Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, has stated that he finds it “curious” that the minority caucus cited energy costs burdening Ghana’s coffers to support their claim that he has been careless in managing the economy. He claims that a significant portion of the debt burden is a result of unnecessary contracts signed by the Mahama administration with some independent power producers during the dumsor season.
In his appearance before the ad hoc committee of parliament, Mr. Ofori-Atta asserted, “We laid out the 2022 budget to achieve fiscal consolidation anchored on debt sustainability.” The minority caucus had used seven allegations as the basis for seeking his removal from office through a censure motion.
He added that, “It is important at this point, to also highlight that a key component of the national debt stock related to three exceptional expenditure items that are neither external nor a creation of this government”.
He said: “Energy Sector Excess Capacity payments (GHC17 billion), which relate to a legacy of take or pay contracts that saddled the country’s economy with annual excess capacity charges of close to US$1 billion; direct COVID-19 expenditure amounted to GHC 12.0 billion, and the banking sector clean-up (GHC 25 billion)”.
“These three items were not created through the recklessness of the New Patriotic Party”, he noted.
According to him, the “long dumsor that Ghanaians endured under the NDC administration between 2012 and 2016 was more to do with the NDC government’s inability to pay for power”.
“So, Co-Chairs, I find it curious that Hon. Ato Forson will choose to cite energy bills as an example of the recklessness that the Minority charges me with and seek my removal by censure, especially when we have had to pay around $500 million dollars a year in excess capacity charges, for power the previous administration negotiated that we do not need and we do not use”, he explained.
According to the 37-year-old, the game feels like a revenge after the two countries were paired in the Group H of the global showpiece.
Black Stars were eliminated by the two-time champions on penalties in South Africa, having seen Asamoah Gyan miss an extra-time spot-kick after Luis Suarez was sent off for handball.
Ghana take on Portugal in their first game in Group H on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.
“Everyone in Ghana is waiting for the game against Uruguay because of what happened in 2010. We feel like it is our opportunity to get a revenge,” Gyan told Talksport and online sports radio.
Gyan is the all-time leading goalscorer of Ghana, with 51 goals and is also the top African goalscorer in the history of the World Cup with six goals.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place between November 20 and December 18, 2022.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.
Black Stars exited the group stage at the 2014 edition in Brazil after a slow start to the tournament.
Nana Joojo Solomon said they want to meet with the President to find a long-term solution to the scarcity of premix fuel that has caused fish prices to rise exclusively to Empire News’ Kwame Malcolm in Elmina on the margins of a training for News Editors on Fisheries.
He stated that a protest would not be good for the industry and that the Council’s leadership would soon issue a communique outlining the next steps.
“Three to four months there is no premix so the situation is very bad. The surge in the price of petrol is impacting on the transport fares, then certainly if fishermen are compelled to buy petrol that costs about 70 to 80 cedis as against premix fuel of 10 cedis then obviously it will impact on…and most of the canoes have been beached. They can’t afford even buying Super, so there are only a few canoes and Economics will tell you Demand and Supply, is such that now the demand is so high and there is very little supply. Now I hear a headpan of fish 150-200 now is 1000 cedis and I foresee it going high,” he said.
“Signals coming from all the four Coastal regions doesn’t look too good and we’re still talking to them and there are agitations that they want to embark on a demonstration. It won’t look good if all the four regions will have to converge in Accra.”
Describing him as an exceptional public servant, Akufo-Addonoted that Prof. Kwesi Botchwey discharged his duties with dignity and thoughtfulness.
Bemoaning the death of his friend, President Akufo-Addo in a Facebook page stated that “the death of my good friend, Dr. Kwesi Botchway, is a very sad development. My contemporary, in the mid-1960s, at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. Botchway was a longstanding public servant, who discharged his duties thoughtfully and with dignity, and became Ghana’s longest-serving Minister for Finance and Economic Planning.
President Akufo-Addo in his post extended his condolences to the bereaved family and members of his political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The thoughts and sympathies of my wife, Rebecca, the First Lady, and I are with his partner, children and family. I extend my deepest condolences to them, and also to the National Democratic Congress, of which he was a prominent and much respected member. Ghana has lost a fine gentleman and exceptional public servant.”
Former Minister of Finance, Professor Kwesi Botchwey died on November 19, 2022, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was receiving medical attention.
Prof. Botchwey, Ghana’s longest-serving Finance Minister, was born on September 3, 1944.
He served alongside Ghana’s longest-serving leader, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
He served during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) military era (1982–1991) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) constitutional era (1992–1995).
Prof. Botchwey earned an LL.B. from the University of Ghana, an LL.M. from Yale Law School, and a doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.
He held academic positions at the Universities of Ghana, Zambia, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Dr. Botchwey’s previous work includes advising the World Bank on the 1997 World Development Report.
He served as a member and Chairman of the IMF’s Group of Independent Experts that carried out the first-ever independent assessment of the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility. He also served as an advisor to the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) and the UNDP’s UN Special Initiative on Africa.
Evangelist Diana Asamoah says H.E Nana Addo can not be blamed for the hardship Ghanaians have been going through.
According to the Gospel singer, who is also a known sympathizer of the New Patriotic Party, the current economic hardship in Ghana and across the world has been predicted by the Bible.
“The current hardship in Ghana is boldly captured in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. It tells us that we will be faced with hard times and humans will go after riches,” she said.
“The world will be filled with those who lack love. We must turn our attention to the Bible in every situation of our life because the word of God will have to be fulfilled,” she added.
During an interview with GhanaWeb, she continued that “no one can make the world a better place, it is the doing of God’s word…we can’t blame the government or the NPP, it is the word,” Diana Asamoah emphasized.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 as quoted by Diana Asamoah in the Bible reads: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
Commenting on campaigning for the NPP, Diana Asamoah said she has no regrets at all. This comes amidst severe complaints by some celebrities like Prince David Osei, Afia Schwarzenegger among others who have criticized the Nana Addo-led NPP government for performing poorly their support for the party in the 2020 elections.
Experience football administrator Alhaji Karim Grusah is confident the Black Stars will beat Portugal in their 2022 World Cup opener.
The Black Stars who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 has been housed in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
On Thursday, Ghana will open their account the European giants before they face South Korea and Uruguay respectively.
Despite being ranked the lowest team at the tournament, Grusah, a member of the Black Stars technical team is defiant Ghana will defeat the European powerhouse.
“Switzerland beat Portugal, they beat France and Spain. Even drawing with them would’ve sent signals but beating them sends more signals. Yes, they(Portugal) will be careful. We have a chance; we are going to beat Portugal. Inshallah,” he told Max TV.
Ghana defeated Switzerland 2-0 in their final friendly ahead of the biggest soccer mundial in Qatar.
Goals from Mohammed Salisu and Antoine Semenyo ensured the Black Stars signal warning to Portugal ahead of the opener.
The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.
Former Ghana international Dan Quaye says the Black Stars will suffer defeat when they face Portugal in their group opener.
The Black Stars who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 has been housed in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
On Thursday, Ghana will open their account the European giants before they face South Korea and Uruguay respectively.
In an interview, the former Hearts of Oak star was clear Ghana cannot beat Portugal considering their squad depth at the moment.
“It will be difficult for Ghana to beat Portugal, even at the time we had matured and experienced players we couldn’t beat them. If I were to be a betting company, I would have given Ghana (1,000 odds) and Portugal (500) because we cannot beat them”
“Look at the squad depth of Portugal, I know football is full of uncertainties but this time I believe the best team will win. Pepe is playing but in Ghana, we consider Jonathan Mensah and others as old player” he said.
The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.
Raf Simonsannounced on Monday that he’s ending his eponymous fashion label.
The Belgian fashion designer, who is currently the co-creative director of Prada, revealed that he’s shuttering the line by early next year. “The Spring/Summer 2023 collection is the conclusion of an extraordinary 27 year journey and the final season of the Raf Simons fashion brand,” the statement reads. “I lack the words to share how proud I am of all that we have achieved. I am grateful for the incredible support from my team, from my collaborators, from the press and buyers, from my friends and family, and from our devoted fans and loyal followers.”
Simons launched the iconic fashion label in 1995 with a Fall/Winter collection. “Thank you all, for believing in our vision and for believing in me,” he wrote. “Forward always, Raf.”
Throughout his career, Simons has worked with some of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world, including Jil Sander, Christian Dior, and Calvin Klein. Despite the shuttering of his eponymous line, he will continue to work with Miuccia Prada at Prada. When the news was announced in February, 2020, Simons was saide to be working in partnership with Prada “with equal responsibilities for creative input and decision making.”
Earlier this year, Simons debuted a collaboration with Fred Perry, in which the two lines took inspiration from some of Britain’s most influential and important subcultures.
One of the most revered menswear designers in the world, Simons will remain an important figure in the world of fashion regardless of whether his eponymous label is around or not.
When compared to other microblogging site competitors in other countries, such the US, where proper outlines of severance payouts have been provided to the fired employees, this is to be understood.
It should be recalled that at the beginning of November 2022, just a few days after the Twitter Africa office in Accra began conducting business physically, all of the personnel received termination notices via their personal emails.
The CNN’s Larry Madowo reported that this was because the Twitter Africa staff had been locked out of their work emails as well as from accessing their working machines.
“Your last day of employment will be 4th December 2022. You will be placed on garden leave until your termination date,” the termination notices to them on November 4 read.
The earlier story also indicated that unlike other staff of Twitter in other locations of the world, the Africa staff received no indications of severances.
“At least for the African staff, that email did not even mention them by name; it just said ‘see attached.’ And even though Elon Musk said everybody who got fired would be getting at least three months severance above the law – that’s in the US, those in Africa office didn’t get a next step, or if they’re going to get any severance at all, which some lawyers in Ghana are now pointing out could be a violation of Ghanaian employment law,” Larry Madowo added.
But an updated report by CNN has said that the displeased sacked Africa staff want fairness in the severances they are being offered.
“They are asking to be treated the same way Twitter treated employees who were departing in the US and Europe; they want three months severance pay like Elon promised and other relevant benefits: stock investing, continued healthcare, and that sort of thing.
“But they feel that’s not happened; they have not been treated the same way as everyone at Twitter,” he stated.
The journalist also reported that it was only after CNN’s first report on this subject that Twitter offered the Africa staff severance pays.
He added that the team got personal emails that claimed to give them what they called “Ghana mutual separation agreement and it offered a certain figure. They say this email claims to have been arrived at after a negotiation with the staff but they say they have actually never negotiated with anyone at Twitter.
“In fact, they don’t even have a way to contact anyone at Twitter because their emails keep bouncing back. So, they’ve rejected that severance pay offer, they have hired a lawyer and have written a demand notice to Twitter, asking Twitter to comply with Ghanaian employment laws.”
