Manhattan congressional candidate Mike Itkis released a sextape this week in a bizarre move to demonstrate his commitment to his “sex positive approach.”
A 53-year-old cybersecurity expert, Itkis is an independent candidate running in New York’s 12th district, where he is a long shot bid to unseat Rep. Jerry Nadler. Itkis has focused his campaign on legalizing sex work, ending adultery laws and defining consent.
Itkis recently released a 13-minute porn video in an effort to prove that sex positivity is one of his keystone issues. The video, titled “Bucket List Bonanza,” stars Itkis and porn star Nicole Sage. The porno marks the first time Itkis had sex on camera, he confirmed.
“If I would just talk about it, it wouldn’t demonstrate my commitment to the issue,” he told City & State.
“And the fact I actually did it was a huge learning experience, and it actually influenced items on my platform.”
Itkis continued, “I’m very much an introvert. I’m kind of a nerd who doesn’t like to be the center of attention if I can avoid it. But I thought the issues I’m trying to address are so important. I wanted to have my issues talked about in some way.”
Ghanaian midfielder Salis Abdul Samed has been named the sixth best player in the French Ligue 1 this season following his outstanding performances for RC Lens.
The 22-year-old who joined Lens from Clermont Foot in the summer has established himself as a key cog to the club.
He has been in a rich vein of form, featuring in all 11 games of the season for the club.
Salis performance did not go unnoticed after earning a spot on the list of the best players in France’s top flight by top French sports newspaper L’Équipe.
The midfielder is ranked 6th on list ahead of Paris Saint Germain and France star Kylian Mbappe.
He trails PSG trio Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Marco Verratti, who are first, second, and third, respectively. Samed is also behind fourth-placed Adam Ounas and fifth-placed Nuno Mendes after 11 matches into the Ligue 1 campaign.
Salis has featured in all 11 Ligue 1 games this season, scoring a goal for RC Lens.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA)has threatened a statewide strike if the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) does not reverse its decision to surcharge them as part of a new tax system.
According to the Association, the GRA stated its plan in a letter that has yet to be released.
Speaking to the media, the president of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr Frank Serebour noted that “before people pay their dues, already they would have been taxed right from the source before even the dues come to us. We don’t collect the dues by ourselves.”.
This is the first time since the GRAwas founded that members of the GMA have been asked to pay such taxes, according to Dr Serebour.
Because all members pay income taxes, the group argues it is unfair to force them to pay additional taxes.
Dr. Serebourhas thus vowed that the Association will shut down hospitals nationwide to protest the new directive.
“We won’t sit down to allow anybody, whether it is a government agency or the government itself, to collapse the association. That will not happen under my watch.”
He further characterised the action as GRA’s desperate attempt to collect money from various groups.
He emphasized that the GRA should have engaged his association on taxes other than issuing a letter regarding their new tax system.
“If anything at all, the first point was engagement. If something like that is going to happen, somebody should be engaging and not write that kind of letter,” he noted.
President Akufo-Addo has been honoured with another position after being elected as chairperson of the Gulf of Guinea Commission.
The Gulf of Guinea Commission is an organisation founded on the tenets of dialogue, consensus, and ties of friendship, solidarity, and fraternity. It was established on July 3rd, 2001 in Gabon to defend the shared interests of Member States and to promote peace and socioeconomic development.
Member States that are party to the Treaty include Angola, Cameroon,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
President Akufo-Addo, after his election on Thursday (October 13, 2022), met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The meeting was centred on deepening the bonds of cooperation between Ghana and France.
In addition, President Akufo-Addospoke at an Asia Society France event and spoke with Catherine Colonna, France’s minister of state for Europe and foreign affairs.
Real Madrid overcame rivals Barcelona with a 3-1 win at the Bernabeu to go three points clear at the top of LaLiga on Sunday.
The LaLiga champions went into an early 2-0 lead through Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde before a Ferran Torres goal started a Barca fightback late on.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side sealed the victory in stoppage-time with a Rodrygo penalty.
The result compounded a miserable week for Xavi Hernandez who saw his side lose ground in the league title race after slipping to a disappointing Champions League draw in midweek.
Madrid remain unbeaten in LaLiga this season and go top with 25 points with Barca in second place on 22 points.
The hosts took the lead after 12 minutes through a swift counter attack which saw Benzema tap home after Marc-Andre ter Stegen blocked Vinícius Junior’s effort.
The France international snapped a streak of 5 games without a goal, which was his longest scoring drought at the club level since 2020.
Madrid doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break when Valverde found himself in space outside of the box and steered a fine finish past Ter Stegen.
Benzema thought he grabbed a second goal early in the second half but his goal was ruled out for offside.
The visitors grabbed a goal back with 10 minutes remaining through substitute Torres after great work from Ansu Fati and Robert Lewandowski.
Madrid stepped up a gear and were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute when Sergio Busquets brought down Rodrygo.
The Brazilian scored the spot kick as Madrid avenged their 4-0 Clasico home defeat last season.
Since the Swinging Sixties, London City has been seen as a hotspot for creativity on a global scale, known for its fashion and music exports as much as its impact in film and fine art. Whatever it is, England’s capital has produced countless people, countless moments, that have been able to stand toe-to-toe with the best of ‘em from anywhere on God’s green Earth.
From iconic raves that helped spawn whole genres (see: ska, jungle, UK garage, grime, dubstep…) to iconic muses such as Kate Moss and Maggie Smith—when you think about how many creators have come from this island, one thing you can’t ignore are the contributions that have been made by Black people. The same people dominating in culture today—on every level.
After the explosion of scenes like UK garage and grime—in the ‘90s and Noughties, respectively—it felt like there was a partying disconnect in London. UK funky had its moment, but it didn’t last long. For myself, when I was in university, it felt like the selection of parties we had to enjoy were quite limited: if it wasn’t a grime or house dance at Fabric or The Nest, it was a cheesy uni rave in a student union. But beyond that, many of us were still searching for spaces to congregate—to be ourselves, unapologetically—as Black folk who might want more from a night out than seeing MCs shout down the mic or having ravers—off their rockers—shuffling in your face.
Tired of having to pick between micro-aggressive DJ sets in the Hip-Hop Room of nightclubs like TigerTiger or Oceana, or just praying you hear some Chaka Demus or D’banj in your local Be At One, the option to have a place to unwind after a long week of surviving wasn’t always afforded to someone like myself. But it’s 2022, and times have changed. With the introduction of parties—for the day and the night—like Recess and DLT (Days Like This), Black Londoners have finally found their own spaces to forget the stresses of London’s hustle and bustle.
Team DLT have had a groundbreaking year, to say the least. Having thrown their very first festival in Malta and picked up the GUAP Gala award for Business Of The Year, we managed to catch up with Will Stowe—head of brand partnerships at DLT—to discuss conception, motivation, and new iterations. Launched by four friends back in 2016, inspired by the day parties they’d experienced in New York whilst interning there, we get to know the story behind Days Like This, and how—having cemented their status in the city—they aim to take this experience to the rest of the diaspora.
“Parties are culturally what many of us are accustomed to. It’s in our DNA. Our older brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles and parents did it, so we’re just keeping tradition in new ways.”
Contrary to the assertions made in support of the Akufo- Addo administration, private legal practitioner Gabby Otchere- Darkohas admitted that Ghana is in the grip of a severe economic crisis.
In his Facebook post, Mr. Otchere- Darkolamented how the economy was affecting people’s ability to make a living due to the sharp increase in inflation and the outrageous rate of the cedi’s depreciation.
For him, “if this inflation does not stop galloping, soon it will be racing alone on its own because incomes are struggling to even see the back of inflation’s distant shadow, never mind the many unemployed with no income. The struggle is real.”
Ghana’s economic difficulties are being felt by all walks of life, triggering several demonstrations.
Some agitated Ghanaian youth matched on the streets to protest against the persistent and astronomical fuel price hikes.
The protest, however, was marred with chaos, with several individuals and some police personnel sustaining injuries.
The growing hardship in the country has led a 24-year-old man to end his life.
According to reports, the deceased, identified as Kofi Kakra climbed a GRIDCO pylon and got himself electrocuted at Galilea, a suburb of Ngleshie Amanfro in the Ga South Municipality of Greater Accra Region on Friday, October 14.
According to eyewitnesses, Kofi Kakra,who is a bus conductor complained about general economic difficulties and life’s struggles, consequently, committing suicide.
Meanwhile, the government has put in measures to address the economic challenges.
The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori- Atta announced a 20% expenditure cut as part of fiscal stabilisation and debt sustainability measures.
Again, on April 1, 2022, the government implemented a 50% cut in fuel coupon allocations for all political appointees and Heads of Government institutions, including SOEs, and imposition of a complete moratorium on the purchase of imported vehicles for the rest of the year.
However, these measures have not had any positive impact on the country’s inflation.
For instance, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) disclosed that inflation (year-over-year) soared by 3.3% to 37.2% in the month of September.
This, according to GSS is against 33.9% recorded in August 2022.
The artist formerly known as Kanye West is acquiring Parler, the social media platform billed as a so-called conservative alternative to other sites.
In a press release, Parliament Technologies CEO George Farmer argued that Ye was “making a groundbreaking move” with this deal.
“Parlement will be honored to help him achieve his goals,” Farmer, who is married to Candace Owens, said.
In the same press release, a Ye quote is also included, complete with similarly Fox Newsian wording.
“In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves,” Ye said.
Parler, as the Southern Poverty Law Center pointed out last January, has been criticized as “a haven for far-right extremism of all stripes.” The platform became a much-discussed facet of the larger Capitol riot investigation, with a previously published USA Today analysis showing the extent of Trump’s real-time impact on the platform in the moments leading up to the attack.
First launched in 2018, Parler quickly became the go-to social media choice for a number of far-right figures. By November 2020, per an Anti-Defamation League report at the time, those with sizable presences on the platform included Islamophobic conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer and the Proud Boys hate group.
In recent days, Ye has been met with account-restricting actions on Twitter and Instagram in response to antisemitic remarks. Elon Musk, who himself is set to acquire Twitter, later claimed to have spoken with Ye regarding his then-recent Twitter activity.
“Talked to ye today & expressed my concerns about his recent tweet, which I think he took to heart,” Musk claimed in a tweet, marking an apparent reference to Ye having previously said on the platform that he was “going death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.”
To read more on the dangers of amplifying antisemitism, hit this link.
A total of 552,276 candidates from 18,501 schools across the country are expected to partake in the exams this year at 2,023 centres nationwide.
WAEC, in their statement, noted that out of the total number of prospective candidates, 1,132 private candidates have registered for the exams and will take the papers at 15 selected centres.
Additionally, out of the total number of registered candidates, 276,988 are males, with 275,288 females.
The private candidates are made up of 634 males and 498 females.
WAEC further indicated that there has been a 3.48% drop in the total number of candidates who will participate in the exam, compared to last year’s figures.
Measures in place for a successful exam
Speaking on the readiness of the Council to ensure a successful examination, WAEC noted that all appropriate measures have been put in place to ensure a successful examination.
“The Council is advising candidates to be focused and be on the alert for the activities of “examination social media racketeers” whose primary aim is to make money through deception,” WAEC said in a statement on Thursday, October 13, 2022.
The Council, however, warned candidates against any malpractice, insisting that candidates found engaging in any illegal act during the exam, will not be let off the hook.
“Candidates are reminded that collusion can be detected in their scripts during marking and that the penalties for examination malpractice include cancellation of Subject/Entire Results.”
While wishing candidates success in the exam, WAEC reminded examination officials, including supervisors, invigilators, and distributors, to comply with the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the examination and refrain from being facilitators of malpractice.
Selection of SHS schools for BECE candidates to commence October 31
The exercise is expected to end on November 18, 2022. This was announced by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Mr Kwasi Kwarteng, in a statement.
In the statement, Mr Kwarteng further disclosed that the Ministry has produced a video explaining the school selection guidelines for candidates, parents, guardians, and the public.
He noted that the video will be broadcast on various radio and television platforms across the country for five days, effective October 24, 2022.
It can also be assessed via www. freeshs.net.
Additionally, the Ministry, through the statement, reiterated its commitment “to ensuring a smooth and effective school selection and placement process.”
Ghanaian-born striker Mohammed Muntari was on target for Qatar in their 2-1 win over Nicaragua in a friendly match in Marbella, Spain on Thursday night.
Qatar, who are training in Spain as they prepare for their World debut at home, are playing friendly matches against national teams and clubs ahead of the global showpiece.
Afif opened the scoring for Qatar with a stoppage-time penalty against Nicaragua, who are ranked 142nd in the world.
The Asian champions doubled the lead in the 70th minute with Muntari finding the net but the Central Americans halved the deficit five minutes later as Galeano struck to equalise.
While Qatar managed to see the game off, they could have increased the scoreline only for Afif to miss a penalty late in the game.
Felix Sanchez, who has taken a 27-player squad for the final phase of preparatory camp for the World Cup, named a strong line-up for the friendly match.
Qatar begin their World Cup against Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20 before taking on African champions Senegal and the Netherlands in Group A.
