According to an eyewitness report, Daniel Oyebanjo jnr, who celebrated his first birthday in May of that same year, mistakenly made his way into the swimming pool.
In confirmation to the news at that time, the “Koko master” took to social media and wrote;
“Trying times but my God is always and forever faithful.”
D banj was said to have been in Los Angeles, California, for the BET Awards when the incident occurred.
Per reports at that time, he traveled with his wife, Lineo Kilgrow, leaving the child in the company of caretakers.
The post was greeted with a flood of condolences from celebrities and followers of the ‘Oliver Twist’ crooner.
Assistant coach of the Black Stars, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has insisted that the head coach of the side, Otto Addo is fully in charge of player call-up to the national team.
Addo earned the praise from the football fraternity after steering the country’s qualification to the 2022 World Cup at the expense of Nigeria in March.
Over the years, officials of the Ghana Football Association [GFA] have been accused of influencing player call-up into the national team.
However, Didi Dramani, a former Asante Kotoko gaffer speaking to Graphic Sports reiterated that Addo is in charge of player call-up.
According to him, the technical team, headed by the 46-year-old is fully in charge of player selection without any interference from the GFA president or any other official.
“Let me say that there has never been any interference from the GFA President, Kurt (Simeon-Okraku) since we were appointed,” he said.
“No official has ever imposed any player on us so far. He (Kurt) can only share his opinion like anybody else, but he has never imposed any player on us,” he emphasized.
Otto Addo is expected to name his final 26-man squad for the Mundial on November 14.
The cedi’s dark days appear to be over, at least until the end of the year, with market movements over the last week. There is a showing sign of sustained recovery that could bring major relief to traders, market players including bankers and ordinary citizens who only crave stability in the currency regime.
The local currency, which traded as high as GH¢15 to the USD some two weeks ago on the interbank markets and almost GH¢16 on the retail market has made some gains after several regulatory and government interventions. The cedi is currently trading between GH¢13- GH¢14 on both markets.
According to Ashley Thompson-MacCarthy, The Executive Director at Obsidian Achernar Limited, a leading Financial Services and Africa-Focused firm, events from last week and the beginning of this week, coupled with the advanced nature of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a programme, shows that the worst of the depreciation is over, and Ghanaians can look forward until at least the end of the year with some optimism about the currency.
“We believe that the worst is over, and the currency will strengthen against the greenback (US Dollar). We will see prices stabilise and even appreciate to the levels of GH¢11.5 to US$1. That is what we believe,” he said, sounding highly optimistic.
“We think the currency is undervalued due to perception that we do not have a structured economy. And we have seen prices across bond yields reflect that lack of confidence. However, in the last week or so, we have seen bond yields drop marginally. And we believe this is a sign of things to come,” Mr. Thompson-MacCarthy noted.
Last week, the Central Bank revoked the licences of some forex bureaux which have been flouting sections of the Foreign Exchange Act. Also, black market operators who have no licence are being clamped down. In addition to these moves, the Bank of Ghana announced the receipt of more than a US$1billion in forex via a loan from Afreximbank and the first tranche of the cocoa syndicated loan.
These moves have calmed the markets and has seen individuals and corporates which have been hoarding the US currency as a store of value begin to release their dollars.
“Some weeks ago, there was an unusual high demand for dollars by people who ordinarily would not be demanding dollars. This led to the rapid deprecation but the moves by the regulator have changed the mood and over the past seven days, we have seen a flush of USD on the market,” he added.
“The retracement of cedi’s free fall is also bringing back international investors into our market. On the talks that the United States are going into a recession, these international investors are looking for yields, they are looking for where to invest and we see that Ghana is undervalued.
Typically, when countries enter into an IMF programme, we should see the currency stabilise and so we are going into that period where we believe that the worst is over. Whereas if you look at the West, especially a country like America, its Dollar Price Index, dropped from 113 to as low as 109. Today it is stabilising around 111. This shows that there is volatility in America.
“Having a well-diversified investment portfolio is strategic. We believe that a major part of the gains from keeping cash dollars have been crystallized on our market. As the dollar begins to weaken globally, it will be good to take advantage of other asset classes like Government bonds that are heavily discounted and make a good entry. Also, there are options like commodities, property and real estate markets that provide leverage that is currently untapped in our country,” he added.
December in GH
With the Year of Return raking in almost US$2billion in 2019, according to official data, the government has introduced a comprehensive December in GH plan that seeks to make Accra and Ghana the holiday destination of Africa. With the worst days of the pandemic over, this December primes to be a gamechanger.
This, Mr. Thompson-MacCarthy believes would also bring in some good FX to support the local currency. “Our biggest asset, which we do not talk about much is peace. The fact that we have political stability means we can attract foreign investment and tourism opportunities that bring in very good FX for the economy. We must cherish this and make it a mainstay of the economy.”
The authorities should endeavour to make sure that the impending FX from the end-of-year activities are routed through regulated channels, he added.
Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) that are drawn to the prospects and opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) have been urged to list on the Ghana Alternative Market (GAX), as it gives them a channel to finance their growth aspirations in Africa.
The primary goal of the GAX, which was established in acknowledgment of MSMEs’ significance to the national economy, is to give MSMEs a platform on which to solicit long-term growth capital from investors.
And in light of the current economic challenges, especially with high interest rates, equity becomes a more suitable way to fund the recovery, resilience and growth of MSMEs’ in the country, the GSE’s Head of Marketing and Public Relations, Jerry Boachie-Danquah, told the Business and Financial Times in email on behalf of the Managing Director of the Exchange, Abena Amoah.
According to him, listing on the Exchange makes it easier for MSMEs to pass due diligence when doing business in other markets, “offering a badge of credibility to all potential partners, suppliers or customers of the MSME or SME”.
Currently, there are only six companies listed on the GSE’s established MSME market, GAX – a figure many players in the sector describe as woefully inadequate at a time the country is ramping up efforts to be a major player in the continental free trade area.
“Under various partnership agreements, we also provide training and market-readiness assessments for identified SMEs. The GSE has signed strategic MoUs with the Association of Ghana Industries, Development Bank of Ghana and the Stanford Seed Transformation Network (STN) Ghana. These partnerships allow the GSE to reach SMEs that are members of these groups. The Exchange is open to building more of such partnerships in order to broaden our reach to SMEs in Ghana,” Boachie-Danquah said.
MSMEs solution to economic challenge
Earlier this month, Managing Director of the Exchange Abena Amoah said the MSME sector is the solution to sustainability of the economy.
With over 90 percent of businesses in the country being SMEs and contributing collectively at least 70 percent of the GDP, Ms. Amoah called for the institution of deliberate measures to support growth of the sector.
“SMEs are the backbone, the foundation and true engine of growth for the Ghanaian economy…and Ghana will not grow without SMEs growing strongly,” the deputy managing director of the GSE said when speaking at a capacity building workshop for SMEs organised by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in partnership with the Exchange and Development Bank of Ghana (DBG), under the theme ‘Empowering SMEs with key strategies for resilience and business sustainability’.
“It is against this background that the GSE and DBG want to move beyond the rhetoric and work with your association, AGI, to prepare local businesses through capacity-building programmes to raise the much-needed patient and affordable capital to catapult and accelerate their growth and that of the economy,” she added.
Tripartite agreement to push MSME sector
Already, the DBG has signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with the Association of Ghana Industries and Ghana Stock Exchange as part of its mandate to build capacity and empower banks and entrepreneurs through financial innovation and other advisory services to strengthen the ecosystem in which businesses operate.
The collaboration seeks to fashion innovative solutions which demonstrate that principles and profits are not mutually exclusive.
Ex-Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has heaped praise on Tottenham coach Antonio Conte claiming he gives 100% on the field of play and always lead by example.
The pair worked together at Juve between 2012 and 2014 where Asamoah was a key cog of the team.
He played an instrumental role in helping the club to six consecutive Serie A titles between 2013 and 2018, among other titles.
“The first memory is the final of the 2013-14 season. We had won the championship a few days early, but Conte didn’t want to relax. 100 because he wanted at all costs to cross the line of 102 points. In the end we succeeded and we were all very satisfied,” the 33-year-old said as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“That’s how Conte is, he is a great coach and an exceptional motivator: both in training and in matches he never makes you relax.
Asamoah added, “He always wants to go one hundred percent and he is the first to lead by example. And then he takes great care of the details: with him you can miss a step, but not a position.”
The adoption of less hazardous mining and extraction methods for gold is guaranteed by mineral processing technology, which also prevents the discharge of tailings into waterways and the installation of equipment like Changfas in or on rivers.
Without employing hazardous mercury, the mining operations are delivered as fully integrated modular systems from ore to gold dore or packaged mineral concentrates, as required.
The equipment increases the productivity of miners’ work and ensures improved gold recovery.
In an interview with the B&FT, Stephen Yeboah – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Commodity Monitor Ltd., a Ghanaian-owned trading, logistics and research company – said his outfit’s aim of introducing the new technology is to join the fight against illegal mining, especially considering the devastation it is having on water-bodies in mining areas across the country.
“The goal of rolling out the mercury-free mineral processing technology is to assist artisanal and small-scale miners with efficient mining plants and equipment that achieve three basic goals – high tonnes per hour processing, no mercury use, and high gold recovery.
“Our technology ensures very high gold recovery. The current processing method allows miners to recover just about 35 percent of their gold. This new mercury-free technology recovers more than 90 percent of gravity-recoverable gold.
“Our technology contributes to the fight against galamsey. The good news is that government, through the Minerals Commission, has made our technology the main mineral processing technology for all community mining areas. The 100 plants purchased were commissioned by the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in June 2022. This is a significant and critical step taken by government,” he stated.
Mr. Yeboah further stated that the new technology will ensure that mercury in mining, which is extremely hazardous to humans due to its serious health implications, will be a thing of the past.
“More worrying is the unregulated, high use and exposure of mercury in gold recovery by artisanal and small-scale miners. Mercury use in this sector, globally, is estimated to be over 2,000 tonnes each year – with virtually all of the chemicals released finding their way into the atmosphere, water-bodies and land.
