Government has come under criticism from a cross-section of the public due to the current economic crisis.
In the wake of this, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been at the receiving end from almost all and sundry.
While the “ordinary citizens” have been agitating on and off social media, Ghanaian celebrities have also not held back from expressing their dissatisfaction against government.
In the past week, some Ghanaian celebrities have called on President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Minister of Finance to sit up and address the economic crisis fraught the country.
Below are some celebrities who have waded into the national conversation
The Ghanaian actor is one of the familiar supporters of the ruling government. He, alongside other celebrities like Kalybos was seen to be involved heavily clothed in NPP paraphernalia campaigning for the then Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
However, the movie star has openly displayed his disappointment in the government. In a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb, Prince called on government to seek help.
“Can we all put aside politics, humble ourselves and seek help from whoever has the ideas or in-depth knowledge on how to stop the further depreciation of our currency and stabilize our economy,” he tweeted.
The movie producer and actress is another popular figure who has not held back from bashing the government and calling for urgent steps to change the current tides.
In 2015, Yvonne Nelson led a demonstration against power cuts in Ghana, popularly known as “Dumsor”. Being a citizen and not a spectator as President Akufo-Addo implored Ghanaians, the model has this time taken to Twitter to quiz the President over his governance.
“Are you still the President? Are you still in this country? Are you this heartless? Do you hear people crying? Are you this heartless? No more campaign ahead so you are unbothered. You obviously feel nothing for Ghanaians. Such a disappointment”, she lamented.
The Ghanaian actress and social critic have also been vociferous over the state of affairs. She has opined that the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, needs to resign.
According to her, the minister has performed woefully and thus is unfit to continue occupying his position.
Furthermore, she has asked the government to take a cue from Britain, whose Prime Minister has resigned her inability to lead.
“I really wish Gabby Otchere Darko’s obsession & admiration for the UK parliament included taking pointers as well on resignations and firing. It makes absolutely no sense that Ken Ofori Attah is still the finance minister; how? He’s lost the confidence of the people! She said in a tweet.
The Ghanaian media personality and General Manager of GHOne TV and Starr FM has penned a long letter to Ken Ofori Atta.
The TV host in the letter discusses how the minister has failed in his capacity and needs him to resign. She called the minister an absolute failure in managing the economy and driving it into an abyss.
A portion of the letter reads, “Hmm. Maybe a part of you wants to leave and your cousin (President Akufo Addo-Addo) is backing you to the hilt on the altar of loyalty. But for God’s, spare the entire nation this prolonged spectacle of failure and let go of the burning rod.”
He was welcomed at the airport by a New Zealand cultural troupe who danced and laid hands on him in what looked like a prayer moment.
The leader of the group also gave the ‘Take Away’ hitmaker a head-to-head greeting called the Hongi; the foreheads and noses meet in this greeting.
Kuami and his disk jockey, DJ Vyrusky, also joined in the tongue-out routine which is part of the Haka dance which was done in his honour at the Auckland airport.
The Haka is a ceremonial war dance performed to welcome distinguished guests, to acknowledge great achievements or to mark an important event.
The New Zealand cultural troupe, dressed in traditional apparel of predominantly orange, black and earth colours, was made up of women and men.
Aside from New Zealand, Kuamiwill be performing in Australia and the South Pacific.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 19 October 2022, the singer and record producer announced he has left Lynx Entertainment as a record label. He is now with his “new family” Empire Africa which is home to artistes like KiDi, Fireboy, Black Sherif and Asake.
Beyond that, decorated record producer MOG Beatz has talked up unreleased music from the 2020 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) Artiste of the Year in a tweet which when translated into English reads: “Water can’t quench the fire Kuami Eugene is bringing [explosion and eagle head emojis].”
Disk Jockey, DJ Ikon has been nominated in two categories of the 10th edition of the Ghana DJ Awards organized by the Merqury Republic.
He earned spots in the Male Radio DJ of the Year and Afrobeats/Hiplife DJ of the Year category.
He faces fierce competition from other giants such as Joy FM’s DJ Wobete, Citi FM’s DJ Mingle, as well as YFM’s DJ Loft in the Male Radio DJ of the year category, whiles he battles for supremacy with heavyweights such as DJ Vyrusky, DJ Phletch, and several other superb disk jockeys in the Afrobeats/Hiplife DJ category.
DJ Ikon; full name Kwabena Koduah is the official DJ for Cruise Control and The Mixtape Show on Hitz FM.
DJ Ikon
He is hoping to grab his first award and is very optimistic that he will emerge the winner in the categories he has been nominated in.
His music selection skills are second to none and have the ability to wow patrons on the radio as well as at any social gathering he is billed to perform.
He also happens to be the official DJ for award-winning Ghanaian rapper Kofi Mole.
Kofi Mole and DJ Ikon
Organizers of the annual Ghana DJ Awards Festival, have released the first set of performers to mount the big stage on November 5, 2022, at the Silver Star Tower.
Rocking the big stage on November 5, at the Silver Star Tower, will be Stonebwoy, Kuami Eugene, Obaaba Christy, Keche, Andy Dosty, DJ Aroma, DJ Azonto, and AK Songstress.
Over the past 10 years, the Ghana DJ Awards night has been graced with performances from a tall list of acts such as Medikal, DJ Vyrusky, Andy Dosty, DJ Switch, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Kidi, Kuame Eugene, MzVee, Captain Planet, Patapaa, Adina, D-Black, Flowking Stone, Mr. Drew, Kwabena Kwabena amongst others.
On Saturday, October 15, as part of the Ghana DJ Awards Festival, Merqury Republic organized the 3rd edition of the Ghana DJ Clinic, an educational curation designed to educate, empower and foster meaningful relationships among incoming and professional DJs alongside other creatives.
Musician Sista Afia says she would be seeking God’s mercies for the national team, Black Stars, ahead of the 2022 World Cup tournament.
In a post on Twitter, the singer said she would embark on a two-week fasting and prayer session for the Black stars.
“Fasting for the black stars for two weeks before the World Cup,” Sista Afia wrote.
This comes after the Ghana Football Association announced national fasting and prayer dates for both the Christian and Muslim communities in the country.
Muslims were expected to fast and pray on Friday, October 21. The Christian community will hold their national fasting and prayer on Sunday, October 23.
Meanwhile, Jeffery Schlupp, Salis Abdul Samed, Samuel Owusu and Majeed Asimeru have all been included in the Black Stars provisional 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The quartet are among a host of other players including Bayer Leverkusen forward Callum Hudson-Odoi, who are part of the technical team’s pre-tournament squad as the tournament edges closer.
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Many people worldwide have attested that Ghana is the place to be when it comes to celebrating and enjoying one’s Christmas.
Over the years, Ghanaians have witnessed events upon events and popular world stars passing through Ghana during the yuletide.
In 2019, Ghana welcomed thousands of Ghanaians living in the diaspora through the ‘The Year of Return’ programme organized by the Ministry of Arts and Culture.
The likes of Naomi Campbell, Boris Coudjo, Hisham Tawfiq, Lupita Nyong’o, Samuel L. Jackson, T.I., and Cardi B trooped into the country for leisure and/or business.
In 2021, Ghanaians home and abroad had fun during the festive season; this year seems to be loaded with so much fun.
GhanaWeb in this article makes a list of some Hollywood icons who have confirmed their visit to Ghana this December.
Chance The Rapper
Earlier this year, American Rapper, Chance the Rapper, visited Ghana from the United States of America after Vic Mensa convinced him.
After his visit, Chance the Rapper announced his intention to hold a “Black Star Line” concert in Ghana during the yuletide.
The concert would be held in January 2023 at the Black Star Square, formerly known as Independence Square in Accra.
Vic Mensa
While Chance the Rapper will be in Ghana from December through to January to organise his festival. Vic Mensa who planned the event with him will also be in the country.
The move is to ensure the smooth running of events on the D-day.
According to Vic Mensa, the event, which would feature other American acts, is geared towards bridging the gap between African music acts and those of the Western world.
He said, “the concert would look at building a bridge between black people on the continent, those in the diaspora, and the people of the globe as well as some of the biggest acts in the world.”
He added that the “Black Star Line” festival would feature some of the biggest acts from around the world.
Meekmill
Aside from Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa who have officially confirmed their visit to Ghana, American rapper, Robert Rihmeek Williams, known professionally as Meek Mill in a recent post confirmed his visit to Ghana as well.
Right after he disclosed his visit, Afronation Festival released another batch of flyers which had him as a headline act along with other big artistes from around the world.
His confirmation comes after said he will visit Africa in a tweet shared on January 8, 2022.
Dr Leticia Adelaide Appiah, Executive Director, National Population Council (NPC), has called for more education on reproductive health.
That, she said was essential for a country’s development, hinged on population health, education and skill development.
Dr Appiah made the call during a workshop to engage the media on population issues.
The workshop was aimed at sensitising the media to be ambassadors of reporting and dissemination of population and development issues.
Dr Appiah said reproductive health improved over all nutritional status of citizens—bridges fertility differential, resulting in the bridging of the ratio of “rich people accumulating human capital stock and poor people accumulating children.”
She said it also reduced population growth, “leaving no one behind”, and improved skilled labour force.
The Executive Director attributed high morbidity at birth to unhealthy mothers prior to pregnancy leading to poor outcomes at high costs.
“… 48.7 per cent of births not in optimal state, too close, too early, too late and too many (MHS 2017). We want women to get pregnant when they are healthiest for optimal outcome of baby and mother,” she said.
Dr Appiah said prioritising pre conception care would move people from illness to a wellness paradigm.
Teenage pregnancies in Ghana, she said, had hit 555,575 in five years according to the Ghana Health Service District Health Information Management.
“A system that is indifferent to who become parents or to how parents treat their children has forgotten that the unit of nation building is the family, the cornerstone is the child.
“Hungry, poorly educated in huge numbers, poorly housed, low productivity and anaemic in values is a system we have created by design of default,” the Executive Director said.
She underscored the need for a national health care system that truly prioritised prevention valued by policy makers and tax payers.
