and former president Donald Trump. The latter said he has no plans to return to the platform.
“I hear we’re getting a big vote to also go back on Twitter. I don’t see it because I don’t see any reason for it,” Trump said during the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual leadership meeting, referencing the platform’s recent struggles. “They have a lot of problems at Twitter, you see what’s going on. It may make it, it may not make it.”
May Edochie, the first wife of actor Yul Edochie is currently in London.
This follows photos and images that emerged online. In a post on her Instagram, she asked fans to guess where she was travelling to.
In another video, the mother of four later shared that they have landed safely in London as she documented her time on the plane and other activities.
In the caption she shared, May seems to be in London for Comedian AY’s show.
She wrote in one of her posts: “The queen is in London, A sneak peek into my trip.”
Check out some reactions below:
Oluwafunmiajayi: “In this life, anything or anyone that will hinder your enjoyment. Rebuke it.”
Changedtojessy: “He lost a Gem I swear…”
Rynak_sweet: “Osheyyyyywho is your Queen again show me your Queen oo. My Queen dey carry GraceYou are the real movement.”
Joybeauty_luxury_hairs: “You are an inspiration to many women keep soaring higher Queen with class.”
Multi_dandii: “Ommmoooo! Yul kept this woman in the dark sinceeee! See beauty!!!! His lose menh.”
Am.aka1968: “We’re her so-called husband could not take her, what her so-called husband could not do for her, grace is doing it last last queen may you are exceptionally outstanding.”
The ad hoc committee’s report regarding the censure motion against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was presented to the legislature.
This is in response to inquiries from committee member Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa regarding the reason behind the report’s presentation to the plenary several days after work was completed.
Osei Kyei-Mensha-Bonsu, the majority leader, argued back and forth about the development, bringing up difficulties with the report’s title.
The report was however subsequently laid. A copy of the report in possession of Starr News reveals the committee in its 44-page report, reproduces transcript of what transpired at the public hearings with any recommendations.
The house will consequently debate the report and vote on the fate of the Finance Minister.
With the majority having already withheld its support for the motion, the NDC MPs will fail to make the two-thirds majority constitutional requirements which means the move will be dead.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has been praised by Ghanaian comedian Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng, also known as Funny Face, for helping him recover from depression.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, Funny Face praised the IGP despite the fact that he had given the go-ahead for his arrest on October 18, 2021 at 10:14 PM for threatening his baby mother and others. After a court order, he was later transferred for a psychiatric evaluation.
“God bless Dr. Dampare, he said, Funny Face calm down, One day you’ll see your Ella and Bella. Take care of your mental health, take care of your sanity. Stay focused or you might not live to see them. And that thing has always been here[he pointed his index finger to his head]”, Funny Face narrated.
Funny Face who doubles as the ”Children’s President”, because of his affection towards them has overpowered depression and intends to tour Senior High School in Ghana, to create awareness on depression based on his experience.
He also called on Corporate institutions and Ghanaians to support his course.
He claims that Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu told him about this during an interview.
Despite the fact that he said Adwoa Safo did not specify a return date, it is anticipated that she will travel for the Christmas season.
“She has left again; she has informed Majority Leader and Leader mentioned it during an interview with him. She will spend Christmas but until then, we do not know when she will return,” Kwame Nrkumah Tikese said on his Ade Akye Abia show Saturday morning.
After returning from the US on November 11, Adwoa Safo formally took up her parliamentary responsibilities again.
Since the 2022 budget was approved on November 26, 2021, Sarah Adwoa Safo has not been a member of the House.
The MP returned when Speaker of the House Alban Bagbin ordered on October 26, 2022, that the report of the committee formed to investigate her case and the cases of two other MPs who missed several sessions be brought before the entire house for discussion.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, objected to the committee report’s admissibility for the house to consider, but Alban Bagbin overruled him.
“As I have noted in this ruling, the decision (sic) on not to admit a motion is the exclusive preserve of the Speaker. In view of the foregoing, the House is well within its right to receive and consider reports of the committee and make a determination arising out of the consideration.
“In the circumstances, it is my ruling that the motion was rightfully admitted and the report of the committee is subject to the consideration of the house. It goes without saying that the (sic) objection of the Majority Leader today (sic) is hereby dismissed…” he concluded his verdict.
It will be recalled that on July 29, 2022, a day after parliament adjourned its first decision to determine the fate of the Dome Kwabenya MP, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo sacked her as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
In a statement, the president said the revocation of the MP’s appointment as minister was to take immediate effect.
“In accordance with article 81(a) of the Constitution, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has revoked the appointment of Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, as Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, with immediate effect.
“The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, will continue to act as caretaker Minister for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, until such a time that President Akufo-Addo appoints a substantive Minister,” the statement from the Presidency concluded.
Sarah Adwoa Safo has been in the United States of America since 2021.
However, barely two weeks following her return, she is reported to have left the country again.
Mrs. Bawumia, as usual, arrived at the ceremony wearing bright clothing and remained cheerful during the most of it.
She was dressed in one of her customary long, colorful skirts and accessorized with a brown bag. Her wristwatch, bracelet, and earrings were all golden in color, matching the hue of her clothing.
She was seen having fun with several dignitaries in photos posted on her Facebook page, including her husband Mahamudu Bawumia, former president John Agyekum Kufuor, and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
Her Facebook post was captioned as follows: “Last night, “The Bittersweet Pill of Politics” a memoir authored by Auntie Amma Bame Busia, sister to Prof. K.A Busia (former Prime Minister of Ghana) was launched by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“The event was chaired by Former President Kuffour, under whose tenure she served as member of Council of State. The book, which promises an interesting read, chronicles her journey and experiences through Ghana’s political history from the 1940s till the mid 2000s.”
In his presentation of the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to parliament, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed this.
In particular, he added, “we will review the E-Levy Act and cut the headline rate from 1.5 percent to 1 percent of the transaction amount as well as remove the daily threshold.”
The move, he also said, is in response to proposals government has received for a review of the levy.
“Government has consistently indicated its intention to improve the revenue collection effort by leveraging technology to enhance tax administration, identify and register taxable persons, and improve tax compliance.
“Government has received several proposals for a review of the Electronic Transfer Levy, and is working closely with all stakeholders to evaluate the levy’s impact in order to decide on the next line of action – which will include a revision of the various exclusions.
“As a first step, however, the headline rate will be reduced to 1 percent of the transaction value alongside removal of the daily threshold,” he said.
As other means to aggressively mobilise domestic revenue, Mr. Ofori-Atta also announced “an increase in the VAT rate by 2.5 percent to directly support our roads and digitalisation agenda; and Fast-tracking implementation of the Unified Property Rate Platform programme in 2023.
Parliament, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, passed the Electronic Levy bill. The E-levy was introduced by government in the 2022 Budget, with the objective of broadening the country’s tax base by imposing the levy on electronic transfers to enhance government’s drive for revenue mobilisation.
The Assin Fosu District Court remanded a 62-year-old farmer named Emmanuel Tetteh, who also works as a fetish priest at Assin Akwetey No2 in the Assin South District of the Central Region, for three weeks in police custody for allegedly killing his friend, Emmanuel Kofi Koranteng, during a fight on a cocoa farm.
Following a prayer by the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Gilbert Ayongo, the case was postponed to December 19, 2022 by the court presided over by His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu.
The prosecution stated that the accused and the deceased shared a farm and were good friends before the accused accused the dead of stealing his pistol, which caused their friendship to break down.
On January 31, 2022, the deceased said he was going to his hometown of Larteh in the Eastern Region. However, after a week, a call to the town’s residents revealed that the deceased had not been there.
This sparked suspicion among Akwetey No2 residents, so on February 7, 2022, the local assemblyman and a few locals assembled a search team for the deceased in the village, where the body was found.
The search team proceeded to the deceased farm and found the decomposed body of the deceased, shirts, and Wellington boots, with the skull dislocated and lying a few meters away from their boundaries.
They highly suspected the accused who miraculously vanished from the village when the deceased went missing.