“This puts miners and communities at risk of permanent brain-damage,seizures, vision and hearing loss, and delayed and impaired childhood development,” he added.
The mining sector contributes significantly to the country’s merchandise export earnings as well as domestic revenues. The sector contributed circa US$6.8billion in export earnings for 2020 and US$5.1billion in 2021.
The Artisanal and small-scale mining subsector contributes about 40 percent of the country’s total gold production and generates both direct and indirect employment, with more than one million people directly engaged in the subsector and an additional four million people indirectly dependent on it for their livelihoods.
Thus, Mr. Yeboah said, given the mining sector’s contribution to the country’s economic development, instead of banning these activities appropriate technologies must be used and the traditional approach changed to eliminate the present devastating impacts on the environment.
“The small mining sector is a huge one with about one million people. If you go to some communities, more than 90 percent of the young people are into mining; so imagine stopping it. Small-scale mining was banned initially for two years but the problems still persisted, so the sustainable way of dealing with it is to change the way they work and not a blanket ban on the activities,” he said.
For the many decades of small scale mining operations, there has been unfettered dependence on mercury as the main source of gold recovery in Ghana. The consequence is that abandoned mine waste usually contains high mercury concentrations due to inefficiency.
“Our mercury-free technology utilises ‘soil-washing’ as a remediation technique – which means mercury contents are extracted from the mine waste and tailings to prevent further washdown into rivers and water sources.”
Mr. Yeboah is confident the fight against galamsey can be won by making this technology available to all artisanal and small-scale miners, saying a mercury-free way of mining is the right path to take.
“It is the surest way of leveraging transformation in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector,” he said. It will accelerate implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which Ghana ratified in 2017 to reduce and eliminate mercury-use in the minerals sector.
Currently, he said, over 20 of the mercury-free mining machines have been deployed in mining communities such as Wa, Bongo and Tarkwa, among others.
Black Stars assistant coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has reiterated that the team’s preparation will be known after the friendly game against Switzerland.
As part of preparations for the global showpiece, the Black Stars will engage the European side in a friendly game on November 17 at the Baniyas Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Having suffered a defeat against Brazil and a narrow win over Nicaragua in the September friendly games, the West African country will hope to secure a win.
And according to Didi Dramani, the test will prove the Black Stars’ readiness for the tournament in Qatar.
“The Switzerland game will really tell what we are going to do in Qatar and I believe the team will be ready,” he told Graphic Sports.
“We’re very positive in what we are doing and we only have control of what we can do.
“We learned a lot from the game against Brazil. And against Nicaragua we also learned how to play against a team which can sit back and soak pressure from their opponents,” he recalled.
The Black Stars will officially open camp on November 10 with the official 26-man squad expected to be named on November 14.
Ghana has been housed in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.
The 22nd edition of the Mundial is scheduled to kick off from November 20 to December 18.
Popular Nigerian news outlet, Instablog9ja has announced the arrest of nine persons who were present at singer Davido’s Banana Island when his 3-year-old son, Ifeanyi, drowned in a swimming pool.
According to a post shared on Instagram on Tuesday, November 1, David Ifeanyi Adedeji Adeleke Jr’s nanny, cook, and other domestic workerswere picked up to assist with the police investigation into his alleged death widely published by local media.
Davido and his fiancée, Chioma Rowland recently celebrated their son’s third birthday on October 17 and followed it with a star-dubbed party on October 23.
The undisclosed source confirming the arrest stated that the workers were arrested for their negligence. His parents were away when the unfortunate incident occurred at their residence.
“About nine people have been arrested for negligence, including his nanny and their cook. Chioma is broken. David is in tears. They are both at his dad’s house in Lekki and nobody from 30BG is allowed there. His 30th birthday plans have been put on hold. The real story is crazy. How the kid opened a huge thick door and got outside, nobody knows. The arrested people are criminally negligent.”
Dr. Ernest Addison, the governor of the Bank of Ghana, has assured that the central bank has enough cash on hand to maintain the economy’s general stability until the start of the anticipated IMF program and other financing guarantees anticipated from stakeholders.
He asserts that efforts are being made to ensure that the central bank has some liquidity, notwithstanding the continuing economic difficulties that the entire globe and Ghana in particular are experiencing.
As everyone knows, we received the 750 million dollars from the AfriExim Bank, and on October 26, 2022, we will receive the 790 million dollars from the COCOBOD syndicated loan, providing some liquidity for the Central Bank.
“I am aware of the recent developments in terms of liquidity in the banking sector. As I said, I took note of the advice from Washington on the financial stability issue that there has to be targeted liquidity support to preserve financial stability without undermining the inflation control objectives. So, this is really the context we should have the discussion on all the complaints of we need liquidity and BoG not supplying liquidity.”
“Yesterday I met the CEOs and I have assured them that we will provide the necessary liquidity to ensure that we don’t have a system of a liquidity problem. But we do that within the context of keeping inflation low”.
The Governor made this statement when the management of the Bank met with stakeholders within the foreign exchange market, including the Managing Directors of the universal banks in the country.
Also present at the meeting were the Association of Forex Bureau Operators to deliberate on measures to streamline, sanitise and provide clarity on the supply of forex in the country.
In the past two years, the Greater Accra Region alone has seen an estimated 1,200 “Togo automobiles” confiscated, according to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
These vehicles were lawfully imported at first but were made unlawful after their stay was over by fabricating paperwork to get legal standing and escape import duties.
Ag. Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, commissioner of customs, revealed to B&FT that the division seizes 50 cars on average each month in hotspot areas including the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, and Northern Regions.
The scourge, accordingly, has resulted in an estimated US$30million revenue loss in the past two years since 2020.
The concept of ‘Togo cars’
Commissioner Iddisah, in demystifying the concept of ‘Togo cars’, explained that though the majority of these cars come from Togo, a chunk of them is also brought in from Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with Nigeria being the new hotspot for the vice.
He said the practice results from abuse of temporary legal importation of vehicles, captured under the ECOWAS protocols to allow easy movement of goods and people across member-states.
The treaty allows for a maximum 90-days for such cars to stay in the visiting country after a tangible reason is given. The conditions attached stipulate that the vehicle must belong to the driver; and he/she must be a citizen of the country of origin of the car, as well as having appropriate documents for evidence.
The age-old abuse/crime
Over the years, some Ghanaians have made it their trade – taking undue advantage of Togo’s free port and collaborating with Togolese nationals and people from various nationalities in the sub-region to bring these cars into the country through the ECOWAS protocol and illegally change the vehicles’ identity after arrival in Ghana.
“Though most of these foreign nationals are caught at the borders through the fake documents they present, some manage to drive these cars to their owners in Accra and Kumasi by using their identity cards as Togolese nationals who are in Ghana to visit friends and family or to do business,” Commissioner Iddisah disclosed.
These original Ghanaian owners of the said cars, according to Mr. Iddisah, later make fake documents of the ‘Togo car’ to match with similar cars that are already legally imported into the country – they tamper expertly with the chassis-number beyond recognition of the layman.
He said only a trained Customs officer can detect that the chassis-number has been altered or tampered with, as two cars cannot have the same chassis-number even if they were manufactured the same day and time by the same company.
Greed as a factor
Though the Division indicates that it is progressively tackling the menace, Commissioner Iddisah blames the greed of some Ghanaians as the fuelling factor of this illegality.
“A car that sells for GH¢70,000 should not be offered to anybody for GH¢30,000. Unfortunately, that is what excites most buyers. Worse case, they do not involve the services of Customs officials in the purchase of such cars. That is greed, to some extent,” he noted.
Punishment
The punishment for this offence, according to the Division, is an outright seizure of the vehicle; and in some cases prosecution after the original ‘importer’ of the vehicle is found. However, it is often difficult to trace the importer as more than 70 percent of buyers become the first and original victim. These vehicles usually have fake registration numbers and number plates, and do not go through the DVLA system.
The capacity to detect
The Customs Division, according to Commissioner Iddisah, has trained officers who have the capacity and expertise to detect such crimes.
“We have capable officers who have been clamping-down on these illegal cars. They can look at the chassis-number and within seconds tell you if it has been tampered with. Additionally, the Division deploys modern gadgets and technologies to check the legal status of any of these cars upon suspicion,” he said.
Remain vigilant
Commissioner Iddisah asked the general public to remain vigilant and visit the nearest GRA office to check the status of vehicles before purchase. The Division is also undertaking ongoing education about the public’s need to be cautious of where such vehicle purchases are made.
“You don’t buy a car and hide it in your room; you want to drive the car around and the Customs will occasionally stop you upon suspicions. It is therefore important to know the status of your car,” the Commissioner said.
Ex-Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has heaped praise on Tottenham coach Antonio Conte claiming he gives 100% on the field of play and always lead by example.
The pair worked together at Juve between 2012 and 2014 where Asamoah was a key cog of the team.
He played an instrumental role in helping the club to six consecutive Serie A titles between 2013 and 2018, among other titles.
“The first memory is the final of the 2013-14 season. We had won the championship a few days early, but Conte didn’t want to relax. 100 because he wanted at all costs to cross the line of 102 points. In the end we succeeded and we were all very satisfied,” the 33-year-old said as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“That’s how Conte is, he is a great coach and an exceptional motivator: both in training and in matches he never makes you relax.
Asamoah added, “He always wants to go one hundred percent and he is the first to lead by example. And then he takes great care of the details: with him you can miss a step, but not a position.”
Former Bechem United winger Augustine Okrah has been nominated for Simba SC Player of the Month award for October following his impressive displays for the club.
The 29-year-old will come up against Joash Onyango and Mzamiru Yassin for the accolade with the winner set to be determined by an online voting by the Simba fans across the clubs social networks.
Okrah scored three goals and provided one assist for Simba last month.
He netted in the Kariakoo Derby when his side were held to a 1-1 draw against bitterest rivals Young Africans SC in Dar es Salaam.
He also hit a brace or Simba in their 5-0 victory over Mbitwa Sugar FC 5-0 last Sunday.
The Ghana forward has scored four and registered two assists for Simba in the Tanzanian Premier League this season.
Simba are currently second on the league table with 17 points, three points behind leaders Young Africans after eight matches played so far.