The Africa staff of Twitter have also petitioned the Ministry of Employment in Ghana to compel Twitter to do the right thing, he added.
Here is a portion of that notice to the authorities in Ghana:
“It is clear that Twitter, under Elon Musk, is either deliberately or recklessly flouting the laws of Ghana, is operating in bad faith and in a manner that seeks to silence and intimidate former employees into accepting any terms unilaterally thrown at them.
“Without pressure from higher authorities, they are clearly not willing to provide a fair or just package in order to minimize the hardship of this takeover and resulting loss of jobs on their workforce in Africa.”
It is worth mentioning that the Twitter Africa staff includes some employees who were hired from Nigeria and other countries and they want to be paid to move back to their countries.
A high-profile basketball trainer who has worked with NBA superstars such as LeBronJames, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry, was arrested last week and charged with rape.
As reported by ESPN, Rob McClanaghan is accused of raping and drugging a woman at a hotel in downtown Boston. The 43-year-old was arrested in Rhode Island on Friday and arraigned in court Monday, after the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest.
“The suspect was transported by the BPD Fugitive Unit in coordination with members of the Warwick RI Police Department for booking at their department facility,” authorities said in a press release. “McClanaghan will be arraigned on Monday at the Third District Court in Kent County, Rhode Island where he will be charged as a Fugitive from Justice.”
It’s unclear when and where the alleged incident occurred.
When reached for comment on the charges, McClanaghan’s lawyer Dan Griffin told ESPN: “No comment. Zero.”
ABC’s Boston affiliate WCVB-TV reached out to the Celtics for a statement, as C’s center Al Horford is a client of McClanaghan’s.
A spokesperson for the team confirmed that McClanaghan, who previously worked with Boston’s interim head coach Joe Mazzullais at local high school Bishop Hendricken, is not employed by the Celtics.
During an interview with the music streaming site, Boomplay, Sarkodie revealed that he does only organic music and does not jump of trendy stuff unless he likes it.
“I do music as organic as it can be, I hate doing music because of the trends” he said.
Speaking on his collaboration with Cina Soul, Sarkodie revealed he is a fan of Cina Soul and the song called for her when he first heard it.
“I like her music, I listen to her, I think she has a good brand and she looks good” he stated.
Speaking on his collaboration with Blacko, Sarkodie narrated how he has loved ans supported Blacko since the beginning and also appreciated the fact that Black Sherif wanted to be part of his album.
Sarkodie and Black Sherif worked together for the first time on Countryside. Sarkodie revealed Black Sherif had approached him and asked to be on the project although he had wrapped up production for the album when he got the request from the young star. Sarkodie disclosed he has three songs with Black Sherif and would release the other two later.
Sarkodie on November 11, 2022, set social media on fire when he released his much-anticipated ‘Jamz’ album.
The excitement of many of the fans of Sarkodie and music lovers was out of the fact that the album had some great features and top-notch producers on it particularly with the feature with break out artiste Black Sherif, on track number 9 “Countryside,”.
The features on the 10-track album include King Promise, Oxlade, Ink Boy, Lojay, Kranium, Cina Soul, Joeyboy, Black Sherif, and BNXN.
Of all the songs on the album, it is only ‘Confam’ that Sarkodie decided to go solo.
Former Ghana international Samuel Osei Kuffour has offered advice to Black Stars players ahead of their clash against Portugal.
The Black Stars who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 has been housed in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
On Thursday, Ghana will open their account the European giants before they face South Korea and Uruguay respectively.
“I think it’s just a normal thing because everyday you play against Manchester City, Juventus and other big teams around the World. So it’s just a normal daily game you have to also think and focused. First, you have to think about yourself, your family and the nation at large” he said.
Ghana defeated Switzerland 2-0 in their final friendly ahead of the biggest soccer mundial in Qatar.
Goals from Mohammed Salisu and Antoine Semenyo ensured the Black Stars signal warning to Portugal ahead of the opener.
The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament
At the COP27 High-Level Event – Powering the Southern African Power Pool with Renewables: An Investment Case, World Bank Group President David Malpass stated, “This morning we launched SCALE, a new multi-partner initiative that seeks to bring global community resources – including grants and concessional loans – to support greenhouse gas reductions in developing countries.
“We also support faster debt reduction efforts for countries with unsustainable debt – this will free up vital resources for development and climate action”, he noted.
He said: “Our commitment to Africa is reflected in the current active portfolio of regional integration programmes across the African continent in the amount of $19 billion, ranging from common infrastructure to building the joint capacity and systems for coordinated action on, among others, food systems, digital development, trade, and energy markets”.
● Thank you, Your Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, for taking the leadership in organizing this important event. I was very interested in the remarks by the Presidents of Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and others. I also want to the President of Mozambique for hosting several of us earlier this afternoon to discuss early warning systems and sustainable management of Miombo forests.
● This conversation on the role of regional interconnections in integrating renewable energy at scale is critical in ensuring that the energy transition happens with the right balance of dependable supply, affordability, and environmental sustainability.
● Southern Africa is generously endowed with renewable energy resources, an abundance of sun in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and hydro resources in Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These resources are not evenly distributed and, therefore, enhanced regional integration to tap into each other’s resources can reduce economic and financial costs. Through deepened regional integration countries can become both suppliers and purchasers of electricity during times of excess capacity and when deficits occur due to the time of day, season, climate shocks and operational constraints.
For example, the proposed Mega Solar Initiative which seeks to unlock about 5GW of renewable solar energy in Namibia and Botswana could also contribute to alleviating the power deficit in the region and make good use of hydro assets in the north of the region for balancing and storing the variable renewable energy.
● Increasingly, energy transition is underpinned by regional integration of power systems to enable clean energy resources to be harnessed at scale and greater knowledge exchange and leapfrogging. Regional power pools in Africa are spearheading efforts to integrate national power systems and harmonise regulatory and operational frameworks.
● The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) is one of the most advanced power pools not only in Africa but also beyond. Trading through the centralized market has been growing and members have been benefitting from the lower costs. Yet, there is substantial scope for much more trading and members to realize more benefits from integration, and to ensure SAPP remains on the leading edge.
● There are four potential important gains from increased regional power sector integration through renewable energies:
(i) savings in generation and transmission costs of up to
$42 billion until 2040,
(ii) better management of variable renewable energy and seasonal
imbalances,
(iii) supporting decarbonization and resilience of the regional grids, and
(iv) increasing grid densification to support and complement electricity
access programs and the digital agenda.
● Unlocking renewable energy and power trade potential requires a comprehensive approach, with parallel efforts at regional and national levels. Several key interconnections, across three corridors (East, Central and West), have already been identified by SAPP and require investments in the order of $2 billion. The World Bank along with the African Development Bank, and other cooperating partners is supporting SAPP to develop the Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility (RTIFF), an innovative financing mechanism aimed at unlocking current constraints and crowding in the public and private sector financing required.
● The World Bank Group remains committed to supporting Africa in promoting increased interconnectivity, decarbonisation and access to electricity. This morning we launched SCALE, a new multi-partner initiative that aims to bring global community resources – including grants and concessional loans – to support greenhouse gas reductions in developing countries. We also support faster debt reduction efforts for countries with unsustainable debt – this will free up vital resources for development and climate action.
● Our commitment to Africa is reflected in the current active portfolio of regional integration programs across the African continent in the amount of $19 billion, ranging from common infrastructure to building the joint capacity and systems for coordinated action on, among others, food systems, digital development, trade, and energy markets.
● Our active portfolio of regional energy projects amounts to around US$6 billion, including US$ 1.2 billion in Southern Africa. We are keen to provide additional support. I note that this is in addition to our current portfolio of energy access operations which amounts to US$8 billion, and when completed, it will provide energy access to 75 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa.
● In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the WBG’s commitment to supporting the innovative solutions that SAPP is developing to leverage private and climate funding. Thank you and I look forward to a good discussion today.
Laid-off employees at Twitter’s Africa headquarters are accusing Twitter of “deliberately and recklessly flouting the laws of Ghana” and trying to “silence and intimidate” them after they were fired.
The team has hired a lawyer and sent a letter to the company demanding it comply with the West African nation’s labor laws, provide them with additional severance pay and other relevant benefits, in line with what other Twitter employees will receive.
They have also petitioned the Ghanaian government to compel Twitter to “adhere to the laws of Ghana on redundancy and offer the employees a fair and just negotiation and redundancy pay,” according to a letter to the country’s Chief Labour Officer obtained by CNN.
“It is clear that Twitter, Inc. under Mr Elon Musk is either deliberately or recklessly flouting the laws of Ghana, is operating in bad faith and in a manner that seeks to silence and intimidate former employees into accepting any terms unilaterally thrown at them,” the letter states.
Twitter laid off all but one of the African employees just four days after the company opened a physical office in the capital Accra following Musk’s takeover. But the staff of about a dozen were not offered severance pay, which they say is required by Ghana’s labor laws, based on their employment contracts. They also claim they were not informed about the next steps — unlike employees in the United States and Europe — until a day after CNN reported on their situation.
CNN contacted Twitter for comment but received no response.
In the letter to Twitter Ghana Ltd, obtained by CNN, the African employees rejected a “Ghana Mutual Separation Agreement” from Twitter, which they say was sent to their personal emails offering final pay that the company claims to have been arrived at after a negotiation.
Several members of the team and their lawyer told CNN that there was no such negotiation on severance pay. They claim it was below what is required by law and contradicts what Musk tweeted that departing employees would receive.
“Everyone exited was offered 3 months of severance, which is 50% more than legally required,” Musk tweeted. Twitter informed the Ghana-based employees in early November that they would be paid until their last day of employment — December 4. And they will continue to receive full pay and benefits during the 30-day notice period.
“It was very vague, did not talk about outstanding leave or paid time off, and just asked us to sign if we agree. I never bothered to go back to the document because it is rubbish and is still in violation of labor laws here,” one former employee told CNN on condition of anonymity.
The Accra-based team accuses Twitter of dealing with them in bad faith, not being transparent, and discriminating against them compared to laid-off employees in other jurisdictions.
“The employees are distressed, humiliated, and intimidated by this turn of events. There are non-Ghanaian employees, some with young families, who moved here to take up jobs and have now been left unceremoniously in the lurch, with no provision for repatriation expenses and no way to communicate with Twitter, Inc. and discuss or plead their case,”the notice to Ghana’s Chief Labour Officer says.
Their attorney, Carla Olympio, says the sudden termination of almost the whole team violated Ghanaian employment law because it is considered a “redundancy” which requires three-month notice to authorities and a negotiation on redundancy pay.
“In stark contrast to internal company assurances given to Twitter employees worldwide prior to the takeover, it seems that little attempt was made to comply with Ghana’s labor laws, and the protections enshrined therein for workers in circumstances where companies are undertaking mass layoffs due to a restructuring or reorganization,” she wrote in a statement to CNN.
