TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • BoG Governor says Central Bank had zero financing prior to COVID-19

    BoG Governor says Central Bank had zero financing prior to COVID-19

    Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, has highlighted the steadfast fiscal approach adopted during his administration. Despite the legal provision allowing up to 5% of the previous year’s tax revenue to finance the budget, Dr. Addison confirmed that there was no budget financing from 2017 to 2019 and 2021. This assertion underscores the commitment to a responsible fiscal strategy during the specified years.

    Dr Ernest Addison emphasized that the adherence to a prudent fiscal approach has yielded positive outcomes, contributing to the lowering of inflation, reduction of the policy rate, and fostering growth during the initial three years of his term. 

    This strategic financial management has played a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape under Dr. Addison’s leadership at the Bank of Ghana.

    Highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Ernest Addison acknowledged the challenges it posed, particularly the escalation of debt levels and the necessity for restructuring. This recognition underscores the complexities faced by financial institutions during the global pandemic and emphasizes the need for adaptive measures.

    Dr. Ernest Addison discloses a significant shift in strategy, indicating that the Bank of Ghana opted for monetary financing for the first time. This decision aligns with the approach adopted by numerous central banks globally, reflecting the unprecedented challenges presented by the circumstances, particularly the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

    He said this was a difficult decision, but it was necessary to support the government’s COVID expenditures.

    “We had some good discussions going into it. The Finance Minister [Ken Ofori-Atta] went to Parliament and requested for a suspension of the Fiscal Responsibility Act due to the pandemic. This enabled us to trigger emergency provisions in the Bank of Ghana Act to provide exceptional financing for the government budget. And that’s what we did.”

    “For me, it was a big reawakening, because I did not foresee that the Central Bank would be drawn into budget financing. But, given global developments, especially with central banks in advanced economies, it seemed like monetary accommodation of fiscal policy to meet COVID expenditures had become part of the norm.”, he noted.

    Dr Ernest Addison also added that the International Monetary Fund also gave additional SDRs, which are central bank assets, to help governments cope with the pandemic.

    He explained this meant the Bank of Ghana had to lend these resources to the government, along with invoking the emergency provisions in the Bank of Ghana Act.

    The Governor admitted this was hard for him, but it was eased by the government’s successful issuance of nearly $3 billion in debt in 2021.

    “Even in 2021, the government was able to successfully issue nearly $3 billion in debt. That helped to ensure the central bank didn’t have to provide financing,” he said.

  • Skyrocketing food cost leaves Gazans hopeless

    Skyrocketing food cost leaves Gazans hopeless

    Food sellers in Gaza are charging really high prices because there isn’t enough food, which is making life hard for people who live there, regular Palestinians say.

    Jihad Abu Sharkh had to move from his home in northern Gaza to Rafah in the south because a lot of displaced Palestinians are staying there. But now, it’s hard to find enough food to eat.

    “We have to rely on the merchants who buy something for 10 shekels and then sell it for 200 or 250 shekels,” he said.

    “They buy a bag of flour for 60 shekels and then sell it to us for 300 shekels. ”

    He asked everyone to unite against the people who sell food to war, and stop them from having all the power.

    Jamal Abu Alyan, who is in the southern part of Gaza, said: “Everywhere we go, we have a hard time because only a few dealers control everything. ”

    Another person in Rafah told the media: “Many people don’t have enough food or drink to eat and some have to beg because they can’t find enough to eat. This is because food sellers are controlling the prices. ”

    The United Nations has said that Gaza doesn’t have enough food and could run out of food soon.

    More update on this story soon.

  • Black Sherif celebrates birthday with release of reflective single ‘January 9’

    Black Sherif celebrates birthday with release of reflective single ‘January 9’

    Ghanaian music sensation and BET Award winner, Black Sherif, has revealed his latest and most contemplative release to date. Titled ‘January 9th,’ the track is presented through his record label, RBA, in collaboration with Empire.

    On this significant day, Black Sherif shares a piece of introspective artistry that promises to resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

    On his birthday, Black Sherif’s latest single, “January 9th,” takes listeners on a poignant journey through the artist’s musical evolution. The song explores his personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives, offering a glimpse into the depth of Black Sherif’s evolving artistry.

    Black Sherif, celebrated for his distinctive musical style and compelling storytelling, persists in pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, captivating audiences with his innovative approach to music.

    ‘January 9th’ not only showcases his artistic growth but also invites fans to connect with the artist on a more profound level.

    The song, which was produced by Joker Nharnah, with additional mixing and mastering by Samsney, combines soulful melodies with insightful lyrics, creating an emotional narrative that will resonate with fans on a personal level.

    From his struggles to triumphs, the artist lays bare his emotions, making this song a testament to authenticity and self-discovery.

    Sharing the inspiration behind the record, Black Sherif revealed:The number nine has become so significant to me ever since I got to know my birthday. I have fully grasped its meaning and share in the strongest conviction that the number 9 is my luckiest manifestation”.

    The 22-year-old continuously hints at the release of his sophomore album, which is due this year, to his fans on his social media platforms. Adjudged the second most streamed artiste globally on Audiomack in 2023.

    Black Sherif keeps defying the odds and breaking new grounds for music emanating from Africa on the global stage.

    A native of Konongo, a small mineral-rich town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Black Sherif, born Mohammed Ismail Sharif Kwaku Frimpong, has risen against all odds to become the country’s biggest star.

    Embracing a diverse musical palette, he bridges the gap between Afrobeats, highlife, and Ghanian drill, showcasing his wordplay, storytelling, and linguistic versatility.

    The breakout success of “First Sermon” and “Second Sermon” in 2021 propelled Black Sherif onto the international stage, with “Kwaku The Traveller” earning him superstar status in 2022.

    Since the release of his debut album in 2022, The Villain I Never Was, Black Sherif has solidified his place as one of Africa’s most powerful creative voices.

    The album has amassed massive global streaming numbers, which made him the most streamed Ghanaian artist of 2022 and 2023 on Spotify and the most streamed Ghanaian artist of all time on popular African streaming platform Boomplay.

    Black Sherif has reached these pinnacles in record time—being an integral part of the front runners pushing the sounds coming from Africa globally.

  • Election 2024 will be your last dance and will end in your defeat – NPP tells Asiedu Nketiah

    Election 2024 will be your last dance and will end in your defeat – NPP tells Asiedu Nketiah

    Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has offered a candid advice to the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, in the lead up of the 2024 general elections. 

    Ahiagbah suggested that instead of planning for the 2024 general elections, the NDC‘s flagbearer and former President John Dramani Mahama should consider preparing for retirement.

    In a direct message to Asiedu Nketiah, Ahiagbah emphasized the significance of looking towards the future and making strategic decisions for the party. 

    The statement implies a belief that Mahama’s political career should come to an end, prompting discussions about the NDC’s leadership and its approach to the upcoming elections.

    As the political landscape evolves, the NPP’s communication director has positioned retirement as a consideration for Mahama, adding a layer of speculation to the dynamics leading up to the 2024 general elections. 

    The statement reflects the ongoing discourse surrounding political figures and their roles in shaping the future of their respective parties.

    He has made a projection concerning the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s performance in the upcoming elections. Ahiagbah anticipates that the NDC will face defeat in this year’s elections, adding to the political speculation surrounding the competitive landscape leading up to the polls.

    He was reacting to Mr Asiedu Nketiah’s comment that the NPP administration should start preparing their handing over notes.

    Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, January 8, Mr Asiedu Nketiah said “They will fail because no power can defeat an organized and determined people struggling for their freedom. Truth is, Ghanaians have already abandoned the NPP and their followers. Therefore, the NPP ministers must begin preparing their handing over notes.

    “Already, thousands of persons affiliated to the NPP have lost the District Level Elections. Yes, NPP people have miserably lost the Assembly and Unit Committee elections to members, supporters, and affiliates of the NDC.”

    He added, “Ashanti and Eastern regions were also very impressive for the NDC compared to 2019 performance. Presently, even though the Electoral Commission unexpectedly postponed voting in some electoral areas in these two stronghold regions of the ruling NPP, NDC members and affiliates secured 34.13% and 45.52% of the electoral areas in Ashanti and Eastern regions respectively.”

    But responding to him, the Director of Communication of the NPP Richard Ahiagbah, said the 2024 general election is about programmes and policies and not subtle ‘threats of violence’ and ‘vain’ innuendos.

    He said the elections are about which candidate has the best policies and programmes to manage the economy. To him, the flagbearer of his party, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is next to lead the country ‘with humility, capacity, and the fear of God to unleash Ghana’s production potential to benefit all Ghanaians’.

    In a statement he posted on his X platform, Mr Ahiagbah said “NDC should not get it twisted. We have seen you this confident and boastful before.  Please note, Chairman Mosquito, where we have gotten to as people or a democracy, it is not simply a question of it is my turn or to propagate hardship. No no no…..Chairman. It is about programs and policies, not subtle threats of violence and vain innuendos. Bawumia is next to lead with humility,  capacity and the fear of God to unleash Ghana’s production potential to benefit of all Ghanaians.

    It is possible. There are difficulties to do with the economy, and it is the same globally. But it is coming back, and you know it. But regarding your suggestion to the NPP, respectfully Chairman, I think you should be the one preparing for retirement on 7th Dec 2024; because it will be your LAST DANCE, and it will end in defeat. So chill, Sir!

    “I make you this promise Sir, the elections will be free and fair….Pls stop seeing the ghosts of your past electoral ways & means in your dream. I wish you a humble new year.”

  • Bush fires threatening stable power supply – ECG laments

    Bush fires threatening stable power supply – ECG laments

    Ghanaians, especially rural residents, have been cautioned against igniting fires in the bush, particularly during the dry season. 

    The caution was issued by authorities of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) who emphasize the potentially devastating consequences of these fires, warning that they have the potential to escalate into disasters. 

    Additionally, the ECG authorities indicated that these fire incidents affect their operations since they often destroy poles that help in providing electricity to communities. 

    This, according to the power distribution company, results in unstable power supply, and increasing the cost of maintenance.

    During a media engagement in Ho, the General Manager of ECG in the Volta/Oti Regions, Christina Jatoe- Kaleo explained that the unfortunate incident has cost ECG and the state huge sums of money. 

    She indicated that ten electricity poles were burnt between December 2023 and 10th January 2024 in her jurisdiction, which would cost her outfit about GHS‎ 70,000 to replace the affected poles.

    “Some of the communities that do not have power, or they have but people have extended to new sites and they are requesting for us to extend services to them. These poles that should have been used to extend services to them have to be used to replace what have been destroyed by the bushfires”, she lamented.

    She mentioned that ECG has implemented certain measures to reduce the impact of bushfires. These measures include clearing trees along ECG transmission lines, establishing fire belts around the poles, and using fire-retardant paint. Additionally, in areas prone to fires, ECG is replacing wooden poles with metallic ones.

    She also entreated community members to be watchdogs and ensure the protection of the installations of ECG and also act as ambassadors to preach against bushfires.

  • Examiners in Bono Region decry persistent delays in compensation for WASSCE marking

    Examiners in Bono Region decry persistent delays in compensation for WASSCE marking

    Examiners in the Bono Region are raising concerns over the repeated delays in receiving their compensation for marking the 2023 West African Examinations Certificate Examination (WASSCE). 

    Despite diligently carrying out their duties and the subsequent release of results, these examiners find themselves in limbo, awaiting their rightful remuneration.

    According to them, the delay in payment has become a repeated issue, prompting examiners to advocate for a change in the current compensation system. 

    Despite the release of the 2023 WASSCE results by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), examiners report that they are still awaiting their due compensation, adding a layer of frustration to their responsibilities.

    “I started marking in 2010, and everything was okay until recent times; the payments are not forthcoming. We have to wait for many weeks or even months before we are paid. That is my concern, that is what we are going through now as examiners,” expressed one examiner, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction among those involved in the marking process.

    Another examiner voiced similar sentiments, stating, “In fact, I’m even fed up, to tell you the truth. I’m getting fed up because this is not the first time they are doing this. They have been delaying our payments for about two years now.”

