TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Kumepreko protestors expect Akufo-Addo, et al. to resign today 

    Today marks the end of the four-day ultimatum given by the “Kumepreko reloaded” demonstrators to President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to resign.  

    The angry protestors stormed the streets of Accra on Saturday, November 5, 2022, to protest the current economic hardships.

    They gave the aforementioned government officials up until Wednesday, November 9, 2022, to resign or face the wrath of concerned Ghanaians who will explore all legal means to ensure their impeachment. 

    However, the President, his deputy, and the Finance Minister remain at their posts, despite the calls for their resignation (as of today, which marks the deadline). 

    Consequently, private legal practitioner and lead-convenor of the Kumepreko reloaded demonstration, Martin Kpebu, has disclosed that organisers of the protest have started collecting signatures to petition Parliament for the impeachment of President Akufo-Addo and his vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

    In addition to this request, they have asked President Akufo-Addo to complete the procedures for Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, to be dismissed.

    “We’ve put together an online petition that we’ve invited citizens to sign up to; that is to say that they want the president and the vice to resign. That petition is gaining traction, many of our fellow citizens have signed up.”

    “So, we will be drawing more attention to it so that thousands and possibly millions of our fellow citizens would sign up then we would present the same to Parliament,” Martin Kpebu said on JoyFM on Monday, November 7, 2022.

    Meanwhile, the Kumepreko reloaded protest continues, with the next edition happening on November 15, 2022, outside Accra, according to the convenors. 

    The Private Legal Practitioner, by this move, intends to provide Ghanaians the platform to express their displeasure over the current happenings; i.e the fall of the cedi, high cost of living, etc. 

    “We are still debriefing, it is quite a process. We’ll have other meetings to analyse, but even before we were done with this one, we had received invitations from people in Kumasi, Takoradi, and even Tamale to come.

    “So we’ll need funding,” he added. 

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • You don’t talk to me but you want to pray for me – Shatta Wale reacts to Michy’s prayer appeal

    Controversial Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale has dominated the news for the last week.

    Shatta Wale and his former manager, Bullgod, had a public fight on social media where the former accused the latter, of being a suspect in the 2014 murder of Fennec Okyere leading to the reopening of the case involving the unsolved murder.

    Following his issue with Bulldog, Michy begged Ghanaians to pray for the father of her son, Majesty.

    “I would plead with Ghanaians, to support the father of my child, Shatta Wale with powerful prayers. I just pray that the revelations coming in won’t bring him further problems because once he is down, it will affect me and our son. So please pray,” she said on Movement TV.

    However, Shatta Wale has responded to Michy’s request for prayer from Ghanaians claiming that she enjoys playing a joke on the country.

    Shatta in a Snapchat message to Michy questioned if it makes sense for her to pray for him since she does not talk to him.

    According to Wale, a lot of people will fall for the format that Michy is using adding that they want to use his ex against him.

    Shatta Wrote;

    “You don’t talk to me but you want to pray for me. Does it makes sense at all. And plenty of people will fall for this format cuz you can’t see they want to use my ex against me. Keep spreading the news that I need help like Kanye West. Billionaire life is hard”

    The dancehall act in a bid to drag Bullgod online claimed that his estranged manager knows something about the death of Fennec Okyere, Kwaw Kese’s manager who was allegedly assassinated on 13th March 2014.

    Bulldog was once named a suspect following reports that he reportedly threatened Fennec’s life. However, he has been released years ago as the police continues to investigate the murder case.

  • 20-year-old Aikoadade enstooled as Development warrior in Oti Region

    The second runner-up for Ghana’s Most Beautiful 2022, Glory AikoAdade has been enstooled at Development warrior in Oti Region.

    The young veterinary doctor represented the Oti Region and won some awards while in the GMB house. AikoAdade who is passionate about fighting rabies gave the winner, Tung-Teiya Dunhamani a tough competition during the finale.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Glory Efua Aiko Adade (@aikoadade)

    Some of her supporters were left disappointed when she didn’t win and shared tears at the event grounds.

    Glory Efua Aiko Adade posted the video on her Instagram captioned;

    It’s humbling to share that royalty has been perpetually conferred on me to officially position me as an agent of change, an emblem of positive influence, and a development ambassador for my people.

    From this point forward, I will be identified with royalty as “Katɔisɛ Ɔkpãrogo Bonyi Iwola Aiko I” which means “The Development Warrior, Queen Sapient Aiko I”.✨✨

    I deem it a greater call to responsibility. God bless you all for the support and grit to keep this vision going.

    Many of her supporters have commented on the video.

    queenteiya_gmb22

    Congratulations bestie ❤️❤️❤️❤️. a plot of land for me

    ceciliaakotoampaw

    We are proud of you Queen Aiko indeed the glory of Oti is here ampaa

    kenyensorita

    Waaaaoooo congrat queen ❤️❤️❤️

    vivygrey2

    You deserve it queen Aikocongratulations

    godwin.otu.3348

    Congratulations to you #double queen

    arhbynarhlebene

    Queen already @aikoadade

    evangelina.patience

    Congratulations Queen Aiko well deserved ❤️

    dianesikabrown

    Woooow a beautiful queen and more congratulations dear..live long and rule for long

    nhits_sleekfashion

    Congratulations dear,we are so proud of you.

    uncle_manuel1

    Congratulations my indefatigable Aiko❤️…A Queen and more

  • Over 140,000 face water shortage in Ashanti Region due to galamsey activities

    The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has disclosed that over 140,000 people in Odaso and Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, have limited access to water on a daily basis as a result of illegal mining (galamsey).

    According to the company, it has drastically reduced the volumes of water sent to households in these areas, because galamsey is directly affecting its production and general operations.

    Residents of Obuasi and its vicinity are accustomed to experiencing acute water shortages because they receive piped water from the Odaso headworks.

    Individuals living there  say they are used to going weeks without any water coming out of their faucets.

    “We don’t often get water from our taps but every month we are being served with water bills to pay. This is really frustrating” says Gifty Ampomah, an Obuasi resident.

    To obtain water for domestic purposes, they must rely on groundwater or, in some cases, nearby streams. Those who can afford to buy sachet water for drinking purposes also do so.

    “My family and I drink at least a bag of sachet water every day. But the price of the water has in recent time gone up making life unbearable for us”, Kofi Anning hinted.

    “The illegal miners work at night and we don’t have any weapons to face them off. It’s risky to confront them at night”, chief of Odaso Nana Agyei hummed.

    Another worried resident, Albert Nyarko, noted, “we used to drink from the Oda River but not anymore. Even the military has not been successful in stopping the illegal miners. If you don’t take care, the miners will attack you”.

    The situation is not too different from the Konongo water treatment plant.

    According to officials, the daily cost of production has shot up from 7,000 cedis to 80,000 because more expensive chemicals have to be used in treating the water.

    Odaso treatment plant faces imminent shut down

    The GWCL is also facing severe problems in their water treatment facilities in the Ashanti, Western, Eastern and Western North Regions due to heavy pollution and consequently, low production.

    Citing the current dire situation in Odaso and Obuasi, GWCL says the continuous pollution of the Oda River by activities of illegal miners, has negatively affected output such that their four million gallons per day production has currently been reduced to about a million gallons a day.

    This situation therefore threatens the sustainability of the Odaso treatment plant 

    According to water company officials, the high amount of contamination at the input source causes at least 50% of the treated water to be wasted.

    Due to this, villages that receive their water via pipes from the Odaso treatment facility have started to practice water rationing on a regular basis.

    “For every normal plant, when we treat water, 5% of the water is lost. But for Odaso, we are experiencing a case as a result of illegal mining (galamsey) where about 50% translating into 2 million gallons of the water is lost after treatment”, Ashanti regional water quality assurance manager, Adam Yakubu disclosed.

    The Ghana Water Company Limited noted, the high turbidity level is causing frequent breakdown of the pumps at the Odaso beadwork.

    “Most of our pumps are not designed to treat this kind of water. They’re normally for turbidites around 5 to 10 but now we are experiencing turbidites of almost 3,000 and colour of 16,000 platinum-cobalt compared to the approved of about 200 and 300 platinum-cobalt. So as a result, the effect is dire on our equipment”, Mr Yakubu revealed.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • My hero: Nadia Buari and mother enjoy boat ride, beach tides in new video

    Caddy Buari, the adorable mother of Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari, is such a lovely and cool mother as her daughter actress takes to social media to share a video collage.

    The video collage sought to eulogise Nadia’s mother. It also shows how much of a cool mother Caddy Buari is to her children as well as her grandchildren.

    The beginning part of the video sees Caddy and Nadia going for a walk as they exercise their limbs. Other parts of the video shows her mother dancing with Nadia at a party and playing with Nadia’s children at the beach.

    Writing an emotional message for Caddy, Nadia thanked God for choosing her to be her mother. She then thanked Caddy for being her hero and for everything she wanted to be. Nadia went on to tell hr mother how much she loved her.

    Captioning the post on her official Instagram page, she wrote;

    When God made you my mother, He knew who I’d need.. When he picked you from the others. He could already see that you would be my hero and everything I wanna be. I love u so much mummy. ❤️. @caddybuari

    Beautiful video of Caddy Buari gets many people splashing Nadia Buari’s mother with love

    millicentmawudi

    This is lovely ❤️❤️

    ny_cheery_

    This is so beautiful you’re always celebrating your mum ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    victoriaallu

    Momma is so beautiful ❤️

    tinababy_gh

    Much love, mummy ❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • Learn from gov’t; cut down expenses – Sammi Awuku to Ghanaians 

    Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has called on the entire citizenry to downsize their expenditure by reassessing their needs and wants.

    Speaking to the media on the economic crisis Ghana is currently facing, the NLA boss mentioned that the government is adjusting its expenditure, and to make its actions count,  citizens also have to do the same.

    “We are in difficult times and as the government is cutting down on its expenditure, we as citizens also have to do the same. If you used to consume a tin of milk at a go, currently, you can’t do that. We must cut down on expenditure. Government is doing its part,” he said.

    Currently, the government is implementing a 30% cut in the salaries of political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MMDCEs, and SOE appointees.

    Also, there is a 30% cut in discretionary expenditures for ministries, departments, and agencies.

    In his latest address to the nation on the state of the current economy, President Akufo-Addo noted that his government will “reduce our total public debt to GDP ratio to some fifty-five percent (55%) in present value terms by 2028, with the servicing of our external debt pegged at not more than eighteen percent (18%) of our annual revenue also by 2028.”

    In his submission, Mr Sammi Awuku further bemoaned the activities of speculators which have led to the further depreciation of the local currency, particularly against the United States Dollar, in recent times.

    “We don’t print dollars. It is only that you receive, which you circulate. We should not be panicking. There are people with no linkage with the foreign currency but because he or she has heard that people are converting their cedi to dollars, he also does the same even though he would have no use for the foreign currency,” he said.

    As many feared that they would no longer be able to procure the quantity of dollars they needed, there was a mad rush for the American ‘greenback’, further eroding the value of the cedi.

    Ghana is heavily dependent on imported goods, and with the lack of dollars in the system and its high demand, there has been a significant rise in the general prices of goods and services.

    Transport fares have risen above normal levels due to the rise in petroleum products, which are among the commodities imported into the country.

    However, it has emerged that some traders and businesses are inflating prices beyond what is expected.

    According to Mr Sammi Awuku, such actions should not be encouraged, and over-pricing of goods and services must be put to an end immediately.

    “I’m pleading with drivers and traders to stop exploiting Ghanaians. Amidst the economic crisis, a businessman has decided to forfeit a profit of GH5 and go for GH20. What we forget is that when someone buys it for GH20, he or she would sell it for GH35,” Mr Awuku said.

     

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Stonebwoy sponsors free breast cancer screening for some women in Ashaiman

    Hundreds of women within the Ashaiman municipal district were beneficiaries of The Livingstone Foundation’s (TLF) free breast cancer screening on Sunday (October 29) at the Divine Healers Church, Ashaiman.

    The free breast cancer awareness screening program, sponsored by multiple award-winning musicians, Stonebwoy, in partnership with Core Care Ghana was one of the activities climaxing the month-long breast cancer awareness campaign, which is observed in October every year. It was held in response to a 2020 World Health Organization report, which concluded that over 685,000 out of 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer died.

    The exercise screened eligible women ranging in age from 20 to 68. The women were also taught how to perform breast self-examinations, which are critical in the early detection of breast cancer and other breast-related diseases.

    According to Ms. Valentina, Head of The Livingstone Foundation, the goal of this program is to increase public “brand awareness” of breast cancer, its detection, treatment, and the need for a reliable, permanent cure, as well as to ramp up awareness campaigns to prevent people from becoming victims of breast cancer.