The employees said in their appeal to Ghana’s Chief Labour Officer that Twitter’s formal entry into the continent started with “great fanfare and with the support of the government,”and they expect similar attention to their plight now.
They are demanding 3 months’ gross salary as severance pay, repatriation expenses for non-Ghanaian staff, vesting of stock options provided in their contracts, and other benefits such as healthcare continuation that were offered to staff worldwide.
CNN has reached out to Ghana’s Employment and Labor Relations ministry for comment.
Sarkodie is being accused of endorsing rape after he commented on a new freestyle by Tulenkey.
The Ghanaian rapper was reacting to Tulenkey’s cover to his ‘Confam’ song. In the freestyle about how some girls play men and deny them sex, Tulenkey dropped a line that says ‘wode saa na mato wo monaa‘.
According to some tweeps, the line also means rape. Tulenkey first shared the freestyle and wrote “@sarkodie dey lie you niggas, more girls no be comfam 😆. A short story“.
Reacting the rap freestyle, King Sark quoted Tulenkey’s tweet saying “That one too dey lol” and added fire emojis. The response from Sarkodie has since been courting backlash on the bluebird app.
Popular Ghanaian cartoonist, Bright Ackwerh wrote “this is our change leader and global citizen and activist fire emojiing rapey lyrics…in 2022. Last time someone made such suggestive comments about his daughter… He didn’t respond, respondn’t he?”
This is our change leader and global citizen and activist fire emojiing rapey lyrics…in 2022. 🫣 Last time someone made such suggestive comments about his daughter… He didn’t respond, respondn’t he? https://t.co/cEJZTGKC7S
“Sark, you shouldn’t have retweeted this. A line in it says ‘wode saa na mato wo monaa’, which I believe is promoting ‘rape’ or unconsented sex. You shouldn’t promote such,” a Twitter user said.
Another social media added that “sometimes I just don’t know what the fuck is wrong with u. u clearly heard that rape line and thought “oh shit, let me RT this for my 5 fucking + millions of followers to see” Disappointed but not surprised“.
sometimes i just don’t know what the fuck is wrong with u. u clearly heard that rape line and thought “oh shit, let me RT this for my 5 fucking + millions of followers to see” Disappointed but not surprised. https://t.co/h6IhrEvIWE
“You dey endorse the rapey thing? you too sometimes you make it so hard to even defend you,” @1SELECTAJAY added with @cheys_media saying that “Sark, you shouldn’t have retweeted this. A line in it says ‘wode saa na mato wo monaa’, which I believe is promoting ‘rape’ or unconsented sex. You shouldn’t promote such“.
I can’t believe you heard the r*pe line,wrote this looked at it ,and proceeded to tweet it thinking it made any sense at all.cement brains get off twitter challenge https://t.co/fUuIntexjC
Meanwhile, others have been defending the rapper as they see no harm in his comment. See the tweets below for more of what others have been saying and share your thoughts with us.
Former Ghana international Samuel Osei Kuffour is confident about the Black Stars chances ahead of their clash with Portugal.
The Black Stars who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 has been housed in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
On Thursday, Ghana will open their campaign with a clash against former European champions Portugal before taking on South Korea and Uruguay in subsequent games.
“It’s obvious because when you going into a tournament” he said when asked if win against Switzerland can spare the team on at the World Cup.
“Our game against Brazil, for me, the first half wasn’t the best but in the second half we showed our true colours by changing our tactics and discipline. The way we approach the game in the first half and then, you could see the difference in the second half”
“Also, against Nicaragua, we dominated but were unable to score more. So I think Ghanaians were a bit shaken from that angle and I have to understand them as well because everyone wants Ghana to bang in the goals against opponents but football has changed and we have to agree”
“We have played against Switzerland and now, almost everyone has self-confidence in the team behind the team and I think we are off to go, we got nothing to lose against Portugal because they are one of the best and we have to show our true colours. We did it 2006 and in 2010” he said.
The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.
Bank of Africa (BOA) Ghana has been named the 2022 Trade Finance Bank of the Year by two institutions -the Innovation and Excellence Awards and the Ghana Credit Excellence Awards 2022.
The awards organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), and the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), both honoured BOA for its remarkable contribution to promoting cross-border trade and financing small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
According to management of the bank, the recognition by these two institutions affirms the bank’s position as a specialist trade finance institution as it was also adjudged the ‘Trade Finance Bank of the Year,’ at the 2021 Ghana Accountancy and Finance Award last year.
The Executive Director of Business Development, William Boateng, reiterated the deliberate efforts and product lines developed by the bank to position it as a lead trade finance bank on the continent, leveraging on its existing infrastructure and presence in over 20 African countries as well as other continents.
He mentioned that in these challenging times when the whole trade ecosystem on the continent is under threat, due to currency depreciation, and high inflation rates among others, the ability to still support businesses and keep them sustained is what stakeholders consider, adding, “therefore, to be recognised for the bank’s contribution towards trade is an affirmation that the initiatives and inputs are yielding results and show how firm the foundations of the bank are”.
“What has enabled these successes chalked over the past few years is that we realised our capacity in terms of our group network on the African continent, Asia and America and then decided to leverage it to make trade a key pillar of thebBank’s strategy. The basic infrastructures were present, and the foundation was solid, hence the important task then was to bring on board the necessary skills and expertise to harmonise all the competitive advantages which was done competently”, he said.
Head of Cross-Border Trade & Business Synergy, Musah Abdul-Rahman, on his part mentioned that a key factor to the bank’s success is the keen interest in receiving feedback from customers.
“We use these feedbacks to analyse the impact and value of our products and services. The bank’s inability to meet certain needs of our customers is considered an assignment to go back to the drawing board to find solutions which later feed into the bank’s strategic development.”
SME Financing
According to the Executive Director for Business Development, BOA – Ghana has been supporting Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) and exporters over the years with trade financing.
He indicated that SMEs form majority of businesses in the Ghanaian economy and tend to bear the brunt of any economic crisis, thus BOA is ready to advance more funding into the SME space.
“This is a better time to support SMEs more and we are ready for them in terms of trade finance support. We want all of them to come on board and be rest assured of our support. In 2023, we are restructuring some of our branches to be SMEs friendly and have special attention to SMEs who walk in for trade finance support, business advisory assistance, and other technical support required,” Mr. William stated.
Mr. Abdul-Rahman reiterated that the bank’s commitment to SME is a journey and not a one-off event. “We want every SME customer that vivisitss to be satisfied with our services and become our ambassador to tell other businesses about how supportive and tailor-made our services are. So, we have deliberate plans in the coming year dedicated to anchoring SME businesses,” he said.
I was 13 when I had my first taste of sex. It wasn’t with a boy. It wasn’t in the privacy of my room. It was on a train.
I was naive. I thought the function of a train was to carry me to a destination. I didn’t know it was a private cocoon for guys to initiate juvenile girls into womanhood.
I didn’t know a guy in a business suit would be sniffing for a uniformed schoolgirl like me.
I didn’t know enduring chikan (groping and molestation) was Japan’s celebrated tradition for girls.
Erika
It was 1986.
That day, as usual, I wore my school uniform — a green checkered skirt and a white shirt, my pubescent breasts poking ever so slightly.
Once I entered the smothering train, my body was tossed around on hot bodies of suited men carrying briefcases — some thinking about their upcoming work duties, others dreaming up their favorite manga (comic book) character coming to life.
A manga character like Erika, a schoolgirl with a tiny waist and big breasts that popped out of her shirt. Like me, she too boarded an early morning rush hour train only to get groped by a hungry man.
In the manga, his hands crawl up her thighs and explore her privates. Her face flushes pink and her body squirms. She wants him to stop, but she freezes.
I did the same. I squirmed, but that was because I was trapped.
He must have mistaken my attempts to wiggle out of his hand as a sign of consent. Like Erika, perhaps he thought I was shy. That I liked it.
I get why. It’s not like I stopped him. I stayed silent.
Confusion
Yes, I didn’t rat him out. That realization is still lodged somewhere in my body waiting for the right moment to manifest as rage. Or is it guilt? I’m not sure.
This was the first time it had happened. It was like I was out of my body. It’s like I died, floated above myself, and watched the whole thing in slow motion. I couldn’t tell if what happened really did happen.
Maybe denial sets in when one is violated. I questioned the details — Did some guy just massage my privates? Did he press me against another guy? Were two guys involved?
Immediately afterward, I wanted to shower to get rid of his stench. I blamed myself because I had folded my skirt shorter. I unbuttoned my shirt three buttons down instead of one.
I had never touched myself. I didn’t know what masturbation was. Sex education was non-existent at my school or home. Heck, I had never even held hands with a guy, let alone kissed him.
I must have asked for it. I didn’t stop his finger from going inside me. My pupils dilated, my privates tingled, and my heart beat faster.
It was like he and I were now forever bound together in secrecy. I carried his shadow all day. He even showed up in my dream as a faceless man.
Taboo
This became a regular thing. It was like I had a sign on my back that said, “Innocent Girl Available”.
I dreaded going on that train, but that was my only mode of transportation. As a preventative measure, I stopped rolling my skirt up and buttoned my shirt to my collarbone. But, it continued.
I told no one, not even my best friend. I didn’t feel like I had the right to tell anyone or to speak up. It was this humongous elephant in the room that no one touched.
If I could go back in time, I’d grab the guy’s arm, lift it, and scream “chikan!” I’m sure a girl’s scream would have startled him and maybe he would have thought twice about attacking again.
But I was young. It was the ’80s. I was also living in a culture where reporting such crimes created more shame for the victim. Would the police have taken me seriously? I doubt it. Plus, how do you prove a chikan?
Even witnesses looked the other way when a girl was attacked. I’m guilty of it too.
Road to recovery
I was molested from age 13 to 18 until I left the country.
In that period, the list of men who molested me ranged from perverts in trains, a well-known Japanese music producer, gropers on the streets, an old neighbor, my dad’s colleague, and my boss at my part-time job.
The times have changed. Japan now has women-only train compartments and anti-groping posters (like the one below) on train stations.
And more school girls and other victims of chikan are speaking out, thanks to social media.
An anti-groping poster reads: “What happened?” “It’s a…groper!” “Are you okay?” Man: “It’s a crime” Woman: “It’s unforgivable”.
In 2016, the Japanese police developed a smartphone app to help women protect themselves from gropers in packed trains.
It allows victims to press an icon that produces this message; “There is a groper here. Please help.”
When pressed again, a voice repeatedly says, “Please stop!” The app also allows users to locate crime-prone areas and police stations on a map.
Despite this, Japan is far from resolving this issue. A 2018 survey revealed that 70% of women between the age of 15–49 living in Tokyo experienced some form of public harassment.
