TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Ada Salt Miners resolve to oppose Electrochem eviction

    Ada Salt Miners resolve to oppose Electrochem eviction

    Salt miners, operating within a concession leased to Electrochem Ghana Limited for salt mining, have staunchly declared their intent to resist any attempts of eviction by the company. The miners stand united in their determination to maintain their operations within the designated area.

    In response to the final warning issued by the Ada East District Assembly to communities around the Songor Lagoon, instructing them to vacate Electrochem’s concession for the company’s operations to commence on January 3, 2024, salt miners are steadfast in their resistance. The impending eviction notice has intensified tensions between the mining communities and the company, setting the stage for a contentious standoff.

    The Ada East District Assembly has issued a directive, instructing salt miners to vacate the concession by December 31, 2023. The ultimatum adds urgency to the ongoing dispute between the assembly and the mining communities operating within Electrochem’s leased area.

    According to the Assembly, the Ada East portion of the Songor Lagoon concession was released by the Minerals Commission on October 29, 2020, for a restricted mining lease of salt for 15 years, and was subsequently ratified by Parliament.

    “The District Assembly has received official notice from the company of its intention to start operations in the District on the 3rd of January 2024. To this end, you are hereby informed to vacate from the land with all your machines to allow the company to start its operations. You are on this note given up to 31st December 2023, to finally leave the concession.”

    However, Electrochem is facing fierce resistance, as residents have vowed to defy the letter issued by the Assembly until the necessary compensation is paid to affected salt miners and residents.

    In an interview, the Public Relations Officer and Organiser of Ada Songor Lagoon Association (ASLA), Abraham Ahumah, said the community will gather at the concession tomorrow to prevent any possible eviction.

    “The license they gave to the company has covered 41,000 acres of land; some of our villages are within the concession. If they go ahead with their operations, it will bring disaster. We have taken salt mining as our entrepreneurial job. We have decided to resist any move by them today; tomorrow we will be on the land; all the village people will be there.”

    “We don’t have any place to carry our houses or shops, and so we will remain on the land; we will continue to do our salt business. We have no place to go; we are not packing our things anywhere. We are totally rejecting what the district assembly has done. They should pay fair and reasonable compensation to affected residents; that is what the rules stipulate,” he stated.

    He called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, to ensure total peace in the area to avert any fatalities.

    “IGP, National Security should ensure they bring police to ensure peace and security to Ada; we have informed them that we will not allow any more killings,” he said.

    Owners of Electrochem Ghana Limited and residents of Ada on Monday, November 6, 2023, engaged in an argument which resulted in a shooting incident in Sege in the Greater Accra Region, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

    The company has announced its intention to establish a community salt mine for local miners in Ada East District before commencing its commercial salt mining operations.

  • IFEST dares Mahama to provide proof of alleged WASSCE results cheating 

    IFEST dares Mahama to provide proof of alleged WASSCE results cheating 

    Deputy Director of the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST), Patrick Apea-Danquah,  has called  for substantiation of former President John Dramani Mahama’s remarks casting doubt on the credibility of the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.

    Challenging the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum‘s assertion that the current year’s WASSCE results mark the best performance since 2015, former President Mahama disputes the claim, citing concerns over purportedly lenient invigilation and teacher assistance.

    Speaking in an interview, Mr Apeah-Danquah asserted the need for John Mahama to back his claims with evidence.

    “What the former president said might be quite unfortunate, but if he has any evidence to prove that, then we can have a discussion. You can’t just say that a lot of students passed and, as a result, it is not appropriate, or it doesn’t reflect the true performance. We know the free SHS has its issues, but if you make such an allegation, you should back it with evidence, so if he has got a piece of evidence, I think that should come up. But if he hasn’t, then we have to move on,” he said.

    During his country tour, Mr. Mahama discredited the examination results, pointing to malpractices and students conniving with teachers to cheat.

    The President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu, has also challenged Mr. Mahama to provide evidence.

    “The information the former President has will help all of us to resolve the matter,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme.

  • Zelensky’s New Year’s address promises additional weaponry manufactured in Ukraine

    Zelensky’s New Year’s address promises additional weaponry manufactured in Ukraine

    President Volodymyr Zelensky has promised to sharply increase the number of weapons produced by Ukraine next year.

    In his New Year’s message, Mr. Zelensky reiterated his promise that at least one million drones will be built.

    Fighting continued into New Year’s Eve, with five people killed in attacks in Odessa, southern Ukraine, and the Russian-controlled Donetsk region.

    Earlier, Vladimir Putin gave a New Year’s speech, praising his army but not explicitly mentioning the war.

    The Russian President praised his soldiers as “heroes. at the forefront of the fight for truth” while also touching on economic issues, an important topic for many Russians, and declaring 2024 “the year of the family.

    ” Speaking on Sunday, as the war against Russia entered its third year, Zelensky said: “Next year the enemy will feel the fury of domestic production. ” He said Ukraine would produce “a million” more drones by 2024 – something he said earlier this month – and that F-16 fighter jets would be delivered by Ukraine’s Western partners deliver.

    “Our pilots have mastered the F-16 aircraft and we will definitely see them in our skies,” he said. “So that our enemies can certainly see what our anger really is.

    ” The New Year’s message came just hours before more attacks. In Russian-occupied Donetsk, four people were killed and 13 injured, according to Denis Pushilin, the Russian-appointed head of Donetsk, on Telegram.

    He described the attack as “a massive bombardment from multiple rocket launchers.

    ” Additionally, in Odessa, southern Ukraine, one person was killed and three others injured in a Russian drone strike, local governor Oleg Kiper said.

    Fighting has increased in recent days, after Russia launched attacks across Ukraine on Friday, killing 39 people in what Kiev described as Russia’s biggest missile bombardment of the war hitherto Several cities were affected, including the capital Kiev.

    This was followed by Ukraine’s attacks on Russia on Saturday, with Moscow reporting deadly airstrikes in the country’s southwest – leaving 24 dead and more than 100 injured in Belgorod, near the border.

    Mr Zelensky called on Western allies to maintain support for Ukraine as the country faces the risk of aid from allies in Washington and Europe slowing down.

    Ukraine has received the latest military aid package from the United States – with any further aid being delayed due to controversy in the US Congress.

    Mr Zelensky admitted his country’s spring offensive was not as successful as he had hoped, but emphasized in his message that his country had become stronger before the full-scale invasion of Russia.

    Mr Putin did not mention the war in Ukraine in his New Year’s speech, which was significantly narrowed compared to last year.

    But he said: “To all those at the forefront of the fight for truth and justice: you are our heroes, our hearts go out to you, ” he said. “We are proud of you, we admire your courage. ”

  • Voice actor for Coco on Disney Ana Ofelia Murguía passes away at age 90

    Voice actor for Coco on Disney Ana Ofelia Murguía passes away at age 90

    Ana Ofelia Murguía, the Mexican actress who played great-grandmother Mama Coco in the Oscar-winning Disney Pixar animated film Coco, has died at the age of 90.

    She stars in the film about a Mexican boy who travels through the land of the dead, uncovering family secrets while trying to become a musician.

    The film highlights the Day of the Dead and celebrates Mexican culture. One of Coco’s most memorable moments is the scene where Mama Coco and her great-grandson Miguel sing Remember Me together.

    He sings, “Because even though I’m far away, I still hold you in my heart” and she sings with him, “Until you’re in my arms again. Please remember Me.

    ” The film is set during the Day of the Dead festival held annually in South American countries, including Mexico, celebrating the cycle of life and death.

    Large parades are held and people often paint their faces to resemble skulls to commemorate friends and family who have passed away and passed on to afterlife. Movie Talk About the success of the movie Coco The National Institute of Fine Arts stated: “We are deeply saddened by the sensitive passing of leading actress Ana Ofelia Murguía, who was a member of the stable troupe of the National Theater Company of Mexico and Her artistic career is very important for Mexican performing arts.

    ” Art and Literature are added. Born in Mexico in 1933, Murguía won the Golden Ariel Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, in a ceremony honoring the best of the Mexican film industry.

    She shared the award, for her career spanning more than 40 years in theatre, film and television, with director and writer Jorge Fons.

    She also won Best Supporting Actress at the Ariel Awards in 1979, 1986 and 1996 for films including 1994’s La Reina de la Noche (Queen of the Night), about a performance artist vaudevillian returned to his career in Mexico after leaving Berlin following a troubled trip with the Nazis.

    Celebrating Coco’s 2018 double Oscar wins for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, one of the film’s producers, Lee Unkrich, said his biggest thanks go to Mexico and that the film could not exist without its “incredibly beautiful culture and traditions.”

    “With Coco, we tried to take a step toward a world where all children can grow up seeing movie characters who look, talk and live like them,” he told the audience.

    Fake “Marginalized people deserve to feel like they belong. Representation matters”

  • Police successfully managing traffic congestion in Accra and across the country – Service says

    Police successfully managing traffic congestion in Accra and across the country – Service says

    The Ghana Police Service has called upon Ghanaians in an earnest plea, for cooperation as it diligently strives to ameliorate prevailing traffic conditions across the nation.

    The Service reports a surge in traffic across various areas of Accra and other major cities due to New Year festivities.

    In response to this situation, the Police Service has deployed officers nationwide to assist in alleviating the traffic congestion.

    Read the brief statement below;

    The Ghana Police Service wishes all Ghanaians a Happy New Year.

    We wish to bring to your attention that there is increased traffic in some parts of Accra and other major cities across the country due to the New Year celebrations.

    We kindly urge the public to bear with us as Police officers deployed throughout the country continue to work to ease the traffic situation.

  • Mahama extends gratitude for divine protection in 2023, vows to build prosperous and just Ghana in 2024

    Mahama extends gratitude for divine protection in 2023, vows to build prosperous and just Ghana in 2024

    Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has affirmed his commitment to constructing the nation Ghanaians envisage, as he addressed and reassured Ghanaians on the party’s mission and objectives.

    In his New Year’s address, Mr Mahama conveyed gratitude to the Almighty for guiding the people throughout the entirety of the year 2023.

    Calling upon Ghanaians to express gratitude, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer emphasized the importance of being thankful for God’s protection throughout the year 2023 in his New Year message.

    “By the grace and mercies of the almighty God 2023 has ended, and we have entered 2024. Let us praise and take our maker for protecting and preserving us,” he said.

    “Together we shall build the Ghana we want, a prosperous and just Ghana filled with opportunities for all,” the former President added.

  • 2024: Agyinasare advises Christians to avoid alcohol, side chicks, if they want to experience God’s power

    2024: Agyinasare advises Christians to avoid alcohol, side chicks, if they want to experience God’s power

    In a spiritual directive, founder and leader of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, counsels Christians to refrain from alcohol consumption as a means to tap into the divine power of God in the year 2024.

    Addressing his congregation, Archbishop Agyinasare implores them to prioritize prayer, emphasizing that making it a focal point is key to reaping the benefits and experiencing the might of God throughout the year.

    It was among the ten points highlighted in his sermon, providing guidance on actions individuals can take to encounter the power of God.

    He quoted Ephesians 5:18 which reads “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual”, to support his call.

    “Stop drinking alcohol. Stop being high with whisky and being high with beer. If you want to be high, be high with the power of the holy ghost.”

    He also warned them against adopting wicked tactics to make money, noting people who join secret groups and perform rituals merely to make money at whatever cost.

    He stated that Christians must have a spiritual drive to gain money and invest some of it in God’s cause, but they should not do so through blood sacrifices by joining secret societies.

    According to the great man of God, Christians must avoid all types of evil and be godly in order to experience God’s power and for God’s plan to be completed.

    To the married men, he advised them to stop chasing after side chicks and also asked the young ladies to stop going after married men and instead focus on dedicating themselves to God and praying for their husbands.

    He said Christians must receive the Holy Spirit baptism, which manifests through the speaking of tongues.

    He said that although people can mock speaking in tongues, the Bible recognises that those who speak in tongues do not speak to men but to God.

  • NSS personnel fatally shot at Nkwanta

    NSS personnel fatally shot at Nkwanta

    A National Service Person has tragically lost their life after being fatally shot in Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region. The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation, raising concerns about the safety and security in the area.

    Gowugade Denis, identified as the deceased in the tragic incident, was fatally shot while tending to his farm alongside his family, as reported. At present, no arrests have been made in connection with the crime, leaving the circumstances surrounding the shooting shrouded in uncertainty.