    Beneficiaries of the program who spoke to the media thanked The Livingstone Foundation and Core Care Ghana for their timely intervention to emphasize the importance of early detection through medical consultations and encourage them to undergo regular health screening.

  • Sarkodie, Black Sherif, others among 2022 Top 50 Ghanaian Event Influencers in Africa

    Musicians Sarkodie, Black Sherif, GUBA Awards Founder, Dentaa Amoateng; Conference speaker, Dzigbordi K. Dosoo; Twinsdntbeg have been named in the 2022 list of Top 50 Ghanaian Event Influencers in Africa.

    They join other A-list stakeholders in Ghana’s growing event industry who have played a key role in sustaining the growth of the industry while lacing it with innovation.

    Rudy Kwakye of the Rave Media Group who has been a pivot to Afronation Ghana, the world’s biggest Afrobeats festival makes the list for the second year running. Some others that made the list for the second edition like the first include; Sarkodie, Theresa Ayoade (Charter House), Felix Adomako Mensah (Zion Felix), Jerry Adjorlolo (MC), Anita Erskine (MC), Kuami Eugene and DJ Vyrusky.

    DJ K Crakk, GHHyper, KobbyKyei and Mr Drew made their debut on the list. Empire Entertainment’s Nat Kwabena Adisi and Kojo Soboh (EMY Africa).

    The awardees were selected by an astute board and select panel after months of monitoring and fulfilling all stipulated conditions. They have shown leadership, resilience, zeal and consistency despite the economic downturn.

    They were spread across eight categories including Event Organizers, Event DJs, Conference Speakers, Master of Ceremonies, Event Bloggers, Event Entertainers, Event photographers, and Event Designers/Stylists.

    This year’s batch of honours will highlight the influence of top game-changers in the events industry in Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Other countries will follow in the subsequent years.

    The “Top 50 Event Influencers” is a list compiled by Africa’s fastest-growing Pan-African Business Solutions and Events company, Impact Concept and Solution Africa (ICS Africa).

    In partnership with leading PR, Research and Rating Organizations, Avance Media, the list will recognize, acknowledge, and honour event influencers across Africa for their independent contributions towards the development of the event space on the continent.

    Below are the names and recipients of the 2022 Top 50 Ghanaian Event Influencers in Africa.

    A. Top Influential Ghanaian Event Organizers:

    1. Beryl Agyekum Ayaba (Echo House)
    2. Theresa Ayoade (Charter House)
    3. Nabil Alhassan (Event Factory)
    4. Rudy Kwakye (Rave Media Group)
    5. Abdul Abdullah (Culture Management Group)
    6. Richard Abbey Jnr (Xodus Communications)
    7. Dentaa Amoateng (GUBA)
    8. Georgina Nettey (GeNET Services)

    B. Top Influential Ghanaian Event DJs:

    1) DJ Vyrusky
    2) DJ Aroma
    3) DJ K Crakk
    4) DJ Sly King
    5) DJ Mic Smith

    C. Top Influential Ghanaian Conference Speakers:

    1. Kwame A.A. Opoku
    2. Albert Ocran
    3. Amos Kevin Annan
    4. Dzigbordi K. Dosoo

    D. Top Influential Ghanaian Event Bloggers:

    1. Eugene Nkansah (Nkonkonsa)
    2 Aaron Safohene Afful (Ronnie is Everywhere)
    3. Felix Adomako Mensah (Zion Felix)
    4. Kobby Kyei (Kobby Kyei News)
    5. Stephen Adotey Mingle (GH Hyper)
    6. Ameyaw Kissi Debrah (Ameyaw Debrah)

    E. Top Influential Ghanaian Master of Ceremonies:

    1. Jerry Adjorlolo
    2. George Bannerman
    3. Berla Mundi
    4. Kabutey The MC
    5. Anita Erskine
    6. Myster Pratt

    F. Top Influential Ghanaian Event Entertainers

    1. Sarkodie
    2. Kuami Eugene
    3. Gyakie
    4. Stonebuoy
    5. KiDi
    6. Clemento Suarez
    7. Adina
    8. Black Sherif
    9. Jacinta
    10. Joe Mettle
    11. Mr. Drew

    G. Top Influential Ghanaian Event photographers:

    1. Twinsdntbeg (Swag of Africa)
    2. Robert Abban (Rob Photography)
    3. Sadiq More (Hype Lens Africa)
    4. Manuel Photography

    H. Top Influential Ghanaian Event Designers / Stylists:

    1. Lion Heart Events (Tamara Jonah-Goka)
    2. Debra-Jane Nelson (Think Mahogany Events)
    3. Madam Afi Amoro (Jandel)
    4. Akua Afriyie Sarpong-Ayisa (Unique Floral)
    5. Abokuma Ellis – Purple Twirl
    6. Bryan T Menson – White Chalk the Planner

  • OB Amponsah to crack ribs with ‘Ghanaian by card’

    Award-winning comedian OB Amponsah is set to thrill fans ahead of the yuletide on December 9 with his standup comedy show at the National Theatre dubbed “Ghanaian by card”.

    Every year in the last four years, OB has entertained Ghanaians to four yearly shows.

    OB Amponsah staged “Voices in my Head” in 2019, “Political Refugee” in 2020 and “Popular But Broke” in 2021.

    This year’s stand up comedy title “Ghanaian by Card” is inspired by recent happenings and hardships in the country.

    Outside of OB’s performance which is the highlight of the night, there will be massive support from some great Comedians and a surprise performance from one of Ghana’s celebrated artiste.

    OB Amponsah said he is excited about his contribution to the industry and is happy about this year’s show being brought to Ghanaians by Pebble, a streaming platform for authentic local content.

    OB Amponsah believes that this will open doors for other comedians and the creative industry as a whole to showcase and share their content for growth and of course money.

     

  • Corruption costs Ghana more than the $3bn it is seeking from IMF – Dr Ali-Nakyea

    A lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law is worried about the imprudence that surrounds government expenditure in the country.

    According to Dr Abdallah Ali-Nakyea, judicious spending could have saved the country many funds to the extent that government would not need support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    He alluded to the revelation in 2018 when the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Rev. Richard Quayson revealed that the country loses more than $3 billion every year through corruption.

    Coincidentally, it is about the same amount that the Finance Minister is seeking to get from the IMF in the ongoing talks.

    “The report of CHRAJ and Ghana Integrity Initiative exist telling us that we lose over $3 billion every year to corruption. That is the same amount we are going to the IMF for,” he said.

    Ali-Nakyea was speaking at the ICAG Round Table Meeting on Tuesday, November 8 which was aired on Joy FM.

    The programme was on the theme, ‘Managing IMF expectation and Ghana’s economy: the way forward.’

    The law lecture insisted that reducing the loopholes in expenditure will decelerate the widening debt deficit that the country has been suffering over the past few years.

    “So that is what I see about trying to hold the wide deficit. Let’s be prudent in our spending.”

    Ghana is currently at the doors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a possible $3 billion bailout amid intensifying hardship, skyrocketing fuel prices, a rising cost of living and a depreciating cedi.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Bill Treacher: EastEnders star dies aged 92

    Actor Bill Treacher, who played Arthur Fowler in EastEnders, has died aged 92, his family has confirmed.

    Treacher was one of the first actors to be cast in the BBC One soap, appearing in the first episode in February 1985.

    In a statement, his family confirmed the actor’s health “had been declining for some time”.

    “Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. He will be hugely missed,” they said.

    The actor died on Saturday, his family said, adding he “was much loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie”.

    Treacher appeared in EastEnders from 1985 until 1996.

    An EastEnders spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Bill Treacher. As one of our original cast members, Bill created a much loved character in Arthur Fowler and, alongside Wendy Richard, they created an iconic family in the Fowlers who still remain at the heart of the show.

    “Bill left EastEnders in 1996 so it is a true testament to both he, and the character that he created in Arthur, that he is still thought of so fondly. Bill will always be remembered for his charm, sense of humour – with a smile that lit up the room – and more importantly as a family man who was devoted to his wife and children.

    Wendy Richard as Pauline and Bill Treacher as Arthur
    Wendy Richard as Pauline and Bill Treacher as Arthur, pictured in 1994

    “Bill will forever be held in great affection by everyone at EastEnders and all those that loved watching him.”

    His co-stars Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale, and Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon Watts, were among those paying tribute.

    Taylforth said she had “so many happy memories of Bill”, adding: “He always had a sparkle in his eyes, usually before he mischievously set us off laughing during scenes.”

    Dean added: “Bill really was the life and soul of the set. As an actor, he was meticulous and he went to great lengths to portray Arthur, from the smallest scenes to the heartbreaking stories. Bill was an utter professional, a wonderful man.

    Former EastEnders star, Adam Woodyatt, said: “So many memories of working with Bill, most of them involving him making us corpse. He would get this twinkle in his eye, you’d start laughing and he never got the blame. I used to love it when he was trying to remember his lines in rehearsal and he would just blunder and bluster until the correct word came out.”

    Treacher was married to Australian actress Katherine Kessey, with whom he shared two children, and they were longstanding residents of Suffolk.

    In 2015, he said he was suffering from ataxia, a disorder that can affect co-ordination, balance and speech.

    Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler
    Viewers watched Arthur suffer a breakdown in 1986, one of the few occasions mental health was explored on TV at the time

    Treacher appeared in EastEnders until 1996, when his troubled character was given a prison sentence for a crime he did not commit.

    Arthur suffered a mental breakdown in prison, and eventually died of a brain haemorrhage at his beloved allotment a few days after his release in 1996.

    He died in hospital, leaving the Fowler family heartbroken.

    After his character was killed off, Treacher appeared in The Bill and Casualty, as well as films such as The Musketeer, Tale Of The Mummy, and George And The Dragon.

    Arthur Fowler – in pictures

     

    Peter Dean as Pete Beale, Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler, Wendy Richard as Pauline Fowler, Nick Berry as Simon Wicks (Wicksy) and Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale) in EastEnders

    1985: Christening Arthur and Wendy’s son Martin. L-R: Peter Dean as Pete Beale, Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler, Wendy Richard as Pauline Fowler, Nick Berry as Simon Wicks (Wicksy) and Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale

    Wendy Richard as Pauline Fowler and Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler in 'Eastenders', 1985
    Wendy Richard as Pauline Fowler and Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler in 1985
    Anna Wing as Lou,Susan Tully as Michelle,Wendy Richard as Pauline and Bill Treacher as Arthur in EastEnders
    Anna Wing as Lou,Susan Tully as Michelle,Wendy Richard as Pauline and Bill Treacher as Arthur
    Anna Wing as Lou, Bill Treacher as Arthur and Wendy Richard as Pauline
    Eastenders cast shot
    EastEnders cast shot 1985 – with Treacher at the left of the shot by the piano
    Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler and Susan Tully as Michelle Fowler
    Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler and Susan Tully as Michelle Fowler in 1986
    Peter Dean as Pete Beale, June Brown as Dot Cotton and Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler
    Peter Dean as Pete Beale, June Brown as Dot Cotton and Bill Treacher as Arthur Fowler, Halloween 1989
    Arthur Fowler by a market stall in EastEnders in 1989
    Arthur Fowler by a market stall in EastEnders in 1989
    The Fowler family celebrating Christmas in 1990
    The Fowler family celebrating Christmas in 1990
    Arthur Fowler in prison in 1995
    Arthur Fowler in prison in 1995
    The Fowler family pictured at Michelle's graduation
    The Fowler family pictured at Michelle’s graduation

  • Awutu Senya West: 1 feared dead, others wounded after clash over land boundary

    One person is feared dead, while five others are wounded after a clash over a piece of land between some persons in Gomoa Akaman and Awutu Bereku.

    According to an eyewitness, some group of persons armed with a gun and other weapons launched the attack on them.

    He recounted that the assailants shot at them sporadically.

    The five other persons who sustained gunshot wounds and machete wounds have since been taken to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.

    There’s a long-standing boundary dispute between Awutu and Gomoa.

    The parcel of land on which the incident occurred has been under litigation for years.

    But, Nai Kweku Adawu, the Nkosouhene of the Anona family of Awutu Beraku and owner of the land claims, he’s had a court judgement in his favour and therefore hired the services of the deceased and some others to grade the parcel of land.

    He suspects the attackers were sent by the other party he is litigating over ownership of the parcel of land.

    Some youth members of the Gomoa Akraman community claim they only went to the place peacefully to halt the grading activity.

    They rather blame the other party for launching an attack on them.