Nevertheless, girls are coming out of their shells. Tokyo Metropolitan Police said 2,620 sexual crimes were reported in 2017, including 1,750 cases of chikan in trains or stations.
On top of that, childhood pornography became a crime in 2014 with the Child Pornography Act, but it didn’t go far enough to make an impact in the world of groping.
The Act doesn’t regulate cartoons, animations, and games that include “artificially created images of the pornographic depiction of children or stories of child sexual abuse” due to “infringement of free expression.”
That’s significant because those types of entertainment are ingrained in Japanese culture. When a nation allows women and children to be portrayed in vast numbers in this way, even if it’s “artificially created images,” it normalizes it.
Now that I’m an adult, I know it wasn’t my fault. I was completely innocent. The world was small then and voices didn’t reach far.
The sad part is when I was molested at my sexual peak, my innocence vanished. I had problems with regular intimacy because my first experience was with someone who didn’t respect my boundaries. That became my foundation.
Basically the deviant grooms another deviant. She is no longer pure. She is tainted by his darkness.
“Can you imagine how much money individuals spend on car repairs, how many insurance claims insurers pay because people are displaced, and how much money people spend on medical expenses?” said Acreaty Ghana’s managing partner, Elsie Apau Klu.
According to estimates, flooding costs the economy more than $100 million per year.
According to Acreaty Ghana Limited, a legal and human resource management firm, the losses are calculated taking into consideration loss of lives, loss of man-hours and damage to property, among others.
“Can you envisage the amount of money people use in repairing their vehicles; the amount of insurance claims insurers pays because people are displaced; the money people spend on hospital bills?” said Elsie Apau Klu, Managing Partner at Acreaty Ghana.
Mrs. Apau Klu spoke in Accra during a thought-leadership series on flood management in Ghana, organised by her outfit and Dredge Masters. The event was on the theme ‘Sustainable dredging as a tool for effective city planning and flood prevention’.
Her comments come on the heels of recent floods across various parts of the country, which claimed lives and property worth several millions.
Just last month, 20 people were reported dead in the Upper East Region from flooding. Several farms, animals and other properties were also reported damaged, according to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
In addition to this, seven persons were confirmed dead – including four children in the Ashanti Region in September this year – by NADMO, with property worth millions damaged after a series of heavy downpours.
Meanwhile, this year alone there have been countless incidences of flooding in the Greater Accra Region where the problem is more profound.
“The problem here is that we have not planned our built environment properly; everything comes to halt whenever there is flood and it is not only in Accra that we are experiencing this problem, it is a national issue. So, you can imagine the amount of losses we are making as businesses and an economy at large,” she added.
Mrs. Apau Klu said it is high time serious attention is paid to flooding due to its negative effects on the economy, and revealed that her company will soon commission research to ascertain the amount of work time and how much money is lost by businesses as a result of flooding in the country.
For his part, Ing. Wise Ametefe of the Engineering Council said, economically, when there is flood people are unable to go about their normal activities, industries lose materials, transportation systems come to a halt, and people are unable to go to work.
“When you count all these, there is so much money that is lost to flooding. So, the bottom-line is that we are losing as a result of flooding – and we must do something to minimise our losses,” he added
On the way forward, he said there is a need to ensure proper planning with regard to drainage development.
See Also: GTBank records significant growth in profit He also advised people not to dispose of waste indiscriminately, as well as not to cement the entire space within houses or properties.
He mentioned that the Ministry of Works and Housing is currently undertaking a project – the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project – with support from the World Bank and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, which he is optimistic will contribute to reducing the problem.
It also looks at community upgrading, integration, and capacity building.
“When these are all put in place, it is no longer going to be the case that one ministry will develop drains and the one responsible for waste management will not do its job, or the other agencies responsible for removing structures on waterways is not doing its work; everything is going to be integrated,” Ing. Ametefe indicated.
He also said the construction of flood retention centres, or dams, is one of the solutions to curb flooding in the country. Flood retention dams work by reducing the flow of water to urban areas.
Areas like the Ghana Atomic Energy Centre near the University of Ghana in Accra, among others, have been earmarked for the construction of such dams.
The public will have to get prepared to pay more for fish following the scarcity of premix fuel at the various landing beaches along the coast.
This is because the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council has said, fisherfolk are left with no option than to transfer the high cost of fuel they buy to the consumer.
Fishermen in recent times have raised concerns over the shortage of the product, saying, the situation is having a toll on their operations.
For them, they are compelled to purchase fuel meant for vehicles at exorbitant prices anytime they want to embark on fishing expeditions.
Speaking to Citi News, Acting President for Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, Nana Jojo Solomon indicated that fishermen are now helpless.
“We all know what the petroleum hikes come along with. Prices of everything surge. In time past, you could get a pan of fish for about GH¢400 and GH¢500, but now it’s about GH¢1000. Whatever price we buy fuel to embark on an expedition, the customer will have to pay for it because we will transfer the cost to the consumer.”
Meanwhile, the agitated fisherfolk have threatened to embark on a massive demonstration, following their inability to access premix fuel to power their outboard motors for some months.
The incensed fishermen say they will soon hit the streets to press home their demands until the shortage of premix fuel is resolved by the government.
“In actual fact, we were not planning a demonstration but, listening to the feedback, the signals and the vibes from the various regions, they are asking leadership to allow them to embark on the demonstration. The fishermen are getting agitated day in and day out. Fisherfolk in Volta, Western, Central regions are calling for the demonstration, the pressure is mounting”, Jojo Solomon added.
He bemoaned the suffering the fishermen are going through, adding that majority of them have fallen out of business.
“It’s been four months without premix fuel. The premix is not there, we are buying from the regular pumps which are very expensive. The few canoe owners who are able to afford fall out with huge debts here and there, and it’s a source of worry. Now we are getting fish, but there’s no premix,” he said on the show.
Some OMCs, especially Goil and Total, now sell diesel and petrol at GH¢6.99 pesewas per litre. Previously, it was sold at GH¢6.90 pesewas at various pumps.
The upward adjustment is as a result of the rising crude oil prices on the international market. Now, the price of crude oil sells at $82.
In a report released by Global Petrol Prices, Ghana was ranked 11th among 44 African countries listed as those with high fuel prices.
Segmenting it to the West African sub-region, Ghana placed third behind Cape Verde and Senegal.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is the country with the highest fuel prices. Petrol and diesel are selling at GH¢9.76 ($1.6) per litre.
Algeria, Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Zambia, and Angola were listed as countries that sell fuel at cheaper prices.
Transport operators in Ghana have lamented the increasing rate of fuel prices in recent times and have warned that transport fares may be reviewed upwards.
Former New Patriotic Party parliamentary hopeful for Kpone Katamanso, Hopeson Adorye, has said that there is no wayVice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will be the flagbearer of the party for the 2024 elections.
According to him, the Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, is going to win the party’s presidential primaries because he has the support of the grassroots of the party.
Adorye, who made these remarks in a Neat FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb, said that Dr Bawumia will take the 3rd position at best during the NPP’s primaries.
“… mark this down, Bawumia will come third in the general primaries. Trust me NPP members know what is good for the party. I have been telling people that there is a spirit in this part.
“Before the national executive election, all the ministers in the country, most of the MPs (Members of Parliament) and all regional chairmen said the incumbent general secretary was going to win. But in the end, it was what the grassroots of the party wanted that carried the day,” he said.
Hopeson Adorye was reacting to a viral video of some supporters singing the praises of the vice president at the funeral service for Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah’s late mother in the Ashanti Region, Kumasi, as Alan was arriving for the funeral.
Adorye said that the incident was planned by supporters of Bawumia as an act of revenge for him being hooted at a funeral he attended in Kumasi previously.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed shock over the passing of former Finance Minister, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey.
Mourning the late Finance Minister in a post on Facebook after a visit to his family, Mr Mahama recollected dancing to ‘Buga’ a popular dance song by Nigerian artiste Kizz Daniel at Dr Botchwey’s 78th birthday party.
Mr Mahama added that Dr. Botchwey had served his “God, country, and the NDC party faithfully, and now it was time to have a rest.”
Dr Botchwey died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Saturday, 19 November 2022, at the age of 78.
Dr Botchwey first served as finance minister during the military era of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) from 1982 to 1991 and then in the constitutional period of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from 1992 to 1995.
Two giant Ghanaian fashion brands, Elikem Kumordzie the Tailor, and Abrantie The Gentleman, have engaged in a banter on social media over who sets the trends among them.
Earlier, at the 2022 Glitz Style Awards, Elikem Kumordzie modelledon the runway with his son, an act he considered as unprecedented in the Ghanaian fashion industry.
Also recently at the just ended Rythymz on the Runway show, Abrantie The Gentleman brought his daughter on stage to climax the showcasing of his collection.
But shortly after, Elikem took to social media to claim the “modelling with kids” trendsetting title.
“I’m living in the future. Call me the Ayigbe Kanye. Kanyewest . Last night was an example of the trend setter I am. Inspiring designers in Ghana and Nigeria. People playing traditional drums and doing culture at their shows, others bringing their children on stage. Let’s all continue to be the First not the Best and push our Creative abilities through the roof,” he wrote on social media.
But in a rebuttal, Abrantie the Gentleman totally disagreed with Elikem’s statement, adding that he was rather the first to introduce his child on stage at a fashion show in London.
Responding to the part where Elikem also claimed to have been the first to bring a cultural troupe on stage to back his runway show, Abrantie schooled the former.
“We dey bring kiddie for stage since February in London ooo (So can I also say I inspired you? No! Great minds think alike. And for African cultural displays its since 2014 in SA till date. African Fashion culture display was a movement by the LATE KOFI ANSAH(a black and white photo I saw). We just Dey carry on the mantra bro. If you have joined let’s carry it well and stop claiming ownership and inspiring.”
It didn’t end there, as Elikem Kumordzie left and came back to say;
“It doesn’t matter who brought Their child to the stage First, what matters are the memories we’ll leave behind for them. Abrantiethegentleman had a great show last night, and if I didn’t see that he brought his daughter on stage in February how would I know.
“And as for the cultural troop, I brought them on stage, they played live, and we heard that with you too from back stage. I’m still calling for our collaboration, or better yet a fashion Battle. Elikem The Tailor Vs Abrantie The Gentleman. We can display our fashion abilities instead of the back and forth here. Another thing about My show was that my son got the memo and fell to the ground like my models did. So it’s safe to say, my son is the “first toddler model to ever fall on the run way stage. So much for being a “pretty Betty”
#happyToInspire #theTailorsTailor.”
One of the resolutions that will be reviewed by the major cement manufacturer at its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Tuesday, December 13, at Zinna Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, correlates with the next stage of its expansion goals.
