The implementation of a new tax on electronic transactions was announced by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a year ago during the presentation of the 2022 budget.
The government has chosen to impose a fee on all electronic transactions to broaden the tax net and include the informal sector, the minister said as he delivered the 2022 budget statement to Parliament.
The “Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy” will be used to refer to this.
With the exception of inward remittances, which will be the recipient’s responsibility, all electronic transactions, including mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances, will be taxed at an applicable rate of 1.75%, he said.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Bagbara Tanko has urged Ghanaians to remain calm as the increase in food prices is not an indicator of possible food shortages in the coming days.
According to him, the country experienced a prolonged drought last year and that affected yield, however, he disclosed the government managed to hold the country down and properly managed food resources.
“This year, we have survived on last year’s yield up till the point where southern Ghana harvested from its major season. Although some challenges were faced, we had some harvests from the major season.
“We have started the minor season for southern Ghana and are experiencing very good rains so our anticipation is that at the end of the minor season for the sector, we are going to have a bumper harvest,” he told Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show.
“Reports received from our regional directors on the participation from the Planting for Food and Jobs and even commercial participation show that there will be a bumper harvest.
“We will not be hungry and the increased harvest is sure to reduce the price of food because we will soon be in the midst of plenty. Northern Ghana has started harvesting and the crop season has been excellent. The floods didn’t have a significant effect on crop harvest.”
Informing Ghanaians of other factors responsible for the increase in food prices, he stated, “Let’s also not forget that fuel prices can make the prices of goods and services soar and that we have no control over. But form our end as the Ministry of Agriculture, we are giving Ghanaians the assurance that there is no way we will be hungry or suffer famine.
The communication officer of the Ministry clarified that the Minister for the sector has never disputed the fact that food prices have increased, but rather sought to justify the increase.
Ghana in recent months has witnessed a sharp increase in food prices, including staples produce like beans, maize and millet.
While some have attributed the increment to the hike in fuel prices, others believe it is the currency’s depreciation.
But the government insists that food prices have not increased.
The Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has disputed claims that food prices have skyrocketed.
Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed members of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Dr Akoto stressed that statistics available to his outfit do not support the increment claims; thus, “it is a wrong perception.”
Agric Minister said there was a “heavy drought” in the southern part of the country in 2020.
Therefore, affecting the production of the cereal crop and other foodstuffs this year.
CNN’s coverage of New Year’s Eve could look very different this time around.
According to Variety, network CEO and chairman Chris Licht announced at a town hall discussion with CNN employees on Tuesday that anchors and correspondents cannot drink on camera this NYE. Or off camera, in fact.
Licht seemingly implied that the sight of Anderson Cooper battling uncontrollable laughter or a viral, loosened-up Don Lemon resulted in a loss of “respectability” among viewers, and hurt CNN’s credibility as a whole.
In fact, it may be the opposite.
Licht took over as the new head of CNN earlier this year following the merger between Discovery and parent company WarnerMedia. While his new edict applies to correspondents and anchors, it’s unclear if Cooper’s usual New Year’s Eve co-host Andy Cohen will also need to abide by this same rule.
Days after the Andy hosted their latest NYE broadcast, Cohen appeared on the Howard Stern Show, where he was unapologetic about his behavior on-air, despite admittedly being “a bit overserved.”
“I won’t be shamed for it, I had a blast, Anderson has a blast. We left and we were like ‘That was fun, what a fun New Year’s Eve,’” he said. “No apologies for my drinking on New Year’s Eve, none.”
The implementation of a new tax on electronic transactions was announced by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a year ago during the presentation of the 2022 budget.
The government has chosen to impose a fee on all electronic transactions to broaden the tax net and include the informal sector, the minister said as he delivered the 2022 budget statement to Parliament.
The “Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy” will be used to refer to this.
With the exception of inward remittances, which will be the recipient’s responsibility, all electronic transactions, including mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances, will be taxed at an applicable rate of 1.75%, he said.
Government has announced a 1.75% levy to be placed on electronic transactions, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning has announced.
According to Ken Ofori-Atta, the levy will be known as the “Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy” and forms part of efforts to widen the country’s tax net and rope in the informal sector.
Delivering the 2022 budget statement before Parliament on Wednesday, the minister said “After considerable deliberations, Government has decided to place a levy on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. This shall be known as the “Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy.”
“Electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances will be charged at an applicable rate of 1.75%, which shall be borne by the sender except for inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient,” he explained.
“A portion of the proceeds from the E-Levy will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, and digital and road infrastructure among others. 3y3 Baako, Ye nyinaa bey tua. Mr. Speaker, this new policy also comes into effect (once appropriation is passed) from 1st January 2022. The government will work with all industry partners to ensure that their systems and payment platforms are configured to implement the policy,” the minister told the House.
The presentation is in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and section 21 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).
Good morning and welcome to the live text commentary for the international friendly match between Ghana and Switzerland.
The Black Stars are facing off with their Swiss counterpart this morning in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in what will be the final game before the national team moves to Qatar.
Ahead of kick-off at 10:00 am, Ghana ahead coach Otto Addo has named his starting eleven for the clash.
The team has goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the post and will be protected by a defense that includes Tariq Lamptey, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, and Salisu Mohammed.
RC Lens midfielder Abdul Salis Samed is in the starting eleven alongside Belgium-based Elisha Owusu.
Andre Ayew is also starting with his brother Jordan Ayew while Hearts of Oak star Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has been handed his maiden start for the Black Stars.
Ghana is using this morning’s friendly to prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which starts on Sunday, November 20.
The Black Stars are hoping to put up a good performance to inspire confidence ahead of the start of the mundial.
Checkout the Black Stars’ starting eleven for the Switzerland friendly below:
Ghanaian actor,Akrobeto, has revealed that he avoids taking photos with fans because of an incident that happened in the past.
Speaking to renowned journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah, in an interview, Akrobeto narrated how a fan who took pictures with him used the images to deceive and impregnate a lady.
According to Akrobeto, the young man told the lady he had ties with him(Akrobeto) and could help her advance her acting career. This happened when the lady opened up about her aspirations to the young man when they met on a bus.
The actor said the young man showed the lady photos he had taken with him as proof of his links in the movie industry and promised to pull some strings to get her movie gigs. Akrobeto said the young man ended up impregnating the innocent lady.
According to Akrobeto, he got to know this when the lady’s mother confronted him about the issue. The actor said since the humiliating incident he has been against taking photos with fans.
Folks React To Akrobeto’s Story
CEO of CRA❤️ narrated her experience:
I remember I wanted to be a video vixen s3 d3n and this DJ mix from one of the radios in Gh so that time there were about to shoot Tokyo music video he can. Add us to the girls but unless I sleep with him we were two friends my friend had slept with him and later told her her behind is hard so it won’t fit in
Ghana head coach, Otto Addo has handed Tariq Lamptey his first Ghana start in the friendly match against Switzerland today.
The Black Stars are facing off with their Swiss counterpart in an international friendly match this morning in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Ahead of kick-off at 10:00am, Ghana ahead coach Otto Addo has named his starting eleven for the clash.
The team has goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the post and will be protected by a defense that includes Tariq Lamptey, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, and Salisu Mohammed.
RC Len midfielder Abdul Salis Samed is in the starting eleven alongside Belgium-based Elisha Owusu.
Andre Ayew is also starting with his brother Jordan Ayew while Hearts of Oak star Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has been handed his maiden start for the Black Stars.
Ghana is using this morning’s friendly to prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which starts on Sunday, November 20.
The Black Stars are hoping to put up a good performance to inspire confidence ahead of the start of the mundial.
Checkout the Black Stars’ starting eleven for the Switzerland friendly below:
Haas have opted to part company with Mick Schumacher following a disappointing Formula One campaign, replacing him with fellow German Nico Hulkenberg.
The future of Schumacher – son of seven-time world champion Michael – had been in doubt, with his contract set to expire following this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Schumacher secured his best race finish of sixth at July’s Austrian Grand Prix, but sits 16th in the driver standings with just 12 points to his name.
Haas are eighth in the constructor standings following a troubled season, which began with the team terminating the contract of Nikita Mazepin in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Schumacher said: “This is going to be my last race with Haas F1 Team. I don’t want to hide the fact that I am very disappointed about the decision not to renew our contract.
“Nevertheless, I would like to thank both Haas F1 and Ferrari for giving me this opportunity. These years together have helped me to mature both technically and personally, and especially when things got difficult, I realised how much I love this sport.