The prosecution said the police obtained an order from the court and declare the accused wanted after an official complaint about the case has been made to the police.
The Accused was published in the media for apprehension and on 18th November 2022,he was arrested at Twifo Hemang upon a tip-off and was brought to Assin Fosu to Assin in the investigation.
Meanwhile, forensic analysis conducted on the skeletal remains disclosed the deceased was shot in the abdomen, 4 pellets were subsequently found and same was kept for evidential purposes.
BACKGROUND
On 10th February 2022, Kasapa News Yaw Boagyan reported that a decomposed body of a farmer who went missing has been discovered in bizarre circumstances in a cocoa farm at Assin Akwetey-no. 2 in the Assin South District of the Central.
An eyewitness who doubles as Assemblymember of the area, Mr. Tetteh Robert in an interview said he owed the deceased some amount of money but had not had a glimpse of him for weeks so he decided to go search for him in his village only to discover his mortal remains with the skull dislocated and lying few meters away from the boundaries of the suspects and the deceased farm boundaries.
Though the cause of the death was not known immediately, they suspect one Emmanuel Tetteh who 3 days before the demise of the deceased had a misunderstanding with the deceased over a piece of land and a missing gun which resulted in a scuffle.
The suspect and his family including school children have left the village leaving his undried cocoa beans behind.
Akwasi Boadi, also known as Akrobeto, a Ghanaian actor and television host, claims that he almost got into problems over an innocent photo he took with a man who claimed to be one of his biggest fans.
To his amazement, the young man, about whom he knew nothing, used the pictures to seduce a helpless girl and then, after she fell for his ploy and claimed to know the movie star, impregnated a teen.
Because of this, the well-known comedy film director Akrobeto has announced the end of the fan photo era.
“I don’t like taking photos because of how a man impregnated a 16-year-old girl with a photo he took with me. He had taken about four different photos with me and that was what he used to lure her.
“After impregnating the teenager, her parents came looking for me and showed me images of us together. According to the young girl, the man promised to help her and lied about his association with me. He proceeded to send the images to the girl…that was how he impregnated her,” Akrobeto narrated in an interview with media personality, Dan Kwaku Yeboah.
The 60-year-old actor listed similar instances where persons who came in the guise of his fans have used a photo he took with them to defraud innocent victims.
He added “A fetish priest also spread fake news of being behind my stardom. That was what he was telling people…he had even framed one of our photos…I nearly called for his arrest but I dropped the case after several pleas.
“Once you show a photo of us to anybody, they will easily believe it…you can beg me but I will never take a photo with you. I have love for people but no photos,” Akrobeto declared.
In a significant vote at the current 26th Congress of the Socialist International (2022), Benedicta Lasi, a lawyer and prominent member of the National Democratic Congress, was chosen to succeed Luis Ayala of Chile as Secretary General of the Socialist International.
She was voted to lead the 132-member organization at the age of 35, making history as the first woman, first African, and youngest person to do so. Together with Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, who has been chosen to lead the Socialist International, she would serve as its president.
On Friday, as part of the 26th Congress of the organization, delegates from more than 100 member parties participated in the election in Madrid, Spain.
Furthermore, Benedicta Lasi joined the Spanish Prime Minister during interactions with members of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party and the Presidium of the International Union of Socialist Youth, where she previously served as Vice President from 2016 – 2021.
With these relations, both leaders have demonstrated their mutual commitment to duty and good prospects of fruitful working relations for the years ahead.
The Socialist International (SI), is a worldwide organization of political parties, which seeks to establish democratic socialism and realize the ideals of socio-economic solidarity, and environmental and socio-cultural justice across the world. It was formed in 1951 to replace the Labour and Socialist International and currently includes 132 member parties and organizations from over 100 countries across the world, which identify with social democracy, socialism, democratic socialism or labor-centered politics.
Benedicta Lasi would be succeeding Luis Ayala from Chile to serve a full four-year term as Secretary-General while Pedro Sanchez would succeed former Prime Minister of Greece, George Papandreou as President of the organization.
Notably, the current Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres served as President of the organization from November 1999 to June 2005. The SI is headquartered in London in United Kingdom.
Benedicta Lasi is a Ghanaian lawyer, investment consultant, politician, and member of the National Democratic Congress. She is a partner at Edfields Attorneys, Ghana, a Transaction Advisor for Africa Investment Consortium, and a Consultant at Fitch Advisory.
She has a Master’s in Economic Policy Management from the University of Ghana and a Master’s in Conflict, Peace, and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. Her political track record and service to the NDC includes; Branch Youth Organizer for Kpone-Katamanso Constituency, Constituency Executive Member for Lower Manya Krobo, Deputy Regional Youth Organizer for Eastern Region and Deputy Director of Elections for the Eastern Region of Ghana.
At the National level, she was also a member of the 2020 Vice Presidential Campaign Team and the 2020 Manifesto Committee of the NDC.
Currently, she serves as a member of a number of strategic committees of the party including the NDC’s Governance Committee, Agribusiness Committee, Energy Committee and Chairperson for the Youth Committee. As an astute lawyer within the party, she is the Chair of the NDC’s Eastern Regional Legal Team.
Yunus Musah will be a centerpiece for the US men’s national team when it faces England in a critical World Cup group stage match on Friday, but he was close — very, very close — to playing for the other side.
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In fact, if not for a quirk of scheduling because of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, Musah — who spent his teenage years growing up in London and representing England’s youth national teams — would likely be featuring for the Three Lions instead.
“We talked about it so much because there were a lot of feelings,” Musah’s older brother, Abdul, told ESPN. “Looking back, the situation was so unusual. But I remember picking up Yunus at the airport after he came back from his first time with the US and I said, ‘How was it?’ and he looked at me and he said, ‘I’m not going anywhere else.’”
That conclusion seems simple enough, but getting to it was actually quite tricky. Musah‘s initial time with the US came in November 2020 — a match window that would normally have staged World Cup qualifiers, but only consisted of friendlies because of global travel chaos amid the pandemic. This turned out to be a key development for Musah because by rule, a player with eligibility for multiple nations becomes committed to a country once they play in a senior-level official game for that country. Friendlies don’t count.
So, if there had been the regularly scheduled qualifiers instead of exhibitions, Musah, who was born in New York City to Ghanaian parents (his mother was on vacation at the time) and was raised in Italy and England, likely would have turned down the US invitation to camp. “I don’t think he would have gone if he knew that going would have made the decision,” Abdul said, adding that he and Musah were “very honest” with the England federation officials about Musah’s intentions.
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“We spoke about it at home. We had to be so grateful to them,” Abdul said, referencing his brother having played more 30 matches for England at the youth level. “But ultimately the decision comes down to: Can you chose them for what they have done?”
“Obviously they tried to convince us to stay. Some may argue that they could have done more. But Yunus wanted to try it.”
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Musah’s connection to the other young rising stars on the US team was immediate. Obviously playing time and a more central place within a team are always factors for a dual-national, but despite the family’s connection to London, Abdul said he could sense his brother’s passion about the US immediately after those first exhibitions against Wales and Panama.
The US initially made contact with Musah through Nico Estevez, an assistant for the US who had connections at Musah’s club, Spanish LaLiga side Valencia. Musah’s conversations with US coach Gregg Berhalter were certainly positive, but it was the atmosphere he felt among the players in camp that really intrigued him.
“It was as if we’ve seen each other or met each other before,” Musah told ESPN after finalizing his decision. “And that that helps me because I’m new, and they welcomed me really well. In the end, we played two games really well and also had fun.”
Yunus Musah is tipped to be the next American breakout superstar. Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images
Although he’s less well known among casual US fans than Christian Pulisic, for example, Musah — who will turn 20 on Nov. 29, the day the US faces Iran in its last group stage match — has been the pick of many observers to be the next American breakout superstar. His presence in midfield and his ability to move the ball forward into dangerous positions can change a game, while his personality — he unofficially has the widest smile on the US team — is relentlessly upbeat.