    Examiners stressed the need for transparency and effective communication in the employer-employee relationship, expressing frustration at the lack of timely information regarding their compensation. Some examiners revealed that when inquiring about their payments, they were informed that the government had not released the necessary funds to WAEC.

    Although WAEC officials at the Sunyani office declined on-camera comments, they acknowledged the outstanding payments owed to the examiners. Assurances were given that the examiners would receive their compensation promptly once the government released the funds.

    The delay in compensating examiners raises concerns about the effectiveness of the current system and its impact on the morale of those involved in the examination process. As the examiners await their due compensation, calls for a more efficient and timely payment process resonate among the educational community in the Bono Region.

  • Gaza’s healthcare system quickly deteriorating – WHO

    Gaza’s healthcare system quickly deteriorating – WHO

    Sean Casey from the World Health Organization is worried about the fighting near three hospitals in Gaza. These hospitals are the last place where people can get medical help in that area. He is in charge of the medical teams working there.

    He told Reuters that the health system is falling apart very quickly.

    Casey said that the health system is still struggling. Health workers are scared to go to work because they are afraid for their safety.

    People who are scared of going to the hospital because they think they could die on the way, along with their families who also fear this.

    “I heard this morning that because of fighting near a hospital in Khan Yunis governorate in the south of Gaza, patients and their families are risking their lives to get medical help. “

  • Prayers chanted by mourners for deceased Hezbollah commander

    Prayers chanted by mourners for deceased Hezbollah commander

    Today, people in the village of Khirbet Selem in southern Lebanon came together for the funeral of Wissam Tawil. He was a high-ranking leader in the group Hezbollah and had been killed the day before in a likely attack by Israel.

    The coffin, covered with Hezbollah’s yellow flag, was carried in a parade through the streets, with people singing prayers.

    His death was a big event in the ongoing problem between Hezbollah, a strong Lebanese group supported by Iran, and Israel.

    Tawil, a high-ranking member of Hezbollah’s Radwan force, was killed in the recent fighting. This has made people worried that there will be a big war.

    Hezbollah keeps on attacking Israel from across the border. They hit positions in Israel. There are also reports that another important leader of the group was killed in southern Lebanon by Israel.

    So far, Hezbollah has planned its attacks carefully, and the fighting has mostly stayed near the borders.

    Israel sees the group as a strong enemy because it has many well-trained fighters and a lot of rockets, including missiles that can reach far into Israel.

    Israeli leaders say it’s very important to make the northern part of the country safe again – even if they have to use the army.

    Some people, like Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, have said that if the situation gets worse, there could be a very strong reaction. They are saying that the military could do to Beirut what it has already done to Gaza.

  • Two British hostages left in Gaza – UK Foreign Secretary

    Two British hostages left in Gaza – UK Foreign Secretary

    Hamas in Gaza is still holding two people from Britain as hostages, as said by David Cameron.

    The UK’s chief diplomat is being questioned by a group of legislators at a foreign affairs meeting.
    Two British citizens are still being held as captives. I don’t want to say anything else abou tthem.

    When he was asked if we know if they are alive, he said, “I don’t want to say anything else. ” We don’t have anything to tell you.

    Israel says that they still can’t find 123 people who were taken to Gaza by Hamas during the attacks on 7 October.

    Israel believes that 23 of these people are dead.

    More update on this story soon.

  • Rev Opuni Frimpong calls for increased transparency and public engagement by Electoral Commission

    Rev Opuni Frimpong calls for increased transparency and public engagement by Electoral Commission

    Former General Secretary of the Christian Council, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, has called for increased transparency and improved public information efforts by the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC).

    Rev. Opuni Frimpong expressed his desire to see the EC demonstrate sincerity and transparency in its operations, emphasizing the importance of actions aligning with intentions.

    “To me, they [EC] want to be sincere and transparent with the nation, and I would never assume that they have the intention to do so. I want to see their actions confirming this,” he said on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

    He likened the communication approach of the EC to that of an inclusive classroom, where every individual, regardless of their background or understanding, should be carried along. 

    Rev. Opuni Frimpong stressed the need for the EC’s educational unit, along with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), to ensure that information service plans are accessible and understandable to people from various educational backgrounds.

    “”Some students have to say and repeat and give extra examples before they understand, but you must carry everybody in the class along. For the sharp ones and the low learners, you must carry everyone along. I have been to the meetings, and I understand what they are trying to say. 

    “As long as I have my grandmother in my village who wants to understand what they are saying, I do not understand,” remarked Rev. Opuni Frimpong, emphasizing the importance of reaching all segments of society, including those who may not have had formal education,” he said.

    He urged the EC to actively engage in inclusive communication strategies, considering the diversity of the Ghanaian population. Rev. Opuni Frimpong suggested that both the NCCE and the EC’s educational unit should work collaboratively to ensure that information reaches every corner of the nation, from the village to the city.

  • US court hears historic case involving Trump immunity

    US court hears historic case involving Trump immunity

    A very important court case to decide if Donald Trump can be charged with a crime will be held in Washington on Tuesday.

    The lawyers for the ex-president, who is a Republican, will say that being president protects him from being accused of election fraud in 2020.

    Mr Trump, who said he will go, is accused by a special lawyer of trying to change Joe Biden’s win.

    The result of this hearing could greatly affect what happens to Mr. Trump in the future.

    His lawyers are using the same argument to defend him in another group of election charges he has in Georgia.

    It is likely that this problem will go to the US Supreme Court during the 2024 election, where Mr. Trump is expected to win the Republican nomination.

    Long legal arguments about whether he has immunity could make his criminal trials take longer than expected, possibly even after the November election when he will likely be up against Democratic President Joe Biden.

    For many years, the ex-president has used presidential immunity to avoid facing civil and criminal cases against him.

    The US Constitution does not say that the president is immune from lawsuits, but courts have usually agreed that government officials should be protected from being sued.

    There is no past law that says what should happen if a president is charged with a crime.

    In legal papers before this court date, the special lawyer prosecuting him, Jack Smith, told the court that if Mr Trump is not allowed to be charged, it could mean that presidents can break the law to stay in office.

    The judge said being president doesn’t mean you can never go to jail.

    On Monday, in a post on social media, Mr. Trump said that he was not trying to get elected when he questioned the results of the election against Mr. He said he was just doing his job as the president by pointing out voter fraud.

    Three judges in Washington DC will talk and listen to arguments at the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, and then make a decision later on.

    The courtroom is a few blocks from the US Capitol. His fans stormed the Capitol to prevent Joe Biden from being confirmed as president in January 2021.

    Mr Trump’s lawyers will use his Senate acquittal for his actions before the violence to support their case.

    “His appeal document says the president can’t be charged for a crime if the US Senate already said he didn’t do it. ” The accusation against President Trump is not legal or allowed by the constitution. It needs to be rejected.

    A survey by CBS News shows that most Americans think that Mr. Trump should not be shielded from being prosecuted for things he did while he was president.

    The trial for the election fraud case is supposed to happen on 4 March, but it is paused because the appeals court, which has two judges picked by Democratic presidents and one by a Republican, hasn’t made a decision yet.

    No matter what the judges decide, most people think the case will go to the US Supreme Court. Conservatives have more judges there, with 6 out of 9.

    Last month, the highest court said no to Mr. Smith’s request to speed up a decision on Mr. Trump’s immunity claim.

    Last month, the Supreme Court said it will hear Mr. Trump’s appeal against Colorado for not allowing him to be on the ballot because of a rarely used part of the US constitution.

  • Son of ousted president of Niger set free by military junta

    Son of ousted president of Niger set free by military junta

    The son of the former president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was let go by a military court after being in jail for over five months.

    Salem Bazoum went to Togo after presidents from nearby countries helped him get released.

    He was taken to the president’s palace with his parents after the military took control in July.

    His parents are still in jail, and the government has not agreed to let them go despite pressure from other countries.

    The military court said that Mr Bazoum Jnr’s release is not final. He will have to go to court when he is asked to.

    He was accused of helping to overthrow the government after the coup.

    In October, the ruling military group claimed that the removed president and his family, along with two cooks and two security officials, tried to run away but did not succeed.

    Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey went to Niger to help Mr. Bazoum Jnr leave the country, according to the tribunal’s statement.

    Togo’s government said he is free, but did not say where he is.

    Sierra Leone also tried to help get the ousted president’s son released, the statement said.

    The Ecowas court said the Bazoum family’s arrest was unfair. They were told to go free, and Mr Bazoum was put back as president.

    The military group has not followed the decision and has said that it will take up to three years for civilians to take over.

    Gen Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the presidential bodyguard, took control from Mr Bazoum in a coup. Ecowas and Western nations, including France, criticized the takeover.

    The French soldiers left Niger last month because the junta told them to go.

    Ecowas said it will keep punishing Niger until it sees the country making progress towards having a civilian government again.

    The penalties have made food more expensive and there aren’t enough basic things in Niger anymore.

  • Fuel prices in Cuba to rise by more than 500%

    Fuel prices in Cuba to rise by more than 500%

    The Cuban government announced that they will increase fuel prices by five times due to fuel shortages and financial difficulties.

    Starting in February, the price of a liter of gas will go up from 25 pesos to 132 pesos.

    The government gives money to many goods to help reduce its debt.

    This is the newest rule that is making life harder for Cubans who don’t have much money.

    Finance minister Vladimir Regueiro stated that the price of diesel and other types of gasoline would go up by similar amounts. He also said that the price of electricity will go up by 25% for big users in neighborhoods where people live, and that the cost of natural gas will also go up.

    Mr Regueiro said the government will open 29 new gas stations that will only take US dollars as payment. This will help the government get enough foreign money to buy fuel from other countries.

    “Mr Regueiro said on Monday that these steps are meant to help our economy get better. ”

    Cuba’s economy has taken a big hit because of problems caused by the coronavirus, tighter sanctions from the US, and weaknesses in the country’s infrastructure.

    Last month, the economy minister of Cuba, Alejandro Gil, said that the government can no longer sell fuel at reduced prices and that it was the cheapest in the world.

    Economics professor Omar Everleny Pérez said that even though gas is cheap in Cuba compared to other countries, it’s still very expensive for people who live there because their salaries are low.

    He said that the new prices will impact everyone in society.

    In a country where not many people have cars, the price of petrol going up makes it even harder for people to afford one.

    Cuba relies a lot on things from other countries. For the past four years, it has not had enough food, medicine, or things for people to buy.

    The cost of things is going up, and also the prices of basic items are going up. People who work for the government aren’t getting paid more, which makes it harder for people in Cuba to afford things.

    The fuel shortage is causing long lines at gas stations, which can sometimes be miles long and make it take a long time to fill up a car with gas. Public transportation has also been greatly impacted.

    The government had to cancel Cuba’s May Day parade in 2023 because there were not enough things to do it.

  • Saudi Arabia hopes to work with Israel after war

    Saudi Arabia hopes to work with Israel after war

    The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the UK wants to make friends with Israel after the war in Gaza, but only if it helps create a country for the Palestinians.

    Prince Khalid bin Bandar told the media that a deal was almost finished. The talks between the US and Saudi Arabia were stopped after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October.

    Saudi Arabia still wants to be friends with Israel even though many people were hurt in Gaza. But they won’t do it if it means hurting the Palestinian people.

    The ambassador said that the international community is not doing enough to stop the fighting in Gaza and that this is a failure of humanity.

    He also said he wants the UK to be fair to Israel and treat it like it treats other countries. “The lack of attention towards Israel is a problem because it hinders peace,” he said.

    Saudi Arabia is a leading country in the Arab and Islamic world. Since 1948, it has not officially accepted Israel, and if a deal to make things normal between the two countries happens, it would be a very big moment for Israel.

    In late September, the leader of Saudi Arabia said in a TV interview in the US that we are getting closer to an agreement every day.

    Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman thinks the Palestinian issue is very important. He said any agreement should make life easier for the Palestinians. But he didn’t say it had to lead to a new Palestinian state.

    Palestinian leaders have said they will reject any deal that doesn’t give them a state. But earlier, they were asking for more money and control of land in the West Bank in exchange for working with the US-backed Saudi-Israel process.