“The subject is anything but closed for me. Setbacks only make you stronger. My fire burns for F1 and I will fight hard to return to the starting grid.”
Schumacher’s replacement Hulkenberg has made 181 starts in F! and gets another chance after spending two seasons as Aston Martin’s reserve driver.
Hulkenberg stood in for Sebastien Vettel in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this season, and has also raced for Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault during his 12-year F1 career.
“I’m very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula One,” the German said.
“We have work ahead of us to be able to compete with all the other teams in the midfield, and I cannot wait to join that battle again.”
Lionel Scaloni will consider making changes to Argentina’s squad ahead of their World Cup campaign getting under way should players not prove their fitness.
Argentina head coach Scaloni named his 26-man travelling part for Qatar 2022 on Sunday ahead of his side’s opening Group C fixture against Saudi Arabia on November 22.
Paulo Dybala made the cut after recently returning from injury for club side Roma, though he played no part in Wednesday’s 5-0 win over the United Arab Emirates.
Teams can make injury-enforced changes to their squad from a list of 55 players previously submitted until the day before their opening game, something Scaloni is open to.
“We have some little problems and still have some days to decide the list,” he told TyC Sports. “We can make changes, hopefully not, but there is the possibility.
“There are several players who today have been left out of the side because they were either not fit to play or there was a risk of injury.
“I can’t guarantee that these players are fine. In principle, they are, but you have to be cautious. That’s why we have been careful with the minutes.”
Argentina had no trouble extending their unbeaten run to 36 matches with their five-star showing against the UAE, with Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi playing big parts.
Di Maria scored twice and assisted one for Messi, who had earlier played in Julian Alvarez for the opener, before substitute Joaquin Correa added a fifth in the second period.
“We played with a World Cup mentality today,” said midfielder Rodrigo de Paul. “I think this was a good test but we played well and also kept a clean sheet.
“If we want our opening [World Cup] match to go well, we have to arrive with this same mentality. We expressed ourselves well and continually want to improve.”
Reigning South American champions Argentina follow up their opener against Saudi Arabia with game against Mexico and Poland.
Scotland succumbed to their first defeat in five matches with a 2-1 friendly loss to Turkey in Diyarbakir.
Defender Ozan Kabak headed in the opener for the home side five minutes before the break after earlier hitting the crossbar before attacker Cengiz Under doubled the lead with a confident finish four minutes after half-time.
As the game looked to be slipping away from Steve Clarke’s side, midfielder John McGinn pulled a goal back in the 61st minute with a powerful drive.
But despite the second-half improvement they could not complete the comeback, with 19-year-old Liverpool defender Calvin Ramsay notably making his Scotland debut off the bench.
There were no Celtic players involved because of the Hoops’ tour to Australia and Kenny McLean, Che Adams and Nathan Patterson calling off late.
However, Clarke fielded a very experienced side with skipper Andrew Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Grant Hanley included while Turkey had a sprinkling of players from top clubs such as Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu, Marseille attacker Under and captain Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter Milan.
The home side began positively.
The influential Calhanoglu had a decent drive saved by Craig Gordon for a corner in the sixth minute before the keeper parried another drive from the same player moments later with Cenk Tosun missing the target with the rebound, although the offside flag was up.
Then, in the 18th minute, Kabak beat Hanley to Irfan Kahveci’s cross and crashed a header off the bar with Gordon beaten.
Scotland posed little threat going forward but in the 33rd minute Ryan Fraser raced on to a Jack Hendry pass but his cut-back just evaded Lyndon Dykes.
Three minutes later, however, Fraser was caught out by a long ball to substitute Eren Elmali but Gordon blocked the shot and the Scotland goal survived the corner.
However, the Scots failed to heed their earlier warning and after Hanley fouled Tosun, Calhanoglu’s whipped-in free-kick found Kabak who beat Hanley and Scott McTominay to direct a header past Gordon for his first international goal.
Turkey pressed for a second before the break and Under curled an effort wide of the target from just outside the box while a Hendry challenge on Tosun inside the penalty area brought fruitless claims for a penalty.
Ramsay took over from Fraser for the start of the second half to make his debut with Scott McKenna on for Hanley but the visitors soon found themselves further behind.
When Stuart Armstrong lost possession at the edge of the Turkey box, the home side countered with pace and former Leicester attacker Under cleverly knocked the ball through the legs of McKenna and past Gordon.
However, just after the hour mark, the Scots were back in the game when McGinn’s powerful run towards the goal ended with the Aston Villa midfielder fending off Soyuncu and driving into the far corner.
Now it was Scotland’s turn to play with confidence.
Ryan Jack and Ryan Christie replaced Billy Gilmour and Armstrong in the 66th minute before Hendry headed over from a corner after Dykes had flicked on.
Then Lewis Ferguson and Jacob Brown came on for McTominay and Dykes as Clarke utilised all his allowed substitutes but the Scots could not fashion the chance required to grab the draw, with Christie firing over, to keep their unbeaten run going.
Hansi Flick was pleased to see Niclas Fullkrug score on his Germany debut but admitted his side were far from their best, despite the 1-0 win over Oman.
The visitors struggled in Muscat in their World Cup warm-up game, relying on substitute Fullkrug’s 80th-minute strike to take victory in a match that never really got going.
Though Germany will not be the only side battling fatigue amid a mid-season tournament, their lacklustre performance against relative minnows perhaps highlighted the difficulties they could face at Qatar 2022, which begins on Sunday.
Flick did take time to praise Fullkrug, the Werder Bremen striker winning his first cap after firing 10 goals in 14 Bundesliga games this season, while outlining his concerns over their warm-up showing.
“He deserved the goal,” Flick told RTL after the win. “He had two or three other shots also. You could already feel when he was on the pitch, there was a presence up front.”
Germany won just 38.4 per cent of their duels against Oman but while the head coach admitted they will need to do better at the World Cup, did acknowledge that low number was likely down to his players wanting to avoid injury.
“Of course you have to say, if you see how we tackled in duels, that’s not the level we want at the World Cup. But you can also understand that no one wants to hurt themselves.”
Flick did lose defender Lukas Klostermann during the first half, with the RB Leipzig man only recently returning from a lay-off with knee ligament issues.
Germany kick off their World Cup campaign against Japan on November 23, before further Group E matches with Spain and Costa Rica.
Single mother of three Doris Anima, aka Ebony, has disclosed that she wants to start engaging in the sex trade because of her bitter experience with men.
In a chat on SVTV Africa with DJ Nyaami, Doris mentioned that she has no trust left for men anymore. Moreover, men would rather spend a huge amount for one night with a woman than their girlfriend.
“I want to start hookup because of how life is going now and also how some men behave these days. That is why most girls are into hookups, and I completely understand them. Because the guy you’re dating may not be able to take care of you.
If I meet someone as a hookup girl, he will give me GHS500 or GHS300, but he will not give that money to his girlfriend at home. When his girlfriend visits, he’ll only give her GHS100, but that money is not enough at these times. So we’ll all do the hookup,” she said.
Moreover, DJ Nyaami quizzed her about settling down, but Doris indicated that she no longer trusts men. According to Doris, men have disappointed her and caused her a lot of pain.
He said this in a Facebook post in which he also revealed the name for his multiple award-winning music group is his brainchild.
“When I was young, I was so obsessed with money, I named our company Refuse 2 Be Broke and me Payday da Pralem,” he said.
“As I grew older it dawned on me that our generation can boast of being the most comfortable from past generations but can we say we are the happiest?” he asked rhetorically.
The ‘1990’ hitmaker attached a picture of himself leaving against what appeared to be a Bentley saloon car.
Announcing the news on his Instagram page, on Wednesday, November 16, Wizkid noted that the 20,000-capacity building has been sold out ahead of his concerts.
On his social media page,Wizkid shared a photo showing several billboards that announced the sold-out status of the concert.
Reacting to the big news, fans of the singer, took to social media to hail him for his accomplishment.
Others seized the opportunity to throw indirect jabs at Wizkid’s rival, Burna Boy, for taking as long as three months to sell out the same venue.
Some comments spotted on social media read;
“To sell this place no easy na 3month burna use do him own sold out,” A handle named bestagada_ read.