Abdul says his brother has always been that way, adding that their entire family was raised to be humble and grateful for that which they have. In fact, when Musah was considering which English academy team to join, he was on the verge of signing with Chelsea but joined Arsenal at the last minute because it was closer to his house in East London, and the old-style clubhouse reminded him of the more ramshackle team he had played for as a boy in Italy. “The moment you entered, it felt like home,” Abdul said.
Group BGPWDLGDPTS1 – England1100+432 – Wales1010013 – USA1010014 – Iran1001-40Top two countries qualify for round of 16
With Ghanaian, English, Italian and American sensibilities, Musah’s entire life feels like a unique mixture. The only Muslim on the US team, he’s been very aware of the differences that come with being in Qatar — the call to prayer can often be heard during US training — but the truth is that his daily routine has always been an amalgam of cultures.
At home in Spain, Musah and Abdul, who lives with him, dip in and out of multiple languages, sometimes defaulting to Italian but then switching to English if they’re talking about, say, the Premier League. They love Ghanaian food, like jollof rice, but also are still very picky about having their pasta prepared in the northern Italian style since that is where they lived until Musah was nine. Their humor may skew more British, Abdul said, while Musah’s musical and entertainment tastes hedge American. If he gets a cold, they fall back on Ghanaian herbal remedies.
It is a tapestry. And for Musah, the comfort he feels to be all of those things is never at issue when he’s with his American teammates. He can express himself, both as a person and a player. And that ability inspires a happiness in him that makes his entire family grateful.
“From that first time, he felt as if he belonged,” Abdul said. “England was amazing for him. But he feels so proud to be representing the USA. It’s where he wants to be.”
She claims that this success is the result of the embassy and trade agency supporting the trade missions of Ghanaian businesses.
The seventh iteration of the Italian Cuisine and Wine Week, with the theme “Conviviality, Sustainability and Innovation: The Ingredients of Italian Cuisine to keep us Healthy and Protect the Environment,” was held in the ambassador’s residence when she made this remark.
Speaking in relation to this business growth, Madam D’Orlandi said: “So far, some 30 companies and over 80 Ghanaian businessmen have travelled to Italy. And at the same time, at the end of November we expect 20 companies from Italy will come here to Ghana and take part in the twin Plus Pack and Agro Food Fair in Accra and meet with their counterparts. So, there will be more business opportunities available to Italians and Ghanaians for a mutually beneficial partnership.
“Also, it must be noted that here in Ghana there is the best of Italian food and wine. And in fact, many Ghanaian companies are taking part in this celebration because this season there are many prominent businessmen from Italy and also from Ghana… And for us, the embassy and Italian trade agency, we work together to promote moral opportunities for business between Ghanaian and Italian companies in all sectors, but with a special focus on agric business.”
To widen job opportunities in Ghana, the Ambassador highlighted that education is very important. Based on this, she said the embassy has started offering scholarships and opportunities for the youth through its Masters in entrepreneurship programme, which is developed together by the University of Professional Studies in Accra and the Catholic University of Milan.
She indicated that the next class is expected to graduate by the end of November 2022. It is estimated that 150 Ghanaian businessmen have benefitted from this opportunity and 2,000 jobs have been created.
There was an incident, according to Portugal’s head coach Fernando Santos, thus the American referee Ismail Elfath did not need to consult the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
In their Group H opener on Thursday, Portugal overcame Ghana 3-2. Ronaldo’s controversial dive for the opening goal was controversial.
Since the American referee purchased the dive that Cristiano Ronaldo offered him without checking the VAR, the Black Stars felt tricked.
The first goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot after the referee gave Portugal a highly disputed penalty for what appeared to be a dive by the former Manchester United star following a tight call with Mohammed Salisu.
The American referee immediately pointed to the spot resisting all attempts to have a second look at the incident on the video assistant referee despite protestation from the Ghanaian players.
“I think if the VAR team had felt the referee should consult the VAR, they would have prompted him. I also think Joao Felix was fouled at a point and I expected the referee to check the VAR but he didn’t. So I don’t think there was a call the VAR would have been necessary for the referee.”
After a strong buildup from midfield, Mohammed Kudus’ attempt from the Black Stars in the second half missed the post.
After Portugal’s defense failed to intercept a cross from Baba Abdul Rahman, Ghana’s captain Andre Ayew scored a close-range goal to tie the score.
A few minutes later, Portugal struck back with two goals in as many minutes to end the match. Joao Felix scored on a lovely clipped finish, and replacement Rafael Leao calmly stroked in the game-winning goal just seconds after coming on.
Osman Bukhari scored a late consolation goal for the absence of Stars as the game came to a finish. However, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, Inaki Williams intercepted a pass from and prevented any genuine drama from occurring.
A pair of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims are suing two major banks for their “complicity” in the late financier’s crimes.
The Wall Street Journal reports two anonymous Epstein accusers filed lawsuits against Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Thursday.
The lawsuits allege that the banks “knowingly benefited and received things of value for assisting, supporting, facilitating, and otherwise providing the most critical service for the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking organization to successfully rape, sexually assault, and coercively sex traffic” young women.
The lawsuits, which have requested to be certified as class action, are seeking unspecified damages.
“The Epstein sex-trafficking venture’s purpose included enticing, obtaining, harboring, and transporting the young victims without drawing unwanted attention from law enforcement,” the court documents state. “The venture had everything a sex-trafficking organization needed — funding, infrastructure, the appearance of legitimacy, and perhaps most importantly a complicit banking institution. It was by many accounts the most powerful and wealthiest sex-trafficking venture ever created.”
JPMorgan has not addressed the lawsuits. However, a spokesperson for Deutsche Bank said in a statement, “We believe this claim lacks merit and will present our arguments in court.”
Epstein was found dead in his prison cell on Aug. 10, 2019. According to court documents, the 66-year-old was placed on suicide watch sometime that July, after he was found unconscious with a bed sheet around his neck; however, a post-suicide watch report painted Epstein as a cooperative inmate who had no intentions of killing himself.
A Pennsylvania resident was arrested this week after he was allegedly found with a loaded gun at Newark Liberty International Airport.
According to NBC News, the incident took place on Thanksgiving Day, when Transportation Security Administration agents discovered a 9mm handgun in the man’s carry-on bag. Authorities say the weapon was loaded with 13 bullets, including one in the chamber.
“Getting caught with and arrested for carrying a loaded gun at our airport means this individual had a pretty bad Thanksgiving,” Thomas Carter, TSA federal security director for New Jersey, told the outlet. “Our TSA officers are on the job this busy holiday weekend so that others can reach their destinations safely and spend the holiday with their family and friends.”
Carter said the man will not only face criminal charges, but also a “stiff federal financial civil penalty that could run into thousands of dollars.” The TSA said the man, who has not been publicly identified, is the third person to be arrested at Newark airport this month for having a firearm in their carry-on. The incident also marked the 14th gun to be found by airport security in 2022.
“Our team is staying vigilant and focused on the mission to help ensure that prohibited items are not carried onto a flight,” Carter added.
The format for the 2023 edition of the list is a little bit different from previous editions.
The Best in Travel report highlights cities, nations, and regions to assist travellers in planning their upcoming trip by drawing on local expert opinions from the heart of each place.
Ghana made the list as one of the best countries to visit and connect in the world.
A statement published by Lonely Planet indicated that the ‘Year of Return,’ one of government initiative launched in 2019, contributed to Ghana’s appearance on the list. “As the world opened up after long COVID-19 restrictions, many travellers felt the urge to connect or reconnect with others. One way to do that is by looking into our own backyards. People with African heritage may want to head to Accra, Ghana, for their own sense of connection.
“The country, also on the list, observed a Year of Return in 2019, which brought people from all over the diaspora to Ghana for fellowship and community. Just because the year passed doesn’t mean that the sense of connection has gone: Ghana wants to hit a goal of eight million tourists per year,” the statement reads.
Commenting on the list, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, expressed excitement on Ghana being named as one of the best countries to visit and connect in 2023.