    Saudi officials wanted the US to stop talking about the attack a few days after it happened. About 1,300 people were killed and 240 others were taken hostage by hundreds of Hamas gunmen from Gaza. They had gone into southern Israeli communities.

    The health ministry in Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas, says that over 23,200 people have died during the fighting between Israel and Hamas. Israel started the military campaign to try and get rid of Hamas.

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to reporters after meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed on Monday. He mentioned that the topic of normalizing relations was discussed during their meeting.

    “He wants to keep working on that,” he said. “But first the fighting in Gaza must stop, and there must be a clear way for the Palestinians to have their own state. “

    During an interview with the BBC’s Today show, the Saudi ambassador in London said that his country’s leaders are definitely interested in making an agreement.

    [A deal] was almost done,that’s for sure. We really wanted Palestine to become an independent state in the end. Prince Khalid said that we still believe in normalizing the situation, but not if it hurts the Palestinian people.

    He said, “We were almost back to normal,so we were close to having a Palestinian state. “You can’t have one without the other. They were talking about how things are put in order and managed.

    When asked if Saudi Arabia thinks Hamas should be part of the future Palestinian state, Prince Khalid said they need to think about it a lot. Hamas is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the US, UK, and other Western countries.

    “If you believe things can get better,then change is possible. ” But when there is a fight, you have to understand that both sides have lost, he said.

    “Israel’s current government has a very strong and uncompromising view, which makes it hard to find a solution to the conflict. “

    He didn’t say much, but the US criticized two extreme Israeli politicians for suggesting that Palestinians should be moved out of Gaza.

    Prince Khalid said that the war in Gaza has caused a lot of people to die and has also led to a big crisis. He also warned that there is a risk that some people may become radical because of the war.

    “The high level of violence from both sides,especially from Israel, in the past three months is something I have never seen before,” he said. “The numbers are very bad,really bad. “

    “This will make Palestinian people and others around the world feel even more hopeless. “Every one sees human failure in what is happening, because no one has taken action to stop it. Efforts are being made, but they are not sufficient.

  • Outcome of meeting with NLC to determine fate of TUSSAG strike

    Outcome of meeting with NLC to determine fate of TUSSAG strike

    The National Executive Committee of the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) is set to engage with the National Labour Commission (NLC) on Wednesday regarding the suspension of its planned strike. 

    The association has concurrently issued a call for tranquility across all affected campuses amidst these deliberations.

    The Association had initially issued a strike threat due to the alleged failure of management in certain Technical Universities to address concerns related to retirement. However, it later decided to rescind this threat.

    In an interview, President of the Association, Joseph Mensah disclosed that a crunch meeting with the NLC will determine the fate of the strike.

    “There’s a monumental progress made towards the resolution of our demand. Those attempts have been on the instance of the Minister of Education pursuant to which a directive has been issued to the non-compliant institutions to do so. Subsequent to it, we have had a fruitful discussion with the Vice Chancellors and they have pledged their commitment to abide by the conditions of the role over.

    “It is in respect of these progressive moves by the Vice Chancellors and national stakeholders that is why we have decided to suspend the strike. Suspend in the sense that we have some summons from the NLC. We do not know what is the view of the Commission whether or not the invitation is strictly on the reasons for our intended strike action or an addendum to our issues.”

  • Kim Jong Un allegedly turns forty

    Kim Jong Un allegedly turns forty

    North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might be turning 40, but some people are not sure.

    The leader of North Korea has never told anyone his birthday, so no one knows when it is.

    If what people are saying is true, he turned the milestone age on Monday. On that day, official pictures of him and his daughter visiting a chicken farm were also released.

    The quiet day is very different from the days of the people who came before him.

    Actually, the birthdays of his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung – big, national celebrations when they were in charge – are still celebrated as holidays today.

    It is not known why the suggested date of 8 January is a secret. Before, North Korean officials said thank you to Donald Trump for his birthday wishes in January 2020, but they didn’t say which day.

    More proof of the date came out six years ago. Dennis Rodman, a US basketball player, sang happy birthday to Kim Jong Un in front of a big crowd.

    Gilsup Kwak, the leader of One Korea Center, a website that focuses on North Korea, thinks there are several reasons why there is no information about his mother Ko Yong Hui. One reason is that she was supposedly born in Japan.

    Many people in North Korea still don’t trust Japan, which ruled the region from 1910 to 1945. This could hurt Kim Jong Un‘s claims about his family. So, people haven’t talked about it much. Making a big deal about his birthday might lead to getting attention he doesn’t want.

    “Mr Kwak said that the truth about Kim Jong Un’s birth is something that could make him vulnerable. ”

    But there are many other reasons, he says, such as thinking that honoring his ancestors and family is sufficient, and wanting to show himself as a down-to-earth leader.

    Some people think that his age is the issue. Experts say that older leaders in North Korea think that their ruler is still too young, even though they made his father’s birthday an official holiday when he turned 40.

  • Trump’s claims of immunity to be examined by US appeal court

    Trump’s claims of immunity to be examined by US appeal court

    A very important court case is happening in Washington to decide if Donald Trump can be charged with a crime or not.

    The DC Circuit Court of Appeals is thinking about whether Trump can use presidential immunity to protect himself from being accused of 2020 election fraud.

    Trump said he will go to court to listen to arguments in a case that might reach the Supreme Court.

    Jack Smith, a special lawyer, has accused Trump of trying to change the result of the 2020 election and of lying to stay as president.

    Trump claims that he was doing his job as president on Jan 6 and in the weeks before it, so he can’t be charged with a crime.

    You can hear the meeting at 09:30 ET (14:30 GMT) by clicking the play button at the top of the page.

    More update on this story soon.

  • COCOBOD raises alarm on impact of Nawara Mining Company’s activities on farms

    COCOBOD raises alarm on impact of Nawara Mining Company’s activities on farms

    The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has vehemently condemned Nawara Mining Company for inflicting substantial harm on cocoa farms in the Fanteakwa South District and Abuakwa North municipality of the Eastern Region.

    The rebuke comes in response to a petition filed by a group of farmers, alleging that the mining company forcibly seized control of their cocoa farms, asserting that the land falls under their concession.

    Tension among farmers heightened as the company initiated new prospecting activities, digging approximately a hundred holes in areas dedicated to cocoa cultivation.

    Nevertheless, the cocoa farmers affected contend that these farms have been their means of livelihood for numerous years, emphasizing the detrimental consequences of their destruction.

    Fearing the loss of their farms, some of the farmers have entered negotiations for compensation from the mining company, resulting in the substantial loss of cocoa farms.

    The leader of the affected cocoa farmers, Humphrey Ayisi, stated that the mining company has destroyed over 10,000 acres of cocoa farms in the enclave in the last few years.

    He said this is having a severe impact on the livelihoods of farmers.

    “Cocoa sector employs over 750,000 families in Ghana. Globally it employs over 2 million workforce but surface mining and galamsey are destroying everything that if we are not careful, it will destroy our source of livelihood, agriculture, and water,” Humphrey Ayisi said.

    He added “The cocoa that the mining company is destroying affects Ghana. We have not gotten specific data but when you look at the destruction caused to cocoa farms over the years till date in this area, we are taking in access to 10,000 acres.”

    He called on the government to ban Nawara Mining Company from undertaking mining activities in cocoa-growing communities in the area.

    “The company should first reclaim the land, ensure that the polluted river birim is made clean and there should also be a ban on mining in cocoa growing communities.”

    Nawara Company however explains that farmers affected by its current prospecting activities have been compensated.

    “We met the chiefs before we met the farmers for engagement. Wherever we did prospecting, we paid compensation to farmers. As we speak, there are more farmers trooping into our sites for us to do prospecting. So as we speak, there is no farmer that we have not compensated. Every single farmer has been compensated. We are doing almost hundred (100) holes for prospecting. We have done the first (20) holes which have affected five farmers and we have paid their compensation. This week we have done 6 holes and we are paying compensation for the farmer,” the company said.

    In an interview, Prof. Michael Kwateng, the Head of the Anti-illegal Mining Unit of Ghana COCOBOD, was displeased by the destruction of the cocoa farms by the Nawara Mining Company.

    He called on the Minerals Commission for due diligence before granting mining concessions in cocoa-growing areas.

    Highlighting a critical factor contributing to the issue, Prof. Kwateng pointed out that mining concessions covering cocoa farms are sometimes allocated to miners without the consent of COCOBOD, violating clear legal provisions of the Economic Plants Protection Act.

    He said the law stipulates that all relevant stakeholders, including COCOBOD, EPA, Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, and Ghana Water Company, must endorse a land area after proper prospecting before designating it as a mining concession.

    Prof. Kwateng reiterated COCOBOD’s commitment to addressing issues related to the unlawful destruction of cocoa trees through the Economic Plant Protection Act.

    COCOBOD had aimed to purchase 850,000 tonnes of cocoa this year but has fallen short, unable to reach even 700,000 tonnes due to the influence of illegal mining and smuggling.

  • Army chiefs from Somaliland and Ethiopia meet amidst tensions

    Army chiefs from Somaliland and Ethiopia meet amidst tensions

    The leaders of the Ethiopian army and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland are talking about working together militarily. People are worried about a deal that could let Ethiopia have a naval base on the Gulf of Aden.

    On January 1st, both sides agreed to let Ethiopia use the sea for trade and military purposes.

    Somalia said it was a mean thing to do.

    It thinks that Somaliland belongs to it and promised to protect its control.

    Somaliland used to be controlled by Britain. In 1991, it broke away from Somalia. But other countries do not officially recognize it as its own country.

    Ethiopia’s military leader Birhanu Jula met with Somaliland’s military leader Nuh Ismael Tani to talk about working together. The meeting took place on Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    Somaliland and Ethiopia signed an agreement to let Ethiopia use part of Somaliland’s coast for a naval base.

    Somaliland has agreed that in return, Ethiopia will acknowledge it as an independent country in the future.

    Ethiopia has not said yes or no about this. Instead, they are thinking about it and will decide later about whether to support Somaliland’s effort to be recognized.

    Somalia thinks the MoU is an attack on its land. On Sunday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told people to get ready to defend the country.

    The African Union and the US are trying to reduce tensions.

    Somalia’s friends, such as Egypt and Turkey, have promised to help Somalia.

    Ethiopian and Somaliland soldiers met in Addis Ababa. At the same time, Mr Mohamud was in Eritrea talking with Isaias Afwerki in Asmara.

    The official statements did not directly talk about Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, but it is probably that they discussed the matter.

    Eritrea said the two leaders agreed to work together with patience and a positive attitude, while not reacting to provocative things.

    On Monday, President Mohamud’s office said the two leaders will talk about things that will help both of them.

  • Plastic pellet tide washes up on coast of Spain

    Plastic pellet tide washes up on coast of Spain

    People who live near the northern coast of Spain are worried about a big environmental problem. Millions of small plastic pellets have washed up on the shore after falling off a ship.

    Over 1,000 bags of small plastic pellets, called nurdles, are thought to have spilled from the Toconao ship, which is run by the Danish company Maersk, on 8 December.

    Many people are helping to clean up the spill in the north-west Galicia region.

    An alarm has been raised on the Asturias coast in the east.

    It’s thought that around six containers fell from the Toconao ship, which is from Liberia. This happened about 80km west of Viana do Castelo in northern Portugal. One of the containers had 26,000kg of pellets. The other containers had clingfilm, tyres, and tomato sauce.

    Many beach towns have been seeing lots of small white pellets washing up on the shore since December 13th.

    The areas around the port town of Noia in Galicia are the most affected. Also, fishermen in Vigo have been trying to find sacks of pellets in the ocean, but it’s been difficult because of the rough seas.

    The authorities are looking into the spill and are worried that it might spread to the eastern coast near the Basque country.

    The small plastic balls, which are less than 5mm wide, are hard to clean up and are used to make things like plastic bottles. Volunteers are searching through sand and sifting water to find plastic pellets.

    The government in Galicia says that for two weeks, the national government did not tell them about a problem with pollution in the ocean, and did not put a plan into action to deal with it. The government says it told the people in charge of the coast what was happening.

    The growing problem with plastics reminds people of Spain’s worst environmental disaster in 2002. A ship called the Prestige broke apart near the Galician coast, causing a spill of over 60,000 tons of heavy fuel oil along the coastline.