Another identified as Starboy_lil.ray said: “Those who said is not sold out let’s wait to see if space go Dey tomorrow before we go laugh this matter.”
lucketosoft said: “Another history is about to be made.”
thefavoredg said: “Of course he was going to sell out.”
badboytemmy said: “Talk and do don’t play with this man.”
official_para_child1 said: “Burna also sold this out. Why una dey make noise.”
edo_nosa said: “Wizkid is Following the leader @burnaboygram.”
Multiple-award winningGhanaian gospel musician Diana Antwi Hamilton has described married women who take money from their husbands before having sexual intercourse with them as prostitutes.
“If you take money from your husband for sex it means you are a prostitute”, Diana Hamiltonhas said adding that “If it happens that way then that is prostitution. A woman who does that is equal to a commercial sex worker”, she added.
The ‘Adom’ hit maker who spoke in an interview on TV XYZ monitored by MyNewsGH.com chided women with such character insisting they no right to do that.
Diana Hamiltonfurther noted that, even if wives would want to demand money from their husbands in exchange for something, it shouldn’t be sex.
“Why do you have to wait till sex time before you demand money from your husband? Taking money from your husband before sex is not right”, she emphasized.
In her view, the husband and wife are one flesh and love is giving without expecting hence since both couples have become one, they have to make love freely and not to sell love.
Speaking to men who also deny their wives the responsibility of providing for them, Diana Hamilton counselled that, men must do everything possible to provide for them to avoid anything that will destroy their marriages.
“And to that man when the woman needs something give it to her”, she insisted.
The artiste says he was in a toxic relationship previously but is now single and ready to mingle.
The ‘Take Away’ singer who was on set shooting the video to his latest record ‘Single’ made this known to Joy Primes’ entertainment journalist, IB.
According to the Lynx signee, his status at the time came of use in the recording of his latest song ‘Single‘.
“I have been that guy that put my emotions and everything in my music from ‘Wish Me Well’ to ‘Obiaa To’ to ‘Open Gate’, the things that I have been through, what I am going through, anything that moves me and the message I want to share with the world and ‘Single’ is another one. I have been through it for some past months and I am still in the process of being the strong guy that I am but everything in life takes time so I am single for now,” he said.
Nonetheless, the ‘Angela’ crooner told his fans and the world that he is not brokenhearted.
“This is actually not a broken heart, it’s about me being single for now because I was in a toxic relationship, I am no more in that relationship and that makes me single for now.”
Asked if that ordeal has affected his music in any way, Kuami Eugene responded in the negative.
“This has actually strengthened me, it helped with the song with the song because I got my emotions in this and I think you should all check it out.”
Kuami Eugene released his record “Single” on November 3.
The song has enjoyed airplay with the video chalking 2.1 million views on YouTube alone.
According to him, affiliating with and engaging in similar activities with sinners helps win souls for Christ.
In an interview with Roselyn Felli on Prime Morning, the ‘Allahu Akbar’ hitmaker stated that he sometimes gets encouragement from unbelievers .
“I love to walk with the sinners more than those who claim they are believers, because there’s no righteous person on earth. We’re all sinners except God. The Bible states that children of the dark are wiser than those of the light,” he said.
Broda Sammy believes most of his hit songs are collaborations he had with circular musicians, admitting that circular artistes have more followers on social media than gospel musicians.
The musician also noted that he has never smoked, even though he associates with drug dealers.
He went on to say that pastors in recent years have turned Christianity into a frightening religion for most people.
“Nowadays, they use Christianity to scare people. They’ve made Christianity so hard, and that’s why some pastors are cheating people. A church member cannot go to a pastor for counseling without paying an amount of money because they’ve made themselves scary,” he indicated.
However, he urged pastors to be “simple, free, and don’t scare people with Christianity.”
Recently, there have been makeup photos of Diana Asamoah on social media, leading to criticism.
Speaking on the show, Broda Sammy further revealed that he is the brain behind Diana Asamoah’s new look.
The ‘Samaria Obaano’ hit maker recounted that the song was dedicated to Diana Asamoah as a sign of love.
Gary Cahill won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2015 and 2017
Former England and Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has retired aged 36.
Cahill won eight major honours during his seven years at Stamford Bridge, including two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League.
He began his career at Aston Villa and also had permanent spells at Bolton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, as well as earning 61 international caps.
“I achieved things I once dreamt of, creating some incredible memories,” said Cahill.
“Football is a game that has given me so much enjoyment and success and as I make the decision to hang up my boots I can honestly say I gave it everything I had.”
Cahill played for England at the 2014 and 2018 World Cup, as well Euro 2016, captaining the side on five occasions.
He has been a free agent since being released by Bournemouth the end of last season.
“Amazing highs like winning the Champions League and Premier League, to the privilege of captaining my county and Chelsea in an FA Cup-winning team will remain with me forever,” he added.
“Taking the decision to stop playing is not an easy one. I’ve spent 20 years training every day, putting in the work to be in the best possible shape for matchday to help the teams I’ve played for be successful.
“I’ve had time to consider my options and after much deliberation and reflection I feel now is the time to move on to the next stage of my career.”
Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – follow your team and sign up for notifications in the BBC Sport app to make sure you never miss a moment
At the 2021 Grammys, Beyoncé picked up four awards, bringing her total to 28 and making her the winningest woman in Grammy history.
At the 2023 ceremony, she will have nine chances to add to her total: The 41-year-old star is the top nominee for the 65th annual Grammy Awards, with all but one of her nods coming for her dance-heavy album “Renaissance.”
She leads a pack that includes Kendrick Lamar, with eight nominations; Adele and Brandi Carlile, with seven apiece; and Harry Styles, Mary J. Blige, Future, DJ Khaled and the producer and songwriter The-Dream, with six each, the Recording Academy announced on Tuesday.
The awards will be held on Feb. 5 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (the former Staples Center) in what the academy is hoping will be its return to something like normal operating procedure after two years of delays and complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Beyoncé’s nominations are in each of the three big all-genre categories — album of the year, plus record and song of the year for her single “Break My Soul” — as well as in the dance/electronic field and in R&B, where her tracks “Virgo’s Groove” (R&B performance), “Plastic Off the Sofa” (traditional R&B performance) and “Cuff It” (R&B song) were all recognized. She is also up for best song written for visual media for “Be Alive,” from the film “King Richard.”
Those bring Beyoncé to a career total of 88 nominations — tying Jay-Z, her husband, for the most received by any artist in the history of the awards. (Jay-Z, who had held the record with 83 nods, got five more this year, for contributions to “Renaissance” and DJ Khaled’s “God Did.”)
If Beyoncé takes three awards in February, she will match the classical conductor Georg Solti for the most Grammy wins by any artist. (She is already tied for second place in that race, with Quincy Jones.)
Despite the shower of nominations Beyoncé has received over the years, going back to her time in Destiny’s Child two decades ago, she has won only once in any of the four most prestigious categories: as a credited songwriter of “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” which took song of the year in 2010. Every other victory has been in down-ballot genre fields.
In what is sure to be one of the night’s major story lines, Beyoncé will once again face Adele in multiple contests, including album of the year (“Renaissance” vs. Adele’s “30”) and both record and song of the year (“Break My Soul” vs. “Easy on Me”).
The two women, both titans of contemporary pop with ardent fan bases, last squared off at the 2017 Grammys. That year, Adele’s “25” beat Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” in a closely watched contest for album of the year that fed into longtime complaints that the awards often fail to recognize Black musicians in the most prominent categories. Accepting the award, a tearful Adele said, “I’m very grateful and gracious, but my artist of my life is Beyoncé.”
This year’s other nominees for album of the year include Lamar, for “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” his return after five years; Styles’s “Harry’s House”; Lizzo’s “Special”; Carlile’s “In These Silent Days”; Mary J. Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous” (in its “deluxe” edition); Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres”; Abba’s “Voyage,” the Swedish foursome’s first new album in 40 years; and Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti.”
“Un Verano,” a streaming blockbuster and the year’s best-selling album so far, is the first release performed entirely in Spanish to be up for album of the year. Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican star, is the top nominee at the Latin Grammys on Thursday, with 10.
For record of the year, which goes to the artists, producers and engineers behind a single track, “Break My Soul” and “Easy on Me” will compete against Styles’s “As It Was”; Lizzo’s “About Damn Time”; Doja Cat’s “Woman”; Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5”; Carlile’s “You and Me on the Rock,” featuring Lucius; Abba’s “Don’t Shut Me Down”; Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous; and “Bad Habit,” the breakout hit by the 24-year-old singer and guitarist Steve Lacy, who built his reputation as an innovator on the fringes of alternative R&B.