    Meanwhile, the Awutu Traditional Council is calling on the government to as a matter of urgency find an amicable solution to the boundary disputes in the area.
    Source: Citinews

  • Ghana Gas never paid GH¢8m to Kwasi Bonzoh – Owusu Bempah clarifies

    The Head of Corporate Communication at Ghana Gas, Ernest Owusu Bempah has denied claims that Ghana Gas paid GH¢8 million to the District Chief Executive of the Ellembelle, Kwasi Bonzoh.

    His denial comes days after the DCE demanded Owusu Bempah to either retract or face prosecution after some media houses attributed the said allegations to him.

    Addressing a joint press conference in Takoradi Owusu Bempah said he only noted that Ghana Gas had paid GH¢8 million to the District Assembly for property rate and Business Operating Permit but later realized only GH¢4.45 million had reached the Ellembelle District Assembly and not DCE.

    “I have not said anywhere that we have paid physical cash of GH¢8 million to Bonso K. personally. Thus, Ghana Gas has not paid cash or any other amount to Bonso K.”

    “That is factually inaccurate. I’ve never said it anywhere, and I have never said it on any platform. What Ghana Gas does is that because Ghana Gas is situated at Ellembelle and as a matter of fact, we pay rent or property rate and Business Operating Permit to the District Assembly to execute their businesses. In the cause of making those statements, there were some figures that were mentioned and the DCE also came in, and then it became some issue that we needed to clear the air on. So basically that was what actually happened, and we want to set the records straight,” he clarified.

    “I spoke to Nzema FM, but I never said that they paid certain amounts of money personally to Kwesi Bonso but to Ellembelle District Assembly. Since 2017 the amount that the Assembly has received per the DCE’s document is GH¢4.45 million. The other remaining amount is within the system going through the audit per the available information that I got before going to the press. The remaining amount will just go through the audit before the money is paid,“ he added.

    Ernest Owusu Bempah added that Ghana Gas has no issue with Kwasi Bonzoh or the Assembly.

    “Ghana Gas wants to say that there’s a cordial relationship between the District Assembly of Ellembelle. You can see I am here with my friend Kwasi Bonzoh, there’s no problem whatsoever as people may put it. We were both trained by Freddie Blay, and then we have been together for a long time as comrades in terms of our political struggle or our political fight. So we don’t have any problem“, he said.

    The DCE of Ellembelle on his part expressed satisfaction for the retraction of the allegation.

    “Now the records have been set, the assembly as has confirmed that it has since 2017 received a total payment of GH¢4.45million from Ghana Gas for the payment of property rate and business operating permit. All the money has gone into the District Assembly’s account and not to my personal account. The assembly is a public institution whose account is audited every year. As an Assembly, we will continue to work together with Ghana Gas. Now that this issue has been cleared, I also owe people a duty of accountability to the people of Ellembelle in terms of how these monies that have been paid to the assembly have been used,“ he noted.

    Kwasi Bonzoh, however, said he has no hand in calls for the sacking of Ghana Gas’ CEO.

    “As a DCE in the area, we picked up intelligence that there were some youth who felt they were not being given employment opportunities. These are grievances that I have nothing to do with, but once it comes to my attention, it is incumbent on me as DCE to make sure it is solved. We have brought that to the attention of the Board Chairman and to the CEO, which is being resolved,“ he explained.

  • Obaapa Christy turns DJ at 2022 Ghana DJ Awards

    Music lovers and DJs who attended the prestigious 10th edition of the Ghana DJ Awards have been left perplexed since the ceremony took place.

    The event which took place on the night of November 5 at the Silver Star Tower saw amazing performances from DJs, dancers, and musicians including sensational Ghanaian gospel artist Obaaba Christy.

    While all the artists performed their songs with the assistance of their respective DJs, Obaapa Christy used the night to showcase her DJing dexterity. To the amazement of patrons of the event, Obaapa Christy stood behind the turntables, selected her own songs, and performed as a DJ and a singer. She performed some of her notable songs including ‘W’asue Me’ while Djing.

    The enthusiastic crowd did not hold back from singing along and dancing as Obaapa Christy took control of the stage. It was evident that Obaapa Christy who was sharply dressed in a pair of jeans and a baggy T-shirt had a great time while entertaining the crowd.

    Many internet users have showered praise on Obaapa for her consistent amazing stage craft.

    The awards night ended with DJ Vyrusky being crowned as the Best DJ for the 5th consecutive time.

    Check out the video of Obaapa Christy’s performance below.

  • 2 grabbed for allegedly robbing UG foreign student

    Two drivers’ mates who allegedly robbed a student at the University of Ghana, Legon of her mobile phone valued at GH₵3,000 have been remanded into Police custody by an Accra Circuit Court.

    Emmanuel Baidoo alias Babana, 20 and Joseph Sam, 19 have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit, robbery.

    They pleaded not guilty before the court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah.

    The accused persons are expected to reappear on November 22, 2022.

    Inspector Daniel Danku prayed for the court to remand the accused persons pending further investigations into the matter whilst the Police arrested an accomplice who was at large.

    Inspector Danku told the court that the complainant, Georgina Lala Lala Ehemb, is a Senegalese National and a student at the University of Ghana, Legon.

    The prosecution said the accused persons live at Kaneshie and Bubuashie respectively.

    On November 2, 2022, the complainant was going to deliver a parcel of kinky hair to her auntie at P2 Garden at Osu in Accra.

    When the complainant reached LMI Holding Head Office, North Ridge in Accra, at about 6:30 pm, the two accused persons, and another now at large, emerged from their hideout and suddenly attacked her.

    During the attack, the prosecutor said one of the robbers smashed a bottle and stabbed the complainant behind her left ear and dragged it across the chest wounding her on both parts of her body before successfully robbing her of a Xioami MI 10T pro mobile phone valued at GHC3,000.00 and bolted.

    The prosecutor said the complainant who was bleeding profusely from the wounds inflicted on her by the suspected robbers raised an alarm.

    Two Police officers, General Corporal Bruce James Augustus Morton and General Constable John Sasu Adjei, detailed on visibility duties at Sankara Circle, a short distance away from the scene of the crime, heard the alarm raised by the complainant and swiftly moved towards the scene on a Police motorbike.

    The two accused persons, according to the prosecutor, saw the Police officers and bolted. But the Police officers pursued and arrested Baidoo in front of the Canadian Embassy.

    The prosecution said Joseph Sam the second accused person quickly moved behind the security post at the Canadian Embassy and threw the complainant’s mobile phone away and took to his heels, but witnesses pursued him and arrested him at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation bus stop heading towards Nima.

    A patrol team from the Cantonments Police station arrived a few minutes later and escorted the accused persons to the Police station and a formal complaint was made.

    The prosecutor said the Police issued the complainant with a medical form to seek treatment.

    Later, the accused persons were escorted to the crime scene and a search was conducted by the Police around the Canadian Embassy which led to the retrieval of the Xioami Mi 10T pro Mobile phone.

    Source: GNA

  • Prices of Bibles to go up from November 10 – Bible Society of Ghana

    The Bible Society of Ghana has announced a planned increment in the prices of Bibles across the country.

    In a statement on Tuesday, it said the increment in prices has been influenced by the “high rate of inflation” in addition to the “high cost of clearing from the ports”.

    The planned increment, according to the Management of the Bible Society, will take effect from 10th November, 2022.

    “Due to the high rate of inflation and high cost of clearing from the ports, our prices of Bibles would be slightly reviewed upwards, effective 10th November, 2022. God bless you for your understanding”, the statement said.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mantey, has urged Ghanaians to minimize their negative comments about the present economic crisis.

    Speaking at an event to climax the centenary celebration of the Asante Presbytery, he said the consistent negativity about the economy, does not augur well for the country.

    Addressing the gathering at Kumasi, he explained that the gloomy public narratives about the economy dampens the confidence of investors, leading to a decline in the inflow of foreign investments.

    Reiterating the President’s earlier call for citizens to stop the negative speculations about the local currency, he stressed the rampant lamentation over the state of the economy must be reduced.

    “One thing I ask from Ghanaians is that, when things are not going well, there’s a place we say it. But for us to parade and muddy our image as Ghanaians in the media is not good.

    The more we speak negatively about our country, the more the prices of things will go up. Because there’s no investor who’ll take you seriously. That’s the message somebody put across the other day and said ‘sika mpɛ dede’”, he said.

    The reverend minister added, “Ghana has become very difficult. But I also know that the whole world has become very difficult. I know that Ghana is also affected.

    But a lot Ghanaians are not enlightened to know that there’s a serious world crisis. It’s a fact that some people don’t want to believe.

    Because in Ghana, everything is politicized. It’s all about the opposition ridiculing the incumbent for political capital. We must do away with that kind of politics. At least for those of us who’re educated, it doesn’t convince us”.

    While urging Ghanaians to tone down on their public outcries, he also added his voice to calls for government to take the necessary actions to resolve the prevailing economic crisis.

    The comments by the Chairman of the Christian Council come in the wake of recent public agitations about the current state of the economy.

    A recent manifestation of these agitations was seen in the hundreds of citizens who massed up to participate in last Saturday’s ‘Ku Me Preko Reloaded’ demonstration.

    According to the protesters, President Akufo-Addo must resign over his inability to address the prevailing economic challenges.

    At the moment, Ghana’s economy is experiencing a historic decline with a ballooning debt stock, rising inflation and consistent depreciation of the Cedi amongst others.

    Meanwhile, government has assured that it is working around the clock to turn the fortunes of the country around.

    Source: Myjoyonline

     

  • ‘Beasts of No Nation’ actor Strika spotted selling coconuts

    Emmanuel Nii Adom Quaye, popularly known as Strika, in the Hollywood movie, ‘Beast of No Nation’, has been captured on the streets in Accra selling coconuts.

    In a video that was shared on Instagram by GhanaWeekend, the young man who captured the actor could be heard calling on Abraham Atta, with whom he starred in the movie, to assist his friend.

    This won’t be the first time the actor has been spotted on the streets venturing into different trades.

    In a video that was trending in 2019, the young actor was spotted on the streets of Kaneshie by renowned Gospel musician, Minister Edward.

    Strika disclosed that life wasn’t easy for him before and after he got a role in the movie, ‘Beast of No Nation.’

    According to close sources, he sold yam at Agbogbloshie Market and stayed with his grandma at North Kaneshie.

    When he was asked by the musician why he still hasn’t given up on smoking, he revealed that due to his pain and suffering, he is finding it hard to give up smoking.

     

  • I don’t want my players to play under pressure – Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic

    Hearts of Oak head coach, Slavko Matic has commended the performance of his players since taking over.

    However, the Serbian tactician says he wants his players to shrug off any feeling of pressure and anxiety.

    According to him, his players are good and he wants them to play without feeling any pressure to ensure he gets the best out of them.

    “They don’t need to allow pressure to get to them. They only need to think of what we desire from them in each game,” Coach Slavko Matic said after guiding Hearst of Oak to defeat Kotoku Royals by a goal to nil.

     

    Meanwhile, Coach Slavko Matic has disclosed that his team will go into the next Ghana Premier League match against Karela United with a different game plan.

    “There is a team plan for every match depending on the opponent. Lots of goal scoring chances were created and yet we failed to utilize them. Tactically it isn’t good so we have to keep working on every aspect of our play.

    “We always have to show winning mentality. The opponent created some decent chances but the good thing is that we prevented them from scoring and fought till the end,” Coach Slavko Matic shared.

  • Akufo-Addo will handover power to a duly elected President – Defence Minister assures

    The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul has given Ghanaians the assurance that President Akufo-Addo will hand over power to a duly elected President on January 7, 2025.

    “That is the assurance, we in the security sector on behalf of the Government, will give you. That is the assurance.”

    Mr. Nitiwul said this on Tuesday at a press conference in Parliament House in his reaction to an earlier press conference by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Caucus on the current state of insecurity in Ghana in the wake of the economic meltdown.

    During the Minority’s press conference, the Ranking Member for the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, James Agalga, noted that their attention had been drawn to an exposé by Mr. Kelvin Tailor, a Ghanaian journalist based in the United States, which suggested the recruitment and training of mercenaries by the Government operatives based at the Jubilee House to cause chaos and mayhem in the country and blame the political opposition.

    The Minority Caucus, therefore, urged bilateral partners, the ECOWAS Secretariat, the African Union, the clergy and the National Peace Council to speak out in the defence of the sustenance of Ghana’s democracy before it is too late.

    Mr. Nitiwul, however, in his reaction, noted that the Government has not brought anybody into the Jubilee House, who is not a soldier, who is not a Police, or who is not into national security.

    “We have not done such a thing since we came into power and we don’t intend to do it. No evidence of that nature,” he stated.