    Officials say the small balls are made of plastic that won’t harm you. However, people are worried that the large amount of pollution could harm animals, the natural world, and the fishing business in that area.

    The Ecologists in Action group says they will complain about the Danish shipping company.

    Small plastic pellets called nurdles can be eaten by animals and add to the problem of plastic pollution in the food chain, which can also affect humans.

    PET is not able to break down naturally, and any small pieces that are not picked up will stay in the environment for hundreds of years.

    About 300 million tons of small plastic pellets called nurdles are made each year. It is believed that about 230,000 tons of waste end up in the oceans.

    In 2017, about 2. 25 billion small plastic pellets spilled from a ship parked in Durban, South Africa.

    Three years later, 10 tons of pellets fell into the sea near Germany when a container on the MV Trans Carrier was broken in a storm.

    Tiny plastic pieces from the South African spill traveled all the way to Western Australia, which is 8,000km away.

  • Police Officer duped GHS15.8k 

    Police Officer duped GHS15.8k 

    An officer within the Ghana Police Service is reaching out to a local radio station for assistance in recovering a sum of GHS15,800. 

    This payment was made to a civilian who had promised to supply a car part but failed to fulfill the order, dating back to the year 2023. 

    The officer’s appeal on the radio station underscores the challenges individuals can face, even within law enforcement, when dealing with fraudulent transactions.

    During an appearance on Sompa FM’s Sompa Nkomo program, the officer elucidated that, alongside a friend, he embarked on a journey to buy a car in Kumasi. Unfortunately, while returning to Enchi, the vehicle caught fire, resulting in the destruction of certain components.

    After contacting the car seller about the incident, he disclaimed any responsibility and proposed a legal resolution, a proposition the police officer rejected. Following the advice of his friend, the officer decided to bear the repair costs himself.

    While the vehicle was stationed at a mechanic shop, the individual suspected of selling car parts came across it and contacted the officer, presenting himself as a businessman who imports spare parts from Dubai.

    Relying on his mechanic’s endorsement, the police officer affirmed that he consented to enlist the assistance of the purported businessman, identified as Francis Nsiah alias Akwes. The purpose was to facilitate the importation of the damaged car part from Dubai.

    “On April 4, he called me that he had arrived in Dubai and the converted price of the part in Ghanaian cedi was GHC14,800 with an additional charge of GHS2,900.

    “He proposed that he was receiving some payment from someone back in Ghana and so he will let me send the payment through that individual to cut down the cost of the charge.

    “He sent me the person’s number which I confirmed and he demanded that I add GH¢1,000 to the amount to make it GH¢15,800 to be added to his to send. I sent the money and he confirmed receipt of payment,” he stated.

    He added that Nsiah promised that shipping of the part will take a period of three months to arrive in Ghana.

    However, after waiting for three months, he received series of stories from Nsiah. Upon reaching out to find out the status of the shipment, he realise that he had been duped by the suspect.

    The officer said he has since utilised all legal avenues including filing a formal complaint against the suspect to retrieve his money but without success.

    “I made a formal complaint which led the case to be called at the Enchi Magistrate Court, the court gave an order for an itemised bill to be retrieved from MTN showing the vendor who received the payment on his behalf. The vendor was picked up and brought to Enchi but since he had only played the role of receiving and forwarding the money to him in Dubai, he was not complicit. The vendor however agreed to assist us since he had been doing business with him. He led us to his workshop around Glory Hill Hotel at Santasi Roundabout in Kumasi. His apprentice told us that he had not returned and we waited for him without success.

    “I have done everything on part as a police officer without success. A friend told me that your programme could help me retrieve the money which is my I have come here,” he stated in a live phone call.

  • Defamation Case: Barker-Vormawor granted additional week to submit defense

    Defamation Case: Barker-Vormawor granted additional week to submit defense

    The High Court in Accra has extended the deadline for Oliver Barker-Vormawor to submit his statement of defense by an additional week. 

    This ruling comes in the context of a defamation lawsuit initiated by Albert Kan Dapaah against Barker-Vormawor, prompting the need for an extended timeframe for the preparation of the defense. 

    The case revolves around allegations of defamation brought forward by Dapaah, adding an extra layer of anticipation as both parties navigate the legal proceedings.

    The National Security Minister is pursuing a GHS10 million claim in response to an alleged bribery accusation leveled against him by the political activist.

    During the court session on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, when the case was called, legal representatives of Oliver Barker-Vormawor, led by Dr. Justice Srem Sai, informed the court that their legal processes encountered an unforeseen setback.

    As a result, he requested a brief adjournment to ensure they could properly file their defense and counterclaims.

    Despite Kan Dapaah’s legal team, led by Otchere Adjekum, pushing for a default judgment, the Court decided to adjourn the case, allowing the defendant time to file his defense.

    EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent Murtala Inusah reports that, a cost of GH¢3,000 was awarded against the defendant.

    Meanwhile, Lawyers of Barker-Vormawor are challenging the court’s ruling on their application to have the substantive applications dismissed.

    Their motion for Stay of Proceedings pending appeal which was initially fixed for hearing on January 10, has been adjourned to January 24 for consideration.

    Both National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah, the Plaintiff, and Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the defendant were present in Court.

    Justice Joseph Adu Agyemang, the sitting judge, has since adjourned the case to January 24, 2024.

  • Special Prosecutor makes 1st appearance in court in Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Special Prosecutor makes 1st appearance in court in Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    The Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebeng, has made his inaugural appearance at the High Court in Accra regarding a case wherein former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her family are seeking an interlocutory injunction against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the ex-Sanitation Minister, along with her husband Daniel Osei Kuffuor, submitted the application for an interlocutory injunction against the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This action follows the freezing of her accounts by the OSP.

    According to the submitted application, the couple is seeking, among other things, a declaration that the Special Prosecutor’s re-seizure of their funds initially confiscated on July 24 and the subsequent re-freezing of their bank accounts on September 5, 2023, is unjust and against the law.

    On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the court session before Justice Owusu Adu Agyemang, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, made his inaugural appearance.

    The case was adjourned to February 1, 2024, following an in-camera session. However, the reason for the adjournment remains unclear.

    At the last Court sitting, on December 5, last year, Prosecutors of the OSP asked the court for an adjournment due to certain developments.

    Cecilia Dapaah and her husband per the application filed are seeking among other things, that the OSP’s re-seizure of their money initially seized on July 24 and re-freezing of their bank accounts on September 5, 2023, is unfair and unlawful.

    According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, the Applicants – Cecilia Dapaah and her husband Daniel Osei Kuffuor were both absent while the Special Prosecutor was present.

    The High Court presided over by Justice Joseph Adu Agyemang Owusu has since adjourned the case to January 9, 2024.

    Subject matter

    The former Minister argued that her application for Judicial review was necessitated by the OSP’s
prejudicial and arbitrary conduct from the inception of his investigations into corruption and corruption-related offences allegedly involving her and the husband.

    She said, the action is also to prevent
further violation of her constitutionally guaranteed rights and rendering her
Application for Judicial review otiose, “It is imperative that the Respondent is
restrained from continuing his investigation pending the determination of my said Application.”

    “I am advised by Counsel that I have property and personal rights that need to be protected by this Honourable Court and that an order of injunction should be granted against the Respondent to prohibit and restrain him from further violating my rights until the determination of this matter.

    “I am advised by Counsel that damages will be inadequate to compensate me if this application for injunction is not granted and judgment is subsequently entered in the Applicant’s favour.

    “I am further advised by Counsel and verily believe same to be true that considering the facts of this case and all surrounding circumstances it is just, convenient, proper, and necessary for this Honourable Court to exercise its discretion in my favour and grant this application,” she argued.

    Reliefs

    The former minister and her lawyers are seeking the following reliefs per the application for interlocutory injunction.

    (a). A declaration that the Respondent’s re-seizure of the money (initially seized from the Applicant’s home on 24/07/23) and re-freezing of Applicant’s bank accounts respectively on 5th September 2023 is unfair, unreasonable, capricious, arbitrary, and ultra vires the Respondent’s statutory powers under Act 959 relative to the constitutional provisions
of Articles 23 and 296 of the Constitution, 1992.

    (b) An Order for the Respondent to release the money reseized on 5th September 2023 to the Applicant and to unfreeze her bank accounts

    (c) An Order prohibiting the Respondent from continuing the investigation of the Applicant and her husband for corruption or corruption-related offences.

    (d) Any such further or other Orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit.

  • MP listed on Abena Korkor ‘bonkers list’ seeks re-election

    MP listed on Abena Korkor ‘bonkers list’ seeks re-election

    Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru Hon Kennedy Osei Nyarko has seeking to contest for the 2024 parliamentary elections on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). 

    The MP picked up the nomination forms and presented himself for vetting despite the massive drop in his popularity in the constituency after the his named featured on the infamous Abena Korkor bonkers list

    Nana Abena Korkor has been having a field day on the internet going bonkers on her social media pages by dropping X-rated materials.

    Just when we thought the drama was over, Abena Korkor by dropped a new name to update her tall list of men who have been in bed with her.

    She went on Instagram live and called out one Kennedy Osei Nyarko.

    According to Abena, the married man is the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture and also doubles as the MP for Akim Swedru Constituency.

    She alleged that the minister dissected her legs and had sex with her at Peduase but couldn’t really perform and he’s now in her DM trying to pay her to keep her mouth shut about their affair.

    Abena claims Hon Kennedy recently slid into her DM to bribe his way out of her list but she is not someone who can be controlled by money.

    It appears his plans failed as Abena Korkor has exposed his sorry ass.

    Abena who is notorious for kissing and telling said, to think that men keep buzzing her phone and flooding her DMs for sex baffles her because it’s public knowledge that she never keeps her sexual affair a secret.

    Apparently, it appears the infamous Abena Korkor Addo is having another relapse hence the need to court attention by all means.

    Some people are raining curses on her whilst others advise her to seek immediate medical attention. There are some who are also projecting that she can end up being arrested.

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  • Afari-Gyan condemns daylight vote-buying and selling in Ghana 

    Afari-Gyan condemns daylight vote-buying and selling in Ghana 

    A former Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has expressed grave concerns about the growing prevalence of open vote-buying-and-selling in Ghana’s political landscape.

    During the Constitution Day Public Lecture on January 8, 2024, Dr Afari-Gyan delivered a strongly-worded keynote address, denouncing the phenomenon as a disgraceful spectacle within the country’s electoral processes.

    Voicing his concern, Dr Afari-Gyan questioned the lack of action taken against this illicit practice.

    He emphasised that such open and blatant vote-buying-and-selling tarnishes the image of the country’s democracy.

    Dr Afari-Gyan stressed that no civilised country engages in such despicable conduct, urging Ghana to take immediate action to address this issue.

    “In days gone by, whatever vote-buying or selling there was took place in secrecy. It’s not so these days. What we have now looks like an open market where candidates can freely buy votes and citizens can freely sell their votes in broad daylight while we all look on seemingly unconcerned.”

    “It is a shameful spectacle because vote buying and vote selling are unlawful,” he said.

    During his address, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan also issued a stern warning about the potential repercussions of unfulfilled promises, emphasising that Ghanaians may soon lose faith in the political class if commitments are not met.

    “Our politicians spend a lot of time making and repeating promises to the electorate. One cannot be sure that even the politicians themselves believe that they can fulfil the numerous promises that they make.”

  • Corruption fight has been trivialised in Ghana – Former Peoce Council Secretary  asserts

    Corruption fight has been trivialised in Ghana – Former Peoce Council Secretary  asserts

    Former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana has asserted that a significant number of Ghanaians lack genuine dedication to combating corruption.

    Rev. Dr Kwabena Opuni Frimpong contends that corruption extends beyond government officials, permeating various sectors of society.

    He highlighted that a substantial sum of money remains unaccounted for, including funds in the form of loans that will burden future generations with repayment obligations.

    “We shouldn’t be a nation that creates problems today that our children should come and solve tomorrow,” he said on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

    In an interview, Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong pointed out that government officials and other authorities protect each other, rather than holding each other accountable which is a challenge in the fight against corruption.