“Break My Soul,” “Easy on Me,” “As It Was,” “About Damn Time,” “Bad Habit” and “The Heart Part 5” are also up for song of the year, a songwriters’ award, along with Gayle’s “Abcdefu”; Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That”; DJ Khaled’s “God Did”; and Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” an expansion of a track that originally appeared on Swift’s 2012 album “Red,” which she rereleased as a fresh recording last years.
As a vice president of the NBA’s players union, Jaylen Brown isn’t happy with how Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai handled the recent controversy surrounding All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving.
Earlier this month, Kyrie sparked backlash after posting a link on social media for the documentary Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, a 2018 film that focuses on antisemitic tropes, including claims that “many famous high-ranking Jews have admitted to worship[ing] Satan or Lucifer.”
Tsai later condemned Irving’s actions, before suspending him for at least five games. The Nets said the point guard will need to meet a “series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct” before he can return to the team.
While speaking with reporters after the Celtics’ win over the Thunder on Monday night, Brown called out Tsia.
“Tsai’s response was alarming to me.” Brown said. “He didn’t say that the organization was working together to get Kyrie back on the floor. He said that Kyrie had more work to do. And as vice president of the players union, it’s part of my job to protect our players legally. And to see Phil Knight first come out and condemn Kyrie, and also see Joe Tsai say he has more work to do, I think it’s time for a larger conversation.”
Brown also said he doesn’t think Kyrie “meant any harm” by posting the link to the antisemitic film.
“Obviously it came off as insensitive to a lot of people,” Brown said. “But Adam Silver came out with a statement saying he doesn’t believe Kyrie Irving is antisemitic. Joe Tsai came out and said in a statement that they don’t believe he is antisemitic. Those were their words. He [Kyrie] already apologized.”
Brown added, “Our society has more work to do, including Joe Tsai. It’s 2022, it takes ten minutes of time to see who these business owners, corporations, etc, who they’re associated with, who they’re doing business with, who they’re affiliated with. I think it’s time for a larger conversation.”
According to Apostle Mike Etrue, Ghana’s economy will be returned to the road of prosperity and the nation would never experience the same kind of devastating economic crises and political instability as Sri Lanka.
“In times of despair, there is only one hope. our hope is in the Lord. He will never fail our nation Ghana. Ghana will prosper. Ghana will succeed. Ghana will continue to be blessed. Ghana will move from grace to grace. Once we have petitioned God, fasted, and prayed God will surely answer our prayers and Ghana will enjoy peace. Ghana will be victorious out of this economic crises” Apostle Mike Etrue stated.
He said this at Central Terbenacle in Koforidua during Sunday service to climax the three-day fasting and prayers instituted by the Executive Council of the Church for divine intervention in Ghana’s economic crises.
Apostle Mike Etrue said the fasting and prayers had nothing to do with politics but in fulfillment of divine responsibility that in times of adversity and despondency, God is the only hope to change situation.
“We are not doing politics. We want to save Ghana.”
Using Ezra 8:21-23 as main text, Apostle Etrue said, Ezra, camped the Israelites for three-days to proclaim a fast in order to humble themselves before God and to pray for His protection and leading during a perilous journey.
“God should intervene in the IMF negotiation. The nation will surely change. God should grant President, MPs, and Ministers wisdom to manage the economy.”
The National Tripartite Committee in line with Section 113 (1) (a) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) has reviewed the National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW) to GH₵14.88 pesewas.
The new minimum wage will take effect from January 1, 2023. The Committee concluded on this new wage after a meeting held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
The Tripartite Committee said in arriving at this new wage, it took into account the current economic challenges, cost of living, sustainability of businesses and desirability of attaining a higher level of employment, as well as the need for rapid restoration of macroeconomic stability.
“An increase in the NDMW by 10% over the 2022 NDMW which translates into a new NDMW of GH₵14.88; and a Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) of 15% over the 2023 NDMW,” the Committee said in a communique issued on Wednesday.
It also recommended that the new minimum wage should be tax exempt. It is expected that effective January 2023 all institutions or organizations that flout the revised wage will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.
The previous daily minimum wage was GH¢13.53 pesewas.
Robert Lewandowski has been banned for three Barcelona matches after a red card in their 2-1 win at Osasuna last week.
The 34-year-old striker, who is currently with Poland at the World Cup, was shown two yellow cards, the second for an elbow to David Garcia’s face.
Gerard Pique has been given a four-game ban after insulting the referee at half-time following that decision.
However former Spain defender Pique retired after that game.
Lewandowski’s three-game ban was because of a gesture showing a “contemptuous attitude towards the referees”.
It was only the second red card of his career – and he will miss La Liga games against Espanyol, Atletico Madrid and Getafe after returning from Qatar.
Calm has returned to Kenyasi in the Asutifi North District in the Ahafo Region following a clash between the youth of Kenyasi and security personnel of Newmont Ahafo Mines resulting in the death of one person and injuring many.
The Asutifi North District Security Council has begun investigations into the incident.
Speaking with Citi News, the District Chief Executive for Asutifi North, Anthony Mensah said, “Yes, it’s true something happened yesterday, but the security personnel were able to bring the security down. When you go there, you will see lots of security personnel there. The agitated youth are not there, we are trying to investigate the matter to know exactly what happened. The Minister is on his way coming, we are going to sit down with the minister and strategise to know the root of the matter, and then visit the scene, Newmont jurisdiction, and then visit the families affected. We will then sit down with Newmont to strategise to bring peace within the community and the company”.
His remarks follow the government’s announcement that a private developer will be hired to convert the Seglemi Housing Project into a living space.
At a news conference in Accra on November 13, 2022, the Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye, stated that the government no longer has the financial resources to engage in the project once again.
But in an interview with Starr News, Mr. Baezie said he was baffled by the reasoning behind the government’s choice.
“In Ghana we all know two State Institutions that are responsible for water; these are the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency. Looking at the location and reach of the Seglemi Housing at the moment as we are told 1,500 housing units have been completed and ready for habitation.
“That 1,500 housing units can easily qualify under the policy of the government itself, thus the Ministry of Water and Sanitation for what we call the Small Town Water System. So you don’t need an expensive extension of Ghana Water to the place at this very moment. All you can do is to survey the area, get a number of bole-holes and pump the water on an overhead facility and then connect it to the housing units,” Mr. Baezie stated.
He continued: “I don’t think that will cost us about $21 million US dollars. So that side in itself we have to look at again. Now if you are familiar with that bit you will realize that we also have electricity along that stretch to a point. So the number of electric poles that will be extended to get into Seglemi again I don’t think it’s going to cost us that much.”
“So I am very doubtful of the $42 million US dollars that have been calculated. I am thinking that it’s just a way of some people thinking that we may not be in power in 2024 so let’s prepare our retirement benefits. So that we can line our pockets when we get out we can use it to cushion ourselves,” Mr. Baezie added.
A statesman and politician, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has expressed discontentment about the procedure that investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas uses in airing his documentaries.
His comment comes after Anas Aremeyaw Anas aired his documentary ‘Galamsey Economy,’ which featured the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen.
Mr. Adu Boahen is said to have told the undercover investigators that Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia needed $200,000 as an ‘appearance fee’ before meeting with supposed investors.
The Minister was also reported to have said that the Vice President would demand some contracts from an investor for his siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
According to the stalwart of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he does not believe Anas Aremeyaw Anas is actually practicing investigative journalism.
“I have made it clear that I personally don’t believe Anas. I don’t believe he is an investigative journalist. An investigative journalist does his works in such a way that all the points that he got are so important to him that no one never hears about it”, he said.
Speaking to JoyNews in an exclusive interview with host Benjamin Akakpo, Mr Nyaho-Tamakloe asserted that the first most important thing that Anas should do is to release his documentary to the public.
However, Mr Nyaho-Tamakloe said Anas Aremeyaw Anas, after working on this documentary, then gives it out to the government first before airing it to the public.
“The first thing he should do is to release it to the public, in the public hall or something.
“But here we have a situation where this particular investigative journalist, when he comes out with something, makes sure it’s seen by the leaders of the country before it gets to the public.
The statesman indicated that the last investigative documentary of Anas featured the President and his vice but nothing has been done about it.
“His last investigative work, the names of the President and the Vice President came in. What has happened? We should stop the sort of thinking that the people of this country are fools”, he added.