Dr Appiah said high population growth rate above two per cent hindered efforts to raise income in families and countries with high birth rates and young structure.
That, the Executive Director said created economic insecurities mainly in high fertility households, which encouraged them to have large families, “poverty trap”.
She said poverty and lack of economic opportunities increased incentive to exploit natural resources leading to environmental degradation.
The NPC is the highest statutory body tasked to advice government on all population related issues.
It’s vision is to provide improved and sustained quality of life for Ghanaians through effective management of population and its related issues.
Some Artisans have received training in Vinyl (PVC) Tiling to equip them for the job market.
Trainees, including male and female, were drawn largely from the Greater Accra Region to participate in the skill acquisition.
The training was offered by Modern Floors Ghana, specialists in Vinyl (PVC) Tiles (LVT), Artificial Carpet Grass (Astroturf) and Adhesives as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
In a statement, the company said participants were taking through a three-day intensive training in Modern Floors technology.
The participants learned installation skills,
management skills, customer relationship management, and financial abilities.
The company said majority of participants after the training were ready to use their newly acquired abilities to start their own businesses while others decided to spread the knowledge acquired with others.
The company pledged to train more artisans as part of its increased social commitment to the nation.
“We’ll provide them the chance to have their works recognized abroad. This is due to Modern Floors’ authorized UK trademark and its recent approval by Amazon to sell its brand in seven European nations,” the statement said.
The chiefs and people of Otoase Odentenkromand Otoase Amanfrom near Coaltar in the Eastern Region have appealed to the Government to stop the operations of illegal mining companies in the area.
They said the mining companies operated at night with gun-wielding security guards, polluting the River Koran with their activities, the only source of potable water for the people.
Mr Samuel Aye Paye, former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano, made the appeal on behalf of the chiefs and people, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after a communal labour to clear the surroundings of the river.
He said the pollution of the river had deprived the communities along its banks of potable water with its health implications.
That had compelled them, especially women and children, to travel far distances in search of water, which was affecting the education of the youth, he said.
Barimah Kwesi Nyari, the Chief of Otoase Odentenkrom, called on Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyenhene, and the Water Resources Commission to take immediate action to stop all illegal mining in the area to protect the water bodies and save the people from water-borne diseases.
The investments of farmers at Mmofra, a cocoa growing community in the Amenfi West District of the Western Region, are going to waste due to the deplorable nature of the roads linking the town to the nearest market centre.
The situation had made it impossible for farmers to transport their cocoa and other farm produce to Mumuni Camp, the closest market centre, Mr Joseph Owusu, an opinion leader and cocoa farmer, told the Ghana News Agency on Friday.
He said: “The cocoa buying companies have stopped coming to the community to purchase our cocoa because of the bad nature of the road”.
“Though the community is one of the highest producers of cocoa in the region, produce buyers hardly purchase our cocoa because they cannot come here.”
Mr Owusu said traders, especially foodstuff dealers, who managed to go to the town with hired cargo trucks took advantage of the farmers inability to convey their produce to the market and offerred prices below the realistic market value.
He said they had no choice but to agree to those prices to prevent their produce from getting rotten and incurring huge financial losses.
Mr Owusu said the situation had adversely affected their socio-economic lives, with parents and guardians finding it difficult to finance their children and wards education.
Madam Elizabeth Acheamotah, a cocoa famer, said the road was so bad that only tractors, motorbikes and tricycles could ply it,” adding: “The road has been in that state for more than eleven years.”
She said the fares charged by the tricycle, popularly called ‘Aboboyaa’ were based on the number of hours spent on the road, which also affected their health due to its bumpy nature.
“It takes about three to four hours to cover the distance, though it should have been shorter time than that if the road were in good shape,” she added.
Some residents who spoke to the GNA pleaded with the government through the District Assembly and the Regional Coordinating Council to facilitate rehabilitation of the roads to save them from their predicament.
He said there were a lot of people walking on the streets who had mental health issues but were shy to seek help even though there is help.
“There are patients who will invite you to their homes in Ghana to attend to them or those who would like to come to the hospital early in the morning around 5AM because they do not want to be seen entering the psychiatric hospital,” he said.
Dr Agorinya gave the advice when he trained selected member of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) and some Social welfare officials on mental health issues.
The training organised by Basic Needs Ghana, an NGO with a focus on mental health issues was supported by Ghana Somubie Dwumadie, a disability focused programme on mental health and the UK Aid.
The training is expected to enhance participants’ knowledge on mental health and to help them understand persons with mental health issues.
Dr Agoriyna said there was a need to desist from stigmatising persons with mental health issues and encourage them to seek help.
“Elsewhere, there is nothing shameful about seeking help for one’s mental health issues, you see some celebrities take to social media to announce that they have depression or they are taking a break to enable them go through rehabilitation,”
There is nothing shameful about mental health, it is also a kind of illness that can happen to anyone but in Ghana people tend to hide or sneak into the Psychiatric hospital whenever they need help,” Dr Agoriyna said.
He said that now psychiatry care has been decentralized and every health facility in Ghana, even the CHPS compound has someone who is a trained mental health care professional.
Dr Agoriyna said mental health care if not well handled could cost the country billions of dollars because people with mental health issues tend to be non-productive at work.
Estimating the cost of mental healthcare in Ghana, Dr Agorinya who had an interest in global mental health issues, said it could cost a family about GHS4000 monthly to provide care for their loved one with mental health issues.
He urged Ghanaians to stop stigmatising and abusing persons with mental health conditions, saying, “There is never any justification for abusing any person with mental illness.
The National Democratic Congress(NDC) is holding constituency elections across the country today and Sunday to elect another batch of leaders to steer the affairs of the party.
In the Greater Accra Region, for instance, 33 out of 34 constituencies will hold elections as scheduled following delayed processes by the Amasaman constituency.
In the Odododiodioo constituency, over 2000 delegates are expected to partake in the election of constituency executives.
The election will see about 36 candidates vying for 9 positions.
About 2000 delegates from about 220 branches have also gathered at the 5-star basic school at Tema New Town to decide the fate of about 60 aspirants in the Tema West Constituency.
In the Tema East Constituency, about 1,300 delegates from about 120 branches are also taking part in a similar exercise at the Manhean school park.
61 aspirants are also seeking the mandate of about 3000 delegates from 350 branches in the Ashaiman constituency to steer the affairs of the party in the area ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The District Electoral Officer for Ashiedu Keteke, Eric Otchere, spoke to Citi News on preparations made towards the exercise.
“We expect the process to be as smooth as it has been so far, especially with the efforts we have put in to discourage any violence. All in all, we are confident we will end up with a free and fair election.”
The Constituency Youth Organiser of the NDC for Odododiodioo, Sheikh Ibrahim who is contesting unopposed in the elections outlined some measures put in place in eradicating the tag of Odododiodioo being one of the most violent places during elections.
”I am fortunate to go unopposed for one of the leading constituencies in Ghana. I take it as a privilege. We have spoken to the youth groups to calm down during the exercise. We have urged them not to engage in any activities that will undermine the peace we enjoy. I am thus confident that we will have peaceful, free and fair elections.”
In an interview on Accra FM, the artiste manager revealed that he never met his mother, hence, he does not have an idea of what she looked like.
According to Bullet, his mother died from complications of childbirth. He also revealed that he did not have enough bond with his father who denied responsibility of the pregnancy and childcare.
Sadly, Bullet’s father died before he turned an adolescent, therefore, he never had a chance conversations with him.
“I have been living as an orphan since childhood. I wish I grew up with parental love. I don’t even know my mother. I really want to know a little about her but don’t have a single photo of her. When I grew up, I dug into some albums and I was shown only one single picture of her. It was black and white and I only saw her cheek area, not her full face because the picture was very old,” he said.
The CEO of Rufftown Records disclosed that he grew up under the care of guardians who nurtured him from childhood till he completed Senior High School at St Augustine’s College.
Bullet says his childhood experience was a painful one because he had no experience of parental love, and no siblings to enjoy their company. “When I was hustling in the ghetto, I fell ill and I had to do surgery. Nobody visited me. The nurses kept asking me if I have nobody in my family or if my relatives did not like me,” he said as he struggled to hold back tears.
Ghanaian artiste, Black Sherif has revealed why he doesn’t drive in luxurious vehicles despite his success in the music industry.
Speaking on Peace FM with Kwame Sefa Kayi, the ‘Oh Paradise’ artiste shared that buying expensive cars wouldn’t profit him.
According to Blacko, the plan is to invest and reinvest the money he makes from the industry into his craft and push it to the next level.
“I haven’t reached anywhere. I only came to Accra two years ago to make my music. The money I am making. If I buy cars and other things, it won’t benefit me.
“I have money to reinvest in my videos and promote my music because I believe that’s the only way forward,” he said.
His statement comes, days after he successfully held a listening session for his maiden album ‘The Villain I Never Was’ on October 12, 2022.
People trooped in their numbers to show their support for the musician.
The likes of DJ Vyrusky, Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), Robert Klah, renowned bloggers, and popular TikTokers, among others attended the event.
According to the ‘Gidigba’ hitmaker, though is working on other weaknesses he cannot pinpoint, learning to care less is his current goal.
“I think that sometimes I care too much. That is one of my weaknesses,” Stonebwoy said.
“It sometimes gets me into some type of fix I don’t want to be in. So I am learning to care less”, he explained.
He was quick to add that every human has weaknesses.
“Realistically, are we not supposed to have weaknesses as people? So I think that makes us complete”, he explained.
The Ashaiman-raised star made this known while responding to a fan’s question about his weaknesses and how he intends working on them.
Stonebwoy was speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show with Kafui Dey in an interview monitored by GhanaWeb.
In a post he shared on Twitter on October 22, 2022, he stated that since President Akufo-Addo has resolved not to sack him, Ken Ofori-Atta should take the initiative and step down from the position.
“Advice to Ken Ofori-Atta. Bra Ken, it is OBVIOUS the President CAN NOT and WILL NOT fire you.
“PLEASE do him and GH a favour and respectfully resign for a COMPETENT FINANCIAL MANAGER to take charge. I am sure that the financial markets will react POSITIVELY to the news,” he pleaded.
