TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Virgil Abloh: Five things you might not have known about the fashion designer

    When Virgil Abloh died in November 2021, the fashion world was shocked. He’d kept his diagnosis of cardiac angiosarcoma – a rare, aggressive form of cancer – private from the world.

    By the relatively young age of 41, he’d risen to the top of one of the world’s biggest fashion houses (serving as the first African-American to lead Louis Vuitton), he’d founded his own successful label Off-White and he’d collaborated with some of the world’s biggest names, including his longtime friend Kanye West.

    The new BBC Three documentary Virgil Abloh: How To Be Both charts his rise from a suburb of Chicago without conventional fashion training or credentials to the top of the fashion world.

    Here are some of the things you might not have known about the US designer…

    1. His ‘insane’ work ethic

    Virgil Abloh achieved a lot during his lifetime and those that knew him put that down to his unusual ability to work hard on many different projects at the same time.

    Poet Kai-Isaiah Jamal, who was a friend of Virgil, says his “work ethic was insane” and that at all times he was taking calls and responding to emails and messages on two or three phones.

    Bliss
    “He really thrived when he was involved with lots of people and doing lots of things all at the same time,” says fashion critic and YouTuber Bliss Foster

    “Everyone used to laugh and be like when does he sleep? And the whole thing was like never,” Kai-Isaiah says. “He had time and capacity and space for everyone which I think is kind of unheard of. Everyone received the same amount of love.”

    “He really thrived when he was involved with lots of people and doing lots of things all at the same time,” says fashion critic and YouTuber Bliss Foster.

    2. He made much more than clothing

    As well as having his own fashion label and heading up Louis Vuitton menswear, Virgil was a DJ, a shoe designer collaborating with Nike, a furniture designer for IKEA and a car designer for Mercedes-Benz among many other things.

    “Virgil was important way outside of fashion, he was a cultural force,” says YouTuber Bliss.

    For IKEA, Virgil designed a wall clock, a chair, bedding and a rug in the shape of a giant IKEA receipt.

    Explaining why the worldwide furniture company decided to work with Virgil, Henrik Most – IKEA’s creative leader – says: “Once every 10 years, somebody turns up and has this almost magnetic connection with a generation.”

    “I think IKEA is a really important Virgil collab because it really underlines the idea that he wanted to create design for a mass audience,” says creative director and editor Thom Bettridge.

    3. He helped find a school

    During the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020, Virgil saw a news clip of activist Trinice McNally at a rally speaking about racism among the police.

    Trinice
    “We were able to raise about $80,000,” Trinice says. “It became this global campaign.”

    The designer sent her a message on social media and, via his brand Off-White, they went on to collaborate on a T-shirt with the logo “I Support Black Women” with the money going towards establishing the School for Black Feminist Politics in Washington DC.

    “We were able to raise about $80,000,” Trinice says. “It became this global campaign.”

    4. He had his critics

    Throughout his career, Virgil faced criticism around claims of plagiarism and critiques that he didn’t have any originality when it came to his designs. “There’s been naysayers to Virigil’s career since it started,” says Thom Bettridge.

    For example, one of the first shirts Virgil released early in his career simply featured a logo screen printed onto the back of a flannel Ralph Lauren rugby shirt.

    Honey
    Honey Dijon, a DJ who was a friend of Abloh, says: “There are lots of designers that are inspired by things that have gone before”

    However, some claim this criticism can be put down to racism.

    “I think if people are honest, most of the criticism based on Virgil’s plagiarism was rooted in racism,” says Bliss Foster. “Even if it’s not that overt, he is getting the brunt of all this frustration in the industry and it is mostly being directed at him as a racial issue.”

    Honey Dijon, a DJ who was a friend of Abloh, adds: “There are lots of designers that are inspired by things that have gone before, but when you’re a person of colour it’s called ‘stealing,’ when you’re not a person of colour it’s called ‘inspiration’.”

    5. He inspired other young designers

    Virgil Abloh was always keen to work with and help the people around him, according to the people who knew him.

    “He was very accessible as a person, someone who was very generous with his time,” says photographer Tommy Ton. He once even missed an important flight to sign his contract for Louis Vuitton because he wanted to spend more time with the students at a Harvard University event.

    Larry Sam
    “We got to ask him questions and he replied to them in a really humble way and cared a lot about sharing knowledge with young people,” Larry (left) says

    Young designers Larry Tchogninou and Samantha Smyser took part in a design programme at the NikeLab Chicago Re-Creation Center, which had set up a collaboration with Virgil Abloh.

    “We got to ask him questions and he replied to them in a really humble way and cared a lot about sharing knowledge with young people,” Larry says.

    “At the end of the programme, Virgil Abloh came in and saw our work and gave us feedback,” Samantha says. “His presence alone being a black man and reaching the heights of menswear for Louis Vuitton just really opened my eyes to there being no limit.”

    Source:myjoyonline.com

  • I’ve not even met 5% of my goals – Guru

    Ghanaian rapper, Maradona Yeboah Adjei, known in showbiz as Guru, says that he is yet to achieve five percent of his goals.

    Speaking to Ib Ben-Bako on Prime Morning on Friday, the rapper indicated that he has a target to meet in his music career. He believes making a controversial hit song is a part of the reason he is not moving forward.

    “I’ve not even made five percent of that. I came out on a very huge controversial song and that has really affected me so much,” he said.

    The “Lapaz Toyota” hitmaker is still persistent in doing controversial songs, believing that it is about creativity and talent.

    Also, Guru stated that the majority of Ghanaian music industry players become emotional in the performance of their duties.

    According to him, the music careers of most upcoming artistes have not been well established due to the emotional nature of the industry players.

    “Sometimes we intend to switch you for no reason, depending on emotions, and we act too much based on emotions. So if you’re not mentally strong, they’ll cut you off,” he stated.

    In addition, he said, “For example, most of these young acts are doing good. Somebody will sit somewhere and just be pissed off, all because he invited the reigning act to be on his platform and he did not show up. So emotions are kind of draining our system.”

    However, the determined “Amen” hitmaker refuses to be trained by people’s emotions, saying that one can never be satisfied with what the industry provides.

    Guru believes the music industry has emotional problems with him, but he has no problem with the industry.

    He is of the opinion that there has not been any improvement within the entertainment industry.

    Meanwhile, the rapper has released a new single titled, “Enko Yie.” The song, he said, is an inspiration for the pressures of life he is dealing with.

    Source:myjoyonline.com

  • I’m proud of my sweetheart – Rebecca Akufo-Addo

    Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo, in her 24 years of marriage to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the current president of Ghana, has always had the back of her sweetheart.

    Ghana’s First Lady on Tuesday morning took to her official social media pages to express her profound love to her husband for always making their family proud through his work and achievements.

    The president on October 10 was honoured with a doctorate degree from Sorbonne University based in Paris, France.

    The honorary doctorate from the prestigious European University was handed over to Nana Addo in the presence of his wife, Rebecca, who graced the ceremony wearing a custom-made dress.

    Her heartfelt message reads: “Congratulations sweetheart on your honorary doctorate from The University of Sorbonne, in Paris, an honour previously bestowed on the likes of Pablo Picasso, Kofi Annan, Amartya Sen and Nelson Mandela. I am proud of you.”

    In photos published by the First Lady, she was caught up in a public display of affection with her husband, who was beaming with smiles.

    Check out the post below:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Rebecca Akufo-Addo (@rakufoaddo)

    Source:ghanaweb.com

     

  • 5 rare fashion styles by Black Sheriff

    Some call it street fashion but to others, it is one of the rarest styles to ever debut the Ghanaian showbiz industry.

    Ghanaian musician, Black Sherif, did not only become a sensation with his unique craft but also an unusual wardrobe that has got many fans talking.

    The ‘Kweku the Traveler’ hitmaker has got a simple yet sophisticated sense of fashion which many have described as weird.

    He often gives off ‘retro’ vibes as he is predominantly seen in a pair of bootcut jeans with either a pair of skinny long sleeves or a Tee-shirt to match.

    Back Sherif’s thin stature does not inhibit him from effortlessly rocking skimpy outfits or sometimes buggy ones.

    Blacko is also a sucker for denims and he usually rocks the ripped ones in shorts, two-piece or full-length trousers.

    He usually matches his outfits with a pair of boots or sneakers and accessorizes with durags, cowboy hats, black/silver belts, chains and so on.

    Check out the photos below.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Some firms refuse to use electronic VAT system over fears of being exposed

    More than a week after the new system’s installation, certain businesses that were supposed to implement the Electronic VAT system for quick tax assessment by the Ghana Revenue Authority are still not doing so.

    According to the GRA, this is because there are worries that many of them may be discovered after the appropriate taxes are collected.

    Speaking to Joy Business during an operation to shut down and secure China Mall’s property, Ghana Revenue Authority‘s Accra Area Enforcement Manager, Joseph Annan, pledged that the GRA will stop at nothing to ensure the success of the new electronic VAT system.

    “It exposes them because what you sell will definitely hit our system, so that you will be doing your thing in the shop, but we can be monitoring electronically. And as you know, many of them don’t declare all their sales so the electronic VAT system will help us get the right taxes from them”.

    Some firms refuse to use electronic VAT system over fears of being exposed

    “We shall not rest until the right thing is done because as I always say, we don’t feel comfortable going round closing shops and doing all these operations. But the citizens have paid us to work and so we shall ensure that the right thing is done”, he warned.

    The Electronic VAT system began in October 1, 2022 as a measure to help the Ghana Revenue Authority block revenue loopholes.

    The authority has engaged all stakeholders and selected about 50 retail centers to begin with on a pilot basis before the full implementation begins by the end of the year.

    Meanwhile, the China Mall and other shopping centers remain closed until they comply with the directive of integrating their collection database with the electronic VAT system provided by the Ghana Revenue Authority.

  • Microsoft and Liquid Cloud launch initiative to support African businesses with hybrid cloud infrastructure

    Microsoft has established a partnership with Liquid Cloud through its Africa Transformation Office (ATO) to supply cloud services to businesses throughout the continent as the need for cloud-based services develops owing to the acceptance of hybrid work.

    In order to meet legal and data residency requirements, handle low latency workloads, boost resilience, and enable business continuity, Liquid Cloud and the ATO will work together to supply resilient cloud in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

    “We witnessed an accelerated adoption of cloud technologies in Africa, and businesses are now reaping the benefits of their investment. Our customers are increasingly moving to hybrid work culture, meaning the demand for cloud-based services will only grow. Our partnership will enable us to build comprehensive and edge-based cloud capabilities that meet customer regulatory requirements and ensure that they deliver value to their customers,” said David Behr, CEO of Liquid Cloud and Cyber Security.

    The hybrid cloud environment extends Azure capabilities enabling customers to create cloud-native applications faster with Azure platform and data services such as App Service, Functions, Logic Apps, Azure SQL Managed Instance, PostgreSQL database, and Azure machine learning. As a result, customers will be able to innovate anywhere and use the Azure platform to bring new solutions to life that solves today’s challenges, while creating the future.