Okrah will hope to be named in Ghana’s final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The broadcaster, who was said to be completely struck with the death of his wife, said that as part of the many things that has been prescribed to aid his recovery process, he has been advised to do what he likes best, and that is his job.
He made these statements whiles briefing his colleagues on his general well-being these past few months, when he staged a comeback on Monday, October 31, 2022.
“I’ve been through a lot. As you know, in August I lost my wife and it’s been a tough time. I’m on the road to recovery and part of the prescription is that you need to do anything that makes you happy,” Bernard told his colleagues during the Breakfast show.
Asante Kotoko captain Richard Boadu Agadas is super excited to bag his first goal for the club in their 3-0 win over King Faisal on match week four of the Ghana Premier League on Monday.
Boadu put up an impressive display to the Porcupine Warriors seal all three points at the Baba Yara Sports stadium.
The win lifts Kotoko to 5th spot while King Faisal remain at the bottom after four consecutive defeats.
“God bless you family ❤🇦🇹 we keep focusing. My first goal for my lovely club @AsanteKotoko_SC,” he posted on twitter after the game.
Mukwala opened the scoring for Kotoko in the 11th minute of the game.
He was involved in the second goal as he was fouled in the box 17 by King Faisal goalkeeper Abdul Jabal in the 28th minute. The referee pointed to the spot and captain Richard Boadu expertly converted to double Kotoko’s lead.
After the break, goalscorer Mukwala turned provider. He assisted Nicholas Mensah’s goal in the 46th minute.
King Faisal dropped deep to prevent the Porcupine Warriors from doing more damage.
Asante Kotoko will take on Bechem United on match week five of the Ghana Premier League.
Boadu joined for Kotoko at the beginning of the 2021-22 season has made three appearances and scored one this season.
Assistant coach of the Black Stars, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has reiterated that no official of the Ghana Football Association has ever imposed a player on the technical team of the national team.
Over the years, the hierarchy of the country’s football governing body has been accused of imposing players on the technical team and influencing player call up to the various national teams.
Didi Dramani, who joined the Black Stars technical set-up before the World Cup playoff games against Nigeria in February has praised the relationship between them [Black Stars technical team] and the FA.
According to him, no official of the FA has ever imposed a player on the technical team.
He however added that the President of the FA, Kurt Okraku, can only share only his opinion but not to interfere in their work.
“Let me say that there has never been any interference from the GFA President, Kurt Okraku since we were appointed,” the former Asante Kotoko gaffer told Graphic Sports.
“No official has ever imposed any player on us so far. He (Kurt) can only share his opinion like anybody else, but he has never imposed any player on us,” he emphasized.
Otto Addo, who is the head coach together with Didi Dramani, George Boateng, and Chris Hughton masterminded Ghana’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
Ghana has been acknowledged as the only nation in Africa to have attained the mature level of financial inclusion.
This information is included in AfricaNenda’s State of Inclusive Instant Payment in Africa Report, which was published this year and released in Kigali, Rwanda, during the Mobile World Congress Africa 2022.
In order to encourage adoption and increase financial inclusion across the continent, the study aims to present a narrative about all instant pay rollouts across the continent.
Ghana was the only country to receive a perfect score on access to financial inclusion in this year’s assessment, which focused on inclusive instant payment systems in 12 African nations.
Ghana’s feat was based on the successful mobile money interoperability (MMI) platform, which integrates all payments platforms across banks, fintechs and telcos, giving access to every Ghanaian to make and receive instant payment. Ghana’s mobile money interoperability is hosted by a state institution – Ghana Interbank Payments and Settlements Systems (GhIPSS), headed by Archie Hesse, who was present at the launch of the report in Kigali.
During a panel discussion, he explained how GhIPSS was able to achieve that level of financial inclusion by integrating three instant payment platforms into what he called the “financial inclusion triangle.”
According to him, GhIPSS started by first integrating banks to make them interoperable on the back of the GhIPSS Instant Pay (GIP); then GhIPSS introduced a biometric payment system called e-zwich, which was also made interoperable, before moving on integrate the mobile money operators into an interoperable platform.
“What we then did was to close the triangle by making all the three platforms interoperable to ensure that no matter who is making payment and from wherever, they will be able to do so seamlessly and instantly,” he said.
Archie Hesse said GhIPSS has since improved the services by adding other services like Proxy Pay, Internet Gateway Payment, Request to Pay and the Universal QR Code dubbed GHQR, which can be linked to both bank accounts and digital wallets, with affordability as the key driving force.
He said GhIPSS, in collaboration with the banks have also come up with a bank-wide wallet called GhanaPay to ensure that the banks also play a role in the mobile money space with the view to bridging the financial inclusion gap. Meanwhile, there is still a gap of about 32percent in Ghana’s financial inclusion target, but that is not for lack of access, but more to do with education and individuals’ slowness to adoption.
Archie Hesse believes that with the introduction of GhanaPay, plus regular public education on the advantages of instant payment, that gap will be close. He also underscored the importance of fintechs in driving adoption, saying that “fintechs are the ones that will innovate and create services in the areas of insurance, agriculture and others to drive last mile adoption.”
Former Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has expressed his disappointment following Juventus poor start to the 2022/23 season.
Juve were eliminated at the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2013-14, after picking up just three points from five games, their worst ever tally at this stage of the tournament.
In the league, the former Serie A champions are 7th on the league table with 22 points, 10 points above leaders Napoli after 12 matches played so far.
“I haven’t seen all the Juventus matches, but in the ones I followed the feeling is that the hunger, the determination and the Juve spirit that I learned from Conte are not always maximum,” Asamoah told The Gazzetta dello Sport.
“There is a lack of continuity, which is one of the qualities fundamental for wearing the black and white jersey when you play for Juventus, there are no “normal” games: they are all decisive and especially those to be won at any cost against low-middle-ranking teams.”
He added, “In my time Conte and the various Buffons, Chiellini, Barzagli, Marchisio and Bonucci were decisive in transmitting certain values to me, to young people and to the new ones.”
“Now Bonucci has remained. Leonardo does his, but now he is a bit alone … I’m sorry, and it’s a shame, not to see the Juventus of the past that we were all used to anymore.”
Ing. Dr. Ken Edem Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT), has emphasized the necessity for fiscal policy to concentrate on providing incentives for companies in the tech industry to invest in areas that will increase digital inclusion throughout the continent.
From October 25 to October 27, 2022, Kigali, Rwanda will host the Mobile World Conference Africa. He was interacting with the media there.
One of the two CEOs of Ghanaian industries that presented at the conference this year was Dr. Ashigbey.
Archie Hesse, CEO of Ghana Interbank Payments & Settlements Systems, is the additional party.
Dr. Ashigbey was on two panels – Assessing the impact of telecoms traffic monitoring systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and Accelerating digital transformation through fiscal policy reforms.
He noted that the conference comes at a time when the Chamber is rounding up on its periodic total tax report for telecom operators in Ghana, and the figures show that the tax component of the revenue the industry generates has inched up a bit to 47Gp of every one cedi, which is a huge disincentive to investments by industry players into innovations that will boost digital inclusion.
According to him, the situation in Ghana is not necessarily a peculiar one, as many African governments tend to front-load when it comes to revenues they expect from the telecoms industry.
Citing the sale of 4G LTE license to MTN Ghana at US$67.5 million in 2015, Dr. Ashigbey said that was a typical example of how governments front-load their revenue expectations from the industry, instead of incentivising players so they could invest their remaining resources to expand accessibility.
Dr. Ashigbey said it is high time African governments reconsidered their approach to generating revenue from the technology sector and looked at reducing the cost of licenses and taxes so the industry players will be in a position to conveniently drive the digital inclusion agenda.
Free Wi-Fi in Rwanda
The Telecoms Chamber CEO noted that in Rwanda, where MWC Africa 2022 was held, free Wi-Fi is very widespread and that is largely because government’s fiscal policy in that country incentivises industry players rather than muscling them for huge taxes and licensing fees.
He believes that such an approach is deliberate, and it rather creates growth in the ecosystem giving rise to more sustainable sources of revenue for government.
“It is my fervent hope that the panel discussion on fiscal policy reforms will come out with innovative ways of making fiscal policies a driver of investments to bridge the digital gap faster. I expect that government representatives and regulators like the NCA (National Communications Authority) and their counterparts on the continent will be present at the session on fiscal policy reforms so they could pick some of the lesson to inform their approach to generating revenue from the industry,” he said.
He also lauded the government and people of Rwanda for the speed with which they have and are developing their country, not just in infrastructure but even in the attitudes of the people and the orderliness with which things are done in that country. “I believe as a country we can take a leaf from Rwanda in terms of our own development,” he said.
Dr. Ashigbey also expressed his gladness about the fact that MWC this year is focusing on Africa, saying that “When such conferences are organised at the global level, the African context is often left out, but this time the focus is mainly on Africa and it is refreshing because it creates room for a closer look at opportunities available in Africa and the challenges thereof, so they could be addressed.”
The subsidy on residual fuel oil (RFO) has been halted by the government through the National Petroleum Authority until further notice.
The change is anticipated to go into effect on November 1st, 2022.
The petroleum regulator described the suspension in a letter to industry participants as a temporary measure to lessen the financial strain on the Price Stabilization and Recovery Account, in accordance with the Ministry of Energy’s instruction (PSRA).
The letter, which was signed by NPA CEO Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, stated that “the Policy directive takes into mind the rising concern over the sustainability of the Account to meet under-recovery payment obligations for Premix Fuel and RFO.”
“NPA will therefore continue to compute and announce the price build-up (PBU) of RFO for each pricing window, as it has always done, to the industry” it added.
Meanwhile, the letter was distributed to all Oil Marketing Companies and Bulk Import Distribution and Export Companies (BIDECs) in the country.
It was also copied to the Minister at the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, the Industry Coordinator, Association of Oil Marketing Companies, CEO of Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), the Coordinator, Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), NPA and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries.
The Bank of Ghana has denied allegations that it actively worked with some operatives at Cowlane in Accra to transfer money illegally overseas.
This comes after Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Director of Research at the Trades Congress (TUC), claimed there was “proof or rising suspicion” of the aforementioned behavior.