Since the beginning of the year, Ghana plunged into what many describe as ‘the worst time in our economic history’, as the dollar has reached ¢15.65.
In a previous post shared by KSM expressing disappointment in the country’s leaders, he stated that Ghana is self-programmed to land in disarray.
In a tweet dated October 3, 2022, a new crop of Ghanaians are rising and will fight for the confusion in the country to end.
“GHANA is SELF-PROGRAMMED to land in CHAOS. Out of these CHAOS, a NEW GENERATION WILL RISE.
“This Generation will insist that THIS NONSENSE MUST STOP. The REAL MENTAL REVOLUTION will then BEGIN. GHANA WILL THEN REGAIN HER LOST GLORY,” he posted.
Paramount Chief of Buipe Traditional Areain the Central Gonja District, Abdulai Jinapor II has appealed to government and the management of Bui Dam to come to the rescue of hundreds of residents who have been displaced by flood waters from the Bui Dam.
This comes after authorities at the Bui Dam opened one of its five outlets (pipes), forcing the water into the White Volta back to Buipe.
The spillage, which has resulted in a flood, has destroyed public and private properties.
Addressing the media during an inspection tour of the affected areas, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II said “Buipe bridge helps create an economic hub for Buipe and we have seen water drown almost half of the bridge, and our people in the area are in the water now.”
The Chief said the victims who have lost greater part of their belongings, are in a state of distress and can barely boast of anything.
“We are crying to the whole world, the government and the Bui Dam Authorities that they should come and see our sorrow,” he pleaded.
Both public and private properties like school buildings, electricity poles and wires are badly affected.
Food crops such as maize and millet including tubers like yam and cassava and livestock were either submerged or carried away by the
flood waters.
According to Mr. Jinapor, “a lot of the people had to be relocated. They had to be put in schools and the schools can not allow the students there.”
“So, we are going to have double danger. School children cannot go to school and people too cannot work”, he stated.
The chief said that roads leading to the affected schools in distant communities popularly known as ‘oversea schools’ are automatically closed.
District Chief Executive for Central Gonja, Salia Kamara told journalists that despite the huge negative impact on the ground, no life has been lost.
He said that victims who are either fisher folks, vegetable growers or business people, will always run and return after the flood.
“This water is not as a result of heavy downpours but whenever they open the Bui Dam, it causes this problem. Currently, the Bui Dam has opened one of its pipes and closed the other halfway and look at what is happening to us?” Mr. Kamara said.
He added that “thousands of people are displaced” noting that normally, some don’t have even houses “but they are in the community. Some sleep outside because their business is here.”
Mr. Salia Kamara maintained that those who sleep outside no longer have space and have run away hoping to return and continue with their activities.
“We also have people who ran away and their properties as you can see have submerged. But currently, we are trying to close down one other school so that those who are displaced will occupy it,” the DCE stated.
On the fate of pupils and their teachers in Buipe, the DCE said that “we will put them in other schools so that when the water goes back, we can send the children back to their various schools.”
The DCE later presented 10 safety jackets to the rescue team that is using the canoe in the area.
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The Ministry of Financesays the Government of Ghana and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a clear path towards the final details of a programme with the goal of reaching a Staff-Level Agreement by the end of the year.
This follows meetings between the Government and the IMF advancing negotiations towards a Fund-supported Programme in Washington (D.C) on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
In an update to citizens, the Ministry stated that “a pathway towards fiscal sustainability has also been extensively discussed, and the Government of Ghana and the IMF remain fully committed to the goal of reaching a Staff-Level Agreement on a Programme within the shortest possible time.”
The Ministry indicated in pursuance of the Staff-Level Agreement, negotiations with the IMF will continue in Accra, as the IMF team is expected within the next few weeks.
Meanwhile the Government of Ghana has expressed its gratitude to the IMF, the World Bank, bilateral partners and external investors for their continuous support even as the country goes through a tough time.
Furthermore, “the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana thank the people of Ghana for their forbearance in what is undoubtedly a troubling and challenging time for our economy, and economies globally. Government will continue to work with a fierce sense of urgency, to stabilize the economy and place it back on a firm trajectory of growth.”
The Ministry has indicated it will continue to provide regular updates and further details on the country’s economic programme to the public immediately they become available.
“These updates will be posted on the Ministry’s website, under a section titled IMF Programme Updates,” the statement said.
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This comes after “extensive engagement with management of the ECG”, the PURC said in a statement.
Between Monday, October 24 and Friday, October 28, 2022, affected customers can visit the district offices of the ECG or the regional offices of the PURC to begin the compensation process.
Alternatively, they can visit the websites of both the PURC and the ECG to “complete and submit forms for consideration for compensation”, the statement added.
The Builsa Traditional Council in the Builsa North Municipality of the Upper East Region, has banned all forms of post Basic Education Certificate Examination(BECE) jamborees and get-together in the area.
The Council has explained that the decision was intended to “avoid the many bad incidences that characterize these programmes, some of which include sexual activities that lead to teenage pregnancies, violent fights and injuries, theft and drug or substance abuse among others.
“I wish to state unequivocally that there shall be no holding of get-togethers and jams within the Buluk Traditional Area this year 2022 or any after-party,” the Sandem Nab Azagsuk Azantilow, Paramount Chief of the area, said in a signed statement copied the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sandema.
Nab Azantilow, who is the President of the Council, called on Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Traditional Area to draw the attention of all Head Teachers of Basic Schools to the directive.
“I also call on drinking spot operators to desist from attempting to carry out the activity in any form or shape they may intend to brand it, as this would not be tolerated within the Builsa Traditional Area any more.
“It is my firm belief that together we all help keep safe our lovely young pupils from the danger that these events bring,” the Paramount Chief said.
Nab Azantilow on behalf of the Chiefs and people of Buluk, wished the candidates success in the just ended BECE, saying “It is our fervent hope and prayers that you would make yourselves, your parents and teachers and the Council proud, and that your hard work would pay off.”
In a related development, the Rural Initiative for Self-Empowerment- Ghana (RISE-Ghana), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in a statement copied to the GNA, commended the Builsa Traditional Council for the initiative.
The statement, signed by its Executive Director, Mr Awal Ahmed Kariama said, the practice of organizing post-exam jamboree and parties had become an avenue for various forms of abuses including sexual exploitation, which needed proactive measures across all facets of society.
The NGO, a member of the Upper East Regional Child Protection Network and the Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health, said the initiative by the Council was a “step worthy of praise and emulation.”
It said the action by the Builsa Council was in line with Ghana’s Children’s Act 560 and the United Nations Conventions on the Right of the Child, which morally and legally obligated all stakeholders to “promote the best interest of the child” in all matters concerning children.
RISE-Ghana said “It is our hope that, other Traditional Councils and mandated stakeholders will not only give the needed support but emulate such an innovative gesture.”
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will today and tomorrow elect officers to steer the affairs of the Party at the constituency level for the next four years
All is set for the elections, except in 24 constituencies in the Eastern, Central, Volta, Upper West, and Greater Accra regions where the elections have been put on hold.
A statement signed by Mr Daniel Amartey Mensah, Deputy Director of Elections, NDC, ahead of the elections, said the decision was taken due to “disputes over delegates’ list for those constituencies and/or the exclusion from ballot papers of candidates who have been qualified through the appeal process.”
The affected constituencies in the Eastern Region are: Mpraeso, Atiwa East, Atiwa West, Achiase, Nkwawkwaw, Upper West Akim , Afram Plains North, Akim Swedru , Akropong , Fanteakwa South, and Asene Manso Akroso constituencies.
In the Greater Accra Region, elections in the Shai Osudoku, Bortianor Ngleshie , Ningo Prampram, Ledzekuku, Ayawaso North , Amasaman , and Adentan constituencies have been put on hold.
The elections will also not be held in the Hohoe, and Sogakope constituencies in the Volta Region while those in the Prestea Huni Valley and the Shama constituencies in the Western Region have also been put on hold.
The Jirapa West Constituency is the only constituency affected in the Upper West Region.
The Party’s Functional Executive Committeeearlier directed that all elections should be held in one day – either Saturday October 22, 2022 or Sunday, October 23, 2022.
A total of 11, 825 candidates had filed to compete in the elections in the 276 constituencies, including the Santrokofi Akpafu Likpe and Lolobi (SALL) Constituency, which does not have a representation in Parliament yet.
Per the Party’s guidelines, eligible voters would be required to have paid their party dues in full before they would be allowed to cast their votes.
Branch executives and former government appointees of the Party will be eligible to vote in the elections.
The Chairman and Constituency executives are responsible for the venue for the constituency conference, but where there are disagreements, the elections venue “shall” be at the District Capital, the Party, said.
All constituencies are required to include candidates who have been duly cleared to contest through the appeal process on their ballot papers and exclude candidates who have been disqualified through the appeals process from the ballot papers. Elections will not be held till ballot papers are rectified,” it said in a statement.
The Party cautioned that: “Failure to strictly adhere to this directive will render any election illegal, hence a nullity, and appropriate sanctions will be applied to any person found culpable.”
The year was 1956, and there was much fanfare and anticipation for Queen Elizabeth’s first visit to Nigeria.
The young monarch was just a few years into her reign and making a highly anticipated visit to the West African country, which had yet to become a republic.
Ahead of her arrival, famed Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu received a royal commission to commemorate her visit with a statue, which made him the first African artist to create an official portrait of a member of the royal family.
He began working on the sculpture the following year, visiting Buckingham Palace in London for several sittings.
“In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II sat for Enwonwu for a large bronze sculpture,” noted the Royal Collection Trust, which oversees the art collection of the British royal family.
Ben Enwonwu working on the bronze sculpture of the queen [Credit: Courtesy Oliver Enwonwu/The Ben Enwonwu Foundation]
In all, Queen Elizabeth sat for Enwonwu 12 times, eight of which were at Buckingham Palace, according to the Ben Enwonwu Foundation’s website.
The rest of the sittings took place at a private studio belonging to Sir William Reid-Dick, Enwonwu’s colleague at the Royal Society of British Artists.