    According to him, the fight against corruption must begin at the grassroots level which will eradicate corruption in Ghana.

    “We need leaders who will say I appointed you, but you have disgraced us, you have disgraced the nation. You don’t qualify to be here. The next morning pack and leave. I don’t think I have that impression as a Ghanaian. Maybe, I’m not seeing right because of the lens I am wearing but Ghana as a nation, as I see it, we are not serious with the corruption fight.”

  • TB Joshua’s attempt to conceal aftermath of fatal Lagos building collapse exposed

    TB Joshua’s attempt to conceal aftermath of fatal Lagos building collapse exposed

    New evidence exposed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reveals TB Joshua‘s concealment of Dead Bodies and Intimidation Tactics in 2014 Church Building Collapse Tragedy”

    BBC has uncovered fresh evidence suggesting that the late Nigerian megachurch leader, TB Joshua, engaged in the concealment of dead bodies and intimidation tactics. 

    These alleged actions were purportedly carried out to obscure his involvement in the tragic collapse of a building in 2014, which claimed the lives of at least 116 people at his church. 

    The revelations shed new light on the controversial incident, raising questions about accountability and transparency surrounding one of Nigeria’s most prominent religious figures.

    The collapse stands as one of the most devastating disasters ever to befall a place of worship on the African continent.

    The BBC’s probe marks the initial instance where individuals within TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos have provided evidence regarding the causes of the incident almost a decade ago. 

    The investigation sheds light on allegations of the pastor orchestrating a cover-up surrounding the tragic event.

    It comes in the wake of the BBC’s discovery of extensive abuse and torture perpetrated by the founder of one of the globe’s largest Christian evangelical congregations.

    Two days after the collapse on 12 September 2014, TB Joshua publicly said it was linked to an aircraft that flew over the building used to house visiting pilgrims.

    But an inquiry by a Lagos coroner agreed with emergency workers that structural failure had caused the guest house to collapse, and said it had been built without proper planning permission.

    Eyewitnesses told the BBC that TB Joshua had been warned of serious structural problems prior to the disaster. They say the aeroplane explanation was a “lie”.

    “He knew the building was unstable,” says Emmanuel, who spent more than a decade as a disciple of TB Joshua – a group of devout followers who lived in his church in Lagos.

    Like most of the former disciples interviewed by the BBC, he opted to only use his first name.

    He described the pastor receiving a report, hours before the collapse, that the building was “swaying” and “shaking”.

    Multiple witnesses say the visitors were not warned. Instead more than 200 of them were led into the building’s dining room on the ground floor to eat their lunch – where they were seated when all six storeys of concrete descended on top of them.

    Many were killed instantly, but more than 100 were trapped inside alive.

    “I could hear people crying out: ‘Help me, help me, help me,’” says Emmanuel, who was on the scene within minutes of the collapse.

    “Their voices were fading and you could tell these people were dying off.”

    Others described horrifically injured victims, with missing eyes and limbs – splintered by the beams which came down on top of them.

    “It was quite clear that that building was never built for the height that TB Joshua built it to,” says Rae, from the UK, who spent 12 years living in the church as a disciple.

    She says she was present when TB Joshua ordered his workers to construct additional floors: “The foundations weren’t built to hold a building of that many storeys.

    “He just kept kind of pushing and saying: ‘I want it higher. It must go higher. It must go higher.’”

    The church insiders who spoke to the BBC also say lives could potentially have been saved had TB Joshua responded promptly to the collapse itself. Instead, they say, he blocked emergency services from accessing the site for 24 hours – an allegation corroborated by news reports at the time.

    During this crucial window for rescuing people and assisting the injured, the BBC’s eyewitnesses say some church workers attempted to save lives in reckless and amateur ways. Without the use of mechanical equipment or medical training, they used tools from the church’s maintenance department.

    In one instance, a church worker allegedly used a chainsaw to amputate the leg of a man who was trapped under a fallen beam.

    “He was screaming!” says Emmanuel, visibly shaken during his interview. He is not sure if the man survived.

    “I saw a lot of things that really traumatised me… faces were crushed,” says Michael, a disciple who was in his late teens at the time.

    Eyewitness testimonies of the horrific aftermath have never been published before, with many church insiders sworn to secrecy, and the site of the collapse shielded from public view by a large wall.

    Three sources, including Michael, say TB Joshua ordered his workers to move piles of dead bodies away from the building collapse site during the night, to hide them from the media and the authorities.

    Two say they were asked to film this activity, and to deliver the tapes to TB Joshua in his office.

    “We were recording them as they put them into body bags… loads and loads of people,” says Michael.

    Chloe, a former disciple of TB Joshua from the UK, also witnessed the aftermath of the collapse. She says she got into a bus and immediately noticed an awful smell.

    The driver told her the vehicle was “full of dead bodies… and we’re transporting them at night so that the press can’t see them”.

    Multiple sources believe that the death toll was higher than the 116 figure given by the church, and cited friends and church workers who were inside at the time of the collapse who they say were not recorded in the official list of the dead.

  • Adutwum open to being Bawumia’s running mate 

    Adutwum open to being Bawumia’s running mate 

    Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has publicly affirmed his preparedness to stand as the running mate for NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming 2024 elections. This declaration marks a noteworthy development in the political landscape, as Dr. Adutwum expresses his willingness to take on a crucial role in the party’s leadership for the upcoming electoral contest.

    Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, January 9, the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe confirmed his readiness to offer his services to Ghana whenever the need arises.

    “I am here to serve my nation, in any capacity I find myself I will serve this nation,” Dr Adutwum said.

    The quest for Dr. Bawumia’s running mate in the forthcoming general elections has brought forward prominent figures, with notable names such as Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh and Suame MP Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu in the spotlight.

    n a departure from the NPP’s usual practice, the party granted Dr. Bawumia additional time to select his running mate in December last year.

    The party’s National Council, having the authority to make exceptions to party rules, agreed to waive the requirement that the vice presidential candidate be chosen one year before elections.

    This decision provides Dr. Bawumia with an extended timeframe to carefully consider his options and select the most suitable candidate for his running mate.

  • Afari-Gyan laments sorry state of Ghana’s democracy; says ‘All is not well’

    Afari-Gyan laments sorry state of Ghana’s democracy; says ‘All is not well’

    A former Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has raised serious apprehensions about the state of Ghana’s democracy. 

    Dr Afari-Gyan points to a troubling landscape marked by unfulfilled promises and widespread instances of vote-buying, signaling a critical evaluation of the country’s democratic foundations.

    Underlining the imperative for corrective actions, he underscored the pressing need to address these issues, affirming that the nation is regressing in its democratic trajectory.

    Dr Afari-Gyan pointed out the widespread occurrence of electoral malpractices, noting that politicians are giving precedence to hollow promises rather than substantive policies.

    Addressing the audience during the Constitution Day Public Lecture on Monday, January 8, he issued a cautionary statement, expressing his concern that Ghana is treading a precarious path. He warned that if not addressed, the diminishing political sincerity may erode voters’ faith, posing a significant threat to the democratic process.

    “In days gone by, whatever vote buying or selling there took place in secrecy. It’s not so these days. What we have now looks like an open market where candidates can freely buy votes and citizens can freely sell their votes in broad daylight while we all look on seemingly unconcerned.”

    “It is a shameful spectacle because vote buying and vote selling are unlawful,” he stated.

    Dr Afari-Gyan concluded that “All is not well with our democracy.”

    He thus emphasised the need for Ghanaians to demand better from their leaders and actively participate in safeguarding the principles that underpin a healthy democracy.

    His blunt assessment serves as a rallying cry for citizens to take a proactive stance in shaping the future of Ghana’s democratic landscape.

  • Taiwan receives missile alarm from Chinese satellite

    Taiwan receives missile alarm from Chinese satellite

    Taiwan sounded an alarm for the whole island because a Chinese satellite flew over its southern airspace just days before an important election for a new president.

    People who use mobile phones on the island received a message telling them to “be careful and stay safe”.

    The “presidential alert” made people nervous before important elections on Saturday.

    China says that Taiwan belongs to them and has been accused of trying to influence the vote.

    The island with 23 million people governs itself and is a very important point of conflict between China and the US in Asia. Experts believe that the elections will determine how the relationship between Beijing and Washington will develop.

    The satellite was sent into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China’s Sichuan province at 3:03p. mlocal time, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry. Around the same time as the alert, China’s CCTV said a satellite called Einstein Probe had been launched and it was a “complete success. “

    Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu said that launching a satellite over Taiwanese airspace so close to the election is a risky and suspicious activity. Reuters news agency reported this.

    Mr Wu said that when a rocket flies in the sky, some of its parts might fall in our area. He said this at a news conference when the warning was sent.

    “Our national alert centre will issue this alert for that reason. “”It happened again. “

    Taiwan’s defense ministry is keeping an eye on the path of the satellite so they can be ready to deal with it. The satellite was very high up when it passed over Taiwan, the ministry said.

    Taiwanese news says that this is the first time the government has sent out an alert like this to the whole island.

    Eric Chu, the leader of Taiwan’s main opposing party Kuomintang (KMT), said that the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) government is scaring people, especially by using the word “missile” in their warning. The message said: “[Air raid alert] Missilesare flying over Taiwan’s airspace, be careful. “

    This is the first time I heard that sending a satellite into space can cause such a warning. Everyone was really surprised and thought it was a missile, but it was actually a satellite. “I believe the National Defense Ministry is trying to fool the public by sending out this alert,” he said.

    Taiwan’s defense ministry said sorry for giving the wrong information about a missile in a message to mobile phones.

    The Einstein Probe is a project that involves the European Space Agency, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.

    The satellite will watch for special things happening in space,like twinkling fireworks, to learn more about the violent and hidden parts of the universe, China’s Xinhua news agency said on Tuesday.

    In December, news in Taiwan said that Chinese rockets had flown over the island. A report from Focus Taiwan on December 10th said that a rocket launched from Xichang flew over southwestern Taiwan in outer space.

  • Attal, 34, chosen by Macron to be France’s youngest prime minister

    Attal, 34, chosen by Macron to be France’s youngest prime minister

    Gabriel Attal has been appointed as the new prime minister of France. Emmanuel Macron wants to improve his presidency by appointing a new government.

    At 34 years old, he is the youngest prime minister in modern French history. Even younger than Socialist Laurent Fabius, who was 37 when he became prime minister in 1984.

    Mr Attal takes over from Élisabeth Borne, who quit after being in the job for 20 months.

    During that time, she had problems because she didn’t have enough support in parliament.

    Gabriel Attal, who is currently in charge of education, has made a very noticeable appointment.

    He has been given the job of leading the French government in the upcoming important European Parliament elections in June.

  • GJA asks NPP to sanction attackers of Cape FM Journalist 

    GJA asks NPP to sanction attackers of Cape FM Journalist 

    President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to promptly conduct an investigation and take disciplinary actions against those responsible for the assault on David Kobbena, a broadcast journalist at Cape FM.

    He further urged the Ghana Police Service to swiftly initiate an investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    In a significant development, calls for accountability in the assault case of Cape FM broadcast journalist David Kobbena have escalated, with demands for the sanctioning of the police officer who extended the invitation to Kobbena prior to the attack. 

    The incident has sparked concerns about professional conduct within the law enforcement agency, prompting a heightened call for immediate action.

    On Thursday, December 28, 2023, some thugs, numbering about 15 and wearing a branded T-shirt of Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Member of Parliament for Awutu-Senya East, allegedly pounced on Mr Kobbena, a morning show host of Cape FM, and beat him mercilessly without provocation. 

    This was at the Central regional vetting of parliamentary aspirants of the NPP, held at the Regional Coordinating Council in Cape Coast. 

    According to reports, the thugs mistook him for another person they alleged had insulted the MP, also the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.  

    Based on that mistaken identity, a man believed to be a police officer invited the unsuspecting David to a distance and sought to confirm that mistaken identity.  

    Mr Kobbena denied it and produced an ID Card of his media house as evidence to support his denial, however, in the process of doing so, someone slapped him from behind and other thugs joined in the assault, beating him mercilessly. 