On the Joy News TV program Newsfile on October 29, Dr. Otoo made the assertions.
But the Central Bank in a statement sighted by GhanaWeb categorically denied the allegations and also considered them as extremely reckless on the part of Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo.
“We would have expected that such strong allegations would have been supported by the requisite evidence, and not left at pure conjecture, mere suspicion or hearsay. This is especially so considering the quarters from which the allegations were made,” the statement said.
“We advise the general public to completely disregard these comments and be assured that we, as a Central Bank, are focused on our mandate of price stability, and doing all within our power to reduce the rising general level of prices. We are doing this guided by our core values of accountability, professionalism and integrity, and in accordance with law,” the BoG added.
It further assured collaboration with relevant stakeholders including law enforcement agencies to discourage and penalize the activities of illegal foreign exchange operators in the country.
The increase, which will take effect on November 1, 2022, comes after the second pricing window, which began on October 31, in which petroleum product prices were also modified.
According to investigations by GhanaWeb Business, some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are charging GH17.99 per liter for gasoline and GH23.49 for diesel.
As of Wednesday, October 26 2022, certain OMCs were charging GH13.99 for gasoline and GH15.99 for diesel.
Although there has been a stable price regime of crude oil being sold on the world market, the persistent depreciation of the cedi against the US Dollar has been attributed to the recent hikes.
The significant hike in the price of petroleum has sparked renewed concerns for consumers amid soaring inflation rates which have culminated in the rising cost of living in the country.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) have commenced their decision to increase transport fares for commuters by 19 percent effective Saturday 29, 2022.
Reports state that Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido, and his girlfriend, Chioma Rowlands, have lost their son, Ifeanyi.
Although social media, particularly Twitter, has been buzzing with the news of the passing of the 3-year-old boy, the couple are yet to confirm the reports.
However, condolences have been pouring in from scores of fans, sympathizers, colleagues, and friends worldwide.
Some Ghanaian celebrities have also reacted to the news and have sent out their condolences to that effect.
The unconfirmed reports
There have been different versions of the alleged passing away of Ifeanyi Adeleke, Davido’s son.
Shortly after the news went viral, Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus, who happens to be a close friend of the 30 BG boss, took to her Instagram to share a post of a broken heart emoji accompanied with the caption; “But Why.”
Although the post has since been deleted, it appears to have given a lot of people the confirmation they sought, owing to the fact that she is among Davido’s close circle of friends.
Per the narration of other blogs including Gist lover and Linda Ikeji, Ifeanyi reportedly died in a swimming pool and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital despite the fact that he was rescued conscious.
Nigerian music star, Davido and fiancée, Chioma Rowland, put together a star-budded birthday party for their son, Ifeanyi, on Sunday, October 23.
The young father in his message to his only male child prayed to God to protect him and also grant him good health.
The 29-year-old father named his son after himself, David Ifeanyi Adedeji Adeleke Jr after he welcomed him back in 2019.
It was the famous singer’s wish that his son could grow to be greater than him in all aspects of life. This he made evident in his birthday message to little Ifeanyi.
“I pray with all my heart that God grants you perfect health and pure happiness for as long as humanly possible. You will grow to be greater than Me, Happy birthday, son @davidifeanyiadeleke !!! #BIG3,” read the caption of Davido’s Instagram post a week ago.
On October 31, however, news broke about the demise of Davido and Chioma’s son. According to reports, the boy drowned in his father’s pool inside his Banana Island residence when they were away from home.
The bereaved parents are yet to release an official statement to confirm their great loss, however, the singer’s foster brother, Emeka, together with close sources have confirmed the unfortunate passing of 3-year-old Ifeanyi to Nigerian media and blogs.
The couple who have been recently engaged in a public display of affection announced a comeback after calling it quit last year.
When Bridget Otoo’shusband tweeted about avocado pears, it looked like just another tweet from the lecturer and transport economist.
It was receiving traction from people who could relate to the post that read: “It’s OK to break up with your partner when you find out he/she doesn’t eat avocados.”
Little could anyone phantom that he could be throwing shade at his wife, who is also a broadcaster.
When Bridget noticed, she fired a response accusing him of bringing the issue to Twitter and directing him where to find her and tell her to the face.
“… you are doing it on Twitter? I’m in the bedroom, come and tell me,” she tweeted, quoting her husband’s post.
Find the tweet exchange below:
It’s OK to breakup with your partner when you find out he/she doesn’t eat Avocados 🥑
When it comes to the Showbiz fraternity he finds himself in, Ghanaian Comedian popularly known as MJ the Comedian gives a top-notch performance.
The comedian is blessed with two gifts when it comes to his profession. You can find MJ on stage and also via social media as a content creator or skit maker.
Born Timothy Musah Junior Abaaddu, believes he finds peace to entertain patrons and his social media followers.
According to him, I feel fulfilled when I create my content and share it on all my social media platforms and also deliver when I mount the stage to crack people up with my witty jokes.
The “Dashiki Walk” founder (MJ the Comedian) spoke to Edward Blagogee of Blagogeegh.com about his upcoming stand-up comedy (Cedi Vs. Dollar), the current economic situation in Ghana, and why he wants to work with Shatta Wale.
MJ on The State of Economy In Ghana
Mr. Abaaaddu asserts that the current economic situation in Ghana is very bad.
He said, the state of the economy is very bad and it’s a replica of 1983. According to him, I feel the economy should be stabilized before things get out of hand.
“Right now, when you want to patronize a product and you bargain before you realize the price has increased…”, he said.
He added that the situation is very bad to the extent that businessmen and organizations are feeling skeptical to push money into the system.
MJ On Why He Wants Shatta Wale On
The award-winning comedian (MJ the Comedian) averred that he yearns to work on a skill with Shatta Wale.
He said “I’ve made this request where it went viral, but I’m sure the Dancehall King (Shatta Wale) might be busy but I’ll be glad if he comes through for me.
Although I’ve worked with some celebrities in the entertainment field, I recently did a skit with Bismark The Joke, in which I eulogise him for his creative prowess when he invited me over to do some magic and the gains huge views on social media platforms.
Cedi Vs Dollar Comedy Show
MJ the Comedian is set to thrill fans with his witty jokes about the current situation hitting Ghana.
When asked why “Cedi vs. Dollar” he affirms that “this is a comedy special for myself and my colleagues in the industry”.
“… The Dollar is good and the Cedi is the bad is just juxtaposing and making it fun,” he jokingly said.
DKB, OB Amponsah, Comedian Waris, Augustine Dennis, et al will crack patrons up when the date and venue are to be communicated on all MJ the Comedian social media platforms.
A man identified as Doctor Penking has taken to his Instagram page to explain why Davidoreturned to his third baby mama, Chioma after they separated in 2020.
According to Penking, Chioma’s kind is rare because “99% of Nigerians” would have used Davido’s name to attain fame after they parted ways but Chioma did the contrary.
Penking further added that Chioma could have used the opportunity to tarnish Davido’s image by saying awful things about him but she did otherwise which makes her an ideal woman for Davido.
He noted that Chioma would have gotten more brand endorsements and the likes if she had dragged Davido and caused a feud.
Penking said Davidorealized there was no way he could have met a lady like Chioma elsewhere and that men love “mysterious women.”
Nigerians and some media users reacted to Penking’s post with some siding with him that indeed a woman like Chioma is rare and she showed maturity after their break up.
Check comments below:
l.tobiloba: “Someone indirectly throwing shades at Tonto and others ????. However, he’s right. In the midst of all the dramas, Chioma is mature. She’s a cool-headed girl who doesn’t seek attention”
shamzworld: “Umm she broke up with him. Don’t play with a tired woman, he probably worked extremely hard to win her back. She is the prize!”
sassyofficial222: “If it’s some bitter ex eh dem for drag davido eh, they will say all sort either lies or truth dem go sha talk nonsense, but Chioma didn’t do any of that….. people really really dragged the hell out of her but she totally ignored…. omo this particular attributes of chioma I really wanna emulate.. staying calm in difficult situations”
fabulosgloria: “That’s the truth. A woman like Chioma is gold if not diamond. You have got to be a full-time mmeee to let a good woman like Chioma go”
ola_cute03: “Chioma definitely knew Davido is coming back so she would have ruined that if she did all those things, besides, chioma is a very calm girl, I like her for that sha. May their love be everlasting ????”
Bullgodhas called for the Parliament of Ghana to be abolished while tackling the current economic hardship.
Speaking with Abrantepa on E-Forum, the artiste manager said he believes the country can operate without state representatives.
“I have said this, and I’m saying it here again. Especially parliament, that institution should be abolished. Trust me. Go and check the duties of parliament. We need to read some more.
“I don’t have all the answers. I am pushing for an agenda. I am sure that if we sat through it, we will find a solution. Parliament is a house of representatives, right?” he asked.
He also added that there are constituencies in Ghana that are run without state representatives, yet are doing very well.
On April 2022, GhanaWeb published an article about the Guan District, made up of Santrofi, Akpafu, Lipke and Lolobi (SALL) in the Oti Region, that has no state representative in parliament.
According to Bullgod, all constituencies in the country can function without representation in parliament.
“They represent their constituents, right? Do you know that there is a constituency that as we speak now, doesn’t have representation in parliament? Do you know that?
“Are they not functioning? It is a testimony to tell you that that institution has nothing to do with the work and the mandate. They are not sticking to the mandate. There is a constituency running without a representative. All other constituencies can run without.
“Truly and truly it is the DCEs or MCEs or whatever that you want to call them that are supposed to do the work right? Parliament is just a conduit, Parliament is supposed to check the executive and make sure..and what are they doing?” he added.
Mr. Okraku-Mantey said over the period, these individuals have passed countless derogatory comments which have been overlooked by the presenter and this according to him, could land her in serious trouble.
He said most often, McBrown fails to issue disclaimers to the numerous allegations raised by her guests or pundits.
“Nana Ama McBrown, my sister. The job that you have involved yourself, if you want to do it and do it well, please be mindful. The defamatory comments that people usually say about others on your show, correct it, so, we don’t come back here. I won’t say she doesn’t have enough knowledge about what she does but a lot has been said on that show that if the victims want to take her on, she would go to court every day.