    He urged Ghanaians to dismiss the allegations; declaring that Mr. Tailor is engaging in yellow journalism and should, therefore, not be taken seriously.

    Mr. Nitiwul noted that Mr. Tailor’s allegations are without substance.

    “Let me state to you that this President will hand over to the duly elected President of Ghana on the 7th of January, 2025,” Mr. Nitiwul said.

    “The duly elected President would be chosen by the people of Ghana, nobody will interfere in the affairs of the people of Ghana, not from the Military, not from the Police, not from any politician.

    “The people of Ghana will line-up on the 7th of December 2024 cast their votes, whoever emerges President will be swown-in on the 7th of January, 2025.”

    He urged political parties to go out there and campaign, and win the hearts and soul of the people of Ghana; saying “that is my advice to them”.

    Touching on recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces, the Minister noted that it is based on merit; adding that promotions are also merit-based.

    He noted that members of the Ghana Armed Forces are very credible and professional in their conduct at the UN Peacekeeping Mission.

    Source: GNA

  • Daniel Kaluuya joins cast of ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ sequel

    Fresh off his performance in Jordan Peele’s summer blockbuster Nope, Daniel Kaluuya has joined the voice cast of Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

    The sequel to 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the film will see Kaluuya voice the character of Hobart “Hobie” Brown, a.k.a. Spider-Punk, who was introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 #10 in 2015. Kaluuya joins a cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Greta Lee. Issa Rae, Rachel Dratch, Joma Taccone, Shea Whigham and Jason Schwartzman.

    Originally set to hit theaters this year, Across the Spider-Verse is scheduled to be released on June 2, 2023. Directed by Justin K. Thompson, Joaquim Dos Santos and Kemp Powers, the film will precede the trilogy’s third installment, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is set to be released March 29, 2024.

    Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, Into the Spider-Verse told the story of Brooklyn teenager Miles, who’s given spidey powers following Peter Parker’s death. The 2018 film grossed $375.5 million worldwide, en route to winning Best Animated Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.

    “Miles’ story is an epic,” writer/producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller told Entertainment Weekly last December. “We wrote what we thought the story needed to be, and to our surprise we realized it was two movies instead of one. We’re working on them both as we speak. Part Two will be out sometime in 2023. We will sleep again in 2024.”

    Since his breakout performance in Jordan Peele’s iconic 2017 film Get Out, Kaluuya has starred in several blockbuster films, including 2018’s Black Panther, 2019’s Queen & Slim, 2020’s Judas and the Black Messiah, and this summer’s Nope.

    Source: Complex.com

  • Kevin Hart opens up about being robbed at gunpoint as a kid alongside his mom

    Kevin Hart has opened up about the time he and his late mother were victims of a robbery at gunpoint.

    “Me and my mom got robbed,” the Philadelphia native revealed on the latest episode of the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, as seen above at the 23:30 mark. “Wanna hear the crazy part? [We were] coming from a laundromat. … We got the shopping cart, I’m talking folded clothes, right, my Mom got the cart. I got my book bag, I used to go to the laundromat do the homework. My mom just carrying this little orange fanny pack, dude came out, he said, ‘Get that shit up, bitch.’ And my Mom was like, ‘No.’”

    With a smile on his face, Hart, 43, reiterated that his mother Nancy outright refused to let the assailant take her belongings. “I swear to God,” he said. “Hand on the Bible, my mom said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘You think I’m fucking playing with you? Get that shit up.’ My mom was like, ‘It’s nothing in it, and no.’ I’m just standing there, I’m looking…I’m shocked that I’m looking at a gun. He snatched it off, he go through it. My mom had a bunch of tokens in there, right? Guy get mad, he throw it at my mom. ‘You broke bitch.’ He called my mama a broke bitch.”

    When the man threw the fanny pack right back at her, Kevin said she told him, “I told you it was nothing in it.” He recalled how she just picked up the bag and continued on “like nothing happened.” While she was able to brush off the incident, the comedian/actor felt like he was “going to die” at that moment. “She made me push the cart the rest of the way,” he added. “I never walked up that street again. The rest of my life I took the longest way to get to the laundromat. What once was a five minute walk took me 30 minutes.”

    While he was able to recall the incident clearly, he added that Nancy never spoke about it with him after it went down. “That’s what [kind of] area that was,” he noted. “You tell me to go down there right now, I’ma say, ‘You go first.’”

    You can watch Hart’s full Million Dollaz Worth of Game episode above or listen below.

    Source: Complex.com

  • There is a team plan for every match, says Hearts of Oak head coach Slavko Matic

    Hearts of Oak head coach, Slavko Matic has disclosed that his team will go into the next Ghana Premier League match against Karela United with a different game plan.

    According to the gaffer, he is still working on his team to get the best out of his squad.

    Speaking in a post-match interview after guiding Hearts of Oak to beat Kotoku Royals last Saturday, Coach Slavko Matic says his team has a plan for every game depending on the kind of opponent.

    “We are still working on our team progress. There is more to be done and it is only hard work that will get us there.

     

    “There is a team plan for every match depending on the opponent. Lots of goal-scoring chances were created and yet we failed to utilize them. Tactically it isn’t good so we have to keep working on every aspect of our play. We always have to show winning mentality. The opponent created some decent chances but the good thing is that we prevented them from scoring and fought till the end,” Coach Slavko Matic shared.

    Hearts of Oak face off with Karela United next weekend and will be hoping to make it three wins in a row.

  • Yvonne Nelson draws comparison between Akufo-Addo and Egypt’s King Pharaoh

    Yvonne Nelson has drawn a comparison between King Pharoah in the bible and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

    A picture Yvonne shared on Twitter had Nana Akufo-Addo edited to fit a Pharoah-looking portrait which she accompanied with a caption that suggested how wicked the King was.

    The caption read, “And God kept hardening Pharoah’s heart.”

    The actress also indicated that she was going to use the president’s Pharoah-looking image as her new profile picture on the bird app.

    This comes after she lamented the rising cost of living in the country and the government’s seeming unperturbed posture to change the narrative.

    The actress in a series of tweets condemned the government for what she described as a failure on its part to deliver on the juicy promises made to the Ghanaian people during the campaign period.

    According to her, the New Patriotic Party and its then-presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016 deceived Ghanaians with promises and has now become evident that they cared less about the economic situation in the country after their mandate was renewed in 2020.

    Tweeting at President Akufo-Addo, the filmmaker maintained that the public will not sit aloof while the president and his government take the country for granted.

  • Slavko Matic: Hearts of Oak head coach praises players for showing great character to beat Kotoku Royals

    Head coach of Hearts of Oak, Slavko Matic has indicated that he was happy with his team’s narrow win over Kotoku Royals over the past weekend.

    The Phobians last Saturday locked horns with their matchday five opponent of the Ghana Premier League season.

    Courtesy of a solitary strike from Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, the Phobians secured a 1-0 win against the opponent.

    Speaking after the game, head coach Slavko Matic admitted that it was a very tough game.

    He however commended his player for showing character and fighting to finish the game with a victory.

     

    “Collectively it was a good team performance, show of character and discipline. The first-half performance was better than the second.  We must improve upon that.

    “I must admit it was a very difficult match but the players showed good character and determination and fought till the end to give us the maximum points,” the Serbian tactician shared.

    In the upcoming weekend, Hearts of Oak will take on Karela United in what will be a tough encounter.

  • ‘Climate change a global emergency; redeem $100bn pledge’ – Akufo-Addo to COP27

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has described Climate Change as a “global emergency”, and has urged the developed world to redeem a thirteen 13-year-old pledge to make available $100 billion annually to help developing countries fight the scourge of climate change.

    Delivering Ghana’s national statement at the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, or COP27, on Tuesday, 8th November 2022, President Akufo-Addo bemoaned the fact that climate adaptation costs are currently outstripping current international public finance flows.

    'Climate change a global emergency; redeem $100bn pledge' – Akufo-Addo to COP27

    According to the President, “we must, as a matter of urgency, mobilise and scale up adaptation finance inflows, to ensure that vulnerable countries are able to meet their adaptation needs.”

    He continued, “It is critical, in this regard, that the developed world makes good its long-delayed pledge to mobilise and make available $100 billion annually to the poorer countries to assist in the fight against climate change, and commit, as agreed at COP 26 in Glasgow, to doubling resources for adaptation.”

    It will be recalled that 13 years ago, at a United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen, the rich nations of the world promised to channel $100 billion a year to developing countries by 2020, to help them adapt to climate change, and mitigate further rises in temperature.

    'Climate change a global emergency; redeem $100bn pledge' – Akufo-Addo to COP27

    President Akufo-Addo noted that extreme climate occurrences, such as severe precipitation and floods, prolonged drought and heat waves are happening all over the world, both in the developed and developing worlds.

    “Climate change is a global emergency, and Ghana calls on all Parties to act with equity and a sense of responsibility,” he said.

    'Climate change a global emergency; redeem $100bn pledge' – Akufo-Addo to COP27

    Africa, for her part, the President stressed, must commit herself to resolving the issue of climate change by implementing ambitious measures within her reach.

    With Africa’s vast land, he stated that Africa has the greatest potential to help decarbonise the world by absorbing carbon dioxide through regenerative agriculture, which requires fewer fertilisers, and reforestation with strong biodiversity content.

    “Climate change is a global emergency, and Ghana calls on all Parties to act with equity and a sense of responsibility,” he said.

    'Climate change a global emergency; redeem $100bn pledge' – Akufo-Addo to COP27

    “My government is happy to announce that Ghana is about to launch projects in these areas, which will tackle, at the same time, climate change at global and domestic levels, and social issues, by providing people with dignified and sustainable jobs, and I am also happy to announce that Ghana has launched her Energy Transition Framework, and is co-Chair of the Forest Climate Leaders’ Partnership with the United States of America,” President Akufo-Addo said.

    As President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, the President expressed delight at the announcement made by the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, on the operationalisation of the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), to help vulnerable countries meet their long-term challenges.

    'Climate change a global emergency; redeem $100bn pledge' – Akufo-Addo to COP27

    In furtherance of this, he called for a “radical restructuring of the global financial architecture”, as proposed by the African Finance Ministers, to accommodate the demands of the developing world is of urgent necessity, adding that “it is evident that with these poly-crises that it is not fit for purpose. I also urge those who hold African debt to commit to debt-for-climate swap initiatives.”

    Whilst urging the world to take a better look at Africa as “a land of opportunities and growth”, in spite of the dire situation most of the continent finds itself in today, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Akufo-Addo stated that “as far as an adaptation to climate change is concerned, nothing can happen without Africa”.

    'Climate change a global emergency; redeem $100bn pledge' – Akufo-Addo to COP27

    With its vast, arable land, vibrant youth who aspire only to take their rightful place on the global scene, and a deeply rooted sense of innovation, he stated that Africa has a massive role to play.

    'Climate change a global emergency; redeem $100bn pledge' – Akufo-Addo to COP27

    “It is Ghana’s hope that we will leave this Summit with bold and concrete decisions that will help the world tackle its most pressing challenges, help us achieve our climate goals rapidly, and provide the needed development and prosperity for all the peoples of the world. No one will win if Africa loses”, he said.

    Source: Jubilee House Communication

  • Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar criticizes Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for the second time

    Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar says the only difference between him and Mohamed Salah is the Egyptian star getting the chance to ‘play in a big club’.

    Before the AFCON 2021 semifinal clash between Cameroon and Egypt in February this year, the 30-year-old had hit out at the Egypt international.

    Aboubakar, who currently plies his trade in Saudi Arabia at Al-Nassr is not impressed with Salah despite his exploits for club and country.

    And he has bizarrely doubled down on his criticism of the Reds winger, who has banged in 14 goals from 20 games this season.

    The 2017 AFCON winner has declared that he would be able to score just as much as Salah if he was playing for a top European club.

    He told 90football.fr: “I understand people’s attitudes, he’s one of the best goalscorers in the Premier League.

    “It makes sense that when you go on about a player like that, people will talk.

     

    “But I did say that it was my opinion, my point of view.

    “I don’t give a toss if people don’t like it – I’m not impressed by him.

    “I can do what he does. I just don’t have the opportunity to play in a big club.”

    Since making the move to Merseyside in 2017, Salah has banged in 170 goals to leave him eighth in the club’s all-time scoring charts – two behind Kenny Dalglish.

  • ‘Doggy style’ linked to penis fracture

    I know this article will raise many eye brows but it it important to men’s health. It has been found that a penis fracture can occur when there is trauma to an erect penis. Few studies have reported this issue and linked it to doggy style.

    A penis fracture differs from other fractures in the body because the penis has no bones. During an erection, the penis is engorged with blood that fills two cylinders (corpora cavernosa). If an engorged penis is bent suddenly or forcefully, the trauma can rupture the outer lining of one of the two cylinders (tunica albuginea). This can result in a penis fracture.