James Maddison is hopeful of being fit enough to play in England’s opener against Iran next Monday after picking up a knockFifa World CupHost nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Day-by-day TV listings – Full coverage details
James Maddison said he never gave up hope of being part of the England squad for the Fifa World Cup despite his three-year absence from the international picture.
The Leicester midfielder, 25, made his England debut in November 2019 – still his only cap for his country.
But Maddison’s excellent club form this season earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for Qatar.
“I didn’t think it was a closed door and the opportunity had gone,” he said.
“It was just about staying hungry and almost using the rejection as not being called as motivation.”
I never thought England was a closed door – Maddison
A desert World Cup blighted by a dust-storm of controversy’World Cup controversies take some excitement away’ – Gabby LoganHow did Qatar get to host the World Cup?Ten icons who could be in their final World CupNo uniform choice for Virgin crew on World Cup flight
Maddison’s one and only England appearance came in a 7-0 Euro 2020 qualifier win against Montenegro and he has had to wait patiently for his next international opportunity.
He has been instrumental in Leicester’s rise from bottom of the Premier League table to 13th this season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in 13 games.
However, he was still not certain whether it would be enough to earn a call-up and he admitted it was an emotional moment when he was told he was in the squad.
Watch as England arrive in Qatar for the World Cup
“My dad actually cried and my dad’s not a crier; I don’t think I’ve seen him cry for years,” he added.
“They were happy tears of course because your family and your parents are on this journey with you.
“The disappointment in previous years of not being selected is spread across the family because your family want what’s best for you.
“But on the opposite end, the happiness comes too.”
There was a scare when Maddison limped off in Leicester’s 2-0 win at West Ham last Saturday, but it was soon confirmed that it was just a knock.
And Maddison says he is confident he will be fit for England’s opener against Iran on Monday (13:00 GMT).
“The scan was a good scan and no major problem,” he said. “I’ll have to do a little bit of work with the physios here to get up to full speed.
“It shouldn’t affect me playing in the first game. I might just have to do some separate work with the physios, but I’m hopeful I’ll be fine.”
Fifa World Cup: Groups & ScheduleWorld Cup TV Coverage guide
Get the latest results and goal notifications for any team at the Fifa World Cup by downloading the BBC Sport app: Appleexternal-link – Androidexternal-link – Amazonexternal-link
Get your daily dose of Fifa World Cup reaction, debate & analysis with World Cup Daily on BBC Sounds
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin acknowledged that the motion had been filed by the minority and established a seven-person committee to look into it.
At a meeting of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Monday, Mr. Kobina Tahir Hammond, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adansi Asokwa and Co-Chair, stated that the situation included aspects of criminality, politics, and civil obligations.
“We accordingly decided that we give the proponents of the Motion the opportunity to present to us (the Committee) and of course more importantly the particular individual involved in this matter and the specifics of the matter…” he said.
K.T. Hammond had earlier asked that Mr Ofori-Atta appeared on Thursday, November 17, to respond to the issues but Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Counsel for the finance minister, informed the Committee that his client needs 48 hours to prepare adequately for the hearing.
He said the proponents of the Motion were not accusers of the finance minister and that they moved it because in their estimation, the Minister was not performing his public duty as expected of him under the laws and Constitution of Ghana.
Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, the Counsel of Mr Ofori-Atta, in his submission, appealed to the Committee to ensure that documents on specifics of the proponents were made available to his client in the interest of fairness.
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu stated the seven grounds for the Minority’s motion of censure against Mr Ofori-Atta.
Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, in his presentation to the Committee on the Motion, accused the Minister of deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament, among other things.
A cross-section of the Ad-Hoc Committee
Mr Ofori-Atta was accompanied to the hearing by his wife, Professor Angela Ofori-Atta; Dr John Ampontuah Kumah, a Deputy Minister of Finance and Mrs Abena Osei Asare, a Deputy Minister of Finance.
The Minority Members on the committee are Samuel Okudzoto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu; Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Klottey-Korle; and Mr Bernard Ahiafor, MP, Akatsi South.
Members from the Majority side are Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah, MP for Okaikkwei Central; Mr Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, MP, Asante-Akyim Central; and Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer, MP, Sekondi.
It has now been established that the ‘Galamsey Economy’ documentary by Anas Aremeyaw Anas had footage from 2018 forming the juiciest part, an alleged bust of a Minister of State soliciting bribes for others and and receiving same for himself.
In opening up on the extent of his involvement in the episode that has since gotten him fired by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, embattled Charles Adu Boahen, said his encounter with investigators clothed a business men was on 8 February 2018.
Whereas he accepted a gift of undisclosed amount of dollars, a pro-government radio station, Asaase Radio, is reporting that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta turned out to be the major target of the Tiger Eye PI agents.
Read relevant portions of the Asaase Radio report of November 14 below:
They were to have their chance, they thought, when after several attempts Mr. Ofori-Atta agreed to meet them at the airport in Dubai on transit to Tokyo, Japan.
In the company of his then Personal Assistant (PA), Michael Bediako, Mr. Ofori-Atta met the supposed investors (investigators) at the Dubai terminal hotel (Dubai International Airport) on 5 April 2018 at around 6:30am.
The meeting, per our checks, lasted some five minutes. Ken Ofori-Atta left very irritated when he was offered a “gift”, which he refused to accept, and walked out with his PA who was also offered a gift that was rejected as well.
Background
Charles Adu Boahen, then a deputy Minister of Finance was implicated in the ‘Galamsey Economy’ investigative documentary released by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas on November 14.
The now dismissed minister was captured on tape making comments to the effect that access by investors to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia could be facilitated at a cost of US$200,000.
Bawumia has dispelled the allegations and insisted that his integrity remains his most cherished asset in life.
“My most cherished asset in life is my integrity and I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities,” Bawumia said in a post calling for the minister’s dismissal.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has since terminated Adu Boahen’s appointment and referred the contents of the investigation to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Kevin Sheedy (right) scored four goals in 46 games for the Republic of Ireland between 1984 and 1993.
You don’t need to go back to 1958 for the last time a Welsh-born player scored at a World Cup finals.
Terry Medwin’s winning goal in a play-off against Hungary 64 years ago in Sweden was Wales’ last goal scored in the tournament.
But the last goal to be scored by Welsh-born player in the finals was the Republic or Ireland’s first goal on the biggest stage of all.
Kevin Sheedy was born in the mid-Wales market town of Builth Wells, where he lived until the age of four, when the family moved to Hereford.
With a Brecon-born mother and with his father a County Clare native who had moved to the UK at the age of 16, Sheedy was eligible to play for Wales as well as the Republic of Ireland.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW), thanks to the efforts of former under-21 boss Brian Flynn and ex-talent manager Gus Williams, have done so much to identify and embrace Welsh qualified players in recent times.
But in the mid-1970s, an FAW official’s response to a query from a 16-year-old Sheedy would shape the course of his career.
“I was playing for Hereford United and I got a letter from the Irish FA (Football Association) to say I’d be selected for a forthcoming game,” Sheedy recalls.
“I knew I was eligible for both Ireland and Wales so I rang the Welsh FA and asked them if I was going to be in their upcoming squad.
“They gave me the answer that they weren’t in the business of telling people until it was done publicly.
“I would have had a decision to make had they said I was in the squad, but I opted for Ireland.”
Sheedy progressed through the Republic’s youth teams before he was handed his senior debut in 1984, by which time he was with Everton.
The winger with a deft left foot was a pivotal figure in Everton’s unprecedented success under Howard Kendall during the mid-1980s and was known for his trademark free-kicks.
Everton won two Division One titles, one FA Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup and Sheedy’s club-mates included Neville Southall and Kevin Ratcliffe.
But while the Welsh pair enjoyed domestic success with Everton, qualification for major international tournaments eluded them.
“I used to give Kev and Nev a bit of banter that they had just missed out,” recalls Sheedy.
Kevin Sheedy (left) with Everton team-mate and Wales captain Kevin Ratcliffe in 1985
“But it was a shame for those two because they were world-class players and they deserved to play at the top tournaments.”
The Republic of Ireland had not figured at any major tournaments until the arrival of England’s 1966 World Cup winner Jack Charlton as manager in 1986.
“Jack came in and he was a great bloke,” Sheedy said. “He had his own way – it was Jack’s way or the highway and if you didn’t fit into that, he was ruthless.
“He got the rules and knew who was eligible – the likes of John Aldridge and Ray Houghton.
“We already had a decent team but these were just the icing on the cake.
“We just gelled as a team and Jack got a system of play he wanted and the players bought into it.