“What she doesn’t know is if someone says such things on your show and you don’t issue a disclaimer, you have also done a repeated publication during the defamation. You can be sued together with Despite media,” Okraku-Mantey stated during a discussion on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review show.
The deputy minister’s comments come on the premise of some claims that have been leveled against him on the show lately.
The United Showbiz program has witnessed back-to-back allegations from the likes of actress Salma Mumin and musician Tic against Mr. Okraku-Mantey recently.
Tic claimed that Mark Okraku-Mantey once spoke ill of his concert whiles Salma accused the deputy minister of being an arrogant judge during TV3’s “Ghana’s Most Beautiful” pageant.
After a week of financial fallout following antisemitic remarks on social media and in interviews, Kanye West is commenting on those thoughts, as well as what he has said about George Floyd and Black Lives Matter.
In a rambling 16-minute video shared by WmgLab Records on YouTube Saturday and seemingly recorded at some point after Adidas ended its business relationship with West on Tuesday, the artist appears to address a crowd of paparazzi and bystanders gathered outside a building as he exits.
“I think Adidas felt like cause everyone was ganging up on me that they had the right to just take my designs,” West told the small crowd.
“I feel like this is God humbling me right now,” he continued. “Because there’s two things that are happening. A lot of times when I would say ‘I am the richest Black man,’ it would be a defense that I would use for the mental health conversation. …What’s happening right now is I’m being humbled.”
West went on to address backlash over his suggestion in a recent podcast interview that George Floyd’s death was caused by fentanyl use.
“When the idea of Black Lives Matter came out, it made us come together as a people,” he said. “So, I said that, and I questioned the death of George Floyd, it hurt my people. It hurt Black people. So, I want to apologize to hurting them [sic] because right now God has shown me by what Adidas is doing, and by what the media is doing, I know how it feels to have a knee on my neck now.”
“So I thank you, God for humbling me and letting me know how it really felt. Because how could the richest Black man ever be humbled other than to be made to not be a billionaire in front of everyone off of a comment,” the rapper stated.
West also discussed his “exhaustion” caused by the reaction to him wearing a MAGA hat that was “misdiagnosed” as a mental health disorder and his refusal to take medication.
He stated that the medication would make him “one pill” away from Michael Jackson or Prince.
“At a time like this, if I was on medication right now, then one pill could have been swapped out, and it would have been Michael Jackson or Prince all over again,” West said.
He also compared himself to Emmett Till, who was brutally lynched in 1955 at age 14, and said at times he has felt like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I’m just not worried. Period,” West said in response to someone in the crowd who asked if he was worried that he had ruined his legacy. “God is alive.”
Antisemitic demonstrators referenced West in signs raised in Los Angeles last weekend and Jacksonville, Florida this weekend. In the video, West did not apologize for his antisemitic remarks but seemed to try to distance himself from any “hate group.”
“I have no association to any hate group,” West said as he closed his remarks in prayer. “If any hate happens upon any Jewish person, it is not associated (gestures to himself) because I am demanding that everyone walk in love.”
JUBRIL MALAIFIA AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION
On the Surface – Iceland
Opal – Martinique
Kenda – Cote D’Ivoire No Way Out – Uganda —————- Winner
Skin Like Mine –USA
PTD – Nigeria
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Taamaden – Mali
No Simple Way Home -Sudan
The Last Shelter – Mali No U Turn – Nigeria ——————– Winner
Transaction – Zimbabwe
Lobola, a Bride’s True Price?- South Africa
Africa Moot – South Africa
When a Farm Goes Aflame- Nigeria/Germany
AMAA 2022 OUSMANE SEMBENE AWARD FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE
Borga – Ghana Tug of War – Tanzania ————- Winner
Tembele – Uganda
Surviving Gaza – South Africa
Alaise – Nigeria
Medicine Man – Kenya
AMAA 2022 MICHAEL ANYIAM OSIGWE AWARD FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN-BORN DIRECTOR LIVING ABROAD
Tope Oshin – Here Love Lies ———– Winner
Obi Emelonye – Money Miss Road
York Fabian Raabe- Borga
Ogo Okpue – A song From the Dark
Robert Peters – The Scar
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA SHORT FILM
Contraband – USA ——————— Winner
Slow Pulse – USA
Skin Like Mine – USA
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY
The Rumba Kings – Peru —————- Winner
Wade in the Water – USA
The Sun Rises in the East – USA
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA NARRATIVE FEATURE
Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story – USA The Sleeping Negro – USA —————– Winner
Not To Forget – USA
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
Tug Of War Underbelly ——————— Winner
Surviving Gaza
Borga
Swallow
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
Swallow
Underbelly
Tug of War
Tembele Man of God ——————— Winner
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP
Jolly Roger
A Song From The Dark
Surviving Gaza
Underbelly Angeliena ———————– Winner
AMAA 2022 BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK
Tembele
Ayaanle
Man of God
Surviving Gaza Tug of War ———————- Winner
Almajiri
AMAA 2022 BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
Koi-Koi: the Myth
Tug of War
Borga
Tinka’s Story Surviving Gaza ——————— Winner
Alaise
AMAA 2022 BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
The Wave Surviving Gaza ——————- Winner
Swallow
Tug of War
Borga
Tembele
AMAA 2022 BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
Tug of War Tembele ———————— Winner
Ayaanle
Surviving Gaza
Borga
Road To My Father’s Compound
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Jolly Roger ——————— Winner
Angeliena
Tug of War
Borga
Almajiri
Man of God
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY
Road to My Father’s Compound
Surviving Gaza
Jolly Roger
Tug of War Borga ———————— Winner
Tembele
AMAA 2022 NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO CENSORS BOARD(NFVB) AWARD FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM
Man of God ——————– Winner
Alaise
Swallow
Jolly Roger
Almajiri
Money Miss Road
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST YOUNG/PROMISING ACTOR
Emmanuel Afffadzi – Borga
Kebirungi Agnes Knight – Tinka’s Story Amina Mohammed – Ayaanle ———– Winner
Maryam Waziri Salihu – Almajiri
Samke Makhaba – Surviving Gaza
Emmanuel Kuye – Ba Ni (Mud Clan)
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Aphiwe Mkefe – Surviving Gaza
Wale Ojo – A Song from the dark Adjetey Annag – Borga ——————— Winner
Tshamano Sebe – Angeliene
Toyin Osinaike – Jolly Roger
Segun Arinze – Almajiri
Josh2Funny – Money Miss Road
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Lydia Forson – Borga
Samke Makhoba Surviving Gaza Ijeoma Grace Agu – Swallow —————— Winner
Siti Amina -Tug of War
Maryam S Wazari – Ba Ni (Mud Clan)
Dorcas Shola Fapson – Man of God
Nse Ikpe Etim – A Song From The Dark
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Patrick Nkakalukanyi -Tembele
Daniel Etim Effiong – Jolly Roger
Gudrun Colombus Mwanyika – Tug of War
Botlhale Mahlangu – Surviving Gaza Eugene Boateng – Borga ——————— Winner
Deyemi Okanlanwo – Swallow
Akah Nnani- Man of God
Aaron Adatsi – Road to My Father’s Compound
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Euodia Samson – Angeliena
Bless Fortune – Road to My Fathers Compound
Osas Ighodaro – Man of God
Ronah Ninsiima – Tembele Ikhlas Gafur Vora – Tug of War —————— Winner
Vanessa Vanderpuye – A song from the dark
Nanfuna Sharon – The Wave
Eniola Akinbo – Swallow
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR FIRST FEATURE BY A DIRECTOR
Uga Carlini – Angeliena
York Fabian Raabe – Borga Ogo Okpue – A Song From The Dark ————- Winner
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AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
Amil Sivji –Tug of War
York-Fabian Raabe – Borga
Bolanle Austen- Peters – Man of God Vusi’Africa Sindane – Surviving Gaza ————- Winner
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Walter Banger – Jolly Roger
Ahmed Farah – Ayaanle
Morris Mugisha – Tembele
AMAA 2022 AWARD FOR BEST FILM
Ayaanle – Somalia
Jolly Roger – Nigeria
Borga – Ghana
Angeliena – South Africa Tug of War – Tanzania ———————- Winner
Man of God – Nigeria
Surviving Gaza – South Africa
Tembele – Uganda
This is because the actor who was an astute promoter of NPP’s ‘4 More To Do More’ campaign in the last general elections has in the last few weeks been on “fire” – giving it back to back to the government for the country’s current economic distress.
His outspokenness, however, seems to come with a price he is paying by receiving threats.
“I have experienced my fair share of threats, insults, trolls and attacks, but I am unperturbed because seriously, I can’t control how people feel about me,” he told Graphic Showbiz in an interview.
According to the actor, there is always a price to pay for an act one indulges in and he is ready for that.
“God is with me in all that I do, so I shall not be moved. In life, you need to stand for something or you fall for anything,” he said.
Prince David Osei noted he has always been enthusiastic about good governance and had been calling out successive governments since late President Atta Mills’ administration.
“I am not someone who is easily pressured. I live by my own rules. I believe in integrity and value for humanity. I have always been outspoken since the era of the late President Atta Mills. I am first a citizen, before a party lover and an aspiring politician.”
“I stood on political platforms to campaign for my party NPP and H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, pleaded, persuaded, convinced Ghanaians to accept NPP’s 4 More To Do More, so it is just rational to speak for the same people when things aren’t going the way we all anticipated amid global economic issues,” he added.
Prince David Osei started giving a hint about his displeasure with the NPP government last year.
He however attracted attention when he threatened to stage a demonstration against the government if things didn’t change in a post on his social media pages early this month.
He gave more impetus to his criticisms of the government when he asked the President to be humble and seek help to change the economic fortunes of the country.
But while all these may seem too harsh coming from one who campaigned for NPP, Prince David Oseisaid his ultimate goal is to see a better Ghana for all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation.
“The NPP faithful are rather happy I spoke up and it’s a big inspiration to them. I interact with the streets always, so I know the atmosphere every time. Sometimes, they give me a message to put out there since they know I have the voice and platform,” he stated.