The cement producer will repurchase 1.704 billion of its shares, or 10% of its 17.04 billion outstanding shares, at the going market price following the EGM’s ratification of the resolution.
It also stated that none of its directors, including Dangote, who has an 86-percent stake in the cement company, will be taking part in the share buyback program.
Dangote Cement is Africa’s largest cement producer, with a 51.55-million-tonne-per-year production capacity spread across ten countries. Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote owns 86 percent of Dangote Cement through his manufacturing group Dangote Industries Limited.
Nearly 10 months ago, the cement behemoth repurchased a total of 126,748,153 shares, or 0.74 percent of its issued and fully paid ordinary shares, at an average price of N276.89 ($0.667) per share.
The company noted that the share buyback decision, which is consistent with its corporate strategy, is a conscious endeavor by the board to improve intrinsic value and an indirect means to increase its return on equity and shareholder value.
Mona4Reall has been left demoralized and traumatized following the widespread news of her involvement in an alleged fraud that runs into millions of dollars, this is according to his Publicist, GhHyper.
In his view, Ghanaians were quick to spread Mona in what he earlier described as fake news of her arrest by authorities in the United Kingdom.
Ghhyper in an interview with entertainment journalist, Kwame Dadzie on Ghana Weekend once again mentioned that the Ghanaian public was unfair to Mona4Real, a popular socialite and singer
“The way Ghanaians treated her wasn’t the best. Look at somebody that Ghanaians claimed was a prostitute…she was fast rising and Ghanaians decided to clamp her. It wasn’t the best at all…she is traumatized…she is home in the UK, and lawyers are talking to her. She is traumatized…a phycologist is working on her,” he said.
In GhHyper’s latest update on Mona who is also known as Hiajia4Reall, he assured the public that Mona will soon come out to address the allegations levelled against her but however noted that she has been left traumatized.
“Mona is in the UK and going about doing what she is supposed to do. She will come, hopefully, to say something or we will release a communique. With that, it will come with a video or whatever for you people to know that she is okay but just that whatever happened has really demoralized her,” GhHyper disclosed.
Despite requesting an extension to present the report today, November 2, 2022, Citinewsroom.com reports that the committee will not be able to do so since it has not yet finished preparing its report for presentation to Parliament.
“We will apply to the Speaker for an extension of time to be able to file our report and the purpose of the report will simply be to continue the debate on the motion for the vote of censure and the report will be laid in Parliament hopefully on Tuesday”, a Co-Chair of the committee, Dr. Dominic Ayine had earlier said on November 18, 2022.
KT Hammond, another co-chair, announced that the committee would have to present a draft copy of the report to the finance minister to ensure that his responses are properly captured before the full report is tabled before Parliament for debate.
According to Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu the seven grounds included an allegation of a “despicable conflict of interest” in which Ofori-Atta was directly benefitting from Ghana’s economic woes.
He also alleged an unconstitutional withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund, in contravention of Article 178 of the 1992 Constitution, for the construction of the National Cathedral.
Haruna Iddrisu also told the ad-hoc committee that the minister had made illegal payments of oil revenues into offshore accounts in violation of Article 176 of the 1992 Constitution as well as misreporting of economic data to Parliament.
He also alleged that fiscal recklessness led to the crash of the Ghana cedi, which was reported to be the worst-performing currency in the world.
The second proponent of the motion, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, accused the Minister of deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament.
The Committee, set up by the Speaker of Parliament, is co-chaired by Dr Dominic Ayine, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga East for the Minority Caucus, and Kobina Tahir Hammond, MP for Adansi Asokwa, for the Majority Caucus.
It also included three members each from both the minority and majority sides.
Michy, the ex-fiancé of dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, has confronted Mona4Reall’s official blogger for failing to post the latter’s scandal but has done so to other celebrities in the past.
She met the blogger identified as ‘GH Hyper’ face-to-face at an event where she called him out for being bias.
It can be recalled that shortly after news of Mona4Reall’s arrest over an alleged 8-million-dollar fraud went rife on social media, GH Hyper took to Snapchat to lambast Ghanaians for spreading what he described as ‘fake news’.
“This is what you haters should be promoting instead, you chose to celebrate fake news. Ghana, let’s love our own regardless oo. That ‘Pull Him Down’ PHD attitude in Gh [Ghana] is becoming too much. You see a person rising then you guys develop serious hate for the person,” he earlier wrote.
Asides his rants on social media, the blogger till date hasn’t confirmed or denied the news and this has drawn concerns from individuals who are expecting a confirmation of some sort from him.
But reacting to this, Michy who chanced on GH Hyper on the red carpet of the ‘Rythymz on the Runway’ event held in Accra, did not mince words when they came face-to-face.
“GH Hyper your client get trouble you no fit post am. I know I am on video but I talk am. Your followers know that you are not real. Something happen, you no dey fit post am.”
On his part, the blogger ignored Michy’s query and only concentrated on taking videos at the event.
As a result of Puma Energy’s decision to invest US$33 million in providing solar solutions to its commercial and industrial customers in Ghana and throughout Africa beginning in 2023, Ghana’s solar energy story has taken the lead.
This comes after the fourteen (14) successful solar projects the corporation completed at its retail stations and terminals in Ghana.
According to a statement made, the announcement by the energy company aims to show how well the idea of solar installation works in the nation.
Additionally, it will give its business and industrial clients the option to install solar on their properties.
“In July 2022, Puma Energy’s ESG strategy set out plans to install solar generation at 200 sites across its global network by the end of 2022. The fourteen sites in Ghana contribute to the target. These projects benefit from Ghana’s high solar energy potential and have a total capacity of 447kWp and associated battery storage of 227 kWh.
“By 2027, 30 percent of its income (EBITDA) in Africa will come from clean and transition fuels and the roll out of solar generation partnerships with Puma’s commercial and industrial customers will contribute to that aim,” the statement said.
Christophe Dantcikian, Puma Energy GM in Ghana in his remarks said, “the roll out of solar generation across our assets in Ghana has been a huge success and proves the technology works from an economic and technical perspective.
“Africa and Ghana in particular, have a great potential for solar power. So, having shown the concept works we are now offering our commercial and industrial customers the chance to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Ghana was the first country in Africa to benefit from our programme to add solar power to our sites and we are now excited to be able to share the benefits of our solar expertise with our customers,” he noted.
Meanwhile, some African countries which are expected to benefit from this package alongside Ghana are Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.
As part of efforts to promote clean energy sources, the energy firm has made a commitment to achieving 30 percent of its Africa EBITDA from clean and transition fuels in its 2022 Sustainability Report and ESG Strategy.
The solar power generation at 11 of the 14 sites is supported by battery storage, meaning the sites can run from the power of the sun up to 100 percent of the time.
One day after his team’s offence failed to score a touchdown in a damaging loss to a division rival, New York Jets head coach Robert Salehtold reporters Monday he’s not certain quarterback Zach Wilson will remain the starter going forward.
“We’re keeping everything on the table the next couple of days,” Saleh said at his weekly press conference when asked if changes could be coming ahead of the Jets’ Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears.
Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, managed a mere 77 passing yards while completing nine-of-22 attempts in directing a lifeless Jets offence in Sunday’s 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots. New York produced a meagre 103 total yards and six first downs while missing out on a chance to move into a first-place tie in the tightly bunched AFC East.
The 23-year-old ranks last of out 34 quarterbacks with at least 150 passing attempts this season in completion percentage (55.6), while his 72.6 passer rating is ahead of only Pittsburgh rookie Kenny Pickett among that group.
“I’ve got to be able to sit back, I think we’ve all got to be able to sit back and think what’s best for this organisation and this team,” Saleh said. “I want to be very, very clear – it’s not all about the quarterback.
“But there is also an evaluation process to make sure we do what’s best for the organisation, and that’s every position.”
Wilson also drew some backlash for his response to a reporter’s question following Sunday’s loss. When asked if he though the offence had let down the defence, the struggling quarterback simply replied, “No, no.”
Saleh downplayed those remarks during Monday’s conference while acknowledging that Wilson could have handled the situation better.
“Obviously, football is an emotional game. I’m not going to shy away from the fact that I do think he’s the ultimate competitor. He wants to win about as much as anybody,” Saleh said.
“Can he be a little bit better in front of you guys when he’s up here on the podium in terms of the expectation that when you are standing in front of the podium, it’s our job to take bullets and own it, especially when it’s time to own it? Of course he can.
“But I don’t think it’s indicative of how he feels about his team or teammates, and I don’t think he’s naive to the fact that our offence wasn’t playing to the best of their ability.”
The San Francisco49ers did not allow the Arizona Cardinals to score a single point in the second half of Monday’s 38-10 blowout in Mexico City.
Despite the lop-sided final result, the Cardinals scored the first points of the game with an early field goal, and after two short-range touchdown passes from the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo to Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, Arizona pulled it back to 14-10 with a James Conner goal-line touchdown run.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, that touchdown in the second quarter would be their last points of the game, with the 49ers’ defense figuring things out at halftime and producing a shut-out the rest of the way.
San Francisco put the game to bed with two more touchdowns in the third period – a second to Aiyuk, and a 39-yard end-around score for receiver Deebo Samuel – before adding the finishing touches with a second touchdown for Kittle in the last.
Having not thrown more than two touchdown passes in any game since October 2020, Garoppolo finished off completing 20 of his 29 passes for 228 yards and four scores, tying a career-high as his offense committed no turnovers.
Kittle caught four passes for 84 yards and two scores, doubling his touchdown tally for the season, while Aiyuk’s two touchdowns came from his only two catches, giving him a six overall to lead the 49ers’ pass-catchers this campaign.
At 6-4, the 49ers sit atop the NFC West, owning the tiebreaker with fellow 6-4 side the Seattle Seahawks, while the Cardinals fell to 4-7.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was full of praise for his teammates after he threw a season-high four touchdown passes in a strong 38-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday in Mexico City.
Garoppolo had not thrown more than two touchdowns in a game since October 2020, but gave two scores to tight end George Kittle and two to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to run up the score.
It was also the third consecutive game the 49ers’ defense have not allowed a single point in the second half, with the Cardinals’ last score coming with five minutes to go in the second quarter as they struggled to move the ball without starting quarterback Kyler Murray.
Speaking to ESPN on the field immediately after the final whistle, Garoppolo made sure to spread the credit around for the offense’s success.
“It was just guys making plays today,” he said. “All the receivers stepped up, the offensive line played great, it was a clean pocket all night.
“When it’s like that, it makes for a fun night. It was an electric atmosphere, so we were feeding off that.
“We’ve got some playmakers, and we get the ball in their hands. You see George [Kittle] at the end there, [Aiyuk] breaking some tackles and scoring – it made for a good night.”
The 49ers led 14-10 at half-time, before winning the second half 24-0. When asked what impressed him about his side’s defense after the break, Garoppolo said he can sense when they’re switched on.