    In an interview, the Municipal Chief Executive for Nkwanta South, Bright Lenwah described the incident as unfortunate.

    “It is very disheartening to wake from time to time to hear of such incidents,” he added.

    He said authorities were working diligently to restrategise and modify their tactics to prevent such incidents in the area.

    In a related development, reports suggest that the agitated youth, who previously staged a protest at the office and residence of the District Chief Executive for Kadjebi, Wilson Agbanyo, over the death of two youngsters, have allegedly vandalized the COCOBOD office at Papase in the Oti Region.

    The ECG meters supplying power to the facility, along with other lighting installations, have been vandalised.

    The cause of the attack is unclear, but it is believed to be linked to recent protests and disturbances in the area related to the death of the two youngsters from Yadzo.

    In response, military personnel have been deployed to the district to ensure law and order.

  • 5 suspected kidnappers nabbed over abduction of 4-year-old girl 

    5 suspected kidnappers nabbed over abduction of 4-year-old girl 

    Authorities have apprehended five individuals suspected of kidnapping a four-year-old girl in Fumso, located in the Ashanti Region.

    The arrested individuals reportedly hail from Wassa Jappa in the Western Region and are alleged to have traveled to Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region.

    According to reports, they are all allegedly involved in illegal mining.

    The Assembly member for the Fumso Electoral Area, Adakora Albert, confirmed the incident and reported it to the Fumso police.

    They were handed over to the Fumso police for further investigation. Concerned community members have also appealed to the police for a thorough investigation.

  • UK claims to fend off Houthi strikes in Red Sea

    UK claims to fend off Houthi strikes in Red Sea

    Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said British forces are ready to take action against Houthi rebels targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea.

    In an article, he said Britain was “ready to take direct action” to protect this important shipping route.

    Highlighting how a British warship shot down a suspected drone attack in the Red Sea in December, Mr Shapps said “we will not hesitate to take further action”.

    Houthi forces have targeted foreign ships since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.

    The Iran-backed rebel group has declared support for Hamas and said it targeted ships bound for Israel, carrying out more than 100 drone and missile attacks.

    US and British warships shot down these missiles and drones at great cost, but are now warning the Houthis to stop or risk military retaliation. In his article for the Daily Telegraph, Mr Shapps wrote: “The Houthis should make no mistake: we are committed to holding bad actors accountable for their illegal arrests and attacks.

    “Continued aggression in the Red Sea risks leading to miscalculation and escalation that could trigger a regional conflict,” he added.

    If the Red Sea is not protected, he wrote, “it risks emboldening those who seek to intimidate elsewhere, especially in the South China Sea and Crimea.

    ” Mr Shapps said the situation was “a test for the international community” and the UK must “stand strong alongside our allies”. The United States launched an international naval operation in December to protect shipping in the region.

    Countries including the UK, Canada, France, Bahrain, Norway and Spain have participated.

    As part of this coalition, HMS Diamond – a British Type 45 destroyer – shot down a suspected attack drone that month. The Ministry of Defense said it was the first time in decades that the Royal Navy had fired at an aerial target in anger.

    On Sunday, the US Navy announced that it had destroyed Houthi “small boats” whose crews were trying to board a container ship in the Red Sea.

    Helicopters from nearby US warships responded to the call for help and, after being attacked, sank three boats “in self-defense”. The crew died and the fourth boat fled the scene.

    The problem for the US, UK and their allies is that targeting Houthi missile launch sites would seriously escalate the current crisis in the Middle East, potentially pushing the West and Iran into a direct confrontation.

    It will also represent the West – as perceived by the Arab world – in entering the conflict in Gaza on the side of Israel.

    The Red Sea is one of the most important shipping routes in the world because it connects markets in Europe and Asia.

    About 12% of global trade passes through the Bab El Mandeb Strait, near where the Houthis are targeting.

    Analysts warn that Houthi attacks could lead to higher prices, as it is also one of the most important routes for the transport of oil and liquefied natural gas produced in the Middle East .

  • Vote for ‘experienced’ Mahama – Haruna Iddrisu urges Ghanaians 

    Vote for ‘experienced’ Mahama – Haruna Iddrisu urges Ghanaians 

    Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu,has entreated Ghanaians to cast resounding votes for John Mahama in the forthcoming 2024 elections.

    Highlighting his conviction, he asserted that the former President is positioned for a comeback to the presidency, armed with invaluable insights that promise a positive impact on the Ghanaian economy.

    Mr. Iddrisu asserts that Mr. Mahama stands as the prime candidate to navigate the economic challenges confronting the Akufo-Addo government.

    He commented on Thursday, December 28, during a ceremony where he received the prestigious chieftaincy title “Sugru-Lana” or Chief of Patience from the paramount chief of Nakpanduri, Naba David Kansuk Na Golbila II, and his sub-chiefs at the palace.

    “I have said that former President Mahama is coming back to the throne with two important insights and one important hindsight.

    “He has been President, and he is being outside as non-president, and he will combine the two to change the destiny of this country.”

    He additionally urged local chiefs and residents to throw their support behind NDC MPs, emphasising that their votes would play a crucial role in enabling Mr Mahama to bring about the necessary transformation in both the local area and the entire nation.

    The vocal MP affirmed his unwavering commitment to actively contribute to the progress and growth of the country.

  • Multitude gathers for music and fireworks on December 31, 2023

    Multitude gathers for music and fireworks on December 31, 2023

    As Brits count down the hours until midnight, New Year’s Eve celebrations are in full swing in some parts of the world.

    Christmas Island in Kiribati, an island nation in Oceania, is one of the first inhabited places in the world to welcome the year 2024.

    The country is followed by the Chatham Islands in New Zealand, as well as Tokelau, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati’s Phoenix Islands and parts of Antarctica.

    Auckland is the first major city to welcome the New Year with a fireworks display on the tallest building, Sky Tower.

    New Zealand welcomes 2024 with fireworks in Auckland Celebrations also begin in Australia when the clock strikes midnight. Tons of explosives were detonated in a riveting 12-minute scene centered on the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

    More than a million people, equivalent to one in five Sydney residents, watched the spectacle from the shore and from boats in the harbour.

    German tourist Janna Thomas, who had been patiently queuing since 7:30 a. m, said: “It’s crazy. ” “It’s not easy to find a good seat but the view is amazing. Despite the cheers, the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as tensions in many parts of the world, are affecting this year’s New Year celebrations in many ways.

    Many cities have implemented additional security measures, and some localities have even canceled New Year’s Eve events altogether. More police officers than ever have been deployed across Sydney.

    The riverbank was the scene of violent pro-Palestinian protests after the sails of the Sydney Opera House were lit up in the colors of the Israeli flag during a Hamas attack on 7 October. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, the government banned all events to show solidarity with the Palestinians.

    In a nightly televised message, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar called on his country to “show solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza” by starting the new year on a positive note. Simple Gazans have little hope that 2024 will bring them much relief after Israel’s 12 weeks of war to eliminate Hamas.

    In Rafah, on the Gaza-Egypt border, which has become the main focus for Palestinians fleeing other parts of the enclave, people on Sunday were more preoccupied with finding shelter, food and drinking water rather than thinking about the new year.

    “In 2024, I want to return to the ruins of my house, pitch a tent,” said Abu Abdullah al-Agha, a middle-aged Palestinian whose house in Khan Younis was destroyed and who lost a young niece there and live there”. nephew during an Israeli air strike.

    Queen Margrethe II of Denmark used her annual New Year’s address on Sunday to make the shock announcement that she will abdicate the throne on January 14 after a 52-year reign and be replaced by her eldest son, crown prince Fredrik.

    Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed the decision in a press release paying tribute to the 83-year-old monarch, expressing “heartfelt thanks to Her Majesty for her lifetime of service. ” and her tireless efforts for the Kingdom.

    ” Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned only briefly on Sunday in his New Year’s address his war in Ukraine, praising his soldiers as heroes but mainly emphasizing solidarity and common determination.

    North Korea pledged to launch three new spy satellites, build military drones and boost its nuclear arsenal by 2024, as leader Kim Jong Un said US policy made war inevitable, the official media said on Sunday.

    During Sunday prayer at the Vatican, Pope Francis said: “I wish everyone a peaceful end of the year and don’t forget to pray for me. “

  • Fuel prices drop marginally as several OMCs slash prices

    Fuel prices drop marginally as several OMCs slash prices

    Some select Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have initiated a reduction in the prices of petroleum products at fuel stations, effective today, January 1, 2024. 

    This move is expected to bring relief to consumers at the start of the year, reflecting adjustments in fuel costs by the participating OMCs.

    Marking a noteworthy trend, fuel prices have now decreased for the second consecutive time, signaling a positive trajectory in the cost of petroleum products. This reduction comes as welcome news for consumers, pointing to a potential trend of improved affordability in the fuel market.

    One of the major players, Star Oil, took the lead by selling a liter of petrol at GHS11.24 from the previous price of GHS12.69 per litre.

    Similarly, it is also selling a litre of diesel for GHS11.24 from the earlier GHS11.69.

    The other major OMCs are also expected to adjust their prices downwards in the coming hours.

    However, market watchers will be prioritising the margin of reduction in the prices of petroleum products.

    Some of the OMCs had earlier told Joy Business that the reduction had been influenced by the cedi’s stability in the last two weeks and the continued reduction in prices of finished petroleum products on the international market.

  • Putin retaliates by launching additional drone strikes against Ukraine

    Putin retaliates by launching additional drone strikes against Ukraine

    Vladimir Putin shelled Ukraine’s largest cities in the hours before New Year’s Eve, after Russia accused Volodymyr Zelensky of bombing the Belgorod border region.

    Dozens of people have been killed in both countries in the past 24 hours and more than 100 people have been injured. Most attacks in Ukraine have been focused on the south and east, but explosions were also reported in Kiev.

    Russia said it was retaliation for Saturday’s attack on Belgorod, a town about 35 miles from the border, that killed at least 24 people.

    Three children were among those killed in one of the deadliest attacks on Russia since Putin launched the invasion, the region’s governor said.

    Hours later, air strike warnings sounded across Ukraine, urging people to take shelter. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said today that at least six rockets hit Kharkov, injuring at least 28 people and striking residential buildings, hotels and medical facilities.

    Earlier, Ukrainian officials said two boys aged 14 and 16 and a security adviser for a group of German journalists were among those injured in the city.

    Around midnight, as part of a broader bombardment of Ukraine that also targeted Kiev, several waves of drones struck residential buildings in the center.

    Mayor Ihor Terekhov said: “On New Year’s Eve, the Russians wanted to threaten our city, but we are not afraid, we are invincible. ” Images from Kharkiv showed several damaged buildings, including a hotel whose entire floor was destroyed.

    The Ukrainian Air Force said the military shot down 21 of 49 drones launched by Russia overnight. In another attack, three people were killed when Russian forces shelled a village in the Kharkiv region, near the front line.

    Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, reacted to the scenes of destruction in Kharkov: “Crazy Russian terrorists attacked a peaceful city.

    “Apartments and private houses, hospitals, hotels, kindergartens – these are the buildings damaged after the attack. None of these buildings are military installations.

    “Nor did the civilians affected by the attack. Meanwhile, Russia called Ukraine’s airstrikes on Belgorod “indiscriminate”, but a Ukrainian security source told the BBC that only military infrastructure was targeted.

    But images from the city showed destroyed residential buildings and burned-out cars in the middle of the street.

    Russia’s Kommersant newspaper cited a source close to the Russian Investigative Committee as saying that Ukraine conducted an attack with a multiple rocket launcher in the Kharkov area.

    Both sides stepped up bombing in the final week of 2023, with Russia killing at least 31 civilians on Friday in its biggest airstrike in the 22-month war against Ukraine.

  • Russia bombs three Ukrainian cities with deadly drones to start new year

    Russia bombs three Ukrainian cities with deadly drones to start new year

    New Year’s Day in Ukraine was marked by drone attacks as Putin’s relentless war continued.

    Brutal drone attacks hit the cities of Odessa, Lviv and Kharviv overnight, while Kyiova’s forces targeted the Donbass Palace hotel in Donetsk shortly after the Russian president gave a speech at midnight before his people.

    Ukraine said it shot down 87 out of 90 Iranian-made Shahed suicide drones launched by Russia – a record number.

    In Odessa, one person was killed and nine others were injured after debris from a drone hit a high-rise building, causing burning debris to fall to the ground.