    The trauma is most often caused by sexual intercourse, such as when the penis slips out of the vagina and is accidentally thrust against the pelvis. But a penis fracture can also occur due to aggressive masturbation or taqaandan, a cultural practice in which the top of an erect penis is forcefully bent to relax an erection especially in the middle eastern cultures.

    A penis fracture often results in a penis that bulges and appears purple, looking somewhat like an eggplant. Signs and symptoms of a penis fracture include:

    • Immediate penile pain
    • A popping or cracking sound
    • Rapid loss of erection
    • Swelling in the penile shaft
    • Discoloration of the penile shaft due to bleeding underneath the skin

    Sometimes the tube that drains urine from the body (urethra) is damaged as well, and blood might be visible at the urinary opening of the penis. A penis fracture requires urgent medical attention. The injury can usually be diagnosed with a physical exam, but additional testing such as an ultrasound may be needed. Prompt surgical repair is typically recommended. The Mayo clinic confirmed that if left untreated, a penis fracture might result in a curved penis or the permanent inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sex (erectile dysfunction).

     

    The studies

    I chanced on this important study on mens health and I have decided to share with you. The study, Barros et al. (2017) evaluate the relationship between the sexual position and severity of penile fracture.  The authors studied 90 patients with penile fracture. Also, the mechanism of injury and the sexual position was assessed. They divided their sample by the genesis of the fracture in six groups: (a) masturbation or penile manipulation; (b) ‘man-on-top’ position; (c) ‘doggy style’ position; (d) ‘woman-on-top’ position; (d) blunt trauma; and (e) ‘rolling over’ fracture. The patient’s age ranged from 18 to 66 years (mean 39 years).

    They found that the sexual position at the time of injury varied, with 23 cases (25.5%) occurring in the ‘man-on-top’, 37cases (41%) in the ‘doggy style’ and 9 cases (10%) in the ‘woman-on-top’. They  did not observe differences between the severity of the Penile fracture between the ‘doggy style’ and ‘man-on-top’ , but the ‘doggy style’ had more severity of  penile fracture when compared with ‘woman-on-top’ and penile manipulation. The ‘man-on-top’ and ‘doggy style’ positions showed more associations with bilateral fractures.

    A more recent study by the same author(Barros et al. 2020) with the aim to report their experiences over the past 20 years in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of penile fracture (PF) examined medical records from January 1997 and January 2017, in 255 cases and found that Sexual trauma was the main causes of penile fracture. In this case, 110 (43.1%) occurred with the “doggy style” position, 103 (40.3%) with “man on top” position, 31 (12.1%) with the “woman on top” position and 11 (4.3%) in other sexual positions.

    Eke, N(2002) also reviewed studies from January 1966 to July 2001 and found a total of

    183 publications, 1331 cases were reported between January 1935 and July 2001. Most reports were from the Mediterranean region. The commonest causes were coitus and penile manipulations, especially masturbation.

    Why Doggy style

    In explaining this position, Kar and  Kar(2005) agreed that doggy style is a sex position in which a person bends over, crouches on all fours (usually on hands and knees), or lies on their abdomen, for sexual intercourse, other forms of sexual penetration or other sexual activity. Doggy style is a form of a rear-entry position, others being with the receiving partner lying on the side in the spoons sex position or the reverse cowgirl sex position. Non-penetrative sex in this position may also be regarded as doggy style.

    Although it is not the most commonly used sex position, it is regarded as the favoured position by men, while the reverse cowgirl position is favoured by women(“The Missionary Position”. 2005).  Alex and Susan(2005) also held the view that  Among sex partners, the person in the doggy style position is usually passive, while the other partner is active (although sometimes it can be the other way around if the person in doggy position backs up into their partner behind them). Either partner may be the dominant partner or the submissive partner.

    Robert J. Campbell (2009) explained that in ancient Rome, this practice was known as coitus more ferarum, Latin for “sexual intercourse in the manner of wild beasts”. In the  The Kama Sutra (1883) the author note that the specific origin of the term doggy style is not known, but is presumably a reference to the initial position assumed by dogs when mating. It is described in the Kama Sutra as the cow position or the congress of a cow, and is listed in The Perfumed Garden.

    Faix et al. (2002) notes that during vaginal penetration from behind, the penis may penetrate deeper into the vagina, reaching preferential contact with the posterior wall of the vagina and probably reaching the posterior fornix; while in the missionary position, it is in preferential contact with the anterior wall of the vagina and the tip of the penis can reach the anterior fornix.

    In this position, the receiving partner implicitly gives the active partner a carte blanche over their body. Besides other potential sex acts, the active partner may also massage or stimulate the receiving partner’s erogenous zones, such as the genitals, nipples, buttocks, administer a spanking(  Rogiere, Jean, 2001)

    Take Home

    In conclusion few studies have linked doggly style position to penile fracture. There is the need for men to take caution in engaging in this position. Once you notice any issue after engaging in this position contact your Urologist.

    NB:

    Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups.  My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.

    The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, President, of Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Foundation. E-mail: collegeofholisticmedicine@gmail.com. For more information, contact: Stephanie(PRO)on 0244433553

    References

    1. Barros R, Schulze L, Ornellas AA, Koifman L, Favorito LA. Relationship between sexual position and severity of penile fracture. Int J Impot Res. 2017 Sep;29(5):207-209. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2017.24. Epub 2017 Jun 29. PMID: 28659630.
    2. Barros R, Schulze L, Ornellas AA, Koifman L, Favorito LA. Relationship between sexual position and severity of penile fracture. Int J Impot Res. 2017 Sep;29(5):207-209. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2017.24. Epub 2017 Jun 29. PMID: 28659630.
    3. Eke N. Fracture of the penis. Br J Surg. 2002 May;89(5):555-65. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2168.2002.02075.x. PMID: 11972544.
    4. Barros R, Hampl D, Cavalcanti AG, Favorito LA, Koifman L. Lessons learned after 20 years’ experience with penile fracture. Int Braz J Urol. 2020 May-Jun;46(3):409-416. doi: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2019.0367. PMID: 32167705; PMCID: PMC7088490.
    5. Robert J. Campbell (2009). Campbell’s Psychiatric Dictionary. Oxford University Press. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-19-534159-1.
    6. The Kama Sutra, as given at “CHAPTER VI”. The Kama Sutra of Vatsayayana. Kamasutra-sex.org. 1883. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2006.
    7. A. Faix; J. F. Lapray; O. Callede; A. Maubon; K. Lanfrey (2002). “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Sexual Intercourse: Second Experience in Missionary Position and Initial Experience in Posterior Position” (PDF). Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 28: 63– CiteSeerX 10.1.1.496.11. doi:10.1080/00926230252851203. PMID 11898711. S2CID 16407035. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
    8. Rogiere, Jean, The Little Book of Sex. Ulysses Press, 2001. ISBN 1-56975-305-9, 96 pages.
    9. Nilamadhab Kar; Gopal Chandra Kar (2005). Comprehensive Textbook of Sexual Medicine. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. pp. 110–111. ISBN 978-8180614057. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
    10.  “The Missionary Position”. Sexual Health Center. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
    11.  Jump up to:a b Comfort, Alex; Quilliam, Susan (2008). The Joy of Sex. London: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1-84533-429-1.

  • Rihanna tells fans ‘Super Bowl is one thing, new music is another thing’

    Ahead of the Prime Video premiere of Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4, Rihanna fans have been given more insight on the inspiration behind the multihyphenate’s plans for her Super Bowl Halftime Show performance next year.

    Speaking with Terri Seymour for Extra, as seen below, Rihanna said it was “now or never” when it came to taking on the unique challenges of staging a performance at this scale.

    “There’s this weird shit that happens when you become a mom,” Rihanna said around the 3:40 mark in the video below. “You just, you unleash or unlock other parts of your superpowers. You feel like you can take on the world. You can do anything, right? After you have a baby, you can do anything.”

    Adding to that, Rihanna pointed to the larger challenge at the heart of this type of performance and how she felt compelled to tackle it.

    “It was one of those things where I wasn’t really sure because it is a big stage and it has been a while, you know, but I wanted to take on a challenge,” Rihanna said. “I wanted to do something that would force me to get back on stage, really. Because when you’re a mom, it’s not important really. Everything is at the bottom of the priority list.”

    As for whether she could reveal who may or may not be joining her at next year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, including ASAP Rocky, Rihanna noted that, for now at least, her “lips are sealed” when it comes to further announcements. In fact, Rihanna noted, she hasn’t arrived at a final decision yet.

    Earlier into the discussion, Rihanna spoke more generally about motherhood, calling it “fascinating” and “the most love” she’s ever known (Rihanna and Rocky were revealed to have welcomed a child together, their first, back in May).

    “I’m patient now,” she said. “I thought I was getting better at patience but this will sit you down. You are forced to be patient as a mom, as a parent in general. Your tolerance goes down but your patience goes up, if that makes any sense somehow.”

    She also told the Washington Post why she hasn’t revealed her son’s name or shared a photo. “We just didn’t get around to it yet really,” she said, “We’ve just been living.

    She added that perhaps “there’s a certain freedom that comes with kind of just, like, getting it out there.”

    She also opened up about motherhood with Access Hollywood

    [It’s] not a chapter, it’s like a new book,” she told the outlet. “Life starts over when you become a parent, it’s life that you’ve never known before.”

    Elsewhere, Rihanna was asked about new music and was also tasked with politely declining to give an answer to an inquiry of the wedding variety. See more below.

    In a separate interview conducted amid the same Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 proceedings, Rihanna spoke in greater detail about her plans for more new music following her recent return with a Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack single. After pointing out that it is “not true” that she wouldn’t have done the Super Bowl without new music also being on the horizon, Rihanna shared a special message for fans.

    “Super Bowl is one thing, new music is another thing,” she said around the 3:41 mark in the video below, per the Associated Press. “Do you hear that, fans? Because I knew, the second I announced this, they’re gonna think my album is coming. I need to get work. But I do have new music coming out. But we’ll see. Unrelated, but a special project.”

    Source: Complex.com

  • We won’t accept 20% commission directive by NLA – Lotto Writers

    Lotto Writers have expressed their displeasure about the National Lottery Authority‘s (NLA) directive for Lotto Operators to enforce a 20% commission.

    According to the angry Lotto writers, the commission cannot be reduced from the current 30% to 20%, especially during the current economic hardship. They instead called for an increment; that is 40% commission.

    They expressed their frustration during a stakeholder meeting with the Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA) and the Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG).

    The emergency meeting held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at the Teachers Hall, was to sensitize and discuss a mode of enforcement of the 20% commission to Writers as directed by NLA.

    However, the meeting was met with a protest by the lotto writers.

    Some of the Lotto writers, clad in red, held placards with inscriptions such as, “we don’t want any 20% but 40% instead. Sammy Awuku must go. Leave Banker to banker alone. 20% of what, we no go gre. Chop chop money keke,” among others.

    Some chanted “we want 40%, we want 40%” adding if the NLA refuses to increase their commission “then nobody should reduce what is due us”.

    The Executive Secretary of Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana, Mr Tawiah Duah speaking the aggrieved said, “It has become necessary to convene a meeting between Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA), Private Lotto Operators (PLO), Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG) and Lotto Writers because about a week ago, an announcement was made by GLOA and PLO in the media that effective that day (31st October 2022) commissions paid to lotto writers were reduced from 30% to 2o%.”

    “That meant a whopping 10% reduction in their income levels.
    Following the implementation of the directive, agitated writers have bemoaned that the move was unfavourable. This situation has therefore resulted in several incidences of near altercations between Lotto Writers and their respective Agents. Several writers outpoured their fury via voice calls, WhatsApp and SMS messages to our offices and Executive Officers demanding nationwide demonstrations against the reduction until such times that will be reversed.” He added.

    Mr Tawiah Duah, also asserted that the meeting was to calm writers and to officially inform them that CLAAG has already written to the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to register their grievances about the reduction in commissions.

    “It is our hope to seek an amicable solution and of course with the active participation of GLOA,” he noted.

    The CLAAG Executive Secretary, however, assured members that if the matter is not resolved by Friday, November 11, 2022, his outfit will again invite members to reconvene and decide on its next line of action.

    Meanwhile, present at the meeting were members of Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA) to give an ear to the concerns of the Lotto Agents and the Lotto writers.

    The Chairman of GLOA, Noah Afonope, assuring the Lotto Agents and Operators said he believes that something good will come out of the meeting with NLA.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Post Malone officiates fans’ wedding onstage at his show

    Post Malone helped two of his fans tie the knot over the weekend by officiating their wedding onstage.