    On his part, Wael Elkabbany, General Manager Africa Regional Cluster, Microsoft said: “Critical infrastructure enablers are neededto provide access to the cloud to accelerate digital

    transformation and the adoption of digital technologies. Working with Liquid Cloud, access to the local cloud will be available to more organizations and highly regulated industries across the continent. In addition, hybrid cloud provides in-country resources that address data-residency, latency, and storage requirements,”

  • “IMF is moving at snail’s pace in negotiating Ghana’s programme”; “economy being run aground” – IEA Director of Research

    Dr. John Kwakye, the director of research at the Institute of Economic Affairs, has raised concern about how slowly the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are negotiating an economic program.

    He claims that the delay and uncertainty are prompting the investor community to speculate and panic, which is harming the cedi and is unacceptable.

    “The IMF is negotiating Ghana’s package at a glacial pace, as if nothing is at risk.
    The uncertainty and delay are leading the investor community to speculate and panic, which is doing more harm to the cedi.
    However, our economic managers keep a distance. The tweet read, “This is intolerable!”

    “IMF is moving at snail's pace in negotiating Ghana’s programme”; “economy being run aground” – IEA Director of Research  

    Dr. Kwakye who once worked with the Fund also accused the government as the main beneficiary of the huge cedi depreciation in the form of increased cedi-valued import taxes and oil proceeds.

    “Government is a major beneficiary of the huge cedi depreciation in the form of increased cedi-valued import taxes and oil proceeds”.

    He continued “sadly, the economy is being run aground. Government doesn’t have money to meet its obligations. Ghana has one of the highest inflations in the world. The cedi is one of the worst performing currencies. Our debt is rising to pre-HIPC levels. And yet our economic managers stand aloof.”

    “IMF is moving at snail's pace in negotiating Ghana’s programme”; “economy being run aground” – IEA Director of Research  

  • Registered mobile money accounts hit 52.4 million

    Despite the electronic transaction levy being in place, there were 52.4 million registered mobile money accounts as of August 2022.

    This demonstrates that Ghanaians continue to use mobile money for transactions.

    The number of registered mobile money accounts has been steadily rising since January 2022, according to data from the Bank of Ghana.

    In January 2022, it was 48.4 million; it then grew to 49.9% in February and to 50.2 million in March.

    In April 2022, May 2022, June 2020, and July 2022, registered mobile money accounts stood at 50.7 million, 50.1 million, 51.6 million, and 52.4 million respectively.

    Meanwhile, active mobile money accounts stood at 19.5 million, whilst active agents stood at 472,000.

    In a related development, total mobile money transactions as of August 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 fell by ¢13.3 billion, about 2.02%, the latest summary of financial and economic data by the Bank of Ghana has revealed.

    This indicates that the implementation of the Electronic Transaction Levy has had a marginal impact on the biggest payment system in Ghana.

    According to the data, total mobile money transactions stood at ¢657.6 in August 2022, as against ¢644.3 in August 2022.

    There were earlier fears that a sizeable number of consumers were going to boycott mobile money, following the implementation of the E-Levy in May 2022.

    From the data, mobile money transactions have been surging since its implementation in May 2022.

    It went up from ¢71.4 billion in May 2022 to ¢77.4 billion in June 2022, but remain relatively the same at ¢77.2 billion in July 2022.

    It, however, shot up significantly by ¢9.9 billion to ¢87.1 billion in August 202.

  • Former Met Police Officer suspended from home office role after posting ‘vile’ messages in racist group chat

    A Home Office immigration official, who made jokes about raping 15-year-olds, tasering kids and the disabled, and sent racist messages in a group WhatsApp chat, has been suspended following a BBC investigation.

    It was reported by BBC show Newsnight that Rob Lewis, an ex-policeman, had created a group chat dubbed Bottle and Stoppers with other officers William Neville, Jonathon Cobban and former Pc, Joel Borders. It is believed that members of the group shared “vile and deplorable” messages and images about the government’s policy to deport migrants to Rwanda for processing, slurs about Black MPs, and comments about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

    The programme said it was made aware of the messages by former police officer Dave Eden, who told Newsnight: “There are references to Black politicians, which are extremely unpleasant—the entire undertone is one of racism and misogyny. This group tells me that the culture of the Metropolitan Police hasn’t changed. And, in fairness, it’s not just this group—it’s other groups. It’s what I’m hearing out of the mouths of ex-colleagues, and what I’m witnessing all the time.”

    The Home Office said in a statement that it had suspended a member of staff following allegations of gross misconduct: “We expect the highest standards of our staff and have a zero tolerance approach to anyone displaying racist, homophobic, misogynist or discriminatory behaviour,” the statement said. “Where we are made aware of such behaviour we will not hesitate to take decisive action.”

    Describing the messages sent as “abhorrent”, the Met’s Commander, Jon Savell—who is in charge of the force’s professional standards—said: “Their behaviour erodes the confidence that the public has in the police, a confidence that the vast majority of us in the Met works tirelessly day-in, day-out to maintain and improve. Racism, misogyny, homophobia or any other discriminatory behaviour has no place in the Met.

    “Where such behaviour is identified it will be dealt with robustly, but we will also be actively seeking out those whose actions bring shame to us. We contacted Mr Eden’s representatives when these messages first emerged in April but they declined to share further details. We urge them to reconsider so we can take action, and in the meantime, we appeal to anyone who has information about such behaviour to make contact.”

    Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rawley added: “My plan for reform in the Met is already under way. I will be ruthless in rooting out those corrupting officers and staff, including racists and misogynists, from our organisation. I have taken over as the leader of an organisation that has been far too weak in taking on those who undermine the honest and dedicated majority who determinedly serve the public. That will change and I will continue to seek out those, from both within and outside the Met, with that constructive anger who can help us reform.”

    Source: Complex.com

  • Married women must be wary of roles they take to maintain fame – Mercy Johnson

    Nollywood actress and film producer, Mercy Johnson Okojie has advised actresses, especially married women and mothers to be cautious of the parts they play in their quest to maintain their fame.

    This she said was because Purity, her first child, has started looking into her history. She said her 10-year-old daughter is intellectually developing and has started to inquire about her former way of life.

    The actress and mother of four, claim to fame occurred soon after she entered Nollywood as a result of her participation in passionate and contentious sequences.

    She said after having children, she had to do a quick U-turn, but her daughter seemed unhappy with her decision-making in the past.

    She wrote: “My daughter is growing. She gets hold of my phone sometimes, begins to google, and goes like, ‘Mum, my friends said…’ And they’re very inquisitive.

    “When you grow past a certain level, you try to go ahead and do better. For me, you don’t need people to tell you what’s right or wrong.

    “Age is telling on me. I’ve grown past that level, I’m answerable to too many people: my husband and my kids. I hate to embarrass them in any way.”

    She started her professional acting career in 2002 as a teenager at the time and had just completed her secondary school education.

    Mercy got her big break when she starred in “The Maid” where she played the lead role in the film and became an instant star from there.

    The actress married Prince Odianosen Okojie in 2011 and they have four children with the eldest been 10 years old.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • FLASHBACK: More than 100,000 companies at risk of ceasing to exist

    The Registrar- General’s- Department revealed that the country’s commercial landscape would undergo a significant change in 2021.

    Businesses that have been dormant will be delisted, according to the Registrar.

    In a statement, the Register General’s Department warned that the over 3,000 businesses that would soon be removed from its list were only the first wave of businesses that would be delisted this month.

    The structure of Ghana’s formal private sector is about to undergo a major shake-up as the Register General’s Department, RGD, begins the delisting of dormant companies from the Companies Register.

    The delisting process has commenced with 3,100 companies about to be taken off the Companies Register within the next month under the first phase of a process that will ultimately see over 100,000 companies no longer registered to operate.

    The Register General’s Department has issued a statement warning that the over 3,000 enterprises being struck off its list would just be the first batch of companies to be delisted this month.

    Over 100,000 new companies have been registered since 2011 when the business registration process was changed but many of them have failed to abide by the terms for their continued existence. A lot more older companies have also failed to keep to the stipulations for continued registration, particularly annual renewal of registration and annual returns based on its financial performance. While some of these are simply the result of their owners reluctance to pay annual renewal fees – and even more importantly their tax obligations – others have since gone under or have been voluntarily discontinued within a business terrain where the business mortality rate is very high for numerous reasons, ranging from insufficient working capital financing, through lack of succession planning, to outright bankruptcy.

    The RGD asserts that the delisting exercise has become necessary after the end of the three months validation process conducted by the Department from July to September this year to review the sampled group of companies not in good standing with the Department.

    In actual fact though public policy commentators and analysts suspect that the biggest driving force behind the exercise is to get an effective register of businesses who are tax liable. This is part of a wider effort by government to significantly increase public revenues by catching up with profit making businesses that evade taxes by avoiding leaving records from which an audit trail can be derived.

    The RGD asserts that over 257,241 companies existing in the database had not filed their Returns or Amendments with the Department since 2011 had not carried out the update of their data dubbed “Re-registration” as at March 2020. The statement further noted that 670,282 companies in the old database had not carried out the update of their data dubbed “Re-registration” as at March 2020

    The RGD has therefore spent much of last week urging defaulting companies – whether still currently active or not – to take measures to regularize their business and update their records with the Department to avoid being delisted. However business owners who have no intention of using the registered business name to continue their business activities or who willingly want to wind up or dissolve their company are required to formally inform the RGD in writing about such a decision so the Department can strike the business of the register and free the use of the business name for other business owners

    The new Companies Act 2018 (Act 992) tightens the regulations with regards to business regulation just as it does with regards to corporate governance, with the latter having taken most of the attention of the entrepreneurial and direct investment communities in Ghana. Indeed a provision under section 289 of the Act states that a company can be stricken off the register due to the failure of the company to file its annual returns on time or due to a change in the Company’s Registered Office and Principal Place of Business without notifying the Registrar of Companies.

    The Act mandates the Registrar of Companies to wind up companies whose office is known not to be in operation after notices have been given to such companies to file their annual returns and a subsequent moratorium has expired without the company duly complying.

    A company’s status after the strike off at this period would be classified as being inactive and would not be allowed to engage in any business transaction for the next 12 years, unless given special dispensation by an order from a court of competent jurisdiction, to the RGD to restore it to a status of good standing in the Companies Register.

    The RGD notes that: “Two notifications were earlier issued on 12th May and 1st December 2020 with the final notice published on 19th March 2021,”

    The list of the first batch companies now facing delisting has been put on the RGD’s website: www,rgd.gov.gh. Their identities are also to be published in some national newspapers soon as well to enlighten the business community in particular and the general public as a whole as to who not to do business with.

    However these companies are being given one last chance to avert delisting; the companies due to be delisted van still file their Annual Returns with the RGD and thus have their names taken out if the black list before the end of October.

    This though is just the first phase of a delisting process that will run through to the end of this year, with up to 100,000 companies facing the prospect of losing their status as entities licensed to carry out business activities in Ghana.

    The next batch of enterprises to be served notice of imminent delisting will comprise limited liability companies, partnerships and business names (effectively sole proprietorships) put in the old register between 1963 – when the original Companies Act first introduced a Register of Businesses) – and 2011 and who have failed to update their records under the Free-registration exercise.