    Nataliya Humenyuk, a spokesperson for southern Ukraine’s defense forces, said port infrastructure was damaged after explosions caused a fire. Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov criticized Russia for staging an attack on Ukraine before the new year.

    “They say that how you celebrate the new year depends on how you spend it,” he said.

    “Well, this year Ukraine will break that rule. We will stand and we will prevail because we have justice and God is on our side.

    In the village of Belogorscha near Lviv, the Shukhevych Roman Memorial Museum was damaged by Shahed drones following the Russian attack, and university dormitories were also attacked and destroyed in Dublyany.

    Andriy Sadovyi, the mayor of Lviv, said: “Tonight the enemy attacked two places of national memory in Lviv: Dublyany University, where [Ukrainian nationalist] Stepan Bandera studied 100 years ago and Shukhevych Roman Museum. “Symbolism and cynicism.

    A fight for our history Ukrainian sources said that in the Kharkiv area, Russia attacked four S-300 air defense missiles, three Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and one Kh-59.

    In Donetsk – a city currently held by Russia – pro-Moscow leader Denis Pushilin announcedthat4peopledied and 13 were injured. As the new year began, explosions rangout again in the Kiev-controlled city of Kherson.

    An air warning was issued in the Volyn, Rivne, Lviv and Ternopil regions of Ukraine. According to the capital’s military authorities,the number of victims of the missile attack on Kiev on December 29 has increased to 27people.

    Rescue operations continue and today the city has declared a day of mourning.

    Putin’s attack against Ukraine came as he delivered a New Year’s speech declaring his troops “heroes”.

    In his shortest New Year’s speech in four years, he said: “I want to speak to our soldiers-all those who serve,those on the front lines fighting for truth and justice.

    “You are our heroes. Our beliefs you. We are proud of you and we admire your courage.

    “I know well that now you feel the love of yourselves,the strong and sincere support of millions of Russian citizens, the support of the entire people.

    “The main thing that unites us is the destiny of the Fatherland.

    “We are united in thought,in duty and in struggle, whether at work or on holiday,embodying the main features of the Russian people: solidarity, kindness and steadfastness. ”

  • Japan issues evacuation orders following tsunami alert

    Japan issues evacuation orders following tsunami alert

    Japan has called on people to “immediately evacuate” after a 7. 6 magnitude earthquake occurred in the central region.

    A major tsunami warning has been issued for the coastal area from Noto to Ishikawa, warning of waves up to 5 meters high.

    Authorities also issued a tsunami warning for neighboring Niigata and Toyama prefectures, where they said waves could be as high as 3 meters.

    The public television station broadcast an “evacuation” message in large letters, urging people to evacuate to higher ground despite the cold.
    An NHK host called on concerned viewers: “We know your house, your belongings are precious to you, but your life is more important than anything.

    People also posted videos of houses and subway trains shaking during the quake.

    The Japan Meteorological Agency said a series of earthquakes struck the Noto region in the afternoon, starting with a magnitude 5. 7 quake at 4:06 p. m local time (07:06 GMT).  

    This was followed by a magnitude 7. 6 earthquake and at least five other earthquakes within an hour.

    Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi warned people to prepare for further earthquakes.

    The country’s largest nuclear operator, Kansai Electric, said there was “nothing unusual” at nuclear plants in the affected area.

    The Korean weather agency warned that a tsunami up to 0. 3 m high could hit the country’s east coast between 6:29 p. m and 7:17 p. m

    Russia has issued a tsunami warning for the port cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka in the country’s far east, the country’s official TASS news agency reported.

    In 2011, Japan suffered a magnitude 9 earthquake followed by a tsunami that devastated coastal communities in the country’s northeast, killing nearly 18,000 people and displacing tens of thousands.  

    The tsunami caused a nuclear explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, causing the most serious nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

  • I am extremely confident about 2024 – Bawumia  says in his New Year message  

    I am extremely confident about 2024 – Bawumia  says in his New Year message  

    Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, in a compelling New Year message, has shared his unwavering confidence in the prospects of 2024, outlining a vision of optimism and possibilities for the nation.

    In a video exceeding three minutes, shared on his official Facebook page, Bawumia, also the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the upcoming 2024 general elections, underscored the imperative of solidifying the achievements made by the present administration.

    “The New Year opens the door for us to review the old year and reset for the future, reaffirm and recommit to what has worked while exploring new paths to a world of possibilities. I am extremely confident about 2024,” he stressed.

    Bawumia spoke about hope and optimism and the need to team up, to create a new layer in the development process.

    He also expressed excitement at the landmark of 30 years of democracy under the current Fourth Republic.

    Bawumia said the government will work at building a resilient economy based on digitalization and in the process making the youth future-ready.

  • GPRTU petitions Parliament to review recently passed Emission Levy Bill

    Aggrieved members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) have submitted a proposal to Parliament, urging a thorough reconsideration of the impending Emission Levy Bill slated for implementation in 2024. 

    The union advocates for a comprehensive review, emphasizing its concerns and seeking to engage lawmakers in shaping the future trajectory of this crucial legislation.

    This is after Parliament gave its approval to a bill mandating an annual GHS100 charge on owners of petrol and diesel vehicles, set to take effect from January 2024. This significant development marks a crucial step in the nation’s approach to emissions management and vehicle-related policies.

    Expressing apprehension over an increased tax burden on the transport sector, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has issued a stern warning, indicating potential fare hikes of no less than 60 per cent. The looming threat underscores the union’s concerns about the financial impact of the additional taxation on transportation services.

    Abass Imoro, the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU, expressed optimism about a favourable outcome for their proposal in an interview with Citi FM.

    “We will officially resume on January 12, 2024, from the Christmas break, so we are hopeful that by the time we resume, we might have received a letter from Parliament.

    “In an institution like Parliament, you can’t write to them, and they will overlook it; definitely, we shall hear from them. When we hear from them, then we continue from there.”

    “Let’s all hope for the best because the country is for all of us, and we all wish to live happily. If you say pollution, and you say emission somewhere, I think it’s the grammar that has been changed.

    “It all means the same thing, so we are creating awareness that we are already paying for something on that,” Mr Imoro said.

  • Queen Margrethe II: Danish monarch declares her abdication live on TV

    Queen Margrethe II: Danish monarch declares her abdication live on TV

    Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has announced her surprise abdication in a new year TV address.

    She will formally step down on 14 January, which will be 52 years to the day since she became queen.

    “I will leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik,” she announced.

    The 83-year-old is the world’s only reigning queen and the longest serving current monarch in Europe, taking the throne after the death of her father King Frederik IX in 1972.

    Unlike British royal tradition, there will be no formal crowning ceremony for Crown Prince Frederik, who is 55. His accession will be announced that day from Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen.

    He will succeed him as King of Denmark and head of state of the country – which is a constitutional monarchy – as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

    His Australian-born wife, Princess Mary, would become Queen Consort of Denmark.

    Queen Margrethe revealed she made this decision after a period of reflection following back surgery in early 2023.

    “This activity naturally evokes reflection on the future, whether it is time to hand over responsibility to the next generation,” she said. “I decided this was the right time,” she added, thanking the Danish public for their support over the years.

    Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked the Queen for her service, “lifelong dedication and tireless efforts to the Kingdom”.

    “Even though the office and position of regent has been passed down for more than 1,000 years, it is still difficult to understand that the time has come for a change to the throne,” she said in a statement. “Many of us have never known another regent.

    Queen Margrethe is the embodiment of Denmark and over the years she has expressed her words and feelings about who we are as is one people and one nation. ”

    Queen Margrethe is a popular figure in Denmark and many Danes expect her to stay on the throne until her death.

    “She is to us what Queen Elizabeth is to you,” Danish journalist Tine Gotzsche told the BBC.

    Queen Margrethe attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022 and they celebrated their respective anniversaries the same year.

    She was not expected to become queen when she was born.

    But when she was 13, Danish law changed to allow women to ascend the throne.

    More than a decade ago, Queen Margrethe said she was inspired by the late British queen “and somehow I had to understand that I had to dedicate my life to my country as she did, and follow That way, that’s very important to me. ”

    ” The couple were the only queens in the world before the death of Queen Elizabeth. Elizabeth reigned for 70 years. Some people also consider her the world’s longest-reigning monarch.

    The Sultan of Brunei has sat on the throne longer but his country only gained independence in 1984. She is also the longest-reigning monarch in Danish history, surpassing King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway earlier this year.

    Affectionately known as Daisy, Queen Margrethe is famous for her smoking habits and her refusal to use a mobile phone and the internet – declaring herself “very happy” without them.

    Gotzsche said the transition of power for the Danish royal family was a time of mixed joy and sadness. “She has always been there, she has grown old with all of us,” she declared, adding: “The Crown Prince is in a very good position to take over, the succession is watched, that very logical and that completely makes sense.

    ” Crown Prince Frederik, like King Charles III of the United Kingdom, is known for his passion for the environment.

    He pledged to “steer the ship” of Denmark into the future. His wife, Princess Mary, grew up on the Australian island of Tasmania and was working as a lawyer when the couple met in 2000.

    Some see them as representing modern values ​​and have tried to give their four children as normal an education as possible, sending them mainly to public schools.

    During her time on the throne, Queen Margrethe continued to work in the arts and was famous for her love of art.

    She is also passionate about archeology and has participated in several excavations. She studied in the UK, spending time at Girton College, Cambridge and the London School of Economics.

    In 1967, she married French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, who served as her royal consort until his death in 2018.

    Every year, on New Year’s Eve, she gives a speech on television.

    This year, in addition to this announcement, she also talked about the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the importance of fighting climate change.

    Faced with the same challenges of modern society as other royal families in Europe, the Danish royal family has decided to reduce the number of members.

    This led to a public rift last year after the children of Crown Prince Frederik’s younger brother, Prince Joachim, were stripped of their royal titles.

  • Ghana will get there, just work hard – Akufo-Addo tells Ghanaians

    Ghana will get there, just work hard – Akufo-Addo tells Ghanaians

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has openly acknowledged that Ghana continues to grapple with challenges, highlighting the nation’s ongoing journey towards overcoming obstacles and fostering growth.

    Underlining the economic hardships endured in the preceding two years, President Nana Akufo-Addo shed light on the formidable challenges that have shaped Ghana’s fiscal landscape in a compelling address.

    In the face of these challenges, President Nana Akufo-Addo voiced assurance in Ghana’s ongoing recovery and resilience, articulating his optimism for the nation’s future.

    He stated, “I wish all Ghanaians a Happy and Prosperous 2024. Even though we are not completely out of the woods, I am confident that, with hard work and determination, Ghana will make it, and collectively, we will secure our futures.”

    This message underscores the acknowledgement of the hurdles the nation has faced, coupled with the determination to overcome them.

    President Akufo-Addo’s assurance reflects a commitment to fostering a spirit of unity and perseverance among the Ghanaian people.

    The President’s New Year message resonates with the ongoing efforts to address economic challenges and pave the way for a brighter future.

    As the country continues its journey of recovery, the message serves as a call to action for citizens to contribute to the collective effort of building a prosperous Ghana.

    In the backdrop of these sentiments, President Akufo-Addo also referenced the financial support received last year, with a tranche of $600 million credited to government account.

    This acknowledgement highlights the collaborative efforts made to navigate economic challenges and strengthen Ghana’s position.

    As the nation steps into the new year, President Akufo-Addo’s message echoes the belief that, with concerted efforts, hard work, and determination, Ghana will overcome its current challenges and emerge victorious.

    The call to secure the future collectively emphasizes the importance of unity and resilience in building a prosperous nation.

  • India begins space mission to investigate black holes

    India begins space mission to investigate black holes

    The Indian space agency has successfully launched a rocket carrying an observatory to study astronomical objects such as black holes.

    It launched from the Sriharikota spaceport on Monday at 9:10 a. m local time (03:40 GMT).

    This is only the world’s second mission of its kind after NASA launched one in 2021. The space agency said it wants to help scientists advance “knowledge about black holes. ”

    “We are in for an exciting time,” S Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro), said after the launch. A black hole is a region of space where matter collapses in on itself.

    Gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. Black holes appear after the explosive disappearance of some massive stars, and some are truly massive: their size is billions of times greater than the mass of our Sun.

    Isro’s satellite – the X-ray Polarization Satellite (XPoSat) – will aim to conduct in-depth research on black holes. Built at a cost of approximately 25 million rupees ($30 million; £23. 5 million), the XPoSat satellite is expected to have a lifespan of five years.