During this time, Enwonwu “finished a portrait bust and a sketch model of the sculpture,” according to the foundation.
Ben Enwonwu and HM Elizabeth II looking at his sculpture of the queen [Credit: Courtesy Oliver Enwonwu/The Ben Enwonwu Foundation]
‘African features’
Enwonwu completed the sculpture in 1957 and raised some eyebrows at the time for depicting the queen with fuller lips. His son Oliver said that it was part of Ben Enwonwu’s signature style to “Africanize” his subjects.
“Some of the rave reviews that the sculpture received was that the artist depicted the queen through his African eyes, the work had African features, which was characteristic of his work,” Oliver Enwonwu told CNN.
Oliver, also a renowned artist, described the queen’s sculpture as one of his father’s greatest works.
“My father was very proud of it. It was one of his masterpieces that showed his dexterity as an artist,” he told CNN.
“At the time, it (Enwonwu making a sculpture of the queen) was a big deal because he was an African artist. But he was the most famous in the Commonwealth at the time so it was very easy that he would be given the nod,” Oliver added.
Unveiling of the statue in Nigeria [Credit: Courtesy Oliver Enwonwu/The Ben Enwonwu Foundation]
While the sculpture later ended up in Nigeria, Queen Elizabeth acquired the bust and, according to the Royal Collection Trust, had another Enwonwu sculpture as well as a number of his paintings.
The bronze of the queen was later placed at the Nigerian parliament building ahead of preparations for the country’s independence from Britain in 1960.
The work now resides in the Nigerian national museum.
An influential African artist
Enwonwu has come to be known as one of Africa’s greatest modernists.
His portrait of Nigerian princess Adetutu “Tutu” Ademiluyi, dubbed the “African Mona Lisa,” sold for over $1.6 million (£1,205,000) at a London auction in 2018.
Born in 1917, Enwonwu has been described as the most influential African artist of the 20th century.
He had become an eminent artist even before his royal commission, and in 1954, was given a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award by the queen for his services to art.
Enwonwu earned a scholarship in 1944 from Shell West Africa and the British Council to study fine art in the UK after a successful solo exhibition. He received a classical education at the Slade School of Fine Art in London and attended Oxford University. Enwonwu later returned to Nigeria to become a lecturer.
He was appointed Nigeria’s first professor of art by the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University, in 1971 and received a National Merit Award from the Nigerian government nine years later.
He died in 1994 at the age of 77.
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The founder of 3Music Network Sadiq Abdulai Abu has thrown his weight behind Joy Entertainment‘s upcoming Showbiz Roundtable.
In an interview, he said the event, which will centre on the industry’s issues, is very important for its growth.
“The Showbiz Roundtable platform is an important thought leadership platform that affords us the opportunity to not only inform industry, but interact, share ideas and insights that are critical to the growth and progress of the creative industry,” Mr. Abu said.
Mr. Abu will be a panelist for the Showbiz Roundtable.
He will be joined by a number of the industry’s finest pundits on October 29, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, as conversations on contracts, artistes PR, revenue, royalties, global hits, tourism, culture, GDP, amongst others, go down.
Mr. Abu comes on board with experience and vast knowledge in the showbiz space and understands the need to steer talks in the direction of individual and collective development and benefits.
The Showbiz Roundtable is themed ‘Music Business and Tourism’, and is powered by Joy Entertainment.
The host of Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, George Quaye will host the much-anticipated forum which promises to discuss other pertinent progressive issues affecting the entertainment industry.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Ghanaian Dancehall musician and co-judge for TV3 Mentor auditions, has come to the defence of his fellow judge Abiana, who has come under a lot of criticism for how she treated a contestant on the show.
In an interview with Doreen Avio on Daybreak Hitz, he explained that the critics are not aware of the number of hours they had to sit to select their final list of contestants.
“People didn’t look at it from the point of view that we had to sit down the whole day, and the people who came for the audition were over 500, and we had to pick only 35.”
The ‘Atia’ hitmaker added that there were other memorable moments that weren’t shared —and that does not help his colleague judge Abiana.
“It would have been nice if the media house posted a sweet side of it, just to balance it out.”
The dancehall artiste also mentioned, “There was this man who should be in his sixties, I told him that if he doesn’t make it through I and my team will sponsor him, record and shoot videos for him.”
Award-winning Ghanaian female vocalist, Abiana, topped trends with a video that captured her going hard on a young singer who auditioned for this year’s music reality show, Mentor.
Abiana, a co-judge with dancehall musician, Epixode, cut short the performance of the male singer who was exhibiting his talent in hopes of making it through the auditions stage.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Nigerian artiste Oxlade has released the official music video for his viral song ‘Ku Lo Sa’.
The song was first performed on the COLORS platform and subsequently released to other streaming platforms on Friday, 10 June 2022.
About 34 million YouTube views later, the adored vocalist has released the official visual work for the international hit.
The video, spanning 2 minutes and 28 seconds was directed by Director K and production was handled by JM Films and Toby Barber.
Signed to Epic Records and by extension Columbia Records, Oxlade performed ‘Ku Lo Sa’ at the 2022 Global Citizens Festivalheld in Accra, Ghana at the Black Star Square.
He had been invited on stage by headliner Usher Raymond IV.
Before he exited, jumped and passionately hugged the American R&B legend.
The remains of reality TV star and singer, Patrick Adebowale Fakoyabetter known by his nickname, Rico Swavey, has been laid to rest in Lagos.
Recall that the 29-year-old Big Brother Naija starwas involved in a fatal car crash on Tuesday, October 11, and sadly passed away on Thursday, October 13, from the injuries he sustained.
A service of songs and night of tribute was held in his honour in Victoria Island on Wednesday, October 19, and many of his colleagues were in attendance.
His burial procession took place the following day in Lagos as well.
A funeral mass was held for him at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Square, and then his remains was moved to the Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was laid to rest.
She captioned the photos: “Happy Birthday To Me!!! I’m super grateful for everything and everyone in my life – my support system (BeeNavy), my family and amazing friends. I thank God for the undisputed Grace over my life. He’s my friend, my provider, my protector and I’m excited for this new year because I know he has only good plans for me. Plans to prosper me.
Happy Birthday Beauty Etsanyi Tukura. Happy Birthday to the great person you are becoming and cheers to a new year ahead. #Striking25″
Balenciaga is moving on from its collaboration with Kanye “Ye” West. Kering, the parent company for the luxury brand, confirmed the split in a statement to Women’s Wear Daily on Friday.
“Balenciagahas no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” Kering says.
Balenciaga previously collaborated with West on his line, which was sold at Gap before he ended the partnership. He also walked in the French fashion house’s summer 2023 show for Paris Fashion Week earlier this month.
Balenciaga’s creative director, Demna, has a long-standing relationship with both West and his ex, Kim Kardashian, dressing the reality star in her infamous face-covered 2021 Met Gala look.
In fact, after West walked in the Paris Fashion Week show, which was set in a mud pit, Kardashian posted several photos to her Instagram of her lying in the dirt in Balenciaga looks, writing, “When I couldn’t make it to the @balenciaga show @demna sent the show to me.”
Shortly after walking in the Balenciaga show, West made headlines with his controversial “White Lives Matter” shirt for his own Paris Fashion Week Show.
He followed that up with a series of anti-Semitic posts and comments, which led to his social media accounts being locked.
Stating that she doesn’t find herself attractive enough, she recounted instances where such thoughts started playing out in her mind.
The ‘Sika’ hitmaker recalled an instance when she was lined up together with some other 20 female classmates for their male school mates to select the most beautiful ones out of them.
Sista Afia said she was the only one left without a male partner and that was then she started questioning her beauty.
“As I’m sitting here, I don’t think I am that beautiful. For instance, when I was in school, they picked about 20 girls to stand right in front of the school and they asked some guys to go make their selection from them. I was part of the girls but none of the guys chose me. I stood there and watched the guys pick all the girls one after the other and no other person came for me. So, I asked myself… is it that bad?” she stated in an interview on Angel TV.
Asked whether beauty plays a major role in show business, she opined;
“Sometimes looks could count. When you have the beautiful face, sexy body, doing good music and putting in the work, you will make it. But when you are just like me, you will suffer a lot.”
Sista Afia added that in spite of all these, she strives to offer her inward beauty, adding that with that, she has it in abundance.
“I am not looking at that side. I’m looking at what is in me,” she added.
Ghanaian rapper cum entrepreneur, Desmond Kwesi Blackmorepopularly known as D-Black, has expressed worry about how sharply the cedi has depreciated against the United States dollar.
The current development which has triggered harsh economic conditions in the country has been of public concern among scores of netizens, including celebrities on social media.
D-Black is the latest to join the tall list of celebrities to vent about this particular issue on Twitter.
“How are we working for a dead currency? Mehnnn!! Fix this shit ! Ghana is in a mess!” he wrote in a series of posts.
Meanwhile, the cedi sells at GH¢14 to the US dollar at the forex bureaus or the retail market.
Cedi depreciation: Ghanaian celebrities lament
Several Ghanaian celebrities have complained bitterly about the hardships the country has been plagued with under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
These celebrities, who seem ‘fed up’ have lamented the depreciating cedis to the dollar, the constant fuel price hikes, and the overall hardships that everyone in the country is currently experiencing.
The likes of Yvonne Nelson, Nana Aba Anamoah, Prince David Osei, Lydia Forson, Shatta Wale, Efia Odo, Kojo Cue, Sarkodie, and many others have cried out on social media.
The renowned media personality in a public letter to Ofori Atta justified the call for his immediate resignation by spelling out what she said is his abysmal management of the economy.
The president, Nana Akufo-Addo, however, has said he will not sack his appointee, saying such a move will amount to a betrayal of trust.
While expressing satisfaction with his minister’s actions, the president said: “I came to office in 2017 when we were under an IMF programme. This same Ken Ofori-Attawas able to manage the economy for the first 3 to 4 years. We were then one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We had an average growth rate of 7% a year.”
“For someone who has been able to do all these, how do I turn my back on him? For me, his performance has been excellent. That is why I have great difficulty in understanding what is going on.”