President Akufo-Addowill inspect development projects in the Ashanti Region as part of a five-day working trip.
The President is also scheduled to commission projects and confer with traditional leaders of the area as part of the activities of the tour which commenced yesterday, October 16, 2022.
Projects to be inspected include the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternal and Children’s Block, Kejetia/Central Market Phase Two, Obuasi Trauma and Accident Hospital, and Boankra Inland Port Project.
Others are the Anwiankwanta-Obuasi and Santasi-Apire Road Projects, Oforikrom, Nsuta and Trede Agenda 111 Projects, as well as a sod-cutting ceremony for work to begin on the Suame Interchange.
Additionally, the President Akufo-Addo will inaugurate some completed projects such as the Toase Magistrate’s Court, residential accommodation for the Appeals Court judges, the ECG KATH 33/11 kv Primary sub-Station, and Nsuta Maize Processing Factory under the ‘One District, One Factory’ programme.
The President is also expected to meet the paramount chief of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, popularly known as the Asantehene, to deliberate on pertinent issues affecting the region.
It is unclear what both parties will be discussing during their meeting. However, there are high expectations that the Asantehene will raise the issue of illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey (which has been rampant in the region) since it has been a subject he has constantly been touching on recently.
Following its adverse impact on communities in the region, the Asantehene has, on various occasions, (especially during meetings with high-profile personalities), amplified the need for the fight against galamsey in the country to be prioritised and tackled in earnest.
Recently, during a meeting with the United States (US) Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, Otumfuo lamented over the failure of the government to effectively eradicate galamsey, in spite of the various measures and task forces introduced to curb it.
Subsequently, during the first General Meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs in 2022 chaired by the Asantehene, he described the government’s galamsey fight as a charade, accusing the government of shielding the real perpetrators of the menace.
The Asantehene bemoaned the negative impact of galamsey in the region and charged his sub-chiefs (whom he alleged were receiving bribes from financiers of galamsey) to endeavour to make the fight a success by rejecting any form of inducement from those engaged in galamsey.
The new Amazon Music Live concert series is set to launch later this month with host 2 Chainz.
Amazon Music Live will premiere on Oct. 27 with a performance from Lil Baby, who’s set to give fans live versions of several It’s Only Me tracks, plus a selection of past catalog favorites. The series is timed to coincide with Thursday Night Football, which itself overlaps with the eve of each Friday’s batch of new music releases.
“Thursday Night Football is one of the most watched television events in America, and Amazon Music Live is an unprecedented moment for us to bring together the best of America’s sport and the biggest pillar of culture—music,” Kirdis Postelle, global head of artist marketing for Amazon Music, told Complex. “And for artists, AML represents a brand-new, massive opportunity for them to share their newest music with fans around the world.”
Future editions of AML include Megan Thee Stallion on Nov. 3 and Kane Brown on Nov. 10. The former’s appearance on AML, notably, boasts a hometown connection due to that particular Thursday also marking the date of the Houston Texans’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football.
“If you’re a music fan, Thursday night is the most important night of the week. For fans, there’s nothing like the excitement of waiting for midnight for your favorite artist to drop new music,”
Postelle told Complex of the larger goal behind the AML launch. “With Amazon Music Live, we wanted to create a moment that would bring fans from around the world together to experience new music from their favorite artists.”
Manchester United were held to a frustrating goalless draw against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The hosts were left fuming after referee Craig Pawson ruled out two Cristiano Ronaldo strikes early in the second half.
Erik ten Hag’s side also felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Jadon Sancho was brought down inside the area.
The result sees United remain in fifth place while Newcastle sit a position behind them in sixth.
The visitors wanted a penalty of their own after nine minutes when Callum Wilson was challenged by Raphael Varane but referee Pawson wasn’t interested.
Newcastle had the best chance of the first half when Joelinton twice struck the woodwork in quick succession from close range after 24 minutes.
The hosts produced their best moment after 38 minutes when a quick counter attack saw Antony’s shot well saved by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Following a slugging first half, United started better after the break and Ronaldo saw two goals disallowed in quick succession.
The first was due to an offside earlier in the buildup while the second incident moments later was far more controversial.
Fabian Schar appeared to pass a free kick back to Pope and Ronaldo intercepted the pass to score but the referee ruled it out.
The hosts were even more furious when the referee turned away a penalty when Sancho appeared to be clipped by Sean Longstaff inside the area.
United had two big chances to win the game late on but Fred and substitute Marcus Rashford both missed from close range.
James McClean was subjected to abusive chants during Wigan’s 2-1 defeat at his former club Sunderland on Saturday
Wigan’s James McClean has criticised the FA and EFL for a lack of action over the sectarian abuse aimed at him.
The midfielder, 33, took to social media to highlight chants directed at him during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Sunderland in the Championship.
Republic of Ireland international McClean said he had been subjected to abusive songs for 10 years.
“I would be lying if I was to say I expect anything to done about this by the FA or EFL,” he said.
McClean’s Instagram post included a video from the Stadium of Light in which loud booing and chants can be heard as he took a corner against his former club.
He has been targeted since 2012 when he first declined to have a poppy embroidered on his Sunderland shirt out of support for his home city of Derry, the scene of the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972.
Thirteen people were killed when British soldiers shot civilian protestors in the city. A 14th person died later.
McClean has also said he is upset about the impact the abuse has on his wife and three young children, who either watch on television or in the stands.
In 2020, McClean was fined two weeks’ wages by Stoke City for an inappropriate Instagram post in which he was pictured wearing a balaclava in front of two children, with the caption “Today’s school lesson – History” along with a laughing emoji.
He later apologised and agreed to delete his Instagram account.
In response to McClean’s comments over the incident at Sunderland, an FA spokesperson said: “We strongly condemn all forms of discriminatory and offensive chanting.
“Any participants or fans who believe that they have been subject of, or are witness to, discrimination are encouraged to report it through the correct channels: The FA, the relevant club or via our partners at Kick It Out.
“The FA looks into any alleged discriminatory language or behaviour that is reported to us, and we work closely with the clubs and relevant authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken.”
The BBC has contacted the EFL and is awaiting a response.
Investment guidelines are both consumer protection and risk management tools that put checks and balances on the players entrusted to invest the “sweat” retirement capital of workers for safe but fair returns. They are also used to direct patient pensions capital into productive sectors of the economy, so it acts as a balancing tool between consumer protection and impacting on the economy.
With private pension funds having grown from GHS6.79bn in 2016 to GHS22bn in 2020, new investment guidelines have been gazetted and introduced in the private pensions industry by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) with the intent to have pensions impact more on the economy. This is the third guideline that has been introduced since the beginning of private pension regime in 2010.
The 2011 guideline was very conservative with the type of asset classes and rightfully so. The 2017 guideline introduced Bank Securities, Infrastructure Bonds, Cocoa Bonds, Private Equity Funds, Unit Trusts, Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds, that hitherto did not exist, to essentially expand the assets classes and to impact on the economy. The 2020 guideline has also added more products, ie. Private Debt Funds, Repurchase Agreements, Direct Property Investments, Project Finance, Green Bonds and also introduced a mandatory Constituent Fund, making a wide range of investment and securities products available to the Fund Managers.
Reading from the new guidelines, it will be observed that whilst more high risk products have been introduced that will benefit the development of the securities market and investment banking in general, certain limits and conditions that put checks on the service providers have been relaxed or made flexible, with little or no recourse to them once they are working within a guideline which the Regulator has approved. Also it gives an impression that the new guidelines were prepared more with what players especially Fund Managers can make from the funds and its impact on the stock exchange, investment banking landscape and the economy rather than the protection of consumers for a safe return. It took sixteen years to review the 2011 guideline but in just three years the 2017 has been reviewed. Have we allowed the 2017 guideline enough time to exhaust its impact and its usefulness? What structural changes have all of a sudden happened in the economy and investment market that will allow the funds to take advantage of, for better returns?
The paramount interest for private pension funds is adequate retirement income for the worker through safe and fair returns and not just to collect contributions from workers to help develop either the stock market, investment banking products and support Governments fiscal policy and projects. If the stock market is doing well, investment products and instruments are safe with fair returns and Government projects have good cash flows, private pension funds will naturally flow into them to support the economy. It is neither a social fund or free money just because the funds can be available for a relatively long term.
Let’s go through the key changes and additions made in the new investment guidelines and give an opinion.
RISK INVESTMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (IRMC)
A Risk Investment Management Committee (IRMC) has formally been introduced and this is laudable. The role of the IRMC is to determine the acceptable risk appetite of the scheme by putting in place the needed risk tolerance limits and is a good corporate governance tool. The challenge is that it has been made mandatory for all schemes.
In my opinion, it should have been limited to the Corporate Trustee as a corporate entity at their Board level and only standalone Employer Sponsored Schemes. Employer Sponsored Schemes are big enough to be self-managed and are not under the control of the Board of that particular employer, hence must have an IRMC. All other schemes that are registered by the Corporate Trustees in terms of corporate governance are under the direction and control of the Board of the Corporate Trustee, hence the IRMC at Board level would have been the appropriate body to be responsible for all investment risk management for the registered schemes. Why must every registered schemes have an IRMC?
The individual schemes registered by Corporate Trustees are not likely to afford the type of financial risk management expertise needed for each scheme. Who is going to be responsible for the cost of such committees since the skillset will not come cheap? Is it also likely that individual schemes might not even generate enough fee income to afford such a committee? Should the IRMC be at the board level of the Corporate Trustee, the IRMC would be taking care of all the schemes and the fees will have to be borne from the resources of the Trustee and not the schemes? This should be reviewed again to limit it to only the Board level of Corporate Trustees and Employer Sponsored Schemes to avoid practical implementation challenges and unnecessary cost to the schemes.
The Corporate Trustees must bear in mind that the fiduciary relationship is between them and the contributors and not the Fund Managers hence as it stands, the IRMC must at the scheme level put in place investment policies that will put checks on the Fund Managers who want to take advantage of the flexibilities in the new guidelines. At the end of the day, as Trustees, you are on your own should anything go wrong.
ALLOCATION TO GOVERNMENT OF GHANA (GoG)
GoG Securities
This has been increased from 60% to 75%. The reason being that there are limited investment products and pension funds have willingly been seeking grants of waivers from the Authority to exceed the GoG maximum allocation. Whether or not the request to exceed GoG maximum allocation were willingly made by the Corporate Trustees or by compulsion is another issue. Once the NPRA was in 2017 made to report to the Ministry of Finance as a second Ministry aside the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, it was not far-fetched to realise that the private pension funds were going to be targeted as a source of balancing the government’s debt financing and re-financing needs.
NPRA reporting to two ministries is a governance challenge more so when pension is more of a labour relations issue from the perspective of protecting consumers to secure fair and safe returns whilst impacting on the economy than government financing but this discussion which is of course debatable would be left for another day. NPRA has the power to grant waivers but for transparency, NPRA should be able to publish all the schemes, who ask for waivers, and by how much they exceed their limits for public consumption.
Local Government and Statutory Agency Securities
This involves Municipal and Local Government Bonds, Cocoa Bonds/Bills as well as Statutory Agency Bonds/Bills. and has been increased from 15% to 25% with the limit of maximum of 5% per issuer removed. Adding this to the GoG securities of 75 % technically gives government a 100% access to the private pensions funds with no per issue limits. Either it is to ratify the difficulty in rebalancing the portfolios of those who asked to exceed the limits, since waivers cannot be in perpetuity or there is an unseen influence.
If all funds go to government then we have created what the old SSNIT used to be, where governments have used pension funds as a lender of last resort for both liquidity management and political social projects that have no economic returns. If governments can technically have access to 100% of the private pension funds which can also be used to refinance existing debts with no underlying economic projects, then how does it impact on the economy?
Private pension funds are not welfare funds for social interventions but are pure capitalist funds that require economic returns and cash flows. They can be used to build a three lane highway road from Accra to Kumasi but need to be tolled and collections made by the investors over a period to make economic returns with steady cash flows.
Governments being able to have 100% of the funds is a concentration risk no matter how it is seen since government policy can impact negatively on these funds. A Government in distress can exchange original securities for new ones with less favourable terms and here, the scheme either accepts the lower returns or takes a “haircut”. This actually happened to some schemes that had investment in some of the banks that recently collapsed. You better cut your losses than have 100% of zero.
ALLOCATION TO CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
New asset classes of Green Bonds and Asset Backed Securities (ABS) have been introduced. The percentage of value per issuer as well as percentage of Asset Under Management (AUM) per issue have been increased from 5% to 10%. With total AUM increasing from GHS6.76bn in 2016 to GHS22bn in 2020, increasing the limits unnecessarily puts the funds more at risk. The old limits because of the astronomical growth in AUM, would still have increased the values into corporate debt securities of bonds, debentures etc. With just twelve years of private pensions and retirement payments just starting in 2020, it is too early to double the limits since we are still in the conservative phase of safe returns. In any case, only about 4% of the allocated limit of 35% was utilized as at 2020 so there was room for utilization. Is the investment guideline a securities product development tool for Fund Managers or a pension consumer protection tool?