“Everything [impressed me],” he said. “I don’t get to enjoy all of it, but you can feel from the sideline that they’re hitting, they’re making plays and having fun out there. That’s what it’s all about.”
Star linebacker Fred Warner was also asked about San Francisco’s suffocating defense, and he said he felt they could have been even better.
“It’s crazy, because I think back at all the plays we could’ve made,” he said. “But I look at that 10 on the scoreboard and I can’t be too mad about it.”
Their third consecutive win leaves the 49ers atop the NFC West, owning the tiebreaker against the division’s other 6-4 team, the Seattle Seahawks.
Jaylen Browninsists he does not endorse the protesters who gathered outside Barclays Center to welcome Kyrie Irving’s return from suspension for the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Irving had sat out eight straight games after being punished for sharing a social media post about a book and film with anti-Semitic tropes.
He returned to the fold against the Memphis Grizzlies, a game that saw approximately 100 members from Israel United in Christ gather outside the venue, chanting and handing out flyers headlined “The Truth About Anti-Semitism” and “The Truth about Slavery”.
The group has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Boston Celtics guard and NBPA vice-president Brown retweeted a social media video of the group with the caption “Energy”.
Brown later backtracked on the post insisting he “was not aware of what specific group was outside of Barclays Center” and reiterated that stance when speaking after Monday’s defeat to the Chicago Bulls.
“I saw a large group of our people from our community showing support for [Kyrie] and his return,” Brown said.
“Me being proud of that support and being proud of our community for doing that does not mean I endorse or celebrate some of the things that were being done or being said.
“My instinct when I saw this was I didn’t notice which group it was. I just noticed the support, and that’s what I commented on. I reemphasise that I don’t think that everything that is said or being done or being said is something I endorse or represent.”
Brown added he wanted to promote “brown and black people standing together on our issues rather than seeing images of violence in our media, music and movies that we don’t entirely promote or profit from”.
Brown has criticised the Nets’ handling of Irving’s suspension and the terms set out for him to return to court.
“I’ve been in contact as a union member, as a former team-mate just to show support for the situation that [Irving’s] been going through,” Brown added.
“Being exiled from the game, of course, emotionally is a lot on our league, but it’s a lot on everyone who’s a fan of this game.
“Kyrie’s contributed in a lot of ways to the game of basketball, so for him to be able to come back and be on the floor last night, I thought was something to celebrate.
“I thought that was something to support. The NBA, the Brooklyn Nets decided whatever the disagreements were or the concern was, was obviously handled and we were moving on. I was supporting that decision.”
Gareth Bale hailed Wales fighting spirit as they fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with the USA in their World Cup opener.
After Timothy Weah’s goal put the USA in front before the break, Robert Page’s side looked a different team in the second half.
And talisman Bale, 33, ensured Wales’ first World Cup game since 1958 ended on a positive note as his penalty in the 82nd minute meant the shares were spoiled.
Bale said:“It was not a good first half, to be honest. They played really well and we played poorly.
“[It was a] great talk by the gaffer at half-time, we changed a few things around and the boys came out fighting, battling like we always do, and we looked like we were going to win the game from the start of the second half.
“It’s a great point from where we were, [we] showed character like we did in 2021 at the Euros [against Switzerland] and we go again.”
Wales’ record goalscorer was not keen to share what boss Page said at the break but knows his team-mates will take a lot of confidence into their next clash with Iran on Friday.
He added: “Just a few tweaks. Nothing I want to share, but we just had to regroup and do what good teams do, come back stronger.
“We showed our character like we always do. From the second half our performance was fantastic so a lot of confidence and things to work on also. Now it’s about recovering and going again.”
And the Los Angeles FC star admitted it was “incredible” to score his first goal in the World Cup.
Bale said: “Incredible — but I would rather the three points, to be honest.
“I feel like I have to step up and always happy to do so.”
Kieffer Moore made a huge difference for Wales when he came on at half-time
Boss Page took Daniel James off for Kieffer Moore at half-time in a move that transformed Wales’ fortunes.
And the 48-year-old praised Bournemouth striker Moore for the difference he made in Qatar.
He said: “That was nothing against Daniel James at all, it just suited a Kieffer [Moore] to get us up the pitch.
“We couldn’t play over their press, we couldn’t get through. For us to make that little tweak and to get it over to Kieffer to get us up the pitch made a big difference. It was tactical.”
In less than four days’ time Wales face Iran in their second Group B clash and Page knows his side have plenty of recovering to do.
Page added: “The medical team have got quite a bit of work to do. We’ve got players that are not playing week-in, week-out at a competitive level, so they’re cramping up in the last five minutes.
“The medical team have got a big job to get us ready for Friday.”
Argentina head to their first World Cupsince Diego Maradona’s death but the Albiceleste great will be there in spirit.
That was the message from Maradona’s former agent Guillermo Coppola at the opening of CONMEBOL’s ‘Tree of Dreams’ in Doha to celebrate South America’s rich football heritage.
Lionel Scaloni’s side are among the pre-tournament favourites in Qatar ahead of Tuesday’s Group C opener against Saudi Arabia, searching for a first World Cup crown since a Maradona-inspired triumph in 1986.
There has not been a South American winner of FIFA’s top tournament since Brazil in 2002, but Coppola hopes that will change for Argentina in their first outing since Maradona passed in November 2020.
“This is going to be the first World Cup that [Maradona] is not physically with us,” said the 74-year-old. “But Diego will always be with us.
“The most precious good for Diego was the football. It wasn’t life, which is the most precious good that human beings have.
“It wasn’t freedom – to be able to decide and to do – which is the second one, the freedom for him was the ball.
2.5% of all fouls committed in World Cups between 1982 and 1990 were on Diego Maradona@oilysailor pays tribute to a player who took the hits but kept on producing magical moments ⬇️https://t.co/UWhXJ4Vor7
“Where a ball rolls there is Diego, do not forget this, when you see a ball rolling say, there is Diego.”
Argentina ended a 28-year wait for major silverware by beating Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final.
That makes this the first World Cup they enter as champions of South America since USA 94 and former Argentina captain Javier Zanetti expects his country to come out fighting as a unified group.
Speaking alongside World Cup winners Oscar Ruggeri and Mario Alberto Kempes, Zanetti added: “It means a lot to have a united, consolidated, solid group.
“I trust that Argentina is a group that came to Qatar knowing well what they want.”
While Zanetti, now Inter vice-president, acknowledged the ill-timing of the November World Cup, he has little doubt Argentina will hit the ground running.
“We cannot know about the physical condition because this World Cup is atypical,” the 49-year-old continued.
“It is being played in November and many consecutive games were played recently, so there is a lot of fatigue.
“But in general, I trust that players and national teams will arrive in good condition.”
Wales manager Rob Page was relieved to gain an “important point” in their World Cup opener against the United States, and praised Gareth Bale’s intelligence in winning a second-half penalty.
The United States took a deserved first-half lead through Timothy Weah, though an improved Welsh side came back in the second and equalised via Bale’s 82nd-minute spot kick.
The 1-1 draw leaves both two points behind England after the first games in Group B in Qatar after the Three Lions beat Iran 6-2 earlier on Monday, but Page was happy enough with a point and suggested his team were the ones who could have won it late on.
“It was a really important point for us,” he told reporters at his post-match press conference. “I thought for the last 10 minutes if anybody was going to go on to get the winner it was going to be us as well.”
Bale’s penalty made him just the fourth player to score a World Cup goal for Wales after John Charles, Ivor Allchurch (two) and Terry Medwin, all in their 1958 campaign.
85 – Gareth Bale, Wales’ all-time top scorer, has scored 85% of his international goals in competitive matches (35/41). Precious. #USAWALpic.twitter.com/bhIGVSCEU8
The Los Angeles FC forward had an otherwise quiet game, but once again stepped up when his country needed him, winning the penalty when he got across USA defender Walker Zimmerman and drew the foul.
“We’ve sort of evolved Gareth’s position, put it that way,” Page explained about his star player. “He can still play out wide, of course he can, but I like to give him the freedom to come inside and play off a frontman.
Yesterday was the toughest news I’ve ever had to face and that was listening to my mum tell me my grandad past away last night😓 to go from crying all day to start in a World Cup game was extremely tough but I got through it from the support of my team mates and family❤️🕊 pic.twitter.com/3pcxl0C3Qc
“He’s very good at finding those spaces, he’s intelligent, he’s got a wise head, so he puts himself in those positions in the box to be able to get us penalties, and defenders commit to making tackles, and if they don’t get their timing right in the box, inevitably it’s a penalty.”
Welsh full-back Neco Williams played 79 minutes at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and was visibly emotional at full-time, later revealing he had only found out last night that his grandad had passed away.
Williams posted on Twitter after the game: “Yesterday was the toughest news I’ve ever had to face and that was listening to my mum tell me my grandad past away last night.
“To go from crying all day to start in a World Cup game was extremely tough but I got through it from the support of my team-mates and family.”
Wales face Iran in their second Group B game on Friday.
Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adamsbelieve the United States have every chance of beating England, with their confidence having not taken a hit in Monday’s draw with Wales.
Pulisic supplied the assist for Timothy Weah’s deserved opener at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium but the USA were unable to hold on in their opening World Cup game.
Walker Zimmerman’s clumsy tackle on Gareth Bale handed Wales’ talisman a chance he duly took, lashing home from 12 yards to send the large Welsh contingent behind the goal into raptures.
While Wales were able to celebrate snatching a point from what was their first World Cup game since 1958, the USA were left to lament not making the most of a bright first half.
The USA’s expected goals (xG) of 0.66 far exceeded Wales’ 0.17 in the first half, albeit they only had three attempts, despite having 66.7 per cent possession.
Pulisic, however, is confident that the USA can match England, who beat Iran 6-2 earlier on Monday, in their next Group B game on Friday.
“Absolutely. I think we have a good enough team to make it out of this group,” he told reporters.
We earn a point to open the World Cup. #USMNT x @Visa
“England is our next test, we’ve got to be aggressive and go to win the game.”
It was a sentiment echoed by captain Adams, who said: “Yeah, I think we match up well against them.
“Football is a game of inches, it comes down to mistakes or minimal details. We’re obviously going to try and execute our game plan.
“We trust in the coach’s ability to set us up well, but they’re very flexible as well. At the end of the day it comes down to certain moments.”
Head coach Gregg Berhalter fielded the USA’s youngest team in a World Cup match since 1990, and Pulisic acknowledged there were nerves among the squad, with the nation having failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
“The nerves were there, we were all excited, but now we have to take this experience into the next one,” Pulisic said.
“There’s a lot of positives from the game in general. The team looks good. Now we have to figure out how to put that together for 90 minutes.