According to him, the ‘Year of Return’ and ‘Beyond the Return’ were part of government effort to revive Ghana’s engagement with the African diaspora and the world at large. He noted that it did not only increase the number of visits to the country, but also gained interest from the media, celebrities and investors, which helped position Ghana as an attractive investment destination for the diaspora.
“It is a great honour to see how, over the years, Ghana continues to receive accolades for our dedication to promote ‘Year of Return and ‘Beyond the Return’. Indeed, we are immensely proud of the fact that Ghana has been named as one of the best places to visit and connect by Lonely Planet.
“I also recognise that we could not have come this far without the support of government and all stakeholders. Heading to December, we have started seeing the numbers coming in, and we are very positive that Ghana will host the world once again,” he said.
Recently, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, officially unveiled the schedule of events for the 2022 ‘December in GH’ campaign. December in GH is the country’s biggest celebration of all things – cultural, entertainment, adventure, nightlife, fashion, gastronomy, tours and community service. Since 2019, the ‘December in GH’ event schedule is one that many travellers look forward to when planning their activities for their holiday trip to Ghana.
DOHA, Qatar — Lionel Messi is emotionally and physically ready to face Mexico in Argentina’s key Group C World Cup match on Saturday, according to manager Lionel Scaloni.
Argentina fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and need a victory against Mexico to keep their World Cup campaign on track. Scaloni said Messi, 35, trained with the rest of the team on Thursday and is ready for the challenge on Saturday.
“He’s feeling well but more than ever we need everyone,” Scaloni said. “We have no questions over [Messi’s] physical level, and emotionally he’s feeling well so no problems there.”
He added: “Leo is doing well, as our his other teammates. We know tomorrow we have an important match and most young players know that everything will be left on the pitch. Everything depends on us — that’s why we need to give everything on the pitch.”
Scaloni said he will not rip up his Argentina blueprint after the shock defeat. “You need to rise up after a blow like that, bounce back together and think of the upcoming match — that’s all you can do,” he said. “For a long time everything was perfect for us — all joy — but in difficult moments we need everyone’s support.
“This group is ready to rise and bounce back, we have no questions over that in that regard of how we play the game. With all the responsibility — we know there’s a whole country behind us — but everyone on the pitch will break our backs until the last second we are on the pitch so we can reverse the opening match.”
Striker Lautaro Martinez said the opening defeat was a “hard blow” but the team is ready to bounce back. “Tomorrow’s match will be like a final as we need to win,” Martinez said.
“It’ll be an important match for our future, not only in terms of pecking order but in terms of what we will manage to do on the pitch. We’ve proven that we have the players and the quality. We are eager and ready and eager to square up against the next opponent.”
Martinez and Scaloni spoke to the press on the two-year anniversary of Diego Maradona’s death and Argentina are focused on delivering a performance fit to honour the 1986 World Cup winner.
“It’s a very sad day for everyone, really,” Scaloni said. “Tomorrow we will hope to bring some joy for Maradona if he’s looking at us from the sky.
“That’s the most important thing for us. Every time we’re reminded of him, it’s unbelievable that he’s not here with us, so it’s a sad day for us. Hopefully tomorrow will be a happy day for all of us.”
Despite a lack of information regarding the infrastructure used by private security firms in Ghana, he claimed that these firms had a sizable human capital base and security networks that can still be used to acquire useful intelligence.
He claimed that in order for state security organisations to effectively combat crime, they must take advantage of this edge.
“A close collaboration between private and public security agencies would lead to a mutually beneficial information sharing arrangements, with each party tapping into each other’s superior competencies for a better security architecture. Private security companies provide security to an overwhelming majority of the country’s infrastructure, with a large number of purposefully positioned security guards,” he said.
He stated that: “Over the years, private security has been designed to augment the activities of state security. Private security is the provision of security by a person other than a public servant to protect a person or property. The remit and focus of private security is detection and prevention of harm, misappropriation or unauthorised access/use of a property”.
According to Mr. Quartey, law enforcement agencies can gather information about incidents through reporting by private security staff; gain additional ‘work-force’ (force multiplier) by relying on private security; prepare private security companies to assist in emergencies and coordinate efforts to safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure. Private security companies, on the other hand, can also gain information from law enforcement regarding threats and crime trends – and coordinate plans for evacuation and transportation during emergencies.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Debt Exchange Programme through aggressive tax mobilisation, the development of local export capability, and the Social Protection Programme to offer a safety net for the underprivileged are some of these programmes.
He stated that the administration thought the action would reduce the nation’s debt to a manageable level.
He said the government was building local capacity for exports by improving agricultural produce through the creation of conducive environment for farmers to thrive.
Providing a safety net and social protection programmes for the poor were major projects to be enhanced by increasing the current beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) at 320,000 to 450,000 with a corresponding increase in their GH¢45 monthly payments to Ghc95 bi-monthly, he said.
The LEAP provides cash transfers to very poor people, particularly in households with orphans or vulnerable children, the elderly, and people with extreme disabilities.
Other social protection programmes would also be reviewed to ensure efficiency, including increment in the school feeding rates for caterers, Mr Kumah said.
“Government is committed to expanding coverage to all 2,500,000 extremely poor individuals as estimated by the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 7) by 2024,” he quoted from the Budget Statement.
He said the expansion of the programme would have a long-lasting impact on the development of the human resource base of the country and improve living standards of the vulnerable.
Established in 2008, the LEAP aimed to support the poorest families in Ghana to better meet their basic needs, prioritise health, enrol children in school and improve their attendance, increase savings, work and invest more to pull themselves out of poverty.
Currently, it supports 1.5 million extremely poor Ghanaians from 344,023 households across the country while providing support for the elderly aged 65 and above, and the severely disabled.
South Korea has been tipped to beat Ghana 1-0 on Monday in their second group game at the 2022 World Cup. The game against the Black Stars of Ghana will be played at the Education City Stadium at 13:00 GMT.
The Mundial which began on Sunday 20th November saw South Korea take on Uruguay at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. The game ended goalless.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton who has been described as the human Octopus for getting his predictions right stated that South Korea will beat Ghana 1-0. He predicted Japan’s 2-1 win against Germany. Sutton also added that South Korea’s goalless draw wasn’t a dull game but the Koreans didn’t take the chances they created.
According to Sutton: “Korea scored a scoreless draw with Uruguay, but the flow was not dull. Chance couldn’t be saved. South Korea will feel that it will be possible to pass the farewell league by catching Ghana in a tight-hearted Joe,”
Chris Sutton also spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo‘s penalty against Ghana. He slammed the former Manchester United player for diving.
“ Cristiano Ronaldo threw himself on the ground and the referee would continue to believe this, but if he would not, he would be determined to win by penalty kick, but he would not,”
“The gold to be purchased by the Bank of Ghana and the PMMC will be in cedis at a spot price with no discounts.”
“These directives would also help local gold refineries obtain gold supplies from PMMC to support their operations as they work toward obtaining the required London Bullion Market (LBMA) certification,” the Minister explained.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Sulemana Konneye, explained to Citi News the objective these measures are intended to achieve.
“Our member companies have agreed to work with the Bank of Ghana starting this year. We have a target for next year which is under consideration. I can’t tell if these member companies will be committed to the 20% as it is still under consideration but the general programme has been accepted by the industry.”
“For the quantum, the mining companies we are yet to reach an agreement on it and will communicate in due course.”
A woman in Indonesia’s Jambi province was killed and swallowed whole by a python, according to local reports.
Jahrah, a rubber-tapper reportedly in her 50s, had made her way to work at a rubber plantation on Sunday morning.
She was reported missing after failing to return that night, and search parties sent out to find her. A day later villagers found a python with what appeared to be a large stomach.
Locals later killed the snake and found her body inside.
“The victim was found in the snake’s stomach,” Betara Jambi police chief AKP S Harefa told local media outlets, adding that her body appeared to be largely intact when it was found.
He said the victim’s husband had on Sunday night found some of her clothes and tools she had used at the rubber plantation, leading him to call on a search party.