    Mr Dwumfour said initial investigations by the GJA confirmed the incident. 

    “This is the height of impunity and we can no longer tolerate same. While condemning the attack on David unreservedly, we make the following demands. 

    “We hereby serve notice that if by close of Friday, January 12, 2024, these demands (sanctions) have not been met, we shall advise ourselves accordingly,” he said. 

    Mr Dwumfour said: “But as we have already served notice, we shall fight back with every weapon we can marshal in our industry to repel the attacks on journalists as we go into Election 2024. And we can assure the evil plotters and doers that they cannot fight the media and win.  

    “We want to assure the media fraternity that we shall continue to defend their interests at all costs. This year, we shall continue our campaign against the obnoxious law used for criminal prosecution of free speech. We know they would be used as part of the strategy to silence the media, but we shall resist them with all force,” he said. 

    r Dwumfour advised journalists to be extremely vigilant whilst discharging their duties and report any threat to their person to the police for the necessary action t

  • Leader of ‘TheNewForce,’ heads ‘radical’ African leaders’ meeting with John Mahama following disrupted event

    Leader of ‘TheNewForce,’ heads ‘radical’ African leaders’ meeting with John Mahama following disrupted event

    Ghanaian businessman, Nana Kwame Bediako, widely recognized as Cheddar and the driving force behind the #TheNewForce movement, has engaged in a meeting with the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

    This development comes in the aftermath of the government’s eleventh-hour decision to cancel the “The Convention” event scheduled for January 7, 2024, at the Independence Square. The event, which had anticipated the presence of prominent African political figures as speakers, faced an abrupt cancellation by the government.

    The government, in its clarification, acknowledged that it halted the pre-planned and paid-for event due to an “unexpected State Event scheduled to occur at the venue.”

    In the letter, signed on behalf of the Chief of Staff by the Chief Director at the Jubilee House, H. M. Wood, it also added that the booking fee of GH¢10,000 would be refunded to the unnamed organizer of the said programme.

    “We write to revoke immediate the permission granted per our letter No.OP/PH/02 dated 11th November, 2023, which approved your request to use the Black Star Square for the above event.

    “This decision has been necessitated by an unforeseen State Event scheduled to take place at the venue,” portions of the letter, titled, ‘Revocation of Permit,’ read.

    Dignitaries billed to be at the event were former Nigerian independent presidential aspirant, Peter Obi; President of the Economic Freedom Fighters of South Africa, Julius Malema; one-time Director of the Kenya School of Law, P.L.O Lumumba; and former Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States, Arikana Chihombori-Quao.

    Following this, it has emerged that Cheddar, the brain behind the event, met with John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s flagbearer, together with some of the dignitaries who were billed to speak at the Black Star Line Festival.

    In a tweet shared by Dele Momodou, of Ovation International, he shared photos of the meeting of Cheddar, with P.L.O Lumumba and others, with the former president and Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama.

    “After the aborted gathering of radical African leaders, (including Timi Frank, Prof. PLO Lumumba, Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao and Freedom Jacob Caeser) invited by NANA KWAME BEDIAKO (aka CHEDDAR) to meet in Accra, Ghana for the launch of the New African Convention movement, some of the leaders today met with former PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, the NDC Presidential candidate in the DECEMBER 7, 2024, elections in Ghana…

    “It is not clear if CHEDDAR has decided to throw his full weight behind His Excellency JOHN MAHAMA…,” he wrote in his post.

    Musicians including Efya, Stonebwoy and Wiyaala were also billed to perform at the event which was canceled at the last minute.

  • Residents near Israel’s border fear northward invasion

    Residents near Israel’s border fear northward invasion

    Efrat Eldan Schechter is from the Northern Galilee and never thought about moving anywhere else until the events of 7 October.

    When she saw and heard about what was happening in southern Israel that morning, with Hamas fighters coming from Gaza, it reminded her of the stories from the “Yom Kippur” or 1973 Middle East war, when Israel was attacked on two fronts at the same time.

    I was really scared. “Everyone was still asleep and I was worried that the same thing might happen again like in 1973, and that Hezbollah might come for us,” says Efrat, as we talk in her front garden with the sound of Israeli artillery in the background.

    “I woke everyone up right away, packed everything quickly, and drove to a family member’s house in the middle of Israel. ”

    After a month, the family went back to their home near Kiryat Shmona. They were upset because they still live in a dangerous area close to where the war is happening. Efrat calls it a “buffer zone” and they are still at risk of being hit by rockets from Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

    The mother of three is worried that nothing will happen to stop Hezbollah from invading Israel, as they are waiting at the border. “I can’t sleep peacefully. ” I want the government to ensure that we are safe here.

    Since the fighting started on 8 October, there have been clashes between Hezbollah and Israel in the north along the border.

    But the fighting is very serious and dangerous – officials say that nine soldiers and four civilians have been killed in Israel, while authorities in Lebanon have reported that 123 people have been killed, including at least 21 civilians.

    The small towns in northern Israel are empty like ghost towns now. More than 80,000 people have been moved to places in the south, but Nissan Zeevi is one of the few who has chosen to stay. The man who does business and helps with civil defense shows me around his kibbutz, Kfar Giladi, which is just north of Kiryat Shmona. The view is beautiful as you look at the green Hula valley and Mount Hermon far away, but this border has always been dangerous.

    Nissan thinks most people can’t go back home or work until there’s a guarantee of long-lasting peace, just like Efrat. He is really upset that the UN Security Council rule 1701, which helped stop the 2006 war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, has not been completely followed.

    Nissan says it’s very important that 1701 demands that armed groups (like Hezbollah) in southern Lebanon stop being so involved in the military. And that hasn’t been done.

    Nissan is part of a group called Lobby 1701. They want Israel to use either diplomacy or military action to implement a resolution.

    “He wants the government to handle Hezbollah and get rid of the danger from southern Lebanon,” he tells me, pointing to the many Lebanese villages he can see from his home, where he says a lot of the incoming attacks come from.

    I asked Nissan if he would support more action by the Israeli government in southern Lebanon and he said yes, definitely. He also mentioned that he is not the only one who feels this way. Many people in Israel want the same thing. He also says if we don’t do this, we will have another problem like 7 October.

    Last month, I went to the small towns in southern Lebanon. Israel is saying that Hezbollah is hiding in communities and using them to launch attacks, so they are conducting strikes on those areas every day. Just like in Israel, many people have left these places and many have died. People on both sides of the border are experiencing loss.

    The chance of the small fight at the border turning into a big war got higher on Monday. A leader of Hezbollah, Wissam Tawil, was killed in an air strike on his car in Khirbet Selim. It is thought that Israel carried out a drone attack in Beirut last week, which killed Hamas’s deputy leader, Saleh al-Arouri, in a Hezbollah area.

    This is bad news for people who work near the front line and are trying to earn a living.

    Farmer Ofer “Poshko” Moskovitz from Kibbutz Misgav Am cannot harvest the valuable avocados from his farm because the Israeli army thinks it is too risky for him to work in his orchards, which are next to the border with Lebanon, to the northwest of Kiryat Shmona.

    However, not like most people I talked to in the north, this calm and cheerful farmer believes that a bigger war can be prevented.

    “I’m not worried because Israel is a powerful country,” says Ofer as we walk through hundreds of nearly ripe, green avocados scattered on the ground. He keeps saying: “No one wants war here. ” We want to handle it diplomatically and they are trying to find a solution – the army and diplomatic efforts are working together.

    Ofer doesn’t show much hope or confidence in this place.

    Sarit Zahavi lives near the border and started the Alma Research Institute in northern Israel. She spends a lot of time studying the politics of Israel’s neighboring countries.

    “We are in a very dangerous situation. If there is a diplomatic agreement, it will bring peace and a stop to fighting. ” “And everyone will think it’s good news,” she says to me.

    In my opinion, if there is a ceasefire, no one will make sure it happens. Hezbollah will keep getting stronger and keep improving its ability to attack Israel.

    Not many people in northern Israel believe that talking can stop a big war. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has promised to fight back against Israel, and Israel is also getting ready for things to possibly get worse.

    On Monday, Israel did a lot of bombing near its border, right when the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken came to Tel Aviv.

    With the very bad war in Gaza and the new things happening in the north, it seems very hard for Secretary Blinken.

  • Anti-dog meat trading law passed in South Korea

    Anti-dog meat trading law passed in South Korea

    South Korea made a new rule to stop killing and selling dogs for food by 2027.

    The law wants to stop people from eating dog meat, which has been happening for hundreds of years.

    People don’t like to eat dog meat as much as they used to. Young people don’t like it.

    According to the law, it will be illegal to raise or kill dogs for food, and it will also be illegal to sell or distribute dog meat. People who are proven to have done wrong could be put in jail.

    People who kill dogs could go to jail for three years, and those who raise dogs for meat or sell dog meat could go to jail for up to two years. However, people will still be allowed to eat dog meat.

    The new law will start in three years, so farmers and restaurant owners have time to find other jobs and ways to make money. They need to give a plan to stop their businesses to their local government.

    The government said they will help dog meat farmers, butchers, and restaurants that have to close. But they haven’t figured out exactly how they will help yet.

    In 2023, the government said South Korea had about 1,600 places to eat dog meat and 1,150 places that breed dogs for meat.

    Some older South Koreans like to eat boshintang, a stew made with dog meat. But young people don’t like to eat it anymore.

    A survey by Gallup last year found that only 8% of people said they had eaten dog meat in the past year, which is a lot less than the 27% who said they had in 2015. Less than 20% of people said they liked eating the meat.

    On Tuesday afternoon in Seoul, in a small street with many restaurants that serve dog meat, a few older people were eating the stew. There was a big difference between the older and younger people.

    Kim Seon-ho, who is 86 years old, felt sad because of the ban. “We have been eating this since the Middle Ages. ” He asked, “Why won’t they let us eat our usual food. ” “If you stop people from eating dog, you should also stop them from eating beef. ”

    Lee Chae-yeon, who is 22 years old, said that the ban is important for protecting animals. She said that many people have pets now. Dogs are part of our family and it’s not good to eat them.

    Governments before, since the 1980s, promised to stop selling dog meat, but didn’t succeed. The current President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee love animals. The couple has six dogs, and Ms. Kim wants people to stop eating dogs.

    Animal rights groups are happy that the ban they wanted has been approved in Tuesday’s vote.

    Jung Ah Chae, who runs the Humane Society in Korea, was surprised that the ban happened while she was alive. She said she is sad for the millions of dogs that didn’t benefit from this change earlier, but she is happy that South Korea can now start to be more friendly to dogs.

    People who raise dogs for meat were trying to stop the ban. They said that because fewer young people are interested in it, the tradition should be allowed to fade away on its own. Lots of old farmers and restaurant owners said it would be hard for them to change jobs at their age.

    A farmer who raises dogs, Joo Yeong-bong, told the BBC that the industry is in a very bad state.

    “In 10 years, the industry will be gone. ” He said that because we are in our 60s and 70s, we don’t have a choice but to lose our jobs. He also said that this is taking away our freedom to eat what we want.

    A 60-year-old woman named Mrs. Kim, who owns a restaurant that serves dog meat, told the BBC that she was upset about the ban. She thinks it’s because more people in South Korea are keeping pets.

    Nowadays, many young people are not getting married. Instead, they consider their pets as part of their family. However, they still understand that pets need to eat their own food. She said we should be okay with eating dog meat, as long as the dogs are raised and killed in a clean place.

    She added, “China and Vietnam eat dogs, so why are we stopping people from doing it. “

  • Tyrone Marhguy defends Achimota school after being dropped from NSMQ

    Tyrone Marhguy defends Achimota school after being dropped from NSMQ

    In a compelling development, Tyrone Iras Marhguy, a remarkably intelligent former student of Achimota School and a Rastafarian, has debunked circulating rumors suggesting that his exclusion from the contestants representing Achimota School in the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) was linked to the initial controversy surrounding his admission into the school.

    Against the backdrop of Master Marhguy’s initial denial of admission to Achimota School due to his refusal to cut his dreadlocks, a decision overturned by a High Court order, speculations have arisen. People are now questioning whether the school may have victimized this exceptional student by omitting him from the final team that represented Achimota School in the quiz competition.