Asset Backed Securities
Asset Backed Securities (ABS) have been added to Mortgage Backed securities (MBS). ABS are created by pooling together non-mortgage assets, such as auto loans and credit card receivables. What are the acceptable assets and why do we want to do this at this time? A clear opportunity for rogue Fund Managers, banks or other finance houses to off load existing toxic illiquid assets, hardcore loans or receivables to the pensions funds to clean their books if not monitored. Do we have the legal framework for ABS? At least for MBS we have.
Green Bonds
These are bonds that are issued for which the underlying projects must have positive environmental and climate impacts. They have been given 5% allocation that does not count towards the 35% maximum of corporate debts. This will nudge investments into these bonds.
There is currently no official overarching regulation that defines a green bond and the principles that do exist are voluntary rather than legally binding. In practice, many issuers tend to follow the four core components of Green Bond Principles (GBP) of the use of the proceeds, process of the Project Assessment and Selection, Management of the Proceeds and lastly its Reporting. It is recommended that the Regulator, NPRA, must pre-approve any such bonds making sure that the four core components have been met before pension funds are made to invest in them. The reason being that they do not count towards the mandatory limits allocated to the asset class and they can be abused.
ALLOCATION TO LISTED ORDINARY SHARES/NON-REDEEMABLE PREFERENCE SHARES
The allocations remained the same at 20% which still makes more funds available due to the astronomical growth in the AUM over the past years. The challenge is the per issuer limit which was a maximum of 10% of shareholder funds of the corporate entity has been changed to 10% of the market capitalization. The two are different with the former more conservative allowing the pension funds to limit and share the risk with the other shareholders. Using market capitalization increases value at risk to the pension funds since they can be either undervalued or overvalued by the market players to affect the price-to-book ratio. Why do we want to complicate issues? It gives a feeling we just want to develop the securities market with the intended transaction fees going to the Fund Managers without thinking of risks to the contributors’ funds. Meanwhile only about 3% of the allocated 20% was utilized at the end of 2020. Safe and fair returns is the cardinal rule in this early stages of our private pensions space.
ALLOCATION TO BANK SECURITIES
Banks impact more on the private sector economy but the limits were left unchnaged. If they have more patient funds it will impact on more people by way of ability to give relatively long term loans. In any case, the funds have grown so in terms of value, more funds will be available to banks anyway. Perhaps the recent shocks in the banking industry has put the Regulator on caution but still one of the safest aside government securities.
The one week “cooling off” period for matured investments to be reinvested with the same bank after a rollover has been expunged. Now the proceeds must be paid to the custodian banks with no rollover allowed. Was this a mistake? The onus is now with the Corporate Trustees to move the funds around within the banking system. A reduction of the “cooling off” period would have been preferable at this time.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase Agreements (REPOS) have been added which will be helpful for the banks to raise short term funds. The bank can sell securities to the pension fund and later buy them back at an agreed price. The type of repo and security should have been specified even if it seems obvious. Maturity periods can range from overnight to a year and some may be open hence limits should have been placed on the type of maturity periods that is permissible. The investment guideline is a financial risk management tool and not a product development tool hence any risks need to be mitigated, unless there are no inherent risks to be mitigated in repos to protect the fund.
More importantly, REPOS operate mainly within the lending and borrowing segment of the money market and so therefore, it is not too clear if allowing pensions in the REPOS markets breaches sections 178(2)(c)(d) of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) which states that “a privately managed pension fund shall not make short sales” and “a privately managed pension fund shall not borrow for investment purposes” respectively.
ALLOCATION TO ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
An alternative investment (AI) is a financial asset that does not fall into traditional or the conventional investment asset classes of equity/income or money market categories. Comparably, AIs are complex, not heavily regulated and come with higher degree of risk. They come with high fee structures as well and require a longer investment period for any material gains to be realized.
The allocation to AI has been increased from 15% to 25%. The more one reads the new guidelines the more one notices the influence of Fund Managers and unseen hands in the crafting of this guideline and for what purpose?
In the old guideline, this used to be specifically limited to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT), Private Equity Funds (PEF) and External Investment in Securities. The new guideline has added categories of Project Finance, Private Debt and Direct Property Investments which increases the associated risks and likely to benefit private individuals and their businesses. NPRA must keep an eye on the beneficial owners of the businesses where these funds are invested to curb conflict of interest transactions and related party transactions between the Corporate Trustees, Fund Managers and the third parties.
Project Finance
This has been defined by the guideline as a funding/financing of infrastructure, industrial projects and public services using a non-recourse or limited recourse financial structure. Non-recourse projects will entitle the scheme to the profits of the project being financed and no other assets of the borrower can be seized upon default. They normally have distant repayment prospects and uncertain returns.
By the guidelines, all Project finance must have Government or Government Agency participation. Under normal circumstances this should give some comfort but with the recent political climate where a change in government brings most government related projects to a halt even if temporary, it rather poses a risk to the pension funds more so when it is on non-recourse basis.
Financing of industrial projects can be complex especially once Government is involved with the apparent political risk. Once not completed the pension fund is stuck with a “white elephant”. Since the only collateral is the project, once started there is the likelihood of cost overruns which the scheme has no choice but to keep on investing more funds till it is completed. It is not easy cutting your losses or disposing off such projects that may be specialised in nature with no alternative uses. For example, building a new stadium, who are you going to sell it to?
The board of Corporate Trustees and executives together with the Fund Managers who advised and decided to venture into such non-recourse investments that fail must be prosecuted for causing financial loss to the scheme. If it goes well good luck. How is the guideline protecting the pensions funds with a non-recourse financing arrangement? With the high political risk in such government related industrial or public services projects it should be expected that it will be with recourse to the Government. This is obviously an arrangement for Governments to avoid contingent liabilities but at whose cost? Is it the pension funds?
If the borrowers believe in what they want the financing for, they must, at least till the project is completed be with recourse to them. Once the cash flows have been properly ascertained, to be in control of the project risk management, avoid cost overruns possibly through corruption and eliminate political risk, the private pension funds might as well take the Government out and finance these projects on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis, through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). We do not want another old SSNIT type of arrangements where Governments directed pension funds into projects they took credit for but the liability solely falling on SSNIT at no economic value. The challenge is, do the Corporate Trustees have the expertise in project finance evaluation and risk management?
Private Debt Funds
These are investment pools that extend debt to privately owned companies as a form of debt financing or source of capital. The beneficial owners of these companies must be known otherwise, private pension funds will be used by some rogue Fund Managers and Corporate Trustees to finance their companies and that of family and friends. There is the possibility of replacing their existing stakes in distressed companies with the pension funds and walk away as long as they are within the NPRA guidelines.
If we want pension funds to support private businesses, which is acceptable, the risk will be minimized if the money is channeled through the banks as investment, for the banks to on lend to the businesses since they have the expertise to assess the credit risk. The risk can be transferred to the banks by way of direct investment but for syndicated loans. At the end of the day the pension fund is not directly taking up the risk of a company but would get the funds back from the bank with a fixed known return even if the business is not doing well due to economic downturns. Private Debt Funds may be introduced later but not at this time when COVID has added another layer of risk to businesses and made the economy unpredictable. Private pension funds are not social or “stimulus” funds.
Here again, the board of Corporate Trustees and executives together with the Fund Managers who advised and decided to venture into such investments must be prosecuted for causing financial loss to the scheme if there is a default, if the risk could have been avoided or there exist traces of conflict of interest deals.
Direct Property Investment
This is defined by the guideline as real estate property purchased or developed through direct investment by a scheme. Unlike REITs, where the schemes invest in real estate without owning or managing the properties, this is directly buying and owning of residential and commercial properties such as office buildings, industrial parks, retail complexes and shopping malls which must be for economic returns.
Somehow the guidelines, requires that all direct investments in Real Estates to have Government or Government Agency’s participation which should ordinarily give some comfort. Are Governments into economic real estate development? I just hope we are not looking at affordable housing social schemes by Governments. In as much as private pension funds are to impact the economy they are not welfare or social funds.
The caution is not to allow pension funds to be used to off load locked up funds of real estate developers in properties they are not able to get the needed rental incomes or buyers or no more interested in. Just satisfying the conditions laid down in the guidelines to transfer risk to the private pension funds should be a concern eg. releasing equity in some non-economic SSNIT projects for liquidity purposes.
The NPRA now has dual reporting lines to the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, each with different motives. Between the two Ministries who wins the battle of interplay between protecting consumers and public finance? Do the Corporate Trustees and the Regulator have the expertise to evaluate and take such decisions or approve such direct property investments? Are we ready for this in just twelve years of introducing private pensions?
To deal with this, the Corporate Trustees may need to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the expertise, pool funds together to share the risk in venturing into this.
CONSTITUENT FUNDS
Under Regulation 22 of L.I. 1990, a registered scheme may consist of a single constituent fund or two or more constituent funds which shall be approved by the Authority. Once a scheme decides to have multiple constituent funds, each fund is to have different investment policies.
Now the new guideline has made it mandatory for tier 2 schemes to use the Constituent Fund Structure on the basis of age differentials with members being elected into particular age brackets as follows:
Constituent Funds for Tier 2 Schemes shall comprise:
Type of Fund
Age Bracket
Fund 1 – Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
Default – 15 to 44 years
Fund 2 – Moderately Conservative Portfolio
Default – 45 to 54 years
Fund 3 – Conservative Portfolio
Default – 55 to 60 years
Fund 4 – Aggressive Portfolio
By formal request
There are both legal and operational challenges with the above mandatory requirement. Legally, the law makes it optional for the Corporate Trustees to make that choice but the guideline is making it mandatory. This is an issue for the Corporate Trustees and as they say what was the “spirit” of the framers of the law.
Operationally, investment decision that will require such “immunization or liability matching strategies” will depend on the risk profile of the members of the Corporate Trustee or the scheme as well as the value of assets under management, but the guideline is making it mandatory. If this is the case, then the expected minimum bench mark returns should have been indicated for each category to protect the consumer. If that cannot be done, then Constituent Funds should not have been made mandatory.
This will only create new Constituent Fund products by Fund Managers where the basket of assets being invested in cannot be questioned by the Corporate Trustees leaving pension funds in the hands of maverick Fund Managers with little room for the Corporate Trustees to rebalance their portfolios. Fund 4 which is the “Aggressive Portfolio” for example is by formal request from a scheme member. Also the rules in paragraph 106 of the guideline allows the contributor with formal application to the Trustee, to switch from one Fund Type to another within a given scheme, once in twelve (12) months without paying fees, subject to exceptions when 55 years.
How financially sophisticated are the contributors to take such decisions? Contributors by this arrangement will need independent financial advice to be able to take such decisions and Corporate Trustees must insist on that before accepting such an election. Once a member makes that election, what will be the role of the Corporate Trustee towards the member? Does it change from a trust relationship to financial advisory?
Are we trying to move to the American type of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) where the member is responsible for her own investment decisions and must rely on financial advice from licensed third parties? In Ghana, Corporate Trustees are not licensed to give financial investment advice hence this falls back to the Fund Managers. Someone must owe a fiduciary duty to the member who is advised to elect to Fund 4 or switch between the Constituent Funds and must be able to be sued for wrong advice. I foresee Fund Managers now directly engaging pension fund contributors, advising them to switch funds, attempting to get powers of attorney from such contributors who opt to switch funds to manage their account for them for a fee. What a complex arrangement? Now between the Corporate Trustee and the Fund Manager who becomes the principal and agent?
Obviously those earning high salaries are in the older age brackets and would have invested for a longer period so most likely to have larger constituent AUMs to attract relatively better rates for the younger age group to be able to benefit from the sort of rates the older group can attract. The younger ones in the age bracket of 15 to 44 years are being forced to belong to Fund 1, which will most likely have instruments with longer dated maturities and more of equities. This will allow for Governments to borrow for longer terms and it will boost the stock market but at whose expense? On the Government side, the impact can only be felt if the funds are used in productive sectors with good cash flows and not to just re-finance existing debt. On the stock market, where are the good stocks? They seem to be in the banking, telecommunication and oil industries? How many are Ghanaian owned? Do we just want to give money to Governments for longer periods and support the stock market for the sake of it?
If the Regulator wants to nudge the industry towards Constituent Funds, then the best it can do is to just indicate the age brackets as done for the schemes who want to have such strategies. Even that the actual age brackets will differ from scheme to scheme and I believe it is for this reason the L.I 1990 made it optional instead of mandatory as a financial risk management tool. What if a scheme has only one member between the age bracket of 15-44 years contributing only GHS200 a month? What financial instruments in Fund 1 can deal with this? Buy shares?
The three-tier pension scheme is just about twelve years which is still infant when it comes to pensions, with the decumulation period having just started in 2020. It will take some good data analytics and financial risk management to make constituent funds mandatory and must be based on some compelling identified risks in the present system.
What will be the motivation or compelling reason for the mandatory introduction of Constituent Funds and the associated complications for contributors with little or no financial sophistication making their own investment choices? It is not surprising that the Working Group recommended a transition period of 12 months for its Implementation.