After the snake – which was at least 5m (16ft) long – was spotted on Monday, villagers then caught and killed it to verify the victim’s identity.
“After they cut the belly apart, they found it was Jahrah inside,” Mr Harefa told CNN Indoneisa.
Though such incidents are rare, this is not the first time someone in Indonesia has been killed and eaten by a python. Two similar deaths were reported in the country between 2017 and 2018.
Pythons swallow their food whole. Their jaws are connected by very flexible ligaments so they can stretch around large prey.
One expert had earlier told the BBC that pythons typically eat rats and other animals, “but once they reach a certain size it’s almost like they don’t bother with rats anymore because the calories are not worth it”.
“In essence they can go as large as their prey goes,” Mary-Ruth Low, then a conservation & research officer for Mandai Wildlife Group, said.
That can include animals as large as pigs or even cows.
On Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Jubilee Park, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture brought its Planting for Food and Jobs trial market to Kumasi.
Along with the goods’ tardy arrival and the absence of various foods, including plantains and cassava, which the customers lamented, they also complained about the PFJ market’s excessively expensive costs.
Some of them who spoke to Class 91.3 FM’s Elisha Adarkwah said they would have been better off buying some of the foodstuffs in the open market instead of going to the Ministry’s much-touted affordable commodities market.
In an interview with Don Kwabena Prah on Happy98.9 FM’s “Epa Hoa Daben” socio-political talk show, he alleged that individuals with first grade in accounting or financing will appreciate the intensity of the cedi depreciation due to demerit decisions by the Minister.
“We must be told that even a first-degree holder in accounting or financing knows better that his bad decisions brought the cedi here and not because the citizens are dumb,” he stressed.
“What disgusts me most is the Chiefs and Ministers being paid with taxpayers’ money appearing to support him, we say we do not want him and you’ve left your work there to support him,” he bemoaned.
“If we had leaders who were responsive, the president would have demoted them. You leave your work to support Ken Ofori-Atta at the expense of the country, with the country’s car, fuel and salaries. This should tell you the calibre of people we have elected, very bad appalling and insulting to the Ghanaian intelligent” he added.
Andreas Bornemann head of sport of FC St. Pauli has stated that Daniel-Kofi Kyereh‘s rapid rise from club level to the Black Stars and getting to Qatar for the World Cup is phenomenal.
He had not been able to establish himself as a potential talent in the youth of VfL Wolfsburg and had to hunt for a new club following a cruciate ligament tear. Kyereh ended up with regional division team TSV Havelse in the fourth division, where he drew the attention of many third division clubs before joining SSV Wehen Wiesbaden in 2018.
A steep rise appears to be different. St. Pauli knocked on the door after two seasons of second division promotion and relegation.
At the age of 24, his breakthrough came at the Kiezklub, where he was able to steadily develop his amazing potential. Kyereh discovered the ideal circumstances for him, progressed to become an extraordinary player in the second division, became a member of the Ghanaian national team, and, two years later, fulfilled his ambition of playing in the first division by going to Freiburg. Kyereh now competes in the Bundesliga, European Cup, and World Cup.
“It’s a phenomenal story,” says Andreas Bornemann
“As FC St. Pauli, we are delighted that Kofi has taken a decisive step on this path with us and that both sides have benefited from each other,”
“Kofi played a major role in shaping our successful phase, whereby the offensive orientation of our team stood him in good stead,”
“His path shows how much you can achieve with hard work, perseverance, and focus.” What’s more: “That should encourage all young players who aren’t tearing down their trees at 19 or 20 to keep at it, to keep working and also to keep dreaming,”
Kyereh’s record in the FC St. Pauli jersey before moving to Freiburg: 67 games, 22 goals, 21 assists.
Commercial farmers and small-holder farmers can purchase traditional agriculture insurance and index-based weather insurance products from GAIP.
According to Mr. Ofori-Atta, who presented the budget for 2023, qualified farmers will receive an estimated $400 million in agricultural insurance in 2023.
The presentation of the budget in parliament is in pursuance of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).
The current strains on the local currency and high food costs, according to finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, support the GhanaCARES program’s current focus on enhancing the private sector’s export and productive potential.
He said that an economic enclave project is being pursued to this end, with the goal of supporting the cultivation of up to 110,000 acres of land in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Savanna, and Oti areas.
The plan, according to Mr. Ofori-Atta, “seeks to expand our production and productivity in the rice, tomato, maize, vegetables, and poultry” sectors, which he detailed in his presentation of the 2023 budget to parliament on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
It is being led and coordinated by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) in collaboration with other government institutions such as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ministry of Energy, Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) under the Ministry of Defence, the National Entrepreneurial and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and the National Service Secretariat (NSS).
Mr Ofori-Atta said “consistent with the private sector-led approach, the programme will engage interested private sector actors to expand agricultural production and processing in the Asutuare-Tsopoli economic enclave area based on a partnership framework”.
The same approach, he noted, will be adopted for the lands secured in the Ashanti, Central, Savanna and Oti regions.
In addition to the enclave project, Ofori-Atta said the GhanaCARES programme, “in 2023, will continue to offer catalytic support by working with DBG to provide funding to interested and targeted farmers; supporting MoFA to adopt and deploy the farmer registration database for the farmer input subsidy programme to enhance efficiency; supporting the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation (MoCD) to establish a tech hub to improve knowledge in technology and innovation by the youth, in collaboration with the University of Ghana ensuring the operationalisation of the foundry under a sustainable private sector management framework.”
“Providing interest rate subsidies and direct financing, including supporting prioritised sectors in the rural economy through the ARB Apex Bank and its network of banks, as agreed under the AfDB-supported Post-COVID Skills and Productivity Enhancement Project,” he added.
The Ghana Football Association plans to petition FIFA to remove referee Ismail Elfath for his subpar performance during Ghana’s opening match against Portugal at the currently taking place world cup in Qatar.
The Portuguese team was given a controversial penalty by the American referee, which was well converted by captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The third goal scored by the Selecao by Rafael Leao also sent tongues wagging because both critics and supporters believe that Leao was in the wrong.
According to numerous sources, the GFA feels hardly defeated by the judgments and has now decided to submit a petition.
On Monday at 13:00 GMT, the Black Stars will play South Korea in their second group match.
Spare parts dealers in Abossey Okai have described as unfortunate, the increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate by 2.5%.
Government on Thursday announced a review of the VAT rate from 12.5 per cent to 15 effective January, 2023.
Presenting the 2023 budget to Parliament on Thursday, the Finance Minister said the review is to directly support road construction projects and government’s digitization agenda.
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts dealers had earlier cautioned the government that they cannot contain any increment in the Value Added Tax.
Public Relations Officer for the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, Eric Nsi noted that the decision will only worsen the economic hardships of its members.
“Though we had information that something like that will happen, it is quite unfortunate, because we sent a strong signal to government that we are not in a position to receive this…it is only adding up to the economic hardship of the Ghanaian citizenry,” he told JoyNews.
As part of the reduction of government’s expenditure, the Minister also announced a freeze on new tax waivers for foreign companies and a review of tax exemptions for free zone, mining, oil and gas companies.
This move, the Association said is commendable as it will reduce competition with foreign companies.
“As it stands, we cannot compete with foreign companies. So if he has seen the need to cut down some exemptions on foreign goods, I think that it is laudable.”
Renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has refuted dismissed allegations of extortion and blackmail against him after releasing his latest exposè the “Galamsey economy”.
A statement signed by the Ghanaian journalist said “some persons have resorted to mudslinging and lies” against its CEO Anas following the release of the undercover documentary that led to the dismissal of a Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
Mr Adu Boahen was sacked after the investigative prior to the airing of the investigative piece. He is currently the subject of an investigation by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.
“Tiger Eye PI notes, that, these are antics by the perpetrators of corruption and their collaborators, to distract from the facts of our recent exposé…we challenge anyone with evidence of crime against Anas Aremeyaw Anas, to without hesitation, make same available to the relevant state authorities.”