“All the players were playing for the top teams in the top divisions so, when it came to these big international games, we had that experience to go with us and that helped.”
Charlton’s side delivered the Republic’s first a major-tournament appearance in 1988, qualifying for the European Championship in West Germany.
After famously beating England, Charlton’s men were only denied a place in the semi-finals by a late winner from eventual champions the Netherlands, and two years later qualified for the World Cup in Italy.
“We got great confidence from Euro 88 – we knew we could compete against the best sides in the world,” Sheedy added.
Charlton’s side were in Group D along with Egypt, Netherlands and England, who they played in the opening game. Sheedy scored the Irish equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
“It was a typical derby game because we all knew each other,” Sheedy said of the game, played in Cagliari in June 1990.
Kevin Sheedy beats Romania’s Silviu Lung from the penalty spot in the 990 World Cup Round of 16.
“Gary Stevens and Trevor Steven were team-mates of mine and Gary Lineker was a former team-mate and he scored after about six minutes.
“I just remember trying to play a pass to Tony Cascarino and Steve McMahon, who had just come on as a sub, intercepted it and tried to play a square pass to Gary Stevens.
“But I intercepted it and as soon as it left my boot it passed Peter Shilton’s left hand and went in the back of the net.
“It was Ireland’s first ever goal at the World Cup – a piece of history that I will always have, and it’s got be numerous free pints of Guinness all over the world.”
Draws against Egypt and the Netherlands would ensure the Republic’s place in the last 16 against Romania in Genoa.
The sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of football and so the game required penalties, with Sheedy the first to step up for his team.
“I was the penalty taker for Everton and had taken penalties for Ireland so I had the experience,” Sheedy said.
“It was a long walk but the Irish fans were behind the goal and I just held my nerve, [I was thinking] hit it as hard as I could down the middle and keep it high. I hit it perfectly, to my great relief.”
Both sides had successfully converted four penalties by the time Daniel Timofte stepped up to take Romania’s fifth kick
“You could see he was nervous in his walk,” Sheedy said.
“Packie (goalkeeper Pat Bonner) went the right way and saved. Another piece of Irish history.”
That meant that if Ireland scored their next penalty, they would go through.
But Sheedy remembers: “Nobody offered to take the fifth penalty. David O’Leary said ‘If nobody wants to take then I’ll take it’.
“I said to him as we was walking ‘Dave, just pick your spot and don’t change your mind and hit it as hard as you can’.
“He buried it in the corner and it got us through to the quarter-finals against Italy in Rome.”
But before facing with the hosts in the Olympic Stadium, Charlton’s squad went to meet the Pope.
“The story is when we landed in Italy for the first time, Ray Houghton shouted to Jack ‘what will we do if we get to the quarter finals?’,” Sheedy explains.
“Jack turned around. ‘If we get to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Rome against Italy, I’ll get you an audience with the Pope’.
“A couple of days before the quarter-final, we all jumped on a coach not knowing where we were going and indeed we had an audience with the Pope.
“Jack must have known people in high places, but that was a magic experience.”
The Republic’s World Cup adventure came to an end as Toto Schillaci’s goal sent Italy into the last four.
“It was a tight game and we could have won it 1-0,” Sheedy said.
Jack Charlton and the Republic of Ireland squad with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican
“It was just unfortunate that the ball broke to Schillaci, as he was on fire in that tournament.
“We were bitterly disappointed and Jack said after the game ‘you don’t know how close you’ve come to winning the World Cup’.
“The supporters still come up and talk about those days.”
The Republic would also qualify for the World Cup in the United States four years later and the 2002 finals.
They will not be in Qatar, but Sheedy’s country of birth will be there after ending an absence of 64 years.
“They’ve thoroughly deserved to qualify and hopefully they can get out of the group and put in good performances,” Sheedy says.
“It’s then up to the younger players to want to be in that position, because they have got some good players.
“Hopefully this will then be the start of future tournaments for them and the supporters.”
The members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) who seem displeased with the development have expressed their frustrations.
Speaking in an interview with the host of Atinka FM’s AM Drive, the President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr Joseph Obeng said the sale of the foodstuffs at the Agric Ministry is unfair to traders in general.
Dr Joseph Obeng asked the Ministry to consider adding a system to add value to the foodstuffs to make the program sustainable.
“These are market women who travel miles and pick over 5 cars to go and get foodstuffs at reasonable prices for the consuming public.” These women lose their capital in the process because when the vehicles conveying the foodstuffs get stuck in the course of the journey, the foodstuffs start to decay. “It’s unfair to compare the prices at the Ministry considering the fact that the Ministry already has vehicles and a proper transport system to convey the foodstuffs,” Dr. Joseph Obeng told Kaakyire Ofori Ayim.
Stale Solbakken will be without Erling Haaland for Thursday’s trip to DublinInternational friendly: Republic of Ireland v NorwayVenue: Aviva Stadium Dublin Date: Thursday, 17 November Kick-off: 19:45 GMTCoverage: Live text and report on the BBC Sport website
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has said the “world was asleep” when Qatar was awarded the World Cup by Fifa.
Solbakken added that “Fifa has the biggest failing” and made “the biggest mistake” when Qatar was controversially named as host nation in 2010.
The Norwegian boss was speaking before Thursday’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
“The first years after it was given to Qatar, I think the whole world was more or less asleep,” he said.
“I think it’s only in the last years that it’s suddenly, ‘Oh, the World Cup in Qatar’.
“I don’t think football has done enough, I don’t think journalists have done enough. I think you also have been asleep for a long, long time.”
Haaland to miss Republic friendly
Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights and treatment of migrant workers before the tournament.
Norway, like the Republic of Ireland, did not qualify for the World Cup but Solbakken, when asked if he would have been uncomfortable taking his team to Qatar, added: “I think nobody is comfortable with it.
“But the teams that are going there, obviously the players’ main issue should be to play football and for the coaches to coach the team.
“But I think at the same time, football’s political people have a great responsibility to make a stand that this kind of way of where certain World Cups should go, that you need to act in a certain way and you have to have equal rights for all human beings and that all people are treated well.”
When asked about Solbakken’s remarks, Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny said: “It’s a legitimate criticism. I can’t discount that point of view. I personally made that point on the two occasions when we played Qatar.
“I spoke out at that time when we played Qatar in our group home and away, the disparity between rich and poor in Qatar, the deaths of the migrant workers – obviously the numbers have been questioned, different media outlets have given different accounts of what kind of numbers.
“But there’s no doubt that it was distressing and very tragic, really, in those circumstances. It shouldn’t happen, that’s for sure.”
Watch as England arrive in Qatar for the World CupKenny defends Qatar scouting trip
Kenny has defended his decision to spend five days in Qatar as he scouts France and the Netherlands before the start of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
In contrast, Norway will be sending only one member of staff – an analyst to assess Euro 2024 qualifying opponents Spain.
“I’m just going in and out for five days. I’m going to see France twice – I’ve got to do the job to the best of my ability as Irish manager. I get to see France twice against Tunisia and Denmark, I get to see Holland ahead of the World Cup,” said the 51-year-old.
“Obviously, with the nature of matches only being an hour away, I get the opportunity to go to eight games in five days just to continue learning and to find out about France and Holland particularly before we play them, which is important for us, massive for us.
“Everything has been building towards this European Championship and towards attempting to qualify for the European Championship.
“That’s been a big ambition and it’s important to see the teams at their best in full flight. It gives you a real perspective on the team. That’s the reason I’m going.”
Norway will be without star striker Erling Haaland for the trip to Dublin after the Manchester City forward missed a number of games with a foot injury.
Meanwhile, the Republic could hand a debut to Oxford United’s Mark Sykes and 18-year-old Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.
According to Deputy Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar, the Saglemi Inexpensive Housing Project won’t be affordable after it’s finished.
One unit can “cost in excess of $205,000,” she said during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show on Monday, November 14, 2022.
“The truth is that it will be deceptive on my part to say this project will be affordable because already government has invested $160m and we need an additional $114m . . . one apartment of a two-bedroom house will cost in excess of $205,000 per unit,” she added.
The project was initiated in 2012 under the erstwhile Mahama government for the delivery of 5,000 housing units at a total cost of US$200 million under an Engineering-Procurement-Contracting (EPC) Agreement with Messrs Construtora OAS Ghana Limited.
The original contract of the housing project, he revealed, was amended by the Mahama government from the initial aim of constructing 5,000 houses to 1,500 houses at the same cost.