Does the Regulator want to take responsibility for non-performance of investment portfolios because the Corporate Trustees have been put into strait jackets? What is the role of the IRMC then? What risk are they supposed to be managing with the mandatory Constituent Funds? All that Corporate Trustees have to do now is to profile their clients to fit the pre-determined Constituent Funds and there is no risk appetite to be determined since Constituent Funds are in themselves risk appetite tools. The contributor has been given the power to make an election between the Constituent Funds. Based on what information will the contributor do that? Whose responsibility is it to inform the member of poor performance? How financially sophisticated are the contributors to do that?
In any case as it stands now, I humbly request the Regulator to publish the Assets Under Management (AUM) of all the trustees, the annualized rates of return of the schemes as well as the performance of the Constituent Funds of all the schemes, for the contributors to be able to make informed decisions as to which Constituent Fund to invest in or Trustee to engage. The contributors need perfect knowledge to take decisions as to which Trustee to use so they can take advantage of the porting “window” in the law.
My recommendation, however, is to scrap it for now and keep it as an option in the” spirit” of the framers of L.I. 1990 as a portfolio risk management immunization tool for schemes. As the saying goes “if you show the people the way and prescribe how they should get there, then you should be made responsible for the outcome”. The Regulator will be blamed by the Corporate Trustees and Fund Managers for any poor performance and attribute it to their hands having been tied with the Constituent Funds.
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 2017 GUIDELINES
The previous 2017 guideline already had the tendency to allow pension funds impact on the economy. It introduced Bank Securities, Infrastructure Bonds, Cocoa Bonds, Private Equity Funds, Unit Trusts, Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds, that hitherto did not exist but specific limits were put in place to avoid concentration risk even with Government of Ghana Securities and to mitigate inherent risks in those new financial products. Consumer protection as well as safe and fair returns was paramount.
The table below shows the asset allocation as at December 2020
Asset Class
Percentage of AUM Allocated(Tier 2 & 3)
Limits
Comment
GoG Securities
65.55%
60%
Exceeded. Limit now increased to 75%
Local Government and Statutory Agency Bonds
14.54%
15%
Almost Utilized. Limit now increased to 25%
Corporate Debt Securities
3.93%
35%
Under Utilized. Limit of 35% maintained.
Bank Securities and Other Market Securities
6.95%
35%
Under Utilized. Limit of 35% maintained.
Collective Investment Schemes
2.06%
15%
Under Utilized. Limit of 15% maintained.
Ordinary Shares/Non-Redeemable Preference Shares
2.95%
20%
Under Utilized. Limit of 20% maintained
Alternative Investments
1.03
15%
Under Utilized. Limit increased to 25%
Source: NPRA 2020 Annual Report
From the table, with Bank Securities being as low as 6.95% of AUM, it is possible some Corporate Trustees will not have the liquidity to pay off maturing retirement benefits because they have over exposed themselves to long term Government Securities, unless of course the contributions and the coupon being received are enough to meet maturing benefit payments. Why should GoG securities be exceeded when there is a lot of room in Bank Securities and other Money Market Securities? The government is competing with the private sector which we say should be the engine of growth.
The listing of the asset classes has been arranged in order of low risk to high risk. Alternative Investments which is the highest of risk and has less regulation was the least utilized yet the limit has been increased to 25%. What is motivating this?
A critical statement under “temporary violations” in the old guideline which was to put a check on Corporate Trustees and the Fund Managers in the case of a temporary violation of the assets allocation limits has been expunged from the new one. It said “pending the rebalancing no further purchases of securities within the relevant asset class shall be made except under long term Government securities where additional securities ought to be purchased”. The import of this was, if you violate the limits only do safe long term Government securities whilst rebalancing the portfolio within a given 60 days’ window. Why has this been removed to give the service providers a field day? Even in the banking sector if a bank violates the capital adequacy ratio, the ability to lend is curtailed.
I get the feeling this new guideline had a lot of influence or lobbying from the Fund Managers. They have been able to remove certain recourse or risks to themselves, put in flexibility in using the funds, introduced their investment products to use private pension funds as a source of funding that hitherto had no funding source either due to the inherent higher risks or other reasons.
CONCLUSION
Yes, private pension funds must impact the economy as it has in other jurisdictions but in those jurisdictions the laws punish those who abuse the funds and projects are undertaken with little or no political risks. The shopping malls, office complexes, road and railway networks that we see in those jurisdictions have economic returns and cash flows.
There is a difference between pensions funds seeing an investment opportunity to make good returns, thereby undertaking those projects that go to impact the economy and a situation where Governments wanting to provide a facility, uses pension funds. The former is for private pensions funds (tier 2 and 3) and the latter for state or public pension funds like SSNIT (Tier 1) which are solidarity funds and for which the residual pension risk falls on the Government anyway, hence the Ministry of Finance may have a reason to fall on SSNIT (Tier 1) for such financing gabs. Under Tier 1, one gets a defined benefit, so no need to worry about how the funds are used as long as the benefits are paid but under Tiers 2 &3, which is a defined contribution, meaning it depends on how much one has contributed and how the investment is performing requires an investment guideline to protect the consumer from rogue service providers.
Once the NPRA was made to report to the Ministry of Finance, it was obvious there was an eye on private pension funds and we should not use guidelines to allow Governments access to the funds as was the case with SSNIT funds under the old pensions regime or just to develop sectors that fall under the Ministry. Corporate Trustees, the decision makers, and Fund Managers, the advisors, should be severally punished should they undertake projects with no economic returns and inflated costs that may go to benefit the players but negatively affect the schemes. Safe and fair returns is the goal of the Regulator, NPRA, but I have a feeling they are helpless, being torn between two Ministries. It does not take rocket science to know which of the two Ministries is more powerful and setting the agenda.
Retirement benefit payments just started in 2020, let us build the confidence of the contributors in the fund as a solution to their retirement income with investment products that give safe and fair returns in the short run whilst developing the necessary expertise and legal framework to make use of the funds in impacting the economy. It is early days yet to want to use the private pension funds the way we going with the new guidelines. If the present contributors lose confidence in the quantum of benefit payment, tension and politics will set in to create so much noise in the private pensions space. The goose that is supposed to have laid the golden egg will be killed. Why the rush? Remember there is another generation after us.
The author is a Chartered Banker, holds an LLB, a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management (ACCA) and was the former CEO of The National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), (Email: kofianokye18@gmail.com)
Ghanaian international Dauda Mohammed is delighted with CD Tenerife’s win against Granada in the Spanish second-tier.
The forward who joined the club in the summer from Anderlecht was handed a starting role as his side inflicted a 2-0 win over their opponent on home turf.
The former Asante Kotoko striker was replaced by Elady Zorrilla in the 74th minute mark.
Goals from Enric Gallego and Ivan Romero de Avila Araque were enough for the home team to pick all points at stake.
“What a night it was, an important 3 points” he posted on Facebook sighted by Footballghana.com.
The 24-year-old has featured six times this season, scoring one goal in the process.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), Kwabena Bonsu Fordwor, says the earliest time the country can start mining iron ore will be in three years; that is, 2025.
Ghana has iron ore deposits at Shieni in the Northern Region, Opon Mansi in the Western Region, and Oti and Pudo in the Upper West Region.
In an interview with B&FT, the GIISDEC CEO said more than three billion metric tonnes of iron ore have been located in the country, but the data we have are historical.
“Once we are able to conduct the mineral resource estimations – which will determine grade, tonnage and value – then we’ll have the necessary data to engage investors so that we do a good deal for Ghana,” he said.
“But as I speak with you, it is going to take about 18 months to carry out the mineral resource estimation. So that is about two years. Once that is done, we will need more time to do some further exploration and the mining can start. So, conservatively, I think the earliest time we can start mining will be in about three to four years,” he revealed.
Currently, a group of investors has indicated willingness to invest US$1billion in the country’s iron and steel business. Over the course of the next three years the project will be implemented in three phases, covering both the downstream and upstream components of an integrated iron and steel value chain.
800,000 tonnes of iron will be produced yearly during the first phase, which is anticipated to start this year and last for 18 months. Within a year of operations starting, the production will increase to 1.5 million tonnes in the second phase. The country’s estimated 6.4 billion tonnes of iron ore reserves will be mined in the third phase.
“It has been very encouraging. As we speak, we have about 10 iron ore blocks in the Oti Region which have been given out to both local and foreign investors. They are prepared to use their own money at their own risk to do the mineral resource estimation. And what they will get in return is the first right of refusal on any find,” Mr. Fordwor said.
The consortium is made up of UIC Energy Ghana Limited, the local partner; CISDI Engineering Limited, a Chinese global engineering service provider; and Intercon CTS GmhH and Company KG, a Germany-based international consulting group.
At the moment, the consortium is finalising feasibility studies on the project – after which an agreement will be signed with government for the commencement of work.
The CEO of GIISDEC mentioned that partnership with the private investors is in line with the mandate given GIISDEC to rally the private sector for the iron and steel industry’s development.
It is expected that GIISDEC will hold 30 percent equity for government in all investments into the iron and steel value chain.
Addressing the media on the issue, Mr Jinaporsaid, the seizure is proof of Operation Halt II’s effectiveness in Ghana’s illegal mining fight.
“As I speak with you, they have seized almost 30 excavators. It has already begun. It started about two or three days ago, and it’s going to be sustainable”
He said in this phase of the operation “the military would take full responsibility” and that this time their operation would not be time-bound.
“The soldiers are going to go on for as long as it takes. They will decide. They will make those decisions, not I, the Minister… They will have command and control responsibility in terms of when to go, how to go, where to go, and how to go about their operations; all of it will be in the hands of the military. We are responsible for policy but they will conduct operational implementation,” he said.
Topreventanykindofgovernmental interference, “command and control” on the ground has been entrusted to the hands of the military so that any government official found complicit would be dealt with according to the law without compromise.
Amongst the several policies implemented by the government to combat illegal mining activities across the country is Operation Vanguard(OV). Vanguard, a joint military-police operation to combat galamsey, was initiated in mid-2017.
However, the military was abruptly withdrawn from Vanguard in March 2020, only to be reinstalled in late April 2021. Later on, operation halt was introduced.
Operation halt
According to research by the Danish Institute for International Studies, Operation Halt was established to end the illegal exploitation of another natural resource, timber, especially in Brong-Ahafo and the Western Region.
Operation HaltI ended in December 2021, with the 10th phase of the operation being launched against the activities of illegal miners on the River Birim and its tributaries in the Eastern Region.
However, on December 21st, 2021, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, announced that measures were being put in place to relaunch Operation Halt.
Former Ghana international, Nii Odartey Lamptey, says he doubts the Black Stars will progress beyond the group stage of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The West African country have made a return to the Mundial after failing to play in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018.
After a two-legged tie, the Black Stars secure qualification at the expense of Nigeria.
Speaking in a yet-to-be-televised interview on Prime Take, Odartey said Uruguay and Portugal have improved since the Black Stars last played them at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups respectively.
“When I saw the group [Ghana was drawn in], personally I wasn’t happy,” the 1991 FIFA Youth Best Player said.
“I would have preferred to be in a group that we have never played with them at the World Cup level before,” he added.
Odartey who revealed in the conversation he retired from the national team in 1996 due to player politics noted that playing familiar foes at the Mundial could be problematic for the 2010 World Cup quarterfinalist which has not improved to be at a level to compete against the best in the world.
“The reason is, football has grown in these countries. I look at Portugal now and they have improved massively since we last played them so playing them again for the second time at the World Cup will be a problem for us, likewise Uruguay.”
When quizzed has not improved, he said “we haven’t grown but I think we have materials that suggest we can grow.
“The technical team is an excellent group: Otto [Addo], Boateng [George], Chris [Hughton], Didi [Dramani], very good blend, but the problem is a young squad which has never played a competition like this before.
“Maybe, ten of them have been to the [African] Cup of Nations before, but how many of them have played together in a tournament?
“So, playing very experienced countries, both Uruguay and Portugal, for me it’s a problem. I pray that we cross the group on the stage.
“We have the quality to progress beyond the group stage but my only question mark is the teams that we are facing,” he added.
Ghana has been housed in a group with Portugal, and Uruguay — two familiar opponents as the Black Stars last played them 2014 and 2010 World Cups, losing both, 2-1 against Portugal and via penalty shootout to Uruguay.
South Korea is the other group member for the tournament that starts on November 20.
On October 15, 2022, numerous Ghanaians marched to Krokrobite to go to the yearly Tidal Rave live event where artistes like Black Sherif, Sarkodie, and R2Bees among others, were bill ed to perform.
The aftermath of the occasion was certainly not a good one as certain individuals confronted their most dreaded fears and terrible encounters that left them traumatised.
After a couple of individuals shared their encounters on different social media platforms with the hashtag ‘Krokrobite’, the town shot up to number one on Twitter trends.
The pattern has triggered some other individuals to share their experiences while adding pictures of the awful things that happened to them during and after the live concert.