    According to TMZ, the couple hopped onstage to start the ceremony following Post’s show in Seattle on Saturday. The two stood facing each other as the Twelve Karat Toothache artist performed his duties as officiant, but with his own unique twist. After they exchanged “I do’s” and kissed, Posty proclaimed them married “in the eyes of space.”

    Heidi Lavon, who is best friends with the couple, said they’re hoping Posty can attend their planned wedding in March.

    @heidilavon What an incredibly special honor! 🥹🫶🏻💒 #postmalone #posty #wedding #congratulations ♬ Congratulations – Post Malone

    Malone was meeting fans and signing autographs onstage late last month in Tulsa when someone asked him to participate in their gender reveal. He opened an envelope attached to a sign, and after a brief pause, he unveiled the paper which read, “Congrats! It’s a girl!”

     

    Posty indirectly revealed to Howard Stern in June that he and his fiancée welcomed a baby girl of their own. While discussing his studio process, he said, “I woke up at 2:30…in the afternoon. I went and I kissed my baby girl and then I went and played some [music].” When Stern asked him to elaborate what he meant by “baby girl,” Post confirmed he was referring to his daughter.

    In an interview with Zane Lowe, Malone admitted prior to his daughter’s birth that he wanted to be a father since he was a little kid who carried around a doll when he was four or five years old. “I would take him around everywhere. And I don’t know how long that lasted. But my mom still has it,” he said.

    “And I guess, Zane, I’m so pumped up. I’m going to be a hot dad.”

    Source: Complex.com

  • Africa Investment Forum 2022 draws $31 billion in investor interest

    This year’s just concluded Africa Investment Forum Market Days, the continent’s premier investment platform, has drawn $31 billion in investment interest from African and global investors.

    Combined with $32.8 billion from the rescheduled 2021 Africa Investment Forum Market days, which took place as virtual boardrooms in March this year, the forum has mobilized a total of $63.8 billion of investment interest this year.

    The three-day event, held in the Ivorian commercial capital, Abidjan, attracted the participation of several African heads of state and government. The leaders chaired boardrooms and led transactions with potential investors. They included Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné of Côte d’Ivoire, who represented President Alassane Ouattara.

    Others were President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia; President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana; President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe; Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor of Liberia; Vice President Philip Mpango of Tanzania; Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva n of Cabo Verde; and Prime Minister Patrick Achi of Côte d’Ivoire.

    This year’s Market Days event—the third since 2018—took place on the theme: ‘Building Economic Resilience through Sustainable Investments.’ It was held amid global economic challenges that have been compounded by the impacts of climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

    The event showcased the Africa Investment Forum’s founding partners’ joint resolve to help unleash Africa’s investment potential in such critical sectors as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education, the creative industries, sports, and transactions that champion women entrepreneurs.

    The forum’s founding partners are the African Development Bank, Africa50, Afrexim Bank, the Africa Finance Corporation, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the European Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Trade and Development Bank.

    The partners said the results this year have exceeded expectations, given that the world is currently grappling with so many unprecedented economic challenges.

    African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina commended the forum’s outcomes and the partners’ commitment.

    He said: “Despite the challenges, we are not afraid, and neither have we despaired nor lost hope. We are excited and committed to a collective goal… accelerating the closure of deals to transform Africa and its investment landscape.”

    Adesina said the Africa Investment Forum’s focus is to attract more foreign direct investment to Africa and ensure the private sector remains the driving force of that transformation.

    “The private sector is Africa’s growth accelerator. We must mitigate real and perceived risks and persuade the private sector that investing in Africa is safe,” he emphasized.

    Islamic Development Bank President Dr. Muhammed Sulaiman Al Jasser said in a message his organization was hopeful that “our commitment and dedication to the AIF will translate into tangible and measurable outcomes for the benefit of our member countries across Africa.”

    Al Jasser restated the Islamic Development Bank Group’s commitment to support transformative African projects, especially those promoting resilience, financial, economic, and social sustainability.

    Trade and Development Bank Group President and Chief Executive Admassu Tadesse underscored the value of the “AIF spirit” in doing more to advance and close investments.

    Tadesse stressed: “Notwithstanding ongoing global crises, we have to keep our eye on the ball. We must continue to encourage and enable investment in agriculture and industry, as well as infrastructure. Growing our own food and manufacturing more will enable us to trade more. It will lead to less overall greenhouse gas emissions linked to imports from far away, in the process also generating more employment and opportunities for our peoples.”

    European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer said while travelling to COP27: “A diversity of ambitious and wide-ranging initiatives” attracted high interest at this year’s Market Days.

    “At the European Investment Bank, we are excited to see how the creativity and vision of African innovators are making an impact, particularly in the area of technology which holds such great potential for Africa’s future,” Hoyer said.

    Mohan Vivekanandan, Group Executive Origination and Coverage, Development Bank of Southern Africa, noted that a unique feature of this year’s forum was that it focused on transactions.

    “It’s about the project sponsors, the project developers and how we as development financiers help them get their vision implemented to improve the quality of life of Africans, and how we promote economic growth, job creation and industrialization,” Vivekanandan said.

    Africa Finance Corporation President and CEO Samaila Zubairu said: “The current global economic challenges indicate the critical need to build Africa’s self-sufficiency by investing in resilient infrastructure. Such critical investment is needed to drive Africa’s industrialization and economic prosperity.”

    Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobisse said the Africa Investment Forum presented a timely platform to help scale up and speed up investments into Africa, especially as partners strive to build the continent’s resilience to economic shocks and climate change.

    Ebobisse said: “Attracting new pools of capital into infrastructure will be critical. More specifically, Africa’s institutional investors, such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds must play a critical role and will be the game changers for Africa’s infrastructure development.”

    Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah said: “This year’s Africa Investment Forum reflects, in the number, attitudes and diversity of its attendees, the interest and optimism of global investors towards the continent and its opportunities. We close, knowing that the AIF, Africa’s largest transactional investment marketplace, continues to be a huge success. Moreover, the event serves as a measure of international confidence in Africa’s economic and political development, and the unmatched investment opportunities this is creating.”

    Africa Investment Forum Senior Director Chinelo Anohu said: “A lot of the successes recorded by the Africa Investment Forum are domiciled in the spirit of the partnership. It’s up to us to ensure the continent is what it ought to be.”

    Since its inception in 2018, the Africa Investment Forum platform has mobilized over $100 billion in investment interests.

     

    Source: Ghanaweb

     

  • It is true money hates noise – Christian Council Chairman tells Ghanaians

    The Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mantey, has urged Ghanaians to minimize their negative comments about the present economic crisis.

    Speaking at an event to climax the centenary celebration of the Asante Presbytery, he said the consistent negativity about the economy, does not augur well for the country.

    Addressing the gathering at Kumasi, he explained that the gloomy public narratives about the economy dampens the confidence of investors, leading to a decline in the inflow of foreign investments.

    Reiterating the President’s earlier call for citizens to stop the negative speculations about the local currency, he stressed the rampant lamentation over the state of the economy must be reduced.

    “One thing I ask from Ghanaians is that, when things are not going well, there’s a place we say it. But for us to parade and muddy our image as Ghanaians in the media is not good.

    The more we speak negatively about our country, the more the prices of things will go up. Because there’s no investor who’ll take you seriously. That’s the message somebody put across the other day and said ‘sika mpɛ dede’”, he said.

    The reverend minister added, “Ghana has become very difficult. But I also know that the whole world has become very difficult. I know that Ghana is also affected.

    But a lot Ghanaians are not enlightened to know that there’s a serious world crisis. It’s a fact that some people don’t want to believe.

    Because in Ghana, everything is politicized. It’s all about the opposition ridiculing the incumbent for political capital. We must do away with that kind of politics. At least for those of us who’re educated, it doesn’t convince us”.

    While urging Ghanaians to tone down on their public outcries, he also added his voice to calls for government to take the necessary actions to resolve the prevailing economic crisis.

    The comments by the Chairman of the Christian Council come in the wake of recent public agitations about the current state of the economy.

    A recent manifestation of these agitations was seen in the hundreds of citizens who massed up to participate in last Saturday’s ‘Ku Me Preko Reloaded’ demonstration.

    According to the protesters, President Akufo-Addo must resign over his inability to address the prevailing economic challenges.

    At the moment, Ghana’s economy is experiencing a historic decline with a ballooning debt stock, rising inflation and consistent depreciation of the Cedi amongst others.

    Meanwhile, government has assured that it is working around the clock to turn the fortunes of the country around.

    Source: Myjoyonline

     

  • The bench did the magic for us – Great Olympics coach Yaw Preko after win over Medeama

    Great Olympics coach Yaw Preko says his outfit won their clash with Medeama from the bench.

    The Dade boys inflicted a 1-0 win over the Yellow and Mauves in matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday.

    Yussif Razak strike in the 80th minute mark secured all points at stake for the home team.

    Speaking after the game, Yaw Preko was of the opinion his side won the game from the substitute bench.

    “I think in the beginning; we didn’t start well. We played against a very good side, I knew Medeama will come here and control the face of the game. It was a bit scrappy in the first half, they controlled the game though we had a couple of chances we should buried them

     

    ”

    “I told my players that if we keep on missing chances, gradually they will gain confidence and start to take control because we know they have a good trainer. Fortunately for us, the first half ended 0-0, then when we went back to the drawing board, I decided to make some positional changes and as usual, like always, the bench always help and they did the magic for us”

    Great Olympics are 3rd on the league log with 11 points after 5 matches into the Ghana Premier League campaign.

  • Ghana committed to increasing renewable energy share – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the global community of Ghana’s full commitment to increasing the country’s share of renewable energy in the energy mix.

    Speaking at a High-Level Event on Sustainable Energy for All, organised by Bloomberg Philanthropies, on the sidelines of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the Ghanaian leader stated that “we will continue to increase the share of renewable energy in our electricity generation mix, as well as explore the options of hydrogen gas and other clean energy sources to meet our energy needs”

    According to President Akufo-Addo, “Energy transition has become a global responsibility for us all, especially in view of the impact of climate change, and the global energy crisis brought forth by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

    With Ghana being a signatory to the Paris Agreement and other international conventions, which require the country to reduce her carbon dioxide emission levels, he indicated that it has become imperative for Ghana to develop plans and strategies toward the creation of a net-zero energy sector, whilst aggressively pursuing the nation’s economic development.

    “Our updated nationally determined contributions, under the Paris Agreement, affirm the country’s resolve to address the impacts of climate change and build a resilient economy for our people”, he stressed.

    President Akufo-Addo continued, “Ghana’s position on energy transition is to continue the responsible exploitation of our natural resources for our development and transition at our own pace. The government of Ghana is mindful of the actions of the developed countries in relation to the energy transition, and their effect on us.”

    To this end, he told the gathering that it has, thus, become necessary for the government of Ghana to develop an Energy Transition Framework that will guide the country, as the entire world moves towards realising net zero.

    The president also said that the government of Ghana, being mindful of the implications of such a framework and its implementation on the entire economy, directed the Committee to undertake extensive stakeholder consultations, in addition to expert input, to produce the National Energy Transition Framework to guide its transition to a net-zero economy by 2070 in a just and equitable manner, as well as minimise possible stranded assets and job losses in the oil and gas sector.

    The total cost of the transition is estimated at US$561.8 billion), the President added.

    Energy Transition

    President Akufo-Addo also addressed the High-Level Meeting on “Just Energy Transition”, where he indicated that Ghana has developed a National Energy Transition Framework to provide the vision and guidance for Ghana’s energy transition.

    In preparing this framework, the President stated that all existing policies were considered and the programmes that are being implemented towards achieving Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions.

    “Wide stakeholder consultations were held to ensure that the energy transition issues in various parts of the country were captured and addressed in the framework. These included organised and non-organised labour, market women, academia, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Development Partners (DPs) and the international community,” he said.

    He explained that the Framework provides the optimal and sustainable pathway for fuel supply security, diversified energy mix and cost-efficient electricity generation, with an estimated generation tariff of less than US$4.5 cents per kilowatt hour to accelerate the socio-economic development of Ghana.

    “Ghana aims to achieve universal access by 2024. The Energy Transition Framework will meet the future electricity demand of 380 Terawatt-hours, with a corresponding installed capacity of 83 Giga-Watts. Ghana’s diversified energy mix will include 21 Gigawatts of renewable energy installed capacity, which will provide the opportunity to enjoy a greater share in the renewable energy carbon credit market,” he added.