“Even with the 1,500 that I am talking about, they were not even complete. They said it is at various stages of completion. Some were 90% complete and some 20%, so the 1,500 were not all completed. Also, it was inhabitable because there is no electricity connection to the place. There is no water connection to the place and other important amenities that, without them, will make living there very difficult,” he expounded.
Mr Asenso-Boakye said because the current administration is committed to completing the project, his ministry has tasked the Ghana Institution of Surveyors to evaluate the housing unit and the findings pointed out that the Mahama government had spent $196 million representing 98% of the project funds without providing the basic amenities that will make it possible for people to live in the houses nor had they completed the 1,500 houses to make it available for people.
Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney has been charged by the Football Association with more than 200 alleged breaches of betting rules.
Visit our Brentford page for all the latest Bees news, analysis and fan views. You can now get Brentford news notifications in the BBC Sport app – find out more
Our coverage of Brentford is bigger and better than ever before – here’s everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a momentEverything Brentford – go straight to all the best content
A group of African think tanks and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called for the suspension of the Tema LNG project.
In a statement, the group convened by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and the IMANI Center for Policy & Education (IMANI) said the deal was botched and could cost a $1.5 billion loss to Ghana.
They also called for the public release of all contracts and related agreements entered into by Ghana National Petroleum Corporation in relation to the Tema LNG project, as well as a halt to further funding and financing for the project.
Giving background to these calls, the CSOs held deliberations on the virtual sidelines of COP 27 on 9th November 2022 and launched case studies intending to show how corruption, mismanagement and onerous off-take terms, have hampered the strategic flexibility of African governments.
This has been done by saddling them with mounting debts and poor response choices.
The first brief looked at the Tema LNG Terminal (Tema LNG), which is a project led by Helios Investment Partners to import LNG into Ghana.
The project was expected to start operations in 2020 but as of November 2022, it is still not online.
“Tema LNG poses a major risk to the already strained finances of GNPC. Calculations by ACEP and IMANI suggest GNPC could be paying between $790 million – $1.357 billion a year (based on average 2022 Brent crude prices) for gas the country doesn’t need,” the group said in the statement.
It also noted that the Tema LNG project was marred by “perverse bid-rigging and attendant procurement irregularities have heightened the corruption risk associated with the project.”
The group lamented that these “costly investments” in oil and gas have been backed by the international community.
“Development finance institutions have spent at least US$2.8bn in direct project finance to support the development of upstream and downstream fossil fuel projects in Ghana since 2010. Meanwhile, Ghana’s vast renewable energy potential has generally been overlooked.”
Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko were unable to make the home advantage count against Legon Cities in matchday 7 of the Ghana Premier League.
The Porcupine Warriors could not maintain their winning run after a 1-1 draw with Legon Cities at the Baba Yara Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The defending league champions opened the scoring after just 14 minutes into the much-anticipating clash through Steven Mukwala who scored from the spot.
It was the Ugandan striker second league goal for the Ghana Premier League giants.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the record Ghana Premier League holders.
After the break, the Royals who inflicted a 3-1 win over Kotoko at the same venue last season fought back to equalize.
Sadat Mohammed goal in the 51st minute ensured the Royals pick a point at the away.
Seydou Zerbo’s side has dropped from the 2nd position to 3rd after sharing the spoils with the Royals on home turf whiles Legon Cities maintains their 6th spot with 11 points.
The 2022/23 Ghana Premier League will now go on breaks for the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.
The Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has cautioned Chiefs in the country against settling cases of child abuse and domestic violence in their palaces.
Acts of child abuse and gender-based violence according to the Chief Justice are criminal and must be dealt with by the courts.
Speaking at the inauguration of the child-friendly and gender-based violence circuit court in Damongo in the Savannah region, Justice Anin Yeboah said it was criminal for Chiefs or anybody to settle such cases.
“Relegating such cases to tradition where the adjudicator is the head of the family or Chief is strongly discouraged. It is an offence to do so under the laws of Ghana.”
“The Laws frowns on that. Let us together instil discipline in our communities, and we have to change our attitudes towards perpetrators who commit these crimes,” the Chief Justice said.
He added that child-friendly courts being set up by the judiciary will prioritise cases of child abuse and gender-based violence cases.
At Art Basel this year, Nike will host “Virgil Abloh: The Codes c/o Architecture,” a four-day experience celebrating the late designer’s creative legacy. The program will run from Dec. 1 to 4 at the Rubell Museum in Miami and feature discussions, exhibitions, and workshops around Abloh’s work.
Nike says the intent of the program is to explore Abloh’s “Codes,” a set of distinctly Abloh design principles that can be applied to any medium. These principles will serve as guidelines for future Nike projects from Architecture, a team that Abloh assembled to execute his collaborations with the sportswear brand.
The Miami event is being held in collaboration with VA Securities, the creative corporation that is helmed by his widow, Shannon Abloh.
“Virgil and Nike thrived together because he understood the brand’s role as a cornerstone of culture while Nike understood the importance of truly supporting creatives and their visions,” said Shannon, in a press release. “This beautiful four-day experience at Miami Art Week will honor their legacy together and champion both Virgil’s open-source methods and his genuine commitment to collaborating with and inspiring others.”
The Codes exhibit in Miami will feature the official debut of the Off-White x Nike Terra Forma, an upcoming Abloh-designed pair that leaked this fall.
The shoe, which is the first from-scratch Nike model in his wide catalog with the Swoosh, will release alongside accompanying apparel in December.
The Hunters handed the visitors their second home defeat in the season at at the Theatre of Dreams Park, Dawu on Wednesday.
Bechem United pick up their first away win of the season while Dreams FC remain winless in their last five league games.
Agyenim Boateng opened the scoring for the hosts in the 30h minute of the game with a sublime finish, however Bechem equalised through Kofi Agbesimah from the penalty.
Emmanuel Avornyo scored three minutes before the break to put the visitors in front.
After the break, Dreams FC piled pressure on Bechem United, the last season’s MTN FA Cup finalist held on to seal all three points.
The win lifts Bechem United to 9th on the league table while Dreams FC drop to 14th after seven round of matches played so far.
Hum is a picturesque hilltop settlement in Croatia’s Istria region whose main call to fame is being the smallest town in the world.
Located in central Istria, approximately a 2.5 hours drive from Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb, the medieval hilltop town of Hum is home to between 20 and 30 people (21 according to the 2011 national census, and 27 as of 2021). Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but its first mention in historical documents dates back to the year 1102, when it was called Cholm. A bell and watch tower was built in 1552 as part of the town’s defenses, and guards and their families started moving in, but the town never really developed over the centuries, and even today it consists of just three neat rows of medieval houses and two streets.
Measuring only 100 meters long and 30 meters wide, it’s easy to see why Hum is considered the world’s smallest town. What’s not so clear is why it is classified as a village. After all, there are much smaller villages than this; some consist of just a handful of homes spread over long distances.
The reputation of ‘world’s smallest town’ has done wonders for Hum, and today tourism counts as one of the two main sources of income for the locals, along with agriculture. There isn’t that much to see, due to the sheer size of the place, but locals do their best to make visitors film welcome, and walking along one of the only two cobbled streets, admiring the medieval architecture has its charm.
Surrounded by a small stone fence erected in medieval times to protect the town from bandit attacks, Hum somehow never outgrew this barrier in the way that most other towns did. And now that it has a title to protect, I suspect we won’t be seeing any new homes being built there any time soon.
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has advised customers of the various financial institutions to desist from sharing their PIN Codes, debit/credit card verification values (CVVs) with people who pose as staff of banks.
CSA warned customers of financial institutions to be wary of SMS supposedly from their banks requesting that they will be assisted by an agent to link their Ghana cards with their accounts and credit/debit (ATM) cards.
This warning follows several reports circulated on various social media platforms regarding online fraudulent schemes targeting customers of various banks.
In a press statement issued by CSA, it said, “once the requested information is provided, the fraudsters undertake several online transactions causing financial loss to victims. Never share personal identifiable information including pin codes, debit/credit cards verification values (CVVs) and OTPs with anyone”.
The statement further entreated customers of the various financial institutions to visit or call their nearest bank branches for clarification, if in doubt of unusual requests.
Bibiani Gold Stars were held to a 1 -1 draw by Medeama SC on match week seven of the Ghana Premier League on Wednesday.
Ibrahim Laar cancelled out Kwasi Donsu’s early strike to secure a point for the home side in the Western derby.