    This launch comes after a hugely successful year for Isro.

    In August, its lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 touched down near the moon’s South Pole, a region no one has visited before. A few days later, it launched Aditya-L1, the first solar observation mission.

    Monday’s launch is just one of many projects Isro plans to take up this year.

    “2024 will be the year of preparation for Gaganyaan,” Mr. Somnath said, referring to the project that aims to launch three astronauts into low Earth orbit and bring them back in three days.

    Isro carried out the maiden test flight for the mission in October 2023 and aims to be ready for the manned mission by 2025.

  • Israel claims Gaza War is projected to last until 2024

    Israel claims Gaza War is projected to last until 2024

    The Israeli military said it expected the conflict in Gaza to continue until 2024.

    In his New Year’s message, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said troop deployments were being adjusted to prepare for “protracted fighting. ”

    He said some soldiers, including reservists, would be withdrawn to regroup.

    “These adjustments are intended to ensure planning and preparation for the continuation of the war into 2024,” he said.

    “The Israeli army must plan ahead, knowing that there will be additional missions and fighting will continue for the rest of the year.

    ” He said some reservists will leave Gaza “as early as this week” so they can “recharge their batteries in preparation for future operations.”

    According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 21,800 people have been killed in Gaza – mostly children and women – in 11 weeks of fighting.

    The latest war was sparked by an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas gunmen into southern Israel on October 7, in which 1,200 people were killed – mostly civilians – and about 240 others. taken hostage Israel continued to bomb Gaza until the end of a dark year for the region.

    At least 48 Palestinians were killed in overnight bombings in Gaza City on Sunday, with many still buried under rubble, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

    Another attack killed 20 people taking shelter at Al-Aqsa University, west of Gaza City, witnesses told AFP news agency. The BBC cannot verify the latest information.

    The United Nations says 85% of Gaza’s 2. 4 million residents – nearly 2 million people – are now displaced. “Tonight, the skies of countries around the world will be lit up with fireworks and joyful laughter will fill the air.

    Zainab Khalil, 57, a northern Gaza resident currently in Rafah, told Reuters: “In Gaza, our skies are now filled with Israeli rockets and tank shells targeting innocent and homeless civilians residence”

    Netanyahu declared on Saturday that “the war is reaching its climax. ” “We are fighting on all fronts,” he said.

    “We have had great successes but also painful situations. It will take time to achieve victory. “As the (Israeli army) chief of staff said, the war will continue for many more months.

    ” Earlier on Sunday, further Israeli attacks were reported in central Gaza, with reports of airstrikes in al-Maghazi and al-Bureij.

    On Sunday morning, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said 150 people had died in the past day. Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Palestinians to leave Gaza and make way for Israelis who can “make the desert bloom”.

    The Israeli government’s official statement is that Gaza residents will eventually be able to return home, although it remains unclear how and when this might be possible.

    AFP reported that air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and southern Israel, similar to what happened in the new year, when Israel’s missile defense systems intercepted rockets fired from Gaza.

    A man in Tel Aviv celebrating the New Year with friends said: “I was very scared, like the first time I saw a rocket, it was terrifying. » Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for both attacks in a video posted on social media.

    They said they used M90 missiles to “respond to the massacres of civilians” carried out by Israel.

  • Japan issues tsunami warning following powerful quake

    Japan issues tsunami warning following powerful quake

    Japan has issued a large tidal wave warning after a 7. 6 magnitude earthquake struck the central region.

    National broadcaster NHK said people in the Noto coastal area of ​​Ishikawa Prefecture were encouraged to “quickly evacuate to higher ground”.

    NHK said waves up to 5 meters high had flooded Noto.

    Experts have also issued tidal wave advisories for neighboring Niigata and Toyama prefectures, warning that waves there could be as high as 3 meters.

    The open television displayed the words “Clear” in large letters to encourage people to evacuate to higher ground despite the winter weather.

    Individuals also posted recordings of the earthquake from their homes and from tram stations in the country.

    The country’s largest nuclear control regulator, Kansai Electric, said there was “nothing unusual” at nuclear power plants located in the affected area.

    The Korea Weather Bureau warned that tidal waves up to 0. 3 m high could hit the country’s east coast between 6:29 p. m and 7:17 p. m local time (9:29 a. m and 10:00 p. m local time) :17 am GMT).

  • Hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad members arrested – Israel claims 

    Hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad members arrested – Israel claims 

    Israel has reported the arrest of 200 members affiliated with the Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups in the past week. These individuals have been taken into Israeli territory for questioning, marking a significant move in the ongoing security situation in the region.

    In an official statement, it has been disclosed that a number of suspects, affiliated with groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, were discovered hiding among the civilian population. Some of these individuals voluntarily surrendered, as revealed by the statement, underscoring the complexities of security operations in the region.

    Israel says 700 Palestinian militants have been arrested since it launched its military operation and invasion of Gaza with the aim of eliminating Hamas.

    Hamas says mostly women and children are being killed by the Israelis.

    The BBC is unable to verify the claims.

    Israel launched its retaliatory operation after Hamas fighters crossed from Gaza into southern Israel on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.

    At least 20,000 people have been killed and 50,000 injured in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

    Israel has kept up its bombing campaign in Gaza – ordering civilians to flee.

    The UN said the latest order affected 150,000 people in the middle of the Strip.

    “People in Gaza are people,” wrote Thomas White from UNWRA, the agency for Palestinian refugees. “They are not pieces on a checkerboard – many have already been displaced several times.”

    The latest evacuation order impacted people in the Bureij refugee camp, who were told to head towards Deir al-Balah city further south. A medic named Ziad told Reuters news agency he was left asking where to go, as there was “no safe place”.

    Palestinian news agency Wafa reported on Saturday that Bureij had been shelled. Additional strikes on the Jabalia and Nuseirat camps had left “dozens” dead, it said.

    An adviser to the Israeli prime minister has acknowledged “terrible suffering” in Gaza – but told the BBC this was because the territory’s Hamas leadership “don’t give a hoot” for the people there.

    The suffering “shouldn’t have happened” but came about after a “declaration of war” by Hamas on 7 October, said Mark Regev.

    Saturday’s joint statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and internal security service Shin Bet said the questioning of 200 fighters followed the arrests in Gaza of “hundreds of suspects involved in terrorist activities”.

    The BBC is not able to independently verify all battlefield claims. However, it did verify video earlier this month showing the detention of dozens of Palestinian men in the north Gaza Strip.

    Meanwhile, the president of the UN Security Council has said a resolution adopted on Friday represents a crucial step towards averting a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

    On Friday, the council adopted a resolution that aimed to introduce “extended humanitarian pauses and corridors” throughout Gaza.

    The vote followed days of negotiations to avoid a veto by Israel’s key ally, the US.

    But the motion fell short of calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war.

    The US and Russia abstained on the vote, while the 13 other members of the council – including the UK, which had previously abstained on a similar resolution – backed the text, which called for creating conditions “for a sustainable cessation of hostilities”.

    The resolution also demanded that parties “allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian population throughout the Gaza Strip”.

    Hamas criticised what it said was an “insufficient step” to meet the humanitarian needs of people in Gaza, and accused the US of working hard to “empty this resolution of its essence”.

    The resolution also called for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”. The Israeli military urged the international community and international organisations to enforce it.

    UN Secretary General António Guterres said Israel’s offensive was creating “massive obstacles” to the distribution of aid in Gaza.

  • Hamas declares no further hostage releases until end of war

    Hamas declares no further hostage releases until end of war

    Hamas, the governing group in the Gaza Strip, has declared a halt to any further hostage releases, stipulating that Israel must agree to a “full cessation of aggression” before any such actions will be considered.

    Israel asserts it has eliminated over 2,000 Hamas fighters in Gaza since a truce earlier this month, coinciding with the release of more than 100 hostages.

    Around 120 people abducted from Israel on 7 October are believed to be still in captivity in Gaza.

    Efforts continue at the United Nations to pass a resolution on the war.

    The US has said it still has serious concerns over the draft UN Security Council resolution, with voting now postponed to Friday.

    Fighting continues in Gaza, with Israel bombarding the north and south of the territory and Hamas firing rockets at Tel Aviv.

    Among the Palestinians reported killed were the director of the police station in the southern city of Khan Younis and a daughter of the head of the Gaza health ministry.

    The week-long truce this month brought an increased flow of aid into Gaza, where the UN has warned that the population is at risk of famine if the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

    Negotiations on a new truce have been taking place in Cairo, Egypt, though initial talks on Wednesday bore no agreement.

    In a statement, Hamas said: “There is a Palestinian national decision that there should be no talk about prisoners or exchange deals except after a full cessation of aggression.”

    It is unclear to which other Palestinian factions the statement was referring. Islamic Jihad, a smaller group in the Gaza Strip, is among those known to also be holding Israeli hostages.

    The Hamas statement puts the Israeli government in a very difficult position.

    It has said it thinks the best way to get the release of hostages is military pressure on Hamas and by staging rescue operations.

    But so far that approach has not really worked. Only one hostage – Ori Megidish – has actually been rescued.

    The government is also under huge pressure from the relatives of the hostages still being held, with some telling it the strategy of force is not working.

    Hamas is putting pressure on Israel to stop the war altogether but without any guarantee that the group is going to stop its armed actions.

    So the Israeli government is extremely reluctant to stop fighting until it feels it has completely degraded Hamas capability and it has not done that yet.

    Media caption,

    Watch: Hostage says she was ”shown off like a trophy” by Hamas

    This will be a huge disappointment for the people of Gaza, who are desperate for this war to stop.

    Early on Friday, the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry put the overall death toll there since 7 October at 20,057, including at least 8,000 children and 6,200 women.

    When Hamas and their allies broke through the heavily guarded perimeter with Israel on 7 October they killed 1,200 people.

  • Russia bars anti-war candidate from contesting against Putin 

    Russia bars anti-war candidate from contesting against Putin 

    A former TV journalist who had declared her intention to challenge President Vladimir Putin in Russia‘s upcoming spring election has been disqualified from standing.

    Independent politician Yekaterina Duntsova, aspiring to run on a platform aimed at concluding the conflict with Ukraine, has faced disqualification in Russia’s upcoming elections, casting a shadow over her bid for political participation.

    But the electoral commission voted unanimously to reject her candidacy three days after her application, citing 100 “mistakes” on her form.

    Ms Duntsova said she would appeal the decision at the Supreme Court.

    The presidential election, which will be held in March 2024, is Russia’s first since President Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.

    The immediate slap-down of a Putin critic will be seen as evidence by some that no dissent will be tolerated in the campaign.

    The head of Russia’s electoral commission, Ella Pamfilova, said Ms Duntsova would not be allowed to progress to the next stage of gathering thousands of supporters’ signatures.

    “You are a young woman, you have everything ahead of you. Any minus can always be turned into a plus. Any experience is still an experience,” she told Ms Duntsova, 40, after the decision.

    The former TV journalist had declared she would run for the presidency in November. At the time, she told the Reuters news agency: “Any sane person taking this step would be afraid – but fear must not win.”

    Russia’s constitution was amended in 2020, increasing the presidential term from four to six years and giving Mr Putin a clean slate to run again by cancelling out his previous terms.

    Moscow has sidelined opposition figures for years, and President Putin is expected to win in March; the Kremlin claims he enjoys genuine support among Russians.

    Ms Duntsova had been vocal on her plans to run a campaign on ending the war in Ukraine and freeing political prisoners.

    She was quick to respond after the commission’s decision. “We will appeal to the Supreme Court, since this decision is not based on the law,” a message on her Telegram channel said.

    The commission said 29 people have so far filed to run for the presidency. But after today’s decision, Mr Putin remains the only candidate to be able to register as a candidate.

    In November, a nationalist pro-war blogger who had fiercely criticised Russia’s military strategy in Ukraine, said he wanted to challenge Putin and disrupt the “sham” poll.

    Igor Girkin, 52, was detained in July following a series of social media posts critical of the president. He is now in jail awaiting trial for extremism, which he denies.

    Mr Putin recently showed a rare example of caving in to popular pressure – by cutting the cost of buying chicken and eggs. On a public phone-in, a caller berated the Russian president for the high price she was having to pay.

    With just three months to go until the election, President Putin has now decided that eggs and chicken should be exempt from all import taxes.

  • Kuami Eugene trolls ‘bitter’ critics; says only deliverance can stop the envy 

    Kuami Eugene trolls ‘bitter’ critics; says only deliverance can stop the envy 

    Ghanaian artiste, Kuami Eugene, has taken a swipe at his critics, describing them as envious and bitter. 