    Ultimately the RGD expects to have a clean and credible register of all compliant companies by the start of 2022, devoid of dormant enterprises and businesses that have simply refused to update their records and meet their fiduciary obligations to the State.

  • Beware! Anas Aremeyaw Anas has gained momentum and is making a fierce comeback

    Corrupt Ghanaian politicians must be aware that Anas Aremeyaw is returning soon. The private investigator, who is based in Ghana, has found a way to combat corruption in that country, but since the truth is never allowed to reign in any society and those who advocate it frequently become enemies, this investigative journalist under the “TigerEye” firm, has experienced his fair share of assaults, disgrace, criticism, hatred, and undermining, which has prevented him from working for a while.

    Many Ghanaians, notably anti-NDC fans and columnists, were against Anas and tried to bring him down since he was exposing corrupt politicians in the government of the Ghanaian leader, Nana Akufo Addo. Many Ghanaians did not value Anas Aremeyaw Anas‘ work in Ghana, a country where the truth isn’t vital in politics and where crime and corruption are tolerated by the current administration.

    Anas experienced his fair share of humiliation, assault, ridicule, and dishonor, yet he never defended himself when things got tough. In an article I wrote titled “The Profound Qualities Of Mahama And Anas,” I discussed how both Mahama and Anas had experienced their fair share of accolades, humiliations, and accusations, but the best quality about them was how they handled such situations without defending themselves.

    Even though President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo promised to protect the public’s purse and even stated that he will utilize “Anas’ ideas” to combat corruption in the country, he failed the nation. Therefore; Anas took it upon himself to change things in the country with the intention of making a difference. Many Ghanaians turned against the investigative journalist after exposing the biggest corruption in Ghana’s football.

    The institutionalized corruption in Ghana’s football was a lucrative business that is more advantageous to those involved, including Kwasi Nyantekyi and the president, Nana Akufo Addo, therefore; many corrupt and ungrateful Ghanaians considered Anas’ investigation as a wrong thing to do, accusing him of collapsing Ghana’s football. Who in their right mind would blame the collapse of Ghana’s football on someone who had revealed corruption in the sport?

    Nana Akufo Addo has been linked to numerous corruption-related controversies aside from the football controversy that made national newspaper headlines. The most recent is about illegal mining in the country, which has resulted in the destruction of Ghana’s waters and environments but hardly did the press react until the situation got worse because it’s not John Mahama who is in power.

    Mahama did not inflict the same level of destruction as Akufo Addo, but the majority of Ghanaians and the anti-NDC media did not spare him. With the assistance of dishonest judges, politicians, and journalists, Akufo Addo used his position and abused the constitution in his interest. The failure of the NPP government today seems to have inspired Anas to come back and continue where he left off.

     

     

    After being exposed in a bribery and corruption case involving illegal mining in Ghana, also known as Galamsey, Charles Bissue claimed that Anas had set him up. The bribery case actually went cold because the NPP government never took Akufo Addo’s vow to seriously combat corruption. The president went on to appoint those who were heavily involved in corruption issues, such as Eugene Arhin, Charles Bissue, and Paul Adom-Otchere.

    More crucially, when the late NPP politician Sir John’s will revealed his illegitimate wealth accumulation, the Special Prosecutor froze his assets. Surprisingly, the president issued an order releasing the politician’s assets to his family. Is this the kind of president Ghanaians are expecting to give them a better future?

    They say you have two options: either retire or join them in spreading the false propaganda while your adversaries are trying to kill you because you are standing up for the truth. Like Anas, I took a break from them when I refused to join them and then returned to face the empire of treacherous opponents that had been tormenting me because I was writing against the corruption of Akufo Addo and the impending doom for our country.

    I wrote, “Be Strong And Stand Firm, Anas Aremeyaw Anas” for ModernGhana and “How can Anas recover from a dead-end career?,” for Ghanaweb when Anas had disappeared from the media landscape. The term “lazy” is used by society to describe someone who is not making a substantial contribution, but when you work hard to accomplish something, you end up surrounded by many opponents. That is the Anas’ narrative.

    The majority of Ghanaians can now see the damage this particular government called the NPP has done to our dear country Ghana, considering the collapsed economy, high rates of unemployment, crime and corruption, and an enormous debt without accountability. There was a time when you write against Akufo Addo, despite the truth, there are always people to attack you. Now that the dust has settled and the devastation is seen, those attacks have subsided.

    Hunger is now a treat as food, basic necessities, and gasoline prices have drastically increased beyond the control of desperate customers. Inflation has reached its highest height in history. As I keep saying that everything has a time, and Anas’ retaliation is just around the corner.

    After the NPP government’s fall, I think Anas is gearing up to return even more powerfully to finish what he started and this time, to expose and avenge what was done to him. I was surprised to hear him speak up against Charles Bissue’s lies once more, especially in light of the death of his colleague, Ahmed Hussein-Suale

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Video shows fan crashing stage during Megan Thee Stallion performance

    An attendee at a recent Megan Thee Stallion performance managed to make their way onto the stage, ultimately spurring an intervention from security officials.

    Footage shared to social media, as seen below, shows the moment in question. The unidentified individual is seen approaching Megan mid-performance, at which point they grab her hand and initiate a spin. An apparent security worker is then seen grabbing the individual, although it’s unclear what, exactly, happened next.

    At the time of this writing, Megan had not publicly commented on the incident seen above.

    The moment went down amid coverage of TwitchCon 2022 festivities, during which Megan welcomed the Master Chief character from the Halo franchise to the stage.

    Next, Megan is set to host the Oct. 15 episode of Saturday Night Live. She will also serve as the episode’s musical guest, marking her return to the show after previously performing on a Chris Rock-hosted episode back in 2020. When celebrating the SNL double duty announcement last month, Megan urged “all hotties” to tune in for the occasion.

    Also in September, Megan launched the Bad Girls Have Bad Days Too service, which helps connect fans with a multitude of mental health resources. In a message to fans at the time, Megan described the site as a “hub with resources that can help you when you might need a hand.”

    Later this year, Megan is slated for a run of international dates, including multiple stops in Australia, before closing out her 2022 schedule in Los Angeles.

    Source: Complex.com

  • Shell CEO Says Governments Need to Tax Energy Firms to Help Poor

    According to the CEO of Shell Plc, governments must impose taxes on energy producers to help the most vulnerable citizens cope with the skyrocketing cost of fuel.

    Shell Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden stated at the Energy Intelligence Forum, a significant gathering of oil and gas producers on Tuesday in London, “One way or another there needs to be government action.”
    Protecting the most vulnerable might require governments to impose taxes on the attendees in this room in order to pay for it.

  • Michael Dapaah is bringing the ICECOLD Supermarket to Oxford street for two-day immersive experience

    This Thursday (October 13) and Friday (October 14), Londoners will get to see the first-ever ICECOLD Supermarket.

    The two-day event—announced via Michael Dapaah’s Instagram—is a unique chance for you to head down and get your hands on a whole bunch of limited edition products, including fashion and merch you won’t be able to find anywhere else, all stocked in their massive floor-to-ceiling freezers at a crisp -18 degrees celsius. Then, once you’ve done all that, you’ll also get a free bag of extras on your way out.

    There’s also another treat buried within the merch. One lucky attendee on Thursday will win the Ice Cold Golden ticket, which gets them into an even more exclusive event on the night of the 13th at The ICECOLD Supermarket checkout. Once the main supermarket’s closed, staff will open the freezer doors and a secret club night will kick off with DJs, plenty of shots, and no doubt a few famous faces.

    Be sure to head down to 58 Oxford Street on Thursday and Friday. Doors will open 10am – 6pm on both days. Just look out for the person holding a golf sign dressed in a penguin suit.

    Source: Complex.com

     

  • 2022 Christmas won’t be like previous years; there’s no money in the system – GUTA

    Due to the depreciation of the cedi and other economic difficulties, Ghanaian traders have bemoaned the rising costs of conducting business there.

    Dr. Joseph Obeng, President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), claims that the deteriorating economic situation has had a negative impact on traders’ working capital to the point where they are unable to appropriately plan as the Christmas holidays get near.

    He mentioned that Christmas this year wouldn’t be like those in the past.

    He said: “[The situation] is affecting us badly. It’s so negative on our businesses to the extent that we cannot even do the volumes that we normally do for Christmas because our capital has already dwindled, it has been so depleted that we cannot do the same volumes.

    “Our businesses are collapsing, so Christmas, as you mentioned, will not be the same as the previous Christmas because the money is simply not there,” he is quoted by myjoyonline.com.

    Meanwhile, some traders at Adum in Kumasi closed down their shops in protest of the high economic conditions in the country.

    According to them, the cedi’s depreciation is affecting their businesses and livelihoods.

    The cedi currently sells at GH¢11 to US$1.

  • Ghana IMF negotiations: Albert Essien chairs 5-member committee to lead financial sector inputs

    A 5-Member Consultative Committee, led by savvy banker Albert Essien, has been established by the government to coordinate stakeholder engagements in the financial industry in order to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about Ghana’s debt restructuring.

    Before agreeing on a financial sector solution with the IMF for an economic program, the group will consider opinions from financial industry participants.

    The organization is distinct from the credit committee, Joy Business has learned.

    Constitution on the Group

    According to the Finance Ministry, the committee is chaired by Albert Essien, with Simon Dornoo as vice chair.

    The other members of the committee are Alex Asiedu, Mabel Nyarkoa Porbley, and Peter Enti.

    The committee will be giving counseling and will among other things, lead discussions with the financial services industry and other stakeholders to provide industry-wide inputs and transmit industry concerns on debt management strategy to the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana.

    The expectations and goals are to ensure orderliness and confidence in government’s negotiations with the IMF.

    The committee, Joy Business, understands is expected to give more power to the industry players on any decision that government will reach going forward in dealing with Ghana’s debt and the IMF programme.

     Why this consultative group?

    The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta at a press briefing on September 26, 2022 announced that the committee will be set up for some broader stakeholder consultative inputs in finalising any deal with the IMF for an economic programme.

    Scope of the consultative group?

    The Finance Ministry has also disclosed that a similar engagement will be undertaken with Ghana’s external bondholders.

    “The stability of the domestic financial ecosystem is critical to a successful IMF-supported economic programme and government will take all necessary steps to protect the sector as we have done in the past,” the ministry said.

    “We need the support and trust of all Ghanaians to ensure that a historic arrangement is reached with the IMF. We are confident that with such engagement and collaboration the Ghanaian way, will enable us to recover very quickly and strongly from our macroeconomic challenge”, it said.

    Who is Albert Essien?

    Mr. Essien is a seasoned financial specialist with 30 years of experience in the banking sector.

    He is the former CEO of Ecobank Group. Albert serves on several boards including the Development Finance Institute (Fin Dev), Canada, Old Mutual – South Africa, LMI Holdings as well as Jumo Africa.

    He is also the Board Chairman of Ghana Amalgamated Trust.  Albert holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Ghana, Legon and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana.