Read Nana Aba’s letter below:
Dear Ken Ofori-Atta,
On any day I’d like to see through this Friday with excitement, do well with my commitments and settle in for a weekend of relaxation with full knowledge that all is good.
But you have decided to undo all of that.
Thanks to you, millions of Ghanaians and business owners have been robbed of honest gain for honest work.
Your incompetence has seen the value of our work depreciate at an alarming rate.
Before this week, depreciation was over 40 percent and inflation also close to that same percentile.
A cursory glance at everything and it’s another reason to be angry because you have willfully provoked us with your abysmal management.
At the National Forum on the Economy at the Accra International Conference Centre in 2017, you were unambiguous that you will work tirelessly to ensure all Ghanaian businesses flourish courtesy your competent leadership. I believed you. So did many Ghanaians.
Six years down the line your fruits are bitter and eery.
Before you gasp and reach for an explanation, don’t stretch and touch the COVID pandemic plus the Ukraine Russia crisis as a wall for balance and your cushion for solace. You lot sound like a broken record.
The world suffered same but your imprudent borrowing taste and wasteful use of those flammable funds has led us to this point.
The economic heat has broken the thermometer this week. The heartbeat has a new competitor in the Ghana Cedi. It is beating faster than the throb of the spongy organ. And you unashamedly ask us not to panic? Wow!
You may be in the company of finance ministers at the IMF Spring Meetings and looking for that “miracle” with your negotiations. But the ‘Ghanaian’ brother you sat next to, Kwesi Kwarteng, has fallen on his own sword for introducing policies which could have further crippled the British economy. He took the early steps to a political fiasco before his boss and now former PM, Liz Truss followed suit.
You on the other hand against all the clear public wails of the majority of your people continue to hold on to a job you’ve woefully failed at and leading a process you don’t believe in (going to the IMF) after failing to properly introduce a new tax line, E Levy and borrowing us out of the international financial market.
Hmmm. Maybe a part of you wants to leave and your cousin is backing you to the hilt on the altar of loyalty.
But for God’s sake, spare the entire nation this prolonged spectacle of failure and let go of the burning rod.
If you were leading a private company managing private funds with this current performance you probably would have walked. In fact, you would have been fired. This time it’s public funds and the stretch of the impact is much more.
Alex Vignet’s words ring true that “resignation is the courage of Christian sorrow”. All Ghanaians are weeping and as a devout believer, wouldn’t you rather resign and save us all from further ignominy?
A 34-year-old unemployed man, Kofi Amenyenu, has been remanded into Police custody for stealing by the Hohoe Circuit Court.
Amenyenu pleaded guilty to the Cou rt with an explanation that he had no knowledge that the items found in his possession were stolen so the Court changed his plea to not guilty and adjourned the case to October 26 for disclosures to be exchanged between the prosecution and the accused.
Prosecuting, Inspector Rachel Osei Agyapomaa, told the Court presided over by Mr Michael Johnson Abbey, that the complainant is a trader whilst the accused person is an unemployed person who lives at the Hohoe lorry station.
She said on October 10, at about 0700 hours the complainant kept her sack of plantain and a basket of banana valued GH₵400 under a shed, where she normally kept her products and left for home.
Inspector Agyapomaa said the complainant returned to the shed the same day and could not trace the items and began to look for them but one Wutsi, a witness in the case came to inform the complainant that her missing goods were stolen by the accused.
She said the complainant and the witness went to the Police station and made a report where they together with the police they proceeded to the place of abode of the accused, but he was not there.
Inspector Agyapomaa said however they found a sack of plantain and a basket of banana were found in his abode.
She said the following day, the Police, with the assistance of the complainant, arrested the convict for investigations.
Inspector Agyapomaa said the convict in his cautioned statement said that the goods were brought to him by the witness, Wutsi but investigations proved that this claim by the convict was false.
Ed Sheeran revealed it “hurt” to see his James Bond theme song shelved for Billie Eilish’s hit track, “No Time To Die.”
The “Shape of You” hitmaker said he’d “already started” writing the song when suddenly he was replaced by the 7-time Grammy-winning teen superstar.
“They changed directors and then they just changed scripts and that was it. We had done all the meetings, I started writing it,” the 31-year-old said on “That Peter Crouch Podcast.”
When asked if he would still be willing to sing a Bond theme tune in the future, it was a clear-cut yes.
“Yeah, of course,” he added. I’m not gonna pretend it didn’t hurt not doing it, but yeah I would.”
“I think eventually as an English singer you’ve got to eventually do a Bond song,” the singer said. “If they came back I’d be like, ‘Yeah, of course.’”
Billie Eilish replaced Sheeran as the singer on the main theme song for “No Time to Die.”
Getty Images for EON Productions
Eilish’s official theme song for the blockbuster “No Time to Die” made her the youngest artist to ever write a song for the 007 franchise.
The hit track won the 2022 Academy Award for “Best Original Song,” as well as a Grammy Award for “Best Song Written for Visual Media.”
Eilish joins other superstars who’ve penned songs for the Daniel Craig-starring James Bond films, including Chris Cornell (“You Know My Name” for “Casino Royale”), Adele (“Skyfall”), Jack White and Alicia Keys (“Another Way to Die” for “Quantum of Solace”), and Sam Smith (“Writing’s on the Wall” for “Spectre”).
Eilish wrote the song with her 22-year-old brother and musical collaborator Finneas O’Connell, with orchestral arrangements by renowned composer and Oscar winner Hans Zimmer and British conductor Matt Dunkley. The Smiths legend Johnny Marr plays guitar on the track.
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Although “inspired by true events,” “The Woman King” clearly isn’t tethered to them, using the underlying story of 19th-century female warriors in an African kingdom as the jumping-off point for a rousing action vehicle, augmented by plenty of melodrama.
That combination yields a strong showcase for the stars, featuring a cast and backdrop that serves to refresh its old-school formula.
Regal as always, Viola Davis provides the movie with its rock-solid core as General Nanisca, the leader of the Agojie, known as the Dahomey Amazons, a unit of women who swear off marriage and motherhood to pursue martial arts and defend the kingdom.
It’s an egalitarian streak within a society where the king (John Boyega) still possesses a sprawling harem.
The point of entry into this warrior culture comes by way of Nawi (“The Underground Railroad’s” Thuso Mbedu, with another mighty performance against a vast canvas), an independent-minded, headstrong young woman who refuses to marry for money, finally prompting her frustrated father to drop her off at the palace.
There, she’s taken under the wing of Izogie (Lashana Lynch, adding to an action resume that includes “Captain Marvel” and “No Time to Die”), and trained to undergo the brutal regimen that will eventually admit her into this corps of elite troops.
The boot camp that follows – which will surely serve as a source of inspiration for modern-day workout programs – proceeds in concert with preparation for potential war against a rival kingdom, the Oyo Empire, that has extorted tribute from the Dahomey for years.
Nanisca, meanwhile, urges the king to depart from his participation in the slave trade, arguing that selling captured foes to the Europeans has created “a dark circle” as they increasingly intrude upon their lands.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Love & Basketball”), the sweeping contours of the story are, quite simply, a lot to digest, especially with the various subplots and Nanisca’s back story that gets tossed into the mix. (The script is by Dana Stevens, who shares story credit with actor Maria Bello.)
Shot in South Africa, the film helps bridge some of the expository gap by opening with a brutal action sequence, demonstrating just how fierce Nanisca and her loyal soldiers can be. It’s the first of several such encounters, and although the scenes are carefully shot to mitigate gore, the level of violence and form of warfare are such that the PG-13 rating seems questionably generous.
Nanisca worries that her warriors “do not know an evil is coming,” a tease for the pending battle against the Oyo. But “The Woman King” perhaps excels most in portraying this fascinating subculture given the time and place, playing like a celebration of African traditions while incorporating a decidedly modern tone, and still servicing the escapist demands of a Friday-night audience.
Prince-Bythewood has accomplished that last goal with brisk pacing and the sheer muscularity of the exercise, with a significant assist from Terence Blanchard’s epic score. With its heavily female and almost entirely Black cast, the movie could give a welcome boost to other projects that have historically struggled in terms of studio support.
Somehow, the film manages to feel like a throwback to the action movies of old while featuring people who were seldom allowed to occupy prominent roles back then. If the finish is a bit too busy to be as rousing as intended, by then, “The Woman King” has made the most of its formidable arsenal.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Well-known music beat producer Justice Oteng also known as Wei Ye Oteng has averred that anyone who associates with Grammy award-winning artist Burna Boy gets public attention.
Recall that Black Sherif caught the attention of Burna Boyafter releasing his popular track ‘Second Sermon’. Burna Boy was seen in a viral video dancing to the track of Black Sherif a few weeks after it was released.
The two later collaborated and released the remix of Second Sermond and also shot a music video for the music. Burna Boy also was seen touring the US with Black Sherif. This bond between the two artists has brought up the opinion of Wei Ye Oteng that Black Sherif got more famous after partnering with Burna Boy.
“Black Sherifis good. I mean, the likes of Kwadee were unique just like Black Sherifis, but whichever sound they had, or playing around with, was already in there. So we appreciate that. Now, if you have an affiliation with Burna Boy just upon releasing two songs into the mainstream, the whole world would want to listen to you”, he said in an interview on Showbiz 927.
“The whole world would want to know what is under your sleeve, not because they believe that you are extremely the “ish” (good), but they know that you are positive and you are on the path to greatness and that you need support.
“So, everything that you do, based on the type of affiliation you have, they troop in to come and listen and then to make their own judgment”.
Mrs Samira Bawumia, Second Lady, has reiterated the call on the media to make issues affecting women top billing in the media space.
She said women empowerment should not be about tokenism to balance the gender equation, or about hearing women’s voices, but a deliberate effort to make women part of the space.
“The media is vital to shaping the woman narrative. Women empowerment in the media should start with not only giving women a voice but also ensuring that they are protected from unnecessary attacks and unfair scrutiny that make participation in the media space unattractive.”