“A point in the first game is better than none. We have to move on, learn from this, it’s a lot from our first game.
“I want to win. I’m very competitive. I love this team so much, I’m honoured to play in a World Cup for my country so the least I can do is give it all that I have.”
Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on Declan Rice’s performances for England at the World Cup, and will prepare a move for the West Ham midfielder if they feel he handles the pressure of the big stage.
Rice, 23, played in all seven games for England in their run to the Euro 2020 final, and he has played in every minute of West Ham’s 15 fixtures this Premier League season.
The defensive midfielder is a favourite of manager David Moyes, who declared in April that his price had risen to such an extent that “£150m just now would be minimum” – but his contract situation could force the club’s hand.
TOP STORY – LIVERPOOL WATCHING IF RICE CAN RISE TO THE CHALLENGE
According to Football Insider, Liverpoolboss Jurgen Klopp is a “huge admirer” of the man with 35 international caps already under his belt, but he still wants to see more.
The report claims Liverpool will be paying attention to “how Rice copes with the type of scrutiny and huge-game pressure he does not get at West Ham, who do not compete in the Champions League or challenge for trophies”.
Rice’s contract ties him to the club until 2024, although there is a club-option to extend the contract for an extra year.
He turned down a bumper new deal earlier this year that would have paid him £200,000 per week, indicating this will likely be his last contract with West Ham, and that factor will drive his price down the longer the club waits.
ROUND-UP
– Sport are reporting Manchester City are close to locking up Pep Guardiola on a new contract through 2025.
– According to 90min, Tottenham are eyeing Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Brentford’s David Raya and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez as potential replacements for 35-year-old club captain Hugo Lloris.
– Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic will likely be headed to the Serie A, per Fichajes, with Inter and Juventus said to be competing for his signature in January.
– AS are reporting Atletico Madrid will loan out Joao Felix in January after a lack of transfer interest.
– Newcastle United will make another run at 21-year-old Watford forward Joao Pedro, according to Football Insider, after having a £30m offer rejected before the season.
Renowned broadcaster, Nathaniel Attoh, has been honoured at the 10th edition of the Rhythms On Da Runway (RODR) event held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Sunday, November 20.
Presenting the award, the Managing Director of Citi FM/Citi TV, Sam Attah-Mensah, praised Mr. Attoh for his immense contributions to promoting RODR since its inception.
“He (Nathaniel Attoh) has been supportive of this industry at large and this programme in particular and for the 10th year running he is still vital to the success of RODR…He has been on the front lines, carrying the message, and energizing us on such occasions.”
Organizers of the event, Nineteen57 said this year’s event which is the 10th edition is under the theme, ‘the Green Edition’ and geared towards creating awareness of sustainable solutions for the development of the environment and sustainable fashion.
Other special honours were given to former First Lady of Ghana, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and real estate mogul, Kwame Bediako.
Various fashion brands had their works showcased by models on the runway.
MzVee, Eno Barony, Victor AD, Empress Gifty, Lasmid, Abiana, Epixode, Shatta Wale, Kuami Eugene and other artistes performed at the event.
Ghanaian songstress and multi-award-winning musician, Adina Thembi Ndamse, popularly known as Adina, has stated that she was very determined to get her music to every corner of the earth.
“I believe as an artiste your goal should be able to reach every corner of the earth,” she highlighted and stated that she desires to get her music all around the globe.
Adina who performed incredibly at the just-ended Promise land Destination at Gold Coast Festival held in Australia mentioned that it’s fulfilling to have people love her music and sing it as though they were Ghanaian.
In an interview on Y97.9FM with host PM, Adina indicated that through the global music rating chart maker, she can notice where her music is not getting to. Adding that Apple Music’s ratings and social media tags also help determine where her music is making waves and gaining more streams.
Ghanaian recording artisteand songwriter Adina Thembi Ndamse, popularly known as Adina, has disclosed what she considers before joining a record label.
According to the multi-award-winning songwriter, she looks out to what capabilities a label has and can offer her before joining.
Adina considers record labels as family and therefore she needs to choose the right family that can contribute significantly to the success of her career.
In an interview on Y97.9 FM’s “Dryve of Your Life”, she reiterated that signing a label in her sense is more like a transaction between herself and the label.
“Joining a label is more like a family because I know that once I go there, there are a lot of things I can achieve which will add to me as an artiste,” she said.
She is currently signed to Lynx Entertainment and still under her management team “New African Movement”.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 happening in Qatar, Middle East, began on Sunday, 20 November.
Ghana’s senior national men’s team, the Black Stars, are in Group H and go up against Portugal in their first match on Thursday, 24 November.
A number of musicians have released their cheer songs to celebrate the 26-men squad led by Coach Otto Addo.
The Kentos Music Band released ‘Ghana Osey’; Akwaboah released ‘Bring Back the Love’; Kweku Flick offered ‘Black Stars’ with Smallgod and then King Promise dropped his GFA collaboration titled ‘Black Stars’.
On Saturday, 19 November, Samini went on a rant that he sustained to the start of the Mundial.
He tweeted: “The new Black [Stars] song tho[ugh]. Do we have to learn it before the World Cup? [shrug, laugh and cry emojis]. Whoever chose it probably wrote it too. Eiiiii! Track na 3y3 ya saaa no! Hmmm [laugh and cry emojis]. A few of us could have done a better job at that, chale! Anaa meeb)dam? Lol. But vim still for the boys. Go Ghana [Ghana flag emoji].”
In another tweet he said: “I did Germany 2006, performed the official song at the closing ceremony at SA [South Africa] 2010. 2014 was yawa and 2018 we no fit go. Been there done that [forget] hype. The morale of my statement beyond politics, typos and grammatical errors remains the fact that the track is wack in my opinions [laugh and cry and shrug emojis].”
Again, the newly elected Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) SRC President trolled: “Ok last one to the newbies. Lol. Been on this App before you got a smart phone, chale. Lol. So chill. It’s not that serious, my guy. Opinions are like what??? Exactly [laughing and laugh and cry emojis]. Chale, peel my nkati3 for me make I take face pito na nkwasiafu) egyimi dodo [laugh and cry emojis].”
Beyond the criticism and without naming the particular Black Stars anthem he considers “of poor quality,” he showed appreciation for rapper Kweku Flick’s effort: “@KwekuFlick did the joint already… Tho[ugh]t they would have called the young man and just done the right thing. Simple. Maybe this will make sense to you. It’s not about me. It’s the track oooooo Tom. 3ny3 d3 baako s3i. But we go learn am Chale [laugh and cry, black power, Ghana flag emojis]. Ok, bye.”
“Godfather has spoken. I am very proud doing the song. Thank you legendary @samini_dagaati [prayer or thank you hand emojis],” the young rapper acknowledged the big up on Twitter.
Singer King Promise, on the other hand today, Monday, 21 November, tweeted: “Idols become rivals. Sad,” which some have interpreted to mean he considers his senior on the Ghana music scene, Samini, was belittling his Black Star cheer song with the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The World Cup 2022 has begun with a blast after a wonderful opening celebration. This will be the first time ever that the competition will take place in the winter.
The top two teams advance to the competition’s round of 16 after the 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four.
The 32 teams are split into eight groups of four and the top two progress to the last 16 of the competition.
Below are the groups:
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
The group games started on Sunday after the opening ceremony, host Qatar took on Ecuador.
GROUP STAGE
Sunday November 20
Group A: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 7PM KO)
Monday November 21
Group B: England 6-2 Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 1PM KO) Group A: Senegal v Netherlands (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; 4PM KO) Group B: USA v Wales (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 7PM KO)
Tuesday November 22
Group C: Argentina v Saudi Arabia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 10AM KO) Group D: Denmark v Tunisia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 1PM KO) Group C: Mexico v Poland (Stadium 974, Doha; 4PM KO) Group D: France v Australia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 7PM KO)
Wednesday November 23
Group F: Morocco v Croatia (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 10AM KO) Group E: Germany v Japan (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 1PM KO) Group E: Spain v Costa Rica (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; 4PM KO) Group F: Belgium v Canada (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 7PM KO)
Thursday November 24
Group G: Switzerland v Cameroon (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 10AM KO) Group H: Uruguay v South Korea (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 1PM KO) Group H: Portugal v Ghana (Stadium 974, Doha; 4PM KO) Group G: Brazil v Serbia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7PM KO)
Friday November 25
Group B: Wales v Iran (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 10AM KO) Group A: Qatar v Senegal (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; 1PM KO) Group A: Netherlands v Ecuador (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 4PM KO) Group B: England v USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 7PM KO)
Saturday November 26
Group C: Tunisia v Australia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 10AM KO) Group C: Poland v Saudi Arabia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 1PM KO) Group D: France v Denmark (Stadium 974, Doha; 4PM KO) Group C: Argentina v Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7PM KO)
Sunday November 27
Group E: Japan v Costa Rica (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 10AM) Group F: Belgium v Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; 1PM KO) Group F: Croatia v Canada (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 4PM KO) Group E: Spain v Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 7PM KO)
Monday November 28
Group G: Cameroon v Serbia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 10PM KO) Group G: South Korea v Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 1PM KO) Group H: Brazil v Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; 4PM KO) Group H: Portugal v Uruguay (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7PM KO)
Tuesday November 29
Group A: Netherlands v Qatar (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 3PM KO) Group A: Ecuador v Senegal (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3PM KO) Group B: Wales v England (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 7PM KO) Group B: Iran v USA (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; 7PM KO)
Wednesday November 30
Group D: Australia v Denmark (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 3PM KO) Group D: Tunisia v France (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3PM KO) Group C: Poland v Argentina (Stadium 974, Doha; 7PM KO) Group C: Saudi Arabia v Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7PM KO)
Thursday December 1
Group F: Croatia v Belgium (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3PM KO) Group F: Canada v Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; 3PM KO) Group E: Costa Rica v Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 7PM KO) Group E: Japan v Spain (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 7PM KO)
Friday, December 2
Group G: South Korea v Portugal (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3PM KO) Group G: Ghana v Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 3PM KO) Group H: Serbia v Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; 7PM KO) Group H: Cameroon v Brazil (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7PM KO)
ROUND OF 16
Saturday December 3
Group A Winners v Group B Runners-up (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3PM KO) Group C Winners v Group D Runners-up (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 7PM KO)
Sunday December 4
Group D Winners v Group C Runners-up (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 3PM KO) Group B Winners v Group A Runners-up (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 7PM KO)
Monday December 5
Group E Winners v Group F Runners-up (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 3PM KO) Group G Winners v Group H Runners-up (Stadium 974, Doha; 7PM KO)
Tuesday December 6
Group F Winners v Group E Runners-up (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3PM KO) Group H Winners v Group G Runners-up (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7PM KO)
QUARTER-FINALS
Friday December 9
Match 53 Winners v Match 54 Winners (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3PM KO) Match 49 Winners v Match 50 Winners (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7PM KO)
Saturday December 10
Match 55 Winners v Match 56 Winners (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 3PM KO) Match 51 v Match 52 Winners (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 7PM KO)
SEMI-FINALS
Tuesday December 13
Match 57 Winners v Match 58 Winners (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7PM KO)
Wednesday December 14
Match 59 Winners v Match 60 Winners (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 7PM KO)
THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF
Saturday December 17
Match 61 Losers v Match 62 Losers (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3PM KO)
FINAL
Sunday December 18
Match 61 Winners v Match 62 Winners (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 3PM KO)
A Senegal without talisman Sadio Mane played some impressive football on Monday evening but unfortunately suffered a late heartbreak.