  • Watch Lauryn Hill and her son Zion share heartfelt moment following performance of “To Zion”

    Lauryn Hill’s son Zion shared a heartfelt moment with his mother following her performance of “To Zion” at ONE MusicFest over the weekend.

    Shortly after performing “To Zion,” the 1998 song about her choice to keep her first child with Rohan Marley, son of Bob Marley, Lauryn was surprised onstage by Zion. The two embraced for a moment and then he returned backstage. Hill asked the crowd to make some noise for Zion before asking him to come back with her two grandchildren, Zephaniah and Azaria.

    The moment can be seen in the video below at the 18:00 mark.

    “To Zion” appeared on Hill’s landmark album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year and Best R&B Album. That same year, she also received the Grammy for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Doo Wop (That Thing).”

     “Woe this crazy circumstance/I knew his life deserved a chance,” Hill sings on “To Zion.”

    “But everybody told me to be smart, “Look at your career,” they said/“Lauryn, baby use your head”/But instead I chose to use my heart.”

    Source: Complex.com

  • Sade recorded new music at Brad Pitt’s studio in France

    A new Billboard cover story with Brad Pitt and French producer Damien Quintard has revealed details about Sade’s forthcoming album.

    According to Billboard, the pair’s renovated Miraval Studios at Château Miraval, which has already been host to recording sessions for Pink Floyd’s The Wall, The Cure’s Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, and AC/DC’s Blow Up Your Video, has hosted Sade, whom Pitt calls “royalty.”

    “You could feel the love that she and the band had for this place,” Quintard told the outlet. “And when we talked to musicians who came here previously, they all have this special connection with Miraval that can’t really be explained … It’s a dream come true to see this place activate again.”

    Sade released its last full-length offering, Soldier of Love, in 2010. Its sixth studio album, the LP followed 2000’s Lovers Rock, 1992’s Love Deluxe, 1988’s Stronger Than Pride, 1985’s Promise, and 1984’s Diamond Life.

    Pitt and ex-wife Angelina Jolie purchased Château Miraval in 2012. The former has since operated it with Quintard, though Pitt has been in a legal battle with Jolie over the estate following the couple’s divorce.

    In fact, count document previously revealed that Jolie accused Pitt of abuse while on a flight a 2016 flight from Château Miraval to California. According to the complaint, Jolie filed for divorce a short time later.

    Source: Complex.com

  • Tax non-compliance: Necessary laws will be enforced to the fullest – GRA

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has said it will continue to pursue organizations and institutions that evade taxes across the nation in accordance with its mandate.

    According to Joseph Annan, the Authority’s Area Enforcement Manager, the recent closure of China Mall should serve as a warning to the public about the Authority’s willingness to enforce its rules.

    In a conversation with journalists, Mr. Annan stated that organizations that do not pay their taxes will face required repercussions.

    “The signal we want to send to the public is that this time around, we are going to enforce the tax laws to the fullest. We have engaged them over months yet, it has always been business as usual, so we are not going to relent on any of the tax laws,” he noted.

    Meanwhile, on Monday, October 10, the GRA undertook a special operation that saw the closure of a number of outlets and businesses over non-compliance with Ghana’s electronic VAT system.

  • Invest in your staff to help your brand grow – Esther Ofosuhene to businesses

    Esther Dokuwaa Ofosuhene, president of CXP Ghana, has pleaded with all companies to invest in their employees.

    She said that a company’s brand is pushed to greater heights by how its employees are handled and trained.

    Esther Ofosuhene urged company owners to empower their workforce in an interview with GhanaWeb on the sidelines of the CXP Ghana program in Accra.

    “Nothing compares to poor employees.
    You always have good employees; the key is in how you train them and whether they are aware of their part in providing excellent customer service “She spoke to GhanaWeb.

    “If they understand the value, they are supposed to deliver…we need to invest in our staff. It’s not always about the money, it’s about how staff is treated, it’s about training, and empowering them to deliver on the values and promises that your brand has to offer,” she added.

    She stated that customer satisfaction was key to the growth of any business.

  • Rex Orange County charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, musician denies allegations

    Rex Orange County has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman on six separate occasions in London earlier this year.

    The Sun reports Rex Orange County, born Alexander O’Connor, allegedly assaulted the woman twice in West End on June 1, as well as once in a taxi and three times at his Notting Hill residence the following day. The identity of the accuser was not disclosed. Authorities would only confirm that she is a woman over the age of 16.

    O’Connor faces six counts of sexual assault. “Alex is shocked by the allegations which he denies and looks forward to clearing his name in court,” his rep said in a statement. “He is unable to make any further comment because of the ongoing proceedings.”

    In March, Rex Orange County released Who Cares?, his first full-length album in nearly three years. He later embarked on a four-month tour to promote the project, which included stops in Santa Barbara, California on June 1 and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California on June 4.

    Rex Orange County took to Instagram to comment on the 17,000-person turnout for his Hollywood Bowl, which was sold out in a day.

    He released a statement in early July, announcing that he would need to cancel all remaining shows after Aug. 13 due to “unforeseen personal circumstances.”
    His trial is set for Jan. 3, 2023.
    Source: Complex.com

  • Fear of exposure preventing shops from using E-VAT system – GRA

    According to the Ghana Revenue Authority, some businesses are refusing to follow its new instruction to use the Electronic VAT system since doing so would make them vulnerable.

    According to Joseph Annan, the Ghana Revenue Authorities’s Accra Area Enforcement Manager, the E-VAT system enables the authority to closely track the sales of these businesses.

    However, the stores do not wish to follow the rules in order to avoid paying taxes or paying too little.

    “It exposes them because what you sell will definitely hit our system so that you will be doing your thing in the shop, but we can be monitored electronically. And as you know, many of them don’t declare all their sales so the electronic VAT system will help us get the right taxes from them,” he told myjoyonline.com when his team closed down China Mall on October 10, 2022.

    The Electronic VAT system was launched on October 1, 2022, by the Ghana Revenue Authority as a means to ensure tax compliance and block revenue loopholes.

    However, the GRA has noted that some shops do not want to comply with the new development even after a week of its launch.

    “We shall not rest until the right thing is done, because as I always say, we don’t feel comfortable going around closing shops and doing all these operations. But the citizens have paid us to work and so we shall ensure that the right thing is done,” Joseph Annan stated.

    The Ghana Revenue Authority has closed down all branches of China Mall after it failed to adopt the usage of the E-VAT system.

  • Elon Musk says he ‘expressed my concerns’ to Kanye West over recent Twitter activity

    Elon Musk says he spoke with the artist formerly known as Kanye West this week about his recent Twitter activity.

    As previously reported, Ye’s account was restricted (not permanently suspended) after a tweet shared last week that was widely called out as antisemitic. Ye’s Instagram, which has been a source of continued headlines as of late, was also restricted for violating site policy.

    “Talked to ye today & expressed my concerns about his recent tweet, which I think he took to heart,” Musk said on Monday.

    Elon Musk is seen sharing a tweet about Ye
    Image via Elon Musk on Twitter

    Earlier this month, Musk was reported by Bloomberg to have changed his mind about his much-discussed Twitter buyout by offering to buy the company at the originally proposed price. Days later, per the Associated Press, a judge was confirmed to have delayed the kickoff of a trial surrounding the tentative merger.

    In lieu of social media on Monday, Ye shared a 30-minute short titled Last Week (but also referred to as War) to YouTube. Meanwhile, criticism over his recent remarks, as well as his featuring of a “white lives matter” design in the YZY SZN 9 show in Paris this month, has continued to mount.

    John Legend, for example, shared a tweet about “free, independent thinkers” in which he didn’t mention Ye directly, although the intent was clear. Halloween Ends star Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Antonoff, and others have also called out Ye in recent days.

    John Legend is seen tweeting about Ye
    Image via John Legend on Twitter
    Jamie Lee Curtis is seen tweeting about Ye
    Image via Jamie Lee Curtis on Twitter
    Jack Antonoff shares a tweet about Ye
    Image via Jack Antonoff on Twitter

  • Reliance on loans, bonds cause of exchange rate struggles – Economist

    The administration of Ghana’s currency rate regime over the years has alarmed economist Professor Lord Mensah.

    He asserts that succeeding governments have frequently turned to securing loans and bonds from financial markets and donors in order to control the currency rate.

    Prof. Lord Mensah asserted that Ghana’s exchange rate has not been properly handled in an interview with Accra-based Joy News.

    “We have never had our exchange rates manipulated. Loans have been used to manage it, and everything is evident on the grounds.
    For the sole sake of regulating our exchange rate, we have sacrificed our export-driven policies, our output, which will cut some importing, and both, he stated.

    “The reason why we can see the dollar moving without control is our absence on the Eurobond market. For the past few years, it is only this year that the government found it difficult to go on the Eurobond market,” he is quoted by Joy News to have said.

    He further noted that over-reliance of bonds and loans will continue to impact the economy, especially in the resolve toward becoming an industrialized nation with a sound export regime.

    “All other loans are coming in; the Cocoa syndicated loans are coming in, we could get loans from Afreximbank and all those but the problem we are having is access to the Eurobond market. And access to the Eurobond market in the sense that most of our debt which are foreign we have to service them using foreign currency,” the economist said.

    Touching on Ghana’s inability to access capital markets for borrowing, Dr Mensah warned that government may struggle to raise enough dollars to service interest payments, finance domestic projects and support importations.

    “And the Eurobond anytime we go there, if you look at the prospectus clearly it tells you that we borrow to defray existing debt and then we borrow extra to bring some in-house to grow the economy,” he said.

    “So effectively it has been the case that every year we have access to the Eurobond market to service our interest payments and so therefore the Cocoa syndicated loans and all other loans comes in to give us some buffer to meet the local demand of the dollar,” he added.

    Prof. Mensah explained, “So now that the Eurobond market has been frozen on us it has turned out to be difficult to meet this demand of interest payment and at the same time the local traders and all those transactions that goes on in the environment.”

  • Regulating cyberspace provides tangible opportunities for professionals – CSA

    Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the acting director general of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), has stated that regulating the cybersecurity industry will open up job prospects for experts working in that environment in addition to the primary objective of safeguarding the digital ecosystem.

    He claims that certain areas of the Authority’s framework, including the rules governing the protection of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), the licensing of cybersecurity service providers, the accreditation of cybersecurity professionals, and others, will necessitate the use of experts with a particular skill set.

    With over 180 institutions across 13 sectors being designated as Critical Information Infrastructure and the authority outdooring directives for the protection of these CIIs, demand for these professionals is set to increase.

    “If you look at the CSA directives on what is referred to as Critical Information Infrastructure, you will find that there are certain positions outlined. For instance, you have the top officer who will definitely be someone who acts as chief information security officer.

    “Within that office there is one holding the managerial position, so you have to employ at least another five people in addition,” he said during a forum on Ghana’s cybersecurity regulations and opportunities for industry players and professionals.

    Dr. Antwi-Bosiako, speaking at the ‘Forum on Ghana’s Cyber Security Regulations and Opportunities for Cyber Security Industry Players and Professionals’, further indicated that it is very necessary to have much investment into the area to ensure Ghana remains one of the countries on the continent with strong cybersecurity management.