Mrs Bawumia said this at the opening of a two-day West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA), 2022, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), on the theme: “Media and women empowerment in Africa”, on Thursday, in Accra.
She said women empowerment had come a long way and should continue to move from the notion that it was a cause only to be championed by women, saying ‘”an empowered woman is a critical component of an empowered society, and there is no institution better placed to champion this than the media.”
She said the media, in educating and informing, must prioritise the unheard, marginalised, and under-represented, out of which women formed the majority even though they represented more than half of the population.
“There appears to be little progress in Africa and according to the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) report in 2020, it is estimated that it will take 67 years to close the average gender equality gap in traditional news media,” she said.
She said it meant that for the African continent, where there was relative stagnation, deliberate, sustainable action must be taken to achieve parity in the shortest possible time.
The Second Lady noted that sometimes content producers in the media faced difficulties when trying to have women’s voices or women’s representation on shows and programming for various reasons.
She said irrespective of that, the solution was not to ignore them but to keep trying, provide encouragement and foster a safe space for them to freely express themselves.
She said there were several factors, including socio-cultural issues that inhibited women’s participation in the media and said, “we should collectively seek solutions to them.”
Mrs Bawumia encouraged women to take up positions of influence in their communities and countries, including serving in public offices to help shape policy and influence decisions that affected them.
“We are stronger when we achieve critical mass in media, politics, industry, and every worthy sphere of human endeavour,” she said.
Madam Zoe Titus, Chairperson, Global Forum for Media Development and Director Namibia Media Trust, said the theme reflected on ways in which women were portrayed in the media, and the role and empowerment of women journalists themselves.
She said according to global research conducted by the GMMP in 2020, on average, women were only 25 percent of those seen, heard, and read about in news, saying new and emerging challenges related to how information was produced, disseminated, and consumed, which continued to prevent the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment globally.
She noted that a recent report by the World Association of Newspapers highlights culture, patriarchy and socialisation as key barriers in the way of women’s rise to leadership and management positions in newsrooms.
“Even though we have come far as a continent in women and media empowerment, we still have a long way to go in terms of the way in, which the media reports on women, the progress of women in Journalism and the extent to, which they have been able not only crack, but really break through the glass ceiling.”
Mr Suleimana Brimah, Executive Director, MFWA, said the conference since its inception remained the region’s biggest platform for honouring and inspiring journalism excellence across West Africa.
He said the conference and subsequent ones, would highlight the barriers against women empowerment; discuss ways in, which the media in Africa could help break those barriers; and how the media could amplify women’s voices, women’s ideas, women’s innovation, and women’s power for inclusive development.
“We cannot build a better Africa by continuing to discriminate against women and leaving women behind. The building of better societies begins with the empowerment of women, and we are doing it because it is the right thing to do and the right time to do it is now,” he stated
Oga Sabinus– whose real name is Chukwuemeka Emmanuel purchased a brand-new Mercedes Benz weeks after he was involved in a near-death accident with another Mercedes Benz.
The news of his new acquisition was announced on social media by former musician cum Tunde Ednut while he profusely congratulated him and assured of his immense love for him.
Recall that the famous skit maker got in an accident with his first Mercedes GLE last month, and even though it was severely damaged, he was unharmed. One month after Sabinus thanked God for saving his life, he has now unveiled a pricey new vehicle.
Sharing photos and video, Tunde wrote; ‘‘HELP ME CONGRATULATE SABINUS
Remember when Sabinus had an accident last month, September and his Mercedes Benz became a total write off? Sabinus has gotten himself yet another Mercedes Benz GLE. It was black before, now it’s white.
May God continue to keep him and no accident shall ever befall him again with this new car in Jesus name. Sabinus, you are blessed. One more thing, abeg commot that tissue box from ontop that dash board abeg Love you bro! ”
The commencement of work on the Suame Interchange and Complementary Roads Project, Ghana’s second-largest road infrastructure, is in fulfilment of the Government’s pledge to work for the people, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said.
“When I promise, I deliver,” he emphasised.
According to the President, his Administration was bent on providing to every region its fair share of the critical road infrastructure required to facilitate socio-economic activities.
Since assumption of office in 2017, the Nana Akufo-Addo-led government has put in measures to improve the statistics of good roads from 78, 000 kilometers to about 94, 000 kilometers, with the construction of the four-tier Pokuase Interchange being the most significant in terms of the magnitude of work and cost analysis.
Addressing a sod-cutting ceremony at the Suame Roundabout, in the Ashanti Region, for work to begin on the Interchange Project, the President tasked the contractors and Ministry of Roads and Highways to be diligent to ensure the successful completion of the Project as scheduled.
A concept note underpinning the Project says the road network in the Greater Kumasi area, in particular, comprises a ring road and spokes.
“Most of the intersections have exceeded their capacities and are experiencing severe congestion during the peak hours.
“The challenges of these intersections have been clearly identified in the Kumasi Transport Plans and the Suame Roundabout Intersection is the worst of all, experiencing delays and safety issues,” says the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
President Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that the intention was to upgrade the Suame Roundabout into a four-tier Interchange together with five other grade separated intersections.
Per the specifications of the Project, the job will be undertaken under two components – comprising the construction of a four-tier interchange at Suame, two overpasses at Abrepo Junction and Krofrom Junction.
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The second component will see to the construction of three overpasses at Anomangye Junction, Magazine New Road Junction and Abusuakruwa Junction, as well as widening of the Offinso road into a dual carriage way, 15 kilometers local roads and improvement of selected intersections.
Component one of the project will be executed by Messrs. Rango Construction Company Limited in joint venture with Dizmar of Spain, while component two is constructed solely by the former.
Messrs. Associated Consultants Limited will be the supervising consultant on the project, with the Department of Urban Roads as the implementing agency under the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
President Nana Akufo-Addo advised the contractors to institute measures to address the anticipated traffic congestion that might come in the course of the execution of the Project.
This, he said, was necessary to alleviate the inconveniences that might be experienced by commuters of the road.
Other road projects inspected by the President, who was on a four-day working visit to the Ashanti Region, included Anwiankwanta-Obuasi Road and Santasi-Apire Road Projects.
Belgium has described as “good basis”, Morocco’s autonomy plan, presented in 2007, for a solution accepted by the parties” regarding resolution of the Sahara issue.
This statement came in a joint declaration issued after talks between Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, and Hadja Lahbib, Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions.
“Belgium considers the autonomy plan, presented in 2007, as a serious and credible Moroccan effort and as a good basis for a solution accepted by the parties,” says the joint declaration.
In this context, the Belgian Minister reiterated Belgium’s long-standing support for the UN-led process for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.
According to the Joint Statement, the two ministers agreed on the exclusivity of the UN in the political process and reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2602, which noted the role and responsibility of all parties in the search for a realistic, pragmatic, sustainable and compromise-based political solution.
Morocco and Belgium also welcomed the appointment of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Staffan de Mistura, and reaffirm their active support to his efforts to advance the political process on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Joint Statement said.
With this position, Belgium joins the list of European countries that clearly support the autonomy plan such as Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Hungary, Romania, Portugal and Serbia.
Globally recognized singer and entertainer, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, professionally called Wizkid has shared an official visual of his recent output, ‘Bad To Me‘.
On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, the Starboy Entertainment head, songwriter, and performing artiste served his listeners and the entire music community with an amazing piece of music captioned, ‘Bad To Me’.
The song will be included as part of his upcoming fifth studio album tagged ‘More Love Less Ego‘ out in the coming weeks. ‘Bad To Me’debuted on Apple Music Charts in several countries across the globe within 24 hours of its release.
Following the successful release of the masterpiece, Wizkidhas released a colorful and eye-pleasing music video for the chart-topping tune. Watch the video below.
Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, says the tourism sector by 2025 will become Ghana’s biggest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributor with a value of US$ 4 billion.
“By 2025, the tourism sector will generate not less than UD $ 4 billion dollars and will become the biggest contributor to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
The sector is currently said to be the third largest contribCOVID-19
utor to GDP.
At a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Dr Awal said the Ministry had been developing projects and building capacities to boost tourism and drive traffic of about 1.5 million visitors between 2024 and 2025 and expected to go up exponentially.
“So if we have 1.5 million people and they spend 12 days or two weeks, and they spend about $2500, we shall be hitting over $3 billion and that is just international arrivals,” he said.
This year, 645, 047 international arrivals have so far been recorded from January to September, with a projection of one million creating 150,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Minister said before the COVID-19, the international visitors were spending between US$ 2600 and US$2800 for a week or ten days.
He said with domestic tourism, the goal was to attain one million this year, a figure that would not only boost the local economy but build national cohesion and unity.
Domestic tourism is said to have increased by 60 per cent from 334, 921 visits in 2021 between January and September to 534, 711 visits the same period for this year.
The Government with support from the World Bank is spending GH¢350 million to modernise tourist attraction sites across the country, Dr Awal also said.
He said the Pikworo Heritage Slave Camp in Paga Nania was at phase one of development and that the Yaa Asantewaa Museum at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region would be completed in the first quarter of 2023.
The Minister said whiles the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park had been under construction and earmarked for reopening in March 2023, Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, Shai Hills, Mole Park and the W.E.B Du Bois Centre were yet to be rehabilitated.
He said the initiatives were in line with Government’s commitment to make tourism sector a veritable tool for economic transformation, thereby contributing to job creation and wealth of the people.
Tourism, last year, 2021, generated a revenue of $2.1 billion out of a target of $2.3 billion.
Staff of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) have decided to embark on a strike over “strange procedures” in handling issues in contravention with their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The TDC staff Union of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) at a meeting said if the Management did not go by their CBA, they would embark on strike
The meeting had about 120 members in attendance as well as representatives of the National Executives of the PSWU.
Mr John Nii Donu Sampah, Deputy General Secretary of the PSWU, told the Ghana News Agency, that the union had observed non-compliance with the existing provisions in the CBA and Human Resource policy on recruitment and placement of staff within the TDC
He said the PSWU had written letters to the Management to protest the use of ‘strange procedures’ for dealing with Staff Issues contrary to what was in the existing Collective Agreement signed between Management and PSWU.