The Teranga Lions today locked horns with the Dutch national team in the second Group A encounter of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Throughout the first half, both national teams entertained fans in the stands with some delightful end-to-end football action.
The Netherlands perhaps had the best opportunity to score in the first half when Frenkie de Jong failed to capitalise on a one-on-one situation by trying to go past the retreating defenders.
With all to play for in the second half, Senegal opened up more and caused a lot of trouble for the defense of the opponent.
Unfortunately, the many forward advances never resulted in a goal.
In the 84th minute, the Netherlands finally broke the deadlock of the game when Senegal goalkeeper Eduard Mendy came out for the ball too late.
Before he could reach the ball, Cody Gakpo had already headed the ball and found the back of the net with his effort to give the Netherlands the lead.
Late in stoppage time, substitute Davy Klaasen capitalised on another mistake from Mendy to give the Dutch national team a 2-0 goal lead.
Eventually, the Netherlands bagged the maximum three points thanks to the 2-0 win.
Up next for Senegal, they will take on Qatar on Friday in the second Group A game.
The host nation lost the opening game of the tournament to Ecuador on Sunday night.
The new plant, which Newmont invested $ 160 million on over the course of 2021 and 2022, will help the entire ecosystem and the nearby watershed by collecting, treating, and redistributing impacted water.
Within the mining industry, this plant will have one of the lowest provincial effluent discharge restrictions.
The investment demonstrates how industrial and environmental interests can be aligned, and is a strong example of Newmont’s commitment to sustainable and responsible mining.
Newmont anticipates that construction of the plant will be completed before year-end and begin discharging in 2023; once operational, the plant will return up to 13 million cubic meters of treated clean water to the Mattagami, Frederickhouse and Upper Kapuskasing watersheds.
After more than a century of mining in Timmins, the next phase of operations at Porcupine is an opportunity to support regreening the region, significantly improve site water management and support the local watersheds while maintaining employment and economic benefits for Northern Ontario communities, local First Nations and the government.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford commended Newmont Porcupine for its environmental stewardship.
“This investment from Newmont is a huge vote of confidence in Timmins, our workers and the future of Northern Ontario. We are grateful that Newmont has chosen to deepen its commitment to Ontario, and we look forward to seeing them thrive right here in Timmins.”
George Pirie, MPP for Timmins and Minister of Mines, offered Newmont Porcupine his congratulations.
“Our government is a strong supporter of the mining industry and its workers because we appreciate its importance to communities across the north, including Timmins. This is another example of how mining companies operating in Ontario are leading the charge when it comes to sustainability. I want to congratulate Newmont for their strong commitment to the Porcupine operations. By building this treatment facility, Newmont is creating 100 contract jobs and improving the water quality and ecosystem of Porcupine.”
Since 1910, the historic Porcupine mining district has produced more than 67 million ounces of gold. The modern Porcupine mine is the largest employer in Timmins, with more than 1200 employees and contractors. Newmont leadership has applauded Porcupine for its ongoing commitment to safe and sustainable production. “Investments like the new water treatment plant that we are announcing today are on
ly made possible by the steadfast commitments of our employees, all levels of government and our Indigenous communities and partners. I would like to thank all involved for their dedication to upholding our reputation as an industry leader in safe, sustainable and responsible mining.”
This landmark investment demonstrates the value that Newmont sees in the Northern Ontario mining jurisdiction and reinforces the commitment made by all at Porcupine to safe and responsible mining. I would like to extend my thanks to all involved in bringing this water treatment plant to fruition.”
Having recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, Newmont is proud to own and responsibly operate the historic Porcupine mine within Treaty 9 territory. The Company would like to thank Premier Ford for recognizing the value that Newmont brings to Northern Ontario and taking the time to visit its Porcupine mine today, and also to thank the eight signatory First Nations communities whose partnership the mine could not operate without: Mattagami First Nation, Matachewan First Nation, Flying Post First Nation, Wahgoshig First Nation, Michipicoten First Nation, Brunswick House First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation and Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation.
Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), has expressed confidence in the Black Stars and urged Ghanaians to support the team
After participation in 2006, 2010, and 2014, the Black Stars are scheduled to participate in the tournament for the fourth time in their existence.
“I really have faith in the coaches and believe they are capable of reaching an appreciable position at the Mundial” Nunoo Mensah said.
“We need the support of every Ghanaian to bring back the love and push the Black Stars forward, I know the winning spirit is back, I feel and know it,”
“Ghana can do it when least is expected,”
“Like in 2019 when we conquered the world at the youth stage, we can do it again at the senior level,”
On November 17, when Ghana defeated Switzerland 2-0, skipper Andre Ayew, who plays for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League, earned his 110th appearance for the national team. The former Swansea City attacker became the most capped player in the history of Ghana.
The 32-year-old surpassed the previous record of 109 held by Asamoah Gyan.
The Ghana contingent landed in Qatar in grand style, they were given a rousing welcome by Ghanaians. The players wore traditional smocks and hats.
The Black Stars of Ghana is in Group H alongside Uruguay, Portugal, and South Korea. Ghana will play Portugal on 24th November at the Stadium 974, South Korea on 28th November at the Education City Stadium, and play their final group game against Uruguay on 2nd December at the Al Janoub Stadium.
Since its establishment in 2006, the Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF) has received investment totaling US$70 million, leaving a US$102 million financial gap that must be filled if it is to achieve its goal of providing financing to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector.
Assessments by Bolton Consulting Group (BCG) found that VCTF needed a minimum of US$172 million to fulfill its mission before the World Bank recapitalized it under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project with US$ 40 million and a US$ 5 million technical assistance facility.
The VCTF board has long-term funding sources as one of its main priorities, according to Yaw Owusu-Brempong, the organization’s chief executive officer, in an interview with B&FT.
“At the board level, one of our major issues is a permanent source of funding. Because it’s a revolving fund, either we get one large money – which is very difficult – and then we don’t even go back to the ministry again, just like Development Bank Ghana; or on gradual basis, if for the next 10 years – if every year we are getting an additional US$10million – then after 10 years there will be no need to actually go back to the ministry. Because it doesn’t make sense that every now and then government will pump money into the fund.
“The VCTF needed minimum of US$172million per recommendations by the BCG, and over the years from 2006 to 2021 the total monies given to us was US$30million; so there was a gap of US$142million. Now in 2022, as a result of the recommendation, US$40million has been received under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project. This leaves the current fund gap at US$102million,” the CEO revealed.
VCTF commitments
The VCTF has committed about US$25million – at different exchange rates – to seven funds between 2006 and 2020; and GH¢60million in 2022 and an additional GH¢60 million by the end of 2022.
When the VCTF was set up in 2004 and started operations in 2006, the Fund was supposed to get 25 percent of the National Reconstruction Levy – mainly a levy on the banks and insurance companies, with seed money of about GH¢22million, equivalent to US$22million at the time.
“Unfortunately, in 2006 the levy was abolished – and that has been our biggest challenge,” the CEO said.
“So, our source of funding was the reconstruction levy and then allocation from the Ministry of Finance; but if the levy had been there, I’m sure we wouldn’t even have needed money from the Ministry of Finance. Unfortunately, it was abolished. So, subsequently, allocations from the Ministry of Finance were not consistent. There were some years we weren’t getting anything at all, depending on the ministry’s priorities,” Mr. Owusu-Brempong stated.
Some people are great at identifying their emotionsand soothing themselves. This is the result of a childhood where the parents encouraged the expression of emotions.
Some of us didn’t have this luxury, and we were taught to repress our emotions because some people out there had it much worse than us.
But what do you do if you didn’t learn how to soothe your overwhelming feelings?
Perhaps, like me, you resort to yelling or numbing yourself with comfort foods that leave you feeling guilty and ashamed. You don’t know how to face your emotions, so instead, you turn to things to numb them instead. That could be eating out for dinner every day of the week, or that relationship that you can’t leave because at least you’re not alone.
Our body stores emotions. All that anger and resentment has to go somewhere. In my case, my throat clenches. I feel like I have an open wound above my navel. I want to numb myself with chocolate.
If you don’t release your feelings, they linger in your body and eventually manifest as a disease. That’s why it’s vital to get it out of your system. You need to feel your feelings, even if you think you look ridiculous or that it isn’t going to help at all.
The short and simple technique
I learned this technique at an Osho ashram in Kathmandu. They call it kundalini mediation.
I call it shaking, as that’s what you literally have to do.
Animals in the wild do this after escaping an attack by a lion, for instance. They shake violently and then move on.
It’s super effective to release any leftover tension from the day or if you’ve been triggered by someone or something.
Here’s how it’s done.
Set aside one minute (time it if you want to).
Stand up, relax your shoulders, and close your eyes.
Ready?
Shake your body.
Don’t inhibit yourself. Let yourself go. Shake it.
Keep shaking. Don’t stop.
Shake some more.
It may feel weird at first, but don’t stop.
Okay, 10 seconds to go.
10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3….2…1..
Stop.
Close your eyes and observe the sensations.
I usually feel a tingling sensation all around my body. It’s as if the tension drops to the floor. I feel energized and ready to go on.
How do you feel? Use this technique the next time you’re alone and frustrated and just want to let out some steam.
Portugal midfielder, Ruben Neves has rubbished reports that Cristiano Ronaldo is not himself after the recent explosive interview.
According to the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, the football great is looking spectacular in training and ready to punish Ghana.
Speaking in a pre-match conference, Ruben Neves said if Portugal plays a good game against Ghana, Cristiano Ronaldo will be phenomenal for the national team.
“From what I’ve seen in training, he’s in spectacular shape. He doesn’t worry us at all, we as a team know perfectly well what we need to work on so that each individual stands out on gameday,” Ruben Neves said.
The highly-rated midfielder added, “If we’re good as a team, Cristiano will be phenomenal.”
The clash between Ghana and Portugal will be played on Thursday, November 24.
Both national teams are hoping to win that Group H opener to get off to a good start to increase the chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
After the Portugal game, the Black Stars of Ghana will prepare to take on South Korea and Uruguay.
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