    He was hopeful that in the medium-term other African countries will adopt Ghana’s cybersecurity module, as some countries have begun signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Authority.

    He called on players and professionals within the industry to see information-sharing as a key tool in cybersecurity management, stating that: “Without information-sharing, there is no cybersecurity management”.

    Head of Capacity Building and Awareness Creation at the CSA, Alex Oppong, stressed the need for individuals to be mindful of the risk involved in using the various smart technologies.

    “We always talk about the big organisations that need to protect their information systems, but it is also the responsibility of every individual in Ghana to be aware of risks that are associated with using smartphones and everything else,” he said.

    This comes at a time when it has been predicted that cybercrime will continue to be a large-scale concern for years to come. According to a technology data outlet, Visual Capitalist, between 2019 and 2023 roughly US$5.2trillion could be at risk of cyberattacks.

    Ghana’s third-quarter data on contacts recorded was 9,769 – of which actual cyber security incidents were 431 cases.

  • Adopt management systems to become innovative in your businesses – GSA

    Mr. Prince I. K. Arthur, Director of Metrology at the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), has urged companies to innovate to stay up with the markets’ escalating competition.

    According to Mr. Arthur, firms must establish strong management systems to match the needs and expectations of their customers in order to compete and succeed in today’s marketplaces.

    The Management System Certification (MSC) establishes organizational cultures that engage in a continuous cycle of self-evaluation, correction, and process improvement. It also specifies procedures for controlling an organization’s activities and resources to achieve predetermined goals and objectives.

    Mr. Arthur, who was speaking at the maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the GSA’s Management Systems Certification Scheme, said customers, governments and other stakeholders globally, are pressuring businesses to adopt management systems. Systems that guarantee consistent quality, prevent pollution and waste as well as protect the health of workers in today’s fiercely competitive global market, he added.

    He said, “the competition in the international markets is intense and this calls for innovation and application of tools such as management systems to propel your businesses to the top.”

    The Head of the GSA’s Systems Certification Scheme, Mr. Emmanuel Asare, explaining what the scheme entails and what is required of stakeholders, noted that the AGM was meant to advance discussions about the scheme to help them achieve their goals.

    Some of the stakeholders stressed that more publicity and training programmes on the scheme should be held regularly for businesses to properly understand and effectively implement it.

    The Marketing Manager, ASHFOAM, Joe Ampem-Darko, for instance, said GSA should intensify their publicity on the scheme and organise more training. “The training is very important because it helps us maintain and improve the system we are implementing,” he added.

    Among the participants, in the AGM, were Commodity Exchange, ASHFOAM Ltd., Dangote Cement Ghana Ltd., Airways Catering, Tamale Public Health Lab, Nano Foods Company, and Devtraco.

    The GSA’s Management Systems Scheme, established in 2010 and accredited by DAkkS (German Accreditation Body), provides certification services that are recognised globally, to promote industrial efficiency and assist Ghanaian enterprises to get access to the competitive (international) market.

    The Management System (MS) can be implemented by any enterprise or organisation in any sector, whether Public or Private no matter the size of the organisation.

  • Check insurance status of commercial vehicles before boarding – Passengers told

    Before boarding, the general public has been urged to confirm that commercial cars are insured.

    It is equally the obligation of the passenger to board a vehicle in excellent condition with an active insurance policy, according to Mrs. Cynthia Kwarteng Tufuor, Tema Area Manager, SIC Insurance PLC, who has supervision authority in sections of the Volta and Eastern Regions.

    She claimed that no insurance provider would provide benefits under an expired policy in the event of an accident.

    “So that in case of any accident, you will receive adequate compensation. Passengers must place high premium on their life,” Mrs Tufuor stated at the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office, Road Safety Campaign platform at Tema.

    The Campaign initiated by the GNA Tema Regional Offices and the Tema Regional Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service seek to actively create consistent and systematic weekly awareness advocacy on the need to be cautious on the road as a user.

    It also seeks to educate all road users on their respective responsibilities, and sensitize drivers, especially on the tenets of road safety regulations.

    Mrs Tufuor said checking status was also a means of protecting and preserving one’s life and family from uncomfortable situations that comes with fatal accidents.

    “I urge commercial vehicles passengers, to physically examine the vehicle, let’s try and avoid worn-out vehicles,” she said.

    She, therefore, commended the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office as well as the Tema MTTD for teaming up for the advocacy.

    Mrs Tufuor urged insurance companies to join the road safety campaign stressing that even though it might seem the incentives for insurers to prevent road crashes primarily come from their liability to pay for claims relating to road crashes the societal benefits were greater since many lives would be saved.

    Mr Francis Ameyibor, GNA Tema Regional Manager said that the GNA-Tema Regional Office is mobilizing key personalities through the road safety campaign as channels to educate the people to reduce the soaring number of road fatalities in Tema and the country.

    Mr Ameyibor noted that even though the data for the first half of this year has dropped marginally compared to the same period last year, there was still the need to upscale the advocacy campaign.

    He explained that the GNA-Tema and MTTD road safety campaign seeks to focus on personalities and institutions who are used as changed agents to reach out to their specific constituents with a road safety message.

    Mr. Ameyibor, therefore, charged Religious and Traditional Leaders, Members of Parliament, Ministers of State, and other public speakers to devote just two minutes of their time anytime they mount the podium and speak about road safety.

  • Ghanaian Isaac Twum wants to finish Norwegian First Division stronger, eyes goals

    Ghanaian international Isaac Twum hopes to finish the Norwegian First Division stronger by scoring goals for Sogndal Fotball.

    On Sunday, Sogndal defeated Stjordals-Blink 6-1 with Twum scoring the fourth goal for the home side.

    Speaking after the game, the former Inter Allies star reiterated his desire to score in the side last three games of the season in Norway.

    “I’m happy to help my team to win and also to be on the scoresheet. The joy is something else because the goals does not come always. Truth be told, I am overly excited to score. With three matches to end the season, I am hoping to add two or three goals and see what happens.”

    The enterprising midfielder added he is leaving no stone unturned in the club’s promotion chase.

    “We still have a chance but it is very slim but we are hoping things go as expected in our last three matches. It is up to us to win our last three games and see how the table will be” he said.

    Twum has two goals in nine appearances this season for Sogndal who are seeking promotion to the top flight.

    The former Inter Allies player joined Sogndal on a three-year deal from fellow Norwegian side Mjndalen IF in August this year.

    He previously played for IK Start, also in Norway.

    Twum captained Ghana‘s U-23 team for a year. He was impressive, which paved the way for him to move abroad.

  • Adopting green methods of building can save energy and reduce construction costs – IFC

    Dennis Papa Odenyi Quansah, the chief officer of the International Finance Corporation, has emphasized the value of green construction to the environment.

    He asserts that using green construction techniques is a practical way to save expenses while conserving energy.

    Odenyi Quansah noted in an interview with GhanaWeb at the EDGE Green Construction Awards that although every building has an adverse effect on the environment, green initiatives mitigate these effects.

    He said: “When we talk about green buildings, we are talking about buildings that have minimized impact or negative impacts on the environment. Whatever project is done will definitely have an impact on the environment, but the green building [aims] at reducing that negative impact.

    He emphasized that green buildings must pass certain criteria according to IFC’s definition.

    “We at IFC have come up with our own definition of what a green building is. First of all, it has to be certified, it should save at least 20% on energy, water, and materials, and it should be able to report what the savings are,” he said.

    The EDGE Green Ghana Building Competition sought to engage students on the idea of green building and give them access to tools that will help them practicalize the concept of green building.

    Meanwhile, a senior country officer at the IFC Ghana, Cemile Hacbeyoglu, stated that less than 1% of new buildings in Ghana are built using green methods.

    According to her, green buildings matter because they use less energy and less precious water, which protects owners from high utility bills.

    Adopting green methods of building can save energy, construction costs – Dennis Quansah

  • Launch of Guided Trade Initiative indicates AfCFTA is operational – Wamkele Mene

    The introduction of the Guided Commerce Initiative (GTI), which is intended to establish economically meaningful trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), according to Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA, is evidence that the Agreement is operating effectively.

    He claimed that the GTI and other practical implementation instruments provided by the AfCFTA were giving the Agreement’s operationalization meaning and might be vital in “responding to the persistent uncertainties in the international community.”

    Speaking at the GTI’s inauguration in Accra, the Secretary-General said the initiative’s successes should be preserved for future seamless implementation in order to enhance trade between regions and inside Africa.

    That, Mr Mene stated, would yield economic development for the betterment of the continent at large.

    The Guided Trade Initiative aims at demonstrating the efficiency of the legal framework of AfCFTA instruments and obtaining feedback on the effectiveness of the legal and institutional national systems in the participating countries.

    Also, it aims at testing the readiness of the private sector to participate in trade under AfCFTA and identifying possible future interventions to increase intra-African trade and maximise benefits of AfCFTA.

    The Initiative, attracted the interest and participation of seven State Parties – Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda and Tanzania- representing the five regions of Africa with a total of over 100 potential trades realised.

    Among the potential trades, 14 companies with about 40 trades were from Ghana, 27 companies with over 50 trades from Kenya, seven companies with 20 trades from Egypt, Mauritius highlighting 25 potential trades, Rwanda with eight potential trades and Cameroon with four trades under the pilot phase of the initiative.

    The products identified during the pilot stage include, batteries, tea, coffee, ceramic tiles, processed meat products, corn starch, sugar, pasta, glucose syrup, dried fruits, sisal fibre, electronic panels and air condition components.

    The AfCFTA Secretary General described the GTI as a solution-based approach to support State Parties that were ready to trade under AfCFTA.

    The objective of the GTI, Mr Mene explained, was to provide a proof of concept to allow the interested group of State Parties to start and sustain the momentum of trading under the preferences of the AfCFTA Agreement.

    “We are confident that more countries will join the GTI as and when they meet the minimum threshold of 90 per cent for the start of trade under the AfCFTA,” he said, adding that currently, the number of technically verified Provisional Schedules of Tariffs Concessions (PSTC’s) stood at 30 upon the inclusion of Algeria with Tunisia preparing to join the initiative.

    Mr Mene said the operationalisation of AfCFTA was a very important step forward for the continent and that the Secretariat and Afreximbank had started work on the details of the model for more trade supportive tailor-made initiatives.

    Mr Alan Kyerematen, Minister, Trade and Industry, called on African countries to put up institutional and logistical frameworks to optimise benefits of implementing AfCFTA.

    He said having institutional structures and a programme of action for boosting intra African trade would enable entrepreneurs to take advantage of the huge market provided by the Agreement.

  • Professor Adom-Frimpong re-elected as PIAC Chairman

    After certain Members’ terms expired, the Public Interest and Accountability Committee’s (PIAC) membership was reorganized.

    The statutory authority in charge of regulating the usage and management of Ghana’s oil income is called PIAC.

    As the representative of the Queen Mothers Association of Ghana, Nana Yaa Ansua, the Paramount Queen Mother of the Drobo Traditional Area, has taken over for Hajia Dr. Kansawurche Azara Bukari, and Ms. Freda Stephanie Frimpong has taken over for Mrs. Mary Karimu, who represented the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on PIAC.
    The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences has renewed its appointment of Emerita Professor Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf (GAAS).