In addition to the country’s economic woes, the actor is also not happy with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, saying “the ministry responsible for the creatives has failed us.”
The last few years have not been good for the Ghanaian movie industry but, according to Prince David Osei, things are getting better with Akwaaba Magic on DStv and ROKGh also on DStv financing local productions and content.
“We all are a little busy, especially the upcoming ones. We are filming series and movies.”
Moving away from movies, Prince David Osei said he is now concentrating on his Pdo Travel and Tours Limited and planning a trip dubbed ‘London/Jamaica Fiesta’ in December with Kalybos as a way of building stronger bonds with their fans.
The just-ended Lagos International Poetry Festival saw performances from renowned poets from all parts of the world and Ghanaian poet and literary coach, Nana Asaase made an appearance.
The programme was held from October 27-29, 2022 under the title “Babel… a new language”.
The festival featured other poets such as Aremo Gemini (Nigeria), Jolyn Philips (South Africa), Renaud Dossavi (Togo), Loveth Liberty (Nigeria), Mbali Malimela (South Africa), Dike Chukwumerije (Nigeria), Emma Ofosuah, and many others across the world.
Nana Asaase, the renowned poet from Ghana, hosted the 28th October 2022 session of the festival at the British Council in Lagos, Nigeria.
Known for his coruscating wit and unfettered command over language, Nana dazzled patrons with thought-provoking poems.
Proud of his roots, Nana Asaase did not only present woven words, he interspersed his delivery with the music of Ghanaian origin, making the popular Ghanaian Yaa Amponsah highlife give life to his entire artistry.
Lagos International Poetry Festival brings together poets, writers, artists, and thinkers from across the world to Lagos for a week of conversations, readings, performances, workshops, and adventure.
Founded in 2015 by poet Efe Paul Azino, it has established itself as one of the continent’s annual art and culture highlights.
In a joint press statement posted via his Twitter account on Monday, October 31, 2022, the ‘Guda’ hitmaker who has been in the news for some time due to a misunderstanding between himself and the Ghana Tourism Authority, admitted to having settled their differences.
” On September 27, 2022, Mr. Ayat Maqwam, aka Kirani Ayatbecame aware that visual outtakes of his “Guda” video had been used by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) without his consent.
According to GTA, these visuals have been used extensively since 2019 for the production of various contents promoting tourism to the country.
We are pleased to announce that the parties have reached an amicable agreement in settlement.
Moving forward, Ayat and GTA will collaborate on a number of projects aimed at showcasing Ghana, our beautiful landscapes, and exciting talents to the world.
Ayat appreciates all support from the good people of Ghana throughout this process. His new project, Aisha’s Sun is available now on all music streaming platforms” the statement said.
This comes after Kirani Ayat called out the Ghana Tourism Authorityin a Twitter post for using some visuals of his ‘Guda’ song, in a Tourism promotional video for the president without his consent weeks back.
Kirani Ayat who was not pleased to see his work used without his consent noted that he spent money on making the video without aid from anyone and yet he was not compensated after his content was used.
But, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) dismissed claims that some footage used for the new tourism promotional video was pirated.
In a press statement, the Authority stated that they procured the footage Kirani Ayat is claiming ownership of legitimately from a creative agency in 2019 as part of a project.
However, Samsal denied giving the Authority the go-ahead to use a mood board type of visual presentation or ‘collage’ consisting of images, text, and samples of objects in a composition containing Kirani Ayat’s video.
According to the company, the video reel they showed the GTA was only to give them an example of the type of content they intend to produce for the Authority as part of their agreement.
They added that the GTA also did not use the video reel they initially created.
The head coach of the Ghana national team, Otto Addo has disclosed that his team will play good football at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
According to him, he wants to showcase a team that plays good football at the tournament to continue what Ghana has been known for from the past world cup tournaments.
“First of all we want to play our style of play and I think Ghanaian teams in the past always play good football.
“This is what we want and we had previous tournaments showed that Ghana has good footballers,” Coach Otto Addo told TV3 in an interview.
The Black Stars coach is hoping that playing good football will bring the Black Stars needed wins at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Our football comes surely with victories and I think this is the first thing we want. If we can survive the group stage which I said is going to be very tough, then anything is possible,” Coach Otto Addo added.
Ghana will face off with Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea in Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Bibiani God Stars coach Michael Osei is not happy with his goalkeeper’s behavior during their match week four encounter against Accra Hearts of Oak.
The manager believes his team could have kept their 1-0 lead on Saturday, but the red card cost them as the Phobians won 2-1.
A brilliant goal from Prince Owusu just after nine minutes appeared to have been enough for the visitors, but with just 14 minutes remaining, Hearts of Oak super-sub Isaac Mensah raced through to equalize.
Gladson Awako’s spectacular free-kick in the 87th minute gave the Phobians a dramatic victory.
Michael Osei, who was unhappy, stated that his goalkeeper should have controlled his temper.
“I think it was a very difficult game. We all know and then we were better until the 60th minute red card. It’s very painful lose because it was a game that we were very organized, we frustrated them until we got that card but all the same we have to learn something about it and then we do better in the next game. This is the game that we were up. They couldn’t create a lot of chances while playing at home but very unfortunate that we conceded that card. It caused us a lot of problems,” he said after the game.
“The goalkeeper was indiscipline. He should have controlled his temper because we have come to play away in such a tough game and you couldn’t control your heart. I mean is not good for the team. He should have controlled his temper. That’s the word I will use,”
Popular American basketball player Dwayne Wade, and his wife, Hollywood actress Gabrielle Union, have arrived in Ghana for a visit.
The couple together with their daughter, Kaavia Wayde, were spotted at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra where they were treated to a rousing welcome.
Although it is unclear the reasons for their visit, reports say it is to witness the enstoolment of Adinkra Group CEO, Diallo Sumbry as Nkosuohene (Chief of Development) in Nyame Bekyere, a community between Adawso and Koforidua in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
His wife, Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade is an American actress. Her career began in the 1990s when she made dozens of appearances on television sitcoms.
She rose to greater prominence after starring in the romantic sports drama film, Love & Basketball, and her breakthrough movie, Bring It On.
Ghana head coach, Otto Addo has indicated that his focus ahead of the 2022 FIFA world cup is to get the Black Stars out of Group H.
According to him, if the Ghana national team can cross that hurdle, then everything will be possible for the Black Stars in the upcoming tournament.
“First of all we want to play our style of play and I think Ghanaian teams in the past always play good football.
“This is what we want and we had previous tournaments showed that Ghana has good footballers.
“Our football comes surely with victories and I think this is the first thing we want. If we can survive the group stage which I said is going to be very tough, then anything is possible,” Coach Otto Addo shared.
The Ghana head coach added, “I know that we can beat every team in the world. Everybody knows that the World Cup, will not come like the whole world expects things to be. I think the first match is very decisive and from there we can know how to go on the second match.”
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana will face Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea in Group H.
Recently, I wrote that sex has no time attached. Some think that men should spend more time exploring their women’s bodies instead of just penetrating them. I agreed with them as foreplay can hold its own and could be all you need to reach orgasm.
The truth is that one study by Herbenick et al.(2017) found that many women don’t orgasm with intercourse alone. In this study, 1,055 women ages 18 to 94 revealed that 18.4% of women reported that intercourse alone was sufficient for orgasm, 36.6% reported clitoral stimulation was necessary for orgasm during intercourse, and an additional 36% indicated that, while clitoral stimulation was not needed, their orgasms feel better if their clitoris is stimulated during intercourse.
This means that a whopping 81.6% of our women do not orgasm when we just engaged in vaginal penetration alone without foreplay. If you are a man reading this then you should be worried.
Probably, the women are not complaining but this is the reality from studies and we need to up our game. This study correlates with anecdotal evidence from a lady who told me that foreplay should contribute to about 90% of lovemaking.
Intercourse
This means that intercourse doesn’t have to be the main ‘course’ if you don’t want. Hence, in terms of sex, foreplay is usually defined as erotic stimulation preceding intercourse.
Take intercourse out of the equation and foreplay’s defined as an action or behavior that precedes an event. So men must show more actions and even when she starts calling for penetration when she is ready, you can forgo and make her beg for more before vaginal penetration. Foreplay increases body awareness!
Sex Benefits, Science
According to the American Sexual Health Association, Sexual health is more than avoiding diseases and unplanned pregnancies. It’s also about recognizing that sex can be an important part of your life.
Effects of Sex on Men & Women
In men
One study(Gottlieb, S. 2004), examined the sex life of over 50,000 American males between the ages of 40 and 75 and found that men reporting 21 or more ejaculations a month were less likely to get prostate cancer than men who ejaculated four to seven times a month. Rider et al. (2016) reported similar findings with a 10-year follow-up study that reported that men who had frequent orgasms (defined as two or more a week) had a 50 percent lower mortality risk than those who had sex less often.
In noting the difference, the first study was found in men who reported 21 or more ejaculations a month, and the second reported men who ejaculated two or more a week. So when we study the second study critically, it means that in a month these men also ejaculated about eight times and they also experienced a reduced risk of prostate cancer. This means that to reduce prostate cancer a man above 40years must ejaculate a minimum of twice a week. In what accounts for the type of ejaculation, a previous review(Brody, S. 2010) found that men who had more frequent penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) had less risk of developing prostate cancer. This means not any type of ejaculation but a man must have intercourse with a regular female partner to experience this reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Another study also found that men who averaged having 4.6 to 7 ejaculations a week were 36 percent less likely to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis before the age of 70. This is in comparison to men who reported ejaculating 2.3 or fewer times a week on average. This study is in support of Rider et al. (2016) who attribute it to a minimum of twice per week. For men, sex may even affect their mortality. Although results are conflicting, the quality and health of our sperm may increase with increased sexual activity(Agarwal et al. 2016).
In Women
In the case of women, studies have also been conducted, and resulting appear interesting and refreshing. For instance, having an orgasm increases blood flow and releases natural pain-relieving chemicals.