    This follows a post made by Ghanaian blogger ZionFelix of the artiste’s performance at Black Sherif’s Zaama Disco concert which took place on December 21, 2023, on Instagram.

    The said post attracted some comments, especially on Eugene’s choice of dressing.

    While some of them commended him for dressing well, others expressed the view that he didn’t dress well.

    Other commenters asked whether it was Kuami Eugene who was performing or his look-alike.

    The ‘Monica’ hitmaker was unhappy after he read the comments under the post.

    He stated that some Ghanaians are bitter and it is only deliverance that can stop the envy and hate in the country.

    Kuami Eugene replied: “Going through the comments and I can see how bitter some Ghanaians can be against their own people . The envy and hate in this country de3 agye deliverance.”

  • Over 30k people attended Stonebwoy’s spectacular Bhim Concert

    Over 30k people attended Stonebwoy’s spectacular Bhim Concert

    Ghanaian artiste, Stonebwoy, continues to make a lasting impact on the Ghanaian entertainment landscape, as evidenced by the spectacular Bhim Concert hosted at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, December 22, 2023.

    In the wake of the accomplishments achieved by the show, both fans and critics are lauding it as a standout musical event of the December festivities.

    The award-winning singer put together a star-studded lineup, featuring A-list performers such as D-Black, Edem, S3fa, Efya, KiDi, Kuami Eugene, Empress Gifty, Nacee, Scott Evans, and more.

    Adding an international flair to the mix, Jamaican stars Jahmiel and 10tik graced the stage, elevating the concert to a global scale.

    Stonebwoy’s performance as always was nothing short of extraordinary, seamlessly blending old and new songs that had the audience singing along with fervor.

    The back-to-back showcase of musical prowess once again showcased versatility and mastery of his craft.

    Despite facing competition from other musical events, Stonebwoy’s Bhim Concert boasted a massive turnout, proving the unwavering support and loyalty of his fans.

    The Accra Sports Stadium, which happens to be the chosen venue for the extravaganza, witnessed an impressive crowd of over 30,000, as evidenced by videos circulating online.

    The energy and enthusiasm radiating from the audience per the videos seem online mirrored the artist’s ability to connect with his fans on a profound level.

    One notable highlight of this year’s Bhim Concert was the deployment of heavy security measures, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

    It is quite obvious that Stonebwoy’s Bhim Concert 2023 transcended expectations, solidifying its status as one of the premier musical events in the Ghanaian calendar.

  • Renowned transgender personality Fola Francis allegedly drowns at Lagos beach 

    Renowned transgender personality Fola Francis allegedly drowns at Lagos beach 

    A prominent Nigerian transgender model and fashion designer, Fola Francis, has met an untimely and tragic demise.

    Heartbreaking reports reveal the tragic drowning of Fola Francis on December 20, 2023, at Ilashe beach in Lagos, marking a sorrowful end to the life of the prominent Nigerian transgender model and fashion designer.

    On Friday, Vincent Desmond, a freelance journalist, officially confirmed her passing in a released statement, marking the sorrowful end of Fola Francis’s life.

    Desmond expressed the profound impact Fola Francis had as a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only to him but to many others.

    He conveyed the deep sorrow felt by friends and family and announced that details regarding a memorial would be shared at a later date.

    In the meantime, they requested privacy to mourn and remember Fola.

    Notably, Fola Francis made history as the first Nigerian transgender model to grace the runway at Lagos Fashion Week for designers Cute-Saint and Fruché.

  • Kofi Amoabeng flaunts muscles at gym

    Kofi Amoabeng flaunts muscles at gym

    Former military officer of the Ghana Armed Forces, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, has recently been seen hitting the gym, where he offered advice to Ghanaians on the importance of maintaining physical fitness.

    A Twitter post, shared by the former military officer, showcased Prince Kofi Amoabeng flexing his muscles and grooving to the rhythm of a song post his workout session.

    The 71-year-old businessman advised Ghanaians not to see their ages as setbacks in achieving their goals.

    He captioned the video: “You shouldn’t put an age limit on your dreams. Allow God to use you at any age; just make sure you stay FIT. I believe that is what God expects from us. Have a great weekend. Merry Christmas. #71+ younger,” he said.

    Popularly known as a former military officer, Prince Kofi Amoabeng gained traction as the co-founder of UK Bank, which collapsed amidst Ghana’s banking crisis.

    In 2020, Kofi Amoabeng was accused of embezzling GHC59.9 million from UT Bank. He was later arrested but was fortunate to be released on bail.

    Aside from being a businessman, he is also known for writing the books, “The UT Story: Humble Beginnings,” and “The UT Story: Building A Winning Team.”

  • Adani Best expresses admiration for Black Sherif after performance with “I Love You” 

    Adani Best expresses admiration for Black Sherif after performance with “I Love You” 

    It appears the bond between Ghanaian hiplife legend Adani Best and sensational musician Black Sherif is deepening as both artistes reunited on stage during the latter’s much anticipated concert.

    Adani Best participated as one of the performers at the second edition of Black Sherif’s Zaama Disco concert. The event took place on December 21, 2023, at the La Palm Royal Beach Event.

    Adani Best delivered an impressive performance, with the crowd enthusiastically singing along to his classic tunes during the event.

    As the Highlife singer neared the conclusion of his performance, Black Sherif joined him on stage, and together, they delivered a rendition of the song “Baa He Ote.”

    In a video shared by GTV Ghana on Twitter, it was an emotional moment as they were seen hugging each other. Adani Best expressed gratitude and love to the rapper saying “I love you”, and “I salute you” and Black Sheriff did the same.

    Other artistes such as Kwami Eugene, Kofi Kinata, and Fameye, added to the success of the event.

    The maiden edition of the Zaama Disco Concert was launched in 2022. Ghanaians who witnessed the first edition lauded the artiste and for it to be organized again in 2023, one can conclude that Zaama Disco has come to stay.

  • Emeka Ike was a drug addict, very abusive – Ex-wife vows to tell it all 

    Emeka Ike was a drug addict, very abusive – Ex-wife vows to tell it all 

    Ex-wife of Nollywood actor Emeka Ike, Suzanne Emma, has vowed to unveil a chapter of untold truths about the actor.

    According to her, the actor was a drug addict and very abusive when they were still together. 

    Her comment comes after Emeka Ike revealed in an earlier interview that he lost everything he had ever owned to his wife as a result of allegations of domestic abuse.

    Conversely, Suzanne Emma discussed her mistreatment by her former spouse with well-known media figure Chude Jideonwo.

    She disclosed that she had experienced physical abuse from the actor on occasions, who took advantage of her vulnerability to make her pay for the mistreatment.

    Furthermore, Suzanne asserted that she had an affair with a person of lower social status and that Emeka Ike had mistreated her when one of their children was in the hospital.

    She claims that her ex-husband, who is certain she would never be honest about their marital issues, would be startled to hear her side of the story.

  • Actress Ebube Nwagbo opens up about having a crush on Emeka Ike

    Actress Ebube Nwagbo opens up about having a crush on Emeka Ike

    Well-known Nollywood actress, Ebube Nwagbo, has disclosed a past infatuation with actor Emeka Ike.

    Ebube, who made this revelation recently, expressed that despite her crush on Emeka Ike, she never had the chance to convey her feelings to him.

    Expressing her enthusiasm, she shared that she was thrilled about Emeka Ike’s comeback to the cinema, particularly in Toyin Abraham’s latest film, ‘Malaika.’

    Speaking with QEDNG on the red carpet of the movie premiere which was held recently at Imax Cinema in Lagos, the thespian stated that, “I had a crush on Emeka Ike but wasn’t given the opportunity to express my feelings”.

    Nwagbo further stated that Ike had been off-screen for a while, and she could not wait to see his performance in the film.

    Her statement comes on the back of Emeka Ike’s interesting revelations about his ex-wife.

    The seasoned Nollywood actor, in a recent interview narrated how his ex-wife made him lose all his properties.

    Emeka Ike asserted that his ex-wife, Suzanne, falsely accused him of assaulting her, and the allegation also made him lose access to his children.

    “I didn’t come on the internet to clarify the allegations against me because it’s difficult to clarify because the same people that were bullying me on the internet, they were still there. They are gonna say, ‘Don’t mind him. He is still missing her. Move on.’

    “And if you’re not prepared to handle it, you will be crushed. My secondary school, St. Nicholas College, on CMD road, Magodo, was shut down. Over N480 million investment that year was shut down. And all I heard was a constant battery. I was like, ‘I don’t beat this lady. What’s going on? Babe, what’s going on? They said “I beat you, do I?”

  • Prague University tragedy elicits national mourning in Czech Republic

    Prague University tragedy elicits national mourning in Czech Republic

    The Czech Republic is observing a national day of mourning for the lives lost in the tragic mass shooting at a Prague university on Thursday. The nation comes together in grief to honor and remember the victims of this devastating incident.

    Official buildings lower flags to half-mast, and a moment of silence is scheduled for midday as the Czech Republic pays tribute to the victims of the mass shooting at a Prague university.

    A tragic incident unfolded at the Faculty of Arts building of Charles University in the capital, where fourteen individuals were fatally shot by a student who subsequently took his own life.

    Police are working to uncover the motive behind the attack.

    It is one of the deadliest assaults by a lone gunman in Europe this century.

    Those killed in Thursday’s attack included Lenka Hlavkova, head of the Institute of Musicology at the university.

    Other victims were named as translator and Finnish literature expert Jan Dlask and student Lucie Spindlerova.

    The shooting began at around 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT) at the Faculty of Arts building off Jan Palach Square in the centre of the Czech capital.

    The gunman opened fire in the corridors and classrooms of the building, before shooting himself as security forces closed in on him, police say.

    US tourist Hannah Mallicoat told the BBC that she and her family had been on Jan Palach Square during the attack.

    “A crowd of people were crossing the street when the first shot hit. I thought it was something like a firecracker or a car backfire until I heard the second shot and people started running,” she said.

    “I saw a bullet hit the ground on the other side of the square about 30ft [9m] away before ducking into a store. The whole area was blocked off and dozens of police cars and ambulances were going towards the university.”

    In a statement, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the country had been shocked by this “horrendous act”.

    “It is hard to find the words to express condemnation on the one hand and, on the other, the pain and sorrow that our entire society is feeling in these days before Christmas.”

    The gunman is thought to have killed his father at a separate location. He is also suspected in the killing of a young man and his two-month-old daughter who were found dead in a forest on the outskirts of Prague on 15 December.

    The attack had one of the largest death tolls of any mass shooting by a lone gunman in Europe this century:

    • Norway, July 2011 Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people by planting a car bomb that killed eight at an Oslo government building and then shooting dead 69 more, most of them teenagers, at an island summer camp run by the ruling Labour Party’s youth wing
    • Germany, April 2002 Robert Steinhauser, 19, killed 16 people – 13 teachers, two pupils, and a policemen – at the Gutenberg Gymnasium secondary school in the city of Erfurt. He had been expelled from the school the previous autumn
    • Germany, March 2009 Tim Kretschmer, 17, killed 15 people in a shooting that began at his former school in the town of Winnenden, near Stuttgart. He shot dead nine students and three teachers at the school before going on to the nearby town of Wendlingen, where he shot another three passers-by.
    • Switzerland, September 2001 Friedrich Leibacher entered the regional parliament building in the city of Zug dressed in a police uniform and shot dead 14 people and injured another 10
    • Serbia, April 2013 Ljubisa Bogdanovic shot dead thirteen people, including a two-year-old boy, and injured his wife in a village outside Belgrade. Bogdanovic was a military veteran who had fought with Serb forces in the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s.

    Founded in 1347, Charles University is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest such institutions in Europe.

  • Ukraine shoots down 3 Russian Su-34 warplanes

    Ukraine shoots down 3 Russian Su-34 warplanes

    Ukraine’s military has reported the downing of three Russian fighter jets in the southern region of the country on Friday.

    The Ukrainian air force declared that three Su-34 fighter bombers were successfully shot down over the Kherson region.

    President Volodymr Zelensky thanked the servicemen who had downed the planes, saying the incident had occurred in war-torn Kherson Region.

    Moscow has not commented on the claims, but influential Russian bloggers have reported losses.

    In his nightly address on Friday, Mr Zelensky said the downing of the planes would make Russian pilots attacking targets in Ukraine aware that “none of them [would] go unpunished”.