    These members have since been sworn into office by the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Kwame Adom-Frimpong, upon the authorization of the Minister for Finance for a 2- year term, in accordance with the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815).

    In a meeting held on Thursday 6th October, 2022, the reconstituted Committee elected Professor Kwame Adom-Frimpong, representative of the Institute of Chartered Accounts, Ghana, (ICAG) and Mr. Nasir Alfa Mohammed, representative of the Ghana Bar Association as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively for a one-year term after the expiration of their tenure in September.

    Accepting his re-election, Prof. Adom-Frimpong expressed gratitude to the Committee for the confidence reposed in him, and pledged his commitment to the service of PIAC and the citizenry.

    Prof. Adom-Frimpong is currently the Managing Director of Mainstream Reinsurance Company. He previously worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers as Audit Supervisor, SSNIT as Head of Audit, and at ABC Brewery Company as Senior Cost and Management Accountant.

    He is a graduate of the University of Wales, Bangor, UK (MBA), University of London (LLB) and De Montfort, Leiester, U.K (LLM). He obtained a Doctorate degree in Business Administration (DBA-Finance option) from the Faculty of Professional Studies, Arcadia University, USA, in 2001 and again had PhD in Economics Finance from the same University in 2004.

    Prof. Adom-Frimpong is a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, and a past President of the ICAG (2018- 2020).

    He is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB) and Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana (FCIIG). He is also a Barrister-at-Law, and a member of the Ghana Bar Association.

    Mr. Nasir Alfa Mohammed is a Lawyer, Consultant and a Policy Analyst in the areas of energy and extractive resource governance (Oil, Gas & Mining).

    He is currently a Senior Associate Consultant at Ali-Nakyea & Associates, a private law firm in Accra, where he heads the Extractive Unit, providing legal opinions and consulting services to oil, gas and mining companies.

    Prior to Ali-Nakyea, Nasir worked as Associate Legal Practitioner at Atuguba & Associates, a private law firm with the LADA Group of Companies in Accra.

    On the policy front, Nasir previously worked in senior management positions with the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and later as Ghana Policy Advocacy Officer with the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI).

    Mr Alfa Mohammed holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Petroleum Law and Policy from the University of Dundee’s Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP), Scotland, UK; a Qualifying Certificate in Law (QCL) from the Ghana School of Law; a Post-First Degree Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ghana School of Law; and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Sociology from the University of Ghana.

  • UNPD/Energy Commission educate businesses on energy efficiency

    Engineer John Adjei, Senior Manager in-charge of Energy Efficiency Regulation at the Energy Commission has charged businesses to be wary of some “agents of theft” in the use of electricity to control cost and save energy.

    He mentioned agents such as water dispensers, chargers, desk printers, decoders, fridges, and Television sets which were often left unattended as well as one or more of them in use at the same time.

    Engineer Adjei said the worst of it was the use of wrong cables and poor earthing systems which had over the period contributed to the high cost of electricity and thus affected the profitability of businesses.

    He said this at a day’s training programme for Energy Managers in Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Medium, Scale and Medium Enterprises and Hotels in Takoradi.

    The workshop hinged on research carried out by United Nations Development Programmes, (UNDP) after COVID-19 which revealed the need for massive education among SMEs to control their electricity bills through responsible consumption.

    The study, a collaborative activity by the Ghana Statistical, UNDP and the World Bank in 2020, found that MSMEs and other businesses, were found to have been severely impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic and so must be resourced in capacity building and corporate governance, access to funding and Energy Efficiency.

    The Energy Commission has therefore been mandated to promote efficient energy use at District Assemblies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and among businesses in the country.

    The Executive Secretary, Mr Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, indicated that the Commission would create awareness and promote regulations and standards, in a bid to ensure the efficient utilization of energy resources in Ghana.

    “Our work in energy efficiency over the years speaks to our commitment to promoting Ghana’s energy transition through efficient utilization of electricity”, Mr Amonoo- Neizer stated.

    According to him, the Energy Sector Recovery Programme had developed a mechanism for monitoring the efficient use of electricity adding, “Hotels for example spend approximately 60 -70 per cent of their operating costs on energy and resources and hence need assistance in adopting best practices to reduce costs, increase revenue generation, and the capacity to withstand future challenge”.

    Mr Amonoo-Neizer said the Commission together with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had sought support from the UNDP to carry out energy and resource efficiency and conservation training for MMDAs and MSMEs in some Regions.

    He added that about 600 personnel would benefit from the training to help ensure the prudent use of energy and resources in their establishments, who become energy and resource managers to conduct walk-through energy and resource audits on regular basis.

    Mr Stephen Kansuk, the Head of Environment and Climate Change, at UNDP Ghana, said the UNDP had committed millions of dollars under the three thematic areas of capacity building, responsible consumption of Energy and access to funding to create enterprise opportunities.

    “They should be able to attract funds, expand their businesses and ensure resource efficiency in their operations,” he added.

    Mr Kansuk said achieving SDG seven by 2030 could be realized through such sustained initiatives.

    Source:GNA

     

  • MTN Ghana takes cybersecurity awareness to SHSs

    MTN Ghana has partnered with the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) to create awareness of cyber security among the youth to reduce cybercrime in the country.

    The awareness creation, which began at the Labone Senior High School, was to mark cybercrime awareness month and also part of MTN’s commitment to supporting the CSA to reduce cybercrime.

    The National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is an annual event by the National Cyber Security Centre of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation to intensify capacity building and awareness creation efforts on cybercrime dubbed: “A safer Digital Ghana.”

    Mrs Jacqueline Hanson-Kotei, the Senior Manager for Enterprise Information Security and Governance at MTN Ghana, said the decision to partner with the Authority was part of MTN’s social responsibility to ensure that cyber security issues were brought to the barest minimum in Ghana.

    “We are in a digital age now and most of our lives are spent on the internet, so I think it is important to raise awareness on cybersecurity issues to make sure that those living their lives online are safe,” she said.

    The Senior Manager said MTN had engaged other stakeholders like Telecoms Chamber and Girls in Information Communication Technology in an attempt to reach out to all.

    Mrs Hanson-Kotei urged the students to stay safe online and not to overexpose themselves to attacks on the internet and protect themselves not to fall prey.

    Madam Abigail Kakai, the Assistant Manager of Child Online for the Authority, commended the Management of MTN Ghana for the foresight.

    She asked the students to reach out and report all cybercrime cases to the authorities.

    Madam Adelaide Boye, the Assistant Head Teacher, at Labone Senior High School, also thanked MTN and the Authority for the engagement.

    “We are privileged that we are the first school to benefit from this activity and I will entreat all students and staff present here to help transform lives in the cyber security system,” she said.

    Source:GNA

  • GRCS encourages vulnerable communities to participate in vaccination exercises

    The Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) has encouraged people living in hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities to embrace and participate in the ongoing Polio and COVID-19 diseases vaccination exercise by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    Mr Solomon Gayoni, the GRCS Secretary-General said the move was towards the achievement of universal health coverage and well-being of the entire Ghanaian citizens.

    The GRCS has, therefore, targeted the hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities to educate and sensitise residents to ensure no child within the vaccination age would be left out in the ongoing national immunization against poliomyelitis, he said.

    Mr Gayoni said this when he was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a polio vaccination monitoring exercise at Abi, a farming community in the Berekum West District of the Bono region.

    He stated, “vaccination hesitancy is among the major challenges in outreach health care provision exercises”, hence, the monitoring and community education and sensitization through local radio stations, information centres and face-to-face engagements to increase public awareness on the need to embrace immunization as part of health care services delivery.

    Mr Gayoni added that the education and sensitisation were also to help the people to eschew theory conspiracies, and religious and faith-based beliefs causing vaccination hesitancy.

    He announced as a voluntary organisation, the GRCS had deployed 400 volunteers nationwide with 42 in the Bono Region working with the GHS to reach households, particularly those within the remote rural areas to ensure total coverage for the GHS to attain the set target of the exercise.

    Mr Gayoni pleaded with leaders of religious and other faith-based groups to educate their members on the significance of the exercise, avoid hesitation and go for the Polio and the COVID-19 jabs and any routine immunisation by the GHS for their own health and safety.

    Source:GNA 

  • The third meeting of Parliament commences Tuesday, October 25

    The Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

    A statement dated October 7, 2022, issued by the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday has said.

    It said: “In pursuance of Standing Order 37 of the Parliament of Ghana, I, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament hereby give notice that the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic shall commence on Tuesday, the 25th day of October 2022 at ten o’clock in the forenoon at Parliament House, Accra.”

    The House adjourned sine-dine on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

    “Mr Speaker, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the House is expected to resume the third week in October,” Mr Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader, said.

    Members of Parliament go into recess thrice in a Session, the first recess is from March to May, and the second comes off from July to October with the last being from December to January.

    Members of Parliament use the recess for committee meetings, visiting their constituencies and other Parliamentary-related works.

    Source:GNA

  • Access Bank supports government’s agenda on youth entrepreneurship

    The government’s YouStart entrepreneurial program will be supported thanks to a contract signed by Access Bank Ghana and the Ministry of Finance.
    This is in keeping with the Bank’s objective to helping SMEs grow and be in a position to sustainably assist Ghana’s economy.

    The YouStart initiative is a means by which the government of Ghana plans to give money and technical assistance to young people between the ages of 18 and 40 and youth-led businesses.
    The intervention’s goal is to help people establish, expand, and run their own enterprises.

    Through this programme, the government intends to commit about GHS10 billion over the next 3 years through the assistance of banks, towards the creation of at least a million jobs in the economy.

    Explaining the bank’s decision to come on board the initiative, the Executive Director for Wholesale Banking at Access Bank Ghana, James Bruce who spoke on behalf of Access Bank Ghana’s Managing Director, Olumide Olatunji, intimated that Access Bank Ghana has been a strong pillar of support to SMEs over the years and will not relent in its efforts to see the sector continually thrive.

    “Access Bank’s SMEs’ focus has over the past few years revolved around boosting the capacity of SMEs on digitalization, providing business advisory services, facilitating networking opportunities for them through workshops and clinics and ultimately providing funds for them”.

    He noted that within the past two years, Access Bank Ghana has advanced about GHS 50 million to SMEs in Ghana to boost their capital. The bank has also championed several programmes geared towards building resilient SMEs such as SME Clinics and Capacity Building Workshops on digitalization across the country, the Business startup Challenge, and Womenpreneur Pitchaton platforms that nurture startups and entrepreneurs with creative ideas to get funding. “Our support to YouStart therefore further entrenches our belief in the sector and desire to push them to succeed”, he added.

    As a go-to bank for SMEs, Access Bank Ghana remains committed to its promise of providing more than banking to customers. Over the years, the bank has developed a deep understanding of its customers, delivering excellent services and empowering them to achieve more through financial inclusion leading to several awards including the Most Innovative SME Banking Brand in 2022.

  • Free SHS will continue despite IMF programme- Osafo Maafo

    Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, Senior Advisor to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the free Senior High School (SHS) policy will continue despite the International Monetary Fund programme.