Sexual activity in women can:
improve bladder control
reduce incontinence
relieve menstrual and premenstrual cramps
improve fertility
build stronger pelvic muscles
help produce more vaginal lubrication
potentially protect you against endometriosis or the growing of tissue outside your uterus
The act of sex can help strengthen your pelvic floor. A strengthened pelvic floor can also offer benefits like less pain during sex and a reduced chance of vaginal prolapse. Brody, S(2010) study found that Penile-vaginal penetration can result in reflexive vaginal contractions caused by penile thrusting.
Finally, it has been reported that women who continue to be sexually active after menopause are less likely to have significant vaginal atrophy or the thinning of vaginal walls. Vaginal atrophy can cause pain during sex and urinary symptoms.
Cardiovascular Health
One study (Frappier et al. 2013) found that sex is a good exercise for cardiovascular health in younger men and women. The benefits derived from the study are:
lowering blood pressure
burning calories
increasing heart health
strengthening muscles
reducing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension
increasing libido
The study further noted that those with active sex lives exercise more frequently and have better dietary habits than those who are less sexually active. Physical fitness may also improve sexual performance overall. In this study, men burned an average of 4 calories per minute during sex sessions that averaged 25 minutes, and women burned off 3 calories. That’s a lot more fun than toiling away on a treadmill.
An old study(Hall et al. 2010) found that men who had sex twice weekly or more had less risk of cardiovascular diseases, like stroke or heart attack than those who had sex once a month or less. This study took 17 years, began in 1987, and tracked the sex lives of over 1,000 men aged 40 to 70; the researchers eliminated other risk factors from the results, such as age, weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Levine et al.(2012) endorsed by the American Heart Association’s Scientific Statement on Sexual Activity and Cardiovascular Disease says that having sex is safe for people who can exercise with no heart problems in the range of 3 to 5 metabolic equivalents (METs). METs are a measure of the energy (calories) expended during an activity. Exercising at 3 METs is about the same as walking at a moderate pace, while 5 METs are like a low-impact aerobic workout.
Finally, an old study(Brody, S. 2006) agrees that Sex can help relieve stress by raising endorphins and other hormones that boost mood. As a form of exercise, it can also help calm you down. This Scottish study found that sexual activity prevents increases in blood pressure during stressful events. While this effect was more pronounced in people who had sex with penetration, nonpenetrative sex and masturbation can also help you stay calm.
Finally, one 2016 study by Liu et al. found that women who said they had frequent, extremely satisfying sex had a lower risk of hypertension. “Good sexual quality may protect older women from cardiovascular risk in later life,” said study author Hui Liu, an associate professor of sociology at Michigan State University.
Immunity
One old study(Cohen et al. 1997) used 276 healthy volunteers at the University of Pittsburgh and found that those with the most diverse social networks, including not just lovers but family, friends, and organizations, were the least likely to catch colds.
A study(Charnetski, & Brennan, 2004) examined immunity in people in romantic relationships and found that those who had frequent sex (one to two times a week) had more immunoglobulin A (IgA) in their saliva. People who had infrequent sex (less than once a week) had significantly less IgA.
IgA is the antibody that plays a role in preventing illnesses and is the first line of defense against human papillomavirus, or HPV.
In this study, Students who had sex once or twice a week had the highest levels of immunoglobulin A: 30% higher than those who had no sex, but alsothose who had sex three or more times a week. In addition, students who were in longer-term, satisfying relationships had the highest levels of the antibody. The study suggests that anxiety and stress can cancel out the positive effects of sex. This study also confirmed the impact of being with one partner for the long term.
Mood & Happiness
Studies compiled by the SPSP PRESS OFFICE( 2015) from previous studies, and a plethora of articles and self-help books, have claimed that more sex equals more happiness. But this study, based on surveys of more than 30,000 Americans collected over four decades, is the first to find that association is not there after couples report having sex more than once a week on average.
The study was not designed to identify the causal process, so does not tell us whether having sex up to once a week makes couples happier, or whether being in a happy relationship causes people to have more frequent sex (up to once a week). In addition, these findings were specific to people in romantic relationships, and in fact, there was no association between sexual frequency and well-being for single people, said Muise, a social psychologist and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto-Mississauga.
It’s possible that for single people, the link between sex and happiness is dependent on several factors such as the relationship context in which the sex occurs and how comfortable people are with sex outside of a relationship. The findings, which were published online in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, are most representative of those in established relationships.
In one study, researchers analyzed survey responses about sexual frequency and general happiness from more than 25,000 Americans (11,285 men, 14,225 women) who took the General Social Survey from 1989 to 2012. The biennial survey, conducted by the University of Chicago, has a nationally representative sample and covers a wide range of sociological issues, including opinions about race relations, religion, and sex. For couples, happiness tended to increase with more frequent sex, but this is no longer true after couples report engaging in sex more than once a week. This study and other previous studies report that established couples tend to have sex about once a week on average.
Despite common stereotypes that men want more sex and older people have less sex, there was no difference in the findings based on gender, age, or length of a relationship. “Our findings were consistent for men and women, younger and older people, and couples who had been married for a few years or decades,” Muise said.
Sex may be more strongly associated with happiness than money. The researchers also conducted an online survey with 335 people (138 men, 197 women) who were in long-term relationships and found similar results as the first study. These participants were also asked about their annual income, and there was a larger difference in happiness between people who had sex less than once a month compared to people who had sex once a week than between people who had an income of $15,000-$25,000 compared to people who had an income of $50,000-$75,000 per year.
“People often think that more money and more sex equal more happiness, but this is only true up to a point,” Muise said.
A third study analyzed survey results collected at three-time points over 14 years from more than 2,400 married couples in the United States. There wasn’t a strong link between sexual frequency and overall life satisfaction, but couples reported more satisfaction with their relationships as sexual frequency increased up to once per week, with no noticeable benefits of engaging in sex more often.
Another study (Flynn and Gow, 2015) show that men and women who have intercourse with their partners have greater satisfaction with their mental health. A previous study (Bersamin et al. 2014) of close to 7,500 UScollege students across 14 public universities found that those who had more hookups had lower levels of happiness and self-esteem, and higher levels of depression and anxiety. This deviates from the notion that men are more likely to be OK with casual sex, but the researchers found no differences between the sexes.
Improves Sleep, desire for Sex
Studies explained that our body releases oxytocin also called the “love” or “intimacy” hormone, and endorphins during orgasm. The combination of these hormones can act as sedation. The National Sleep Foundation, also held that orgasms release the hormone prolactin, which can help you feel sleepy and relaxed. This accounts for why we doze off shortly after a satisfying session — and wake up feeling refreshed.
Another study(Kalmbach et al. 2015) examines the impact of sleep after sex on women and found that getting enough sleep can improve your sexual response and may increase the chance that you’ll engage regularly in sex. Researchers discovered that when women slept for longer periods, they reported greater sexual desire the next day. This is why women want more after the first round!
Better sleep can contribute to:
a stronger immune system
a longer lifespan
feeling more well-rested
having more energy during the day
Another interesting old study(Brody and Krüger, 2005) found that the level of prolactin in both men and women after intercourse can be “400% greater than that following masturbation.” This means that masturbation cannot be compared to intercourse in terms of health benefits.
Also, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) study which involved about 10,000 women ages 50 to 79 found that those who got fewer than seven to eight hours of sleep a night were less likely to be sexually active. The older the woman, the more likely she was to report less sex when sleep-deprived. Finally, the International Society for Sexual Medicine conducted one study at the Walter Reed Army Hospital and found that using a CPAP machine, a breathing apparatus used to correct sleep apnea, improved sexual function and satisfaction for all men in their study but was especially helpful to those with erectile dysfunction.
Headache Relief
One study (Komisaruk & Whipple. 2000) states “the sensory input produced by vaginal stimulation produces a powerful analgesic effect” that does not interfere with tactile sensitivity. In another older study by the same authors (Whipple and Komisaruk, 1985) who coined the term “G-spot,” they found that the pressure of pleasurable vaginal stimulation increased pain tolerance by 40%. When the women came to orgasm, their pain tolerance increased by nearly 75%. Another study(Goodin et al. 2016) believed that the hormones released during sex, like endorphins, which block pain and stress, and oxytocin, the hormone that helps mothers and babies bond and has pain-relieving properties. No wonder mothers day is more celebrated as compared to fathers day and oxytocin is the course.
Hambach et al. (2013) study show that sexual activity can provide full or partial relief from migraines and cluster headaches. In this study, people who were sexually active during their pains reported the following:
60 percent reported an improvement during a migraine
70 percent reported moderate to complete relief during a migraine
37 percent reported improvement of symptoms in cluster headaches
91 percent reported moderate to complete relief in cluster headaches
In a previous study(Younger et al. 2010) conducted at Stanford University in California, anesthesiologists showed participants photos of their romantic partners or photos of attractive strangers or asked them to engage in a word game. They found that looking at romantic partners significantly dulled the experience of pain. So even though you might think pain is a barrier to sex, consider this a sex benefit worth the time and effort: Take a moment to look at your lover. This is so interesting! This means that those with broken hearts could also look at their partners’ pictures to deal with their pain.
Finally, other studies by Jan Sheehan(2016) held that women may get some relief from menstrual cramps through a good orgasm. Hence, those suffering from menstrual cramps could have sex before their menses starts to ease the pain.
Mental Health
Studies found that Sexual activity is important for psychological and emotional benefits. This can reduce stress and anxiety and increase happiness. One study( Brody, S. 2010)shows that sexual activity (defined as PVI) may correlate with:
increased satisfaction with your mental health
increased levels of trust, intimacy, and love in your relationships
improved ability to perceive, identify, and express emotions
lessened use of your immature psychological defense mechanism, or the mental processes to reduce distress from emotional conflict
Finally, another study(Wright and Jenks, 2016) found that sexual activity may affect your well-being and ability to think. Hence, sexually active adults between 50 to 90 years old had better memory in engaging in sex. They were also less likely to feel depressed and lonely. This means that we have to advise our aged parents to engage in frequent sex to improve their memory. A recent study(Wright et al. 2019) found that having sex at least once a week was highly predictive of improved cognitive functioning, especially verbal fluency.