Not only were cutlasses and blades pulled on individuals to take their possessions like telephones, cameras and cash, vehicle mirrors were also taken.
In certain accounts shared by some people, they were advised that walking in groups was safer, but they noted that even walking together didn’t guarantee their safety.
As per the stories told, some of these savage criminals pounced on their victims in groups overpowering them.
OmniBSIC Bank has extended its profitability in one more quarter, with an impressive streak of gains that has now become part of the bank’s brand. The indigenous lender posted a gross profit of GH¢36.93million in the third quarter of this year to sustain its profit run and cement a turnaround that began in the first quarter of 2022.
The significant profit posted in the third quarter was contained in the bank’s financial statement published this week. It compares to a loss of GH¢10.44 million that the bank suffered in the same period last year, the statement showed.
This now makes it the third quarterly profit in a row by the bank after it posted its maiden profit of GH¢8.69million in the first quarter of this year. In the second quarter, OmniBSIC grew the profit significantly to GH¢25.04million before stretching it further to GH¢36.93million in the quarter under review.
Strategic business
The Managing Director of OmniBSIC, Daniel Asiedu, said in an interview on October 13 that the higher profit was the result of hard work and commitment by the bank’s board, management and staff.
Mr. Asiedu is optimistic that the trend will continue into the fourth quarter for the bank to post its first annual profit.
He said the team at OmniBSIC has committed to offering exceptional products and services to customers, and that is now being rewarded with the strong performance. “We also look for strategic business opportunities, and that is what’s reflecting in the growth and performance,” Mr. Asiedu said.
He disclosed that the bank has gone live with its new robust core banking software – which is meant to make service to customers smoother, as it allows more integration with other applications.
Impressive performance
Beyond the consistent profit, OmniBSIC’s third quarter financial statements showed that the bank sustained its generally impressive performance.
All income lines enjoyed buoyant growth, with net trading income leading the pack. It rose from GH¢2.5million in the third quarter of 2021 to GH¢34.8million. Fees and commission income also almost quadrupled from GH¢8.4million in the third quarter of last year to about GH¢33.2million in the same period this year. Deposits from customers also rose from about GH¢1.2 billion in the third quarter of 2021, to almost GH¢2billion for the same period this year.
Strong balance sheet
The results further showed that OmniBSIC has maintained its strong balance sheet and liquidity position through buoyant growth in loans and advances, investments and cash balances with counterpart banks.
It showed that the bank’s support to the economy and businesses, in particular through loans and advances, rose from GH¢335.7million in the third quarter of 2021 to GH¢714.3million in the quarter under review.
While investments rose from GH¢847.9million to GH¢1.2billion in the quarter under review, cash and balances with other banks ended the quarter at GH¢543.8million – up from GH¢205.9million and indicating that OmniBSIC continues to be liquid.
Supporting business
A wholly-indigenous bank, OmniBSIC was launched in 2019 as the outcome of a merger meant to consolidate operations and serve customers better. It faced turbulence in its first years until late 2021, when the ingenuity of the board, management and staff started paying.
Mr. Asiedu, who is leading the turnaround, is an astute banker with indelible footprints at Zenith Bank Ghana Limited and the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) where he was Managing Director. He said it is obvious that the bank has turned the corner, and is now keen on consolidating the performance to be able to support more businesses.
Uniqueness
Mr. Asiedu said the rising deposits also show that customers are happy with the bank’s services. He said due to the unique nature of OmniBSIC, it was able to meet the demands of all its customers on time – resulting in more referrals.
Throwing more light on the uniqueness, the Reverend Minister and Chairman of the International Presbytery of the Fountain Gate Chapel (FGC) said in the area of foreign exchange needs of their customers OmniBSIC was able to deliver upon request, and that led to higher businesses.
He therefore appealed to the general public and businesses in particular to endeavour to experience the bank by requesting its services and products in the outlets nationwide.
Madam Mahama Zakariah said this during an interaction with young entrepreneurs at this year’s edition of the Ekosiisen National dialogue series, held at the Accra Digital Centre on Friday.
In her introductory remarks, Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama stated that despite limited funding due to the strong demand for financial aid, MASLOC was committed to helping start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the nation expand their enterprises.
She pointed out key areas of focus for MASLOC, including support for the youth in entrepreneurship, women empowerment, Agro-based industry assistance, and support for the physically challenged.
“Many young entrepreneurs still find it difficult to get quick, simple and flexible financing to start or expand their businesses, however, with good business practices and viable business plans, the marginalized who cannot seek financial assistance from the mainstream financial institutions due to high commercial rates and more complex documentation, should reach out to the institution as it has been resourced to specifically assist the productive poor,” the CEO of MASLOC said.
She added that “small enterprises and startups can also benefit immensely from the capacity building and skill development packages which are conducted before loan disbursal by the institution. This will help provide them with the competencies to be properly positioned to use the funds advanced to them profitably.”
Madam Mahama Zakariah informed the young business
owners of MASLOC’s availability of financial loans for them to expand their enterprises, ranging from GH5,000 to GH200,000 per her approval limit and even GH200,000 to GH500,000 at the board level.
She disclosed that some of the various loans had a maximum tenure of 18 months, with a one-month moratorium and an annual interest rate of 12%.
According to Madam Mahama Zakariah, MASLOC was established to empower Ghanaians between the ages of 18 and 65 by supporting their start-ups and ongoing businesses without prejudice or discrimination. She emphasized her commitment to dispelling the myth that the organization only favours those who are politically exposed.
She urged young business owners, particularly those in the agribusiness industry working on animal house boundary, poultry, fish, and crop farming projects with gestation periods of up to 18 months, to reach out to the company and solicit support for their initiatives through its cash loans, capacity building and training programs as well as the hire-purchase scheme which enables the provision of items such as tricycles to enable them to transport their produce at fairly cheaper rates.
She also mentioned that the interest rate of six per cent per annum for agro-based loans was unbeatable, urging the youth to take advantage of the offer.
She cited the Hire PurchaseScheme offered by MASLOC, which offers business owners very affordable prices and payment plans for equipment like saloon cars, minibuses, tricycles, sewing machines, and hair dryers.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. John Kumah; the CEO of the National Youth Authority, Pius Enam Hadzide; the CEO of the NEIP, Mr. Kofi Ofosu Nkansah; the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi; the CEO of the Accra Digital Centers Limited, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang; and the chairman for the occasion Mr. Daniel Mckorley, the Executive Chairman, McDan Group of Companies
The Ekosiisen Dialogue series is an initiative aimed at creating awareness of important national issues. This year’s dialogue series focused on entrepreneurship and its strategic importance to Ghana’s industrialization agenda.
Confidence in the Ghana Stock Exchange from both investors and issuers has further received a major boost as the market attained full membership status with the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).
WFE is the leading industry group for exchanges and clearing houses (CCPs) across the globe, and is widely considered the gold standard for best practices in regulated securities and derivatives markets – representing more than 250 market infrastructures across well-established and frontier markets.
The umbrella-body comprises some 59,400 listed companies with a cumulative market capitalisation in excess of US$122.94trillion at the close of 2021.
Describing the best practices which WFE brings to the table in an exclusive interview with the B&FT, the Exchanges’ Managing Director, Ekow Afedzie, said the comprehensive scope of assessment and subsequent adherence to best practices by WFE members offers assurance to the exchanges themselves, and stakeholders who interact with them, of their commitment to the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility.
“Becoming a full member does not mean we are perfect, but means that the highest possible standards are being applied. Not only is what we are doing good enough for Ghana, but it shows that what we are doing also meets the minimum global best practices – and that is a very high standard in running a stock market,” the GSE’s MD stated.
Consequently, investors and issuers can rest assured that their positions will not be compromised, as beyond the national regulator there is a higher authority to appeal to.
Chronicling the GSE’s journey, Mr. Afedzie said it is the culmination of years of hard work and bears testimony to the quality of products and procedures available at the Accra bourse.
“This is another milestone chalked up by the Exchange following our formal affiliation in January 2020. Becoming a full member of the WFE is a testament of our commitment to adhering to the highest international standards and best practices which are embodied in the WFE,” he said of the umbrella-body.
The GSE’s position at the WFE will ensure wider benefits – including capitalising on the depth of research, networking and technology available at the Federation.
“We will have access to helpful materials; and if you want to mark yourself against the best, you will have to measure yourself against what they have. And you can only do that when you know what they have, then you can strive to measure where you are. It is an all-round package,” Deputy MD, Abena Amoah added – noting that it will not be one-way traffic as the GSE has much to teach its peers.
“There is a lot of interest in how we set up our fixed income market with friends from Morroco, Uganda and other markets who are all very eager to learn, so we also have things to teach them; the models that worked and things like that,” she explained.
The GSE’s managers reiterated the Exchange’s focus on positioning itself for the medium-term, when the current economic downturn passes, as it focuses on a variety of products, sustainability and education.
Assessment
Mr. Afedzie further explained that the development came after a series of rigorous assessments of the GSE’s application – as captured in its candidacy paper – as well as a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as the wider economy, the nation’s financial sector, capital market and operations of the stock exchange.
Other factors considered included the financial standing of GSE, ease of market access, listing admission, details about trading, risk assessment, AML/CTF, investigating abnormal trading and the economy, and the variety of listings.
The assessment process also saw a team from the Federation interact with key stakeholders from the Ministry of Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bank of Ghana (BoG), Central Securities Depository (CSD) as well as some brokers and issuers.
In addition to its membership of the WFE, the GSE is also a member of the International Capital Markets Associations, and equally has running MoUs with various exchanges in order to achieve its goals.
Founded in 1961, the Federation has maintained its mandate of contributing to the development, support and promotion of organised and regulated securities markets in order to meet the needs of the world’s capital markets in the best interests of their users.
Currently, 37 percent of its members can be found across the Asia-Pacific region, 43 percent in Europe, Middle East and Africa, with 20 percent in the Americas.
Yussif Basigi and Baba Nuhu have expressed gratitude to the Ghana Football Association for giving them the opportunity to travel to Germany for an attachment with Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim.The move forms part of efforts by the Technical Directorate to strengthen our coaches and make them come to terms with the modern trends in football.
Yussif Basigi and Baba Nuhu who departed Accra last week, were the first beneficiaries of this attachment stint with Joyce Boatey Agyei and Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo set to follow in the coming weeks.
‘’I am excited and privileged to be here to learn the traditional way of coaching in Germany so that I will be able to impact the knowledge when I get back to Ghana’’ Hasaacas Ladies Coach Yussif Basisgi told ghanafa.org.
‘’Big thanks to the Ghana Football Association, especially the President and the Technical Directorate for this big opportunity to have this attachment to learn and improve in my coaching career’’ he added.
For his part, Head Coach of Pearl Pia Ladies, Baba Nuhu, the experience will impact positively on his coaching career.
‘‘It is a very good journey which every Coach will be happy to be a part of to get the opportunity to learn and go back to impact’’ Baba Nuhu told ghanafa.org.
‘‘I am personally happy for such a huge opportunity and initiative by President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku. I am expecting to learn a lot on this journey to be able to impact at both club level and National level’’.
‘’We just started with the training and I’m sure by the time we end, we will take lots of positives back to Ghana’’ he added.
The attachment in Germany is for a two-week period.
District Chief Executive of Bosome Freho, in the Ashanti Region, Yaw Danso, has been suspended over his alleged involvement in mining concessions in the region.
The information was contained in a letter signed by the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe, dated October 14, 2022.
The DCE is expected to suspend all duties while an investigation into his involvement in illegal galamsey activities is carried out.
Prior to this development, a viral audio clip had implicated Yaw Danso in illegal mining operations.
Some members of his Assembly then urged President Akufo-Addo to thoroughly investigate the allegations.
In response, President Akufo- Addostated last week at a special meeting with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) that Mr. Danso had been invited to defend himself against the charges.
The Bosome Freho DCE had already caused a stir in his district prior to these accusations when some assembly members attempted to pass a motion of no confidence against him.
The assembly members had accused Mr. Danso with stoking dissension among them and withholding funds intended for their work.
Meanwhile, President Akufo Addohas vowed to deal with people within his government who may be found complicit in illegal mining activities.
He emphasised that officials cannot continue to jeopardise efforts to combat “galamsey,” which the government has been battling for many years.
The president said, “ I will not be in a position to protect anybody against whom evidence is gathered about their complicity in this matter.”
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) will conduct a nationwide survey to gather information on the health status of the citizenry in relation to their age brackets.
The 90-day exercise, known as the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), will see 200 field enumerators sample the views of 13,577 women and 5,812 men of reproductive age from 18,540 households across the country.
Government Statistician, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, during the project’s launch in Winneba in the Central Region on Friday, said the exercise would be a “life-saving opportunity for” Ghanaians.
Prof Anim added that the GDHS would update statistics on demographic, social, economic, and health-related issues.
Also, he said, the survey was to assess the determinants of maternal and neonatal issues around mobility and mortality, which he said were critical to the work.