    He said the Government’s investment in the free SHS would deepen access and quality of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and ensure that all children acquired literacy and numeracy skills at grade 4, with opportunity for out-of-school children to access basic education.

    The policy will also provide Ghanaian youth with 21st-century skills to boost their global competitiveness, increase access to tertiary education in all regions, improve learning outcomes at all levels, and increase access to teacher trainee education.

    Mr Maafo was speaking at this year’s National Education Week celebration on the theme: “Re-assessing Educational Policies for Effective Service Delivery and National Transformation”.

    He said the Government since January 2017, had contributed significantly to the growth and development of human capital in the country through huge investments in education.

    “The government has spent on average between 4.5 per cent to 4.6 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product and between 17.6 per cent to 24 per cent of its national budget on education between 2019-202.

    ” The share of government expenditure on education increased marginally from 73.4 per cent in 2019 to 74.0 per cent in 2020,” he said.

    He said free SHS education was one of the key programmes for which advocates have argued for its abolition to save the country billions of Ghana cedis that could be invested in better productive areas.

    “I reject as false the argument that our economy cannot support these programmes. The challenges we are witnessing in our economy are short-term and we cannot afford to sacrifice our common vision due to short-term economic pressures.

    “I must say that the debate should not be whether our public expenditure is too high or too low. The debate should be and must be whether or not these programmes contribute to the welfare of Ghanaians and are essential for our national transformation,” he said.

    He stated that the free SHS had promoted access to secondary education and that enrolment at the SHS had increased from less than 900,000 students in the 2016/17 academic year to more than 1.2 million in 2020/21.

    The Gross Enrolment Rate at SHS has reached 95 per cent in 2020/21 up from 50 per cent in the pre-free SHS year, 2016/17.

    The transition rate from Junior High School three to SHS one has improved over the medium term from 78.2 per cent in 2017/18 to more than 85 per cent in 2020/21.

    Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Deputy Minister of Education, said the celebration sought to review the sector’s performance over the past medium-term, review the implementation of policies and key programmes in the sector and deliberate on how the sector could use evidence-based policies and programmes to improve learning outcomes and management of education.

    The Ministry, he said, would showcase some initiatives undertaken through an exhibition and give participants the opportunity to interact with officers of the Ministry and Agencies on the initiatives.

    Mr Abdourahamane Diallo, UNESCO Country Director to Ghana, commended the Government for putting in place interventions such as the National Standardised Test and the prioritisation of STEM education.

    He called on the authorities to collectively work to address challenges in the educational sector to ensure holistic learning outcomes.

    Source:GNA

  • Only 32% of Ghanaians fully vaccinated against COVID-19 – GRCS

    Mr Solomon Gayoni, the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) Secretary-General has observed only 32 per cent of the entire Ghanaian population had fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic as of September 1 this year.

    He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview on the sidelines of a Poliomyelitis vaccination monitoring and community education and sensitisation exercise by the GRCS at Abi, a farming community near Jinijini in the Berekum West District of the Bono region.

    Mr Gayoni said the exercise was to ensure no child within the polio immunisation age would be left out in the ongoing nationwide vaccination against the Poliomyelitis disease.

    He added there was a huge number of people who had taken only the first jab of the COVID-19 vaccination and had not gone for the second jab and the booster and attributed the situation to ” vaccination hesitancy” caused by conspiracy theories and faith-based beliefs.

    Mr Gayoni said that had necessitated the community sensitisation in the hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities as part of education on the ongoing Poliomyelitis vaccination exercise.

    Source:GNA

  • Old man wrongfully jailed has been released after 33 years in prison; weeps in sad video

    After 33 years in jail, a Ghanaian man named Tetteh has been released after a killer falsely named him and one other person as his accomplices in a murder case.

    The killer, Tengey, accused Tetteh of being his accomplice while people were beating him (Tengey) to name his accomplice before he will be spared.

    Tengey also mentioned Gruma, another accomplice when the beatings did not stop. Tetteh and Gruma, however, insisted that they were innocent of the crime.

    Accused persons sentenced to death

    Tetteh and Gruma were still sentenced to death with Tengey after police investigations. Gruma, however, died out of shock after spending three months in prison.

    In an interview with Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng of the Crime Check TV GH at the Ankafo Maximum Security Prison four years ago, Tengey confessed that his accomplices knew nothing about the murder.

    Confessing to free the wrongfully convicted

    The convict sat in the interview with Tetteh who he falsely accused, saying he deliberately named the latter and the late Gruma with the hope that he will be spared the beatings as he pleaded with Tetteh to forgive him.

    Following the confession of Tengey, Tetteh has been set free from prison after spending 33 years in prison.

    Tetteh recently sat for an interview with Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng to recount his story amid tears.

    Source:yen.com

  • Watch how 10 students share one fish during dining at St Paul SHS

    GhanaWeb has sighted a video shared by blogger Kobby Kyei, in which students of St Paul’s Senior High School and Minor Seminary in the Volta Region are purportedly sharing one fish during dining.

    The video, which has since gone viral on social media, particularly Twitter, has had people express horror at the feeding situation in schools.

    In the said video, a student with a spoon is seen carefully dividing the fish in what looks like palm nut soup into several pieces to share with other students seated around the table who had been served rice.

    “This is not healthy,” Kobby Kyei wrote while tagging the Ghana Education Service on Twitter.

    It will be recalled that from May this year, some Senior High Schools reported food shortages while threatening to close down if nothing was done about the situation.

    The regional Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in the Northern, Eastern, Central and Volta regions were worst affected by the crisis and demanded that either students are made to feed themselves, or the schools shut down.

    However, government intervened and had supplies delivered to the various schools to avert their closure.

    The situation seems to have resurrected in some schools in the Volta region as letters shared by Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr. Clement Apaak, shows a request by school heads for supplies.

    The headmistress of Avatime Senior High School, Rebecca Mawusi Veny, wrote to the Volta Regional Director of Education to request permission for the students to begin feeding themselves as the school was running out of stock.

    “This unfortunate situation has been reported to the regional Buffer Stock Company and other officers that matter, but the situation has remained the same.

    “Director and Board of Directors, please I seek permission for my students to buy their own food come next week if nothing is done about the food situation,” part of the letter dated September 29 read.

    Similarly, the headmaster of Alavanyo Senior High Technical, Rev Samuel Pius Elewokor, wrote to the Volta Regional Free SHS Secretariat for urgent supply as they have resorted to feeding their students twice daily.

    “We hope our request would be given a quick response because we currently feed the students with only breakfast and supper, and this can take us to Friday, September 30 2022,” part of the letter read.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Akuapem Twi Bible launched

    The Bible Society of Ghana has launched a new revised Akuapem–Twi Bible at Akropong Grace Presbyterian Church in the Eastern Region with a call on Christians to study the Bible in their mother tongue, so as to
    apply it daily.

    A retired Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Charles Ahwireng who made the call further charged Christians to see the Bible as a true spiritual book of God.

    The Akuapems are the second group of people to have the Bible translated.

    He urged everyone to seek Christ in all their endeavors and always worship God in truth and diligence.

    The General Secretary of the Bible Society of Ghana, BSG, Rev. Dr. Enoch Aryee-Atta urged Ghanaians, especially Christians to patronize the work of the society and participate in their programmes in order to increase awareness of the activities of the society.

    Rev. Dr. Aryee-Atta further advised Christians to procure the newly translated version of the Akuapem Twi Bible.

    According to him, the Bible Society of Ghana has successfully translated the Bible into nine major Ghanaian Languages namely, Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi, Ga, Mfantse, Ewe, Dagbani, Dangme, Nzema and Esahie- Sefwi.

    The Bible Society of Ghana set out to revise all three Akan languages, looking out for general issues such as language, grammar and syntax.

    Some of the new features include Genesis which has now been revised to Gyenesis or ‘Mfitiase’ Awurade now AWURADE in block letters, Deuteronomy now Mmara no Ntimu, among others.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Court silences Aisha Huang’s lawyer, orders police custody till end of trial

    Chinese National, Aisha Huang, who is in court for her involvement in illegal mining activities (galamsey) in Ghana, has been remanded to police custody by the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court.

    Presiding Judge, Lydia Osei Marfo during sitting on Friday, October 11, 2022, refused the plea of her lawyer, Nkrabea Effah Dartey after the latter argued that his client deserved bail.

    According to the judge, all arguments previously made against his plea for bail, including the flight risk of his client remain and will not be changed.

    She added that, his constant presence in court with his client will be the only way to ensure the hearing is heard accordingly for the determination of his client’s fate.

    State Prosecutor, Godfred Dame on his part reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring the case is duly heard and that the accused are prosecuted if found guilty.

    Aisha Huang is in court over charges of mining without a license and engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals, four other charges including undertaking a mining operation without a license.

    She is also facing four other charges including undertaking a mining operation without a license, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, illegal employment of foreign nationals, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry were filed at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court on Friday, September 16, 2022.

    Her case has since been adjourned to October 24, 2022 for case management.

    Four others remanded:

    Meanwhile, four others, who appeared in court, 3 Chinese nationals and a Vietnam national, have all been remanded to reappear in court on November 1, 2022.

    The 3 Chinese nationals – Shi Yang alias Philip, Li Wei Guo and Shi Mei Zhi are on a provisional charge of engaging in small scale-mining without a licence, contrary to section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Act 995 of 2019.

    Vietnam national; Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyen, is however being charged for remaining in Ghana after the expiration of a permit contrary to sections 20(1) and 52(1)(d) of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).

    Hearing their cases separately, the sitting judge heard the pleas of the 3 Chinese nationals but reserved that of the Vietnamese; Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyen who had difficulty understanding the Chinese and English languages through which she was communicated.

    Court denies accused persons bail:

    On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, the accused persons were denied bail for the second time.

    The sitting judge, Samuel Bright Acquah, argued that the case was one of public concern considering the depth of damage being done to the environment through galamsey activities.

    Citing threats by Ghana Water Company to shut down if nothing is done about galamsey activities, and the impact of same on marine species in affected waterbodies among others, the judge refused the accused persons bail.

    The accused persons were prior to this, denied bail on September 14, 2022, after lead counsel Nkrabea-Effah Dartey asked the court to grant his client and her three other Chinese counterparts bail.

    Aisha Huang’s request according to GhanaWeb’s court reporter was objected to by the prosecution.

    According to the prosecution, new arrests have been made therefore granting the accused persons bail may give them the opportunity to interfere with witnesses and investigations.

    The prosecution while citing public interest in the matter also argued that Aisha Huang has a history of sneaking in and out of the country and is therefore a flight risk.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Today in History: 3 more domestic airlines to start operations in December

    Former aviation minister Joseph Adda gave the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the organization that oversees the aviation sector, instructions to work tirelessly to ensure that the three new airlines undergoing certification were operational by December 2018.

    The airlines that were undertaking their GCAA accreditation procedure were BabyJet, Ashanti Air, and Unity Air.

    Aviation Minister Joseph Adda has directed the aviation industry regulator, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), to ensure that it works assiduously to ensure that the three new airlines undergoing certification become operational by December.