    He also said he had spoken to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte about the future delivery of F-16 jets, as well as a new EU support package.

    Russia has not commented on the reported loss of its jets, but Fighterbomber, an influential Russian war blogger, reported the loss of an unspecified number of planes, saying they had probably been downed by US-made Patriot missiles.

    Both surviving and dead crew members were recovered, the blogger added.

    Another blogger, Voenniy Osvedomitel, said the planes had probably been used to drop glide bombs on a Ukrainian position on the Russian-controlled side of the Dnipro River.

    Ukraine is facing an ammunition shortage as it continues to fight occupying Russian forces, following Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

    Kyiv’s counter-offensive ground to a halt at the start of the winter, and Republican representatives in the US – by far Ukraine’s largest military backer – have been reluctant to further fund Ukraine’s war effort.

    In a year-end press conference this week, Mr Zelensky insisted that Ukraine was not losing the war with Russia.

  • KOD knocks down a child on his way to MC an event   

    KOD knocks down a child on his way to MC an event   

    Renowned Ghanaian media personality, Kofi Otchere Darko, widely known as KOD, has shared a recount of an unfortunate incident where he accidentally collided with a child while en route to host an event.

    The unfortunate occurrence, as narrated by him, led to their hospitalization, with KOD spending the entire day receiving medical attention.

    Describing the situation as terrible, KOD said it inhibited him from showing up at the event he was supposed to have moderated.

    Panicking about the ordeal, he took to Facebook and wrote; “Terrible evening! Hit a kid on my way to host an event and have been at the hospital since.”

    However, several hours later, he shared an update on the situation.

    “God is good. Everything is okay and sorted out. Let’s all stay woke this season. Thanks to all who checked on me, I appreciate.”

    It can be recalled that Ghanaian rapper, Edem, was faced with a similar incident, but in his case, the victim unfortunately passed on.

    Edem, who unfortunately knocked down a 40-year-old naked woman on the George Walker Bush highway, has been charged with ‘careless and inconsiderate driving, and negligently causing harm’ by a Kaneshie District Court.

  • Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong crowned 2023 Most Influential ‘Celebrity Businessman’ of the Year

    Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong crowned 2023 Most Influential ‘Celebrity Businessman’ of the Year

    In a contemporary trend, the nation has given rise to a set of inspirational ‘celebrity business icons’ that the current youth generation is actively turning to for guidance and inspiration.

    Figures such as Dr Osei Kwame Despite, Ibrahim Mahama, and Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong are now regarded as “highly esteemed role models” for their substantial contributions across various domains, notably in philanthropy, media, and entertainment.

    With 2023 in focus, Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong stands tall on GhanaWeb Entertainment’s list, as he has been identified as the celebrity businessman who has had the most impact on the youth.

    Aside from being admired for his philanthropy work and entrepreneurial exploits this year, the Special Group of Companies’ founder has been lauded for descending from his ‘high pedestal’ and exhibiting passion towards the success of the Ghanaian youth.

    Education

    This year has witnessed the astute business mogul taking time off his busy schedules to invest, support and nurture future leaders and this can be evident in his active role in the National Science and Maths Quiz competition (NSMQ).

    Dr. Ofori Sarpong, the current Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC) past students’ Global President, has over the years invested time and resources to see his young contestants win.

    From providing a strong backbone to the students, usually storming the quiz competition grounds to show support (staging ‘jama’), to hosting them in his plush residence, he has proven to be an ideal leader.

    His passion towards ensuring young people succeed has since the NSMQ competition, been much-talked about and commended on social media.

    Sometime in April this year, Dr. Ofori Sarpong masterminded a huge concert at the Legon PRESEC school park, where he hosted a chunk of Ghanaian musicians to thrill the past students at their 85th-anniversary celebration.

    The likes of Sarkodie, King Promise, Eno Barony and many others, were billed for the concert, which saw Dr. Ofori Sarpong grooving to their tunes and boosting their morale on stage.

    At a point, he even performed with some of the celebrities on stage, and this went viral with netizens praising him for being ‘selfless’ and down to earth.

    Through the Ernest Ofori Sarpong Foundation this year, he has championed the construction of schools particularly in the rural area, provision of scholarships, and so on.

    This is in reflection of his belief in empowering the next generation of leaders and creating opportunities for them to succeed.

    In addition to his contributions to education, Dr. Ofori Sarpong has also been actively involved in projects focused on healthcare, community development, and youth empowerment.

  • Nigerian Journalist celebrates Sarkodie; says he’s an inspiration to many artistes 

    Nigerian Journalist celebrates Sarkodie; says he’s an inspiration to many artistes 

    Celebrated Nigerian entertainment journalist and media personality, Adesope Olajide, has lauded the achievements of renowned Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie, hailing him as a source of inspiration for numerous artists and music enthusiasts across the African continent.

    In an interview during a special presentation of the Rapperholic Exhibition in Accra, Adesope expressed admiration for Sarkodie’s resilience, applauding the rapper for his remarkable success and influential contributions to the African music scene.

    Additionally, he praised the team responsible for organizing the exhibition for their commendable efforts in bringing Sarkodie to the forefront of recognition.

    “Sarkodie has always been a very special artist to me, an inspirational artist who represents people and uses his talent. He’s one of the very few examples in rap in Africa that’s found a way to do what brings everybody in, either by his instrumentation, his choruses or by what he’s talking about.

    “We’ve all spoken to Sakordie over the last decade, and watched interviews, he talks about his start in the industry, Tema, music etc But to come into this exhibition and see the incredible work that the team has done to actualize, to put a picture together of how that man has started and carried on in his career. From humble beginnings to the biggest awards in the world, seeing it physically touching the outfits that we’ve seen on stage completely brings a whole new meaning to Sarkodie’s journey,” he said.

    Sarkodie’s Sarkcess imprint partnered with Eagle Plug and Mix Design Hub to organize the inaugural ‘Rapperholic Exhibition,’ drawing inspiration from the ‘Book of HOV’ exhibition. Eagle Plug and Mix Design Hub strategically chose an artist with a plethora of accolades, Sarkodie, and timed the event just days before the 10th-anniversary celebration of the ‘Rapperholic Concert,’ themed ‘Rapperholic: The Rebirth.’

    The exhibition, hosted at Mix Design Hub in Osu, was open for a brief five-day period and was attended by high-profile personalities such as Dr. Osei Kwame, Dr. Ofori Sarpong, Nadia Buari, and even Sarkodie’s family.

    The legendary Amakye Dede graced the exhibition on Tuesday, participating in a tour and delivering a performance. The schedule included a Student Tour, Fireside Chat, Curators Dialogue, and Podcast session.

  • Kwaw Kesse slams Shatta Wale over #PlayGhana controversy

    Kwaw Kesse slams Shatta Wale over #PlayGhana controversy

    Ghanaian artiste, Kwaw Kesse has publicly criticized Shatta Wale over his position on the #PlayGhana initiative. 

    In response to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s initiative advocating for the increased play of ninety percent Ghanaian songs on radio and at events, Shatta Wale’s derisive comments have stirred controversy. The Dancehall King’s mocking stance towards the #PlayGhana campaign has reignited discussions surrounding the promotion of local music in the Ghanaian entertainment scene.

    He insisted that foreign music, especially Nigerian songs, had come to stay and would have more relevance than Ghanaian songs in the country.

    In response to Shatta Wale’s claims, Kwaw Kesse lambasted Shatta Wale for his sudden shift in allegiances, citing the latter’s highly publicised social media rants in late 2022 over a lack of support from Nigeria.

    Citing a video captured by GhanaWeb of Shatta Wale claiming that Ghanaians who supported the Play Ghana agenda were “fools,” Kwaw Kese accused Shatta Wale of being a Nigerian and questioned if he could be trusted.

    “You can tell ur man is a full Jon. He was fighting Naija gidi gidi, today he’s a Nigerian. Senior Mumu,” he said in a tweet.

    “U dissed Wizkid give warning shot all and after he come GH you go moa urself like tortoise dey beg for picture. Senior Mumu,” he further said.

    Kwaw Kese and Shatta Wale have been at loggerheads since 2018. Their beef has consisted of social media banter and diss songs directed at each other. Despite a short break in 2020, the duo have been back at each other’s throats.

  • Ukraine moves Christmas from Jan 7 to Dec 25

    Ukraine moves Christmas from Jan 7 to Dec 25

    Ukraine has decided to move its Christmas celebration from January 7 to December 25. This move, seen as a departure from a historical association with Russia, reflects a deliberate choice by Ukraine to align its festivities with the internationally recognized date, underscoring the country’s pursuit of cultural autonomy.

    Breaking a tradition that dates back to 1917, Ukraine is now observing Christmas on December 25 for the first time.

    The decision goes beyond a mere shift from January 7, the traditional Christmas date in the Julian calendar used by Russia.

    It signifies an ongoing and substantial cultural transformation within the nation, representing the most recent effort to eliminate Moscow’s influence in Ukraine.

    The adoption of the Western, Gregorian calendar is also a sign of Kyiv’s continuing bid to align itself with Europe.

    Whether in war or peacetime, Christmas always comes.

    Klavdievo-Tarasove’s decorations factory, in a small town outside Kyiv, used to be one of three which supplied the whole of the Soviet Union.

    “We used to have many people – not any more,” Leokadia tells us. She’s worked on this production line since 1978.

    She effortlessly blows glass baubles using a gas burner fixed to her desk. It’s a welcome source of heat in these cold, industrial surroundings.

    .

    Leokadia

    After years of shrinking output, this factory stopped completely when Russian forces occupied this area for a month soon after the start of the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    “It was very scary when tanks drove down the street,” Henya, another worker, explains. “We couldn’t go outside. We had no information, we were cut off from the world. It was terrible.”

    And yet, despite only a third of the team having returned, decorations are still being made. Small pieces of Christmas cheer are carefully built and sent out around the country.

    And what is Henya’s wish for Ukrainians living under Russian occupation this Christmas?

    “You have to believe, hope – and liberation will happen, it will be like that.”

    Henya works on the more artistic part of the process: she and her colleagues caringly hand paint each individual bauble.

    You immediately notice a military theme. Miniature soldiers, MIG fighter jets, even a Ukrainian tractor pulling a Russian tank – all hang from a shelf, destined for a Christmas tree.

    Baubles

    “I think that everyone who will take a look at such a bauble will hope for the victory of our country sooner,” says Tamila with a defiant tone now typical here in Ukraine.

    Ukraine and Russia share countless cultural ties, and they will always have to live next to each other. Yet the former’s identity is only being strengthened by the latter’s aggression.

    Fewer places know that aggression better than the town of Bucha, a couple of miles from the decoration factory.

    As the Russian advance towards Kyiv slowed last year, invading troops were accused of killing more than 500 civilians in one of the worst atrocities of the war so far.

    Some of their names appear on a silver memorial next to the Church of St Andrew. As its golden domes glisten in the winter sunshine, you can still see where grass has struggled to regrow.

    It was here that a mass grave appeared during Russia’s occupation. The bodies of those who died could only be exhumed after they retreated.

    “Unfortunately for many people in the world, Ukraine is linked to Russia. And Ukraine is always viewed in the context of being a neighbour of Russia,” explains Father Andriy in the candlelit crypt of St Andrew’s.

    Father Andriy

    Unfortunately for many people in the world, Ukraine is linked to Russia… But I think that we are more a neighbour of Europe

    “But I think that we are more a neighbour of Europe,” he says. “And the fact that we’ve now changed the calendar is not shifting away from Russia. It is us returning back to Europe, where we belong.”

    Given Russia will always be close by, I ask whether he could ever forgive the invading country for what it’s done to his homeland.

    “God forgives a sinner, but only those who repent. We do not see yet that the Russians are trying to repent for their sins and mistakes, so I think it’s too early to talk about forgiveness.”

    For Ukraine, any Russian repentance must start with an end of its ongoing invasion. There is still no sign of that happening.

  • Diplomatic tensions escalate as France shuts Niger Embassy amidst dispute with military junta

    Diplomatic tensions escalate as France shuts Niger Embassy amidst dispute with military junta

    France has announced the indefinite closure of its embassy in Niger. The move comes as a manifestation of the strained relationship between the two nations. 

    The embassy says it is “no longer able to function normally or fulfill its missions” due to restrictions imposed by Niger’s military government.