    However, Master Marhguy clarified that he did not meet a crucial requirement for the quiz competition – his lack of study in biology. Despite his outstanding performance in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, which initially secured him a place in the long list of contestants, the school, in its best interest, made the decision to drop him from the final team due to his deficiency in Biology.

    “I got into the first fifteen and was in the team. But moving forward, it was still Biology. Regardless, it was as if he couldn’t afford to not have biology because it would put everything on the other contestant [the only person who studied Biology]. And if that’s the case, we are going to have a problem with the Problem of the Day [a round in the quiz competition]. If it is a biology question, it is a catastrophe because I can’t do anything. I can just watch him. Alright, I was learning the Biology and all that but they [ those who were eventually selected] had been doing it for about three years,” Master Marhguy revealed in an interview with the media.

    He also acknowledged the key role played by Achimota School in his success at the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the Science and Maths Olympiads. He explained that even though he put in his best, the contribution of his former school was integral to his success.

  • ‘The Cult of TB Joshua’: Revelations of T.B Joshua’s activities activities in 3-part documentary

    ‘The Cult of TB Joshua’: Revelations of T.B Joshua’s activities activities in 3-part documentary

    The BBC has released a compelling three-part documentary series titled ‘The Cult of TB Joshua,’ delving into the intricate world surrounding the late Nigerian televangelist and faith healer, Prophet T.B. Joshua. 

    The series sheds light on the controversial aspects of his ministry and the impact it has had on followers around the globe.

    The documentary explores various facets of T.B. Joshua’s charismatic and influential personality, delving into the practices and beliefs that garnered both admiration and criticism during his lifetime. 

    The series is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics within the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), where T.B. Joshua served as the founder and spiritual leader.

    Here is the three-part documentary series:

  • Special Prosecutor denies attacking Judiciary, highlights concerns in recent interview

    Special Prosecutor denies attacking Judiciary, highlights concerns in recent interview

    The Special Prosecutor has addressed the recent controversies surrounding his comments, emphasizing that he wasn’t attacking the judiciary. 

    On the contrary, Kissi Agyebeng said he was expressing concerns about what he perceives as hasty dismissiveness and lack of regard in recent judicial decisions.

    “I wasn’t looking for sympathy. Let me go back to what I was saying, and you look at it dispassionately without the frenzy of ‘why is he attacking the judiciary?’ That was how those who were responding to me negatively took it, but I wasn’t attacking the judiciary,” he clarified.

    The Special Prosecutor asserted that his office does not force-feed cases or prosecutions, maintaining that their actions are within the bounds of their mandate. 

    He highlighted a troubling trend in recent judicial decisions, citing four cases spanning from July 2022 to Monday.

    “In one of the cases, I said a judge injuncted us from arresting a person. Mind you, we were not in court. We had declared the person wanted as a fugitive from justice; there was absolutely no inquiry as to why we believed that the person was a fugitive from justice, so it is not as if we breached the law,” he explained.

    The Special Prosecutor expressed concern about a lack of scrutiny regarding their decision to declare an individual a fugitive from justice. He raised questions about a judicial decision that prevented them from arresting a person, asserting that, according to the law, no one has the right not to be arrested.

    “When we receive judicial decisions like that, it makes us assume that we are being prevented from arresting someone who is a fugitive from justice,” he said.

    The interview shed light on the Special Prosecutor’s perspective, clarifying that his intention was not to attack the judiciary but to bring attention to what he sees as a concerning pattern in recent legal decisions. 

    The controversy surrounding these cases continues to spark debates and discussions within the legal and political spheres. Citizens await further developments and responses from the judiciary and other relevant stakeholders.

  • Very shameful! – Jacob Osei Yeboah chides govt over ancellation of ‘The Convention’

    Very shameful! – Jacob Osei Yeboah chides govt over ancellation of ‘The Convention’

    A prominent political analyst and commentator, Jacob Osei Yeboah, has expressed strong disapproval and disappointment over the government’s decision to cancel ‘The Convention.’ 

    In a scathing critique, he labeled the move as “shameful” and questioned the rationale behind the abrupt cancellation of the event.

    “It’s very shameful for Ghana. What happened was shameful and a blemish on us as a people.”

    He conveyed that he had previously encountered similar political maneuvers and plots aimed at undermining and besmirching his reputation.

    “I have experienced the same destructive mechanism of the duopoly for the past 14 years, since 2010. The sad thing is that Ghanaians will look on because partisanship, patronage and such a selfless sacrifice to help better the lives of citizens will be stopped by the duopoly.”

    Continuing, he mentioned that the President had promised to safeguard the freedom of assembly and association during his Constitution Day address.

    He added that contrarily, the scrapping of the event on Sunday sends a different message, and it is something that every Ghanaian ought to denounce.

    His comments is in reaction to the cancellation ‘The Convention,’ a programme organised by Ghanaian business mogul, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Freedom Jacob Caesar or Cheddar. 

    The Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President revealed that it prevented organisers of the pan-African event, ‘The Convention’ from going ahead with the ceremony on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the Black Star Square due to a state event at the same venue.

    The organisers of the event, the New Africa Foundation, were directed to cancel the event at the last minute despite receiving approval in November 2023.

    Speakers for the event included Professor P. L. O. Lumumba, Julius Malema, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and Peter Obi.

    Deputy Director of the Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President, Dr. Nadia Adongo Fynn, said in a statement that the decision was because of an “unforeseen” state event scheduled to take place at the venue.

    “We write to revoke immediately the permission granted per our letter No.OP/PH/02 dated November 11, 2023, which approved your request to use the Black Star Square for the above event.”

    “This decision has been necessitated by an unforeseen state event scheduled to take place at the venue. Under the circumstances, the amount of ten thousand Ghana cedis (GHc10,000.00) paid by your office for the use of the venue will be refunded. We regret any inconvenience this may cause,” Dr. Nadia Fynn added in the statement.

  • Ecuador under curfew after notorious gangster “Fito” disappears from cell

    Ecuador under curfew after notorious gangster “Fito” disappears from cell

    Ecuador has declared a state of emergency for 60 days because a gang leader disappeared from prison.

    Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as “Fito”, is the boss of a dangerous group called Los Choneros. People believe that this group is responsible for some of the deadly fights in prison that have happened recently.

    He was locked up in the highest security part of a jail in Guayaquil.

    The emergency rules include stopping people from gathering and having to stay at home at night.

    President Daniel Noboa, who became the second-youngest president in Ecuadorian history, made an announcement in a decree. He has only been in office for less than two months.

    He won the election after a very violent campaign where another candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, was killed.

    President Noboa said the emergency would let the military and police take charge of all the country’s prisons. The Choneros gang has a lot of power in La Regional prison, where Fito was kept.

    “The president said that these criminal groups want to scare us and they think we will do what they want. ”

    He also said, “We won’t talk to terrorists and we won’t stop until we bring back peace. ”

    Fito is a well-known criminal who is believed to have been involved in the murder of Villavicencio last year. Fito had threatened to kill Villavicencio before the murder.

    The police realized he was missing on Sunday and couldn’t find him in the prison area.

    He doesn’t listen to the police, and recently he made a music video that makes his illegal activities look cool. He even recorded part of it in jail.

    The video shows two singers from Mariachi Bravo performing with Fito’s daughter, Queen Michelle. They are praising a man they call a criminal.

    “I admire you, Fito, my dad,” his daughter sings, saying that “good blood runs through his veins. ”

    The video shows Fito petting a rooster and talking to other prisoners.

    The video was recorded inside the jail, which means someone broke the rule against bringing electronic devices into the jail.

    It’s not known if Fito escaped from the prison in the port city or if he’s hiding inside.

    A police leader said he couldn’t say if the convict escaped or not, and he also couldn’t say how long the convict has been missing.

    He said many police officers were looking for the prison.

    The Regional jail is in a big prison with five buildings and over 12,000 prisoners. Fito has been in prison for most of the last 12 years.

    In August, he was moved to a smaller jail in the same area called La Roca for a short time. This jail is thought to be safer because there are fewer prisoners there. It took many soldiers to move him.

    However, the prisoner’s lawyer asked for a change in the decision to move him and was successful. Fito was taken back to La Regional after only a month.

    Fito has run away from the prison before. In 2013, he and 17 other prisoners escaped from La Roca prison and ran away in boats on the River Daule, which is next to the prison.

    The runaway was caught with his brother, who is also part of Los Choneros, four months later at their mom’s house in Manta.

    Fito has been in jail for a long time. After Jorge Luis Zambrano was killed in December 2020, he became the leader of Los Choneros.

    The gang, called Chone, is mostly involved in selling drugs and getting money from people by threatening them. They also have connections with the powerful Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.

  • Home of defeated candidate surrounded by DR Congo military

    Home of defeated candidate surrounded by DR Congo military

    Police in Congo surrounded the home of Moïse Katumbi, who is a big politician in the opposition. This happened after the elections last month.

    On Monday, his spokesperson Hervé Diakesse said he couldn’t leave his home in southern Katanga province.

    But the police and soldiers went away because a governor in the area told them to.

    Mr Katumbi said that President Tshisekedi‘s big win in last month’s election is not real.

    Five other leaders who didn’t win the election are planning a protest march with Martin Fayulu.

    On Monday night, people from Kashobwe village went to Mr. Katumbi’s house after hearing that the security forces were not letting him leave. Videos of this were posted on social media.

    A person related to Mr. Katumbi told the French RFI news website that there were many armed soldiers surrounding their house.

    “We are having a hard time understanding why,” Mr. Diakesse said to Reuters news agency.

    Provincial governor Jacques Kyabula Katwe ordered the security forces to leave to calm down the crisis. He called the incident a mistake.

    “Security forces wanted to protect Mr. Katumbi’s property from possible damage. ”

    The December 20 election had a lot of problems with how things were organized. Some people who watched the election were worried about how it was done.

    Just one person went to court to argue about who won the election for president.

    The most important people say they don’t trust the courts. Instead, they want people to resist election fraud without saying how.

    Mr Tshisekedi got the most votes, almost 73%. Mr Katumbi got 18% and Mr Fayulu got 5%. This information was released by the election commission.

    Western governments are asking people to be calm and not fight after the election. The UN’s top human rights official, Volker Turk, is worried about growing tension between different ethnic groups.

    Almost 20 people were killed in violence leading up to the election.

  • Pervasive public sector corruption cause of Ghana’s poor state – Afari-Gyan

    Pervasive public sector corruption cause of Ghana’s poor state – Afari-Gyan

    Former Electoral Commissioner of Ghana, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has drawn attention to the deeply rooted issue of pervasive public sector corruption as a primary contributor to the country’s current challenges. 

    In a candid assessment, Afari-Gyan expressed concern over the detrimental impact of corruption on Ghana’s development, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive anti-corruption measures.

    Afari-Gyan, a respected figure in Ghana’s political landscape, made these remarks during a recent public forum on Ghana’s Constitution Day marked on January 8, 2024. 

    He underscored how corruption has become a significant impediment to progress, hindering the effective utilization of resources and eroding public trust in government institutions.

    “Over the years, we have become poorer as a nation and as a people due mainly to pervasive corruption, particularly in the public sector and public life. Unfortunately, some of our key institutions are becoming institutions of dubious integrity,” he remarked.

    The former Electoral Commissioner urged both the government and citizens to collectively address the issue, emphasizing that combating corruption requires a united front. He called for the enforcement of existing anti-corruption laws, the establishment of robust accountability mechanisms, and the promotion of a culture of integrity within public institutions.

    Afari-Gyan’s remarks come at a crucial time for Ghana as the country grapples with economic challenges, infrastructural deficiencies, and public dissatisfaction. He stressed that addressing corruption is not only a moral imperative but also essential for fostering an environment conducive to sustainable development.

    “Some people will say that these are perceived and not real ailments of our democracy, but that doesn’t change the picture at all because for purposes of trust and confidence in public institutions and public office holders, perception is as important as reality,” Dr. Afari-Gyan emphasized.