“The Management should withdraw some decisions, which have been made in contravention of the CBA to assure workers that they will not be victimized or intimidated in the course of their work. This will make workers feel free to work to increase productivity and help cement the organization’s record as the best performing State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) in Ghana,” Mr Sampah said.
He said some of the workers suspected that some persons within the TDC Management were ill-advising Ms Abena Ofori-Atta, the Managing Director to violate company policies and the Staff collective Agreement in pursuit of their parochial interests.
Mr Sampah said the modalities and timing of the strike action will be communicated soon.
Beat producer and chief executive officer of Drum Lyne Music facility Justice Oteng well known as Wei Ye Oteng says sensational artist Black Sherif isn’t that special.
According to the best producer, the songs of Black Sheriftops music charts because people rush to listen out of curiosity but not because he does anything extraordinary.
Wei Ye Oteng however emphasized that Black Sherif despite the fact that Black Sherif is good and produces good music, is not doing anything new in regard to his music career.
Wei Ye Oteng made this comment in regard to the comment Reggie Rockstonemade asking Blacko to curve a name for his music genre.
Oteng said: “Black Sherif is good. I mean, the likes of Kwadee were unique just like Black Sherif is, but whichever sound they had, or playing around with, was already in there. So we appreciate that. Now, if you have an affiliation with Burna Boy just upon releasing two songs into the mainstream, the whole world would want to listen to you”.
“The whole world would want to know what is under your sleeve, not because they believe that you are extremely the “ish” (good), but they know that you are positive and you are on the path to greatness and that you need support. So, everything that you do, based on the type of affiliation and have, they troop in to come and listen and then to make their own judgment”.
Wei Ye Oteng however admitted that Black Sherif is doing well and producing good music.
“For the truth, I think this guy is doing very well, but let’s not lift him beyond where he is supposed to be. If we do that and complacency sets in, we will kill him before his time”.
“He has a good album, but trust me, a lot of these streams are out of curiosity and affiliation with the choice of brands that he has associated himself with. And we shouldn’t forget, he is on one of the biggest labels that are well endowed to reach out to any place in the world that they want to,” Wei Ye Oteng insisted.
Ghana international, Clifford Aboagye is backing the Black Stars to do well at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
However, he opines that everything will be dependent on the head coach of the national team, Coach Otto Addo.
Speaking to Original FM on the Super Sports show, Clifford Aboagye stressed that it is important for Coach Otto Addo to be given the necessary support.
“Otto Addo Is a young good coach and I believe that with the support of all Ghanaians he can deliver at the world cup we have a good strong technical team,” Clifford Aboagye said in the interview today.
The former Ghana U20 star continued, “We have quality in the black stars currently but all depends on how the coach will use them on the field of play according to the tactics that they will play and surely we will deliver.”
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana has been pitted in Group H where the Black Stars will face the likes of Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea.
Jada Pinkett Smithinvited her husband Will Smith’s ex-wife, Sheree Zampino, as a special guest host for the latest edition of “Red Table Talk”.
As discussions were ongoing, Jada Pinkett revealed that Will takes trips with Zampino when she (Jada) is not around.
Country singer Jana Kramer, who was also this week’s celebrity guest on the Facebook Watch series, asked Jadda whether such arrangements bother her, and she said;
“Never. They take trips; I’m not there. They do their thing. Not together romantically, but if he’s going on a book tour and [Will’s] mom is going and his sister, it’s fun for me to watch them enjoy each other. It takes time, though. We’re not having trouble, everyone. Let’s make that clear because you know that’ll be the next rumor.
“You guys really enjoy each other,” Jada Pinkett turned to Will Smith’s ex-wife and spoke.
On her part, Zampino said she currently has a better relationship with Will Smith than when they were married.
“With Will, we’re better as co-parents than we were as husband and wife. We came together to have Trey. It took the two of us to make him, but then we shifted,” Zampino explained.
Will was married to Zampino from 1992 until 1995. During their three-year marriage, they welcomed a son, Trey Smith, who is now 29.
Will and Jada Pinkett got married in December of 1997, two years after their divorce. They have two children together, a son, Jaden Smith, 24, and a daughter, Willow Smith, 21.
Ghana international Christopher Antwi-Adjei has opened up on his Black Stars chances ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The 28-year-old made his first start this season for Bochum against third-tier side SV Elversberg during the DFB Pokal.
The winger has only made five substitutions in the Bundesliga this season due to injury setbacks.
“From time to time there is contact, most recently two or three weeks ago,” he said.
“Now there isn’t that much time left. I can only step on the gas on the pitch – everything else is up to the national coach.”
Meanwhile Ghana coach Otto Addo is expected to submit a list of up to 35 players to FIFA, and players are waiting for the announcement with bated breath.
Players who will miss out in the provisional list will be unable to participate in the biggest soccer mundial this year.
The Ghana coach will announce his final 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup on November 14.
Players who are assured of a place in the team include Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, and Alexander Djiku, as well as newcomers Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey.
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 the Asian country.
The West African powerhouse are housed in Group H and will face Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 and will then play South Korea on November 28 and Uruguay in their final group match on December 2.
Andye was onlyin Paris for three days. On day one, she met Steven on board the Metro. It was a journey that would change their lives forever.
Andye was only in Paris for three days. On day one, she jumped aboard the Metro train that would change her life forever.
It was September 2016. Andye, born in Haiti and brought up in the US, was 25 and finishing up a Master’s degree in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands.
She was in that in-between phase of a degree when studies are over, but graduation is still to come.
“I decided, ‘I’m just going to travel for a month and then come back to Amsterdam,’” Andye tells CNN Travel.
Andye planned a month’s adventure exploring Italy, Greece, Egypt and India. On her way back, she returned via Paris to visit a close friend, Seyna, who lived in the French capital and was looking after some of Andye’s belongings.
“I got on the Metro to head back to my friend’s house where I’d dropped off my suitcases,” Andye recalls to CNN Travel. “And that’s where he got on.”
“He” was Steven, a 26-year-old Master’s student originally from the Central African Republic studying in Paris and working part-time in a school. (Andye and Steven have asked that only their first names be used for privacy reasons).
When Steven boarded the train, the carriage was already full of travelers. He was one of several passengers standing.
Meanwhile, Andye was sitting, her traveling backpack on her knee and her headphones on. Steven noticed her right away.
“I found her really beautiful,” Steven tells CNN Travel.
A few stops went by, the carriage emptied out, seats freed up and Steven ended up sitting opposite Andye. He kept glancing her way. She seemed to be looking at him too. Their eyes kept meeting.
Andye also noticed Steven amid the crowds of travelers.
“We just kept looking at each other,” she recalls. “He would turn around to look at me, and I would look away, and we just kept on doing that for like a good 15 minutes, just staring at each other and looking away.”
As the train sped underground the Parisian streets, Steven tried to think of a polite way to broach conversation with the girl with the backpack. He wanted to speak to her, but he was also conscious of respecting her space and privacy.
Meanwhile, Andye was silently fantasizing about the stranger opposite her.
She recalls being struck by his “calming energy.”
“He had really nice, muscular arms. I was like, ‘Wow, he looks like someone I could really get a nice hug from.’”
As these thoughts flashed through Andye’s mind, they were followed by another, sinking realization.
“I was like, ‘What if he’s my husband, but I’ll never know? Because I’m going to get off this train without ever speaking to him.’”
“Then, at some point — when our eyes finally caught each other, and neither of us turned back — I saw his lips move. So I removed one of my headphones.”
Metro meet-cute
Steven and Andye started chatting when they were on the same Paris Metro train in September 2016.
In French, Steven was suggesting Andye could move her heavy-looking backpack onto the now vacant seat next to her.
Andye, who is fluent in French, replied that it wasn’t necessary — the bag wasn’t heavy.
“Then, somehow, I just did not put on my headphones back, because I kind of was hoping that we would keep on talking,” says Andye. “And then the conversation continued.”
Steven asked if Andye was a student — because of the backpack — and she told him about her studies. Steven explained he was also working towards a Master’s degree.
“At some point, I had to get off the train to transfer, and he asked if he could get off with me. And I said, ‘You can do as you please.’”
As they got off the train together, Steven offered to help carry her backpack.
“I felt a bit nervous because I didn’t know him and I thought about how he could probably run away with my bag,” says Andye. “But my gut felt comfortable enough to allow him to take it.”
The two waited for the next subway station together, Steven holding the backpack. Then they got on the next train together and sat next to one another.
“We just kept on talking,” says Andye. “That’s when we realized that we actually were doing our Master’s in the same field of study. We were both studying sustainable development, and we started talking about that a bit.”
When the train arrived at Andye’s stop, Steven got off with her, handed her the backpack. They exchanged numbers, then Steven asked if he could give her a hug goodbye. Andye agreed.
“I thought that was so weird, because in France people just do the kisses on the cheek, they don’t hug,” recalls Andye.
“I was like, ‘Wow, what if this guy is a mind reader? Because earlier I was just thinking I could get a really nice hug from him.’”
After their hug, the two went their separate ways. Steven, glancing at his phone, realized his Metro detour had made him late for work.
Meanwhile, Andye reunited with her friend Seyna and immediately shared details of her Metro meet-cute.
Later that evening, Steven messaged Andye and nervously waited for a reply.
“When she responded, I screamed and ran to my cousin,” says Steven, recalling announcing that Andye was the woman he would marry.
Andye and Steven messaged back and forth all evening, trying to figure out if they could meet up again before Andye returned to Amsterdam. She had a tight schedule, and at first suggested it would be easier to meet in a few weeks — after graduation she planned to return to Paris for a week before she headed home to the US.
“Even if we see each other for just a quick second, I really want to see you before you leave,” wrote Steven in response.
Eventually, the two settled on meeting for a quick dinner on Andye’s last evening. Steven wanted to impress Andye and take her to a swanky restaurant, but Andye wanted to make sure she wouldn’t be late home, given she was traveling the next day.
They settled on a casual fast food spot, right next to the Metro stop where they’d parted the first time.
As Andye was getting ready for the date, Seyna teased her about her romantic Metro meeting and the subsequent date plans.