District Chief Executive of Bosome Freho, in the Ashanti Region, Yaw Danso, has been suspended over his alleged involvement in mining concessions in the region.
The information was contained in a lettersignedbytheMinisterforLocal Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe, dated October 14, 2022.
The DCE is expected to suspend all duties while an investigation into his involvement in illegal galamsey activities is carried out.
Prior to this development, a viral audio clip had implicated Yaw Danso in illegal mining operations.
During the 2021 PHC, he said, the GSS mounted data monitors to check data in real time and developed a dashboard to monitor data, saying the GDHS would incorporate that and also take it a notch higher.
The survey, which will be the seventh after the most recent one in 2014, is expected to cost $4.2 million.
Prof. Annim said the targeted number of households was representative of the population the GSS had from the perspective of the eight million households that were captured during the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC).
More than 200 enumerators and officers will gather data from the field until January 24, 2023.
The GDHS is a population and health-related survey designed to advise the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on interventions to address potential challenges in the sector.
It cuts across maternal and child health, malaria, vaccination, fertility, family planning, nutrition status of mothers and children, child marriage, water and sanitation, toilet facilities, salt consumption, among others.
The 2022 GDHS is supported by the Danish International Development Agency, the Ghanaian government, the Global Fund, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Population Fund, the United
Field officers are expected to follow United Nations quality statistics principles such as relevance, impartiality and equal access, as well as professional standards and ethics, accountability, and transparency.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has described the country’s fight against galamsey as a charade.
Addressing sub-chiefs in the region at the first General Meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs in 2022, the Ashanti Kingdom’s paramount chiefbemoaned the government’s failure to effectively combat the canker, despite measures in place to curb it.
Dissatisfied with the situation, the Asantehene referred to the efforts as a sham.
“I hate these lies. The fight is full of lies. I hate lies. They should give us a break. It is full of lies,” he stressed.
Venting his spleen, he alleged that the government is very much aware of the financiers and true perpetrators of illegal mining, however, they have employed gimmicks to shield such persons.
This, according to him, is the main factor derailing the fight against galamsey.
“Are they saying they don’t know those behind galamsey in Ghana? The gold ends up being sold abroad. So who is behind the sale of gold abroad? Is it not the financier? How come he is not arrested?” he asked.
“You send military men to galamsey sites; they end up arresting labourers covered with mud. Can this man be the one behind galamsey? This is someone hired by a big fish to work at his site. Who is the final receiver of the gold? How come the one who bought excavators is left off the hook?” a baffled Asantehene could not hold back his frustration.
He believes once the financier is arrested, galamsey will be a thing of the past.
Expressing his frustrations further, he noted that “the military as usual photographs a poor labourer whose body is always covered in dirt; a man who receives partly 200, 300 cedis from a financier. Then they say they have arrested galamsey operators. You will find nothing on that man when he is searched,” he noted.
“What then happens to the financier? How come he is not arrested,” he further asked.
The Galamsey fight
Recall that President Akufo-Addo in 2017, put his presidency on the line with a commitment to end illegal small-scale mining, popularly called galamsey, in Ghana.
However, five years down the line, the galamsey fight has been described by many as a lost battle, following failed efforts to efficiently deal with the menace.
At the meeting of the chiefs, the Asantehene bemoaned the adverse impact of galamsey and its related activities on the environment and questioned his sub-chiefs on their efforts to curb the menace.
Also, he cautioned them against taking incentives from perpetrators of illegal mining, adding that “whoever has benefited financially from galamsey will surely pay for it.”
Hearts of Oak National Chapters Committee will hold a press conference on Monday, October 17, 2022, at 3:30 pm to address some pressing issues following the club’s elimination from the CAF Confederations Cup.
The press conference will be addressed by NCC Chairman Elvis Hermann Hesse, who reportedly had an altercation with board member Vincent Sowah Odotei after the game on Sunday.
The Phobians were eliminated from the Confederation Cup by Malian side Real Bamako on Sunday after failing to overturn the 3-0 defeat they suffered against the Malians a week ago in the first leg.
Caleb Amankwah scored the only goal of the game as Hearts of Oak managed to beat Real Bamako at the Accra Sports Stadium in the second leg as the game ended 3-1 on aggregate after the two legs.
The fans are unhappy about their early exit from Africa, and the National Chapters Committee (NCC) has called a press conference to air their grievances.
Some irate fans of the club held top officials Vincent Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Braimah Moro at the Stadium following the side’s exit from the Confederation Cup.
The livid fansalso flattened the car tyre of the embattled club officials.
The two controversial officials were held under tight police security at the stadium as numbers grow for their heads.
Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Moro popularly referred to as Akanbi have come under mounting pressure following the sacking of coach Samuel Boadu.
The fans have accused the duo of masterminding the exit of the former Medeama gaffer who won 5 major titles in 18 months.
The Appointment Commitee of Parliament will on Tuesday, October 18, consider four persons nominated by the President for appointments as Supreme Court Judges.
A statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament said the Justices to be considered are Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu, Justice of the Court of Appeal; Mr Justice George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal; Mr Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Justice of the Court of Appeal; and Mr Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
The Majority Shareholder of Hearts of Oak, Togbe Afede XIV will hold an emergency meeting involving the board of directors, management, and the supporter’s leadership.
The business mogul cum traditional ruler is said to be unhappy about the recent happenings in the team and has therefore called for an emergency meeting to resolve the issues at stake following the club’s elimination from the CAF Confederations Cup.
The Phobians were eliminated from the Confederation Cup by Malian side Real Bamako on Sunday after failing to overturn the 3-0 defeat they suffered against the Malians a week ago in the first leg.
Caleb Amankwah scored the only goal of the game as Hearts of Oak managed to beat Real Bamako at the Accra Sports Stadium in the second leg as the game ended 3-1 on aggregate after the two legs.
After the game, some irate fans of the club held top officials Vincent Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Braimah Moro at the Stadium following the side’s exit from the Confederation Cup.
The livid fansalso flattened the car tyre of the embattled club officials.
The two controversial officials were held under tight police security at the stadium as numbers grow for their heads.
Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Moro popularly referred to as Akanbi have come under mounting pressure following the sacking of coach Samuel Boadu.
The fans have accused the duo of masterminding the exit of the former Medeama gaffer who won 5 major titles in 18 months.
As a result, the club’s board chairman has decided to hold an emergency meeting with hierarchy of the club to put things in order.
The emergency meeting has been set for Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
Ghanaian international Dauda Mohammed is delighted with CD Tenerife’s win against Granada in the Spanish second-tier.
The forward who joined the club in the summer from Anderlecht was handed a starting role as his side inflicted a 2-0 win over their opponent on home turf.
The former Asante Kotoko striker was replaced by Elady Zorrilla in the 74th minute mark.
Goals from Enric Gallego and Ivan Romero de Avila Araque were enough for the home team to pick all points at stake.
“What a night it was, an important 3 points” he posted on Facebook sighted by Footballghana.com.
The 24-year-old has featured six times this season, scoring one goal in the process.
But Clementina’s father, who appears to have been keeping tabs on the entire development, has accused the ‘Soja’ hitmaker of feeding off the death of his daughter.
Clement Kofi Adu Bofuor in an interview with Kumasi-based video blogger, Abro, said that he believes Black Sherif is disrespecting the memory of his late daughter whiles making money from her death.
Establishing that he had never met the ‘Soja’ hitmaker in his life, Clementina’s father said Black Sherif never showed up at the funeral grounds of his daughter when she was laid in state, hence he does not believe they dated.
He has however asked Black Sherif to come clean on his supposed relationship with his daughter or he will be forced to take him on because the musician might have a hand in the death of his late daughter.
“I have never met Black Sherifand I don’t know anything about his relationship with my daughter. I only heard that he has made a song about my daughter’s death and claimed to be her boyfriend. He has to come before us and answer questions because he is using our daughter’s name to make money through his music,” Mr. Bofuor said.
Presiding Judge, Bright Acquah, during hearing at the Accra Circuit Court 9, on Monday, admitted the accused to a bail amount of GH¢50,000 with three sureties.
The sureties according to the court ought to be civil servants earning not less than GH¢2,000 a month.
As part of her bail conditions, Agradaa is supposed to report to police every Wednesday.
This comes after the court, over by Bright Acquah on Thursday, October 13, 2022, struck out a bail plea by her lawyer, Reynold Twumasi.
The case has since been adjourned to November 10, 2022.
Agradaa remains in police custody:
The accused person however is supposed to remain in police custody despite her bail grant by the Accra Circuit Court 9, pending a determination by the Circuit Court 10.
Patricia Oduro Koranteng (Agradaa) is before both courts over alleged scamming claims by her church members.
Whereas the Circuit Court 9, presided over by Bright Acquah was originally sitting on the case, a new case was opened against her in Circuit Court 10 subsequently.
The Accra Circuit Court 9, where Agradaa is facing seven (7) counts of fraud charges, on October 13, refused her bail application and remanded her in custody for four days.
This was after prosecution had admitted that there were thirty new witnesses whose statements they had to take.
The court which was sitting on her case for the second time, scheduled Agradaa’s next appearance for Monday, October 17, 2022.
However, Agradaa was put before the Accra Circuit Court 10 in the early hours of Friday, October 14, 2022, where six new counts of fraud were pressed against her.
During hearing at Court 10, Agradaa was brought before the court presided over by Evelyn Asamoah to answer the six new charges emanating from the statements of six persons who were victims of her alleged money-doubling scam.
Agradaa is said to have initially declined to give her plea when the charges were read because of the absence of her lawyer in court.
She, however, pleaded guilty to all six counts of fraud.
Watch how Agradaa arrived in court for 2nd hearing
The presiding judge, therefore, ordered her remand for two weeks and adjourned the case to October 24, 2022.
During court hearing today, October 17, 2022, Judge Bright Acquah who is in charge of Circuit Court 9 indicated that until Court 10 admits her bail plea, she remains in police custody despite having granted her bail under his ruling.
Background:
The Ghana Police Service arrested repented fetish priestess, Nana Agradaa,now known as Evangelist Mama Pat on Sunday, October 9, 2022.
“The Police have arrested Patricia Asiedua alias Nana Agradaa following allegations of money doubling scam levelled against her by some members of the public. The suspect is currently assisting police investigation,” a statement from the police said.
Nana Agradaa’s arrestcomes on the back of allegations made by scores of her church members, who claimed that she had scammed them after an all-night service.
The former fetish priestess had advertised in a viral video that she was going to give out monies to people who would attend her all night church service on Friday, October 7, 2022.
Things however did not go as planned for many of the people who attended the service as many of them cried foul that they had given out monies to her but she failed to keep to her side of the agreement.
She eventually is reported to have sent the people away from the church, prompting the alarms they raised online.
The police have since called on all persons who were affected by the supposed scam to report to the Accra Regional Police Command to help with the investigations.
“Anyone who is a victim of the alleged money doubling scam should report to the Accra Regional Police Command for further action to assist the investigation,” it added.
The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) is positioning itself to take advantage of a GH¢970million oil re-export market in landlocked nations within the sub-region.
BOST, which recorded its first profit for 10 years in 2021 – a return of GH¢161million, said it can fully take advantage of the huge oil re-export market in Burkina Faso and Mali if non-tariff barriers are removed.
These landlocked countries import petroleum products through Ghana, but BOST’s Managing Director, Edwin Provencal, said non-tariff barriers continue to frustrate efforts to fully capitalise the over-US$970million market.
“Our focus for next year is re-exporting, which I’m very passionate about. Our absorption capacity for Ghana is small, but then, there is a US$970million opportunity in Burkina Faso and Mali. We want to tap into that,” Mr. Provencal said at a press briefing hosted by the Ministry of Information in Accra.
To achieve this, however, the company is taking a multi-sectorial approach led by the Ministry of Energy and other partners. Critical to the plan is ensuring that non-tariff barriers which reduce trade are effectively dealt with.
“The benefits of this will be huge; imagine we are getting US$450million out of this export. This is money we do not need the Bank of Ghana or Ministry of Finance to erode our reserves to give to BOST. This is money that will come to BOST as cash that we use to bring in the products.
“So, in the next few years we are going to be heavily-focused on this; and we hope that obstacles in the re-export business will be dealt with,” he said.
BOST has been exporting petroleum products to the two landlocked nations using its Bolgatanga depot in the Upper East Region, close to Burkina Faso; but now wants to go about it in a more deliberate manner under its aggressive export and expansion drive, he narrated.
Cote d’Ivoire remains the country’s main competitor in the sub-region for oil re-export; however, Mr. Provencal said quality products and proximity give Ghana an upper hand.
“Our quality is the best in the sub-region, and a lot of the countries would in the absence of any non-tariff barriers prefer Ghana to pick their products than Cote d’Ivoire.
“The second competitive advantage is Bolgatanga; it is so close to the border. Today, a lot of them [buyers] travel about 900 kilometres to Accra and pick their fuel from the private depots; but if through the National Petroleum Authority we put the right regulations in place, it will limit their travel to Bolgatanga,” he said.
He explained the oil re-export business is one with huge potential to deliver far greater value to the state-owned firm and the economy if deliberately implemented, just as in the case of Singapore.