    BabyJet, Ashanti Air and Unity Air are currently undergoing their certification process with the GCAA. The three airlines are at different stages of the certification process.

    However, with the huge investments in on-ground infrastructure, investors with the capacity to render domestic air services are being encouraged.

    “We are also in negotiation with the domestic airlines to begin using the idle airports at Ho and Wa. With the coming onstream of PassionAir, we have also directed the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to ensure that all measures are taken to enable the other local airlines which have applications before us – such as BabyJet, Ashanti Air and Unity Air – also become operational before end of the year,” Mr. Adda said at the 6th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Airports Company Limited held in Accra.

    The Ho and Wa regional airports are both ready for use, but there are currently no airlines servicing them.

    Additionally, with the completion of Terminal 3 all international airline operations have been moved there; meanwhile, domestic airline operations have been moved from Terminal 1 of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Terminal 2, which was previously used for international operations,

    Terminal 2 of the Kotoka International Airport was recently expanded to cater for the growing traffic. The arrival-hall of the facility was expanded, lifts deployed, additional baggage carousels installed, and check-in counters of airlines increased. This has created more than enough room for more domestic operators.

    Mr. Adda assured the board and management of the company that the Aviation Ministry “will not interfere with or attempt to micro-manage any agency. Good corporate governance standards will apply in the sector, and the board and management will be permitted to perform their duties as prescribed by law”.

    Reduce taxes to grow air transport

    The Chairperson of Ghana Airports Company Limited’s (GACL) Board of Directors, Ms. Oboshie Sai-Coffie, speaking at the company’s 6th AGM urged governments on the continent to “remove counterproductive taxation systems” in order to grow aviation and harness its benefits on the continent.

    Ms. Sai-Coffie said: “Africa’s potential remains massive, but until major stakeholders like governments and corporations like ours recognise the wider benefits that an efficient aviation system can bring – with its impact on economic development – that persistent decline over the last decade situation will continue. An important first step would be to remove counterproductive taxation systems, but much remains to be done on the essentially protectionist regulatory front”.

    She noted that Aviation in Africa currently provides US$72.5billion in economic activity and 6.8 million jobs, but Africa’s proportion of the global tourism industry is receding – as the continent’s share shrunk from 4.8% of global arrivals and receipts in 2006 to 3.3% in 2016.

    IATA predicts air travel growth in Africa will outpace all other regions of the world over the next 20 years, albeit from a much smaller base. Positively, IATA expects 8.0% growth in demand; slightly outpacing a capacity expansion of 7.5%.

    “Here in Ghana, we are fortunate to have the support of government, which through the 2017 budget removed the 17.5% VAT on domestic airfares to make domestic travel more affordable. I am happy to note that as a result of this policy intervention, there has been a notable increase in domestic passenger throughput,” she added.

    Airports Company’s financial position

    Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), the state-owned airports operator, posted a profit before tax of GH¢87million for the 2017 financial year.

    The amount was however 43 percent lower than that recorded last year – a situation the company’s Managing Director, Mr. John D. Attafuah, attributed to operational cost and currency exchange losses.

    “The company continues to operate profitably with a performance of about GH¢87million profit before tax, which is lower by 43% compared to the previous year. Essentially, operational cost and currency exchange losses attributed to lower profit,” Mr. Attafuah said.

    The company’s financial position recorded further improvement of growth in the balance sheet size and quality of infrastructure.

    Total non-current assets increased by 19% to GH¢6.4billion – up from GH¢5.4billion in 2016, driven by the increase in property, plant and equipment.

    The total assets increased by 15% to GH¢6.7billion, up from GH¢5.8billion in 2016. Total assets value per share increased by 15% to GH¢1,383 – up from GH¢1,202 in 2016.

    Liquidity dipped, posting a ratio of 1.87 in 2017 against 6.9 in 2016 – which was below the industry index of 2 times or more.

    “Despite uncertainties and challenges with the macroeconomic situation in 2017, most of which were out of the company’s control, management is confident that the completion of Terminal 3 will create opportunities for further growth in the business,” he said.

    Passenger throughput up 5.3 percent

    Passenger throughput – international, domestic, transit – grew by 5.3 percent in 2017, up from 2,381,917 in 2016 to 2,509,339 at the end of 2017.

    Mr. Attafuah, said: “The increase was as a result of removing the Value-Added Tax (VAT) component from domestic airfares in the first quarter of 2017. Promotional fares introduced by some airlines in 2017 further enhanced passenger numbers”.

    In respect of freight, the tonnage of goods transported through KIA in 2017 was 50,360 tonnes as compared to 47,677 tonnes in 2016.

    The growth of 5.6% was on account of increased exports in the reporting year as demand for non-traditional exports improved.

  • The cedi does not mean anything now; this is a time for faith – Agyin-Asare

    The founder of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyin-Asare, has urged Ghanaians to brace themselves for more hardships.

    Archbishop Agyin-Asare indicated that the economic challenges in the country would worsen because of the conditionalities that will come with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout the government is seeking and the continuous depreciation of the Ghana Cedi.

    The renowned pastor, who made these remarks during a sermon in his church on Sunday, October 9, intimated that this would be a time of test for people of faith.

    “If there is a time that you need faith in your life, it is this time. This time that Ghana has gone to the IMF, it is this time. This time that our cedi is dancing, it is this time. At this time that our currency doesn’t mean anything; if you need faith, this is the time.

    “Irrespective of your political persuasion, if you needed faith, this is the time. Irrespective of what you think you need faith; this is the time. Because if you are going to survive and go above, you need faith.

    “…and listen to me, it is going to take some time before things settle… it is going to take some time, and so you need faith,” he reiterated.

    Meanwhile, the IMF has left Ghana after initial engagements for Ghana’s bailout concluded. The negotiations for a $ 3 billion bailout for Ghana are expected to continue in the US. The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has hinted that the negotiations are likely to be concluded before the presentation of the 2023 budget in November 2022.

    Also, the Ghana Cedi has depreciated to a 30-year low and is regarded as one of the worst-performing currencies in the world, currently selling at over GH¢11 for a dollar.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Thomas Partey’s role highlighted in Arsenal’s win over Liverpool

    Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey shone for Arsenal in their 3-2 victory over Liverpool on Sunday at the Emirates stadium.

    Partey lasted the entire duration of the game as he helped the Gunners seal all three points and remain in the lead with eight wins from their first nine fixtures.

    Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for Arsenal in the first minute and Bukayo Saka followed with a brace to sink Liverpool to their second Premier League defeat of the season and into 10th place in the table.

    Pundit Jamie Redknapp was quick to highlight Partey as Arsenal’s unsung hero this season, despite doubts over his fitness.

    He told Sky Sports, “I think people like Thomas Partey today. His involvement, the way that he controlled that midfield, he is brilliant at that job. Can they keep him fit?”

    Partey, who has been one of the key cog of Mikel Arteta’s side has made six league appearances and scored one goal for Arsenal so far this season.

  • Ghana-IMF negotiations: Government satisfied with progress made so far – Ofori-Atta

    Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, has expressed satisfaction with the development of the negotiations for an economic program with the International Monetary Fund.

    He claims that the administration is dedicated to building a macroeconomic climate that is secure and resilient, ensuring debt sustainability, and preserving social cohesion.

    This comes after the Stéphane Roudet-led IMF mission team finished evaluating the status of the Ghanaian economy.

    “This has been a very productive mission and I thank the IMF Team and all stakeholders for their commitment over what has been a marathon fortnight. The Government of Ghana is deeply encouraged by the progress made so far,” he said.

    “We look forward to continuing our engagement and remain committed to working tirelessly to create a stable and resilient macroeconomic environment, ensure debt sustainability, and maintain social cohesion. Ghana is at a pivotal moment in her history and we are grateful for the IMF’s support, and indeed the support of all Ghanaians, as we work together to bolster Ghana’s build back effort”, he explained.

    The Finance Minsiter further said the government of Ghana remains steadfast in its resolve to fast-track negotiations with the IMF towards achieving a historic agreement that will help strengthen post-covid economic growth.

  • ‘Romantic’ Samira publicly displays affection on Bawumia’s birthday

    It is characteristic of Samira Bawumia, wife of the Vice President of Ghana to publicly display her emotions and appreciation for her husband on every occasion of his birthday.

    This year wasn’t any different.

    The beautiful spouse of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia didn’t mince words when she described her husband as her sweetheart.

    On the occasion of his 59th birthday, Samira took to her Facebook page to pay glowing tribute to her own, acknowledging his role in the lives of herself and their children and his commitment towards nation-building.

    “Happy 59th birthday, sweetheart Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. We’re grateful to Allah for protecting and guiding you throughout the years. The kids and I are proud of your commitment to our family and the entire nation,” she wrote.

    See the full post below:

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • I’m in good terms with my friend who snatched my wife – Reggie Rockstone

    Reginald Yaw Asante Osei known by his stage name Reggie Rockstone has said after several years of enduring pain, there is no bad blood between him and a friend who snatched his wife from him.

    “For your information, today I still speak to the guy and I speak with the lady too. It didn’t go well with their relationship though,” Reggie Rockstone told Agyemang on TV XYZ in an interview monitored by MyNewsGH.com.

    According to the Hiplife Grandpapa, the only opportunity he had in life was to put this story in a piece of music which featured KK Fosu at the time dubbed ‘Ah’.

    Speaking on the reason behind his song, Reggie Rockstone noted that, “the story was about my life; my wife and my very good friend who were dating behind me in Ghana.”

    Motivating himself and other folks who have suffered similar instances on TV XYZ, Reggie Rockstone advised “God works in mysterious ways and those who know me know I am happily married. I’ve been married for a long time. At times, how God makes things, you would never understand.”

    “If it had not happened that way, I may not have met my new wife. So pray whenever you go into circumstances,” he urged.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • You’re cold-hearted, God will judge you – Efia Odo to Akufo-Addo

    Actress Efia Odo has in a tweet charged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to fix the country while describing the first gentleman of the land as incompetent and cold-hearted.

    Her social media post, Tuesday, had scanty words but the actress who was once a member of the Fix The Country movement has had her comment trigger reactions from other tweeps.

    The showbiz personality was among the people who were arrested on June 25, 2022, by the police for demonstrating in front of Law Court complex in Accra as the court was hearing the case as regards whether the ‘non-partisan and non-political civic movement by Ghanaian youths for Ghana’ should be allowed to stage a street protest or not.

    The group was “demanding a new society founded on justice” while highlighting economic problems and government management. After a successful demonstration which saw many clad in red and black while holding placards, the narrative, according to some Ghanaians, remains unchanged.

    Some aggrieved citizens have been expressing fury over economic hardship, hoping for the economy to be rescued.

    In the midst of that, Ghana was recently ranked 1st by the World Bank with highest food price increases of 122% in Sub-Saharan Africa. This led to Prince David Osei issuing a threat to mobilise the youth and protest against the government, stressing that Ghanaians deserved better.

    Meanwhile, the cedi continues to depreciate. Some forex bureaus in parts of Accra are selling a dollar at an average of GH¢11.2, raising concerns.

    Source:ghanaweb.com