    The president continued: “The transition will mitigate 200 million tons of carbon dioxide of Green House Gas emissions, minimising energy-related indoor air pollution and associated diseases. It is estimated that forty-eight thousand, two hundred and eighteen (48,218) premature deaths will be avoided annually due to the improvement in air quality, resulting from the impact of the transition.”

  • World Cup 2022: Awarding Qatar the tournament was a mistake – Sepp Blatter

    Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter says the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was a “mistake”.

    Blatter, 86, was president of world football’s governing body when Qatar was awarded the tournament in 2010.

    The Gulf state has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.

    “It is too small of a country. Football and the World Cup are too big for it,” he told Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger.

    The Qatar World Cup, the first to be hosted in the Middle East in the tournament’s 92-year-history and the first during the Northern Hemisphere winter, takes place from 20 November to 18 December.

    Fifa’s executive committee voted 14-8 for Qatar to host the tournament ahead of the United States 12 years ago, at the same time Russia was awarded the 2018 event.

    Blatter says he voted for the United States and blames then-Uefa president Michel Platini for swinging the vote in Qatar’s favour.

    “It was a bad choice and I was responsible for that as president at the time,” he said.

    “Thanks to the four votes of Platini and his [Uefa] team, the World Cup went to Qatar rather than the United States. It’s the truth.”

    Blatter also said Fifa had adjusted the criteria used to select host countries in 2012 after concerns were raised about the treatment of migrant workers building World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

    “Since then, social considerations and human rights are taken into account,” he added.

    Blatter spent 17 years as Fifa president but was forced to step down in 2015 over allegations he unlawfully arranged a transfer of two million Swiss francs ($2.19m; £1.6m) to Platini, who was also forced to resign from his position at Fifa.

    He was originally banned from football by Fifa for eight years, later reduced to six, over the Platini payment. In March 2021 he then received an additional ban until 2028 for “various violations” of Fifa’s code of ethics.

    Blatter and Platini were charged with fraud last November but were found not guilty at a trial in Switzerland in July.

    The decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively has been dogged by accusations of widespread corruption, with two investigations launched by Swiss prosecutors and the US Department of Justice in 2015.

    Qatar and Russia have always denied any wrongdoing, and both were effectively cleared by Fifa’s own investigation in 2017.

    Fifa recently wrote to competing nations asking them to “now focus on the football” instead of the competition’s controversial build-up.

    The Fifa letter was criticised by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and LGBTQ+ campaigners in England and Wales, while 10 European football associations – including those of England and Wales – said “human rights are universal and apply everywhere”.

    There is concern about how LGBTQ+ people are treated in Qatar, where same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships are criminalised, with punishments ranging from fines to the death sentence.

    Amnesty International says that since 2010, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers have faced human rights abuses while employed to build wider infrastructure necessary to host the tournament.

    Peaceful protests have been planned by some players, while England’s Harry Kane and nine other captains of European teams will be wearing ‘One Love’ armbands. to promote diversity and inclusion.

    Denmark will wear “toned-down” shirts to protest against Qatar, with kit provider Hummel saying it “does not wish to be visible” in a tournament it claims “has cost thousands of lives”, while Australia’s squad have released a video urging Qatar to abolish its laws on same-sex.
    Source: BBC Sport

  • Akufo-Addo, UK Prime Minister launch Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership

    Ghanaian leader Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Monday, 7 November 2022, joined the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Rishi Sunak, to launch the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) at the 27th session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), currently underway in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

    FCLP is a new political forum that brings together governments and partners to work together to implement solutions that reduce forest loss, increase restoration, and support sustainable development.

    It creates a platform for heads of state, governments and their ministers, to combine their political efforts to accelerate global action to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation.

    It follows the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, adopted by world leaders at COP26, last year, where they committed to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.

    This new Partnership will ensure delivery and continued political focus on the 2030 target of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration.

    The Partnership will be co-chaired by Ghana and the United States.

    FCLP’s ministerial session, which will drive the ambition of the Partnership, will be co-chaired by Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, and the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Senator John Kerry.

    Speaking at the launch, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana is committed to sustainable land use and the protection and restoration of forest and other terrestrial ecosystems.

    He pledged the country’s commitment to work with others to promote forests and other nature-based solutions to climate change.

    He touted some forest policies already being implemented by Ghana, such as the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme, the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project, and the Green Ghana Project.

    The President said the FCLP will provide a unique space for intergovernmental collaboration and coordinated action with the inputs of non-state partners and stakeholders. He added that Ghana will use her leadership on the FCLP to foster cooperation among tropical forest countries in Africa and beyond, to make the FCLP a successful vehicle to drive significant and impactful contributions to Climate Action.

    For his part, the UK Prime Minister said forests are one of the greatest natural wonders of the world but continue to be undervalued and underestimated.

    He said the best way to achieve the 1.5 degrees Celsius global target requires that we protect our forests.

    He called on countries to deliver their climate promises, adding that the United Kingdom will deliver its 1.5 billion pounds pledge.

    He said the UK Government is, also, committing 19 million pounds towards forest protection.

    He called on the private sector to commit funds to address the drivers of deforestation.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Former Asante Kotoko captain Felix Annan explains why he didn’t join Hearts of Oak

    Former Asante Kotoko captain, Felix Annan has explained why he turned down a move to Hearts of Oak after leaving the Porcupine Warriors.

    Annan, who joined the Porcupine Warriors as a teenager in 2011 departed the club middle of this year over lack of playing time.

    In an interview with Kumasi-based Opemsuo Radio, the 27-year-old who now plies his trade in America confirmed rejecting an opportunity to join Hearts of Oak.

    Explaining why he didn’t accept a move to Hearts of Oak, Annan was of the opinion he had seen it all locally and for that matter, needed a change elsewhere.

    According to him, he wanted a new challenge

     

    “Almost every club in the Ghana Premier League wanted me to play for them when I announced my exit from Kotoko, including Hearts of Oak,” he confirmed.

    “I declined the numerous calls from the local clubs because I wanted a new environment outside Ghana. I felt I had given and proved myself enough and there was nothing to prove anywhere again in Ghana.”

    Felix Annan enjoyed a remarkable season with his new club, Maryland Bobcats. He was in post for 20 matches and kept 8 clean sheets for his side.

  • Price of Bibles to go up November 10

    The price increase for Bibles has been announced by the Bible Society of Ghana.

    They claim that the high rate of inflation and the high cost of clearing from the ports are to blame.

    Recently, there has been a lot of pressure on the Ghana cedi to drop by more than 62%.

    GH14.70 is the current exchange rate for the cedi.
    Importers complain about the rising cost of imports and the expense of clearance as a result of the cedi’s depreciation, which has an impact on imports.

    The Ghana Statistical Service reports that inflation has increased to a record-breaking 37.2%.

    As a result of the current economic problems and the ongoing price increases, several firms have also started to close.

  • Ghana Premier League Injunction: Ashantigold fined Ghc5,000 for withdrawing appeal case

    Embattled Ashantigold SC has been fined an amount of Five Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc5,000) after withdrawing their application for injunction on the Ghana Premier League.

    The Obuasi-based club who have been demoted to the Division Two filed a new application to put an injunction on the league at the Appeals Court after the High Court dismissed its Motion for injunction against playing of the league.

    On Tuesday, during the hearing before the Appeals Court, Counsel for Ashantigold SC informed the court of their decision to withdraw the application having apprised himself of the preliminary legal objection raised by the GFA in its Affidavit in Opposition.

     

    After the withdrawal, the Ghana Football Association requested for cost of Thirty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc30,000) while Ashantigold SC pleaded to pay Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc3,000).

    The Appeal Court, after listening to the plea of Ashantigold SC, awarded cost of Five Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc5,000) against Ashantigold SC.

  • See economic crisis as opportunity to grow – Businesses told

    Speakers at the 2022 edition of the Stanford Seed Transformation Network Ghana Chapter’s annual flagship Business and Leadership conference have called for businesses to be resilient in the face of economic crisis, and see it as an opportunity to grow.

    Mr. David Ofosu-Dorte, Executive Chairman at AB & David Law who gave the keynote address at the conference, urged businesses to stay true to their vision and mandate during times of crisis, saying: “It is easy for business leaders and entrepreneurs to abandon the core vision and mandate of their business in their bid to survive crisis situations. The courage to stay true to your vision during crisis defines your business”.

    Dr. Alhasan Andani, former CEO of Stanbic Bank said: “Businesses and entrepreneurs should use a crisis as an opportunity to grow and learn from their mistakes”.

    He encouraged participants to pay attention to crisis situations, be receptive and adaptive, and work to evolve their business while taking into account the legal and regulatory framework. “Businesses need to refine their strategies in light of changes in their markets,” he said.

    The multi-stakeholder conference was the fifth in a series of conferences, and held under the theme ‘Growth Opportunities Within the Crisis’. It brought together high-level executives and thought leaders from across industries to discuss building resilient businesses by identifying opportunities during periods of economic crisis.

    Globally, economies are slowing down this year and expected to slow further in the years ahead. This is due to several factors including high inflation, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.

    As a result, the global economy’s growth is expected to slow from 6 percent in 2021 to 3.2 percent in 2022 and 2.7 percent in 2023.

    Ghana’s runaway inflation, coupled with weak government finances and the weakened cedi, is harming the country’s economy. Businesses and entrepreneurs are struggling to stay afloat in this crisis, which is causing some to fold-up because they cannot meet their operating costs.

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Network has used its conference to share knowledge and expertise on how members and the general business community can leverage on the challenges presented by crisis to identify opportunities for growing their business.

    The conference is part of the Network’s strategy to connect members with industry experts and their peers, in order to help them gain knowledge that will help them stay ahead in today’s business environment.

    In her remarks, Mrs. Linda Yaa Ampah (president of the Stanford Seed Transformation Network, Ghana and Founder of Cadling Fashions and KAD Manufacturing Ltd.) commended members of the Network for their resilience and ability to create and innovate in order to keep their businesses afloat during this time of economic uncertainty.

    She bemoaned the current economic crisis and how it’s affecting businesses in Ghana.

    “The Ghanaian business environment has become very challenging,” she said.

    “There is generally high cost of doing business due to continuous depreciation of the cedi, rising cost of food and imports, a high debt burden, high inflation, high-interest rates and the rising cost of energy. These factors are expected to reduce growth in the short-term due to the current global recession.”

    The private sector can help Ghana’s economy grow if government offers it the right conditions.

    “Regulators and managers of the business environment need to follow discussions at the conference and provide the conditions which enable businesses to thrive and contribute even better to Ghana’s GDP by creating dignifying and fulfilling jobs for the youth,” she added.

    Participants at the conference had the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, gained new perspectives and practical strategies to upscale and transform businesses.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Ghana’s plan to roll out E-Cedi must have an integration with digital exchanges – ILAPI

    Director of Centre for Coin Liberty at the Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI), Nathaniel Dwamena, has reiterated the need for Ghana to be in readiness for blockchain technology.

    He maintained that blockchain technology could be the future for Ghana in fighting corruption, dealing with electoral fraud and initiating development in all sectors of our economy.

    The researcher stated that the organization is putting in place measures that would ensure that Ghana is well prepared for the technology, so we are not taken by surprise.

    Appearing on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he averred that blockchain technology could increase fairness and efficiency in our governance structure.

    Nathaniel Dwamena said the rise in cryptocurrency had forced several central banks across the continent to introduce policies on digital currencies.

    The Bank of Ghana, in August 2021, announced that it partnered Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) to pilot a general-purpose Central Bank Digital Currency (retail CBDC) in Ghana, West Africa.

    The BoG said G+D is providing the technology and developing the solution adapted to Ghana’s requirements, which will be tested in a trial phase with banks, payment service providers, merchants, consumers and other relevant stakeholders.

    He said the centre is currently examing ways through which the CBDC could work hand in hand with cryptocurrency.

    Nathaniel Dwamena explained that the BoG could have several avenues in implementing the CBDC and learn from examples of countries that had done the same.

    He said central banks around the world are exploring the introduction of digital money as legal tender, and Ghana could also join but must learn from best practices, he added.

    He also told the host that CBDCs could provide financial services to people who previously did not have bank accounts, particularly if they are designed for offline use, as well as aid in the distribution of targeted welfare payments, particularly during sudden crises such as a pandemic or natural disaster.

    Nathaniel Dwamena , however, disclosed that despite the several countries that have implemented it, the majority had been a failure, and Ghana must take a cue from these stories.

    “However, risks and challenges must be considered before issuing a CBDC. Authorities will need to improve access to digital infrastructure, such as phone service and internet access.”

    He also stated that central banks will need to develop the expertise and technical capacity to manage data privacy risks, including potential cyber-attacks.

    Nathaniel Dwamena believes that countries must strengthen their national identification systems in order for know-your-customer requirements to be more easily enforced.