Even though Singapore is not surrounded by landlocked countries, he said, it has deliberately positioned itself for re-export. In 2021, Singapore’s oil re-export was equivalent to US$40billion.
“Singapore’s total trade is US$1.2trillion out of which US$40billion comes from oil re-export.
“In our case, we are so fortunate that we have a lot of countries which depend on Ghana because we are close to the sea. So, we have to be intentional about our re-export strategy because it can put us on a certain lever.
“The critical thing is to remove the non-tariff barriers so that we can trade effectively, especially within the AfCFTA framework,” he said.
The state-owned company imports, stores and transports petroleum under both social and commercial mandates.
Nigerian singer, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy, has launched a cannabis brand in Miami, in the United States of America.
According to reports, the Grammy award-winning musician unveiled the brand, named ‘BrkFst’, in partnership with ‘Jokes Up Ice Kream’, a weed dispensary and shipping company in the states.
Fans in attendance at the launch got a first look at the merchandise and were also treated to Burna Boy’s music.
This event comes at a time Burna Boy’s country, Nigeria,is still debating the legalization of cannabis for business and medicinal purposes.
It can be recalled that sometime in 2021, Burna Boy spoke against the unwillingness of the Nigerian government to legalize the drug, adding that “everyone smokes.”
“It’s just kind of hypocritical out there. They try to make it seem like if you smoke weed you’ll just go mad in Nigeria. Everybody smokes it. It’s just a topic no one wants to talk about. No one wants to talk about it; everybody is cool. Nobody wants to make it a thing to advocate for legalization of weed,” he earlier stated in an interview with Home Grown Radio in Los Angeles.
US president’s take on Cannabis
Joe Biden, the US president, on October 6, pardoned all federal offenders convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana.
“As President, I will decriminalize cannabis use and automatically expunge prior convictions,” he promised.
Hearts of Oak Supporters chief Elvis Hermann Hesse, has blamed the Board Chairman of the club, Togbe Afede XIV for the cclub’s current struggles.
The Pbobians were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers despite beating AS Real Bamako 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Hearts needed to overturn a three goal deficit from the first leg in Mali but struggled to find the back of the net, until the 89th when Caleb Amankwah scored the game’s only goal.
After the game come angry fans attacked board member, Vincent Odotei-Sowah’s car at the stadium with images surfing up on social media.
“The Board Chairman is running the club directly and Odotei and Akambi are just messengers”, Hesse told Happy FM.
“The Board chairman should take all the blame if he gets all the accolades. If Akambi and Odotei are good he should take them to his private businesses and swap them with Hearts of Oak. The supporters cannot always be wrong.”
Hearts of Oak will switched their attention to the Ghana Premier League after their elimination from the CAF inter-club competition.
Hearts are 14th on the league table with two points after three matches played so far in the suspended Ghana Premier League
Ghana football legend, Emmanuel Armah ‘Senegal’ has taken a swipe at persons crusading for the return of Asamoah Gyan to the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Gyan, 36, has confirmed his desire to feature at the Mundial in Qatar despite being clubless for the past two years.
Armah Senegal, however, speaking in an interview said he is dismayed by the calls which he believes are borne out of ignorance and mere comedy.
According to him, if invitations to the team were about reputation and not form then he also should be called.
“I don’t follow certain things. Those who are talking about it I want to tell them that football is based on your performance. We will use your performance to call you before you play the national team,” he said.
“The players that they’ve mentioned their names to rejoin the Black Stars how many league matches have they played? Which team are they playing now? They are just joking. To be able to play football your performance must be good. You have to perform at the club level. That will create the chance for you to be called. They are just joking and gossiping. That’s what I can say
.
“Which team Asamoah Gyan is playing now? Give me the answer. Then I can also come and play. Let’s put the jokes aside and gather the players for them to be serious. God will bless you when you are serious. If you are not serious God will not bless you.
“We have to stop making noise and stop the politics in football. Football is not politics. It is a game of passion. We should not envy the players who are performing but we should rather invite those who are performing in their various leagues. In the final squad, some will make it and others will be dropped”, he told Ghanasportspage.com.
Among the persons advocating for Gyan’s inclusion in the Black Stars team for the World Cup is former GFA chairman, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamkloe.
Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe believes that Gyan’s experience and goal-scoring prowess makes him a suitable choice for Ghana’s games.
Gyan last played for the national team during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Egypt in 2019 and he last played for Ghana Premier League side, Legon Cities during the 2019/20 season.
Halloween Ends earned $41.3 million to finish atop the domestic box office in its opening weekend, Variety reports.
Billed as the final showdown between Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, and Michael Myers, the latest installment in the Halloween franchise became the first film since Jordan Peele’s Nope to debut above the $40 million mark.
Even though projections were between $50 million to $55 million, the follow-up to last year’s Halloween Kills managed to pull in a respectable sum while also being simultaneously released on the Peacock streaming service.
“The day-and-date model was put to the test again, but I think this is a mandate in favor of the movie theater,” Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian said, per AP. “Audiences had the option to watch it at home but they chose to go to the theater.”
According to NBCUniversal, Halloween Ends became the most-watched series or film of all time over a two-day period on Peacock. The movie amassed an additional $17.17 million internationally to push its worldwide box office to $58.42 million.
Elsewhere, Smile continues to be a surprise hit for Paramount.
With a production cost of $17 million, the horror flick has pushed its domestic haul to $71.1 million and $137 million worldwide in just its third week. Dergarabedian mentioned that having two R-rated horror films atop the domestic box office doesn’t happen all that often.
The countdown to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has begun, with the tournament set to run from 20 November to 18 December and provide the most thrilling distillation of ‘The Beautiful Game’.
DStv and GOtv is the only true home of football in Africa, offering a range and depth of action that no other rival can match it’s literally ‘Unbeatable Football’!
Alex Okyere Managing Director of MultiChoice Ghana says of the upcoming tournament “The euphoria is building up, and we are excited to deliver, literally the world’s best football to our customers. Our teams have been active to ensure a great experience for viewers, not only in terms of the viewing quality and access to matches, but the value-added offerings including, but not limited to, post-game reviews by top-class football analysts, more local language commentary plus entertaining World-Cup related fringe content. There’s a lot to look forward to and we are proud to provide a platform for customers to experience it with us”
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is just over a month away and several channels will be rebranded to bring you the best coverage of the greatest sports tournament in history.
In terms of DStv, SuperSport Football Plus (available on the DStv Compact package and up) will become FIFA World Cup Central, a 24-hour channel focused on the tournament, providing live coverage of 56 games with full studio presentation, previews and reviews, as well as live magazine shows.
SuperSport Premier League (available on the DStv Compact package and up) becomes FIFA World Cup Naija (Nigeria) or FIFA World Cup Africa (rest of the continent), a 24-hour channel providing live coverage of 56 games with default vernacular commentary.
SuperSport La Liga (available on the DStv Access package and up)becomes FIFA World Cup Select 1, a 24-hour channel featuring 30 live games, all African teams, eight simultaneous fixtures, repeats and magazine shows.
SuperSport Variety 1 (available on the DStv Access package and up) becomes FIFA World Cup Select 2, also a 24-hour channel featuring 30 live games, all African teams, eight simultaneous fixtures, repeats and magazine shows.
SuperSport Football (available on the DStv Access package and up) becomes FIFA World Cup Fan Zone, a 24-hour channel devoted to fan coverage and reaction, news, press conferences and all the emotion experienced by those following every second of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In addition, SuperSport Blitz (available on the DStv Access package and up) will provide match reports, previews, breaking news and interviews from Qatar 2022 as part of its usual role of being your one-stop shop to get the latest and greatest sporting information from around the world.
On the side of GOtv, SuperSport GOtv Football (available on the GOtv Plus package and up) becomes FIFA World Cup Select 1 (Nigeria) or FIFA World Cup Select 2 (rest of the continent), a 24-hour channel featuring 30 live games, all African teams, eight simultaneous fixtures, repeats and magazine shows.
SuperSport GOtv La Liga (available on the GOtv Supa package) becomes FIFA World Cup Central, a 24-hour channel focused on the tournament, providing live coverage of 56 games with full studio presentation, previews and reviews, as well as live magazine shows.
SuperSport GOtv Select 1 (available on the GOtv Supa package) becomes FIFA World Cup Naija (Nigeria) or FIFA World Cup Africa (rest of the continent), a 24-hour channel providing live coverage of 56 games with default vernacular commentary.
There will also be a Pop-Up channel, FIFA World Cup Fan Zone (available on the GOtv Lite package and up) a 24-hour channel devoted to fan coverage and reaction, news, press conferences and all the emotion experienced by those following every second of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In addition, SuperSport Blitz (available on the GOtv Lite package and up) will provide match reports, previews, breaking news and interviews from Qatar 2022 as part of its usual role of being your one-stop shop to get the latest and greatest sporting information from around the world.
In terms of language options, Ghana will have commentary in English, Twi and Pidgin.
SuperSport Maximo 1 and 2 will feature 56 lives matches, with simultaneous kick-off fixtures broadcast on SuperSport Maximo 3. SuperSport Maximo 360 will serve as a dedicated 24-hour fan channel. SuperSport Liyu (available on the DStv Family package and up) will have 30 live matches, with full Amharic/Oromifa commentary from Ethiopia.
Aside from all the on-pitch action, SuperSport will also keep fans entertained and informed with the following magazine shows:
– ‘Marhaba Qatar’ – Every Sunday morning and all six non-match days, starts 30 October
– ‘Masterplan’ – Deep analysis show, every Sunday at 10:00 (first show) and 14:00 (after group stage)
– ‘Super Saturday’ – Includes live crossing and features from Qatar
– ‘World Cup Insights’ – Conversations with top guests in Doha
To take your viewing experience to an even higher level, DStv channels will all be available to stream and the following second screen options can be utilised:
– Dedicated in-game highlights loop and superstar player cams on the DStv App/web/mobile
– FIFA World Cup rail includes all catch-up highlights and packages on the DStv App/web/mobile
On Showmax, the Pro package will provide access to all live matches, highlights, magazine shows and archive content, while Showmax Standard will feature the same content, minus the live match coverage.
No rival can compete with SuperSport’s coverage. Our viewers on DStv and GOtv enjoy an unrivalled selection of football from around the world!
Don’t miss the New Football Season on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Visit www.dstv.com and www.gotvafrica.com to subscribe or upgrade and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream matches on the DStv App.
Whoopi Goldberg has high expectations for Sister Act 3.
In a recent appearance on the latest episode of Charlamagne Tha God’s Comedy Central show Hell of a Week, Whoopi revealed who she wants to star alongside her in the latest installment of Sister Act.
“I’m going to ask for Keke Palmer to come in,” she shared. ‘I want everybody to come in. I want Lizzo come in. I want everybody. I want the girl with the chest, what’s her name?… Nicki Minaj! I want Nicki to come. I want everybody. I want as many people who want to have some fun, because I really, desperately need to have some fun.”
Keke previously responded to a Twitter user who named her as someone who’d be in their dream Sister Act 3 cast.
“God bless y’all for this manifestation over my life,” Keke wrote.” [Disney], this is what they asked for I’m just here to relay.”
1992’s Sister Act did more than 231 million worldwide at the box office, with its sequel,1993’s Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit earning 125 million worldwide. Nearly 30 years later, the third film, which is reportedly set to be released via Disney, is already on the way.
“Yes, it is happening,” Whoopi told Charlamagne. “You know, it takes everything a very long time, but we should get the script by the end of this month.”
Founder and President of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach, Dr. Lawrence Tetteh says benching Andre Ayew at the 2022 World Cup will not make sense.
The Black Stars skipper has come under criticism in recent times due to his uninspiring performance.
Several Ghanaians have called for his head ahead of the Mundial in Qatar.
However, speaking in an interview on GTV’s Breakfast show, Dr. Lawrence Tetteh explained that the former West Ham star has labored for this country and does not deserve to be treated as a bench warmer.
He argued that Dede Ayew has made so many sacrifices that cannot be overlooked.
Dr. Tetteh also stated that people calling for the Black Stars captain to be benched are only envious of the player’s success.
“Dede Ayew is an inspirer, he has been with the youth team even when he was much younger and they won the u-20 World Cup,” he said.
“He has been consistent with the Black Stars, today as we speak now he is the only one who has more caps than Asamoah Gyan. So you don’t throw away people who have labored.
“This notion that Ghanaians being jealous and envious of people’s success we must stop it. Dede Ayew is a good footballer, he’s played very well and he is currently the captain. If you want to get the unity that we needed for the team, then we need someone like him.
“If we bench him for the new players that have come, you’ve demoralized the team and people will not die for the country. So it doesn’t make sense at all,” Dr. Lawrence Tetteh stated.
Andre Ayew has played at two World Cups with Ghana, 2010, and 2014 tournaments.
Ghana have been housed in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.
The global showpiece is set to kick off from November 20 to December 18.
Her interest keeps changing with age and time raising concerns as to whether or not she has found her purpose in life and if not, when would that moment come.