“She was really giddy about me going on the date,” Andye laughs.
When they saw one another again, both Andye and Steven felt excited.
“I felt butterflies in my stomach,” says Steven.
“We did the usual French greeting with one kiss on each cheek AKA ‘la bise,’” recalls Andye, who remembers trying to temper her excitement, given her imminent return to the US.
Inside the restaurant, the two settled into conversation quickly.
“We started talking and getting to know each other a bit,” recalls Andye.
Steven was straightforward with Andye, explaining he was looking for a relationship.
“I thought that was like, ‘Whoa, first date, like you’re doing too much for me.’ But I appreciated his sincerity,” says Andye. “We kept on talking and I got, again, that kind of like, calm feeling being around him.”
Andye’s original plan to keep the evening short no longer seemed so important. She suggested they go into the center of Paris to a bar.
Later, Steven accompanied Andye back to her friend’s apartment. Outside the door, they kissed. Then Steven returned to where he lived, further into the suburbs of Paris.
It was later than he’d realized, and trains had stopped running, so he walked most of the way. Steven says he didn’t mind, he was just caught up in the excitement and romance of the evening.
Meanwhile, Andye excitedly told Seyna about the date and how well it went.
“Then the next day I left to go to Amsterdam, but we kept in touch. He was messaging me the whole time I was in Amsterdam,” recalls Andye.
Long distance
Andye went back to the US, but she stayed in touch with Steven.
After graduation, Andye returned to Paris for a brief stopover before her return to the US. Once again, she arranged to meet Steven at the Metro stop by Seyna’s apartment.
The two hopped on the train together and went for a stroll along the Champs Élysées, through the Trocadéro area and towards the Eiffel Tower.
Andye and Steven tried to see each other as much as they could during those few days, often riding the Metro together. On one of these journeys, Steven turned to Andye and said he didn’t want her to return to the US.
“Why?” asked Andye.
“Because I love you,” said Steven.
“How can you love me? You don’t even know me!” said Andye.
Andye boarded her flight to the US at the end of September, with no imminent plans to return to Europe.
“We didn’t make plans to meet up, we kind of held hope that we were gonna see each other again, at some point,” says Andye.
“We decided that we’re going to keep in touch, and just keep writing to each other and talking,” says Steven.
Three months later, Andye started working with an international organization based in Washington DC. She soon learned the role involved business travel, mostly to Guinea. Serendipitously, flights often included a layover in Paris.
In March 2017, six months after their first Metro encounter, Steven and Andye reunited at Charles de Gaulle airport for Andye’s 24-hour stopover.
In the intervening months, the two had been in constant communication. But it wasn’t the same as finally seeing one another in person again.
“Wow, this person actually exists,” Andye remembers thinking.
“We talked a lot, we hugged a lot,” says Steven of their reunion.
But before long they were saying goodbye again.
Andye’s role involved traveling to West Africa every three months or so. She figured that each time, she would try to incorporate a Paris layover.
But Steven felt guilty that Andye was the one always traveling — he didn’t have a visa to travel to the US, so he couldn’t reciprocate the trips.
“It was getting complicated,” he says. “Because it was always Andye who would have had to travel, I thought it would have been even more complicated later on in the process.”
Steven didn’t communicate these worries to Andye. But she sensed something was up.
“I just remember him being less attentive, really distant. And I said, ‘Look, if you’re not into this, let’s just end it. I am not going to chase you. I love you. But I don’t like one-sided relationships. I would like for this to be reciprocal. And since it’s not, I’m kind of removing myself out of the equation.’”
Reunited in Paris
Andye and Steven reconnected in Paris after a few months apart.
A couple of months passed. Andye and Steven didn’t talk during this period, but they both thought about one another often. Meanwhile, Andye planned a trip to Paris to visit Seyna.
“I’m usually the kind of person, like once it’s over, it’s over. But with him I felt like this was more kind of a break than a breakup,” says Andye.
“I had my friend Seyna kind of reach out to him to see if he was okay, since I hadn’t heard from him, and tell him that I was coming to France for a week for vacation.”
Steven and Andye arranged to meet up during Andye’s trip.
“We talked a lot. We went out dancing, and then we kind of got back to how things were before,” she says. “I was in Paris for at least four to five days and we spent most of the time together.”
Steven says seeing Andye again after months of silence “reignited a fire” inside him.
“At that moment I thought to myself, ‘If I don’t make it work, I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life,’” he says.
The two were able to talk candidly about the situation, with Andye explaining she didn’t mind that she was always the one traveling, given she could incorporate visits into work trips.
They parted on stronger terms.
“I was really easy and confident in our relationship after that visit, but I do think that it took a while for me to warm back up into it,” says Andye.
The relationship did have another wobble when Andye was back in DC. When they came back together again, Andye was firm: She told Steven they both had to be all in.
“I was like, ‘Look, I don’t have time to play games. If this is what you want to do, it’s not for me, I was very strict on my boundaries. I told him, ‘Look, if you’re really serious about this, here’s my mom’s number. You let her know that you’re serious about her daughter.’”
Within a week, Steven had sent a long paragraph to Andye’s mother.
“I tried to tell her a bit about myself,” Steven explains. “I said I was serious about Andye.”
Steven’s message had the effect of taking Andye and Steven’s relationship to the next level. They started talking about what country they might live in the future, and plans for marriage.
Andye and Steven’s temporary breakup made the relationship stronger.
The next time they reunited in France, in November 2017, Andye built a week’s vacation into her stopover.
“He came to pick me up and brought my favorite chocolate croissants to the airport,” she recalls. “He knows I’m addicted.”
It was during this trip that Steven proposed.
“When I met Andye, I felt at peace, in sync with all of nature’s elements,” says Steven. “But when I wanted to propose to her, I felt a wave of different feelings. I was asking myself what I would do if she said no and at the same time, I was excited at the idea that she would accept to be my wife. I was nervous and shaking internally.”
Andye accepted Steven’s proposal.
“I got that same calm feeling that I had that first day that I met him,” says Andye of the moment she said yes.
The couple kept the news to themselves for a short while, first telling Seyna, Andye’s Paris-based friend, and later Steven’s best friend.
The two decided to enjoy the engagement for a little while, and not rush into marriage They continued their long-distance romance and the following summer Andye spent four months in France with Steven. She’d quit her job and was in the middle of a short break, reconvening and figuring out her next steps career-wise.
“It was a really wonderful summer,” says Andye, recalling quality time spent with Steven, his family and friends.
While she was in France, Andye also looked into applying for jobs in Paris. But this proved trickier than she expected
Andye and Steven had previously figured it made most sense for Andye to move to France — Andye was fluent in French, after all. But after she struggled to find a France-based job, the couple started discussing the possibility of living together in the US instead.
Almost a year later, in July 2019, Steven’s fiance visa was approved. To celebrate, Andye and Steven went to Haiti. While there, they were inspired to plan their own Haiti-based wedding celebration.
Move to the US
Andye and Steven got married exactly three years after they met on the Metro.
Steven and Andye started their American life together in a tiny studio apartment in DC. They had a small wedding at a court office on September 16, 2019 — the three year anniversary of their Metro meeting — while anticipating a larger celebration in Haiti the following year.
Both Andye and Steven were thrilled to be living together after years of long distance. The two started a company together, Afrayiti, creating handmade apparel using African fabric.
Not long afterwards, Covid-19 hit the US. Steven lost his job, and early on, Andye caught the virus and was hospitalized.
She recovered physically, but struggled with anxiety for some time afterward.
“I became really anxious to the point where I didn’t leave my place for three months,” Andye recalls. “I didn’t even step outside of the door of our apartment.”
During this time, Andye says Steven was a huge support.
“I wouldn’t have survived this pandemic, if it wasn’t for him.”
Steven says there is no one but Andye who he’d want to spend lockdown with.
The Haiti wedding celebration canceled, the couple instead spent their time cooking, sewing and designing together.
As the pandemic waned, Steven encouraged Andye to reenter the world. She’s grateful for his patience during this period.
“I was so scared to go outside and he kind of really pushed me into taking just small steps,” says Andye.
In summer 2021, the couple relocated to Florida, enticed by the idea of more space, warm weather and proximity to the beach. They feel, says Andye, “at peace” in Florida.
A real life romantic comedy
Andye and Steven feel like fate brought them together.
Today, Andye and Steven are still Florida-based, planning future adventures together. Since the world opened up, they’ve visited Tanzania, Zanzibar and Costa Rica together.
When their Haiti wedding celebration was canceled, the couple decided to start a tradition where they plan a vacation to coincide with their anniversary. Right now, they’re in Mexico celebrating six years since their Metro meeting and three years since their courthouse wedding.
“One of the things that is symbolic — and I don’t think he notices — is when we’re traveling, he likes to ask me [if he can] carry my backpack,” says Andye.
Steven’s been carrying her bag, “since day one,” says Andye, laughing.
While Andye and Steven think they were fated to meet Steven on the Metro that day, they both have moments when they marvel at what happened.
The couple love to travel together. Here they are in Costa Rica in 2021.
“There are days where I say to him, “God, I’m married to a stranger that I met on the train in Paris,’” she says.
“What if I was late to take the train, what would have happened?” says Steven. “It’s destiny that brought us together.”
When Steven and Andye tell others how they met, they’re often told their story resembles a romantic comedy.
“Honestly, I feel like I am living a rom-com with him,” says Andye. “Especially as a Black woman, you don’t often see international love stories with Black women or Black men in them.
And I think for me, just sometimes when I think about it, I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m living my own rom-com.’ I don’t need to see it on TV, this is it.”
“There are days where I say to him, “God, I’m married to a stranger that I met on the train in Paris,’” says Andye. Here’s the two in Tanzania in 2021.
Source:myjoyonline.com
Barcelona centre-back, Ronald Araujo, who was said to be a major doubt for the tournament due to an adductor longus avulsion injury in his right thigh, made the 55-man list, which was released on Friday.
Some key names like Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani, Darwin Nunez, and Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde were all named in the big squad.
Uruguay has now become the first team in Group H to release their provisional list.
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