    Local embassy personnel have been summarily dismissed, as revealed by former French ambassador Sylvain Itté in a formal communication. This move adds another layer of complexity to the diplomatic fallout between France and Niger.

    This comes as the last French troops have left Niger after being ordered out by the country’s military leaders.

    Niger’s relationship with France has soured since the military toppled President Mohamed Bazoum in July.

    In September, Mr Itté and several French staff left the country, a month after the military regime ordered the ambassador’s exit and set up a blockade around the embassy premises in the capital, Niamey.

    The embassy had been attacked by thousands of pro-junta protestors shortly after the coup, but were dispersed by Nigerien forces before they could enter the building.

    Under Mr Bazoum, France had more than 1,500 troops stationed in Niger to help fight jihadist groups linked to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

    Most had already left before Friday’s deadline and the last 157 have now pulled out.

    There are concerns that the French withdrawal could worsen the security situation in the region, which is now witnessing increasing attacks by Islamist fighters.

    In order to try and contain the insurgency, Niger’s junta has signed a new defence alliance with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali.

    Like Niger, these are both former French colonies where the military has seized power in recent years.

    There has been a rise in anti-French sentiment, with the former colonial power blamed for failing to halt the Islamist attacks, and accused of retaining excessive political and economic influence long after independence.

    The US, however, retains two military bases in Niger, where more than 600 American troops remain stationed.

    The US considers its military presence in Niger crucial to countering the growing influence of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group in West Africa’s Sahel region.

    Mali’s military junta is working with Wagner mercenaries in the fight against jihadists. The group has been accused of widespread human rights abuses.

  • Actress recounts how a man she thought was a ‘destiny helper’ tried to rape her

    Actress recounts how a man she thought was a ‘destiny helper’ tried to rape her

    Nigerian actress, Ogechukwu Anasor, also recognized as Bliss Thelma Joseph, has recounted a harrowing experience of how she was nearly raped by a man she thought was a destiny helper. 

    This, according to her, happened in the early stages of her Nollywood career.

    Having made her acting debut in 2016 while still a student, Ogechukwu described the encounter as a nightmarish experience. The actress openly acknowledged the existence of sexual harassment within the entertainment industry, sharing that her ordeal was just one among numerous incidents faced by others in the limelight.

    Recounting her distressing encounter during a phone conversation with our reporter, the actress, who hails from Anambra State, revealed that she was approaching 18 years old at the time, possessing minimal acting experience and lacking influential contacts.

    She has been fortunate to connect with individuals who were willing to offer her guidance on navigating her way into the industry.

    Fortuitously, she secured her debut role in a movie, seemingly handed to her effortlessly. However, unbeknownst to her, the saying “all that glitters is not gold” held true, as she encountered her most challenging experience while attempting to secure her second movie role.

    She narrates: “I got my first role in a movie on a platter of gold and I thought it was going to be an easy one. But when I got my second role, the reverse was the case. It wasn’t as easy as I expected . At a point, I almost committed suicide as a result of a lot of things that happened in the course of my journey into Nollywood. ”

    Painting a graphic picture of how the incident happened, the beautiful, tattooed actress recalled how the rapist invited her to his Awka apartment and started caressing her, and in the process slapped her and pulled out his kitchen knife to tear her clothes.

    Continuing, she said: “The first time I almost got raped was in Akwa. I tried to come back after I did my first film. I met a girl on set while filming my first movie and we became friends. She introduced me to a particular man who claimed to be a producer in Nollywood.

    “We got talking on the telephone and he invited me to his hotel room. I honoured his invitation and thereafter, I returned to my home town. I was supposed to be in Awka again for a job by Brymo. So, on coming to Awka, I started calling the other producers that I was in town and the guy in question asked me to come to his house to see him.

    “I wasn’t comfortable with the idea, but I felt he was a destiny helper because he sounded calm and nice. So, I went to his house where I met two other girls and a guy. We got talking and I told him I wanted to leave for my home town. It was at that point he told me there was a job they wanted to include me. I didn’t know how the industry was operating then. I was just there with him. I was almost 18 years old then. While I was with him, late Brymo’s PA kept calling my line. But I lied to him that I was in traffic and would be with them soon. Later, the guy in question dropped me off. I can’t remember exactly the name of the place again, where I met Zubby Micheal for the first time, Junior Pope and Sylvester Madu. The actors claimed they were working with him which turned out to be all lies. I took pictures with them. In the end, they wasted my time after my bag was locked up in the guy’s house. It was around past 1a m in the morning that we went back to his house.

    “I couldn’t go home. I think that guy is a ritualist because my spirit kept telling me to leave his house. If I knew what I now know I would have left the place even without my bag. But my concern was that I was filming and my bag was in the guy’s house. So, when we got to his house, he was already drunk as he started behaving strangely. I was not comfortable with him. But I was stuck, I couldn’t leave his house because I don’t reside in Awka and do not know anybody in town. Later, he put on his generating set and increased the volume of his music so loud because he was living in a self-contained apartment.

    “I was like I can’t sleep with this noise. But before I knew what was happening, he started touching me and I tried asking him what he was doing. The next thing he did was that he slapped me and pulled out a kitchen knife, muttering he would kill me and nobody would hear me because the music was loud.

    “I think everyone in the neighbourhood was scared of him as he was a Chief Security man in that area.

    I then started crying, saying I was a virgin. He didn’t believe me, rather he accused me of being a lesbian. He said ‘you are a lesbian that’s why you don’t want to have anything to do with me’. He said he would confirm by himself whether I was truly a virgin or not and if it’s true he would let me be. I was like let’s go to the hospital the next day. “But he refused, saying what’s the need of a hospital when he had a hand to confirm the truth. I was scared for my life. There was nothing I could do than let him have his way. He beat me terribly and used the kitchen knife to tear my dress just to instill fear in me.

    “The next day, I fled his house, it was later I heard that the guy was a serial rapist and that’s what he has been doing to many girls in the industry”.

    Though we are yet to verify Oge’s claims, she however told our reporter she had faced a lot of challenges, while trying to find her feet in the movie industry.

    She added, “I was rejected and blacklisted in the industry. I know how many jobs I did and wasn’t paid for. A lot of things happened during the early days of my acting career”.

    Interestingly, despite the challenges, the actress did not give up on her acting career. At the moment, she’s one of the promising actresses to watch out for in 2024. Oge is best known for movies such as “My Kind of Girl (2023)”, “Transition,” (2022) and “The Anointed Bride” (2022) among others.

  • Shatta Michy drags Shatta Wale to Juvenile court 

    Shatta Michy drags Shatta Wale to Juvenile court 

    Former girlfriend of self-acclaimed Dancehall King, Shatta Wale, has dragged the artiste to the Juvenile Court. 

    Ms. Michelle Gbagonah, popularly known as Shatta Michy, is seeking monthly maintenance and custody for their eight-year-old son.

    According to her, Shatta Wale has “failed or refused “to contribute any expense towards the child’s medical bills unless he’s asked and consistently reminded of this responsibility.

    Shatta Wale has thus been ordered to appear before the Juvenile Court.

    This development comes in the wake of a hearing notice displayed on the Family and Juvenile Notice Board in Accra, dating back to December 21, 2023.

    In a directive for Substituted Service, the order stipulates that the Hearing notice and the custody and maintenance form should be served on the respondent, who is untraceable for personal service. This is to be accomplished by posting copies of the documents at designated locations for a span of 14 days, after which this act shall be considered adequate service.

    It read: “When the case is called and you do not appear and answer, the court will proceed to hear the case without you.”

    The applicant contended that the respondent has “blatantly shirked his responsibilities as a parent” since she moved out of the respondent’s house.

    The court has directed that the court notice on hearing should be posted on the respondents (Charles Nii Armah Mensah) instagram handle Shatawalenima.

    The court has therefore ordered that the hearing notice should be posted at the Family and Juvenile Court at the former Commercial Court building High Street Accra.

    It further directed that the processes should be posted at his last known address at an unnumbered house, East Legon around Islamic University in Accra.

  • Nsawam chiefs appeal to NPP to allow Annoh-Dompreh to go unopposed

    Nsawam chiefs appeal to NPP to allow Annoh-Dompreh to go unopposed

    Sub-chiefs in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituency of the Eastern Region are making an appeal to the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). 

    They are requesting protection for their Member of Parliament, Frank Annoh Dompreh, who also serves as the Majority Chief Whip, to be allowed to run unopposed in the upcoming elections.

    Their plea is based on their positive assessment of Mr. Annoh Dompreh’s performance, highlighting achievements in roads, educational infrastructure, health projects, and effective lobbying for more projects in the constituency. Essentially, the sub-chiefs are expressing a desire for internal party support to ensure that Mr. Annoh Dompreh faces no opposition within the NPP during the elections, emphasizing their belief in his capabilities and contributions to the constituency.

    The chiefs in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri constituency are expressing admiration for the Member of Parliament (MP), Frank Annoh Dompreh, citing what they consider a remarkable job in areas such as roads, educational infrastructure, and health projects. They also acknowledge his effectivelobbying skills, which have led to more development projects in the constituency.

    Given their positive assessment of Mr. Annoh Dompreh’s performance, the chiefs are making a specific request. They are urging the National Executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to exempt Mr. Annoh Dompreh from facing any internal competition within the party during the elections. This request essentially seeks special consideration for Mr. Annoh Dompreh to run unopposed, highlighting their confidence in his ability to continue the positive impact on the constituency.

    The 29 Electoral Area Coordinators, along with over 1000 NPP delegates in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Constituency, have already expressed their endorsement for Frank Annoh Dompreh to go unopposed in the upcoming 2024 elections. This endorsement signifies a collective show of support from influential figures within the party structure.

    By endorsing Annoh Dompreh to go unopposed, these coordinators and delegates are indicating their preference for continuity and unity within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in that constituency. They are essentially signaling that they believe Annoh Dompreh is the most suitable candidate, and they wish to avoid internal competition within the party during the elections, emphasizing a desire for a seamless and uncontested candidacy for him.

    The chief of Okobeyeyie, Nana Opare Odei II, who addressed the presser on his colleagues’ behalf, said Annoh Dompreh has exceeded the expectations of all his constituents and won the admiration of traditional leaders in the constituency through his developmental projects.

    “Nsawam Adoagyiri is already on the path of progress under his leadership. We need him to focus his mind on what he is already doing without having to leave government business and others to run around in the name of campaigning for primaries,” the chiefs stressed.

    He said, “We, as traditional leaders of most towns and villages in the Municipality and agents of development, have never regretted having our MP in parliament because almost all the various developmental projects and infrastructure we see are driven by his efforts.”

    “We have been witnesses to a series of promises made by political actors from various political divides which have never been fulfilled. However, for once, if we are witnessing the fulfillment of these promises, we have to appreciate the person in the driving seat,” the chief stated.

    Okobeyeyie Nana Opare Odei II continued that Annoh-Dompreh is already leading us on the path of progress, especially with his position in parliamentary leadership, adding that “We cannot afford to stall or go back as a people considering the quick pace at which we are moving. These commendations are not political but facts that need to be acknowledged because it is often said that ‘he who climbs a fruitful tree is worthy of support.’” 

    However, they noted that they want the NPP hierarchy to ensure that Frank Annoh Dompreh goes uncontested in the upcoming Parliamentary primaries so ongoing developmental projects will not be abandoned.

  • Dr Kobina Kennedy lashes out at Ghana’s ‘selfish, corrupt’ leaders 

    Dr Kobina Kennedy lashes out at Ghana’s ‘selfish, corrupt’ leaders 

    A Physician, Author, and Politician, Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, has criticized leaders, both past and present, during an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile Change Speaker Series VI. 

    In his discussion, he highlighted prevailing narratives and delved into the fundamental issues confronting Ghana.

    Contrary to popular calls for constitutional reforms, Dr. Kennedy expressed disagreement, asserting that the root cause of the country’s challenges wasn’t necessarily the constitution or a lack of ideas. Instead, he pointed to the execution of those ideas as the central problem.

    In essence, he believes that the effectiveness in implementing policies and ideas is more crucial to addressing Ghana’s issues than making changes to the constitution or generating new ideas. 

    This perspective underscores the importance of execution and governance in solving the nation’s challenges, according to Dr. Kennedy.

    “I’ve heard a lot of Ghanaians, including some of your speakers, talk about constitutional reforms. Unfortunately, our problem is not constitutional reforms or ideas. Indeed, when you talk about ideas from Nkrumah’s seven-year development plan up to now, we’ve had ideas. The problem is execution. Our problem, therefore, is not our Constitution,” he said.