Felicia Osei, a trained nurse, abandoned the profession because of the kind of things she witnessed at the hospital during her days as a nurse. The product of Adventist Girls taking her turn on The Delay Show chronicled how her interest kept changing up until she landed a job at Media General.
“I’m not enthused about it,” she said in Twi on her decision to leave the health industry. “After school, I did six months clinical. Even with that, I didn’t complete; I stopped along the way, and I didn’t like the job because of what I saw. It was a pity seeing humans in certain conditions.”
The TikTok star’s account in the interview monitored by GhanaWeb evoked a submission from show host, Deloris Frimpong Manso (Delay) who seemed convinced that Felicia is yet to settle.
“You’ve said on several platforms that you were once interested in boxing, you wanted to be a comedian, you wanted to be a nurse, you wanted to be a TV presenter, you now want to go to school. It looks like you can’t find your purpose,” Delay said to Felicia who is now perusing Business Administration at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
On the contrary, Felicia Osei said she knew what she was about taking into cognizance the fact that career paths could change based on many factors.
“Everyone and what they are interested in. When you’re young, you may want to be a lawyer but when you grow to a point, you come to terms with the fact that you didn’t really understand what law is, rather, you liked their attire,” Felicia remarked.
“Now, I want to be a presenter. If I’m a presenter and have a Business Administration certificate and there is a chance somewhere for an administrator or accountant, I think I qualify,” she added, triggering another question from Delay.
“Which means along the way, if something should come up, you’d change your mind. It looks like you’re not stable with your passion. Or?” Delay asked to which Felicia responded “I am. Now, my passion for presenting has developed but growing up, it never crossed my mind. Now, there will not be any ‘along the way’ again.”
Jeezy and DJ Drama joined forces on Saturday night for a secret B Side concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
The pair performed their most popular mixtape songs, including “Dem Boyz,” “Peace Up (A-Town Down),” “Who Dat,” and Jeezy’s verse from Shawty Lo’s “Dey Know (Remix).”
Jeezy and Drama both announced the show on Oct. 11, with a black and white flyer of the pair posted up on a couch and laughing. “1 Night & 1 Night Only… For All My Day 1s. Doing All Your Mixtape Favorites,” Jeezy wrote.
The concert name is seemingly a nod to Jay-Z’s B-Sides concert series in New York, where he also played a slew of deep cuts for his fans, and invited guests like Nas and Dipset.
Jeezy and Drama are gearing up to release their next joint mixtape, Sno Fall on Oct. 21—and in September, they dropped off the project track and accompanying video for “I Ain’t Gon Hold Ya.”
The pair have been working together since 2005, when they released the Gangsta Grillz tape Trap or Die. Jeezy later followed by unleashing his major label debut, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 that same year.
Days after Black Sherifheld a successful listening for his maiden album ‘The Villain I Never Was’, he brought together some of the most affluent people in society for a private cocktail dinner.
In a video shared on Instagram by blogger, Nkonkonsa, Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie, at the event, praisedBlack Sherif’s effort for putting Ghana on the map.
According to the ‘Non-Living Things’ artiste, he went to a club in South Africa and the people there were waiting to hear a song from Black Sherif.
“International Blacko! I think it’s how every Ghanaian feels and we all feel super proud. The fact that when you go somewhere you hear your country on the radio. I went to South Africa to shoot my new project and I go to the club and is Blackco’s music.
“That is actually one of the number-one hits that the people are waiting for in the club. It’s not necessarily part of the playlist, I am talking about the biggest song that the people are looking at, the highest peak and to see that and knowing that it is coming from my country makes me super proud,” he shared.
The artiste didn’t end his eulogy there as he prophesied on Black Sherif’s life saying, “Guess what, even to his surprise he is about to do more than he has done already.”
Sarkodie was joinedby the likes of Ibrahim Mahama, Gabby Otchere- Darko, and Sam Jonah among many others.
Jurgen Klopp‘s reaction to the assistant referee in Liverpool’s win over Manchester City earned him a red card
A leading referees’ charity has called for an inquiry into the touchline behaviour of managers after ugly scenes at several Premier League matches.
Jurgen Klopp’s red card for berating a referee’s assistant during Liverpool’s win over Manchester City was among a number of flashpoint incidents.
It came on a weekend where Merseyside Youth League games were postponedexternal-link amid ongoing issues with referee abuse.
“People mimic what they see on TV,” said Ref Support UK CEO Martin Cassidy.
“For years, we have said the dissension towards referees comes from the top down as well as the bottom up.
“When you see world recognised figures like Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola behaving like that, it is then replicated by people in youth football and perpetuates the idea that it is OK to do it.”
Why I love being a referee and won’t quitFA issued 380 bans for grassroots official attacks last season
Klopp apologised in his post-match comments but insisted his behaviour had been borne out of frustration at what he saw as the officials’ failure to award Liverpool a free-kick for a challenge on Mohamed Salah.
“Something snapped in that situation, I’m not proud of that – I deserved a red card, and the way I looked in this moment is not right,” the German, 55, admitted.
However, Cassidy, a Liverpool fan, said apologies would not suffice and that the League Managers Association must encourage its members to behave more respectfully.
“As far as I’m aware, the LMA has never put out a statement condemning this behaviour – is there a code of conduct? They have to take responsibility,” he said.
“The time has come to have some form of inquiry into the behaviour of people on the touchline – it goes on and on and I don’t think people understand the ramifications it has at grassroots level.”
BBC Sport has approached the LMA for comment.
View more on twitter
While Klopp’s tirade towards the official running the line at Anfield was the highest-profile instance of dissent, it was by no means alone on a day packed with controversy.
His counterpart Pep Guardiola confronted Anthony Taylor when the referee, invited to consult his pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee, disallowed a City goal for a foul by Erling Haaland.
United players, led by Bruno Fernandes, remonstrate with referee Craig Pawson during the draw with Newcastle
Elsewhere, Manchester United players angrily surrounded referee Craig Pawson for disallowing a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in their stalemate with Newcastle United.
There were similar scenes from West Ham‘s players at Southampton, castigating Peter Bankes for not ruling out Saints’ opener, while Hammers boss David Moyes said the VAR needed “to go to Specsavers”.
And Chris Kavanagh was also crowded by players from both sides at Elland Road in another game heavy on VAR intervention as Premier League leaders Arsenal beat Leeds.
The flashpoints are pictured below – and have your say on the issue.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Rodri confront referee Anthony Taylor during the defeat at LiverpoolAnthony Taylor makes his way through a crowd of Manchester City players and coaches to inspect the VAR monitorTV pictures showed players, managers and fans giving referee Anthony Taylor their thoughts as he watched the VAR replayReferee Craig Pawson is in the middle of a scrum of protesting Manchester United playersVirtually the entire outfield Manchester United line-up protested the decision to referee Craig PawsonUnited boss Erik ten Hag declined to comment on Pawson’s performance in his post-match press conferenceWest Ham players surround referee Peter Bankes complaining about Southampton’s opening goal in the 1-1 drawReferee Chris Kavanagh endured the ire of both teams in Leeds’ defeat by Arsenal at Elland Road…’Yellow cards for abuse the solution’ – Lineker
BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker believes the problem of referee abuse in the professional game can be solved by the implementation of stricter punishments.
“I think you stop that by issuing yellow cards for any form of abuse whatsoever and then make it red straight after,” Lineker, who was famously never booked during his playing career, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It’ll be carnage for a few weeks, but they’ll learn like they do, like they did with kicking players, you can’t do it anymore. It would work, I’m convinced of that.”
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Nearly a year after he first appeared on Drink Champs, Kanye West returned to the show this week to discuss a variety of topics with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN.
One of the clips from the episode that’s resulted in backlash sees Kanye discussing George Floyd, who West incorrectly claims died of a drug overdose. While referencing Candace Owens’ new documentary, “The Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and the Rise of BLM,” Ye attempted to tie Floyd’s death to fentanyl. Floyd’s death was of course, ruled a homicide, and his killer, Derek Chauvin remains in prison.
“If you look, the guy’s knee wasn’t even on his neck like that,” Kanye said.
Though Floyd’s autopsy found fentanyl in his system, medical experts determined it wasn’t enough to be considered fatal.
Kanye West says George Floyd passed away because of fentanyl and that the cop’s knee “wasn’t even on his neck like that” pic.twitter.com/sVKy3VK35O
Elsewhere in the episode, Kanye mentioned how his Drink Champs viewership did better than Kim’s SNL episode when she hosted. He also called Drake “the greatest rapper ever.”
The interview with Ye was pushed back several hours last night, but later went live on the Revolt app. They added a disclaimer this time: “All views or opinions expressed during the Podcast are solely those of the individuals expressing such view or opinion and does not reflect the views or opinions of Sean Combs, Revolt Media & TV LLC, or their respective parent and/or affiliate companies.”
Ye x @Drinkchamps part 3 is now LIVE on the REVOLT app 🎬 You don’t want to miss this one!
In the sneak preview, Ye talked about Virgil Abloh, Mav Carter blocking his interview on The Shop, and Bad Bunny.
The episode arrives as Kanye has been embroiled in controversy.
Earlier this month, Kanye experienced backlash after wearing a t-shirt with the phrase “White Lives Matter” during his YZY SZN 9 presentation that took place in Paris. The Chicago artist subsequently doubled down, calling Black Lives Matter a “scam.” He has since been ripped by countless critics, including Diddy, Boosie Badazz, and Jaden Smith, among others.
Throughout the interview, Ye continues speaking about Jewish people, most notably Dov Charney—the Los Angeles Apparel founder, who printed Kanye’s controversial White Lives Matter tees. According to Ye, Charney, who is Jewish, refuses to release the shirts after West’s “Death con 3 on Jewish People” tweet. Charney encouraged West to visit the Holocaust Museum, to which West told him to visit Planned Parenthood, “our Holocaust Museum.”
West also claims the four concerts he had booked at Los Angeles’ So-Fi Stadium were canceled by the stadium owners following his Death Con 3 tweet.
Ye then accused Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, of killing Virgil, who died in November 2021 after a battle with cancer. Shortly after posting the rant on social media, Tremaine Emory, Supreme’s creative director, urged the rapper to not use the Virgil’s name as part of his “victim campaign” and alleged that Ye “rode on [Abloh] in group chats” and elsewhere.
Emory then shared a screenshot of Ye’s Instagram post about YZY SZN 9 from earlier in the day in which he proposed discussing “more important things like how late the show was or how Bernard Arnault killed my best friend.” Arnault, notably, is the CEO at LVMH.
In his caption, Emory urged Ye to not use the late Virgil Abloh’s name as part of his “victim campaign” and alleged that Ye “rode on [Abloh] in group chats” and elsewhere.
“Ye tell the ppl why you didn’t get invited to Virgil’s actual funeral the one before the public one at the museum,” Emory, the founder of Denim Tears and Supreme’s current creative director, said.
“You knew Virgil had terminal cancer and you rode on him in group chats, at yeezy, interviews…YOU ARE SO BROKEN. KEEP VIRGIL NAME OUT YOUR MOUTH.”
Felicia Osei, daughter of popular TikToker Linda Osei, has stated that she sees nothing wrong with her mother tackling trolls on social media.
Lately, Linda Osei, widely known as ‘Maa Linda’ has been involved in a series of altercations with critics on social media, particularly, Afia Schwarzenegger.
In one of the most recent episodes, the two were caught in an ugly fight where their families were even dragged into it.
In one of the instances, Afia Schwarzenegger labeled Maa Linda’s children Felicia and Esther as prostitutes.
Maa Linda, on the other hand, verbally abused Afia Schwarzenegger’s mother and accused her of using her father’s corpse for rituals.
But unlike the popular assertion that Maa Linda’s usual fights on social media could be a disgrace to her children, Felicia thinks otherwise.
According to Felicia, her mother has got every right to defend herself, regardless of the gravity of the insult she spews.
“If my mother is being trolled, I expect her to also respond,” Felicia said. “I don’t support violence but I believe that it is fair that you defend yourself. She is old enough to know what’s good for herself. The insults are okay. She is able to defend herself and it’s fine.”
Asked how she feels when she chances on videos where her mother is being trolled by her enemies, Felicia Osei said “I don’t take it seriously. If it was the case that they are throwing fists then I could get worried. I’m not pained at all. I’m not hurt to the extent that I’ll sit in my room and cry.”
Ghana has been paired with Burkina Faso and Niger in the Group stage of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers for the CAF Pan-African U-16 Inter schools’ championship.The tournament which will take place from Friday, November 11 to Sunday, November 13, in Cote D’Ivoire will serve as qualifiers for the first ever CAF Inter schools Championship.
Ghana will be represented by two teams, namely, Offinso College of Education JHS and Maakro M/A JHS in the maiden edition after winning the schools competition in Kumasi in July this year.
Host Cote D’Ivoire are housed in Group A alongside Benin and Togo.The intercontinental school soccer tournament, according to CAF, is part of efforts being made to use the lessons of football to guide growth and development to shape our future leaders.