    Highlighting the obstacles at hand, Dr. Afari-Gyan acknowledged the increasing demands for constitutional amendments. However, he recognized the time-consuming nature of the process required for such modifications. Dr. Afari-Gyan emphasized the crucial role of public trust in sustaining a robust democracy amid the existing challenges.

  • Nike and Tiger Woods part ways after 27 years of collaboration

    Nike and Tiger Woods part ways after 27 years of collaboration

    Tiger Woods and Nike have decided to stop working together after being partners for over 27 years.

    The famous golfer has been using the brand’s products and equipment since he started playing professionally in 1996.

    Woods said on social media that the days have been great and full of wonderful moments and memories. There are so many that it would take a long time to name them all.

    Nike said they were proud to work with “one of the best athletes in the world“.

    Woods was 20 years old when he signed a five-year contract with Nike for $40 million in 1996.

    The deal was very successful and made a lot of money. Woods was really good at golf for more than ten years and is now the second best male golfer, only three wins behind Jack Nicklaus.

    Woods became one of the most famous athletes in the world and signed many deals with Nike, including a 10-year contract worth $200 million.

    Tim Derdenger, a teacher at Carnegie Mellon’s business school, said that the partnership between Woods and Nike was good for both of them.

    In 2013, a professor studied the effect of Tiger Woods using Nike golf balls instead of his old ones on Nike’s sales. Woods started using Nike balls in 2000.

    Prof Derdenger said that Nike paid Woods $200 million to be their sponsor for 10 years. The research found that Nike made back 60% of that money through sales of their golf balls in the US.

    He said that when Woods started playing golf professionally in 1996, Nike wasn’t very well-known in the golf industry. But they became very successful when they started selling golf equipment with Woods.

    “Who better to introduce this amazing young golfer and launch their golf and apparel brand for Nike. He has been a big part of the game for the past 25 years,” said Prof Derdenger.

    Nike’s way of doing things is to find really talented athletes and make them the face of their brand in order to sell more Nike stuff. And they still do it today.

    Woods came back to playing in November last year after being injured for seven months. He said on social media that he was lucky to have worked with Nike for almost thirty years.

    Nike stood by Woods throughout his career, even when there were tough times, like when there was a scandal about his personal life in 2009, and he admitted to cheating on his wife.

    Big companies like Gillette, Accenture, and AT&T stopped working with Woods. Nike said they were still supporting him.

    On Tuesday, Woods said thank you to the people who work with him and other athletes. He also thanked Phil Knight, who helped start Nike. Woods said Knight has a lot of passion and good ideas.

    Nike told the BBC that they were thankful to have been a part of Woods’ career.

    “During our time working together, we have seen how Tiger changed the game of golf and opened up opportunities for all sports,” the statement said.

    We don’t know why Nike and Woods are not working together anymore, but a professor thinks it will make Nike look bad. He also said that Nike’s golf division has had a hard time for the past five to seven years.

    In 2016, the company decided to stop selling golf clubs, bags, and balls because they were not selling well. Instead, they started focusing on selling golf shoes and clothes. They also made a deal to sponsor professional golfer Rory McIlroy.

    However, Prof Derdenger doesn’t think McIIroy is as influential as Woods in promoting and selling products, despite McIIroy’s popularity.

    Without Michael Jordan and Woods, Nike would not be as successful as it is today.

    “Those two athletes are closely linked with Nike and the success of Nike. ”

    In the last few years, Woods has been using TaylorMade clubs, but he switched to Bridgestone balls which was probably easier for him because Bridgestone used to make golf balls for Nike. That’s what Prof Derdenger thinks.

    What comes after this.

    In January, golfers and their sponsors often agree on new contracts.

    Woods stopped people from asking about his future by saying: “People will wonder if there is more to come. ” Yes, there will definitely be another part of the story.

    He said to his fans, “I’ll see you in LA. ” That’s where Woods will be hosting the Genesis Invitational next month.

    Woods has not been able to compete much since he hurt his leg in a car accident in 2021. In December, he said he would only compete in one event per month in 2024 because of his ankle surgery. But he still thinks he can win on the PGA Tour.

    Prof Derdenger said that Tiger Woods does not need to create his own line of products. He is already a well-known enough brand on his own.

    “Even though Michael Jordan stopped playing basketball 20 years ago, people are still purchasing his shoes. “

  • I don’t want it, I’ve got better ones at home – Pastor resists ‘white girls’ who sexually harassed him public

    I don’t want it, I’ve got better ones at home – Pastor resists ‘white girls’ who sexually harassed him public

    A Ghanaian pastor found himself in a startling situation during a public preaching session when a group of ‘white girls’ interrupted his sermon with an inappropriate display of twerking.

    However, the pastor, unwavering in his commitment to his faith and principles, responded with saying: “I don’t want it, I’ve got better ones at home.”

    The incident unfolded as Pastor Eben Ablorh, known for his spirited sermons, delivered a passionate message in a public space in UK, specifically in Stratford, London.

    As the pastor spoke, a group of ‘white girls’ walked up to him, and began twerking in an attempt to disrupt the sermon.

    Rather than succumb to the unexpected disturbance, Pastor Ablorh remained steadfast, refusing to be swayed by the inappropriate advances. He swiftly declared his disinterest in the unwarranted advances.

  • Prime minister of France Elizabeth Borne steps down ahead of anticipated reorganisation

    Prime minister of France Elizabeth Borne steps down ahead of anticipated reorganisation

    France’s Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne will no longer be working as the Prime Minister after being in the position for less than two years.

    She quit her job at the same time as President Emmanuel Macron is likely to change his top team before the upcoming European elections.

    Mr Macron said that Ms. Borne has been very brave, dedicated, and committed in her job.

    We don’t know who will be chosen to take her place yet.

    Ms Borne will stay in her job until a new prime minister is in charge, according to the Élysée Palace.

    She was the second woman to be the leader of France and served for a longer time than Édith Cresson, who was also a prime minister under François Mitterrand from 1991-92.

    In recent weeks, there have been many plans to change the government as Mr Macron tries to become more popular before the June election. This is also happening because France will be hosting the Olympic Games this year.

    He has three years left as president. Commentators say he needs to make big changes to improve his government’s success after several protests and laws that were not approved.

    The government lost an important vote on immigration rules in December, which was seen as a crisis.

    The law was finally approved after making some changes to please conservative groups. However, Macron’s party will still have a tough competition in the upcoming European election.

    Ms Borne leaving might start big changes, and some important people in the government might take her place.

    The 34-year-old education minister Gabriel Attal is the top candidate for the job. He will be the youngest prime minister of France and the first to openly say he is gay.

    The armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu, who is 37 years old, and ex-agriculture minister Julien Denormandie are being considered as potential options for the job.

    A new prime minister will not be announced until Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the Élysée Palace who spoke to the BBC.

    The leader of France is supposed to handle the government’s daily tasks and lead the Council of Ministers.

    In 2022, Mr. Macron’s party didn’t have enough votes in parliament, so the new prime minister will have a hard time making the President’s ideas into laws.

    The new prime minister will be the fourth person to be in charge since Mr. Macron became president in 2017.

  • Blinken in Middle East for difficult conversations

    Blinken in Middle East for difficult conversations

    The US is Israel‘s best friend, but today they will have difficult discussions.

    For weeks, Washington has been asking Israel to stop their attack on Hamas in Gaza. The attack has killed many civilians and caused a lot of damage and a big problem for people’s well-being.

    Israel’s military is trying to focus more on specific targets in its attacks, but many people have still been killed in its recent bombing of central and southern Gaza.

    In answer to some ministers saying Palestinians should go somewhere else, Blinken will say that people from Gaza who had to leave should be able to go back to their homes.

    However, there are reports that Israel may connect this to a new agreement to free its hostages who are being held by Hamas.

    Blinken will also push for a clear plan for what should happen after the war in Gaza, and for more work to stop the war from spreading.

    Yesterday, Israel reportedly killed a high-ranking commander of the Lebanese armed group, Hezbollah, in southern Lebanon, showing that the conflict is spreading.

  • Herzog greets Blinken with warning over ICJ case

    Herzog greets Blinken with warning over ICJ case

    The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, recently greeted Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv, and thanked the US for their support.

    Herzog talked to US Vice President Kamala Harris yesterday and told her he’s worried about South Africa accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

    “South Africa is taking Israel to court for genocide at The Hague on Thursday,” Herzog says, while standing with Blinken.

    “This claim is terrible and ridiculous. ”

    More update on this story soon

  • Dozens dead in northern Gaza – Reports

    Dozens dead in northern Gaza – Reports

    We told you before that 57 people died at Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza in the last day.

    Wafa, the news agency in Palestine, reported that Israel did bombings in central and southern areas, including around the Maghazi and Al-Bureij camps.

    The organization said many people died in Jabalia and Beit Hanoun, at the top of the Gaza strip.

    Israel has not said anything yet about the raids it did last night. The statement aims to attack terrorists and their buildings but wants to reduce harm to innocent people.

    More update on this story soon

  • Blinken in Israel in attempt to halt wider conflict in Middle East

    Blinken in Israel in attempt to halt wider conflict in Middle East

    The US official Antony Blinken is visiting Israel to talk about how to stop the fighting in Gaza from getting worse.

    Washington has been asking Israel to do things to make sure civilians don’t get hurt for several weeks.

    The US has also said that people from Gaza who had to leave their homes should be allowed to go back, even though some Israeli politicians want them to go somewhere else.

    Ahead of his meeting with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday, Blinken said, “There are many important topics to discuss, especially finding a way to move forward. ”

    Israel says it is using more focused attacks, but the health ministry in Gaza run by Hamas says 57 more people have died at just one hospital.

    Israel started attacking Gaza after Hamas attacked them from across the border more than 3 months ago. About 1,200 people were killed in Israel during the attack.

    Starting from 7th of October, over 22,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza, as reported by the health ministry run by Hamas.

  • 4 illegal FX Market operators busted in Kumasi; convicted

    In a crackdown on illegal foreign exchange (FX) activities, law enforcement authorities in Kumasi have successfully apprehended four individuals operating outside the legal framework. 

    The arrest and subsequent convictions mark a notable achievement in the ongoing efforts to curb illicit financial activities within the Foreign Exchange market. 

    Reports indicate that the individuals were operating without the necessary licenses and approvals required by financial regulatory bodies. 

    The Asokwa Circuit Court 2 in Kumasi delivered a verdict, sentencing Senyah Poku and Yaa Serwaa of Senyah Poku Enterprise, an unlicensed foreign exchange bureau operating in Patase, Kumasi. 

    The court has imposed a fine of six hundred penalty units, equivalent to GHS7,200.00, on each of the individuals.

    The convicted persons pleaded guilty to charges of “Conspiracy to Engage in the Business of Dealing in Foreign Exchange Without Licence” and “Engaging in the Business of Dealing in Foreign Exchange Without Licence.”

    Background

    The Ashanti Regional Police Command, Kumasi, in collaboration with the Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD) and the Security Department of the Bank of Ghana investigated and arrested four persons dealing in foreign exchange without approval and a licence from the Bank.

    The undercover investigation began on October 29,2023 and concluded on December 3, 2023.

    The other suspects awaiting trial are Adam Isak and Alhassan Nuhu of Macowasi Forex Bureau, another unlicensed foreign exchange bureau also operating on the KNUST Campus, Kumasi.

    The OFISD in conducting supervisory duties in Kumasi, detected certain anomalies in the Foreign Exchange (FX) market and their effective work and preliminary intelligence gathering, led them to several illegal/parallel foreign exchange market operators in the Kumasi area.

    Foreign Exchange Laws

    Ghana’s foreign exchange market is regulated by the Foreign Exchange Act 2006, Act 723. The Act cloaks the Bank of Ghana with all licensing, supervisory and regulatory authority.

    According to Section 3(1) of the Foreign Exchange Act, 2006, Act 723, “A person shall not engage in the business of dealing in foreign exchange without a licence issued under this Act.”

    Section 29(1)(a) of the Act further states that “A person who engages in the business of dealing in foreign exchange without a licence commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than seven hundred penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not more than eighteen months or both.’’

    According to the Bank of Ghana, dealing in foreign exchange without approval or a licence is a punishable offence under the Foreign Exchange Act 2006, Act 723.