Gold Stars failed to build on their impressive away win against Samartex at DUN’s Park.
Medeama took the lead through Kwesi Donsu in the 13th minute of the game. Fordjour dribbled past his marker and sent a nice through-pass to Donsu who neatly placed it past the goalkeeper.
Bibiani Gold Stars equalised in the 37th minute of the game courtesy of Ibrahim Laar’s strike.
The goal was Laar’s third goal of the season for Bibiani Gold Stars.
After the recess, few chances were created, however, neither team could snatch all three points.
The draw lifts Bibiani Gold Stars to 7th on the league standings while Medeama also move up to 13th.
Investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has released another groundbreaking exposé dubbed “Galamsey Economy.”
This documentary captures government officials, including Minister for State in Charge of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen who was recently dismissed by President Akufo-Addo for peddling his influence by requesting $200,000 from an investor (Tiger Eye PI agent) in exchange for audience with Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia.
Below is the full video of the much anticipated documentary.
NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson was at Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit on Saturday (Nov. 12) to help distribute free turkeys, hams, winter coats, toys and other items to about 800 families, The Detroit News reported.
The Magic Johnson Foundation, Ebenezer Church, which facilitated the distribution of vouchers, and several other partners hosted the drive-through event.
Johnson, a Lansing, Mich. native, worked alongside volunteers who loaded packages of food and other items into the car trunks of people in awe of the basketball star.
“Everybody should be able to enjoy the holidays, to be able to feed their families and sometimes because it is tough, we want to step in and make sure that they can have a good Thanksgiving and hopefully as well as Christmas,” Johnson told The Detroit Free Press.
“A lot of times it’s not even their fault that they’re hurting, so we just want to make sure that we bless families at this time of need. And my heart feels so good to be home,” he added.
Inflation is forcing many budget-squeeze households to cut back at Thanksgiving this year. Turkey prices are up 17 percent compared to 2021, CNBC reports. Other key ingredients also cost a lot more. The price of eggs rose 43 percent, and butter is up nearly 34 percent. Vegetable prices also increased moderately.
“Inflation is at unprecedented levels, families are hurting, things are unstable,” Bishop Edgar Vann of Ebenezer Church told the Free Press. “People don’t know what’s going to happen next for many of them. And so families are often left in an area sort of in the lurch a bit, and so we think we’re filling in a very important and significant gap.”
Lawanda Sampson told the Detroit News that a family member who attends Ebenezer Church informed her about the event, which will help her 12 – and 5-year-old grandchildren.
“This is a great opportunity. … They were saying that they were giving toys and stuff away,” Sampson said. “They’re going to be happy, you know they’re happy for anything they can get.”
Several other corporate and nonprofit organizations contributed to the event. They included Oklahoma-based nonprofit Feed the Children, which helped secure food for the 800 families, and General Motors provided funds and volunteers.
Nas is very aware that Jay-Z shared an image of him and all his Grammys on the same day he dropped the tracklist for Kings Disease III.
“Everyone who’s in Hip Hop is familiar with your beef with Jay-Z, what it was,” The Daily Show host Trevor Noah told Nas. “And I loved on here that you talk about that beef, what it was, how it disappeared, but how you’ll still text him saying ‘you know this isn’t over right?’”
“When I released the tracklist for the album the other day, he released a picture with all his Grammys,” Nas added. “Shout out to him.”
The song Noah was referring to was the album’s third track “Thun,” where Nas raps: “No beef or rivals, they playing ‘Ether’ on TIDAL, brothers can do anything when they decide to. In a Range Rover, dissecting bars from ‘Takeover.’ Sometimes I text Hova like, ‘N***a, this ain’t over.’”
Nas and Jay-Z have long reconciled since they traded shots on diss tracks like “Supa Ugly,” “Takeover,” “Ether” and “Last Real N***a Alive” in the early 2000s. The legendary duo squashed their beef on stage in 2005 during Jay-Z’s I Declare War Tour stop in New Jersey, and have since gone on to work together numerous times, including most recently on DJ Khaled’s “Sorry Not Sorry.”
However, Nas has always been open about the competitive spirit between him and his former rival, and in a recent FacTime call with Hov said their time together on “Sorry Not Sorry” inspired the Queens-bred legend to re-examine his bars.
“Alright, I’m just here tweaking lines and shit,” Nas said on the phone. “I’m in here, curating, rewriting four bars here and there … Oh, no no no. I gotta come back! Yo bro, this is one. The queen at the end, the harmonies, that gave me chills … this is definitely one for the books.”
The Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) has resumed full operations.
The company halted its operations on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, over demands by workers for better conditions of service including an increment in their salaries.
The agitations among other issues led to management’s decision to shut down operations.
However, Citi News can confirm that an agreement has been reached in a memorandum of understanding signed between both parties, including the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources.
According to a source, workers have also had their salaries increased by over 20%. This is on the back of management’s indication that workers rejected a 22% increment in their salaries.
The company partially resumed operations on Monday, November 7, 2022, after power was restored to some auxiliary sections of the company.
According to a source at the company, “Management has been tasked to publicly issue a press statement as to when operations will soon begin and when all workers are supposed to return to work.
Karela United hosted the Isha Allah boys at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park on Wednesday afternoon but unfortunately lost the clash.
The first half of the much-anticipated game ended in a pulsating goalless draw despite both teams creating some scoring opportunities.
After the break, the visitors shot into the lead through Joseph Adu Dwomoh in the 60th minute mark.
Prior to the clash, Karela United had recorded a 100 percent record home record, having defeated Tamale City, Dreams FC and Bechem United.
But defeat against King Faisal means the unbeaten home run has come to an end.
King Faisal who had a poor start to the 2022/23 campaign is having a season turn around after a back to back wins in the league.
They defeated Kotoku Royals 2-1 in matchday 6 last weekend.
Cobbinah Amissah and his King Faisal side have moved out of the relegation zone following the win against Karela United.
They currently sit 15th position with 6 points after 7 matches into the campaign whiles Karela United sits 8th position with 10 points after 7 matches.
The 2022/23 Ghana Premier League will now go on breaks for the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.
The chairman of the Competitive African Rice Platform, Yaw Adu Opoku, pushed back against concerns that profiteering from some traders and producers is driving food inflation.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Opoku noted that he was not making excessive profits from his investments in the rice value chain.
“I invest not less than GH¢6,000 on a ton, from farm gate to the retail levels. My margin is not GH¢200. So check. What is the percentage? So if someone talks about profiteering, I beg to differ.”
“It is passion, not profiteering. That is what is driving us, not profiteering. We are not making money out of this,” Mr. Opoku added.
Food inflation is currently at 43.7 percent and traders have been accused of profiteering amid Ghana’s economic crisis.
Ghana was earlier ranked 1st by the World Bank for having the highest food prices in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022.
According to the World Bank’s October 2022, Africa Pulse Report, food prices have gone up by 22 percent since January.
On some of his costs, he said last year, he was paying GHS 14,000 to transport 100 tons of rice from Tamale to Tema.
This has gone up to GHS60,000 to transport the same amount of rice from Tamale to Tema.
At the farm gate, he also said he last week, was paying GHS3,200 for a ton of paddy but this week, he is paying GHS4,800 from the same farm.
Despite this, Mr. Opoku said his rice has been selling for GHS750 for 50 kg, up from GHS500 last week.
He believes the current economic situation is bleak and “we are caught in a vice, all of us.”
“Fuel has jumped up. When the pump price goes down, the transporter will not go down. And the dollar has also gone up so when these two things class, we the ones who deal in them suffer.”
As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 13.0744 and a selling price of 13.0824.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 14.20 and sold at a rate of 14.80.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 15.5334 and a selling price of 15.5503 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 15.3676 and a selling price of 15.3856.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 16.20 and sold at a rate of 16.90.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 13.5497 and a selling price of 13.5632 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 13.5079 and a selling price of 13.5214.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 14.20 and sold at a rate of 14.75.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.7557 and a selling price of 0.7559 compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.7555 and a selling price of 0.7552.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 33.9126 and a selling price of 33.9722 as compared to Friday’s trading of a buying price of 33.8188 and a selling price of 33.9717.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 17.00 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 21.00.
For the CFA, it is trading at a buying price of 48.3630 and a selling price of 48.4112.
At a forex bureau in Accra, CFA is being bought at a rate of 19.70 CFA for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 23.50 CFA for every 1 Cedi.