“To reiterate without equivocation, Tiger Eye PI has NEVER, either through its agents or third parties, demanded monies from persons busted by Tiger Eye PI in the cause of our work, including the Number 12 and Galamsey Fraud exposés for the stories to be dropped.
“Per the internal operating procedures and integrity mechanisms within Tiger Eye, it’s IMPOSSIBLE for any of our agents to demand bribes to drop a story. The sheer frivolity and incoherence of these allegations have been exposed times without number by Tiger Eye PI.”
Below is the full statement:
TIGER EYE RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS OF EXTORTION AND BLACKMAIL
Following the release of the Galamsey Economy exposè which focused on exposing the pervasive rot that is affecting the economy and investor confidence in Ghana, some persons have resorted to mudslinging and lies against the CEO of Tiger Eye PI, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. A video, made up of rehashed allegations from 2018 have been circulated on social media networks and other messaging platforms. Tiger Eye hereby responds to the contents of the said video, containing details which we have refuted on countless occasions.
Tiger Eye PI dismisses all the allegations including extortion and blackmail against Anas Aremeyaw Anas. These allegations are imagined and fabricated, with no basis in reality. Tiger Eye PI notes, that, these are antics by the perpetrators of corruption and their collaborators, to distract from the facts of our recent exposé. It also merits the question: why do such allegations only surface when there is an exposé?
In the said video, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi’s wife is seen and heard, sometime in 2018 on Metro TV, alleging that some persons had contacted her husband to pay some amount of money ($100,000) in order to drop the #12 exposé. When this allegation was first made, Anas Aremeyaw Anas challenged Mr Nyantakyi and his wife to sue him or whoever did what they’re alleging, or report him/her to the police for extortion if they think their stale allegation is true (https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Sue-me-for-extortion-blackmail-if-I-asked-for-100k-bribe-Anas-dares-Nyantakyi-s-wife-703414). It’s however important to note that, she, as well as the trumpeters of the said allegation, fail to mention anyone’s
name. As we speak, Mr Nyantakyi is standing trial for fraud and corruption. If this allegation were true, it would be absurd that he would not go any length to put whoever made those demands for bribes before the law especially when through Tiger Eye’s anti-corruption operations, he has lost his job.
It’s important to note that, the champion of these spurious allegations, Mr Kennedy Agyepong (also seen in the video), who splashed the photos of the late Ahmed Suale on his NET 2 TV prior to his assassination, is in court with Anas Aremeyaw Anas in a defamation suit. When he challenged the professional integrity of Anas as a lawyer at the General Legal Council, he was handed a defeat. Again, he has already lost the first round of defamation suit against him by Mr Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, where the court found his allegations to be unfounded and empty.
In the video, portions show Mr Charles Bissue’s false claims. Tiger Eye refuted his false claims recently, extensively. (https://www.myjoyonline.com/full-text-anas-vs-charles-bissue-on-galamsey-deals/). We reiterate that those claims of demands for bribes to drop the Galamsey Fraud exposé, are false and without merit.
It’s interesting that whenever these claims are made, those alleging fail to mention specific names nor produce evidence to buttress their claims. They don’t also take bold steps to report such things to law enforcement agencies for them to be dealt with per law. This should alert every watcher, that, these claims are wanton and must be treated as such.
In the video, a man in a cornrow whom another claimed was Anas, was being accused of land grabbing. On humanitarian grounds, we wish to iterate that circulating videos of persons and tagging them as ANAS could put innocent persons at risk as they might get caught up and targeted in a case of mistaken identity. We further wish to state for the record that Anas Aremeyaw Anas, CEO of Tiger Eye has NEVER forcefully or illegally dispossessed anyone of his/her land and hasn’t been involved in an altercation as being purported. No court has found him guilty of illegal land expropriation.
Tiger Eye is fully aware that this particular allegation is being championed by one Kweku Annan who was sacked from NET 2 for professional misconduct. Suffice to say, Kweku Annan was exposed by Tiger Eye demanding bribes to spew lies about Anas Aremeyaw Anas (https://www.adomonline.com/fallout-from-12-radio-broadcaster-admits-taking-money-accuses-anas-of-bad-faith/). Subsequently, Tiger Eye took him to the National Media Commission (NMC) for redress on his allegations (https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/video-anas-petitions-nmc-to-investigate-hot-fm-presenter-for-unethical-media-practice.html), where he couldn’t substantiate a single claim, leading to the issuance of a restraining order against him by the NMC. Once again, we challenge anyone with evidence of wrongdoing in the nature of unlawful expropriation of lands to proceed to the appropriate State agency for further action.
To reiterate without equivocation, Tiger Eye PI has NEVER, either through its agents or third parties, demanded monies from persons busted by Tiger Eye PI in the cause of our work, including the Number 12 and Galamsey Fraud exposés for the stories to be dropped. Per the internal operating procedures and integrity mechanisms within Tiger Eye, it’s IMPOSSIBLE for any of our agents to demand bribes to drop a story. The sheer frivolity and incoherence of these allegations have been exposed times without number by Tiger Eye PI.
Tiger Eye PI, has at all times, after its investigations, taken extra steps to assist relevant State authorities to investigate the findings of our investigations. Anas Aremeyaw Anas has testified in courts, has been cross examined, and has been a subject of multiple suits for his works. None of these suits, since the over two decades of dedicated service to uncover crimes, has been successful.
We challenge anyone with evidence of crime against Anas Aremeyaw Anas, to without hesitation, make same available to the relevant State authorities.
Tiger Eye PI remains unwavering in its commitment to fight graft and crimes using sting operations (Anas principle), and absolutely nothing, be they threats or baggage of spurious allegations, will stop us from holding duty bearers accountable in the interest of God and Country.
“Nobody in his or her right state of mind will gloat if the country’s economy collapses,” he posited.
“We won’t be here if the minister had earlier admitted his guilt of running the economy down,” he stressed.
The finance minister last Thursday in parliament revealed that the ministry of finance has conducted a Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) based on Ghana’s macroeconomic outlook and analysed the country’s capacity to finance its policy objectives and service its debts.
He said: “The sustainability of our debt has been continuously affected by the negative impact of exchange rate depreciation, particularly on external debt, as well as the crystallisation of significant contingent liabilities in recent years.”
The current debt sustainability analysis conducted, Mr Ofori-Atta noted, reveals that “Ghana is now considered to be in high risk of debt distress.”
“Mr Speaker, despite the heightened debt levels, the government remains committed to ensuring that debt is brought to sustainable levels over the medium to long term,” he indicated.
To this end, Mr Ofori-Atta announced: “We will implement a debt exchange programme to address the challenges identified in the portfolio in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including the Ghanaian public, investor community and development partners.”
Furthermore, he said the government will continue to strengthen its oversight of all SoEs, in particular, the financial and energy sectors.
According to NAPO, as he is affectionately known, the stars will perform admirably when they play against their South Korean rivals thanks to Ghana’s respectable team.
He stated this in response to Ghana’s defeat to Portugal in their opening Group H match.
Read His Post Below
“It was an enjoyable experience watching the Ghana-Portugal match in the conference room of the Ministry of Energy with my staff.
“We shared our collective groans and cheers as the match went on and we willed the Stars on. Unfortunately it was not to be.
“I believe we have a decent team and that we will do much better when we meet South Korea in our next game.
In 2023, the government plans to spend more than 200 billion Ghanaian cedis while expecting to earn just 143 billion, resulting in a 7.7% budget deficit.
The former finance minister recommended the government to make significant spending cuts in order to adequately address the situation while speaking on State of Affairs.
“We are not raising enough revenue and stuck to tax revenue of 12 to 13 percent, as well as the revenue setting, if we are lucky, at 15.5 percent was the highest in actual terms for 2015. Therefore we are not able to break the Sub-Sahara average of 17.5 let alone the 20 percent that the Minister indicated.