    He emphasized that this is a new technology, and Ghana must position itself. We need to integrate our systems, build trust, and protect people by ensuring that this system is safe to use. We recommend that the E-cedi and digital exchanges be usable. This would increase trust in and use of the system.”

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Medeama gaffer David Duncan cites naivety and immaturity for defeat against Great Olympics

    Coach David Duncan of Medeama blamed the players’ inexperience and immaturity for the team’s loss against Great Olympics.

    Monday’s matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium saw the Yellow and Mauves lose 1-0 against the Dade Boys.

    The veteran player claimed after the game that the inexperience of his players was the reason why his team lost.

    “It was a cagy game, we never in our wildest imagination concede the fact that we were coming up against a team that we could run over so in the first half we tried as much as possible to stay in the game for as long as last it lasted and perhaps take our chances if it came up and we were trying to operate most of the time from the wide arrears where we knew Olympics were a bit vulnerable because we played three at the back”

     

    “And I think that a couple of times we call them on the back foot but I told you prior to the game, most of the guys who are playing now, you probably know their profiles, Moro Musah, this is his first game ever in GFA organized competition but you saw the kind of output that he delivered this afternoon, Hafiz, and Fodjour same”

    “So, all I can say is, we could have made the game easier for ourselves in the first half we didn’t do that because of naivety and immaturity on the part of the players” he said

    Medeama currently sit 13th position with 6 points after 5 matches into the Ghana Premier League campaign.

  • Sacking Ken Ofori-Atta will offer Ghanaians a ray of hope – Nana Ofori to Akufo-Addo

    National Chairman of the Progressive People’s Party, Nana Ofori Owusu has backed the NPP MPs’ call for the dismissal of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of the State at the Finance Ministry.

    Over 100 members of the Majority Caucus in Parliament are said to be in alignment with the petition that Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta must go.

    The MPs complain that he is no longer competent in his capacity coupled with other claims that he has lost credibility to front the IMF deal.

    But some have also questioned how the resignation or dismissal of one or two people can turn the fortunes of the country’s economy around.

    Joining “Kokrokoo” panel discussion programme on Peace FM, Nana Ofori Owusu believed strongly that sacking Mr. Ofori-Atta will give Ghanaians hope for a better Ghana and revive their confidence in government.

    “It brings hope. If it won’t change anything, why then do we vote for one person to become President and it lifts up the hopes of many?” he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.

    He however expressed disappointment in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for refusing to heed calls to dismiss the Finance Minister.

    “I have been shocked that government, majority MPs in Parliament have risen up in a manner that has never happened before that they want this person sacked and yet the President, the Executive has become adamant that they won’t allow for this thing to happen. Do you know what is happening? The confidence in our nation continues to be eroded.

    “I was shocked that I couldn’t move. I was stiff in my chair when the people in power recognized that there is a person giving them severe headaches and we still said we won’t make a change. How is it that somebody who has lost credibility in his own party…and you say this person should go and sit in front of IMF, front the programme and put together a budget and when he is done with that (budget preparation); the same person is going to ensure its implementation over the same rot (that the party in power), that the 80 plus MPs tell us he is the problem?”, he exclaimed.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • My wife grew very lean when I was arrested for Fennec’s murder – Bullgod

    Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, popularly known as Bullgod, has recalled how his wife was immensely affected by his arrest in relation to the murder of Fennec Okyere in 2014.

    Bullgod at that time was arrested after investigations by the Homicide Unit of the Police Criminal Investigative Department (CID) pointed to him as the prime suspect in the murder case of the late artiste manager.

    Fennec Okyere was killed at his Manet Gardens residence on the Spintex Road, Accra on March 13, 2014, by unknown assailants, and investigations at that time established that prior to his death, Bullgod issued numerous threats on his life.

    He (Bullgod) was then arrested and kept in a police cell for a month.

    Recounting how that incident affected his family, Bullgod in a discussion on Daybreak Hitz, Tuesday, said his wife lost a lot of weight as a result of grief.

    “She was looking like a broomstick. Slim, drained. She never slept,” he asserted.

    In order for history not to repeat itself, Bulldog has sued Shatta Wale for defamation after the musician threatened to expose his alleged secret involvement in the death of Fennec Okyere.

    In some documents filed at an Accra High Court, Bulldog’s lawyers indicated that these statements seek to suggest that he (Bullgod) planned, effected or had a hand in Mr. Okyere’s death.

    Touching on his reasons for suing Shatta Wale, Bullgod who is seemingly fighting back the allegations in order not to land in prison again, said he is only trying to maintain the sanity of his wife and kids.

    He stressed that he is doing everything possible in order for his wife and kids not to be affected like they were in his earlier arrest.

    “I’m doing this for my kids and my wife. They are not the ones asking me to sue but they were the ones who suffered a lot when I was behind bars. Nobody suffered more than my wife especially. When I got out of cells after one month, she was looking like a broomstick. Slim, drained. She never slept. I remember when I got back from prison, my daughter asked where I was and I told her that I travelled. She said daddy you are lying you were in cells. How did she get to know? She goes to school and I was all over the news at that time,” Bullgod disclosed.

  • Economic hardship: ‘I feel sorry for you’ – PPP Chairman pities Bawumia

    PPP National Chairman, Nana Ofori Owusu says he pities Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for being the Head of the Economic Management Team (EMT).

    According to him, he feels sorry for the Veep particularly when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament have requested that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen should be dismissed.

    Nana Ofori noted that the MPs’ action show that Dr. Bawumia is not in charge of the management of the economy in respect of his role in the EMT but Ken Ofori-Atta is.

    Making his submissions on Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo”, the PPP National Chairman said; “You know the Vice President, sometimes, I feel sorry for him . . . here is the person who has been made the Head of the Economic Management Team but as Head of the Economic Management Team, it appears to us that he has no bite . . . that is why the MPs have skipped the Vice President and have gone straight to the Finance Minister because they say the decisions that are being taken, it’s being taken by the Finance Minister. So, it’s not really the Vice President who is in charge in the management of the economy in our country.”

    “You see when the MPs of the majority party come and tell us these things, it speaks volumes because they have access to more information than you and I,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the entire MPs of the ruling party are said to be in support of Ken Ofori-Atta being dismissed, according to the Afigya Kwabre North NPP Member of Parliament (MP), Collins Adomako-Mensah.

    “We are all aligned to the earlier concern that eighty (80) of the Members of Parliament raised…The obvious thing is that we had a meeting as a Caucus and the Caucus decided this is our position,” he told Kwami Sefa Kayi during Friday’s “kokrokoo” show.

    Hon. Adomako-Mensah affirmed that the Majority Caucus strongly believe that “a new person at the Finance Ministry will bring some new breath, new ideas”.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Both NDC and NPP have rejected Ofori Atta – Dr. Duffuor jabs

    Former finance minister and NDC 2024 Presidential hopeful, Dr Kwabena Duffuor has said the current finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta is in an untenable position, with both the ruling NPP and opposition NDC rejecting him as finance minister.

    In an interview with Kasapa FM, the former governor of the bank of Ghana said the finance minister must leave office of his own volition.

    “He [finance minister] has been rejected by both sides. His own NPP party has rejected him and we in the NDC don’t want him. If I were him, I would go already”.

    NPP MPs last week in a press conference called on President Nana Akufo Addo to dismiss Ken Ofori Atta as finance minister. They threatened to boycott government business in parliament in protest against inaction from the President. They later backtracked after a meeting with the President.

    Civil society groups and opposition parties earlier called for the removal of the finance minister as inflation skyrocketed, amidst historic levels of local currency depreciation against the US dollar, with Ghana at the brink of debt default.

    Dr Duffuor, who formally announced his 2024 Presidential bid this week said Ken Ofori Atta should not wait to be sacked but should rather do the most honourable thing by resigning from his position to reduce the uncertainty that his continued stay in office creates for the economy in general.

    President Akufo Addo has however insisted that the finance minister Ken Ofori Atta, who is also his cousin, is one of his best-performing aides despite admitting that Ghana is in economic crisis.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • T-bills target missed for four weeks consecutively, interest rates soar

    The Government of Ghana’s weekly Treasury bills was undersubscribed for the fourth consecutive week.

    Treasury bills have remained undersubscribed despite rising interest rates.

    Results from the auction showed that the government secured GH¢1.23 billion out of the target of GH¢1.316 billion.

    However, interest rates for the 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day Treasury bills stood at 33.34%, 34.85 and, 34.78%.

    The 91-day treasury bills received GH¢1.073.48 billion bids whiles the 182-day treasury bills received bids worth GH¢141.41 million of which all bids were accepted.
    The 364-day T-bills received GH¢21.73.

    Despite the high-interest rate, inflation still stands above 37.2% as of September 2022, signifying a negative return on the investment.

    Meanwhile, the government is targeting GH¢2,060 million in its next auction.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • No one needs to tell me cedi depreciation is affecting local businesses, Ghanaians – Ofori-Atta

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said he is aware the frequent depreciation of the cedi was having dire consequences on local businesses and Ghanaians at large.

    He admitted that Ghanaians were also living under harsh economic conditions with the prices of goods and services skyrocketing by the day.

    Speaking at a forum organized by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), he said, “As the Minister of Finance, no one needs to tell me the ravages of the cedi depreciation which has become an albatross on the neck of our local industries and the high cost of living for all citizens.”

    He was however optimistic the local currency will soon stabilize to allow businesses to heave a sigh of relief.

    According to him, government together with the Bank of Ghana have devised strategic measures to ensure the cedi trades at par with major trading currencies.

    The Finance Minister said government and the central bank will deal with persons speculating false news about the cedi as the move leads to the depreciation of the local currency.

    Ken Ofori-Atta further entreated local businesses to expand their production capacity to be able to produce more, as well as, create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth in the country.

    He stressed that Ghana cannot continue to be a nation of importers.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • BoG illegally lent government GH¢70 billion – Isaac Adongo alleges

    Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament, Isaac Adongo, has accused the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, of lending an amount of GH¢70 billion to government.

    According to him, the money taken from the central bank was used to finance government’s maturing debts on the domestic market.

    The move, Mr Adongo said, was contrary to the Bank of Ghana’s Financial Management Act.

    Addressing the media on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, he said, “There are strict rules on which the Government of Ghana can borrow from the Bank of Ghana, and the strict rules are quite clear, stating that, the Bank of Ghana at any point in time should have lent more than 5 percent of the previous revenue cumulatively.”

    He added that, “If you consider last year’s revenue, the government cannot even borrow less than GH¢5 billion from the Bank of Ghana, but by the end of the year 2021, Dr Addison had illegally lent over GH¢35 billion and by May this year he had added GH¢22 billion.”

    “As we speak today, Dr Addison has been financing the government and paying maturing debt obligations on the domestic market that the government cannot fund. We are currently looking at something in the region of GH¢70 billion of illegal borrowing by the government of Ghana through the Bank of Ghana,” the Bolgatanga Central MP stated.

    He called for the dismissal of Dr Ernest Addison as the governor of the Bank of Ghana for playing a role in the mismanagement of the economy.

    “How can Dr Addison still be the governor of the central bank? I call on Dr Addison, as a matter of urgency, to exit that office and give Ghana the chance to clear the mess that he has created,” Mr Adongo said.

    He attributed the frequent increase in petroleum products, transport fares, goods and services, among others to some policy decisions taken by Dr Ernest Addison.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Breaking: Investigative Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas ordered to appear in open court to face Kwesi Nyantakyi

    The Supreme Court has ordered investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas to appear in open court to face former Ghana FA chief Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    This means that, as a result of a decision made by the nation’s top governing body on Tuesday morning, Anas will come before the court without his customary face mask to face Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    The journalist has been extremely reluctant to appear in court without his mask but Supreme Court has quashed earlier ruling by a lower court, however, Anas will now be publicly seen in court in his real flesh as he testifies in court.

    The order of the High Court 2, Criminal Division granted permission to Anas Aremeyaw Anas to testify on camera in the case against Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    But on appeal by lawyers of Nyantakyi, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the former football chief and asked Anas to appear in flesh to be cross-examined in open court by Nyantakyi.

    By this decision of the Supreme Court, Anas Amereyaw Anas must give evidence in open court.

     

    Nyantakyi is fighting his case against the controversial journalist in a bid to clear his name.

    The former Ghana FA capo is serving a global ban following the documentary.

    Nyantakyi, who was rising to the very top of global football administration, had to step aside from his roles with Caf including as 1st vice-president, the most senior figure at the confederation after its former president, Ahmad.

    Nyantakyi and other football officials from around the continent were secretly filmed by undercover reporters receiving cash gifts as part of a documentary by controversial Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.