    Dismissing the notion that the old men at the helm of leadership are responsible for the country’s disappointing lack of developmental progress, Dr Kennedy said our developmental failings have nothing to do with the age of the leaders but everything to do with their lack of competence, and the vindictive nature of politics in Ghana. 

    Dr. Arthur Kennedy also disagreed with the perception that Ghanaians have an inherently flawed character. Drawing attention to the global diaspora of Ghanaians who have exhibited discipline and adherence to rules abroad, he stated that the problem is due to the systemic issues within Ghana’s structures. 

    “People say we have a bad character as Ghanaians. Not true. Every year thousands of Ghanaians get on planes and travel all around the world. When they get there the next year, they show up to work on time. They obey the rules, they drive within speed limits. The problem is not the Ghanaian, it is the systems that we are running,” he said.

    Dr Kennedy contended that the nation has weak institutions.

    “I think we have weak institutions and let me give you just a couple of examples. Our Electoral Commission was weakened by the removal of charges of some of its members with the appointment of partisans to take their place. Our Auditor General, Domelevo, was blatantly removed by the president with the shameful connivance of our own Supreme Court,” he stressed.

    Enumerating various issues, from the absence of meritocracy in appointments to the side-lining of the diasporan community and non-inclusive governance, Dr Kennedy said the nation is grappling with deep-rooted challenges.

    He emphasised that there is bad leadership, characterised by vindictiveness, nepotism, and policies lacking in equity and compassion.

    “Then, of course, there is the bad leadership, which is the elephant in the room. We have vindictive leadership. Then there is non-inclusive governance. We have policies devoid of equity and compassion, allowing a newborn mother who is bleeding to death to die because she cannot buy fuel for an ambulance. It’s not the policy of a compassionate government allowing people to die because they cannot get dialysis, and the dialysis unit owes a few million cedis in debt when we can spend $400 million putting up a Cathedral, it’s not what a compassionate government should do,” he said.

    “We have selfish leaders. Indeed, in the old days, people used to be ashamed of corruption, so they practiced it secretly. Now they do it blatantly. Our leaders are bad, but we are unpatriotic citizens. We accept bribes in order to vote. We defend our party leaders regardless of what they do.”

    Transitioning from the delineation of problems to a visionary discussion of solutions, Dr Kennedy advocated for the building of robust institutions, citing examples from history and contemporary politics. 

    Transparency in asset declaration, political party reforms, and the probing of past officeholders were among the proposed measures.

    He also emphasised the power of public sentiment in shaping governance, pointing to instances where public opprobrium had influenced positive change. 

    Calling for meritocracy and civic responsibility, the activist urged citizens to call out bad leaders, support individuals of integrity, fulfill their civic duties, and vote patriotically.

  • I choose Bawumia; he remains the best candidate for Ghana – Kofi Bentil

    I choose Bawumia; he remains the best candidate for Ghana – Kofi Bentil

    A vocal supporter of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidacy for the presidency of Ghana, Kofi Bentil, is expressing his belief that Dr. Bawumia is the most suitable person to lead the country. 

    This endorsement is based on Bentil’s analyses and assessments, presumably of Dr. Bawumia’s leadership qualities, capabilities, and vision for Ghana. 

    It signifies Bentil’s confidence that Dr. Bawumia is well-equipped to assume the role of president, especially considering the end of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s term. 

    Such expressions of support often highlight individual assessments of political figures and their perceived ability to lead a nation effectively.

    Kofi Bentil noted that notwithstanding the dissatisfaction of some Ghanaians with the current government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Bawumia is the most promising person to run Ghana.

    He explained that even though he is just an active citizen and not a politician, he has thrown his weight behind Dr Bawumia because he is the most promising presidential candidate and has shown proof that he is not corrupt.

    He suggested that, unlike Dr Bawumia’s main contender, John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who has had the chance to be president, Dr Bawumia has not been president before, and he, therefore, supports that he become president to prove his mettle and competence.

    “My activism has a political effect, but I’m not a politician. There’s a difference. I’m an active citizen.

    “I chose Bawumia because, someone must run Ghana after Nana Addo and after much thought and consideration I concluded that the best and most promising person who has never been President and has proven not corrupt is better than one who has had the chance. I will respect your choice, I simply ask for the same respect,” he said.

    He continued: “I understand that people are upset with this government. What I don’t understand is why they don’t realize this government is over,” he said in defence of his open support for Bawumia despite his work as a leader of a civil society organization. 

    Kofi Bentil has not hidden his admiration and support for Dr Bawumia’s quest to become President of Ghana. He has consistently defended his record as Vice President, insisting that he is best to be President come January 7, 2025, when the Presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo comes to an end.

  • Jomoro to get petro-chemical industry under next Mahama govt

    Jomoro to get petro-chemical industry under next Mahama govt

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to the people of Jomoro in the Western Region that, if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) comes into power, the next government will establish a petrochemical industry in their area. 

    The promise suggests a commitment to fostering economic development and creating job opportunities by leveraging the region’s potential in the petrochemical sector. 

    Such initiatives are often aimed at stimulating local economies, enhancing industrial growth, and addressing the specific needs and aspirations of the community.

    That, he said, formed part of measures to expand the oil and gas industry.

    Mr. Mahama, the flagbearer of the NDC for the 2024 general elections, was addressing the chiefs and people of Jaway-Wharf in the Jomoro Municipality as part of his two-day visit to the region, dubbed; “Building Ghana Tour.”

    He also hinted of building an ultra-modern market in Jaway-Wharf to boost trade and revive commercial activities in the once vibrant town.

    He assured the chiefs and people of an asphaltic road overlay to modernize the area and aid trade.

    The former president is expected to address a town hall meeting at Ambainu in the Ellembelle District and address students at the Esiama Nursing Training School.

    He will later hold another town-hall meeting for the chiefs and people of Evaloe-Adjomoro Gwira Constituency at Axim.

  • Dormaahene didn’t listen to us – Chieftaincy Ministry speaks on Berekumhene’s funeral brouhaha

    Dormaahene didn’t listen to us – Chieftaincy Ministry speaks on Berekumhene’s funeral brouhaha

    Chieftaincy Minister, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has disclosed that government made efforts to persuade Dormaahene (a chief or leader from Dormaa) to adhere to the arrangements made by the planning committee for the funeral of the late Berekum Paramount Chief. 

    The government wanted Dormaahene to respect the scheduled plans and protocols set by the committee regarding the funeral proceedings. 

    This involvement suggests an attempt to ensure order and adherence to established arrangements during a significant event, such as the funeral of a paramount chief.

    However, the Chief did not abide by the appeal.

    The Berekum Traditional Council obtained a legal injunction last month, preventing Dormaahene Oseadeeyo Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II (a chief from Dormaa) from attending the funeral of the late Berekum Paramount Chief on a specific day. 

    An injunction is a legal order that restrains someone from doing a particular act, and in this case, it restrained Dormaahene from participating in the funeral activities on the designated day. 

    The specific reasons for seeking the injunction were not detailed, but legal measures like this are typically taken to address disputes or concerns related to protocol, tradition, or other issues surrounding significant events like funerals.

    The November 22 court process came less than 24 hours to the date Dormaahene wanted to attend, which was the day planned for the attendance of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    Asamoah Boateng confirmed in an interview on TV3 that he had personally called the Dormaahene to consider other options aside the day Otumfuo was also billed to attend.

    “I called him and I pleaded with him, that Nana, look at the programme, you are meant to be there on Wednesday, not Thursday because I know the public discourse would not be peaceful if you appeared on the same day,” he said. 

    The minister confirmed that the Dormaahene explained that Wednesday was a ‘dabone’ – a bad day – for him and that he could not possibly attend. 

    Asked his thoughts about the injunction, and its propriety or otherwise, he said he did not have an opinion on it, save that maybe it was what the traditional council saw as the best option. 

  • GRA clamps down on companies breaching tax laws

    GRA clamps down on companies breaching tax laws

    The Accra South Compliance and Enforcement Team of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in collaboration with the police, conducted a swoop resulting in the arrest of a woman involved in operating a chain of supermarkets and a warehouse in the Teshie area. The arrest was made on grounds of Value Added Tax (VAT) infractions.

    This suggests that the woman and the business are suspected of violating VAT regulations, possibly by not complying with the required tax obligations. The enforcement action aims to address and penalize any alleged non-compliance with VAT rules within the mentioned business operations.

    The task forces have also summoned the owner of an iron rod company for a similar offence.

    The woman, whose identity has been withheld, was arrested on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, when the team visited three of her shops and later went to a warehouse of the company located at Teshie in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal District in the Greater Accra Region.

    The Manager of a dealer in iron rods and other steel products at Spintex also in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal District in the Greater Accra Region, was also invited to the head office of the GRA for allegedly not registering and failing to issue VAT to his patrons.

    The activities of the two companies were earlier identified by officials of the GRA in an undercover test purchasing exercise aimed at finding out the level of compliance by businesses.

    As required by law, all suppliers of taxable items, goods or services are to issue VAT invoices while patrons of such goods are also required to obtain VAT invoices for goods they buy.

    The computers, supplies invoices and records books of the companies were retrieved by the team for audit purposes while the shops were closed due to their nonconformity to issue the commissioner’s invoice.

    Test purchase

    Briefing journalists after the operation, the Head of Enforcement and Debt Management for the Accra South Area of the GRA, John Yaw Buabeng, said the authority would conduct pre-emptive assessments and take legal actions to prosecute the business owners if they were found culpable.

    He said the companies would be charged under section 58 of the VAT Act 870 for non-issuance of VAT invoices and “the appropriate sanctions will be applied.”

    The punishment for infractions such as non-issuance of VAT invoices as provided under the VAT Act included a fine of not more than one hundred penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not more than six months, or both, in addition to a payment of penalty of an amount of not more than GHC50,000 or three times the amount of tax involved.

    A penalty unit is GHC12.

    “When we did the text purchase from the businesses, they did not issue the commissioner’s VAT invoice.

    By the brisk nature of their business, they should have a computer-generated invoice.

    We found that they do highly selective issuance of invoices and even that they had to call for approval.”

  • Barari DV has not been given 10-year tax holiday – Minerals Commission clarifies

    Barari DV has not been given 10-year tax holiday – Minerals Commission clarifies

    The Minerals Commission of Ghana has refuted claims that Barari DV Ghana Ltd, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited, is registered under the Ghana Free Zones Authority and is eligible for a 10-year tax holiday. 

    The refutation suggests that the company in question is not registered with the Ghana Free Zones Authority, and therefore, it is not entitled to the associated tax benefits, including the mentioned 10-year tax holiday. 

    This clarification aims to correct any misinformation or misconceptions regarding the company’s tax status and incentives.

    It comes after the National Democratic Congress (NDC), through its National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, made allegations in a statement released on December 13. 

    The statement called on the government to provide clarification to the public regarding why Barari DV Ghana Ltd, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited, would be allowed to enjoy a package, specifically referring to the claimed 10-year tax holiday under the Ghana Free Zones Authority. 

    The NDC is seeking transparency and information from the government to address concerns and provide a clear understanding of the situation surrounding the company’s tax benefits.

    “We are, however, told that the Company is registered under the Ghana Free Zones Authority and is entitled to a 10-year tax holiday when such tax concessions are ordinarily not granted to mining companies in the country. If true, this will deprive the country of corporate taxes during the first ten years of the Ewoyaa Lithium project. This will effectively limit Ghana’s share to the paltry 10% royalty and marginal benefits from our 13% carried interest and the 6% equity held by the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).”

    “It is, therefore, imperative for the government to clarify the status and tax obligation of Barari DV and its parent company. Ghanaians deserve to know whether or not the company is a free zone company, and why a mining company should be accorded free zone status. Ghanaians deserve to know all the concessions the government is giving the company (Barari DV/Atlantic Lithium) for a holistic assessment of the benefits of the deal.”

    However, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, in an interview urged the public to disregard the allegations and indicated that there are currently no tax holiday incentives for the mining sector anywhere in the country.

    “There is no ten-year tax holiday on this deal, and I can say that we have not approved any tax holidays for them. With time, the Minerals Commission or the government will be vindicated. The Government of Ghana or the Minerals Commission has not granted any tax holidays, and there is no tax holiday for the mining sector in Ghana at the moment, so this matter must be put to rest.”