“So you can see the road that we need to travel in that tax to GDP at 20 percent and we are talking of a five percent increase. Even if it is total revenue we are talking about, a 24 percent increase. We are not closing the gap but we are making the effort to increase revenue because there will always be a deficit, Mr. Terkpe stated.
He added: “I think there are some positive vibes coming from the budget but I’m afraid we have a long way to go in reducing the deficit and bringing the debts to sustainable levels so that we can go to the market again. Because now everything is dependent on the domestic market, treasury bills, bonds, and the Bank of Ghana beginning to take over the mantle of financing the deficit.”
The former finance minister indicated that the government’s debt/deficit is part of the Appropriation Bill and the Bank of Ghana cannot allocate to itself the fiscal responsibility of who to pay.
“Because when the budget is presented there is a projection of how it should be financed,” Mr. Terkper explained.
E. Jean Carroll, a former columnist who accused Donald Trump of sexualassault, is suing the ex-president for a second time.
According to the Associated Press, the ex-Elle contributor filed the civil lawsuit electronically on Thanksgiving Day, shortly after New York’s Adult Survivors Act went into effect. The law allows sexual assault survivors to take legal action against their abusers between Nov. 24, 2022-Nov. 24, 2023, even after the Statute of Limitations expired.
Carroll publicly accused Trump of sexual assault in her 2019 book, claiming the then-president had raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the claims in an interview with The Hill shortly after.
“I’ll say it with great respect: Number one, she’s not my type,” Trump said. “Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK? … I know nothing about this woman. I know nothing about her. She is — it’s just a terrible thing that people can make statements like that.”
Carroll ultimately sued Trump for defamation after he accused her of lying. That suit is currently pending.
The newly filed suit, which also includes allegations of battery, was updated with claims Trump made on his Truth Social platform last month.
“I don’t know this woman, have no idea who she is, other than it seems she got a picture of me many years ago, with her husband, shaking my hand on a reception line at a celebrity charity event,” he wrote before submitting to a sworn deposition related to the 2019 lawsuit. “She completely made up a story that I met her at the doors of this crowded New York City Department Store and, within minutes, ‘swooned’ her. It is a Hoax and a lie, just like all the other Hoaxes that have been played on me for the past seven years. And, while I am not supposed to say it, I will. This woman is not my type!”
Carroll claims Trump’s denial has caused her pain and suffering, psychological harms, dignity loss, and reputation damage. She is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Some 2,500 naked volunteers have posed in the early morning light on Sydney’s Bondi Beach for an artwork designed to raise awareness of skin cancer.
The installation is American photographer Spencer Tunick’s latest project, aimed at encouraging Australians to get regular skin checks.
Legislation was changed to allow public nudity on the beach for the first time.
Australia is the country in the world worst affected by skin cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund says.
From 3:30 local time, volunteers gathered on the beach to take part in the installation, done in collaboration with the charity Skin Check Champions during skin cancer awareness week.
“We have an opportunity to raise awareness about skin checks and I’m honoured… to come here, make my art and just celebrate the body and protection,” world-renowned artist Tunick said in quotes cited by Reuters.
Bruce Fisher, 77, who participated in the event, told AFP: “I’ve spent half my life in the sun and had a couple of malignant melanomas taken off my back.
“I thought this was a good cause and I love taking my clothes off on Bondi beach.”
Tunick is well-known for masterminding images of mass nudes in some of the world’s most iconic locations.
Former president of Ghana John Dramani Mahama believes that the current Black Stars team has demonstrated that they are a fiercely competitive group that merits the full support of the Ghanaian people.
He admits that the nation did not receive the outcomes that were anticipated, but he is certain that things will turn around in upcoming games.
The former president pointed out that the youthful Ghanaian team will succeed with the right assistance.
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“That was not the result we were expecting from the game against Portugal. But we’ve confirmed that we are a very determined side for this World Cup.
“Let’s continue to pray and support the team as they prepare for their second and the final group matches.
“This team, is a young team! A work in progress. We should be proud of them.”
Senior Research Fellow at Kumasi Technical University Dr. Smart Sarpong has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, not to be alarmed or alarmed by the declaration of a ban on hiring civil officials beginning in January 2023.
On Thursday, November 24, the 2023 budget statement and economic policy were presented to Parliament by Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister.
“A ban on new tax waivers for foreign corporations and a reassessment of tax exemptions for free zone, mining, oil, and gas industries; A hiring freeze for civil and public officials,” the minister declared.
There won’t be any new government organisations created in 2023, and there won’t be any hampers in 2022.
He admonished the youth to challenge themselves to break their dependence on public employment and develop an attitude of entrepreneurship.
“People use a lot of excuses to avoid work. Let’s change the narrative around this time they say there is a freeze. It means you have to get out of laziness and get something doing. Maybe, by the time we get out from the freeze, we would have had more entrepreneurs, more self-employed people; [every danger that comes] for me, every threat should come along with an opportunity that we all must ensure we take over . . . there will always be job available for those who are ready,” he advised.
“Let the youth of this Republic become creative,” he added.
Women and girls in Africa are at greater risk of being killed by their intimate partners or other family members, more than anywhere else in the world, the UN says.
It says the continent has the highest level of violence against women, relative to its size of female population.
In 2021, around 45,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by intimate partners or other family members.
Broken down, this means that more than five women or girls are killed every hour by someone in their own family.
The report released jointly by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, says that even as the numbers are shocking, the true scale of femicide may be much higher.
By absolute numbers, Africa had the second-highest cases of female intimate partner/family-related killings, at 17,200, with Asia leading at 17,800. The Americas had 7,500 cases and 2,500 in Europe.
“Data on gender-related killings committed in the public sphere are particularly scarce, making it difficult to inform prevention policies for these types of killings,” it says.
The UN is calling for the strengthening of protection mechanisms for women human rights defenders and women’s rights activists.
“I call upon governments and partners across the world to increase long-term funding and support to women’s rights organisations,” UN Women executive director Sima Bahous said.
The UN report comes as the global commemoration of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence begins on Friday.
According to Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures issued by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana’s inflation, which was mostly driven by food and fuel in October 2022, reached 40.4%.
According to the figures, inflation for both food and non-food increased to 43.7 percent and 37.8%, respectively.
In addition, he highlighted the poor investment in the agriculture industry as one of the problems contributing to the woes of the sector.
He continued that about 30% of the food that we produce in Ghana spoils at the farm, which is a significant problem for the nation.
“About 30% of the food that we produce gets spoiled at the farm, that is a big challenge and so we should find innovative ways to protect our produce,” he said.
He criticized the ongoing importation of food products into the Ghanaian market, which he claims is to blame for recent increases in food costs.
He then counselled the government to develop more creative methods of lowering post-harvest losses and to study other nations’ agricultural advancements to improve Ghana’s agriculture.
“Agriculture is still an important sector of the country. Even though our contribution to GDP has declined so low, not only does the sector provides food, we also provide raw materials for the processing and manufacturing sector. It’s also very crucial in terms of providing jobs and livelihood for a vast number of people, so we should find innovative ways to protect our produce,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ghana is recognized as the nation with the biggest increases in food prices by the World Bank.
With a 122% increase in food prices, the nation has achieved the toughest achievement in sub-Saharan Africa.
Namibians have been reacting to a recommendation of the recent National Men’s Conference where what’s called a “girlfriend allowance” – a form of financial assistance some men provide to their partners – should no longer be seen as compulsory.
The conference, organised by the gender equality ministry, was aimed at tackling a host of issues including gender-based violence.
The chairperson opened the discussion on the girlfriend allowance asking: “Are we saying that we will not give girlfriend allowances?”.
This prompted one participant to say: “It should be according to what you can afford – but we can’t say ‘no girlfriend allowance’. That one would be selfish of us.”
The host concluded the discussion by instructing the panel to remove the word allowance from the recommendations, which received applause from several of the men in attendance.
Namibians on Twitter ridiculed that the allowance would even be discussed at the conference when the theme centred on ending male violence with one saying they were “dealing with pathetic issues”.
Another insisted: “Men are also allowed to put themselves first.”