Increases Confidence, bind people together
In one article by Pamela Rogers(2018) frequent sexual activity was found to correlate with looking younger and this is due to the release of estrogen during sex. The author attributes this to one study which found a correlation between frequent sexual activity and looking significantly younger (between seven to 12 years younger).
The author also found that Sex binds people together, due to oxytocin. Oxytocin can play a role in developing relationships. You may find that consistent, mutual sexual pleasure helps with bonding within a relationship. She notes:
“Coupled partners often have increased relationship satisfaction when they fulfill one another’s sexual desires. You may find positive growth in your relationship when you’re able to express yourself and your sexual desires.”
Finally, another (Meltzer et al. 2017) examined newlywed couples who kept a two-week sexual diary, researchers found that partners were satisfied for a full 48 hours after sexual activity. And those who were lucky enough to experience this afterglow went on to report more happiness in their relationship several months later.
There are biochemical rationales for experiencing improved mood as a sex benefit, from the neurotransmitters that may be released during healthy sex to the mood enhancers contained in semen itself. Here Dr. Caron: “there’s a lot to be said simply for the mood-boosting effect of having a nice connection with somebody that you trust and care about.” This means one would experience this with someone one trust and care about and not just anyone.
Finally, another(Debrot et al. 2017) found that committed couples in the United States and Switzerland found that having sex created more affection, not only in the moments after sexual intimacy but hours later, even in couples with children or those married long past the “honeymoon period.”
Take Home
At this point, one would also ask whether celibate also benefits from all these studies on sex. Yes ! One can still lead an active and happy life without sex. One study(Charnetski & Brennan, 2004) found that happiness can also come from listening to music, interacting with pets, and having strong religious faith and not only sex. After conducting this study, I found that the little things we sometimes neglect have a huge impact on our health. For instance, in the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, a long-term study of nuns found that several of them lived well into their 90s and past 100 years old. In conclusion, studies have demonstrated the numerous benefits of both foreplay and penile-vaginal penetration with one partner.
For instance, studies have made men aware that over 80% of women do not reach orgasm using penile-vaginal penetration alone. Hence, there is a need for more effective foreplay before penetration.
Additionally, studies have also found that Sex is an important part of life and overall well-being. In relationships, orgasms play a significant part in bonding. Physical and emotional benefits like reduced risk of heart disease, improved self-esteem, and more can come from having sex. But all these benefits can only be achieved with one partner, not from casual sex, sex toys, masturbation, hookup, or having multiple sexual partners.
Myself, I have learned more from this review and I hope you do as well to spark up your sex life and bonding.
NB:
Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.
The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, President, of Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Foundation. E-mail: collegeofholisticmedicine@gmail.com. For more information, contact: Stephanie(PRO)on 0244433553
Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic has stated that his side conceded a cheap goal against Bibiani Gold Stars on Saturday afternoon.
The Accra-based club won 2-1, their first win in the ongoing Ghana Premier League. The Phobians won after second-half goals from Isaac Mensah and Gladson Awako.
“You saw Bibiani from first minute they start to waste our time they didn’t play forty minutes today anti football. Football win today and character of my players before this game they feel pressure of course and when you receive this cheap very cheap goal somethings start to be more difficult for us,” he said after the game.
“But I think we had a very good meeting on the half after the goal we change formation from 4-4-2 to 3-4 and we score second goal and we go back to 4-2-3-1. Tactically we make good things the most important thing and it is really good for my players. We must continue to work hard to play because every game will be like this,”
Hearts of Oak are presently 1oth in the league with five points.
In their next Ghana Premier League match, they will travel to the Cape Coast Sports Stadium to face newcomers Kotoku Royals.
Stephen Jackson has spoken out on behalf of the family of George Floyd, again in response to remarks made by the artist formerly known as Kanye West.
In a recent post shared to Instagram, Ye said he gave $2 million “out of my pocket for the family” to, in his words, help Floyd’s daughter.
“Now for Roxie Washington and Roxie Washington ALONE,” Ye, who’s continued in recent days to make harmful comments widely condemned as anti-Semitic, wrote in the since-removed post. “I gave 2 million dollars out of my pocket for the family. To help George’s daughter…Your daughter! I can guarantee that most of those that came for me after my comments didn’t do what I did! Even those with millions of dollars in the bank!”
In the same post, Ye addressed a recently announced $250 million lawsuit, which—as previously reported—sees Washington acting on behalf of her minor child, who is the sole beneficiary of Floyd’s estate.
In a video response, Jackson urged Ye to “keep George’s name out your mouth.” He also questioned the $2 million figure mentioned in Ye’s IG post.
“First off, Roxanne could care less what you think about her hat. That’s number one,” Jackson said in the clip.
“We ain’t gon’ talk about that bullshit you be wearing and marking it up for your own people to pay for. But we ain’t gon’ talk about that. You say stupid shit, you get stupid prizes.
“Nobody asked you to say nothing about George Floyd but you decided to say that on your own so you gon’ pay the consequences. Roxanne was minding her business, Gianna was minding her business.
Oh, and also, Roxanne and Gianna and the family is two different people. She don’t stand with the family and the family don’t stand with her. They had different lawyers during the whole court process,” he said.
Specifically addressing the donation-focused aspect of Ye’s latest remarks, Jackson referred to the artist as “delusional” when providing a contradictory figure.
“Kanye delusional,” he said. “You didn’t give Gianna $2 million. She got $250,000 that they broken down through the families that Roxanne is giving back to you.”
Ye has since responded to Jackson, albeit on the right-wing platform Parler, which he was recently reported to be buying. Worth noting again, of course, is that the CEO of Parlement Technologies is married to Candace Owens.
“I’m a digital prisoner right now but if you keep talking Ima keep talking,” Ye wrote on the platform, as seen in screenshots shared to Twitter and elsewhere. “If you shut the fuck up I’ll leave it alone.”
Earlier this month, Jackson spoke out in response to comments Ye made about Floyd’s murder during a Drink Champs interview, official footage of which was ultimately pulled. When addressing the handling of the interview in question, Drink Champs co-host N.O.R.E. apologized to Floyd’s family.
“I don’t support none of it,” N.O.R.E. said when calling into The Breakfast Club.
“I don’t support the George Floyd comments, I don’t support the anti-Semitic [comments]. That’s all I have is Jewish friends, all I have is Black friends. That’s it.”
After a week of financial fallout following antisemitic remarks on social media and in interviews, Kanye West is commenting on those thoughts, as well as what he has said about George Floyd and Black Lives Matter.
In a rambling 16-minute video shared by WmgLab Records on YouTube Saturday and seemingly recorded at some point after Adidas ended its business relationship with West on Tuesday, the artist appears to address a crowd of paparazzi and bystanders gathered outside a building as he exits.
“I think Adidas felt like cause everyone was ganging up on me that they had the right to just take my designs,” West told the small crowd.
“I feel like this is God humbling me right now,” he continued. “Because there’s two things that are happening. A lot of times when I would say ‘I am the richest Black man,’ it would be a defense that I would use for the mental health conversation. …What’s happening right now is I’m being humbled.”
“When the idea of Black Lives Matter came out, it made us come together as a people,” he said. “So, I said that, and I questioned the death of George Floyd, it hurt my people. It hurt Black people. So, I want to apologize to hurting them [sic] because right now God has shown me by what Adidas is doing, and by what the media is doing, I know how it feels to have a knee on my neck now.”
“So I thank you, God for humbling me and letting me know how it really felt. Because how could the richest Black man ever be humbled other than to be made to not be a billionaire in front of everyone off of a comment,” the rapper stated.
West also discussed his “exhaustion” caused by the reaction to him wearing a MAGA hat that was “misdiagnosed” as a mental health disorder and his refusal to take medication.
He stated that the medication would make him “one pill” away from Michael Jackson or Prince.
“At a time like this, if I was on medication right now, then one pill could have been swapped out, and it would have been Michael Jackson or Prince all over again,” West said.
He also compared himself to Emmett Till, who was brutally lynched in 1955 at age 14, and said at times he has felt like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I’m just not worried. Period,” West said in response to someone in the crowd who asked if he was worried that he had ruined his legacy. “God is alive.”
Antisemitic demonstrators referenced West in signs raised in Los Angeles last weekend and Jacksonville, Florida this weekend. In the video, West did not apologize for his antisemitic remarks but seemed to try to distance himself from any “hate group.”
“I have no association to any hate group,” West said as he closed his remarks in prayer. “If any hate happens upon any Jewish person, it is not associated (gestures to himself) because I am demanding that everyone walk in love.”
Black Stars goalkeepers Richard Kingston believes his department is safe going into the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The West African powerhouse are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged winners.
The Black Stars goalkeeping department has been a major area of concern in major tournament in recent times due to inconsistencies in performance.
England-based goalkeeper Jojo Wollacot seems to have grabbed the number one spot, with Richard Ofori, Manaf Nurudeen and Lawrence Ati-Zigi being his deputies.
But speaking to GNA during a ‘Walk with the legends’ organized by the Ghana FA, the former Black Stars shot stopper was optimistic goalkeepers selected for the mundial will deliver.
“The goalkeepers we have now have confidence, and you can see that from the recent games we have played. They want to do something for the nation, and for me, that department is safe. Anybody who gets the chance to be in the post will give off their maximum best” he told GNA
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Black Stars goalkeepers coach Richard Kingston has urged Ghanaians to support the national team ahead of the Qatar World Cup next month.
The West African powerhouse are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged winners.
“I want Ghanaians to come together to support the Black Stars with all our energy because it is our own no matter what”
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Tema Youth President Wilfred Osei Kwaku Palmer has predicted doom for the Black Stars ahead of the 20222 World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana has been housed in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The West African powerhouse who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 will begin their campaign against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
Speaking to Happy FM, the former Black Stars management committee member was of the opinion Ghana may not be able to achieve anything at the World Cup in Qatar if the necessary structures and systems to achieve goals are not properly laid.
“We will go and come back empty handed if we don’t put in the necessary structures and systems to achieve our set goals as a national team”,
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled between November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy.
Ghana will make their fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar next month hoping to do better than 2010 squad in South Africa.