Journalist Koi Gouahinga joked that an international treaty should be drafted on the issue.
Mevuta Donkris, executive director of Friends of the Nation (FoN), a non-governmental organisation, has expressed worry about the alarming rate at which fishermen are engaging in the practise of bycatch of marine mammals.
The high incidence of cetacean bycatch must be taken into account in the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) policy under the project to improve fisheries governance, so he urged a concerted effort from all stakeholders to stop the nuisance. He also emphasised the need for the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture to streamline the Marine Fisheries Management Plan, which has not yet been gazetted.
Mr Donkris expressed these sentiments in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi, as part of activities marking the celebration of this year’s International Fisheries Day,
He said as part of a decisive action, FoN with stakeholders in the marine space such as the Center for Coastal Management of the University of Cape Coast with support from the Oceans Associated Incorporated and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration under the auspices of the Fisheries Commission was making a strong case to design a database of marine mammals from the year 2022 going forward.
He said as part of the process, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) could access environmental management plans to avoid collision in terms of vessel trafficking and advised coastal dwellers using marine mammals as delicacy to halt the practice as they played a pivotal role in the resilience of the ocean and ecosystem.
He urged the government to expedite action on the marine mammals’ law.
A Project Officer with FoN, Eric Atiatorme also told the GNA that section 89 of the Fisheries law explicitly mandated fishers to release the mammals to sea during the bycatch and called for a robust enforcement regime to enforce the law.
He reminded fishers that the mammals were key to the food value chain as they protected the pelagic from big sea animals such as sharks and efforts were underway to reduce marine mammal bycatch by 50 percent at the end of 2022.
The project officer disclosed that FoN and its partners were in the process of reaching a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fisheries Ministry to inform regulators on a policy action plan.
Mr Atiatorme stressed the need to engender discussions on marine mammals as an Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated issue.
After Portugal’s contentious World Cup victory over Ghana, it is said that star player Cristiano Ronaldo stormed out of a press conference.
Ronaldo became the first male player to score in five different World Cups after opening the scoring with a decisive penalty in the second half.
Before Joao Felix and Rafael Leao scored after clever passes from Bruno Fernandes, Andre Ayew tied the score for Ghana. Ghana scored late, and the score ended up being 3-2.
Ghanaians are outraged because the penalty converted by Ronaldo was dubious and cost the Black Stars the game.
Ronaldo, who was named man of the match, spoke for only 2 minutes and 12 seconds at the press conference and left just as questions about the penalty decision were about to be asked.
“This is a moment that makes me very proud. That chapter (United) is closed. I’m here to win. The rest does not matter,” he said.
Black Stars coach Otto Addo criticized the decision, describing it as a gift to the Portuguese legend.
The Donald Trump team has expressed displeasure over Kanye West’s recent comment about Mr Trump.
The former president faced additional backlash this week after he met with Kanye West and Nick Fuentes, a far-right conspiracy theorist who’ known for his white supremacist ideology. The three dined together Tuesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida; however, Trump insisted he had no idea who Fuentes was prior to the dinner.
“This past week, Kanye West called me to have dinner at Mar-a-Lago,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Shortly thereafter, he unexpectedly showed up with three of his friends, whom I knew nothing about. We had dinner on Tuesday evening with many members present on the back patio. The dinner was quick and uneventful. They then left for the airport.”
Three anonymous sources told NBC News that Trump was not familiar with Fuentes before Tuesday’s get-together. Two of those insiders were described as Trump advisers, and the third was said to be a person who was “familiar with the dinner conversation,” but not involved in Trump’s campaign.
“This is a fucking nightmare,” a Trump adviser said, suggesting the dinner could potentially harm his 2024 presidential bid. “If people are looking at [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis to run against Trump, here’s another reason why.”
The sources, however, claimed that Trump’s aforementioned statement wasn’t completely true. Though the ex-president insisted he didn’t know the three people who accompanied Kanye to the dinner, the insiders said one of those “friends” was Karen Giorno—a political strategist who served as the Trump campaign’s Florida director in 2016. The sources said Trump knew Giorno by “name and sight.”
Kanye took to Twitter on Thursday to share details about the Mar-a-Lago dinner. He claimed Trump was “really impressed with Fuentes.
“… And Nick Fuentes, unlike so many of the lawyers, and so many of the people that he was left with on his 2020 campaign, he’s actually a loyalist,” Ye said in the video, titled Mar-a-Lago debrief.
Kanye also claimed he had asked Trump to be his 2024 running mate—a request that allegedly caused the former president to lose his temper.
“When Trump started basically screaming at me at the table telling me I was gonna lose,” Ye said in the video. “I mean, has that ever worked for anyone in history? I’m like, ‘Woah woah, hold on, hold on, Trump. You’re talking to Ye.’”
In an interview with Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, Mr. Akalbila claimed that the government flagship initiative, which was based on five pillars, had strayed from its initial goals and required a comprehensive implementation rather than the simple distribution of seeds and fertiliser.
He claimed that the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJs) programme, which has been in operation for the past five years, is only focused on production, with the only adequate intervention being the distribution of fertiliser and seeds.
“There were cases where seeds sown did not germinate, some fertilizer supplied was not what the farmers needed and what only works for us is when we have a good rainfall, however, the key aspect we needed was market access,” he said.
As part of the PFJs interventions, Mr Akalbila indicated that inadequate extension services to farmers, lack of marketing opportunities and E-Agriculture that allowed farmers and stakeholders to monitor and track activities and progress of the farmers through use of technology was woefully poor.
Mr Akalbila decried the “Wholesale purchase of seeds supply and fertilizer importation to the farmers by government and the private sector with Policy institutions meddling with sales of food to farmers,” and said it was not a safe way to go as it had caused the trust of the farmers in the interventions to drop.
The farmers he indicated were given farm inputs, but not educated on the mode of applications “It is not enough until people are educated on how to use them, otherwise they would continue to do the old ways of cropping and learning from peers whether right or wrong.”
Responding to his outfit’s interventions, he reiterated that the GTLC continued to focus on whole market structure as an aggregate to business and cited the promotion of Ghana’s locally produced rice particularly from the northern parts of Ghana, where people shieded away from it because of stones.
According to him, the GTLC interventions had led to people investing in milling facilities to remove stones from the rice, but he said it was not about milling to remove stones but required a complete market system.
Mr Akalbila also bemoaned the current challenge of food prices in the market and said it was a food security threat, “if anyone is unable to buy food then he or she is not food secured.”
A Frenchman has won the legal right to be boring at work, after a court in Paris ruled his employer was wrong to fire him for not going out with colleagues enough.
Cubik Partners, a management consultancy, says it uses a ‘fun’ approach to its team building — encouraging staff to head straight to the pub after work.
But Mr T, whose real name was not disclosed, didn’t want to take part in the team-building exercises.
He said he was entitled to ‘critical behaviour and to refuse company policy based on incitement to partake in various excesses’.
The company decided to fire him in 2015 for ‘professional inadequacy’, accusing the employee of being boring, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Cubik Partners also argued that Mr T was a poor listener and difficult to work with.
But in a ruling made last week and revealed Thursday, Paris’ Court of Cassation decided the man had a right to refuse to party — ordering Cubik Partners to pay out £2,574 to the former employee.
The company wasn’t allowed to make him ‘forcibly participate in seminars and end-of-week drinks frequently ending up in excessive alcohol intake, encouraged by associates who made very large quantities of alcohol available’, the court said.
The ‘fun’ events sometimes included sharing a bed with colleagues alongside the excessive drinking.
He had a fundamental right to dignity and respect of private life, said the court, adding that the employee was expressing his freedom of expression by not taking part.
The court went further, adding that the company engaged in ‘humiliating and intrusive practices regarding privacy such as simulated sexual acts, the obligation to share a bed with a colleague during seminars, the use of nicknames to designate people and hanging up deformed and made-up photos in offices’.
Mr T has demanded another £395,630 in damages, which the court is set to examine in a follow-up hearing.
